It turned out the temple was a pyramid. A majestic pyramid with some kind of structure on top. It was covered in strange runes and vines. The vines were vibrating with a strange sound that Ariel could not place. But she did not like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI still can\u2019t believe you couldn\u2019t make the greenery part for us\u201d. Kessler were standing next to her panting. He was leaning up against a tree. \u201cWhat use is a nature witch if you can\u2019t make life easier when transversing a jungle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, this is the Other Side. Nature here is like an echo. You don\u2019t really know what you\u2019ll get until it hits you back\u201d. Ariel shrugged. \u201cBut I can tell you, that the tree you\u2019re leaning up against is sending out som bad vibes and that in our world it\u2019s poisonous\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kessler jumped and she laughed at his expression. \u201cJust kidding, Kessler. It\u2019s not poisonous. But it does send out strange vibes like everything else around here, so you should be careful. And I did pave a safe pathway, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, a pathway. I think that is quite the right word. We needed a freaking road for the spider to get through! Do you know how sore my arm are right now? I can barely lift it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, I offered to burn it. I got down voted remember?\u201d Probably a good thing anyway. She hated a vengeful Nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFire, spider, fire, spider. I don\u2019t really see the big difference. It\u2019t not like we are incognito or in stealth mode\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy spider is silent\u201d, said Stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour spider is big like a small house. If the vibrations don\u2019t give us away, then I\u2019m sure everything that has eyes will notice us a mile away\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill we enter today?\u201d Ariel asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo\u201d, said Stone and followed her gaze. \u201cToday we will scout the area and see if we can find an entrance. Tomorrow – if it is safe – we will enter\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kessler sighed audible. \u201cThe radius of this thing\u201d. He groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can scout and find a camp for us, Kessler. I think you deserve a rest. Who would have thought a scrawny mage had so many swings in his arms. Leave the scouting to me\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can help scouting. I need a quiet place to sit though. Isolated. I can\u2019t be disturbed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stone raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI kinda feel useless here. You asked me – no you court ordered me for my very overrated weather prediction skills\u201d. Ariel rolled her eyes at the stupidity of that sentence. \u201cThe weather here has been nothing but predictable. But I am a witch. I do have other skills that may be of use. Even though everything is strange here I should be able to follow the vines or the stones around the pyramid\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmm. Isolated you say? I don\u2019t like you being alone, but it would save time if we approached it form several angles. Bring somebody with you. I need at least visual contact\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI volunteer!\u201d Kessler said eagerly. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen a witch work. And I wouldn\u2019t have to move. How else will you scout?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith these. Watch\u201d. Stone smiled fondly and from a front pocket took out two small drones. They were no bigger than small birds. He stood a little away from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kessler gaped and Ariel herself stared fascinated at the small mechanical devices as they came alive in Stone\u2019s hand. Neither of them missed the melodic incantation that escaped Stones lips almost like a low whistle before he threw them high in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They fluttered a bit like birds except they took off in a steep angle, one in each direction. Small lights blinked like eyes until they were too far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you notice that?\u201d Kessler asked her very quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ariel only nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought they were a myth\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMancery\u201d, she breathed. \u201cHe\u2019s a manipulator\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy the Lord. What do they expect to find inside?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRegretting your decision to go on an adventure, Kessler?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no. Now I\u2019m bursting with curiosity. You?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe moment you talked me into it\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe probably shouldn\u2019t mention this to the others\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI agree\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLets go find you a secluded place. You have something to prove now\u201d. Kessler grinned, his usual spirits back. \u201cSee whose magic is stronger, faster and better\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not magic. It\u2019s manipulation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf that makes you feel any better\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It turned out the temple was a pyramid. A majestic pyramid with some kind of structure on top. It was covered in strange runes and vines. The vines were vibrating with a strange sound that Ariel could not place. But she did not like it. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe you couldn\u2019t make the greenery part … <\/p>\n