At first Abelard considered this a dream or some wild vision granted by Asura. But his skin watered from the humid heat, feeling it course and rough to breathe in. He felt itchy from the brushing of the long fern-like grass, and the microscopic insects clinging to his ankles. The Priest had seen many wonders of the gods; vast cataclysms and eldritch spells given to him within visions and dreams. But what manner of magic this thing was, was daunting to his sensibilities. He sensed that the Opal was not far off, however, and that was what they would need to cling their hopes to. 

"Ware and steel yourself Barbarian woman," He said to her, clutching his staff in both hands now. Twisting his hands, the spike at the end protruded again and he changed his stance as if he held a spear, which he practically did. In the distance a grinding roar lifted in the air and a porcine squeal echoed. Abelard had heard tale of the great southern jungle cats thrice as large as a man, and felt their potential all too real at that moment. "Whether we are in the Black Lands south of dreaded Stygia or some nether realm, we must retrieve the Opal at all costs." 

The two of them crept warily, Abelard with his spear at the ready. Somehow he felt less suited to the situation that Anya, for the woman seemed just as home here as she likely was in the frozen north. Abelard nearly tripped over what he had perceived to be a log at one point, until he realized it was the midsection of an enormous python, resting in the brush. So large was it, it moved too sluggishly to give he or Anya any notice, and the two stepped over it carefully. Likely it was savoring a recent meal, which brought many uncomfortable questions they needn't dwell on. 

After cutting through thickly draped vines and undergrowth that clutched at their hips, the two of them burst into a clearing. Anya landing as any skilled warrior would, and Abelard moving like he preconceived where the correct places to step was to keep his footing. The jungle glade was about fifty square feet with turfts of exotic blades of grass mingled with dirt. Sunken bones of both man and beast jutted out of the soil. What was slightly more concerning and significant was the Opal of Power set upon a dias of tied bone at the very center.