The temple, towering over the sand and sea that surrounded it, was quite the sight. Its shadow spanning a short distance below. It was midday and Zahara was standing at its ornate door.
She had come, like the other guests at the resort, to bask in its beauty, but they were unaware of the secrets that lay within its walls.
Zahara was one of the few who knew of the temple's true purpose. She had studied the ancient texts. She had heard whispers of the magic that lay within its walls.
As she entered the temple, she was filled with a sense of wonder and excitement. The air was thick with the scent of incense. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and artifacts.
At the end of a small aisle, between the chairs, there was a big statue of a beautiful mermaid, with shimmering scales and long flowing hair. It had a regal and commanding presence, as the ocean the deity ruled over.
"Doesn't make her due justice..." thought Zahara, as she looked at the statue of Marazure, the Wave Watcher. She couldn't recall when or where she had met her, but she remembered what she had asked of her.
"May peace and harmony forever reign between the underwater kingdoms and the land dwellers."
Passing by the statue, she clapped in front of her forehead and curled her fingers bringing her hands down, showing her commitment to the cause.
She turned left and started down the stairs, to the underground sections of the temple. She explored the temple's depths, admiring the beauty and intricacy of the ancient structure.
It was as if she was transported to a different world. A world filled with magic and mystery. Zahara couldn't help but feel awestruck by the power of the temple, and she was filled with a sense of reverence for the ancient magic that lay within its walls.
As she explored deeper into the temple, she felt a sense of unease. The air grew colder. The shadows grew longer.
She heard a noise behind her and turned to see a hooded figure step out of the shadows.
Zahara's hand went to her spell pouch, ready to defend herself. But as the figure stepped forward, she saw that it was not a monster or a beast, but a man. He was dressed in a hooded cloak, and his eyes glinted in the dim light.
"Who are you?" Zahara asked, her voice firm.
The man stepped forward, and as he did, Zahara saw that he was holding a book. It was an ancient tome, bound in leather and filled with strange symbols.
"I have come to unlock the secrets of this temple."
Zahara felt a sense of unease, and she wondered who this man was and why he was here. She had heard whispers of a cult that sought the temple's secrets. Was this man a part of it?
"What do you want with the temple?" Zahara asked.
The man stepped forward, and as he did, Zahara saw that he was not alone. A group of hooded figures emerged from the shadows, and Zahara realized that she was surrounded.
"We are here for the magic," the leader said, his voice filled with reverence. "The magic that lies within these walls."
She felt fear, as she had not felt for more than a hundred years, and she realized she was in danger. Summoning a ball of magical light to see her way, Zahara cautiously approached the hooded figure. Her hand hovered over her spell pouch again.
As she got closer, she realized that the hooded man, was tall and muscular. He wore a cloak over his armor, concealing his identity.
"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice echoing through the halls of the temple.
The man simply smiled. "I could ask you the same question, sorceress," he replied, his voice smooth and confident.
She refused to let the fear show. She was a powerful sorceress, and she was not afraid of some stranger in a cloak. "I am here to explore the temple," she said, lifting her chin defiantly.
The man's smile faded, and he took a step forward, his hand reaching for his sword. "I'm afraid that's not possible," he said, his voice cold and menacing. "This temple is off limits to outsiders. And as for you, sorceress...you have something that belongs to me."
Zahara felt her heart race as she realized that this stranger was not just some random guard. He was after her, and he was not going to let her leave the temple.
She summoned all of her power, ready to unleash a barrage of magic on the strangers. But before she could do so, he lunged forward, his sword flashing in the light.
Swoosh
Zahara dodged, as she tried to make her way back to the entrance of the temple; but the stranger was too fast and relentless. Her magic was no match for his sword and she found herself backed into a corner pretty quickly. His followers surrounded them.
She knew she was in trouble, and that her time was running out.
The stranger stepped forward, his sword pointed at her chest. "Tell me what you came here to find, sorceress," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And perhaps I'll let you live."
She had been caught, and she was at their mercy.
Zahara closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate. But just then, she heard a voice in her mind, a voice that she recognized. It was Marazure and she was weaving words of encouragement.
The sorceress Zahara felt a spark of hope in her chest as she opened her eyes. She summoned all of her power and fought with all her might, her spells flashing and her incantations echoing through the temple halls.
Some say that, to this day, the clash between magic and metal, can still be heard in the depths of the Temple of Marazure, in the Northern Border of Terrastilin with Aquhydr.
The Last Battle of Zahara Kaali.
