Vescrutia: Legacy

The journey into the Lost Wastes had not been one Khei Noh took lightly. Three days had passed since her fateful meeting with Qarinah, and the weight of that encounter still lingered heavily on her mind. It had taken two days of relentless travel to reach the outskirts of the Wastes, two days in which the echoes of Qarinah’s words refused to fade. The Primordials. The temple. The beast inside her that sought to consume its kin. The more she thought about it, the more the implications unsettled her.

As the heat intensified, Khei had adjusted her outfit to match the brutal conditions. Gone were the heavier clothes she had purchased in town. Instead, she now wore a simple tank top, the fabric clinging to her skin, drenched in sweat but providing some relief from the relentless sun. Her shorts, made of a lightweight but durable material, allowed her legs to move freely without sticking uncomfortably. She had tied her hair into a singular braid that rested against her back, keeping it out of her face and off her neck, offering a small measure of coolness.

The sturdy cloak she had initially purchased for the journey was tucked away in her pack, now serving more as extra padding for her supplies than anything else. It was far too hot to wear such a thing, and Khei knew better than to risk overheating in this unforgiving environment. Even the enchanted canteen, designed to keep its contents cool, was struggling to combat the intense heat.

"Primordials. Four of them, each more terrifying than the last."

The words echoed in her thoughts as she trudged through the desolate landscape. "And the one inside me... Ul'duin... is the angriest of them all."

Khei’s gaze swept across the horizon, though there was little to see beyond the endless expanse of cracked earth and jagged black rocks. The sky above was an ashen gray, a muted canvas that stretched endlessly, offering no respite from the oppressive atmosphere. The ground beneath her feet was arid, as if the earth itself had been scorched by a relentless sun, though no such light pierced the ever-present clouds.

The heat had been relentless from the moment she entered the Wastes, and it only grew more oppressive with each passing hour. It was as if the air itself conspired against her, thick and heavy, pressing down on her with a force that made every breath a challenge.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

She wondered, though there was no turning back now. Not after everything she had learned, not with the possibility of understanding the beast within her so close at hand. The heat continued to rise, the temperature climbing to a level that would have been unbearable if not for the cooling enchantments woven into her gear. Even so, she could feel the sweat on her skin, quickly evaporating in the scorching air.

The landscape around her had grown more twisted as she ventured deeper into the Wastes. The jagged rocks now seemed to jut out at unnatural angles, as if some malevolent force had wrenched them from the earth, warping them into a nightmarish parody of the terrain she had once known. The ground beneath her boots was cracked and uneven, with fissures that glowed faintly from the heat seeping up from below. Occasionally, she would catch sight of distant figures—mirages, no doubt, brought on by the heat and the strange energies of this place—but they always faded before she could get a clear look.

"Qarinah said this place would test me, but she didn’t mention how much it would mess with my mind." Khei thought, wiping the back of her hand across her brow. "Then again, maybe she did. Maybe that’s part of the point."

It wasn’t just the physical strain that gnawed at her. The Lost Wastes were a crucible in every sense of the word, not just testing her endurance, but her sanity as well. The strange spatial anomalies had become more pronounced; distant landmarks shifted and flickered as if they were alive, playing tricks on her senses. More than once, she had to stop and recalibrate, using the map Qarinah had given her as a guide, though even that was sometimes difficult to follow. "Could be worse," she mused, trying to keep her spirits up. "At least nothing out here is trying to kill me."

She glanced down at her hand, where the amulet lay hidden beneath her clothes, resting against her chest. It was the key to the temple, Qarinah had said. The thought of it—of what it represented—filled her with a strange mix of dread and curiosity. She knew she needed to reach that temple, to confront whatever lay within, but the uncertainty of what she would find gnawed at her.

"What if Qarinah’s wrong? "The doubt crept in despite her best efforts to banish it. "What if this isn’t the answer I’m looking for?" But deep down, she knew that she didn’t have much of a choice. According to the scrolls Qarinah had given her, Ul'duin was growing stronger, more insistent with each passing day. It wasn’t just a matter of finding answers—it was a matter of survival.

–The sunless sky remained a constant, oppressive gray, the kind of overcast that offered no promise of rain, only an ever-present gloom that weighed heavily on the soul. Khei could feel it, the way it pressed down on her, dulling her senses, making her question every step, every decision. The horizon was a blur, the heat distorting it into something unrecognizable, a shifting mirage that taunted her with its elusiveness.

