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Chapter 13: Bad Hunting

Dwopr gives a surprised shout as he flies off his feet and is dragged toward the spider.

Asura reaches down and draws out a dagger heading for Dwopr.

Ja 'Far pulls out a rather nasty looking weapon, a chained mace with four heavy spiked balls at the end. He gives a feral shout that causes all to look at him.

As they look at him, something in each of them clicks and they know this battle is going to be over shortly because the group is unstoppable and they have a handsome, charismatic and powerful leader.

Ja 'Far charges the spider with Tel 'gdor staying in the shadows looking confident as if this were no real threat.

Asura reaches Dwopr and slashes at the strand holding Dwopr, but the stuff seems to be to tough to cut with his dagger. But the two of them together stop Dwoprs' advance into the spiders' maw and a tug of war begins as Dwopr regains his feet while desperately trying to cut the web that holds him to the creature.

Ja 'Far moves to intercept the second spider.

The spider charges Ja 'Far and reaches forward with its pincers to try and bite him, but Ja 'Far is much too quick for the spider as he dodges at the last moment. The sound of four solid metal balls smashing into the side of the spider, echo through the hallways. The spider gives a shriek and backs away quickly.

Tel 'gdor moves over to the struggling Asura and Dwopr and pulls out a dagger with runes covering it. With one slash, the web severs neatly and the spider stumbles back a few feet as Asura and Dwopr stumble back the other way.

Asura recovers quickly and with her sword she thrusts her sword at the creatures eye, but the creature shies off to one side and she only succeeds in hitting to the side of its eye. The creature takes advantage of her closeness to grab her in its pincers and begins to squeeze.

Tel 'gdor begins to speak a rune.

Dwopr recovers and offers a prayer to his god.

Ja 'Far charges after the second spider driving it back into the darkness, but since he has the only torch as he moves away the rest of the group starts to slowly get enveloped in darkness.

There are what sounds to be a momentary rumbling. It sounds like some rocks were falling, but the sound seems centered around Dwopr.

Tel 'gdor finishes his rune and the air in front of him is lit up with a large glow that blocks all sight of his lower body. Several beams of light streak from the glow slamming into the first spider, causing it to drop Asura who stumbles momentarily before regaining her feet.

Dwopr charges the creature with a rune-covered mace and swings hitting the joint of one leg and a satisfying crack is heard as the spiders leg suddenly shifts at a strange angle.

In the distance the sounds of hisses gets louder and more frustrated.

In the twilight, Asura lands an overhead smash straight into the head of the creature. The creature flattens out on the ground for a moment squealing, before getting back up and hobbling backwards.

It shoots another filament out at Asura, scoring a hit on her leg. The creatures pulls back, knocking her on her back and instead of trying to pull her in, it starts to drag her along the ground as it moves backwards.

The light returns rapidly as Ja 'Far returns with three slightly smaller spiders on his tail. Coming up behind the spider he thrusts the torch onto its exposed rear and the spider immediately stops moving backward and starts moving sideways frantically as its exposed rear begins to catch aflame.

Its agony is short as Dwoprs mace, mercifully smashes through what is left of its skull, the creature falls to the ground and burns silently.

The multiple thud of Ja 'Far's mace is heard again as well as a strangled scream. "Get this thing off of me. A blue streak shoots from the glow in front of Tel 'gdor and fades as the last beam of light slams into one of the three new spiders.

Asura and Dwopr move quickly to stop this new threat. Two of the spiders shoot out filaments, but these are badly aimed and easily avoided.

Multiple panic clicks are heard as Ja 'Far uses his torch to burn off the spider biting into his leg.

Asura gives a mighty swing and severs the front two legs of one of the spiders, causing it to change its strategy and begin to retreat. Asura follows and finishes it off with a quick thrust that pierces one of eyes and into the creatures tiny brain.

Dwopr gives a mighty swing and hits the spider, but gains not the effect that he believed it would have. as the spider tries to catch his mace in its pincers and is successful beyond its dreams as it holds on to the mace as the mace tears into its skull and rips a small part out. The creature surprisingly is still moving as it slowly tries to retreat back the way it came. Dwopr stops that retreat with a decisive overhead smash killing the creature.

