Chapter Seven The Eye of Oguran
The bones of ancient creatures littered the ruins. Only small rays of moonlight poke through the cracks in the ceiling above. Laline didn’t know how, but a door immediately slammed behind her when she entered the shrine. Taking to the shadows instinctively, she examines her surroundings.
Figuring Haga was probably out there looking for a way in, she starts feeling around the door. Nothing but strange markings in the walls. Then a whisper echoes through the chamber. As if to be standing guard, a large skeletal statue begins to glow.
“The queen has returned.” the object emits in an ominous voice. It appears to be staring at Laline as she takes a moment to gather her thoughts.
“Who are you, what do you want with me?!” she manages to speak. Again, nothing but silence and a deep gaze.
A low rumble now stirs from below. Suddenly, a stairway begins to descend below the skeleton. The passage deeper into the shrine becomes visible with light of the moon, and a heavy breathing can be heard from inside. Some sort of ancient creature lurks within. Close combat seems to be the only option in this small space and Laline is ready to charge in for a battle.
She had managed to stock up on a few flash bombs before leaving The Order. They don’t do much damage but can surprise foes. With a flash of light and sparks, the creature becomes visible. Some sort of living stone golem. Completely unaffected by the blast, it continues to march forth slowly.
The Seer had mentioned elemental beings that were once mortal, but Laline wasn’t sure if this was the legendary Oguran. Each step of the golem causes the entire chamber to shake. Now with her back against the wall, Laline draws her blades.
Meanwhile, having been examining the stone structure, Haga couldn’t see any way to unlock the door. None of the books or items given by the Seer seem to have any meaning to these ruins.
“What were we even supposed to be doing here?” he wonders. Getting desperate, Haga simply begin shouting into the wind.
“There has to be something we’re missing!” he shouts as if someone was listening. Then the ground rumbles. Something is happening inside, but Laline is still trapped. Closing his eyes, and clenching his fist, Haga focuses on the sand and stone.
With a heartbeat like rhythm deep within the shrine, Haga senses a spirit awaken. Slowly he moves towards the altar and places his hand upon the surface.
“Speak Guardian!” an angry voice enters his mind. “Or does this realm wish to return to the void?” Suddenly, Haga’s thoughts are filled with intense emotions and visions of the past.
Inside, Laline manages to dodge each devastating swing of the hulking golem is devastating, but you have managed to dodge them so far. She knows she can’t keep this up forever though. Strikes from her blades are virtually useless, but the golem is relentless with its pursuit.
Reaching out for another strike, she braces herself for a parry. Then, the being suddenly stops in its place. The glow in the eyes appear to lose focus on her and the golem turns towards the entrance. It seems to be communicating with something outside, so Laline ducks behind a wall and waits. For a few moments it is distracted. She watches as it begins to move towards the entrance.
Laline trails behind when she notices it was no longer hostile. The being lumbers with each step until it finally reaches the door. Everything begins to vibrate with a low humming tone that echoes through the chamber. The golem’s arms raise as if to be offering a prayer. Then, the door begins to open slowly.
Completely lost in a vision, Haga is controlled by an overwhelming presence.
“The pact has been forgotten; each seal is fading. The Betrayer must not be allowed to return.” a dark voice speaks directly into his mind.
“Let this Archonosis of stone bring you the strength to guard the pact.” and with that final word, he is released from its grip while collapsing to the floor. Laline rushes to his side. The world feels like it’s spinning the recovering mage. A glowing stone now lays on the altar where Haga’s hand was once placed.
Laline step toward the eye.
“I think it was meant for you.” Haga struggles to speak. The stone begins to glow again. A magical force seems to be flowing out of it and towards Laline. Bright lights blinds them for a moment as she unsuspectingly absorbs the magic.
The Eye of Oguran spoke to Haga about a pact once made by a queen long ago. It didn’t explain what sort of connection Laline had to all this though. Now that the golem sleeps once more, the two manage to get some rest.
Haga’s night is continuously disrupted by visions of the past and a voice that fills his mind. It was all so fast but may now be starting to understand.
Oguran sounded urgent requesting aid in keeping this “Betrayer” under some sort of seal. The whole thing seems really ancient, and the visions are of lands they have never seen or heard of before. Sleep doesn’t come easy that night, but Laline appears to have gained some sort of new ability from the stone.
She is able to channel magic that blends her appearance into the surroundings. Likely a new gift bestowed upon her by Oguran’s power. The eye was uniquely charged with Archana, and appeared to easily conjure powerful magics.
Books from the Order of Ianralei detailed the forging of the Mortal Plane. It was called an elemental awakening and one that disrupted the primal dragons. Perhaps these powers were linked somehow? Haga simply watches Laline practice her skills as he becomes lost in thought. After a brief breakfast, they both get back to the task at hand.
“Do you really think this predates the Magi?” Laline questions while Haga charts a course to Malamore Lake. “I see you scribbling markings and nonsense in that book of yours.” she continues.
“I’m still trying to piece it all together myself.” Haga responds and is preparing to leave. “Whatever that being was, and this power- it seems to all be connected.” he acknowledges. His focus is on getting out of the desert as quickly as possible now.
Chapter Eight The Voyage Home
