This choice: Nothing happens and they find the shrine eerily quiet • Go Back...Chapter #47Nothing happens and they find the shrine eerily... by: TheCloneO   As the journey continued, it appeared as if Shade's concerns were unfounded for now, and the party managed to arrive at the shrine without incident. Once they were just barely within sight of the target, Alm motioned to his companions to halt. Speaking quietly, he directed, "Alright, from here on let's proceed cautiously and watch our flanks. Duma's Faithful could be waiting anywhere to ambush us."
Silently nodding in agreement, the group slowly proceeded up the remainder of the winding path leading to the shrine. However, even once they were halfway there, nothing happened, and nobody could hear a sound besides their own footsteps and the howling mountain winds. "It's so eerie..." Mae said quietly, "Are you sure we're at the right place?"
"Positive," Alm asserted, "There weren't even any other paths up the mountain anywhere near here, and everything matches the map exactly."
"Well, we can't turn back now anyway," Celica softly reminded them. "Shall we proceed?"
Continuing the rest of the way up the dusty slope, the Deliverance members proceeded into the ruins that were inlaid into the sheer mountainside. A couple rows of pillars held up the ceiling of the rectangular hall just inside the entrance, and regularly spaced lanterns lined the walls, illuminating the interior. As the soldiers peered around, Celica spotted an elderly man in plain brown robes resting against one of the pillars, a wooden cane in his hands. Once their eyes met, the man stepped forward, saying, "Greetings, travelers."
Though Alm and the others were eyeing him warily, Celica returned the greeting, saying, "Good day, kind sir. May we assume you are the caretaker of this shrine?"
Nodding, the white-haired man replied, "Indeed, I am but a humble hermit tasked with the upkeep of this shrine." Walking to the center of the room and facing the group while keeping the passage to the interior of the ruins to his back, he continued, "Here lies a forgotten altar, left behind by one of the gods of yore after the ancient folk chased them from this world in ages long past." Making broad gestures with his arms, he said, "Altars such as this grant the power to "overclass" - to transcend mortal limits. This one is called the Altar of the Skylord. Once, a goddess of war soared like the wind across the battlefield, inspiring a legion of warriors with her lance and magic." Turning to look directly at Clair, he added, "Only those who walk the path of the falcon knight may receive her boon. If there are those among you the altar deems worthy, then venture forth and offer your prayers to this god of yore."
Stepping forward, Alm addressed the hermit, "Thank you for the introduction, kind hermit. If I may ask, has anyone else come through here recently?"
"The Altar has seen many visitors across the years, though many leave after discovering they are unworthy of the goddess' blessings," the hermit replied, "Is there a reason you are curious about previous worshippers?"
Deciding to be bold and state his concerns plainly, Alm replied, "I am only concerned because I heard a group with ill intentions was searching for these shrines and may have already come here."
"Ah," the hermit answered, "The Altar does not discriminate, and welcomes all who would seek its blessings. There are only the worthy, and the unworthy. Enter, and determine if you have been chosen."
"Milord," Shade spoke up, "I do not think this man will be able to tell us whether Duma's followers already came here. I propose we investigate the Altar directly."
Nodding to the Exemplar, Alm turned back to the hermit and said, "Thank you. By your leave, we shall head in now."
Stepping aside, the hermit bowed and gestured towards the passage leading deeper inside. Taking his invitation, the group cautiously proceeded inside. At the end of the corridor, they discovered a massive, round room with a pillar-lined corridor running along its circumference. At the center of the room was was a raised altar with stone steps leading up to it, and a statue of a giant eagle wearing armor and a crown, its wings outspread. Several shafts of sunlight filtered in from the skylight above, illuminating the statue in a way that commanded reverence.
Looking around while expecting an ambush at any moment, the Deliverance members proceeded towards the Altar, but couldn't see signs of anybody else in the room. Stopping at the bottom of the steps leading up to the statue, Alm spoke up, "Well, here we are. I'm still concerned that we haven't seen any signs of Duma's Faithful here, but we can only hope this means that they gave up and moved on." Frowning, he added, "Conversely, it's possible they already learned everything they hoped to and have moved on to the next stage of their plot..."
"Worrying over that will get us nowhere," Celica declared, "I suggest we focus on what is here in front of us."
"Though the statue is different from the one at the Altar of the Faerie, I can still feel the same magical presence here," Faye chimed in.
"Indeed, the magic flowing here is quite strong," Clair stated, "I can almost feel it beckoning me forward."
"Remember, nobody has to use this shrine if they don't want to," Alm said, "but if you do wish to, now is the time."
At these words, the five Falcon Knights in the party began quietly talking amongst themselves, trying to decide if any of them would try praying to the Altar, and who would do it first if so. After a couple minutes, their chatter stopped and one of them stepped forward.
Who chose to use the Altar first?   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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