Another sound comes down the hall. It is the sound of howling.

Ja 'Far looks up from bandaging his wound and gives Tel 'gdor a feral smile, "Hunting season begins again!"

Tel 'gdor shares his smile, "I think we could use a little more entertainment. What do you think Asura, up to hunting some giant ferocious wolves." He says in a mocking voice, "But if you're afraid you're afraid of the big bad wolves we understand, we'll protect you. Right Dwopr?"

***************

Asura picks up her dagger from where she dropped it and places it in her boots.

Dwopr checks Ja 'Far for wounds, binding the minor cut he received. He then attempts to see what he can do for Asura's injuries, but finds that the only external signs of damage are the red pincer marks. He asks, "What about the wolves? Did someone see them in this area already?" He looks accusingly at Tel 'gdor, "You seem to have a very good knowledge about this Tel 'gdor."

"Tel 'gdor," Asura begins "You don't have to try to impress me, I'm sorry but you're just not my type." She grins, "Now let's go hunting!"

Ja 'Far snickers, "Better watch you their ganging up on you!"

Tel 'gdor snorts and says to Asura, "Woman please! I figured if you couldn't handle a little bug like that one without help, the wolves will eat you alive." He gives an evil grin, "Of course I could use your remains for my experiments..." He gives her a deliberate wink before turning to Dwopr and saying, "If you've been on as many wolf hunts as I have been on you'd recognize that howl. How far away they are...I can't tell this place has too many echoing passages to tell for sure, but there is only one way we are going to find out..."

A loud hiss and what sounds like several small explosions echoing in the distance interrupt him.

Ja' Far says, "You see what I mean."

Dwopr continues, "Perhaps, before the wolves, we can see if there are some items in the spiders lair. Perhaps there are one or two more spiders. I prefer knowing where I put my feet."

Ja 'Far nods and says, "He has got a point, I don't remember seeing any more spiders, but I was a little distracted at the time and we can still check. The wolves aren't going far."

They check in the spiders' lair and at first see nothing, but as the light touches the first web the entire area breaks out into a rainbow of colors. Giant webs covering the entire wall and ceiling area all shine in bright rainbow colors creating a beautiful and mesmerizing display.

The occasional glint of metal turns out to be random pieces of a suit of armor. There is no way to tell if they belong to the same suit. In any case most of them are well out of reach anyway.

They find nothing, alive or dead in the spiders' lair.

Tel 'gdor looks at Asura and says, "Now we hunt big game and watch tender morsel get used as snack. Ja 'Far please do the honors."

Ja 'Far trying to suppress his near constant smirk says in a solemn tone, "Yes shall we begin from this moment forth silence is the key word. Their senses are better than ours and can sense us coming long before we notice them." With that he makes sure all his weapons are safely tied up and making no noise and moves stealthily down the hall. They return to the spot where they fought the spiders and take the other exit outward. It immediately opens up into a long hallway with a high arching roof, all the walls are covered with scenes of ogres battling monsters and above all the battles lies a single golden ogre watching it all.

There is an opening in the opposite side of the hallway from where they enter. From down the hall to the left, sounds of battle, roars, loud hisses and screams of pain drift down. From the right, a soft growl comes from several throats as they look to see four giant wolf-like creatures enter into the light of the torch.

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Dwpor readies his mace and shield.

Ja 'Far gives a low chuckle, "Hunters, come to the slaughter...."

Asura waits in a defensive position slipping a dagger into one hand.

Tel 'gdor moves to the rear of group pulling out a pair of daggers.

The wolf-like creatures start to trot towards them, but the moment everyone goes on defensive, the creatures stop. Their eyes narrow and they start growling more. Suddenly all four charge at once.

Dwopr opens his mouth and from it issues a roar that should have come from a giant. The hall shakes. And dust drifts down in the silence that follows. Everyone stops and stares at Dwopr, everyone sees the strength of his battle arm, the steel in his eyes, the power he commands. This is a man to be feared. Everyone stares as this powerful man charges the lead wolf and swings his mace slamming into the creatures' head. The satisfying crunch of bone greets his stroke as the wolf tilts over and collapses. It hits the ground heavily and whimpers loudly.

