I crawl along the crevices and upper ledges along the ceiling of this temple after stealthily flying up to it earlier. This room is particularly large and has strong acoustics. That is why the ominous and very cultish sounding chant reverberates strongly throughout this room.
I eventually peak beyond the ledge. Down below I see many rows of Naga dressed in ceremonial garbs and ornaments. They are all staring ahead of them at a very large statue of a coiled cobra snake, but unlike the statue of the petrified sagely Quetzalcoatl, I can tell this statue was designed as a statue from the start. With golden scales and giant red rubies for eyes, it is very clear to me that this statue was intentionally constructed. The pose of the statue seems to gaze down below it with mouth open and sticking its tongue out in a frozen, silent hiss. It gives a menacing vibe as if it is about to enjoy the meal directly in front of it. It very likely isn't a coincidence that a sacrificial alter is directly in front of it. On it is Doctor Caballeron who is gagged, has all of his limps forcefully spread apart, and he is very much conscious, struggling, and afraid.
A great deal of thoughts assail my mind right now. Among them is I remember reading about certain ancient cultures who used to do practices like this. Some of them were done by ponies, but I read far more fictional stories with a motif like this. Right now, though, it is startling to realize how little all of that read content, fictional or not, has done to prepare me for this moment. A strong part of me is baffled that this is really happening in front of me. It is so hard for me to understand how any culture can stoop to be this evil. In stark contrast, life in Equestria is far from perfect, but it's good enough to believe content like this should be restricted to imagination only, if that. Many of my kind probably really can't fathom this at all. It is just too unlike our own culture, at least to this degree.
To sacrifice a sentient life. Golly! What power could one acquire that can possibly be worth all that guilt and shame? I do understand the struggle to attain more resources in a world full of limitations, but even if I take fear and/or greed into account, somehow this feels like it's going too far. How can anyone be okay with this?
But this sect has a uniform and ornamentation that seems specifically designed for a ceremony like this. That, in turn, not only implies that those who are here, minus Doctor Caballeron, is not only okay with this but it is an act worth celebrating. They also consider this routine. They've done this before and may likely do it again if they aren't stopped somehow.
There is also a painful sense of irony that twists my heart over the fact that Doctor Caballeron was chosen as the subject of today's sacrifice. If this cult wanted to be more cliche to standard fictional logic, it seems to me they should have chosen a virgin mare for this ceremony. I'm not sure precisely why that tends to be a thing in fiction and real life so commonly when stuff like this happens at all, but apparently it is for some reason.
Moreover, though, there is a deeper twist in irony that it was Doctor Caballeron who promised he would protect me, and I really counted on him for that. He is a famous adventurer and I'm just a recent grad student. He seemed heavily motivated to protect me too and I was flattered. A stallion I looked up to. A stallion that caused me to fangasim just to meet him. A stallion who not only paid attention to me, but promised to protect me during this adventure and he had enough history and credibility behind him to prove he could do so. How in Tartarus did our roles get reversed?
I gulp down as I harden my resolve. I realize I could debate issues like this all day and often have during this journey, but right now the fact remains that he needs me. If I don't do something to save him soon then he's actually going to die. I could never live with myself with that knowledge burdening my conscience.
I also remind myself of my role in the plan. It's very scary for me to be by myself for this leg of the mission, at least until I rescue Caballeron that is, but the others of my team have their own roles and it is also very important. Right about now Tanon Burrows should be setting up his dynamite on one of the walls that leads to the hidden aquifers, and Doctor Smith is seeing to the rescue of the rest of our team that is imprisoned together, minus Doctor Caballeron. Doctor Smith was warned that those prisoners would be behind a magically locked door, but Doctor Smith espoused he was confident he could hoofle that after establishing that neither the door or the lock that detains our comrades is made of wood. I don't know why the material of the lock and door was concerning to Doctor Smith that specifically, but for some reason it was. Regardless, he was informed that his obstacle isn't made of wood and he said that was fantastic news.
In a way I have the hardest part of our plan, to rescue Doctor Caballeron and I'll have to do it in full view of the rest of this cult. Not only am I meant to rescue Caballeron himself, but I need to steal the Alicorn Amulet as well then flee with both him and the artifact. No doubt the majority of the cult will chase us after that which means they are also distracted from noticing my other companions elsewhere in the temple. That, in turn, means it'll be easier for them to fulfill their end of the job.