She paused for a moment, reaching into her pack to take a sip from the enchanted canteen. The cool liquid was a small comfort, but it did little to ease the turmoil within her. She had been walking for what felt like hours, and yet the landscape never seemed to change. It was as if the Lost Wastes were alive, trying to disorient her, to break her resolve. But Khei was stubborn, and she wasn’t about to let a bit of heat and mind games stop her.

"I'm tougher than this.." she reminded herself, clenching her fists. "I been through worse." But even as she tried to steel herself, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched.

The Lost Wastes were a place out of time, out of reality, a realm where the rules of the world were spliced by arcane blisters of the past. It was a landscape twisted by ancient forces that predated the civilizations of Muu, a place where even the most seasoned warriors could lose themselves, both literally and figuratively. And yet, despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, Khei pressed on.

"She mentioned that the temple would test me," she thought, her mind drifting back to the Qarinah's cryptic words. "But what does that even mean?"

Was it a test of strength? Of willpower? Or something else entirely? The possibilities were endless, and none of them were comforting.

As she continued her trek, the temperature spiked again, the heat now bordering on unbearable. The ground beneath her feet felt like it could crack open at any moment, swallowing her whole, but she forced herself to keep moving. Each step was an act of defiance, a refusal to be beaten by the Wastes.

"Alright, I'm beginning to think this place is alive," she thought with a coy smile, but only half in jest. "..yea, it’s alive and it's trying to break me." But if there was one thing Khei knew how to do, it was survive. The Lost Wastes could throw whatever they wanted at her, but she wasn’t going to back down. She had come too far, learned too much, and she wasn’t about to let some enchanted wasteland be the end of her.

"Well too bad."

With renewed determination, Khei adjusted her pack and set her sights on the horizon, where the temple awaited. It was just one more challenge, one more test, and she was going to pass it. Whatever the Wastes had in store for her, she was ready. Or at least, she hoped she was.

——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 100%
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Still, she'd been walking..

The heat had become unbearable, far worse than anything Khei had anticipated. Sweat soaked her tank top, clinging to her skin as the oppressive heat sapped her strength. The once-refreshing water from her canteen had grown warm, offering little relief as she took careful sips, rationing it with the precision of someone who knew she might need it more in the days to come.

Her footsteps dragged as she trudged through the barren, cracked earth of the Lost Wastes. Each step seemed harder than the last, the ground beneath her boots feeling as though it could burn through the soles at any moment. She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, pushing away the damp strands of hair that had escaped her braid, though the action did little to dispel the discomfort.

The landscape, initially intriguing in its alien desolation, had grown maddening. It was as if she was walking in circles. No matter how far she went, the same formations of jagged rocks and twisted, leafless trees seemed to reappear—identical in every detail. She could have sworn she had passed that cluster of charred stalagmites before. And that peculiar, cracked boulder that looked like it had been split in two by a bolt of lightning —she had seen that at least three times now.

"This is impossible.." she muttered to herself, frustration lacing her tone. "I’ve been moving forward… haven’t I?"

She paused, eyes narrowing as she scanned the horizon. Everything looked the same, as though the gods of the wasteland were playing some cruel joke on her– distorting her sense of direction and time. A creeping suspicion began to take hold in her mind.

"Oh fuck, is this a maze?"

Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she could feel the beginning of panic fluttering in her chest. She tightened her grip on the strap of her bag, forcing herself to take slow, deep breaths. This was what Qarinah had warned her about, wasn’t it? The tests, the trials that the Lost Wastes would impose on her.

She glanced down at the ground, and her breath caught in her throat. There, scattered among the cracks in the earth, were the skeletal remains of those who had come before her. Their bones, bleached white by the sun, lay in haphazard piles, some partially buried beneath the dirt. She stared at them, the realization sinking in like a stone in her gut—how many others had been trapped here, lost in this infernal loop, until they succumbed to the wasteland’s cruel embrace?

“I'm not gonna wind up like you.” she thought, her stomach churning with a mix of fear and anger. “Not a chance.”

But the nagging doubt persisted, her mind racing with thoughts of how easy it would be to end up like them—just another set of bones forgotten in the endless desert. She wouldn't exactly starve to death, but she didn't expect Ul'duin would know how to escape this labyrinth.

"There has to be a way out."

