The Quest

The Temple

They met no one on shore and the island lived up to the name. Visibility was so low Pendleton walked into a tree...twice. They unloaded the supplies and started the hike into the jungle. Pendleton led the way with his saber, cutting down the thick foliage to make a path. Followed by Timothy with the chart of the island and finally Sonia in the back with her crossbow. They hiked for a few hours before finding the temple. Two large stone doors stood in their way. After trying to push them open the team gave up on opening them manually.

"There has to be a swith or button around here that will open the doors." Pendleton said after pushing the doors for the final time.

"What are we even doing here? I thought we were heading right for Rusteel's HQ." Sonia asked.

"There is something in here that we need and will help us topple Rusteel." Pendleton said as he inspected the vine covered walls.

They searched the surrounding area but everything was covered by vines and plant life that it had to be cut off.

Timothy inspected the area in front of the doors. There were scrapes on the roots and stone that made up the temple entrance. Scrapes that began at the center of the doors and ended where the doors would stop moving had they been opened.

"Guys I think that it's a pull instead of a push." Timothy said.

"Then how do we get in? There are no handles to use." Sonia asked.

"Maybe we knock." Said Pendleton jokingly.

He knocked hard on the thick stone. There was a low rumbling as the doors started to swing open. The group stared down the long stair case that led into the belly of the temple.

"I guess they were expecting us." Sonia said.

Pendleton pulled Timothy aside.

"Listen Tim, this temple was built by the Golden Warrior himself, when he placed the sword here millenia ago. It is meant to test the sword bearer to make sure he is worthy to carry the sword. This is going to be dangerous."

"But Pendleton, who is going to carry the sword out? We still don't know who the sword bearer is. And according to you, only thr sword bearer can carry the sword."

"I have a good idea of who it is and we will get the sword out easy enough. After we do get it, I think we can trust your friend Sonia over there enough to tell her our mission."

Timothy looked over at Sonia she was looking the doors and walls over in astonishment. Timothy was happy that Pendleton finally trusted her.

All three walked to entrance of the Temple and stared down into the darkness. After stepping onto the first step a torch lit on both sides of them. It continued to do so every five steps. They reached the first landing with no incedents, but we're stopped. The doors that lead deeper into the temple were sealed. On where the door should be was an inscription.

"How do we go farther?" Asked Sonia.

"It's very wordy but the short version is that this is the 'Royal Door' and it can only be opened by a member of the royal family. All I have to do is press my hand here below the inscription and it should open."

Pendleton pressed his hand onto the door. Some gears clicked and wired and a hatch beside them opened.

"Down!"

Timothy leaped towards Sonia and Pendleton and dragged them to the floor as darts flew out the hatch and embedded in the wall beside them.

"And you said I have the reflexes of a dead cat." Timothy said.

All three stood up and brushed the dirt off themselves.

"Ahh, I see I miss interpreted what it said. I was to place my hand elow the above the inscription." Pendleton said as he put his hand on the stone door.

It slid open like the door in front of the temple. After an hour of wandering large corridors and experiencing many near death experiences they found the treasure room at the center. The room was locked by two doors that were heavily ornamented with gold and jewels. The door had a picture drawn out by the ornaments. It showed a large sword surround by flames. Around the flames were monsters that were burning in the fire or shying away from it.

"This is definetly the room." Pendleton said.

"How does it open? There are no handles, or switches." Timothy asked.

"Well Timothy," Pendleton said as he pulled Sonia away from him. "The only one who can enter the Sword Chamber is the Sword Bearer himself. And after watching you for the last few months I have determine that it is you."

Timothy was shocked. He was awful with a sword.

"All you need to do is place your hand on the door. After doing so the spirit of the Chamber will decide if you are pure and worthy of using Clarent."

Timothy stared at his reflection in the gold of the door. He slowly raised his hand to touch it. He felt the cool metal under his hand. Suddenly a golden light surrounded him. He fell to his knees and yelled in pain. He tried to pull his hand away but it was stuck fast. The light was so bright and he could feel it like flames, surrounding and engulfing him.

He fell out of conciousness.