Four Paws: Deliverance

Alone again, naturally~

"We, we shouldn't go to Fogbound Lake."

Jacob paused and turned, his brows furrowing as he looked at Lavendar. "Why not?"

Gathering her courage, Lavendar met Jacob's gaze. "Because, Cresselia is hiding in the Sundown Temple, in Madeira desert. Cresselia's behind all this," Lavendar added quickly.

"All what?" Ace asked, gesturing around.

"Well..." Lavendar trailed off, unsure of herself.

Grunting, Tertle shifted from their path and began walking west.

"Tertle?" called Jacob. "Where are you going?"

"To slap a legendary."

Glair laughed wildly. "Time for round two! C'mon Ace!"

Jacob and Pixie stood dumbfounded, sharing looks as Glair ran ahead, dragging Ace behind her.

Pausing, Tertle glanced over his shoulder. Smiling at his friends, he nodded. "Trust me. No excuses."

The confusion etched over his face, Jacob didn't say anything but slowly walked after the others, Pixie following him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Lavendar hurried to catchup. Thank goodness for Tertle, who knows what would happen without him.

The trek to Sundown Temple was a lengthy one. The team passed through the forest, into an arid region, before coming across wide open plains of tall yellow grass. Tertle had carved a path through the fields, his bulk cutting a swath. Glair had perched on Tertle's shoulder, surveying their curious surroundings, while Ace glided overhead.

It was strange. Lavendar had heard so many stories of them, but now, to walk beside them. Laughing alongside Glair, seeing Jacob's leadership and watching Ace's arrogance fade, relying on Tertle and finally knowing Pixie; Lavendar never thought she'd get the chance. More than once she had to stop herself from crying. She fought to remain focused on her goal, but emotion was always bubbling beneath the surface.

When our heroes finally arrived at Sundown Temple the moon was high overhead, and the sands were cold against Lavendar's four paws. A cold wind raced through her fur, leaving it gritty with sand. Craning her neck, she strained to see the top of the temple, silhouetted against the moonlight.

His head tilting, Ace pressed his hands against his hips. "Why's it so big?"

Jacob snorted, trying not to smile. "That's what she said."

"I never said that." Pixie strolled past Jacob, into the temple.

Glair roughly patted Jacob's back. "That's rough, buddy."

"I don't need your sympathy!"

Strolling past, Ace smirked. "L, bozo."

With a groan, Jacob followed after them.

The inside of Sundown temple was brightly lit, torches hanging in sconces haphazardly along the walls. The yellowed sandstone seemed like it was crumbling in places and the place smelled of dust. The mazelike temple stretched high into the sky. The team stubbornly pushed onwards; surpassing obstacles identical to those in the first book.

Finally reaching the temple's peak, the team dropped down a deep hole, into the depths. Landing atop the bouncy spring-grass at the bottom, they quickly regrouped and cautiously approached the last room.

A dark corridor opened into a spacious room, lit by burning torches. The ground underfoot was loose sand, patches of grass growing here and there. A small stream ran through the middle of the room, a bridge leading across it to a stone dais. A yellow portal hung in the air.