[color=eeee33]Kairos Threadbare[/color]
 
It was early in the morning as the rays of the sun peaked over the horizon, illuminating the silhouette of the lonely island against the ocean blue.  [color=5555ee]”Land Ahoy!”[/color] announced the look-out, gathering the attention of the others members of the small band, all eyes becoming drawn to the looming shadows cast by the time-worn structure. [color=ee5555] “That the place? Looks as gloomy as a crypt” [/color] Orion muttered as he turned to face Kairos before asking [color=ee5555]”You still up for this Kairos? It’s only a rumor and it sounds far to good to be true”[/color]. The group of Soldiers had overheard the rumors of a strange artifact only a single derelict island sitting in the middle of sea and had managed to narrow its location down to this solitary island based on the drunken rambles from sailors. Given the short time of shore leave they had been granted in respite from the brewing conflict and in dire need of some adventuring, they had decided to investigate further and now found themselves slowly approaching the island in the faint hours of the morning, long before most trading ships would arrive.
 
[color=55ee55]”Come on now, of course he would be, that place looks perfect for our good old Reaper”[/color] Savin said with a chuckle, earning a few laughs from the group. Taking a more serious face he focused his attention back on the island [color=55ee55] “Still if the rumours are true there could be a whole host of monsters in there, or nothing at all - hard to sort fact from fiction when the storyteller is drunk. We’ll drop you off close to the Island Kairos and pick you up from the same spot this evening as the sunsets. Scout carefully and if there’s anything you can’t handle wait for us and we’ll go in as group.”[/color] Savin reiterated - they had gone over the plan a few times now, given that Kairos was the stealthiest of the group and the rumors could turn out to be duds, it had been decided he would do a preliminary scouting while the rest of the group chased other rumours of adventure - if the ruins turned out to be empty they would move on and if there was anything of interest, they would delve in deeper.
 
Over the next half hour - the group passed by the beach, dropping Kairos off and established a point of return for later that evening. Taking a moment to watch the ship sail off, Kairos attention returned to the task at hand, looking into the heart of the island the tops of the ruins reached above the dense foliage of the forest, providing a landmark for him to trek towards. Drawing his Scythe Kairos made his way up the beach, the soft sand shifting beneath his feet before giving way to the harder dirt that marked the edge of the forest. As the sound of the waves gently crashing across the shore fading into the distance, they were replaced by the morning cries of birds that marked the dawn of the new day as Kairos edged further into the wild growth. Despite the gnarling forest sprawl that twisted and turned before him, the towering ruins in the distance ensured his path was true.
 
As the ruins drew closer, the forest parted to open territory [color=eeee33][i]’No doubt when this place was still inhabited, they kept the plants at bay from their temple. Doesn’t seem to be lasting with them gone though[/i][/color] Kairos thought to himself, stray grass and vines having crept along what must have once been a pathway, seeping into the ground and temple itself. Following the path, Kairos made sure to quieten his approach, the soft disturbing of gravel and stone hard to hear over the bird cries that had now began to echo around the island. Reaching the outer wall, Kairos moved towards a large crack in the exterior, the stone having been carved open like a wound - revealing the interior of the building bare for him to see. Faint echo’s sounded throughout the building, cause Kairos to grip his weapon tighter [color=eeee33][i]’Perhaps it’s a stray animal or perhaps I am not the only explorer on this day’[/i][/color].
 
Quickly vaulting inside - Kairos moved quickly out from the sunlight as a gust of wind washed in through the gap, its howling call swirling deep into the heart of the temple. Pausing for a moment, Kairos then grinned to himself [color=eeee33][i]’If there’s anything of value it would be at the heart of the temple - seems these bigger corridors are designed to funnel towards that location’[/i][/color] he concluded as he peered down the passage the wind had surged through. Of course, such a conclusion would mean if there was anyone else in this ancient ruins they would no doubt be following such a path as well, leading to an inevitable conflict at the centre. Moving swiftly, Kairos followed the pathway, occasionally guided by a gust of the howling wind until he reached the heart of the fortress.
 
As he rounded the final corner his eyes immediately caught the relic and caused him to halt. Right at the core of the structure, nestled on an ornate pedestal was a relic that radiated magic. The divine glow seemed to illuminate the entire room with its strange hue, overshadowing the skylight of the room. Glancing around and marvelling at the sights and shadows cast by the radiant orb - Kairos suddenly noticed less carved shapes among the stone. Putting his urge to be dazzled by the object on hold, his attention flickered rapidly through the faint objects - he could not make out all of them but a few definitely looked humanoid and one had already approached the object. [color=eeee33][i]’So there were others - a shame for them if they were seeking that relic. Only one of us will be using that and I’ll prove that it should be me if any of them want to contest it[/i][/color] Kairos mused as he withdrew the Scythe and took up an aggressive stance - moving towards the centre.
 
His approach only lasted a few steps before the glow of the room shifted ever so slightly. In that instance, as the entire atmosphere of the room seemed to warp for but a second, the orb suddenly shattered - the radiant glow fading into nothing as the skylight once more resumed its job of illumination. A flurry of thoughts rushed in confusion as though multiple parts of his own mind attempted to determine what had happened. His eyes narrowed at the figure in the centre - they had been the closest to the orb when it shattered, and another voice from the other side of the chamber declared the central figure as responsible for its destruction [color=eeee33][i]’Or perhaps they already declared their wish, consuming the relic in the process![/i][/color] Kairos pondered, taking a moment before adding his voice to the conversation [color=eeee33][b]”I suggest you explain yourself Miss - seems quite a few of us were after this artifact and I doubt any of us are keen to leave without an explanation of what the hell you just did[/b][/color]