"HALT!"
With a thundering roar, something heavy, something big, slams into the ground in front of you, sending great clouds of dirt and leaves into the air.
The first thing you see are the eyes: two piercing lights, glaring at you through a giant birdskull mask. As the air clears, a great guardian is revealed, her wings fully unfurled and blocking your view of the cave you were about to enter.
This can't be good.
"TURN BACK.
I GUARD THIS CAVE. I GUARD FOOLISH DRAGONS FROM THIS CAVE. TO ENTER IS YOUR DEATH.
I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS"
I GUARD THIS CAVE. I GUARD FOOLISH DRAGONS FROM THIS CAVE. TO ENTER IS YOUR DEATH.
I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS"
The glowing eyes under the mask narrow. The unnamed female lowers her head until her snout nearly touches yours. She huffs, and the resulting gust of air nearly sends you head over tail but you manage to stand your ground.
Is that...is that a smile?
The Guardian eyes you contemplatively.
This really can't be good...
"BUT YOU. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU...
YOU WILL RETURN TO YOUR CLAN. YOU WILL SELECT NO MORE THAN FIVE FROM YOUR LAIR.
IF YOU WISH TO SURVIVE, YOU WILL NEED ONE WHO CAN HIDE IN THE SHADOWS OR SCOUT AHEAD.
ONE WHO CAN WITHSTAND DAMAGE.
TWO WHO CAN QUICKLY BRING DOWN YOUR ENEMIES."
YOU WILL RETURN TO YOUR CLAN. YOU WILL SELECT NO MORE THAN FIVE FROM YOUR LAIR.
IF YOU WISH TO SURVIVE, YOU WILL NEED ONE WHO CAN HIDE IN THE SHADOWS OR SCOUT AHEAD.
ONE WHO CAN WITHSTAND DAMAGE.
TWO WHO CAN QUICKLY BRING DOWN YOUR ENEMIES."
She pauses.
"YOU WILL BRING ONE WHO YOU WILL HONOR ABOVE ALL. ONE WHO CAN HEAL YOU. DO NOT ANGER THIS DRAGON AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELL SUPPLIED."
She takes to the sky and positions herself above the cave entrance. Each beat of her wings sends you backwards, back the way you came.
"YOU WILL PRESENT YOUR COMPANIONS TO ME UPON YOUR RETURN. IF I JUDGE YOU WORTHY, YOU SHALL PASS. IF YOU DO NOT..."
With a great beat of her wings, she sends a powerful gust at you, successfully knocking you back and away from the cave. When finally back on your feet, you adjust your packs, shake out your wings, and prepare to trek back home empty handed.
"Guardians..."
Click here for this week's theme discussion thread and Starfall Celebration Spotlight!
Need help putting your group together? Below are links to previous theme weeks: