Section 191 An ancient beast awaits Out of the darkness you emerge into another large chamber and come to an abrupt halt. Before you rushes a shimmering wall of flowing water, and before that wall stands the Orncryst, balanced on its haft upon a tall column of gleaming white stone. For a moment you stand quiet, unsure as to whether this could be some kind of trick, but the object of the years you have spent in its pursuit now waits for you to do something. You need only take it. But their is more to be found here than just the artifact you have spent so much time searching for. From the shadows you look into the strange shimmering wall before you and cannot help being drawn closer to it. As you approach you notice the light of your torch reflecting against the surface of the water, and in those reflections you begin to see images. At first they are indistinct, nothing but shadow and light melding in quick flashes, that trick your eyes and make you turn to see if anything is moving behind you. But then the images focus and you stand transfixed. Before you the history of the world unfolds in a stream of image and sound. Without comprehending what you see the wall unleashes its gift. Great wars flash before you and monstrous beasts fill the wide expanse of the waters. You see empires rise and fall, great civilisations pull themselves from barbarism and then fall as quickly into dust. From out of the fogs of history you see the struggles of the enemies of Man and the arrival of your own peoples in the world. But it does not end there. In a torrent of growing power the future explodes in a tortured river of flowing images. Even greater empires rise before you, and within the tumult of war and decay you see vast cities and strange devices, and to your amazement the most wondrous of flying machines, all flashing past your eyes in a numbing procession of rushing imagery. It takes a conscious act of will to turn your eyes from the wall and edge away, for in its overwhelming presence the River of Time is trying to turn you from the Orncryst. In a wrenching disconnection you force yourself to focus instead upon the great axe. Tentatively you move towards the Dragonclaw, rubbing your jaw as you consider how you might take it from its high purchase. It is then, as you have the great talisman in your sight that the worst of nightmares crawls out of the passage behind you. Drawing itself up to its full height you see before you a twisted and distorted creature, that shambles towards you upon great legs of crumbling obsidian. For the length of a heartbeat you hesitate, and the Stone Elemental takes advantage of your indecision. Two thick arms raise themselves high above you and slam down upon the smooth stone floor, sending a shuddering tremor through the ground. Caught unprepared you are thrown backwards, hitting the ground hard and sliding to a stop against the base of the white pillar. In those few moments you desperately try to regain your footing, and as you roll back to your feet the Elemental rushes you. With one giant swing of its mammoth arm the creature tries to crush the life from you, but you avoid the blow, and watch helplessly as its outstretched limb strikes the Orncryst, throwing it to the ground. Without hope of defeating the Elemental you run for the talisman and grab it by its haft, your intention to make for the nearest exit and escape. It is a plan that changes the moment you touch the axe. Out of the darkness a great crack tears at the air, a sudden shudder of force that emanates from the walls of the chamber and focuses down upon the Orncryst. Stunned by the energy flowing into the axe you feel your hand close about its grip, and then stagger as its power rushes into your body. All thought of fleeing leaves you as you realise that the ancient talisman is testing you. It cannot be taken until you prove yourself worthy of its possession. With the River of Time as a backdrop you stand your ground and wait for the Stone Elemental to attack. Options: The Stone Elemental has a Combat Value of 22 and an endurance of 22. The Orncryst will increase your own Combat Value by 4 points for the duration of this battle. If you defeat the Elemental turn to section 200. If you succumb to its mindless aggression then it will be here that your quest will end. Perhaps in another life you shall find greater success. The Torchlight Text Edition is the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Any questions regarding this title, or any other book in the Chronicles of Arborell series can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au