This breaks the spell and Asura whips out a dagger tossing it at the one nearest her.

The dagger nicks the creatures side as it leaps toward her. The wolf in the back gives a long howl as the third wolf leaps over its fallen comrade and slams into Dwopr, knocking him down. Dwopr loses his mace as it goes skidding away from him.

A whistling sound is heard as Ja 'Far starts twirling his mace, he charges for the wolf that lands on Dwopr.

The wolf tries to bite Dwopr in the face but has to settle for an arm as Dwopr uses it to protect him.

The creature yelps from multiple thuds as Ja 'Far attacks the creatures sides, he is rewarded by the crack of bone. The creature forgets attacking Dwopr for a moment and makes a savage snap at Ja 'Far who gives a growl and snaps back at the creature followed by a swing with his mace.

The wolf jumps back from the mace and off of Dwopr, who scrambles back to his feet and joins Ja 'Far.

Neither of which sees the fourth wolf as it leaps at them from behind landing on Ja 'Far and biting into his shoulder. Dwopr immediately responds by hitting the creature just behind its head and it jumps away immediately.

Asura dodges as a wolf tries to take a bite out of her. She swings her sword at the creature, who dodges it easily. Slipping another dagger out of her boot and into her free hand gives her another weapon, but gives the wolf an opportunity as it leaps at her.

Asura partially dodges the wolf and manages to hit it ineffectively with her swords. The wolf however takes a firm hold of the arm holding the dagger and begins to savage it.

Using her sword Asura chops at the back of the huge creature, but doesn't seem to effect it much as another spurt of blood coats the creatures muzzle and its claws rake at the armor on her chest.

With a wild battle cry that sounds more like bird song, Tel 'gdor appears at Asura's side and stabs at the head with is dagger. After the second stab the creature leaps backward, nearly taking part of the armor on Asura's hand with it and runs blindly back out of the light.

The other two follow quickly out of the light and back where they came.

***************

Dwopr says, "Thank you for your help Ja 'Far! Now let me see your wounds." Dwopr checks Ja 'Far shoulder, but Ja 'Far just pushes him off saying, "I can heal myself just fine, check on the girl." With that Ja 'Far moves over to the far wall muttering to himself.

"My arm feels like it's broken, I can barely move it and it hurts like the Abyss!", Asura says. Dwopr moves over to Asura and checks her arm. While he is checking her arm, Asura favors Tel 'gdor with an innocent smile and says, "Thanks for protecting me."

Tel 'gdor says, "No problem." He frowns over at Ja 'Far, then at Dwopr and walks over to Ja 'Far.

For a moment, Asura is sure she can hear the sound of the ocean, but there is no large body of water around, nor do see any water of any type.

Ja 'Far and Tel 'gdor talk for a moment, then Tel 'gdor returns with a frown upon his face. Then he shakes his head for a moment and smiles. "Ah well, you two did good for your first hunt.

You've learned your first lesson on wolf hunting. If you survive a hunt and bring home at least one wolf, then it was a good hunt." Dwopr cleans off Asuras' wound and binds her arm in a sling. He offers up a prayer for the luck received in battle.

Ja 'Far returns to the group his shoulder slightly bandaged.

Dwopr says, "Now, what do you think? Do we have to finish the wolves or do we go to see what thing made that noise to the left? I prefer to look to the left to see if someone needs your help. We could, then go for the wolves."

Asura chimes in, "Is it wise to continue with those wolves behind us? They are wounded, surely we can emerge victorious this time. What do you think, friends?"

Ja 'Far says, "I think we at least need to see how far those things have retreated. If they are in full retreat then we won't have to worry about them sneaking up on us. However if they are waiting for us to turn our backs on them..."

"...The sounds of battle seem to be dying down now. If they need our help now, we wouldn't arrive in time to be of any good. If they survived, then perhaps they can do so a while longer. Besides perhaps we don't want to meet up with that person or group."

After the debate rages on for several more minutes it is decided to at least make a tentative stab to see how far the wolves have gotten.

Grabbing the torch, the group moves towards the right and within a few moments find the three remaining wolves at the end of the hall. Growling with their backs to the wall ready to fight.

