Duris took a deep breath as he opened his eyes. He immediately coughed up blood as his body twisted in suffering. His legs were broken and he could feel the cut in his gut, once patched up, seared in pain. There was no denying that the cut was now infected and that it would kill him unless he was healed. This wasn't how Duris thought he would die. He hoped to have lived to an old age, and if not that, to die a quick and painless death. This wasn't the kind of death he wanted.

He needed to push on. Someone had to know what happened to him.

His vision was blurry but his hands clutched the cragged stone ground beneath him. Dragging himself forward was like climbing a mountain. One hand moved forward to pull himself up forward, then the other hand would reach up. It was an exhausting task and Duris found himself fighting against the exhaustion that threatened to pull him into a final rest.

Duris pulled himself toward the edge of a pool, his hands dripping into cold water. He cupped one hand and sipped lightly, although most of the water just ended up splashing onto his face. He rolled onto his back, clutching his wound with his other hand. Taking deep breaths, he knew that he wasn't going to make it. As much as he wanted to warn the Dragonlords, he wouldn't be able to get back to them. He closed his eyes, coughing heavily.

His eyes snapped open when he heard footsteps. Duris turned his head to the side to see a figure approach. Although his vision was blurry and he couldn't make out details, he could tell she was a woman, one who didn't mean any harm. She knelt by him and placed a hand on his forehead. Duris closed his eyes and summoned the last of his energy to speak.

"I… I'm a Dragonlord. They… I need to pass… a warning."

"Rest," the stranger spoke in a calming tone. "I will see to it that you survive. You are safe."

"Is everything alright, Duris?" Iraster called out.

"What's the hold-up?" Phoebe asked.

Duris shook his head, holding his head lightly. "Everything's fine. Just got caught in my own thoughts, that's all."

The group had arrived at the Temple of the Oracle, which was built against a cleft in a canyon many miles away from civilization. Duris guided the way alongside a river, recalling that this was the same path he took when he was near death so long ago. He imagined that there were more memories waiting for him within the halls. He had fallen into some sort of trance after arriving, one that hid away most of his memories of both his stay and his past with the Dragonlords. While Duris wanted to remember who he was, he still dreaded knowing who he was as well as what it would take to recall.

Duris knew something was off now. Although he mainly recalled pain from his memory, he knew the path to the temple shouldn't be this hot. The exertion from walking and climbing was enough to make the group sweaty but the unbearable heat wasn't enough. Steam shot out from the river and the ground, threatening the group as they grew near. While Leira took flight with her wings, everyone else had to be careful. Duris did his best to navigate around steam vents but it wasn't enough. Iraster, Halius, Korax, and Argades had all been unfortunate enough to be burnt by sudden bursts of steam. Yet, they pressed on without complaint.

Leira came into a landing a short way from the group and pointed. Pillars marked the entrance to the Temple of the Oracle. Sculpted on a section of the temple held up by the pillars was a man with three eyes seated on a throne, a large glaive in one hand. The heroes gathered around when they noticed that the entrance into the temple were four armored men each bearing a bright blue cloak. Duris blinked in confusion as he was unable to recall them. Whoever they are, they didn't belong.

"The Order of Sydon," Korax growled, taking out his silvered dory. "What are they doing here?"

"I don't know," Duris muttered.

"They may be here for Sydon's daughter," Kyrah noted. "Sydon has never been pleased that the Oracle took the side of mortals."

"Wait, Versi is the daughter of Sydon?" Duris gasped. "I didn't know."

"Even though she sided with mortals, it would appear as though she held some reverence for her father," Argades pointed at the throne engraving. "That is the Lord of Storms."

"Could the Order of Sydon here work for Versi?" Yesleth questioned.

"No," Duris answered almost involuntarily. "She… I just don't think she ever had contact with the Order of Sydon."

"She didn't as far as I know," Kyrah nodded. "Something is wrong."