She told herself firmly, her voice barely more than a whisper. She pressed forward, ignoring the sense of déjà vu that threatened to overwhelm her. Her muscles ached with the effort, and her skin felt as though it might catch fire at any moment, but she pushed on, fueled by sheer willpower.

As she continued, Khei’s eyes darted back and forth, searching for any sign—anything that might break the cycle. Was this an illusion? Was something, or someone manipulating the very fabric of this place to trap her, just as it had trapped the others? If this was a game, she was determined to find out who—or what—was playing it.

Khei slowed her pace, her eyes scanning the landscape with renewed focus. She had to figure this out. If the wasteland was indeed alive, or if something was controlling it, there had to be a pattern, a crack in the illusion she could exploit. The realization was cold and sobering: she couldn’t trust her senses. The very ground beneath her feet, the path she thought she was walking—none of it could be trusted. But she wasn’t going to be another victim.

Her hand instinctively reached for the amulet, hidden within her bag, the key to the temple she sought. The artifact was supposed to be the key to the temple, but would it help her navigate this hellish landscape? The doubts gnawed at her, but she shook them off. She had come too far to give up now.

"I'm not dying here.." she murmured under her breath, determination hardening her voice. She had never been one to rely on anything but herself, instincts, her wits, and sheer determination. But now, standing in the sweltering heat of the Lost Wastes, surrounded by the bones of those who had failed, Khei found herself grasping for something more. Something she wasn’t sure she even understood.

Her thoughts raced back to her last conversation with Qarinah, remembering the woman's words about her connection to these creatures. The Primordials. It wasn’t just a warning; it was a key. Khei had always tried to keep that part of her at bay—she had never sought to harness it, let alone control it. She simply endured it, relishing as it has kept her alive.. But now, with the heat pressing down on her and the landscape twisting in ways that defied logic, she found herself with no other option.

"..I'm supposed to be drawn to them, right?" she whispered to herself, but How? How was she supposed to do that?

Desperation brewed a strange kind of innovation within her, pushing her to reach deep inside, to that place where the beast within slumbered, ever ravenous, ever waiting. She closed her eyes, shutting out the harsh sunlight and the unforgiving wasteland, focusing inward. Its gnawing hunger had always been there, lurking beneath the surface. But this time, instead of fighting it, she allowed herself to lean into it– Ul'duin's cosmic hunger.

A strange sensation rippled through her, as if something inside was shifting, unfurling from the depths. Khei’s hazel eyes snapped open, but they were no longer the same. They burned with a bright crimson light, casting an eerie glow on the cracked ground beneath her. Her vision shifted, the world around her bleeding into a spectrum of colors and waves she couldn’t comprehend. It was as if she was seeing the world anew, through a lens that revealed what was hidden beneath the surface. The electromagnetic spectrum—the energy, the heat, the distortions—it all pulsed around her in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns.

”What is this..?”

She murmured, her voice filled with awe and a touch of fear. She tried to focus– this new sight was overwhelming and chaotic, but amidst the swirling hues and waves, something caught her attention. A trail—faint but distinct—wove through the landscape, glowing with an energy that quickened her pulse. It was like a beacon, calling to her, making the hunger within her stir with a ferocity she had never felt before.

Khei’s hand trembled as she clutched at her chest, trying to steady herself. The sensation was unnerving, like a fire coursing through her veins, but she couldn’t deny the pull it had on her. This was what she had been searching for, the path that would lead her through the wasteland’s twisted illusions.

She hesitated for only a moment, the crimson glow in her eyes reflecting the uncertainty she felt. But despite the fear, despite the confusion, there was an undeniable certainty that this was the right direction. The connection she had tapped into was guiding her, showing her the way, even if she didn’t fully understand it.

With a deep breath, Khei set her jaw and turned to follow the glowing trail, her eyes locked on the energy that pulsed before her.

"..you've never wanted to help me before." she murmured, half to herself, half to Ul'duin. The creature had never before been so helpful, aside from keeping her alive of course.. "You must really want to find this place."

The landscape no longer seemed so daunting as she moved with purpose, the trail ahead leading her deeper into the unknown. But now, she had something more than just her instincts—she had the hunger, the connection to the Primordials, and the will to survive. And that, she realized, might just be enough to see her through.

