Abul led them to another chamber, but this time he paused before he entered it. Producing a cloth from his belt, he dipped it in a stream of water that trickled down the side of the cavern, then wrapped it around his mouth and nose like a mask.
They he shoved open the door.
A wave of heat blasted out of the open passage like a slap to the face, bringing with it a sickening, acrid smell. Unfazed thanks to his protection, Abul stepped inside without a moment's hesitation, nor did he allow the others that luxury either.
Inside, far down, a pit shown with the brilliant orange light of lava as it bubbled in a pool. The heat was, if anything, far worse here than the blast had ever hinted at. On each side of the pit, massive pipes let a slow, steady flow of bubbling-green acid pour into the pool, where it dissolved even before reaching the molten rock proper.
Out over this pit, a long, slender, curved beam perhaps four inches in diameter jutted perhaps thirty feet over the pit. As they watched, a wicked mixture of acid and lava sprayed out of a series of jets on its surface, hissing upwards with an almost intelligent glee and hunger. Far out, at the very end of the pit, the key dangled at the very end. Beneath it, nets laced like webbing to catch whoever might fall -- but the heat was so bad up here, surely it must be downright dangerous that close...
Challenge 5: The Balance Test (Whoever Dares Accept)
They he shoved open the door.
A wave of heat blasted out of the open passage like a slap to the face, bringing with it a sickening, acrid smell. Unfazed thanks to his protection, Abul stepped inside without a moment's hesitation, nor did he allow the others that luxury either.
Inside, far down, a pit shown with the brilliant orange light of lava as it bubbled in a pool. The heat was, if anything, far worse here than the blast had ever hinted at. On each side of the pit, massive pipes let a slow, steady flow of bubbling-green acid pour into the pool, where it dissolved even before reaching the molten rock proper.
Out over this pit, a long, slender, curved beam perhaps four inches in diameter jutted perhaps thirty feet over the pit. As they watched, a wicked mixture of acid and lava sprayed out of a series of jets on its surface, hissing upwards with an almost intelligent glee and hunger. Far out, at the very end of the pit, the key dangled at the very end. Beneath it, nets laced like webbing to catch whoever might fall -- but the heat was so bad up here, surely it must be downright dangerous that close...