"Then let's fight already," Phoebe started to walk forward. "We will not let them stand in our way."

The group followed after Phoebe towards the Temple. Yet, they paused when more steam bursted from the water. Although the steam didn't hurt anyone, there was a sudden cackle in the air. They looked up to see four creatures made from steam flying around, almost resembling demons. Whatever they were, they didn't belong as well. Duris took out his crossbow, already loaded, just as his companions pulled out a weapon.

"Be careful!" Kyrah advised, taking to the sides. "Steam mephits have tricks that you'll need to fend off."

"We could really use divine help right about now," Valros said, his voice hinting for help.

"It wouldn't make for a good story if I fought all your battles," Kyrah pointed out..

"There's just four," Cyrene took aim with her bow. "We can handle this ourselves."

Cyrene fired her arrow, which found its mark as one steam mephit gasped in pain. Duris shot the same mephit with his crossbow, also landing a blow in its shoulder. The mephits flew down but the adventurers were ready for combat. Korax and Semestra charged forward to meet the mephits. Korax blocked the claws of the steam mephit and jabbed his dory through it completely, although the creature lived. Semestra targeted the injured mephit and brought it down with her kopis. The mephit cackled one last time then exploded in a burst of steam. Semestra protected herself with a wooden shield and stepped back in shock.

"That was close," Semestra sighed in relief.

"Stay away from the mephits when you go for the kill," Iraster called out. "Tellek, help Korax if you can. I'm going in to finish it off."

"Fortifying fumes should do the trick," Tellek nodded, taking ingredients from his pouch.

The centaur mixed up a quick reaction, then tossed the vial towards Korax. The glass smashed on the ground and incense filled the air around the lokhagos. Duris could only hope that it was meant to strengthen his companion in some way. Iraster conjured three darts of Magic Missile which slammed against the mephit. It cackled as it blew up, but between Tellek's alchemy and Korax's shield, he was able to stand his ground against the explosion. Duris sighed in relief as half of the mephits were already down.

By now, the heroes focused on taking down the mephits with ranged attacks. The third mephit was struck with a dart thrown by Yesleth, followed by two magical blasts, a purple energy bolt from Leira and a white-blue bolt of cold from Thella. Mantes fired an arrow from his bow into that mephit's throat, which blew up away from the group. The fourth mephit tried to charge Phoebe but Argades stepped in the way, his hands held over his chest. The half-orc brought his hands to the side in a swift motion with a roar of thunder blasting the steam mephit, throwing it away. Halius followed up on the attack, firing two arrows which ended the mephit's life safely away from the group.

"I could have handled that," Phoebe told Argades.

"I had no doubt but we should be at full strength for the Order of Sydon," Argades pointed out, earning a nod of approval from Phoebe.

"I can't believe I actually killed one," Halius chuckled. "Let's keep going. We have to save the Oracle!"

Duris turned back to the entrance of the Temple of the Oracle. Given the steam mephit's explosive ends, there was no doubt that the Order of Sydon knew of their arrival. Yet, he was shocked to see that instead of fighting, the guards were retreating inside. Of course, they were outnumbered, but he would think that the group dedicated to Sydon would show more courage. The adventurers proceeded forward, passing through the doors and into the temple.

Once inside the temple and gazing upon a golden statue, Duris held his hand to his head as another memory flashed into his mind.

Duris walked from his quarters and into the temple chamber. He glared towards the golden statue of Sydon on his throne, who he only recognized as his enemy. The statue looked toward the exit, where he limped towards. He could make out a pool before the statue with stairs leading up to it. There was an altar before the steps leading up to the statue,littered with the bones of sacrificed animals.

Emerging from another hallway opposite of the way to the quarters was his savior, Versi. She was a naiad, a nymph of the rivers, with tanned skin and long black hair. She was a slim woman garbed in golden robes with a diadem covering her forehead. Duris froze in place when he saw her. There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman and that he was grateful that she took him in when he was on death's door.

