[i]A bit of idle conversation and further wandering later, the group, or rather Lucas, finally came upon something significant. Taras heard the call and rushed to catch up, as did the other guys.[/i]

[i]So that journal Lucas had been carrying around was useful after all. Just as Taras turned a corner, the sight before him stopped him in his tracks. Something that clearly didn't belong in this picture rose out from the deep greens and browns of the South American jungle, and it made Taras grip his rifle more tightly. He joined the others shortly thereafter, keeping his head on a swivel, even as he stepped into the temple entrance. The others already started lighting the torches, which was a great idea. It made him realise that perhaps he wasn't as prepared as he thought.. And that figured. After all, his thoughts had recently been entirely preoccupied with Zhaika.. Her whereabouts, and whether she was alright or not. Anyway, he didn't bring a light source besides his phone and the matches. He wasn't about to waste matches, so he walks up to one of the torches already lit and pries it off the wall.[/i]

[i]He keeps after the other guys, using the torch in hand to light any of the ones he sees along the way.[/i]

"I'm not sure I like this 'hollow earth' business.. This all feels wrong." [i]Maybe he was exaggerating. He was just feeling anxious about this strange structure being out here and seemingly leading underground. As he passed the statues and the strange depictions on the wall, he slowed down to hold his light up to them. Slowly, his brow furrowed. Were they fantastical creatures of some kind?[/i]

"Sumdyq-ai..." [i]he says, loud enough for the others to hear. It was an expression of creeping dread.. Something told him that this adventure was about to escalate into something rather unprecedented.[/i]