Celestial Storm: Golden Dawn

Chapter Two: The Drowned Tower

I came to in a circular room that appeared to be dedicated to some evil deity. I was tied to a statue with my hands over my head. I furiously wiggled my fingers trying to restore circulation. No one was in the room. My bags were on an altar along with the possessions of other people, presumably the cultists. The room seemed to be devoted to evil wolves, for there were decorations depicting wolves on the walls, the altar and on the possessions that didn't belong to me. There were six doors around the room that probably led to six different locations. Looking up again, I saw that the statue I was tied to appeared to be depicting a wolf skeleton holding a scythe. It was like a wolfish version of a grim reaper.

I remained tied to the statue in silence for several minutes before the sound of raised voices reached me. It seemed that I was either on the buildings top floor, or there were a couple of basement levels. The arguing continued for several minutes before dying down. It seemed that the irate party had left the building.

I heard someone shout outside of the building, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

The answer was a resounding boom as the building shook. It sounded almost as though a dragon had just slammed into the building. The sounds of fighting were quick to break out especially after someone shouted, "GET HIM!" The sounds of fighting ensued for several moments. I finally saw some movement at the spiral staircase that went up to my floor and on to a higher level or levels.

A long muzzle stuck out from the spiral staircase followed by the creature's entire head, which was held on a long, snake-like neck. The two pairs of horns behind its eyes and the horse-like ears were a bit different than a dragon. This creature was covered in soft, thick fur that was red like fire. Its yellow-eyes held an intelligence that was akin to a human's intelligence. And the creature wore a pair goggles on its head, had two earrings in its right ear and one in the left ear.

I stared it for several moments uncertain if I should be afraid or not. The creature stared back at me. Then the rest of its body came into view as it moved forward into the room. White wings were tucked close to its sides. It wore a bag pack on its back. Strong legs with long, lizard like fingers that had black claws held its body up. A tail with long hairs snaked out behind it. The creature sat down and raised a paw, which was shaped very similarly to a human hand.

"Hello," it said in a high, squeaky voice.

"You speak?"

The head bobbed up and down in a nod.

"Uh-huh, uh-huh," it squeaked.

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm looking for someone named Lucina," it replied.

"Well, you found her," I said.

"Yay!" it squealed in delight.

It ran over to the statue and jumped up onto it. I felt the rope tense as the creature started chewing on the rope.

"Gah! I think I chipped a tooth!" I heard the creature whine.

"Did you honestly think that the rope would break that easily?" I demanded in astonishment.

"Well, I figured I should give it a try," the creature squeaked.

"Go get that pouch on the altar," I directed.

"Why me? You go get it," it said.

"I'm the one who is tied up!" I said indignantly.

"Well, untie yourself," the creature squeaked.

"Give me my signet bag, and I will! Don't you think I would have untied myself if I was capable of doing so?"