[color=95A5A6][b]> Make your way down the hallway. <[/b][/color]

[hr]

	With a long breath of determination, you set forth into the darkness before you. In only a few short steps, the moonlight pouring behind you into the foyer of the temple was swallowed by the shroud of black that encroached on your meager torch, leaving you all alone in this cramped and narrowing passage. The echoes of your footsteps and the sifting of your cloths and leathers were the only stimuli to distract you from your thoughts, as you pondered where this could lead, where your target was, and if she was all right. Your inquiry about the first of these things would come to light- the light of your torch, that is- after not too long. The mountaintop upon which the temple rested within didn't seem terribly wide at this altitude, somewhat restricting a possible internal floorplan within. As you then expected, the hall came to an end, as a small circular stairwell sat snug against it. The ceiling, walls and floors of this place were starting to look more and more like they were chiseled from the mountain itself, with barely enough room to squeeze by as you followed the uneven and crudely carved steps down.

	Soon, the frigid and flowing winter air of the outside world was replaced by a stagnant, stuffy, and uncomfortably warm stillness. The spiraling descent seemed to have no end, no landings or doors broke up the repetitive and cyclical journey down, until you came to the very bottom of the flight. 

	An opening that barely passed as a doorway without a door led you into a chamber wide enough to once again separate the walls from your torch's allowance. To both your left and right, the walls and floor extended beyond your view, though the right angle at which they met by this stairwell gave away that you were at least in some kind of corner. Looking up yielded little, the ceiling far above your light was instead replaced by a formless black. However, it was when you case your gaze forward that you finally noticed something of merit, not by sight, but a sound most critical.

	[color=7ea7d8]"H-hello? Who's there?"[/color] A feminine voice called out from the darkness, shackled and gritty with fatigue and pain. You rushed, fighting the sting of your own legs as you briskly followed the groans until your torch illuminated a body on the floor before you. Laying partially on her left side was a woman whose appearance matched the description your client gave you. Clad in adventuring gear not dissimilar from your own, her lighter studded leather, full-slacks and front-plated boots were adorned with a long and dark-colored cape that covered much of her torso and back, contrasted by the almost-as-long silvery hair that flowed from her head. It was hard to tell how tall she was exactly as she was slightly curled in her posture, but she seemed on the shorter side for a human. Bright blue eyes stared up at you from a pale and lithe face, blemished by dirt, scratches and bruising. Just behind her but beyond her reach, near the edge of your bubble of orange light, a sword laid flat on the floor.

	With one arm pinned under her side, the other struggled to lift her hand up toward you. [color=7ea7d8]"I fell,"[/color] she explained succinctly. Her voice was desperate, willing to put her trust in whoever you were. [color=7ea7d8]"Can't move much. Help me- please..."[/color]

	Unfortunately, before you could react, another sound began to fill both your ears and hers. A skittering, chattering-like series of taps and clicks, followed by a raspy hissing that sought to close in around you. You were familiar with these sounds, and the dangers that the swarm of giant spiders making them posed.

[hr]

[color=95A5A6]
	• "Are you Aika Lenonne?"

	• Approach her and give her one of your healing potions.
		[Spend 1 of 3 health potions: return the woman to a healthy condition]

	• Run back to the entrance of the temple.

	• Drop the torch and draw your bow.
[/color]