Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 65: Sha-Ru's Temple

Macai meets in the conference room of the Prompt Adjudicator with Kanna, Rosh, Aiya, Dade, Sonna, Hagenko, Irina, and Dengo. Macai leans on the table while everyone else takes their seats. Aiya comments, "Intelligence has discovered DOJ forces have encamped themselves around Sha-Ru's temple."

Rosh looks at Macai, "Sha-Ru's temple? Isn't that the ancient cult-like temple that was operated by some crazy cult of sandbenders?!"

Macai looks back at Rosh, "Yes, but many mysteries remain about that strange structure. It is located between the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom deserts. The area is very remote but the temple sits in the middle of nowhere. If Zerrel's forces go out there, they'll be vulnerable and easy to target."

Kanna asks, "Why do you think Zerrel's troops would take the risk of going somewhere like that?"

Macai answers, "Zerrel is no fool, we know that much. It could easily be a trap, but I think he has a bigger objective. If I were to guess, Zerrel is in a rush. That temple has many ancient secrets, I believe a researcher named Zandelso believed that people who operated the city could hack into the sands of time and see into the future. I believe he also said there was something different about the area the temple is in."

Dade: "Where is the temple located?"

Macai: "The Sannagoggi Desert and Zandelso believe the area had a strong spiritual affinity. It is a very hot land, so it's going to be rough for nonbenders."

Dade asks, "Hotter than Ba Sing Se?"

Macai: "Ba Sing Se is often between 26 and 33 Celsius (80 and 90 Degrees) with low humidity while the Sannagoggi Desert is 32 and 55 Celsius (90 to 130 Degrees) with moderate humidity." Dade passes out from the revelation.

Kanna: "I'm honestly not hyped about this trip either."

Rosh looks at Macai, "It's only over 50 Celsius (122 degrees), during the middle of the summer. It'll probably be more around 43 Celsius (110 Degrees)."

Hagenko notes, "That is still ridiculously hot, but I've been through worse."

Irina: "I haven't..."

Hagenko: "Well, no one ever said the military life was glamorous."

Macai scratches his head, "Well, serving with some high nobles is a bit glamorous isn't it?"

Hagenko: "I kind of forget about it when people launch arrows at my head."

Rosh: "Point taken."

Macai cracks his knuckles, "I'm hyped for this next fight. We're going in fast and hard with three small teams. Aiya, I think we have a picture of that temple's layout can you check?" Aiya nods and briefly exits.

Kanna: "Soooo, Macai what do you think is inside of this temple?"

Dade: "Oh ooooohhh, let me guess. A bunch of death traps."

Rosh: "Check."

Dade: "And a bunch of deadly cultists."

Rosh: "Double check."

Dengo: "Some creepy walls with strange writing on them."

Rosh: "Triple check."

Kanna: "And some weird religious priests."

Rosh: "Quadruple check." Aiya returns with the picture.

Macai: "Alright shut up, Aiya is back."

Rosh: "Rude." Aiya prompts the picture on a stand and Macai picks up a long ruler.

Macai points his ruler at the lower center of the map, "I will take a team and go here. I'll hit the center of the map and look to get Zerrel's attention. I know he'll be expecting me."