Chapter Twelve The Red Temple
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Day twelve, month nine of the year eight hundred and seven, Third Era of Man,

We have finally reached the temple. The last month has been occupied entirely by boring walking and the occasional hunt. On the bright side, we only had a single encounter with the Drava. Most of the monsters steered clear of the road, and the lone Drava we did encounter was easily dispatched with minor injuries. I think a certain dragon had something to do with it. I have caught sight of her a dozen times in the last month, and speaking of that dragon she is almost always spying on me. I think Ria was right about not really having a choice, and that if I wasn’t heading this way a certain dragon would be meddling in my life. The High God’s Blessing won’t factor in though since she isn’t actually trying to threaten my life.

Honestly, I don’t understand what she even wants or how my visiting this temple factors into things. I hope the gods would be kind enough to illuminate things for me. They work in mysterious ways so I can only hope. I do however enjoy the fact that I have been able to spend more time with Rose and Lily. I’m still nervous about admitting my feelings toward them, but I suspect they already know. I just hope that dragon hasn’t noticed that I like them, and stays out of my relationship. I just have this odd feeling that she is going to try something, and it will be soon. It started with that odd dream that I had last night. I’m not even sure what I saw in that dream, nor am I sure what it was about only that it weirded me out. Even odder is that I can’t even recall the details and I normally remember my dreams. I just hope this is all in my head, and caused by being nervous about this temple trial.

Arlie closed her journal and put her pen away as she leaned back against the trunk. They had reached the temple late yesterday and had camped out last night. She had gotten up earlier than the others, and wrote out an entry into her journal to pass the time. It was Horon’s turn to keep watch and he was currently patrolling the perimeter of the campsite. She felt a little better now that she had put her thoughts to paper, and she decided to simply enjoy the moment. It wouldn’t be long before the others started to wake up, and in about a turn that dragon would start spying on her again. She was still uncomfortable with that, but she just didn’t know what she could do to stop her. None of her ancestors did either, as they all gave the same advice to be careful around her and when she was watching.

Something that was proving to be quite exhausting now that she was effectively watching over her shoulder all the time. It was actually stressing her out, and she knew her best friends had noticed. Neither had actually said anything, and she appreciated that. Mostly because she didn’t want to worry those two, but deep down she knew they were already worried. They were practically sisters, and that made it hard to actually hide things from them. They knew each other too well for that.

Looking up she surveyed their camp. The cart and horse were to her left. The horse was no longer attached to the cart, and was instead tied on a long leash to a thick tree. One similar to the one she was sitting against. Directly in front of her a few logs, and a firepit was placed in the center of the campsite, and to her right, their tents were set up. The entire camp was set in a clearing just off the road, and not far from the courtyard of the temple. The temple itself could be seen just beyond the trees. It was a massive structure made of large bricks of red stone. Arlie wasn’t an expert on rocks so she didn’t know what kind of stone it was. The reddish stone was starting to gleam in the early morning light, making the fact that it had been polished smooth quite evident.

The courtyard was currently hidden by trees, but she had seen it last night. It was a large square of polished stone tiles, with symbols carved into the rock. At each of the corners of the courtyard, a large pillar rose dozens of meters into the air, and were topped with orbs that just radiated magical power. At the other end of the courtyard, a short stone path gently rose to a series of shallow steps that led into the temple proper. The steps stopped at a large landing placed just before the temple’s massive double doors. The doors themselves looked heavy, and appeared to be made entirely of polished metal. The temple itself was huge and quite impressive with the many spiraling towers that reached into the heavens. The entire structure was curved and circular with the tallest tower being in the center. The entire structure resembled the Mythical City of the Gods. She actually appreciated the symbolism of fashioning a temple to resembled a divine city.

The sun was already low in the sky so she decided it was about time to get started on breakfast. Pushing herself up and away from the tree, she started looking for firewood to get the campfire started again. Being in a forest meant that it didn’t take long to find the firewood she needed and with a simple spell she had a nice fire going. She then put a pot on the fire and began cooking. There was no shortage of horned rabbits in the forest so the meat for the meal was a horned rabbit. In addition to the rabbit meat, she tossed some dried vegetables into the pot and added water as needed. By the time the others were getting up, she had a nice and quick soup well on the way to done. Rose had woken first and started helping her cook, and the others took care of some minor tasks while their breakfast cooked.

A little over a turn after she started cooking the soup was done. It might have been better if she cooked it longer, but they didn’t have the time for that. After dishing out their servings and storing the extra in containers they had brought for this purpose they began to talk about the temple.