My ability to fly gave me a temporary advantage with this scenario. Because of that, I was able to literally go right over the heads of many of the temple guards who are not accustomed to looking up for potential intruders. It also means I was able to access some places very difficult for non-flying races. In addition, thanks to the good part of their sect that is secretly on our side, I was also able to create a map of this temple. It made me a bit giddy to finally put my official training to good use in this adventure. That map really came in hoofy for me, and probably not just me. I made a copy for Tanon as well. Strangely Doctor Smith insisted he didn't need it, but he did make sure he got a good look at it before I put it away.
I know that there can and very likely will be some unforeseen complications. My two other companions even seemed to expect it. I just can't understand, for the life of me, how they accepted that prospect so calmly.
Ultimately though, if everything goes well, I'll have the Alicorn Amulet, the leader of this cult will be wiped out, and we'll flee out of here through this mysterious StarGate. Since that was the plan, I asked in concern what we should do about Straight Arrow. He's still back in the Tuk-Tuk village and we can't just leave him behind. In reply, Doctor Smith assured me he had a plan for that as well, but he didn't elaborate on it. I recall looking at Tanon and expected him to share my frustration and insist for Doctor Smith to elaborate on that aspect of the plan, but for some reason Tanon just shrugged and accepted it. I wonder if that means Tanon knows something about Doctor Smith that I do not.
If everything does go according to the plan then I suppose I'll settle for it. I don't need to know exactly how we'll save the day so long as we do, indeed, save the day in the end.
I close my eyes and follow Auzmeir's advice for me. I pay attention to my internal compass. I guess I'm not fully accustomed to checking it yet, but it seems to assure me I'm on the right course so far. It warns me there will be some bumps along the way but this is the correct direction for the best ending to this story. It also warns me to brace myself because there will be some sacrifices along the way. Timing is also very important. I need to get ready, but not act right now.
While I wait, the tempo of the cult chanting picks up. I can audibly pick up on the fact that it is building to an epic crescendo. Noticing that is building anxiety within me. Most likely it is a signal, of sorts, that my moment to act is coming soon. If I screw this up, so much can go wrong here.
NO!
I shake my head then gaze down more firmly. I can’t afford to psych myself out of a vision of success. My parents and grandparents taught me that too. To give success a realistic chance, one has to first believe in it then act in accordance to any other step necessary to ensure its success.
My estimation of a building climax is soon seemingly verified when another larger Naga emerges from around the base of the giant serpent statue. This individual is wearing heavier and more fancy ceremonial garb which easily marks him as a leader or at least an individual with strong cultural significance to this cult. He is also wearing a headpiece that extends fins off to the side of his head and neck just like a cobra. He slithers his way to the sacrificial slab on the opposite side of the rest of the crowd facing ahead of him and they, in turn, are facing him back. That cult leader slowly lifts two large arms and hands as if inviting the chant to further build to a climax, and it does.
I tense up since I sense my moment to act is drawing closer. I have to be ready. While I do that, I give intense focus on what is transpiring below me. I concentrate on that so strongly that I don’t leave room in myself for panic or doubt.
When the head priest raises then holds his arms up in a high angle, sharp V formation, the chant before him suspends themselves in a high note. During that time, I see the head priests fingers curl up like claws then shake as if he’s channeling tremendous amounts of energy. Visibily I don’t see any actual energy being channeled at him, but that probably doesn’t matter. Even if that isn’t actually happening, it still matters that they think it is happening. Because of that belief, they’ll likely continue on to inflict a grim sacrifice soon.
While this goes on, it dawns on me that the cult leader seems tremendously larger than the rest of his cult ahead of him. He’s easily three times the average size of the rest of his cult. I estimate he’s about eighteen feet tall. No wonder his arms and hands are so thick too. That’s actually about right in proportion to a being that tall and broad.
As this information sinks in, it occurs to me that size might have something to do with rank in this society. Even their secret good side of their sect seems to follow this pattern, for the one with the most noticeably significant role in their society happens to also be the tallest among them. This makes me wonder if they are somehow channeling extra energy that makes them grow to such proportions, or if they naturally grow to such heights and their leaders are chosen among the tallest of them.