Ja 'Far curses, "It's a good thing we didn't turn our backs on these things. They were right here the entire time!"

Asura grabs the torch from Ja 'Far and moves closer to the wolves holding the torch with her good arm in front of her.

The air whistles as Ja 'Far begins twirling his mace again.

Dwopr sets his shield in front of him and with his mace ready advances upon the wolves, "By the power of Obsidius, let's kill these nasty creatures!"

One wolf leaps out at Dwopr and claws at his arms and legs forcing him back a step.

Asura charges with the torch and hits one of the wolves in the face the wolf cries out and jumps to one side to avoid it.

Ja 'Far charges toward the third wolf and a multiple thuds later the wolf gives a yelp and snaps at him before moving away nursing a broken leg.

Dwopr pushes the wolf off of him with his shield and swings with his mace catching the wolf in the teeth, the wolf recovers and attacks again, but hits Dwoprs' shield.

Dwopr attacks, but the wolf dodges. After following this pattern a couple more times. The wolf just misses a snap at his legs, but gives Dwopr the perfect chance to crush the skull of the wolf, with a loud thump the wolf hits the ground.

Asura chases her wolf as it dodges the torch with varying degrees of success. Within moments the wolf is burned in several spots. She finally chases the wolf into a corner and burns it so badly that the wolf charges, knocking her down and trying to claw her. Another burn with the torch and the wolf leaps off of her and runs away...straight into a wall. With a loud crack the wolf meets the stone wall and collapses.

Ja 'Far swings around in a circle and the wolf trying to take advantage of Ja 'Far with his back turned, leaps at him. Unfortunately Ja 'Far completes his circle first and the four heads of his weapon come arcing in with deadly speed. The near headless corpse of the animal collides with Ja 'Far knocking him down and pinning him down with its weight.

"Get this bleeding mess off of me!" He yells.

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Chapter 14: Creature of Legend

Asura and Dwopr move to get the corpse off of Ja 'Far.

Tel'gdor falls over laughing and holding his sides as the two push the corpse over and a blood soaked Ja 'Far stands. "Oh shut up! Do you want to attract every monster in the temple!"

Dwopr checks everyone to make sure they are all right then says, "What about the other place where we heard some battle noise? And what about the wolves lair?"

Tel'gdor sobers up quickly says, "Hey, he is right. Four males and no females, there have got to be more around here." His eyes narrow and he grins, "But I don't think our lovely Asura is up to more hunting. Perhaps we should move on to easier prey like checking up on that battle we heard before. It's quiet now, but then that could be because they lost..."

Ja 'Far cleans the last of the creatures blood from him and says, "That pack could have come from anywhere in the temple. Let's make sure these things can't sneak up on us." Looking back down the hall he says, "We came from the entrance on the left side here, lets check the right side then move down the hall." Pulling another makeshift torch out, he lights it with the one Asura is holding. "I'll check it out, if you hear any yelling come in and get me. Holding the torch in one hand he begins twirling his weapon. The air whistles as the four heads move around in a perfect circle. He moves slowly away from the party into the doorway. Only to find a few feet later that it branches both left and right. Looking either way he moves right first and his light slowly fades. He fades away moving without a sound except the ghostly whistle of his weapon.

All around everything is quiet.

Minutes tick by and a light appears from the left branch and a moment later Ja 'Far appears saying, "I found nothing at all."

Dwopr says, "Lets go!"

The group moves slowly down the hallway and not more than two dozen steps later they come to another branch. Again Ja' Far checks out the right branch and returns a few moments later with nothing to report.

He moves to check out the left branch and appears several moments later down the hallway. You catch up to him and he reports, "Just some droppings from the wolves and the remains of one of their lunches, but otherwise nothing.

Asura plays with the bandage on her arm. "Dwopr is there anything *else* that you could do to fix my arm. It's hard to fight without both arms."

All are shocked as a creature looking very much like a large four-headed snake, slithers through a wall up ahead of the party and immediately turns away from them and moves out of the range of their light.

Ja 'Far mutters sarcastically, "Oh, what a lovely creature."

Asura looks at the creature, turns to Ja 'Far and Tel' gdor and says, "What in the Abyss was THAT?!"

