The air was heavy with tension as Syllel and her companions came upon the fields of the temple grounds, peering threw the overgrown trees and foliage. As they made their way closer to the temple, the dense vines and foliage seemed to give way to ruined stone pillars, moss-covered statues, and long-forgotten altars that seemed to weep under the weight of time.
It wasn't long before Syllel realized that their presence seemed to stir the wrath of something, long dormant and unsettled.
The Kobolds, who had been hiding within the ruins.. sensing their approach, bolted into the underbrush, squeaking in terror and eventually disappeared into the woods, but not before casting a few fearful glances back over their shoulders. Being the small Kobolds were so quick to dart through the undergrowth with a swift, panic-fueled agility.., the Selûnites assumed that they were no longer a threat and began to press on forward.
Their path led them closer to the temple grounds, where they hoped to evade the wrath of any further invaders...
However, unknown to them, their was a large pack of goblins who stood their ground, hiding behind the outer walls of the temple with their grins sharp and predatory as they peeked around the rubble...
Their eyes gleamed with malice, calculating their odds of survival, as if they were relishing the chaos yet to come.
As the Selûnites coma within striking range, the Goblins raised their crude, jagged weapons and began to chant in their guttural language as they prepared for battle. The Goblins, accompanied by the giant rats, fearless and hungry, advanced slowly twords the Selûnites, slinking through the rubble and ruined stone, their beady eyes fixed on Syllel and her companions.
The smell of damp fur and decay clung to the air as their hungry bellies growled in anticipation. Their movement was fluid, driven by instinct and hunger, as they bared their yellowed teeth. Amidst the shadows of the broken stones, Syllel stood resolute, her silver scale mail glimmering defiantly in the slivers of sundown breaking through the trees. Her long brown hair flowed freely behind her, a banner of strength and determination. The moonlight bathed her in an ethereal glow, making her seem like a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Her hand gripped the hilt of her sword firmly, as she surveyed the battlefield with cold precision.
As the goblins began to charge, a grave determination washed over her, etching a fierce resolve on her angular face. She could feel the tension building in the air like a storm ready to burst. Her grip tightened on her shield, and without hesitation, she called out, "Prepare yourselves! Our goddess is with us!"
The battle erupted like a thunderclap, a clash of steel, roars, and screeches echoing through the forsaken woods. Syllel's sword cut through the air with sharp precision, a silver flash as it cleaved through the first goblin that dared approach. Her shield met the gnashing teeth of the rats, the wood groaning under their weight but holding strong. Each strike was fueled by years of training and the teachings of Selûne. Her movements were fluid, graceful, and purposeful, guiding her as she danced between the enemies, deflecting blows and landing strikes with unwavering accuracy. The magic of the moon seemed to guide her every step, empowering her in battle.
One of the Kobold's, a particularly desperate one, reappeared from the shadows, clutching a spear that was too large for its frame. It thrust it wildly, piercing it all the way through the leg of one of the clerics. Seeing this, Syllel spun in the air, her blade cutting down on the weapon with a swift motion, shattering the spear and sending the creature running back into the brush with a high-pitched squeal of fear.
"Cowards!" the Selûnite called after them, but her voice was drowned by the sounds of combat. Another goblin lunged at her, but she intercepted the blow with her shield, slamming the enemy backward, sending him sprawling.
In that brief moment, she saw the gleam in the eyes of the remaining goblin.
They were calculating, still assessing the strength of her group. They were not mindless beasts. They fought as if they were on a mission. The giant rats, however, seemed to have no goals besides filling their bellies, and no fear of death. They attacked relentlessly, clawing at the Selûnite's armor, their sharp teeth scraping against the steel. Their hunger pushed them forward, and their gnashing jaws were almost unrelenting. Syllel could feel the strain in her arms as she swung her sword, cleaving through the swarming masses. Each rat she felled only seemed to open the way for the others. It was a brutal, close-quarter struggle, but Syllel held fast, fighting to protect her comrades, her every movement dictated by her vow of protection.
After an intense struggle, victory came at a cost;
Many of the Selûnites are now gravely injured, but the goblins, and rats finally lay defeated, their bodies scattered across the temple grounds. Their crude weapons, most broken and shattered, are littered the everywhere across the ground. The last of the goblins, having seen the tide turn, dashed away, seeking refuge among the shadows, leaving behind their fallen kin. Breathing heavily, Syllel surveyed the aftermath, her heart racing but her spirit unbroken. Blood trickled down her arm, mixing with the dirt and grime that clung to her silver armor. Her breathing was deep and steady, each breath reminding her of the work ahead.
As silence enveloped the ruins once more, only one thought remained in her mind:
"I have to begin rebuilding the temple as soon as possible, so Selûne can purify these lands."
Her resolve was steadfast. She had fought for the land, and she would restore it. With newfound determination, she stepped forward, her heavy boots crunching against the broken stone beneath her, her shield still held high. Her eyes were fierce, glowing with the fire of conviction. Syllel would honor the legacy of her faith and restore the sanctuary to its former glory.
As Syllel paced through the rubble, checking for any more signs of danger, her eyes caught something unusual, ..an odd glimmering light beneath a pile of stone beside a nearly collapsed pillar.
The silver gleam was out of place among the scattered debris, and It tugged at her curiosity. Kneeling carefully, she moved the heavy stones aside, her movements deliberate and respectful, no longer as a warrior, but as a Preistsess seeking answers in the ruins.
