[MT-6] Mt. Tinder 6

Journal Entry - Nightmare

The stone I discovered while scaling the cliff mystifies me. It invokes a mixture of fascination and unease. When I held it in my hand, something… Something incredible, in a more negative way, happened. A veritable flood of memories(?) rushed through my mind, visions that were not my own. Alien. It was as if the stone carried echoes of a forgotten past. Echoes of something best left forgotten. But now… I remember.

I still feel the blood that matted my fur… Truly, I struggle to articulate the full extent of these unsettling memories. They were a… chaotic jumble of fragmented images, emotions, and sensations. Faces twisted in anguish, the scent of decay and burning, the sensation of suffocating darkness... drowning. Drowning in death and violence and blood and - it all dances on the edge of my consciousness, elusive and haunting.

I am left with more questions than answers. What is the origin of this stone? What secrets does it hold? Is it a relic of a forgotten civilization or something more otherworldly?

I had thought to use it as my offering to the altar but now… I am not so sure. The thought of it. Gives me pain anger fear unease a headache.

Celandine had finally reached the summit of Mt. Tinder. Her arduous journey had led her to this moment—one where she stood on a raised precipice, overlooking the entirety of the caldera.

The transformation that had befallen the once-fiery volcano left her breathless. What was once a raging inferno had mellowed into a serene sanctuary, a place of tranquil respite and natural grandeur. The caldera sprawled before her. The center was taken by a lake. Its vast expanse of crystalline waters glistened under the gentle caress of evening light. It shone with a mesmerizing tapestry of colors. Innumerable hues danced upon the surface, mirroring the lush vegetation that thrived along the shore.

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and relaxed her stance. The air carried a delicate fragrance, a symphony of floral scents mingled with the earthy aroma of fertile soil. Only the faintest hints of the ocean remained. Each breath filled her lungs with life. It was as if the essence of life itself had taken root within the heart of the volcano.

Despite all appearances to the contrary, all was not well. A sudden roar pierced the tranquility, reverberating through the very core of the mountain. The ground trembled beneath Celandine’s feet, causing her eyes to snap open, and her heart to skip a beat. She lost her footing, falling harshly on her bum. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into her mind, questioning the true nature of Mt. Tinder's dormancy. This doubt was reinforced by the rough earth crumbling beneath her. She found herself enveloped by a landslide. The dirt slid out from under her. Her paws scrabbled for purchase, unable to maintain friction. She rolled onto her stomach, trying to clutch at something - anything substantial that she could use to stop her dangerous descent. It was not to be. She watched in horror as the ground above her descended down, covering her. Something hard and heavy hit her head, and everything went black.

The darkness slowly relinquished its hold. Celandine's consciousness began to resurface. A dull throbbing erupted in her head. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself in a disoriented state, her surroundings blurry and indistinct. Groaning softly, she gingerly moved her limbs, feeling the weight of debris upon her. Slowly, she mustered the strength to push against the debris, clawing her way free. Her senses slowly returned, allowing her to assess the situation more clearly. Dust hung in the air, creating a haze that obscured her vision.

As her head cleared and her vision sharpened, Celandine took stock of her injuries. A trickle of blood stained her forehead where the debris had struck, but it seemed to be a superficial wound. A goose egg was quickly forming under her brow, which would also be tolerable. Sighing in relief, she gathered her wits and summoned the strength to stand, carefully brushing off the remnants of her unplanned entombment. Thankfully, the roaring had subsided. The ground beneath her shaking legs was firm and immutable. She coughed wetly, noting how the once tranquil scene had transformed into a chaotic aftermath. Broken fragments of rock, dirt, and ash littered the ground - evidence of the disturbance that had shaken the summit.

Her gaze wandered, taking in her new surroundings. Cicadas buzzed loudly in her ears. The humidity felt... unnatural. Felt far heavier in her lungs than it had any right to be. It weighed her fur down uncomfortably. Sighing, she stepped through the undergrowth ahead of her, seeking the lake at the center of the caldera. At least there she’d have an accurate point of reference to continue from.

The foliage seemed to cling to her, as if reluctant to allow her through. Undeterred, Celandine pressed on, her determination unyielding. Step by step, she forged ahead, parting the undergrowth that obstructed her path. Leaves rustled, twigs snapped, and cicadas sang. Through the tangle of plants and trees, she caught glimpses of shimmering blue. Refreacted light. With renewed vigor, she quickened her pace, eager to reach the lake. Upon reaching the water's edge, she paused to survey the expanse before her. The lake stretched out, its tranquil surface mirroring the lush surroundings. There was naught a ripple on the glass-smooth surface of the water. A hush had fallen over the caldera. Silence. As if it were holding its breath in anticipation. Her attention was captured by a peculiar structure at the heart of the lake, framed perfectly by everything surrounding it. Like a painting from a picturebook…

There, rising from the water's depths, stood a monument. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. Two imposing statues of dragons, silhouetted in the distance, held aloft a basin.

