11-17-2023, 02:00 AM
The rulers, observing with those annoyingly glassy gazes, nodded in understanding. "Very well," the scaled ruler replied. "We shall grant you the space and time to contemplate your decision." There was a hint of a smile on its jaw, although it might have been a snarl. Jaxen couldn’t tell.
The fox-like ruler gestured with a hand, and the atmosphere in the chamber shifted. "We will take you to a place where you can reflect in peace. Follow us." Then they disappeared from their pedestals.
Jaxen was led from the chamber and through a series of winding corridors that seemed to defy the laws of physics, with angles and perspectives that were disorienting. Finally, they arrived at a door shaped like an ornate star had been punched through the wall.
Jaxen stepped into a place that was a stark contrast to the ominous chamber he had just left. He found himself in a garden, an oasis of tranquility seemingly untouched by the outside world. The garden was bathed in a gentle, diffused light that seemed to come from nowhere in particular. Exotic plants with luminous flowers and tall, wispy trees with an umbrella of branches flowing from the top unreal colors filled the view.
The air was surprisingly fresh and invigorating, although Jaxen could detect no wind. The sound of a tranquil stream could be heard, its waters sparkling as they flowed over smooth, iridescent stones. Nearby was a glassy pond, its surface still and reflective as a mirror.
The creature at his side left him alone to explore. There were no naga in sight, though he assumed that if they lived here, one would have shown itself by then. Yet he was glad when the snake-like alien left. He exhaled air he hadn’t known he’d been holding.
With that, Jaxen was alone in the garden. He remained alert, though. This all felt far too easy.
The fox-like ruler gestured with a hand, and the atmosphere in the chamber shifted. "We will take you to a place where you can reflect in peace. Follow us." Then they disappeared from their pedestals.
Jaxen was led from the chamber and through a series of winding corridors that seemed to defy the laws of physics, with angles and perspectives that were disorienting. Finally, they arrived at a door shaped like an ornate star had been punched through the wall.
Jaxen stepped into a place that was a stark contrast to the ominous chamber he had just left. He found himself in a garden, an oasis of tranquility seemingly untouched by the outside world. The garden was bathed in a gentle, diffused light that seemed to come from nowhere in particular. Exotic plants with luminous flowers and tall, wispy trees with an umbrella of branches flowing from the top unreal colors filled the view.
The air was surprisingly fresh and invigorating, although Jaxen could detect no wind. The sound of a tranquil stream could be heard, its waters sparkling as they flowed over smooth, iridescent stones. Nearby was a glassy pond, its surface still and reflective as a mirror.
The creature at his side left him alone to explore. There were no naga in sight, though he assumed that if they lived here, one would have shown itself by then. Yet he was glad when the snake-like alien left. He exhaled air he hadn’t known he’d been holding.
With that, Jaxen was alone in the garden. He remained alert, though. This all felt far too easy.