Howling winds of the luminous night echo throughout the beautiful snowy mountains of Rashi'Q. Three disembodied souls dressed in ancient attire anxiously stand before the entrance to a beautiful crystal temple within a massive cave. Gildou, who has the appearance of an appealing but large Quatan Grushian, takes a step back with a troubled look.

Gildou: We’re as good as dead if we step in there.

Rivna, a beautiful seventeen year old Quatan Tahlyan woman, steps forward with a determined look.

Rivna: This isn’t the first temple we've raided and it won’t be the last. Besides—

She pulls out the Axis, a tiny floating diamond-shaped mechanical device, from a small pouch hanging from her back. It glows a bright silver color as it faintly illuminates the entire area.

Rivna: As long as we have this odd little trinket I swiped from that bumbling merchant our souls should remain in our possession until we find what we’re after.

Everyone carefully looks back to view a lit shoddy tent a half mile down the mountain. Jyn, a tall well built and handsome Quatan Tahlyan man, takes a deep breath.

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Inside small cozy tent is dimly lit by a lantern. Rivna, Jyn, and Gildou's real bodies are safely resting within the small cozy dimly lit tent.

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Jyn: Why do I get the feeling we’ll never see our bodies again?

Gildou: Because we won’t. This was a mistake.

Rivna sighs in disgust as she marches ahead to the temple.

Rivna: Would you two please grow a backbone? Why is it always up to me to initiate our escapades?

Gildou and Jyn reluctantly follow her.

Gildou: Well forgive me for not having a death wish.

Jyn: And I left my backbone back at the tent so whatever he’s saying I’m in agreement with.

Gildou: Jyn, please talk some sense into your sister before she gets us all killed.

Jyn: I’m afraid once she’s set her sights on a score she’s beyond reason my furry friend.

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With Rivna leading the way the trio cautiously traverses through a grand hallway made entirely of ice. Small iridescent blue particles fill the hall. Beautiful ancient architecture line the walls along with sculptures of men that appear to be Arcane and dressed in regal attire. The Axis lights the entire temple.

Rivna: You don’t suppose what species those carvings ought to resemble do you?

Jyn pauses to scrutinize a statue.

Jyn: No pointed ears, marked eyes, or long fangs. I doubt they’re Tahlyan kind like us.

Jyn looks at Gildou who is lagging behind.

Jyn: And they’re certainly not Grushian kind either.

Rivna: You don’t suppose they resemble The Will himself do you?

Jyn: Well this is supposedly a forbidden temple of The Will. But none alive have seen The Will so who can say?

Gildou: I bet my body must be starving by now.

Rivna: Gildou is food the only thing you ever think about? It’s impossible for us to even be hungry right now in our current state.

Gildou: Speak for yourself Rivna. I think I can hear my stomach growling from all the way in here.

A loud ominous deep hum sounds as blue mist briefly passes through the hall. Rivna shrieks and hides behind Jyn. Gildou falls on his behind.

The hallway grows silent again. Jyn smirks.

Jyn: Well look at this. The fearless Ruuk hides behind her “spineless” brother from hearing a little wind.

Rivna pouts and unsheathes a foot long curved dagger from her waist while taking the vanguard.

Jyn: And be careful with that contraption would you? If you lose it we’re certain to learn of The Will's appearance before any of us would like to know.

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The trio enters an extravagant giant room in complete awe. The walls are made up of beautiful glowing waterfalls that lead into beautiful mosaic streams. At the end of the room is a large altar at waist height. The trio pauses to take in the magnificent sight.

Gildou: This must be it. But where’s the treasure?

Jyn: The merchant was murmuring about a power to end all regimes right?

Rivna: No, no, he said it was a crystal worth far more than rubies.

Jyn: Yes. A crystal with the power to end any and all regimes.

Gildou: Well we’ve reached the end of the temple and there’s no crystal in sight.

Rivna walks and surveys the area in desperation.

Rivna: It has to be around here somewhere. I refuse to believe we’ve spent the very last of the village's shekyl on a vain endeavor.

Jyn: Don’t worry Rivna. No matter what becomes of this escapade we will find a cure for them.

Rivna pauses and looks down in defeat, her face tinged in ire. Jyn puts his hand on her shoulder. Rivna looks at him.

Jyn: Did you hear me Rivna? We won’t return to them as orphans.

Gildou: That’s right Rivna. Everything always works out in the end for us. We’re the best Ruuks in all the land of Quatace after all. No matter what we’ll find a way to afford that cure for the village.

Rivna sighs before revealing a slight smile. The Axis floating above her hand lights up and spins in place. Everyone gawks at it, subdued with fascination. Rivna’s eyes glow bright blue and she enters a trance-like state as she slowly takes the Axis to the altar.

Gildou: Rivna? What’s going on?

Jyn: Rivna!

Rivna: I can hear a terrifying voice commanding my steps, yet I’ve never felt more at ease.

She places the device on the altar.

Jyn: No! If you set that down we’ll lose our souls—

The Axis spins faster and a loud electrical sound is heard. A gust stirs and the entire temple rumbles. Rivna holds her head as she grunts in pain, dropping her dagger. As the dagger hits the ground it turns to blue mist. Jyn and Gildou dart to her screaming her name.

A bright silver light protrudes from the Axis as it floats higher above the altar. Everyone halts in terror as they hear a deep and intimidating masculine voice echo throughout the temple.

The Will: You unclean spirits dare to intrude upon my sacred grounds?!

Everyone is too horrified to respond as they gaze at the spinning device.

The Will: Death shall you taste for thy greed!

Gildou screams as his body is ripped apart by silver light.

Rivna: Gildou!

Jyn: Gildou!

Gildou’s severed body vanishes as a train whistle is heard. The siblings stare helplessly in disbelief.

The Will: For thy pride you shall play the mummer in a farce of a wicked child!

A silver vortex appears behind Jyn. He screams as he’s slowly being sucked in.

Rivna: Jyn!

Rivna grabs his arm.

Jyn: Rivna!

Jyn slips through Rivna’s grasp as he’s sucked into the vortex. The vortex disappears as Rivna produces a cascade of tears in a hideous cry.

Rivna: Jyn. Gildou. No…

Nearly forgetting the presence of the voice Rivna quickly turns to the floating device, dreading whatever ill fate is awaiting her.

The Will: Although you have kindled my anger I will show mercy upon your spirit. You will lose all that you hold dear, and your soul shall know no rest for thy face shall be greatly feared and despised. But if you humble thyself to the good Palyth, I will restore what was lost to you double.

Rivna screams as her body slowly turns to blue crystal, rendering her as stiff and mute as a statue.

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Outside the temple on the Rashi'Q Mountains a vast blue light stretches from within the temple and permeates the entire region. When the light recedes nothing but a desolate black wasteland remains, leaving the once beautiful and tall mountain range flat and vain.

Chapter End