——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 100%
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The crimson glow in Khei’s eyes flickered as she pressed forward, each step pulling her deeper into the suffocating heart of the Lost Wastes. The cracked, barren earth beneath her began to fracture further, revealing gaping fissures that threatened to swallow her whole. The air thickened with heat, transforming the sunless sky into an unyielding furnace. Her clothes clung desperately to her sweat-soaked skin, and every breath she took felt like she was inhaling fire.

Yet, the energy trail before her remained unwavering, its pulsing waves of light the only constant in an otherwise disorienting and treacherous world. The path wound and twisted through the jagged terrain, but Khei followed it with grim determination.

"Keep moving," she muttered under her breath, though whether the words were meant for herself or Ul'duin was unclear. The creature’s hunger was a gnawing presence at the edge of her mind, a reminder of the volatile power she carried. She had never felt its pull like this before, and she certainly never wanted to, but here in the Wastes, something had changed.

As she ventured deeper, the Wastes began to reveal their true, sinister nature. What had once seemed like distant mirages or tricks of the light now took on a more menacing form. The landscape itself rippled and warped, defying all logic and reason. Mountains of scorched earth loomed on the horizon, only to vanish when she blinked. The ground beneath her feet would occasionally shudder with a low, almost inaudible hum, before settling as if nothing had happened.

She soon came upon a cluster of rock formations that spiraled upwards like skeletal fingers clawing at the sky, their surfaces blackened and cracked as if seared by a celestial fire. The ground around them was littered with more bones—bleached and brittle from a relentless sun that hadn’t shone here in ages.

Qarinah’s warnings echoed in her mind, reminding her that the Lost Wastes were more than just a desolate wasteland—they were a crucible, a place designed to test those foolish or brave enough to enter. But test her for what? As Khei pressed on, her thoughts churned with uncertainty, her eyes locked on the shifting energy trail.

The heat intensified with each step. Her breathing grew shallow and labored, but Ul'duin’s energy coursing through her veins kept her from collapsing in exhaustion. The trail seemed to pulse in rhythm with her growing desperation, the crimson glow in her eyes brightening as she neared whatever lay at the end.

Without warning, the ground beneath her erupted in a violent tremor. Khei staggered, nearly losing her balance as the earth split open before her, revealing a yawning chasm that seemed to stretch into infinity. The energy trail plunged into the abyss, vanishing into the darkness below. Khei’s heart pounded as she stared into the void, fear and anticipation mingling within her.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered, her voice tinged with both reluctance and disbelief. But there was no turning back now. The trail had led her here, and she had no choice but to follow. With a deep breath, she tightened the strap of her bag and approached the edge of the gaping trench. The heat radiating from below was overwhelming, a blast of scorching air that nearly knocked her back as she peered into the depths.

The crimson light in her eyes flared, and for a brief moment, she could see the energy swirling within the chasm—a chaotic storm of colors and shapes. Khei felt as if the very essence of the Lost Wastes was concentrated in this one place, a nexus of raw power and unimaginable danger.

”Ugh, dammit." she thought, her pulse quickening. The pull of the trail was now almost irresistible, Ul'duin’s hunger roaring with anticipation. Whatever lay at the bottom of this chasm, it was calling to them both. So with one last glance at the ashen sky above, Khei took a deep breath and jumped.

The fall seemed to last forever, the air roaring past her in a blur of searing heat and distorted sound. Her vision wavered as the world dissolved into a swirling maelstrom of light and color. Then, with a bone-jarring impact, she hit the ground hard, pain shooting through her body like a lightning bolt.

“..yea.. maybe not best plan.”

For a moment, she lay there, gasping for breath, her senses reeling from the fall. She hadn’t transformed, so the injuries were minor, but the pain was real, reminding her of the mortal body she inhabited. Even so, the energy trail still glowed, a pulsing line that led deeper into the chasm.

With a groan, Khei forced herself to her feet. The ground here was different—smoother, darker, as if forged in the fires of some ancient furnace. The heat was suffocating, the air thick with the acrid scent of sulfur and something else—something metallic, like the tang of blood. The energy here was palpable, pulsing in time with her heartbeat, beckoning her forward.

——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 100%
——---——— ——---———

As Khei steadied herself, her gaze drifted across the alien landscape that lay before her, a world entirely different from the one above. The walls of the chasm loomed high on either side, their surfaces glistening with an eerie, obsidian sheen, as though they had been carved from the very essence of darkness. The ground underfoot was slick, each step producing a faint, almost musical echo that reverberated through the oppressive stillness.