Dwopr turns to Tel 'gdor and says, "You seem to know a lot of things, Tel 'gdor, have you ever seen a creature like this one ?"

Tel 'gdor merely stares.

Ja 'Far says pompously, "That was a giant four-headed snake. What haven't you ever seen one before? That was a young one. If you capture it now, you can train it to do tricks, like 'roll over', 'play dead' and 'eat your neighbors'. When they get older they are harder to train, but if you get one and train it from birth it will be so faithful it can raise your children for you and even reliably pick out a good mate for you just by licking her arm. When they die they are also good to eat. I hear they taste just like chicken."

He pauses for a moment and then frowns and mutters just above a whisper, "How in the Nine Hells am I supposed to know what that thing is." He gestures in the direction of the retreating creature. Looking over at Tel 'gdor he smirks saying, "Looks like the brain has just wet his pants."

With that Tel 'gdor snaps out of his trance and snarls, "Oh shut will you! If that thing comes back, you can fight it on your own and I'll come back tomorrow to place a marker where your bones would be if there were anything left of them that is. I've seen those things in books I read back at the conservatory at Nair Kochab. Hydra are what they are called. What they can do varies, depending on which books you read. They are ascribed to having the power to do everything from spitting fire and ice to if you kill one head two more appear from the corpse, from being able to change shape to being able to eat stone. In all the books, they recommend that you avoid them at all costs. But most do so only as a joke as they discount the possibility of their existence. Some say they are intelligent beings who merely take that form to protect themselves from intruders. In any case if we don't have to fight one I'm not gonna. I kind of like living."

Ja 'Far says, "Well in any case it's gone... and is it my imagination or did that thing slither through a wall."

Dwopr says, "Let's go my friends but before that, let me pray my god and bless you". He moves to where the entire party is facing him and pulls out his holy symbol showing a Hand of Black rock in front of a mountain. He mummers a prayer and is quiet for a moment concentrating a moment later he relaxes."

Ja 'Far smiles and says, "A blessing is always good, lets go."

Moving further along they notice what seems to be large doors on both the left and right sides of the halls, but no one seems to be able to move them. They search the nearby area but cannot find any way to open the doors. Eventually they move on and reach the point where the hydra came through the wall. Tel 'gdor hesitantly touches the wall and his hand moves straight through it. He quickly jerks it back.

Plainly ill at ease, "What do we do?" Tel 'gdor says, "We know the hydra is down the stairs, but it came from through here." He points at the wall. "And there doesn't seem to be any other way through this maze. Short of following that thing which I am NOT doing."

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Chapter 15: Belief and Redemption

Asura says, "I'm not sure what the best choice is, but I'm truly not in any condition to tangle with something like THAT Abyssmal creature! Better to go through the wall than to fight the hydra, I think."

Dwopr says, "I agree to go where you want Tel 'gdor, but perhaps before we could stay a little, we're tired and wounded. Anyway, there could me more than one Hydra, one on the left and one on the right. It could be silly to go on one of these two ways."

Ja 'Far giving a little laugh, "He's been awake for less than an hour and he's tired already." He continues soberly a moment later, "Perhaps we should wait to see if anything else comes out of that wall. We can retreat to one of the passages we know is clear and watch there for a while then we can continue on."

Everyone turns to Tel 'gdor who looks nervously at the wall and at the direction the hydra disappeared in then says, "You know I am feeling just a little tired at the moment a rest would do us some good."

He gives a nervous smile and begins their strategic retreat.

They rest in one of the branches they passed by in their earlier explorations. All listen intently for signs of any life what so ever. But all is quiet

Finally Ja 'Far stands up and says, "I can't wait any longer. I am being slowly consumed by restlessness. Asura's arm isn't going to get any better. The hydra is gone and I thought you guys wanted to see if the others survived that fight of theirs."

In the silence Tel 'gdors whisper seems loud, "Her arm could get better." He stares hard at Ja 'Far. The look Ja 'Far gives Tel 'gdor could melt steel, but it quickly dissolves into one of inner pain. "I thought we agreed not to ever bring that up again."

