Kass POV:

“Once we go in, we won't be able to leave without the relic powering the sanctuary's defenses. Are you certain we should do this? Grandmother doesn’t even know we’ve left, Kass! We should simply wait for the hunters.” My brother Firram tries to plead his case once more as I walk towards the entrance to the collapsed sanctuary. I do not bother responding to him: He knows why I am here, and why we can’t turn back. He was not invited to join me, and he must decide for himself now if he will continue on as he has or fall now to his cowardice.

As I approach the doors, they slide open for me with a horrible grating noise that sets my teeth on edge. Vines and plant matter that had likely been resting there for decades shrieked in protest as it was ripped from its perch. A good sign. Perhaps the stories grandmother told us about the relics here are true. I can only hope for the best now, or my tribe shall perish.

“Kassakein, please! We found the sanctuary, we have done our duty. Let us return so the warriors may search it!”

“Hush, Firram! You know as well as I that Eswesh will be sending their armies within the week. It will take us days to return and report. We enter now or not at all.” I soften my voice as I continue “Besides, it is a sanctuary, not a place of war. There shall be no need for the warriors to search, and this is the only way we could make it back to the tribe before the first wave of troops attacks. I have made my decision Fir, but perhaps you should return home. If I do not make it back, it is best if at least you do.”

I look into Fir’s eyes and see the fear in them get replaced with determination. His drooping ears stand up slightly as he gives me a nod.

“I understand. I shall return and prepare the tribe, but please, be safe”

My only response is a nod to the affirmative as I step through the inky black doorway. The doors close behind me as I step forward, and I know they won’t open from this side while the temple is still active. I pull out my torch and snap my fingers to produce a small spark to ignite it. The flickering light it provides reveals what was once the entrance hall to a temple, but time and the local fauna have caused the direct path forwards to have collapsed in on itself. Initially, I only see a door to my right but as I raise the torch to spread the light, a second door to my left partially covered by rotten wood makes itself known to me. The long way it is then.

I circulate my mana so a thin string of it links to the ring on my finger, and an illusory image of the temple as seen from above appears before me outlined with threads of mana. I study the formation for a brief moment and decide to proceed left. I push the rotting wood barricade to the side, and pull the door open-

~~~~~~~~

My danger sense skill alerts me to...something and without the time to think I toss my bag forwards and drop to my knees. My eyes widen as a crossbow bolt passes overhead, and I hear a soft thunk followed by a strange choked...squawk...? from the same area. This place shouldn’t be trapped. Squatters maybe?

'Who goes there!" I demand of the room. "This is a holy place of my tribe, squatters are not permitted!" but I receive no response in return.

I pick up my torch from where I dropped it and reignite it. With light returning to the room, I can see where attached to the door I opened is a small wire, which I trace to the far side of the room. An unloaded crossbow sits pointed at the door, the string still quivering slightly. I look around, but can’t find the source of the sound I heard. More cautiously now, I bend over to pick up my bag and shove my scattered items back inside before proceeding forward.

*****

Grover POV:

-2 HP

Owww….

I blink my eyes rapidly as I roll to a stop. You had fragile things in there lady, be more careful! As the thought of my unwary companion crosses my mind, I look around for her just in time to see a light passing through into the next room. I quickly stand up to chase after her, but before I can take so much as two steps I trip in the darkness. I whirl my head around to see what I tripped over and find myself face to face with another creature, hiding from the light. Oh. I suppose this is the ‘squatter’ she mentioned… Fuck.