She could feel the atmosphere shift, thickening with an ominous weight that pressed down on her shoulders like a tangible force. The air was dense with the scent of sulfur and blood, but there was something else—an undercurrent of rot, decay, and a strange metallic tang that clung to the back of her throat, making her stomach churn.

The crimson glow in her eyes dimmed slightly as she scanned her surroundings. The energy trail continued to pulse faintly ahead, guiding her deeper into the chasm, but it felt different now—less a guiding light and more a lure, as if whatever lay at the end was actively pulling her in. The sensation was unsettling, yet she couldn’t ignore the thrumming in her veins, Ul'duin’s hunger sharpening into a near-desperate edge.

Khei pressed on, her footsteps measured and cautious. The smooth, dark ground beneath her began to shift, the surface becoming increasingly uneven as she ventured further. Here and there, she noticed patches of ground where the obsidian-like material had been cracked open, revealing pools of molten lava that bubbled and hissed, sending waves of blistering heat into the already suffocating air. She skirted these treacherous spots, her senses on high alert.

As she moved deeper, the chasm began to narrow, the walls closing in around her like the jaws of some colossal beast. The sound of her own breathing echoed off the stone, creating a rhythmic pattern that mirrored the beating of her heart. The trail led her to a narrow passageway, just wide enough for her to squeeze through. As she edged her way forward, the walls brushed against her, their cold, slick surfaces sending shivers down her spine.

On the other side, the chasm opened up again into a vast cavern, the ceiling lost in shadow. The ground here was strewn with ancient, rusted weapons—blades, spears, shields—all covered in a thick layer of dust and grime, relics of battles long forgotten. Among them, she noticed broken chains, their links massive and heavy, etched with strange runes that seemed to pulse faintly with a sickly green light.

But what caught her attention most were the bodies—or what remained of them. Skeletal remains, twisted and malformed, littered the ground, their bones fused together in grotesque configurations. Some had elongated skulls, others had extra limbs or twisted spines. It was as if whatever had been here had tried to escape, only to be trapped and warped by the very energy that now pulsed through the chasm.

This place reeked of ancient magic, the kind that twisted and corrupted, everything it touched. She could feel it seeping into her skin, coiling around her bones, and digging its claws into her mind.

Ul'duin stirred within her, the beast’s hunger growing more pronounced as if it recognized this place, or at least, the power that resided here. Khei clenched her fists, trying to push back the growing unease that gnawed at her insides.

“Lovely place,” she muttered to herself, her voice alight with sarcasm as she surveyed the twisted remnants at her feet. “How do I always end up at these fancy spots?”

At the far end of the cavern, a massive door stood tall, carved from the same obsidian-like material as the walls around her. Intricate designs were etched into its surface, depicting scenes of a world engulfed in flames, of creatures twisted and reshaped by an all-consuming inferno. At the center of the door was an elaborate carving of a flaming serpent, its eyes made of a glowing crimson crystal that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

The energy trail led straight to the door, its pulsing rhythm now in perfect sync with her heartbeat. Khei hesitated for a moment, feeling the oppressive weight of the place bearing down on her. But she knew there was no turning back. Whatever lay beyond that door was the source of the energy she had been tracking—the answer to whatever trial the Lost Wastes had laid before her.

She reached for the amulet at her neck, her fingers brushing over its smooth, cool surface. The moment she touched it, the crystal eyes in the carving on the door flared to life, the light within them intensifying until it was nearly blinding. The door began to rumble, the intricate carvings shifting and rearranging themselves into new patterns. The serpent seemed to writhe and coil, its body flowing like molten lava as the door slowly creaked open, revealing the chamber beyond.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, pushing the door open with a low, creaking groan. The green light washed over her, bathing the cavern in an eerie glow as she stepped through the threshold.


——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 100%
——---——— ——---———

The chamber beyond was vast, with towering pillars that rose into the darkness above, their surfaces inscribed with ancient runes that glowed with a faint, golden light. The floor was covered in the same obsidian-like material, but here it was cracked and uneven, as if the very ground had been torn apart by some cataclysmic force. A scorched altar stood at the center of the temple, surrounded by a ring of glowing runes, their fierce golden light stark against the surrounding darkness.