Beneath the rubble, she revealed an unexpected discovery;
..a large spotted egg, glistening with an ethereal, faint silvery glow. The light seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat, as if the egg itself was alive. The surface was smooth and cool to the touch, shimmering faintly as though bathed in Moonlight. As her fingers brushed against it, a soft warmth radiated from the egg; a soothing and comforting feeling.. it was the unmistakable, fragile flutter of a heartbeat from within.
A wave of fondness swept over Syllel, filling her heart with a sensation she could not quite explain. It was as though the goddess Selûne herself had placed this delicate treasure in her hands, a gift born from the heavens or the very heart of the moon. As far as she was concerned, it wasn't just an egg. ..it was a symbol, a vessel of something sacred, something divine;
For the very glow of moonlight itself seemed to reach out, connecting her to the life inside.
Her companions, still recovering from the fierce battle moments before, slowly began to gather around her, drawn by the soft, pulsing glow of the egg. Their faces, once hardened by battle and exhaustion, softened with a mixture of awe and reverence. Murmurs of wonder began to ripple throughout the group. Some whispered prayers to Selûne, others stared in awe, unsure what to make of such a mystical, unexpected discovery. The air felt charged, almost sacred, as if the world itself had paused to honor this moment.
"Could it be... a gift from the heavens?!" one of the clerics asked, her voice trembling with awe. She stepped forward, almost as if afraid to touch the egg, yet longing to be close to it.
Syllel rose to her feet, cradling the egg gently in her hands, its warmth pulsing softly against her palms as a quiet, yet firm resolve filled her eyes.
"It must be..," she said, her voice steady but filled with an almost reverent certainty. "Selûne has entrusted us with the care of this creature."
As her eyes met those of her companions, she could feel the weight of responsibility settling upon her shoulders. Yet, it was not the weight of a burden, but that of honor; one she would bear gladly.
The egg was not just a physical object to the Selûnite's, it was a divine object, a promise that they had a role in something much larger than themselves.
The rest of the Selûnites quickly shared her belief, treating the egg with the utmost reverence. Their expressions were filled with awe and respect as they gathered closer to Syllel. As time past, discussions arose in hushed tones, whispers of what the egg could be.. Some speculated it might be a celestial being;
perhaps it was a guardian of Selûne, ..a sacred beast like a Silver Dragon, connected to the goddess herself. Their conversations ebbed and flowed like waves, but the one thing everyone agreed on was that the egg was of great importance.
"We need to repare a shelter," Syllel commanded, her voice unwavering, though softer than usual. She turned to the clerics and paladins surrounding her, her heart swelling with love for her companions and their faith.
"...We will not leave this place until the temple is restored, and until we ensure the safety of this creature."
Syllel's words weighed heavy, like a promise made under the light of the moon itself, and even she could feel the weight of those words in her soul, for she knew.. this was a path that she must follow, no matter where it takes her.
Her companions,.. paladins, clerics, and warriors alike moved quickly, gathering supplies and beginning to construct a temporary shelter near the remains of the ancient temple. It was not a grand shelter, but it was a cabin built with care and dedication, its purpose clear as day:
to protect the egg that Syllel had discovered.
All though the night they worked diligently, their spirits renewed by the presence of this divine charge, their faith deepening as they worked toward their mission, for shelter being built near the ruins was not just a temporary measure..
as it felt like the start of something greater. The temple, and the land, was being reborn through their efforts, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
As days turned into weeks the shelter became a humble haven, and the Selûnites' efforts toward restoration grew stronger with each passing day. The once broken and forgotten temple was now beginning to take shape once again, with it's walls being patched up and faded mosaics slowly restored to their former glory.
The sounds of hammers and chisels striking stone, of saws and axes cutting through wood, all accompanied by with the quiet hum of prayers, became a daily rhythm that filled the air as the ruins that had once stood as a symbol of decay, now echoed with devine purpose.
But even with all the hard work and the gradual restoration of the temple, *the moonlight egg* never left their thoughts..
And as each day passed, it grew in size, much to everyone's amazement, almost as if it was responding to the work there dedication. Each night, the glow of the egg became brighter, bathing the camp in a soft, silvery light each night, and each night Syllel would sit beside the egg, her hand resting gently on its surface, feeling the subtle stirrings of the creature within as the egg seemed to pulsate in tune with the phases of the moon. Syllel's connection to the egg deepened with each passing day as if they were both waiting.., waiting for the temple to be whole again.
At times, she would speak softly to the egg, her voice gentle, filled with a mix of curiosity and affection. "We're almost ready," she would murmur, though no one could hear her words but herelf. She could not explain the sensation, but sometimes she felt as though the egg responded to her voice, as if it somehow understood her, stirring slightly when she spoke.
The other Selûnites grew just as fond of the egg, taking turns sitting with it during the day and night. The warmth of the egg seemed to so othe them, often offering comfort in the face of their hard work. They took turns watching over it, each member feeling a sense of shared guardianship. Some would sit quietly, lost in thought, while others exchanged quiet theories of what the creature could be in hushed voices.
No one could be sure of what lied inside the egg all knew that whatever it was, it was as precious to them as the Moon itself.
Syllel, however, held a quiet hope in her heart a belief that when the creature finally emerged, it would be a symbol of renewal, just like the temple they had worked so hard to restore. She could feel it, a sense of destiny in her bones, a bond already forming between herself and the life within the egg. It was something profound.. something meant to be.