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// 14 - The Black Temples [2021.08] 
// Story: Bad Dragon's Short Stories 
// by Bad Dragon 
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Finally, my exploration was at its end. A fitting conclusion to my final Daring Do book, for I have discovered the Great Temples of legends. The black tabernacle in the middle of the Valley of Death was real, and on the horizon, I could see two more. The shul towering before me was riddled with holes. I wondered what natural forces could be at play to produce such wear. I'd geek out even more, but a crack of a pebble behind me shifted my focus.

“Hello,” a pony walking toward me said. "Who in her right mind trespasses our lands willingly?" He had the sun behind him, so I could only see a silhouette, but I was pretty sure I saw a glimpse of wings and a horn.

“I'm Daring Do," I responded. "Exploring is what I do. I thought this place was abandoned.”

Dozens of new winged shapes with horns rose behind the pony.

“Can it be?” I squeaked at the glorious sight and bounced from hoof to hoof, hardly holding back my excitement. "Have I finally found the lost race of Alicorns?"

“Not exactly,” hissed the changeling.