“So, Arlie any idea what the trial will be like?” asked Lily just before she took a bite of her soup.

Arlie idly stirred the bowl, and replied, “Not really. I have a few vague ideas of what to expect, but the library was lacking in details on the trials. Ria couldn’t tell me much, but she said the guardian would give us a rundown on the trial going in.”

“I guess the gods don’t want you to know more than the guardian tells you,” responded Lily. Rose then chuckled, “makes sense because otherwise it wouldn’t be much of a test.”

“I have to agree. Otherwise, the library would have been filled with books on the trials, and not just vague theories with limited evidence,” replied Arlie with a pout. She didn’t like this lack of information.

Horon interjected at this point while staring at the cart, “More importantly, who is taking the trial and who will be watching our stuff?”

“Well the trial allows a party of five, and this temple is surrounded by a divine barrier so I think we can all take the trial,” replied Arlie while scratching her cheek.

“Wait!? What divine barrier!?” replied Horon as he dropped his spoon into the bowl. Everyone else looked at him with surprise, and almost in sync said, “The one we crossed last night. You didn’t feel it?”

Arlie and the others had felt the barrier when they got close to the temple. Arlie recalled it as a tingling sensation when she passed it. Horon however quickly confirmed he hadn’t felt anything. Since the barrier was partly magical in nature, she knew that was a sign that he had absolutely no talent in magic or channeling holy power. Which were actually related things, as if you had talent in one, you could often do the other. As for Thron, she knew he didn’t have much talent in magic either, but in his case that had more to do with his lack of intelligence than anything else.

“Also there was a small building that looked like a stable not far from the courtyard in front of the temple. We might consider checking it out,” said Arlie remembering her survey of the area around the temple last night. She hadn’t been able to see much last night, as it was dark when they got here, but she had noticed the stable like building. The rest of breakfast was spent on idle conversation, and then they packed up.

In the morning sunlight, the group surveyed the courtyard, and noted things they had missed in the dark. The stable building was quite obvious and while it was made of red stones instead of wood its purpose was clearly marked by a sign hanging above the door. What really drew their attention however was a building that they had missed entirely. Made from the same stones as everything else, and standing a good two stories tall. Their eyes remained fixed on the sign above its door that read, ‘The Red Temple Inn.’ It was a simple, and not very creative name, but it did tell them what they needed to know.

Rose was the first to speak, her feelings on the matter very evident from her tone, “We could have stayed in an inn! How did we miss such a large building?”

“Well it was dark, and we didn’t know to look for one,” replied Arlie absently as she was thinking about the Inn. It looked well maintained and she felt that was a sign that it might have decent beds inside. While she had no problem sleeping in a tent, she preferred a decent bed, and her besties she knew were no different.

“Well no point sitting here, and mopping about a missed opportunity. Let’s check out the stable,” said Lily as she began to lead the way towards the building.

The front door was a simple wooden sliding door, which opened easily. Inside they were meet by a naked silvery woman. The lack of a pussy and nipples, however, were slightly odd. It took Arlie nearly a full minute to realize she was looking at a golem. Then the golem spoke, “good day, I can watch your horse and cart while you visit the temple. For ten silver a day.”

Arlie was a bit surprised by this golem, and by the time she composed herself Lily had already taken care of things here in the stable. The golem was leading their horse to a stall, and two more had appeared from nowhere to store their cart in a nearby shed designed for carts. The new ones were completely identical to the first. Watching them she had mixed feelings about these golems, but she was glad that they didn’t have nipples or a vagina. It would have made dealing with them more awkward than it needed to be.

There were so many things she wanted to say about them, but she didn’t know what to say. As a result, she ended up keeping her mouth shut, and before she knew she was following the group into the temple. The doors to the temple, like the stable doors opened easily, and they found themselves in a large room. Pillars to the left and right held the ceiling up, each one carved with images of the gods. Beneath the gods were images of humans and the other races all of which were depicted in little to no clothing, and more often than not it was the no option.

On the opposite side of the room, a large dragon stayed curled around itself. It was clearly a ground dragon, the lack of wings being the big give away. Its body was covered with sturdy brown and red scales. The large dragon lazily shifted to regard them, and then it spoke, “ah guests! I don’t often get to meet people. I’m the Red Guardian, and you are?”

Arlie and the others didn’t see any reason not to, and introduced themselves. After she mentioned her own name, the guardian started to pay her extra attention and she found herself feeling uncomfortable under its gaze.

“It’s not often that the Bykuru Kinsara of the Contrey clan comes to challenge the trials. Did you come here for yourself, or did someone send you?” replied the guardian as Arlie squirmed under its piercing gaze. She found herself answering without even thinking. She found herself being compelled to answer.

“Aurora sent me this way, but I don’t really understand why,” said Arlie. The dragon shifted slightly, and replied, “She did? She didn’t tell me, but I’ll check.”

Then the guardian’s attention shifted away from her, and she felt relieved not to be feeling the pressure of its gaze. In a way, it was worse than being in Aurora’s presence, and it felt like this guardian could see right through her. She looked to her friends, and noticed them slumping to the ground with a fair amount of relief, and realized that the pressure had gotten to them as well. She let herself slump to the floor as well. Something was telling her that it would be a bad idea to leave.

It wasn’t long before the guardian’s attention returned to her, and she shuddered. “It seems she did indeed send you this way, and she wants you to take the true form of the trials.”

“True form?” she asked, confused and in a squeak.

“The trials have a special form intended only for the Bykuru Kinsara and her closest friends. It isn’t all that different from the form others take, with a few minor exceptions. Unlike the normal trials you will have to hand over your equipment. I’ll provide you with a shift, and you will have to find better equipment in the trial. The trial itself is a simple conquest of the dungeon under the temple. Normally I only require someone to conquer five floors and they can bring their own equipment, but you will have to conquer all ten floors.

Don’t worry about your life, it won’t be in danger during the trial, but dying in the trial means that anything you gain while taking the trial will be forfeited and you will be returned here in your natural state. As for your equipment, it will be returned to you afterward regardless of the result when you leave the temple grounds. Since this version of the trial is harder than the normal version, you get an extra two attempts, but if you leave the temple grounds any remaining attempts are forfeit. Do note the dungeon operates under special rules, and certain spells can’t be used during the trial. Also, note that at any time you are allowed to give up during an attempt, and you will be returned here. Now any questions?”

Lily was first to ask a question, “Uh, by natural state do you mean that we would end up back here naked?” asked Lily nervously. The guardian shifted its full attention towards her, and she shuddered, “That is exactly what it means. Afterall did the gods shape you with clothes?”

“No,” squeaked Lily. Arlie scratched her cheek, and asked, “What can I expect in this dungeon?”

The guardian looked her way, and she almost regretted opening her mouth. She didn’t like the feeling of its gaze on her. “That is a good question, most don’t dare ask. At first, you will be facing golems of either the fire or earth element. The dungeon changes each time a party goes in, so no two attempts will be the same, but the floor guardians are always the same. I can’t tell you about them, but the floor will have hints to the guardian hidden on it. 

Past floor five you will stop facing golems, and start facing infernal monsters of either the fire or the earth element. Do note that at some points in the dungeon you will have to solve puzzles or tests to proceed. Strength alone won’t get you through this dungeon,” answered the guardian. Arlie considered that, and looked around. Thron had a blank look on his face, clearly having no idea what was going on. The twins both looked concerned, and Horon had a perverted grin plastered on his face. She had a feeling the guardian had told her all it was going to tell her about the dungeon, but she did have an important question to ask.

“You said we get a shift, but you said nothing about a weapon. Do we get one going in?”

“No, but you won’t need one right away. I do suggest you find a weapon for each party member before challenging the floor boss though,” said the guardian. Arlie was glad she asked, and sat there on the floor for a couple more minutes thinking of other things, to ask but couldn’t come up with anything. Neither Rose or Lily had anything to add either, and Horon was too busy imagining perverted things to contribute, and Thron was clueless as usual. So she said, “I guess we are ready.”

“I’ll warp you to the safe room then. If you don’t feel ready just use the door labeled exit, and you will be warped back here. Your attempt doesn’t officially begin until you cross the entrance proper. Don’t be alarmed when you find your stuff gone, it will be in my care,” said the Guardian and before she could fully process what was happening space warped, and she found herself in a small room with the others. Looking down she found she was no longer wearing her traveling robes, but instead a thin and short grey shift that barely concealed her body. It stretched over her chest, and strained to contain it, and stopped just above her knees. She could even see her nipples poking against the fabric. Without even looking at the others she knew this outfit was going to be trouble. She looked up and noticed the twins were dressed the same way. Their smaller chests didn’t matter as their nipples also threatened to poke through the thin fabric. Their shifts also stopped just above the knees, and she didn’t need to look to know the shift was the only thing they were wearing.

Hey, guys. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I want to know your thoughts on the story so far.

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