My focus on the scene below sharpens again when the leader’s actions changes. He reaches behind him and pulls out what looks to be a giant scimitar, the sheath of which is strapped to his back. At first he lifts it up with one hand, but eventually he grips it with two and lifts it straight up as if to now use that tool as the focus for all the gathering energy in the room. Seconds later my eyes grow wide when he startels me with a new action I genuinely didn’t see coming. In this case he pulls out an extra pair of arms that was hiding beneath a wide brim ceremonial vest which extends well beyond his shoulders.
This alone catches me off guard because I can see that all the rest of the Naga, even the hidden good ones, do not have four arms. Those arms look perfectly functional too and do not seem artificial in any way. Is it a mutation perhaps? Or maybe it is a side effect of being the focus of and channeling so much dark magic over the years.
When I mentally catch my balance again, I eventually notice another important detail. This priest is holding a new item which he then boldly presents forward and holds it with both of his new hands. Unlike the scimitar, however, this new item is much more tiny. Unlike the scimitar, I can easily lift this new item and, in fact, it actually seems designed to be more pony sized. Peering closer to it, I gradually realize that it even has a pony motif about it, unlike most other decorative snake-themed decor all over the place and worn articles on them. This new jewelry he’s holding looks very intimidating in its own right despite being much smaller. It is a black thing with the image of a horse head turned to the side. It has a horn extending off its head but also a black pair of wings spread out the sides of this amulet. It has a single visible eye of a cut ruby much like the ones in the giant looming statue above them. The single eye in the amulet is slanted at the front, making the horsehead look angry while simultaneously deeply thoughtful as if it is scheming with evil plans.
Then it suddenly hits me that I am beholding the legendary artifact the Alicorn Amulet. Sweet Celestia, it really does exist!
Well anyway . . . my course is now clear. I had three major objectives at this place and time. One; rescue Doctor Caballeron. Two; steal the Alicorn Amulet. Three; escape with our lives and the Amulet while also hopefully rendezvousing with the rest of our party. With even further luck, they successfully accomplished their end of the plan by then as well.
In further preparation to act, I reach my head back into one of my saddlebags and pull out my machete. I rip it out of my bag. It proceeds to spin in the air twice before I catch it in my teeth as it descends. I also crouch down tightly and paw at the ground once in tight preparation to spring forward. I focus so much on the scene down below me that my expression twists into an angry and determined expression.
Two of my main objectives are in front of me. I saw Doctor Caballeron down there from the beginning of this encounter. The only reason I didn’t immediately launch into action then, besides wrestling with my own internal fears, is because I hadn’t spotted the Alicorn Amulet yet. Now that I have, everything is in place. Time to move.
My fears try to creep up and claim me again because once I reveal myself, that’s it. I’m now stuck and committed to an overwhelmingly dangerous action. I can’t afford any weaknesses in myself right now so I hesitate just a moment longer while I attempt to squash down the last of my fears. It is true that my fears do bring up some very valid points, but there is a lot at stake right now.
Just when I am fully ready and about to launch myself into action, I spot something new at the last second which renews my hesitation. In this case a new creature has arrived at the scene, and the method of how this one entered is a mystery to me. All I can see is this one somehow emerged from the base of the snake statue. It is as if there is a secret entrance there I somehow can’t see even from this high angle. That alone mystifies me and makes me worried about what else I might have missed here.
As for the individual, I at first mistook this one to be a Silurian because of this one’s shape and body configuration. However, this one is entirely wrapped in what I can best describe as mummy wrappings. Not even a single inch of this one’s hide is exposed, and that includes any details of the face like its nose, eyes, ears and mouth. Furthermore, I noticed the way it very awkwardly waddles and contorts its way into the scene as if to suggest there is absolutely no bone structure of any sort in this creature. Its legs bend in very obviously unnatural ways. The whole body of this creature wiggles too. Upon closer inspection, I also notice many tiny maggots burrow their way in and out of the bandages wrapped around this creature as if the bandages were the only “hide” of this creature.
My eyes explode wide when I realize this is a legendary fearsome creature that myths call “The Worm That Trots”, or “walks” in this case. All legends about these types of creatures agree on a few points, though multiple types of base template creatures have been known to be modified into such a creature. Clearly Silurian in this case. Whatever they once were, however, ceases to be when they become a Worm That Trots. The transformation into such a creature has always occurred because of some epic dark ritual. Once there is such a creature, even one of such creatures could spell the doom of up to an entire nation because what kind of living society can still exist without their food or good health? Wherever these types of creatures trot, they bring plagues, famine, and curses along with them. Supposedly the scale of destruction these creatures wrought is so grand and epic that many thought they must be only a myth, otherwise no society on the planet could ever endure their ongoing existence.
