Tales of Equestria: Verdant 'venture
by THATpony
Prompt Choice: "Daring Greenery"
Mythic's life was full of regrets. He was always running a bit late, he seemingly always came up short when it counted, and his equipment was always a jumbled mess. But, among his chief regrets currently…He REALLY regretted wearing his thick, protective clothing out here!
The atmosphere was oppressively damp, and humidity practically steamed him in his armored clothing. And the bugs! Goddesses, he’d never SEEN so many crazy, biting bugs in his life!
It was meant to be a simple enough assignment. Somepony had stumbled upon some old ruins, deep within a jungle called Emerald Gloom. And there was, allegedly, some ancient artifact of mystic propensity deep within…SOMEWHERE. Details were scarce, and the jungle was INFESTED with powerful beasts.
The sheer vagueness of it all, brought an exasperated frown to Mythic’s snout. But, it wasn’t the first time something like this, turned out to be vital later. The ruins DID, in fact, exist. And, he was convinced he’d be a pretty poor ‘hero’, if he didn’t at least clear the way for others, and check it out himself.
“Myyythiiiic! Come on! Pick up the pace! Don’t wimp out on me yet, hornhead!” The playful, taunting tone of his companion came from ahead. An energetic, white-and-pink Griffon, by the name of Bloodwyn, had insisted on joining him. And, well, he was hard pressed to complain about her company. She was a strong fighter, as skilled as he was. And a crackshot with a mana-rifle, which was slung to her side currently, along with her own gear
“Yeah, yeah. PLEASE tell me we’re getting close.” Mythic huffed, struggling to keep pace, as he formed a spell-sword, to cut through the thicker plants. “I REALLY wish there was an ‘Anti-annoying bug’ spell. Or I had brought more spray…”
“The place should be just ahead…wait-” Bloodwyn looked back at the yellow unicorn, smirking knowingly as she responded. “You forgot to get your equipment enchanted before we left. Didn’t you?”
Mythic’s life was, truly, full of regrets…
He opted to not respond verbally, simply letting out a huff, as he struggled forward. Despite the loud jungle around them, he could HEAR Bloodwyn snickering to herself, before she would slow her own pace, to aid his own.
It was hard to tell how much longer they were at it. But, eventually they arrived at a massive structure, that was as much ‘plant’ as it was stonework. These were the ‘ruins’, that much was sure, but it was debatable how ‘ruined' such a place was, as it seemed to be grown as much as shaped.
“Here we are, hope you’re ready to get dirty.” Bloodwyn would state to Mythic, checking her gear one last time before they went in.
“Hah. Good one. Here’s hoping it’s cooler in there, than out here.” Mythic shot back, taking a deep breath, before trotting up the stairs, and into the structure.
“‘Wyn! Flower left!” A blast of magic energy followed Mythic’s call-out, as Bloodwyn’s aim snapped over. A click below him sounded, as he shifted his stance, and several darts plinked off an increasingly thin magic barrier. The initial delve had gone smoothly, the first several rooms having sparse monsters, and stray beasts who had claimed the place as a home. It was only after passing through into the main area of the temple, the real trials started.
Traps, monstrous plants, puzzles…Mythic’s heart pumped faster, and faster, with each passing moment. Finally culminating in one last chamber, where a glowing object sat, cradled in various vines.
“Well, that’s ominous.” Mythic murmured to Bloodwyn, cautiously hurrying up to it, and gently taking it out of the flower. An action that was followed by an unearthly screech, as the greenery around the entire temple-like structure, came to life.
The pair had only a moment to exchange glances, before running out. Dodging attacking plants, and the few traps they missed on the way down. Only narrowly escaping, as the structure itself, seemed to come to life.
With one last look back, the two would let out a sigh of relief, and finally head back into town. What happened after? What was the artifact? Well. That’s a story for another time.
Tales of Equestria: A Verdant Adenture
Mythic's life was full of regrets. He was always running a bit late, he seemingly always came up short when it counted, and his equipment was always a jumbled mess. But, among his chief regrets currently…He REALLY regretted wearing his thick, protective clothing out here!
The atmosphere was oppressively damp, and humidity practically steamed him in his armored clothing. And the bugs! Goddesses, he’d never SEEN so many crazy, biting bugs in his life!
It was meant to be a simple enough assignment. Somepony had stumbled upon some old ruins, deep within a jungle called Emerald Gloom. And there was, allegedly, some ancient artifact of mystic propensity deep within…SOMEWHERE. Details were scarce, and the jungle was INFESTED with powerful beasts.
The sheer vagueness of it all, brought an exasperated frown to Mythic’s snout. But, it wasn’t the first time something like this, turned out to be vital later. The ruins DID, in fact, exist. And, he was convinced he’d be a pretty poor ‘hero’, if he didn’t at least clear the way for others, and check it out himself.
“Myyythiiiic! Come on! Pick up the pace! Don’t wimp out on me yet, hornhead!” The playful, taunting tone of his companion came from ahead. An energetic, white-and-pink Griffon, by the name of Bloodwyn, had insisted on joining him. And, well, he was hard pressed to complain about her company. She was a strong fighter, as skilled as he was. And a crackshot with a mana-rifle, which was slung to her side currently, along with her own gear
“Yeah, yeah. PLEASE tell me we’re getting close.” Mythic huffed, struggling to keep pace, as he formed a spell-sword, to cut through the thicker plants. “I REALLY wish there was an ‘Anti-annoying bug’ spell. Or I had brought more spray…”
“The place should be just ahead…wait-” Bloodwyn looked back at the yellow unicorn, smirking knowingly as she responded. “You forgot to get your equipment enchanted before we left. Didn’t you?”
Mythic’s life was, truly, full of regrets…
He opted to not respond verbally, simply letting out a huff, as he struggled forward. Despite the loud jungle around them, he could HEAR Bloodwyn snickering to herself, before she would slow her own pace, to aid his own.
It was hard to tell how much longer they were at it. But, eventually they arrived at a massive structure, that was as much ‘plant’ as it was stonework. These were the ‘ruins’, that much was sure, but it was debatable how ‘ruined' such a place was, as it seemed to be grown as much as shaped.
“Here we are, hope you’re ready to get dirty.” Bloodwyn would state to Mythic, checking her gear one last time before they went in.
“Hah. Good one. Here’s hoping it’s cooler in there, than out here.” Mythic shot back, taking a deep breath, before trotting up the stairs, and into the structure.
“‘Wyn! Flower left!” A blast of magic energy followed Mythic’s call-out, as Bloodwyn’s aim snapped over. A click below him sounded, as he shifted his stance, and several darts plinked off an increasingly thin magic barrier. The initial delve had gone smoothly, the first several rooms having sparse monsters, and stray beasts who had claimed the place as a home. It was only after passing through into the main area of the temple, the real trials started.
Traps, monstrous plants, puzzles…Mythic’s heart pumped faster, and faster, with each passing moment. Finally culminating in one last chamber, where a glowing object sat, cradled in various vines.
“Well, that’s ominous.” Mythic murmured to Bloodwyn, cautiously hurrying up to it, and gently taking it out of the flower. An action that was followed by an unearthly screech, as the greenery around the entire temple-like structure, came to life.
The pair had only a moment to exchange glances, before running out. Dodging attacking plants, and the few traps they missed on the way down. Only narrowly escaping, as the structure itself, seemed to come to life.
With one last look back, the two would let out a sigh of relief, and finally head back into town. What happened after? What was the artifact? Well. That’s a story for another time.