FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The trip through the jungle begins with not much of an issue. Feliny and Sandro follow the guidance of their elven scout while keeping an eye out for any trouble. Feliny's machete is at the ready, chopping down thick vines as they make their way. Simultaneously, Sandro keeps his attention mostly on the map, charting out new paths and other uncharted wonders along the way.

Their first night over, the three set up camp, resting around a small fire that gives them light in the humid jungle evenings.

“Damn, if this climate doesn't just want to make your clothes stick and chafe!" Feliny says, fanning herself. “That reminds me. I hear you elves tend to dress in nothing at all when you're out on your own, isn't that right?"

Their guide lowers her head, bringing her legs in closer. “Well, that was true, for a time, when we were much more in-tune with nature, but my people have always been adaptable. We change with the climate and culture. When the adventurers built up the cities around here, we just started to adapt and find clothing more comfortable. I've never been nude in front of anyone."

“Yes, that's right!" Sandro pipes in. “Remember that one rather brawny fellow we met up north? He was so hairy, he could have been a bear."

“Ooh, yeah," Feliny says, snickering. “He may have actually been, considering how he was eyeing you up, hubby dear."

Sandro's face grows a bright red. “We… we should get some rest."

“I was just trying to see if the lady was okay with me stripping down to get comfortable, is all," Feliny says.

“Honey…" Sandro whines. “You know if you do that, you might get bitten by something nasty."

“Eh, fuck it," she says with a wink. She grabs her top and lifts it over her head, showing off her sculpted body, glistening with sweat in the firelight. “I'm just being playful with our guide. Hope that's not much of a bother."

The elf opens her mouth as if to say something, but her words are interrupted. A moment passes, and she's face down on the ground while Feliny is up, her blade gleaming in the scant light. With the singing of metal and the squish of a blade to meat, the adversary falls in a huffing heap.

“My word," Sandro says, adjusting his glasses. “Is that one of the beastfolk?"

Feliny swings her blade, letting the last drops of blood fall off of it. “Looks like it. An ugly bastard to boot. What is that, some kind of cat?"

“Jaguar, by my reckoning," Sandro says, rolling the downed feline over, pulling its gums back to examine its teeth. “This blood is fresh."

“Yeah," Feliny says, holding onto her shoulder. Blood trickles down her muscled form. “He got a bite in, but that only allowed my blade to go in deeper."

The elf hops up and immediately pulls out some medicinal herbs from her pack. “We need to be extra careful," the elf says, pressing the plants to the wound. “Quick, give me some water! The bandages are over there. Eat this."

Sandro gets on the collection while the guide administers the healing technique. Feliny, meanwhile, holds a smile, wincing slightly from some of the astringent. “How's it feel, huh? I may not be as bulky as that guy down there, but I'm not too bad, huh? A fat lot of good his muscles did for him."

“You should calm down and be quiet," the guide says. “There could be more. We should make our way into the temple. That'll give us some protection from ambushes.

“At night?" Sandro says. “We'll miss all of the archeological wonders on the outer gate if we go in now."

“We can always come back in later," Feliny says, rolling her bandaged up arm. “After all, I'd rather have that giant gate to my back, knowing no more of these feline bastards can get the jump on me. Come on, ladies, let's pack it up!"

They are quick and efficient in their breaking of camp, but the heat and the travel make the last few stretches of the journey perilous. Every sound is a cause for alarm, and every minute is a trail of agony.

But it's all worth it to see the towering stone walls of the outer gate, illuminated by their fire. Sandro places a hand upon the stone, looking over the markings. The ancient murals and depictions with a wander in his eyes. “This is the door. See that indentation. The key must be there. If we use it now, we can't come back out until we're done exploring. Are you sure you're up to this?"

Feliny stretches her arms. “It's just a graze. We got it handled. Go ahead. Get in there!"

“Very well," Sandro takes a deep breath and produces the statue. He presses it into the indentation, and the place comes alive with color. Bright light outlines all of the carvings, shooting a beam of energy deep inside the complex right into the sky.

The adventurers step back and watch in awe as the stone doors pull apart. Years of age cause the structure to groan. Vines fall apart, and dirt crumbles, but soon, the brightly-lit complex rests before them. Torches ignite with an unnatural green hue. The main temple structure beyond looms over them in the shape of a jaguar with eyes aflame, the way inside its open maw.

“The ancient temple," Sandro says, taking his first few steps inside. “This is what we've been searching for. Come on, before cheetah beasts can make it to, ah!"

Sandro falls over, gripping his leg.

“Sandro!" Feliny rushes towards her husband, passing the threshold. She grabs her head and falls to her knees. “Aaabh,… w… what is this!?"

The elf stares with shocked confusion for a moment, but then she rushes forward. “Please, hold on, I'm coming!"

“W… where the fuck are you, saffh!" Feliny doubles over, groaning, and then the door slams shut, trapping the three inside.