Without another word, Ja 'Far picks up one of the torches, readies his weapon and heads back down the corridor.

Tel 'gdor sighs and says in a voice much too soft for Ja 'Far to hear, "Sorry friend." In a louder voice he says, "I guess we can't let that hot head go by himself he might get himself killed." With an exaggerated moan he slowly pulls himself up from the ground and stretches.

Asura and Dwopr scramble after Tel 'gdor who takes off after Ja 'Far.

The three of them just see Ja 'Far's torch disappear into the wall.

Moving hastily but cautiously the trio approaches the area where Ja 'Far passed through the wall.

After a moments hesitation they walk into the wall. It is a strange experience being inside a wall. Even though they have a torch no one can see anything at all....not even the torch. Each looses sight of the other, but with nothing else to do they head onward.

Soon light returns as the trio steps out of the wall and into another portion of the temple. First Dwopr, then Tel 'gdor, finally Asura appears to find Ja 'Far staring ahead at a most unusual sight.

They have entered what appears to be the meeting place of two corridors. The wall behind them ends sharply on the left. But to the right it curves outward until it opens into another corridor that runs parallel to the one in front of them. But the most unusual thing about this area is that the first corridor (the one in front of them) is completely blocked by a large wall of ice.

While staring at the block of ice, Ja 'Far smiles and says, "Look at the majesty and power of water. Even in frozen form it is still quite invincible. It survives here in this temple, even though the temple is in the jungle. I have been wrong, this is where true power lies. Now I see. I see the sign."

***************

As Ja' Far stares at the ice, Asura says, "What sign would that be, Ja 'Far? Don't you think it's time that you told us exactly what power it is that you keep referring to?"

Tel 'gdor with a rather vicious smile says in a voice very all too smooth says, "Yeeess, Ja 'Far please tell us."

Seemingly oblivious to Tel 'gdors tone, Ja 'Far turns around and says, "First I must apologize to you Asura. For I have wronged you and put your life in danger as well as everyone else." He gives a shy smile and says, "As for a sign. Try feasting your eyes on that block of solid ice sitting in the middle of a hot jungle temple."

He approaches Asura and says, "If I may." He touches her injured arm and in a loud voice says, "Solutious, Father of Creation, Giver of life, Wise seer of the future and past. I Ja 'Far had lost faith and strayed from your teachings. I once lost my belief that you were not as powerful as they say. Now I know better. Father! My Lord! Hear my plea! I have seen your power and shall never doubt it again. Please forgive me and allow me to heal this poor waif who has done so much to allow me to reach this point. I ask not for my own welfare, but for the welfare of one who his your daughter."

In the silence that follows, the sounds of running water are heard. The sound gets louder and louder first sounding like a trickle it soon sounds like a rushing river. The air surrounding Ja 'Far turns crystal blue and there is the distinct smell of salty sea air. Around his neck appears a medallion. On the medallion is a picture of the ocean, its waters a dark green. Above the ocean rises a mighty waterspout into the blue sky.

The crystal blue aura fades from around Ja 'Far, except where his hand touches Asura's arm. The aura seems to glow so brightly around her arm that she has to turn away. Slowly the aura dims and fades. Ja 'Far steps away from Asura.

"I am Ja 'Far, follower of of the wise Solutious. An elemental priest. I was once a powerful cleric, but...."

He is interrupted by a slight rumbling in the ground. As one all four members of the group turn to see a most horrifying sight.

The wall that curved off to their right is now bearing down them upon cutting off that corridor. Also in a moment part of its curve is going to cut off escape through the illusionary wall.

As the wall starts to close thier your only exit, everyone makes a mad dash through the wall.

They enter the strange silent blackness where not even their own footsteps are heard. Just as suddenly as it started it ends and they come out the other end of the wall. The four of them pause for a moment, then Tel 'gdor says, "I think we should have stayed where we were." He points and down the hall, less than 40 feet away stand a large party of heavily armed orcs. At first there are 5 then a couple more join the group, then still more join the group. Judging from the looks of things, at least three of them are magi. And just when they think it can't get any worse, two obscenely large orcs appear, looking more like a cross breed between an orc and an ogre than either.

These two growl menacingly and reach for their weapons.