As Khei approached, she noticed the scattered relics around the room—broken artifacts, shattered weapons, and remnants of ritualistic offerings. Among them was an intricately designed pedestal with an empty slot, its surface scarred by centuries of neglect. The energy trail pulsed with urgency as she neared it. Khei retrieved the amulet from her around her neck, its finely crafted symbols matching those on the altar. ”A perfect fit..”

She thought, placing it into the pedestal’s slot, triggering a reactive flash of light. The sigils on the floor began to shift and whine as the temperature surged, becoming nearly unbearable.

The temple was now resonating with an almost palpable energy, enough for Khei to realize that something was amiss. The walls began to light up, illustrating hieroglyphics that Khei could somehow understand.

“The Pyre?” She murmured the word as her eyes traced these strangely familiar symbols. Soon, as she made sense of the stories collected along the wall, she learned something was amiss. Vorath was not here. Instead, she felt a creeping sense of dread as the energy from the amulet had awakened something else.

From the shadows emerged an abomination– a grotesque fusion of flesh and flame, its form a twisted amalgamation of bodies, melted together into a singular, nightmarish entity. The cult of zealots, The Pyre they called themselves, were a coalition of powerful sorcerers who once worshiped Vorath, The Celestial as the harbinger of a new world. But in their hubris, they drew upon the power of this entity and following their successful attempts to summon him– were warped beyond comprehension by his presence, their souls and bodies fused into this abhorrent homunculus.

Khei recoiled instinctively, the crimson light in her eyes flaring as she took in the sight.

The creature stirred, its body flickering with cosmic flames that danced along its tortured form. It stood on hind legs– a dwarfing mass of fused limbs, gaping mouths that screamed in silent agony, and hollow eyes that stared out into nothingness. It was truly an abhorrence, its form writhing and shifting in a grotesque parody of life.

The air around it shimmered with heat, distorting space as if the chamber itself was bending to the creature’s pain and rage. Suddenly, it sensed Khei's presence, its many heads turning toward her, the hollow eyes focusing on her face. It let out a guttural, rasping sound—a cry of anguish that reverberated through the chamber, shaking the very walls.

Khei's instincts kicked in. She knew she was in danger, but her confidence remained unshaken. She muttered to herself, "Oh, great. Just what I needed. A disgusting fire-breathing abomination." She muttered, sarcasm lacing her lips as she braced herself.

The homunculus lunged at her with a frenzied, mindless rage- one of its arms mutating into a deadly tendril of fire that sliced through the air toward its target. She barely had time to react, diving to the side as the fiery appendage lacerated the ground where she had just stood, leaving a smoldering scorch mark. Despite her efforts, The strength of the mpact sent shockwaves through the temple, causing her to stagger and slide across the ground of the temple.

“Alright, then,” Khei muttered, rolling to her feet and narrowing her eyes at the creature. “So much for talking it out.”

The homunculus roared again, its flames burning hotter as another of its blazing tendril lashed at its target. This one whipped Khei directly in her abdomen, searing and ripping into her belly before the force of the blow hurled her into the obsidian walls of the temple. She gasped, the wind knocked out of her, but Ul'duin was responding to her broken bones and seared flesh– her pupils dilated, the crimson glow in her eyes magnifying until they were molten orbs of fire. The burning pain from her belly acted as a catalyst for her transformation, and as always, the change was swift and visceral.

Every bone in her body expanded with explosive force, filling the chamber with a gruesome symphony of cracks and pops. Her skin rippled, its sandstone complexion fading as thick cords of muscle surged beneath the surface. Her extremities lengthened, her palms mutated into massive clawed appendages, each sharp enough to shear through diamond. Her once slender frame ballooned, tearing her clothes to shreds as her height doubled and her form swelled with raw, primal, otherworldly power.

Her skin, now a ghastly ivory, was marred by pulsating veins as thick as tree roots. Her face elongated, her jaw extended into a fearsome maw of razor sharp fangs. Her hair, once a dark cascade of strands, now bristled down her back like a dorsal mane. The ground trembled as Ul'duin emerged from the crater in the wall and rose to its full height, snarling at the twisted abomination that dared challenge it. The air around Ul'duin crackled with power, the temperature dropping sharply as its body drew in all the heat from within the temple.

The homunculus hesitated for a moment, its grotesque horde of heads swiveling around to take in its new target. It was indifferent to the drastic metamorphosis Khei had undergone. It released a raspy groan, flames erupting from its openings as it charged and thrashed at its prey with a myriad of fiery limbs that seemed to distort space in its wake.