If what the Tuk-Tuk and the secret good sect of this society says is true, then this one renamed himself Decay and he’s a blight resurrected from an ancient and bygone age. By himself he’s already an immense threat, but this one plans to even further augment himself by first further empowering the Alicorn Amulet then put it on himself at some point. That Amulet uses its power to tremendously augment whatever racial qualities the individual wearer has at the cost of dark magic corruption. If a creature like that were to ever put it on, especially if the Amulet gets further empowered, then even a single Worm That Trots (or, again, Walks in this case) could escalate from a National to a Global threat. Supposedly this one plans to use that magic to allow the very source of Dark Magic in this world to return in full.
Once again I am struck by the horrified realization that this creature actually exists. I had doubted the Amulet as well, but if a Worm That Trots is also here . . . Oh Sweet Celestia, I need help! Back when creatures like this first existed, the world likely and eventually devised counter strategies against them. However, none of them have existed for probably eons by now so the defenses and strategies against them have also elapsed. In short, the world is no longer prepared to face such a threat, especially if he puts an empowered version of the Alicorn Amulet on. At that point there might not be anything that can stop him. As for this Dark Star which this creature reveres? That really sounds like a cosmic-level threat that’s far beyond the scope of mortal kind.
All of the sudden I realize that getting the Alicorn Amulet away from this cult is of dire importance. It is actually worth giving up my life, or even Cabbelleron’s or anypony else's, just to ensure that if necessary. Decay simply cannot be allowed to have that Amulet. The world cannot endure a threat of that scale. He’s already dire enough as he is.
I notice that Decay wiggles awkwardly onto the scene with a very stooped posture. Likewise he just hangs his foreclaws before him in a draped manor. Even the Head Priest pauses to turn around and bow to this creature, and there he waits for something. In return, the fully bandaged face of Decay seems to gaze down at the Head Priest then gives a very subtle nod. He also gives a very small, dismissive gesture of a draped claw towards the Head Priest which I suddenly recall being named Nelkra Shlog'znof. In return, the Head Priest gives a dramatic nod in return as if to acknowledge permission for this ceremony to continue to the next phase.
That said, Decay seems to have no other role in this affair other than to merely be here and bear witness to this. It is the Head Priest himself that is appointed to claim the life of the sacrifice.
I grit my teeth on the hoofle of my machete hard. I am no longer certain that it is still safe to even breathe near an actual Worm That Trots. Indeed, a sickening odor is starting to pervade this temple which is apparent only after Decay had arrived. That is very likely not a coincidence. I’m not certain why the rest of those gathered here aren't vomiting uncontrollably right now. My best guess is that they are either used to it, they can’t physiologically smell things like this ever as a race, or there is some dark blessing upon them which gives them some kind of defense against Decay’s intense corrupting presence. This creature might be much smaller than the rest gathered here, especially compared to the Head Priest, but he’s a Dark Force of Nature. I desperately hope the Doctor’s plan for this creature works.
Nelkra Shlog'znof returns his attention to his captured victim. The tempo of the chanting seems to match his movements as if to foreshadow the great act of the ceremony they are all here for. The Head Priest raises his giant scimitar again, and this time I feel confident he will use it to strike poor Cabbelleron.
I am out of time. I need to act now. I have to save Doctor Cabbelleron, but perhaps far more importantly, I have to get that Amulet away from there. There’s a chance I may have already breathed in some now airborne virus within the stench of a very rotted corpse. This alone might later kill me, Doctor Cabblleron, and anypony else we come in close contact with. Such is the inherent and overwhelming danger of even being near a Worm That Trots. Nevertheless, I have to do this. If I play my cards very carefully, Doctor Cabbelleron and I may be this epic villain's last victims.
For a brief moment I squeeze my eyes shut as I think about my beloved home of Equestria and all of the innocent creatures that dwell there. My family is there. My friends are there. My ancestors were there. Almost everything I care about is there. I really don’t want to die, but if I have to, taking down a threat of this scale is worth it.
Then I open my focused and determined eyes. I take one last breath then dive into action.