The Keepers of Chaos: A Vault of Hell

Asher Exitium: XXXV

That is Punishment: XXXV

The last thing Asher expected was to get pecked. He and his friends approached the front of the massive temple, the sky had just started to turn dark. It was probably around six or so he wasn't completely sure. However, as Asher started up the giant marble steps, a little.. Silver bug appeared in his vision.

"Now what's that?" He quizzed to the sky. Almost as if answering Asher watched a bird of silver swoop from the heavens diving straight at him, he ducked. "Oh fuck that-" Asher dove out of the way the small bird attacked him soaring away and around him.

"Is that a bird? Seriously, can we not get a break?!" Adleth groaned. "Even fucking nature wants us?!" She added in utter annoyance. He agreed, seriously the fact that even nature wanted to hit them at this point was mildly irritating. The bird circled around readying for another attack.

"Hold on.. That.. isn't a bird." Alekzandr interrupted as he leveled his rifle. Asher squinted at the old man wondering if he had lost his vision. "It's a metal bird! Oh how wonderful a mechanic-" Alekzandr fell over as the bird slammed into his head before taking flight once again. "W-wait don't hurt it, it could be interesting to study" Asher ignored the drunk on the ground. He pulled out a scimitar.

"No.. what it is, is spare parts" Asher replied, the bird came down for another pass when the air tore itself apart. He stepped back as he saw a brilliant golden portal open, as a fifteen foot long tentacle reached out plucking the bird from the sky. He looked over to Markos who was smiling as he held the bird. "Huh.. good job." Asher muttered, instantly the bird exploded into silver parts, the tentacle gripped a little too hard. "Ah, Of course." He sighed and sheathed his blade.

"Oh.. oops." Markos said, trying to smile. Asher noted his friend's eyes were back to a usual violet hue.. Whatever had happened earlier.. Asher wasn't sure. But he was ready to make sure it didn't happen again. He grit his teeth remembering why he was really there., He studied the roof. A figure seemed to move a window curtain in a distant box on the roof; he stood tall gesturing in upset motions as he waved his arms. Though it was dark.. Asher could see the keen shine of polished wood. Asher stormed into the temple.

"Hey! we're back again." Asher walked through the open doors of the temple of Gond, around him, he noticed little reaction to himself though a few grumples from the priestess to Markos.

"Hi non-believer! Can I interest you in some pamphlets?!" Markos shouted at the top of his lungs at Valetta. Asher reached out and grabbed Markos, pulling him back a little.

"Woah, not yet, converting is to wait.." Asher grumbled. Valetta the tabaxi approached the group and he could feel the anger building in him, the look on that.. Kids face. He hated it, the kids' friends were already dead and Asher was certainly not happy.

"Why hello, what brings you.. Back so soon." Asher waved his hand in dismissal and stared at the tabaxi.

"Nimblewright." He spat bitterly. "Our manor was just attacked by a fireball, and all witnesses said they saw a wooden figure puppet looking thing running away on the rooftops." Asher had been frozen with the kid, god.. Matrem looked so much like Adol.. Asher bit his tongue angrily. Valetta frowned as she looked around the party.

"A.. Nimblewright?" Valetta held panic for a moment.

"Yeah like those you got back there." Herod interjected pointing behind the priestess, Asher looked behind her seeing a row of wooden robots.

"Screw the nimblewright!" Adleth jumped in, "We were just attacked by some.. Mechanical bird thing outside, one of your wooden bots seemed to throw it at us we saw him through the window!" Adleth exacerbated. Valetta grew a look of recognition. She began cursing verbally, kicking the marble floor.