With no visible means to reach the monument, Celandine pondered her options. Should she plunge into the depths and swim towards it, risking fatigue? Or perhaps she could fashion a makeshift raft, utilizing the vegetation that thrived nearby, to carry her across the disturbingly still surface of the lake. Examining her surroundings, she spotted numerous sorts of tall reeds and brushes with sturdy branches. Those could potentially serve as the building blocks of her makeshift vessel. Another spark of determination ignited within her. With deft hands, she set to work, weaving and securing the vegetation together, fashioning together a humble raft. A bit of grass weaving found her with a crude oar, as well.

Once her craft was complete, Celandine carefully eased it into the water, testing its stability. She pressed her weight onto it with one extended leg. It barely dipped into the water. Satisfied with its buoyancy, she climbed aboard, feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Pushing herself off from the safety of the shore, she began her journey across the lake, her heart pounding with each stroke and each gentle ripple that carried her. She was the only thing making noise, disturbing the stillness around her. It was unnerving. She thought briefly of the stone’s memories, before shuddering and shoving those thoughts back into a locked box at the back of her mind.

The closer she was, the more she could make out the intricate details of the monument. Two dragon statues, one with eyes of fiery ruby and the other with sapphire orbs, stood proudly, their forms weathered by time. They seemed to guard the structure between them, a basin that held… something. Celandine tasted copper, feeling a current of static in the air as she landed upon the monument’s pebbly beach. Her steps were both tentative and resolute, as she approached the structure. Her chest burned with an odd mix of reverence and unease. She felt the humidity more keenly, now. As though the air grew dense with anticipation, each moment pregnant with significance.

And then, a voice—familiar so familiar—seemed to whisper in her ear, resonating with the timbre of forgotten tales. "Go on, you know what to do," it urged, its words weaving through her consciousness like an ancient melody. Unheard but heard. Inaudible yet understood.

Celandine crossed the threshold of the altar. She stood directly in front of the basin, seeing that it was full of the same still water as the lake. Filled to the brim. Raised slightly above the edge of the rim, held in place only via surface tension. The energy in the air hummed, like an overloaded wire. It was causing the fur on the back of her neck to stand on end. As Celandine stood before the altar, the dragons with their gleaming eyes seemed to watch her every move. Judging.

With great care, she took her offering stone out of her bag. Carefully, she placed the stone on the altar. Inexplicably, the stone floated on top of the water. She watched in bemusement as a surge of energy crackled through the air, visibly twisting the air. Buzzing energy filled her head. Sparks of magical energy leaped from the stone. Celandine felt a weight on her shoulders, her head. It pushed her down, crushingly. She stumbled, shaking. The weight seemed to be scrutinizing her very soul. The air grew charged further yet further. The fate of her journey hinged on this critical juncture. The dragons' jeweled eyes glowed. Electricity danced out from within their inanimate gaze with an intensity that conveyed profound wisdom and power. They seemed to observe her every move, assessing her resolve, her courage, and her unwavering determination.

A decision was made. The stone sank. A brilliant burst of light erupted, engulfing the entire scene. Rays of vibrant energy spread outward, casting a radiant halo that flew out across the lake, dissipating into the faraway foliage. Celandine stood in the center of this celestial display, bathed in the transformative glow. In that sacred moment, she felt a profound connection, an unspoken acknowledgment of her journey and her worthiness. It was as if her trials, her perseverance, and her unwavering spirit had been recognized and accepted. The weight lifted from her with approval, silent voices echoing in her mind, affirming.

And then, with a gentle whisper, the magic subsided. The dragons' watchful presence receded. Celandine was left standing before the altar, panting and gasping, her heart brimming with something intangible yet ever so filling. The stone sat in the center of the altar, now dry. It was aglow with a warm, constant light. She lifted it and felt it nestle in her hand. Alive. She knew, without a doubt, that she had passed the trial, earning the mountain's blessing. Laughing, she collapsed onto the monument’s shore. She breathed deeply and greedily. Sound had returned to the caldera, and she watched as the sun set on the rippling waves of the lake.

She thought of the future, staring at her warbling reflection. The journey back would be different, she knew. The path may be familiar, but her perspective had shifted. She would carry the blessing of Mt. Tinder within her, a flame that would guide her future adventures.