——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 90%
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Ul'duin met the homunculus's charge head-on, its massive fists swinging with reckless abandon, clashing with the abomination in a deadly, primal dance. Each colliding blow sent shockwaves through the chamber, cratering the ground beneath them as stone and obsidian shattered like glass.

The fiery creature roared in defiance–its molten tendrils lashing out to coil around Ul'duin’s arms,’pulling the beast closer into a searing, deadly embrace. The homunculus reared back and delivered a crushing blow to Ul'duin’s chest with one of its enormous, molten fists. The sheer force of the punch reverberated through Ul'duin’s body, causing the beast to stagger, the very ground beneath its feet cracking under the pressure. The homunculus didn’t relent; it followed with a brutal headbutt, its many grotesque faces slamming into Ul'duin's chest like a battering ram.

Ul'duin grunted, the impact forcing it back on its heels, but its stance remained unyielding– an ivory pillar of indomitable power. Seizing the moment, the homunculus pressed its advantage. Flames erupted from its limbs as it unleashed a barrage of rapid, crushing blows. More molten tendrils lashed out with bone-shattering force, while others coiled around Ul'duin's limbs, seeking to restrain the beast and burn it into submission. The celestial flames seared Ul'duin's flesh, filling the chamber with the acrid stench of burning muscle, and gutteral roars. Yet, as the flames licked its body, Ul'duin's eyes burned even brighter, filled with a defiant, nuclear fury as it absorbed the assault.

With a feral snarl, Ul'duin flexed its muscles, snapping the fiery tendrils binding its arms with its unbridled strength and retaliated with a devastating right hook that connected squarely with the homunculus’s central mass. The impact launched the abomination across the chamber and crashing into the far wall with a deafening explosion of stone and flame. The homunculus roared in agony, molten blood spilling from its wounds, but it was far from defeated.

Pushing itself up from the rubble, the homunculus surged forward once more, molten blood dripping from its wounds as it charged with renewed ferocity. It leapt into the air, its form warping and contorting as it fused both of its arms into a colossal hammer and brought it scything down on Ul'duin’s head. The titanic blow drove its target into the ground with a thunderous crash, the force of the impact plunging the beast into a pool of lava that simmered beneath the temple’s surface.

——---——— ——---———
Current Energy Level: 65%
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For a brief moment, the homunculus stood triumphant, its fiery form towering over the molten pit. But only for a moment.. A roar shook the very foundation of the chamber once Ul'duin emerged from the fiery pool, its flesh bubbling and blistered but its fury undeterred. The lava clung to its form like a second skin, only adding to its fearsome appearance.

Its massive frame moved with surprising speed, charging out of the molten pit toward its foe.The homunculus barely had time to react before Ul'duin was upon it, hurling its fist into the creature’s side with earth-shattering force.

The impact generated shockwaves that rippled through the chamber, cracking the obsidian walls and sending debris raining from above. The homunculus howled in pain as its molten form skidded across the ground, leaving a trail of fiery embers in its wake. But before it could fully recover, Ul'duin was upon it again, not giving the abomination a moment’s respite.

Ul'duin jumped and landed on top of its stunned enemy, grabbed one of its writhing arms and hoisted it into the air. And with a savage snarl, slammed the fire borne creature into the ground with thunderous force. The magnitude of the slam formed a crater beneath them, but the homunculus was nothing if not resilient. Despite the brutal onslaught, it writhed and twisted in Ul'duin’s grip, its molten limbs tightening flaring with heat.

Without warning all of its gaping mouths unleashed a torrent of blistering heat, blasting Ul'duin point blank with the might of a demonic jet engine. The flames tore through its flesh with searing intensity. The homunculus, leveraging its position, used its tendrils to pull Ul'duin closer wirh flames now erupting from its entire body–engulfing them both in a hellish inferno.

The homunculus squeezed tighter, its molten form burning hotter, trying to melt Ul'duin into submission. But Ul'duin’s fury was unyielding. With a mighty roar, Ul’duin flexed its arms, muscles straining as it fought against the fiery bonds. The sheer strength of Ul'duin’s will proved a force of nature, and slowly but surely, the tendrils began to snap one by one.

