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[Rufus Oryan]

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The Fire Temple; Two nights prior to this one…


A strange wind blew just before the fire temple. Vaen Swiftar’s horse slowly trotted from a moongate just at the temple’s entrance. It seemed as though it would be one of his average melee expeditions filled with the bashing and vanquishing of foul daemons and horrid unholy beasts that inhabit the wretched place. That uneasy air brushed by his nostrils, allow him to take in the foul scent. “Something isn’t quite right…” Vaen thought aloud. But allowing seconds to pass with little pondering on the ill wind, he began his journey into the temple. The usually dank corridors were slightly illuminated; the essence of the building has changed much, the murky feeling persists, but an odd aura circles about, a change has occurred…

“This shall be fairly easy. Tis quite sad how the unholy creatures of this temple know not their fate which lies in the privy they came from.” Boasted the cocky warrior, allowing a slight smirk to cross his lips. Still the uneasiness of his surroundings has not become apparent. Within moments, he is met by a daemon. Thick drool falls from the beast’s mouth as it takes a massive swing at Vaen’s torso, looking to sever flesh or worse. Almost effortlessly, Vaen draws his sword in an instant, extending it just beyond the monster’s wrist, swinging quickly, severing the daemon’s hand entirely. Vaen’s horse stood fast, flinching nay for the daemon or other threat, mayhaps they had become all too comfortable with the situation. Their unity was one of the major reasons for their success; Vaen’s concentration, righteous efforts and positive thinking proved to aid them in maneuvering through the most terrible situations. No matter the consequence, adversary, or hindrance the journeys must be completed. Still they trekked forward through the dark corridor.

As time passed, monsters were slain with subtle ease and boredom slowly overcame Vaen. As silence fell within the hallways’, Vaen came to a large room, filled with candles. His horse followed close behind, stepping lightly and hearing the sounds of bones under their feet. Heavy breathing echoed throughout the room and suddenly a monstrous wail shook the walls. Vaen narrowed his eyes a bit, pondering on the situation, “Possibly another beast, or even a traveler crusades through these halls as well…we shall see.” Vaen gathered his breath, “Lo There! Show thyself, be you friend or foe!” He received no answer, he slowly walked forward brushing his foot against a ripe daemon
Carcass. The scent of Sulfur was fresh in the vicinity. A rune began to glow a gold hue in the darkness; as if it floated about eye level in one of the room’s corners. As the rune emits a pulsating glow, the echo of enchanted words fills the room, “Corp Por”. Vaen stood ready, knowing the incantation, he attempted to defend himself in the darkness best he could. A bolt of energy flew from the corner of the room, lighting up its path partially as it fly through the air, ending at Vaen’s armored shoulder. He held back his painful cry, almost swallowing the energy and rushing to the bolts point of origin. He raised his sword above his head, lowering it to execute an overhead attack on his aggressor. A lighter, curved blade, met his sword but Vaen’s strength was greater than his attacker. He felt their arm give a bit as his attack met their defense. He threw his shield into their chest, pushing them backward a bit. A human grunt bellowed from their mouth. Vaen could hear his assailant circling around him, readying to strike. Light foot steps suggested that they were making their way towards him, “Por Ort Grav” announced the dark figure as bolts of lightning flowed from their fingers. The light generated by the attack, did show part of the attackers face, only a portion though…a marking under their right eye. Vaen pondered on the marking for only the instant he was allowed, assessing that the attacker was human and raised his shield as he ran at the being. Flickers of light danced about the corridor as the two continued their fight. A stiff right hand met the jaw of the darkened figure; this allowed Vaen time to grab him, then thrusting his fist into the attacker’s stomach with all his might, he had knocked him unconscious. Vaen ran to a satchel placed at his horses side, gathering a lantern. As he lit the lantern, light filled the room, and his attacker lie on their stomach. Scars covered his back, a large shape or marking resembling a phoenix. Vaen slowly turned the man over to address his identity.

Before Vaen Swiftar lay an tattered, unconscious Rufus Oryan. Vaen readied to pull him from the darkness that he rest in, and allow him to regain his strength…much was on the way…
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