With a final, explosive burst of power, Ul'duin broke free from the homunculus’s fiery grasp and delivered a barrage of heavy blows, each strike creating shockwaves that reverberated through the temple and buried the homunculus further into the ground.. One after another, Ul'duin’s fists crashed into its abhorrent foe with the force of an avalanche, pulverizing its molten form and sending fragments of flesh flying in all directions. However, the homunculus let loose one final, pained cry before it was obliterated. Its body surged with energy before unleashing a massive wave of fire that swept across the chamber and engulfed everything in its path. The strength of the blast was immense, distorting space, scorching the very air and reducing the surrounding relics to ash. But when the flames died down, Ul'duin still stood, its form severely singed and battered, but its eyes burning with relentless fury.

The chamber fell into silence, the only sound being the crackling of dying embers and the labored breaths of the victorious. Ul'duin stood amidst the destruction, Its body covered in burns and gashes, chest heaving from the exertion of battle. Its eyes, still glowing with residual fury, scanned the chamber for any remaining threat.. Once Satisfied that the battle was over, the monster's body began to regenerate and relax. The crimson light in its eyes dimmed as the transformation started to reverse. Her muscles shrank, claws retracted, and fangs receded as Khei slowly regained her human form.

When the transformation was complete, Khei stood in the center of the temple, her body trembling from the exertion. She was covered in soot, and dirt; her once-pristine skin marred by the battle. She took a breath, her gaze softening as she took in the destruction around her– she found her clothes in tatters, scorched and ripped along the obsiden battlefield. As well as the remains of the homunculus; once a terrifying creature now nothing more than a broken, smoldering heap at her feet.

"Good.. looks like I won. "
Khei said wiping a mix of sweat, soot and dirt from her brow. She then looked down at her fallen foe and muttered, her words broken up between sharp gasps for air "Next time.. stay dead."

But as the echoes of her labored breaths faded, the temple's silence was abruptly shattered by a deep, menacing rumble. The chamber quaked, and cracks began to spiderweb across the wall and floor. Massive chunks of obsidian cascaded from the ceiling, each impact shaking the very foundations of the ancient structure. The pools of magma below surged and bubbled with ominous fury, their fiery glow casting flickering shadows across the chamber.

Khei staggered to her feet, her breaths coming in raspy gasps as she surveyed the chaos. The immense weight of the temple was sinking into the depths of lava, the ground beneath her trembling violently. She could feel the heat intensifying as the structure disintegrated around her.

"Of course.." she muttered, her accent thick with fatigue. "Just my fucking luck."

The amulet, which had been her focus throughout the battle, lay amidst the smoldering remains of the homunculus near the center of the chamber. Khei glanced at it, a pang of regret flaring in her eyes. "..fuck it." She murmured, too tired for any real sentiment.

She pushed forward, each step a struggle as the walls began to collapse around her. Flames roared and crackled behind her, sending shards of molten rock hurtling through the air. She weaved through the crumbling corridors, her movements sluggish but determined.

"..C'mon, girl.. move! " she breathed, more to herself than anything, her voice barely audible amidst the chaos.

Finally, with a last burst of energy, Khei burst from the collapsing ruins. She fell to her knees on the rocky surface outside, her chest heaving as she took in the desolate scene. The temple had been reduced to a smoldering shadow of its former self, its once-majestic grandeur now a churning cauldron of molten lava.

Khei laid there for a moment, catching her breath and staring at the fiery expanse before her.

“..dammit.” She muttered to herself. She felt defeated, even in her victory. Vorath was not here, the hidden temple was destroyed, and the amulet was lost to the molten belly of the Wastes. Not to mention the scrolls and artifacts Qarinah had gifted her..

“..a waste of time–” She thought as the billowing smoke obscured her vision, and strangled her lungs. However, despite the near-catastrophic collapse, her senses remained sharp. And her eyes, glowing faintly with distinctive crimson light, picked up a lingering trace of energy—an unmistakable signature of the homunculus's origin.

Her sunken eyes narrowed as she focused on the faint trail of energy. “Huh, or maybe not.." she whispered, her voice rough from exhaustion.

Ignoring the throbbing pain in her limbs, Khei forced herself to her feet. She knew she couldn’t rest yet.. certainly not in the chasm. That trail might be her only lead and she wasn't sure how much distance lay between her and its source.

"Let’s get out of this chasm first." she muttered, her tone devoid of any enthusiasm, just a weary determination.

As she trudged away from the remains of the temple, Khei’s thoughts were singularly focused. The path ahead was uncertain, but she would follow this lead—because she had to.

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Current Energy Level: 40%
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