It had been a week since he was taken in and tended to by Versi herself. Although she had attendants, she told Duris that she wanted to be the one to look out for him. Her magic, although innate, took its time when it came to healing him. Duris was confined to a bed in his quarters where his only visitor was the nymph. She took care of him, trading stories of what happened outside while he shared stories of the battles he fought. He did enjoy her company but he had his duty to return to.

"It is not time for you to leave," Versi said, approaching Duris.

"I told you I had to leave when I was capable of walking," Duris reminded Versi. "I can walk now."

"You can walk now but your legs aren't fully healed. You're not suited for a long journey."

"I just need to get to a town. I can send a messenger to the Dragonlords there or even find a mount of my own. Where is the nearest town."

"It is too far to walk in your condition," Versi told him, then reached to grab his hand. "It was a miracle that you made it to me. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you."

Duris didn't pull his hand away and chuckled. "I'm a Dragonlord. I can take care of myself."

"We don't have any weapons for you to take and you had none on you when you arrived. It is too dangerous to leave when you can hardly walk, let alone run."

"Be that as it may, I have to," Duris looked down at the ground. "I'm the only one who can warn the Dragonlords about… about…."

"About what?" Versi questioned, closing the distance between them as she nuzzled against him. "What injured you so greatly?"
"A friend, or so I thought," Duris muttered, struggling to remember the events leading to his injuries. "The others don't know of his betrayal. Why can't I remember his name?"

Versi looked up at Duris, gazing into his eyes. "Stay with me until you can remember. You wouldn't want to return to the Dragonlords and not be able to warn them of the threat you fear."

"Maybe," Duris nodded, somewhat uncertain. "I'd at least want to help you while I can move. I owe you for saving my life."

"I can think of ways you can repay me," Versi caressed his cheek with her free hand. "But for now, you should rest."

Duris knew that he needed to warn the Dragonlords. No one else knew of the threat within them. Yet, in this moment, with Versi touching him softly, he knew that he wanted to stay. He wanted to repay Versi for saving his life and for taking care of him in a time of need. Duris would have to return to the war but no one would blame him for taking a break after nearly dying.

The Dragonlord and the Oracle remained silent, and with a silent nod, Duris agreed to stay.

Duris slowly pulled his hand away from his face. The statue, altar, and pool were all there, the same as when he first arrived. Braziers lit up the room, revealing that the adventurers were not alone. There were nine armored soldiers each garbed with a blue cloak, marking them as members of the Order of Sydon. Four robed men were behind the soldiers, tied up and on their knees. There were several other robed attendants on the ground, covered in blood. An elderly man among the hostages looked up to the approaching adventurers and called out to them.

"You must save the Oracle!" the attendant called out. "The witch has been tormenting her."

"Silence!" a bearded soldier, the leader of the group, told the attendant, then faced the adventurers. "Do not worry. I have no intentions of harming these attendants."

"The dead bodies would say otherwise," Zyfon pointed out.

"That was not my work," the captain said. "Lord Sydon sent a coven of sea hags to capture his daughter. My men and I are here to kill you, the heroes that Oracle claims will kill the Twin Titans."

"The mephits failed to stop us," Duris said, equipping his mace and shield. "Do you think you can stop us?"

"Heleka's minions are weak," the captain scoffed. "The Order of Sydon will stand strong."

"What of the Oath of Peace?" Valros pointed out. "Look, I'll admit that I'm new, but wouldn't the Oath of Peace prevent Sydon from ordering you to kill us?"

The captain chuckled. "I am here on the orders of my commander, not of the titan's. The only one here working directly for the Lord of Storms is Heleka and her coven, although the Oracle isn't protected by the Oath of Peace."

Valros looks over his shoulder at Kyrah. "Is that all true?"

"It is, I'm afraid," Kyrah nodded. "It also ties my hands from helping you in this fight."

"We're not violating any oaths by fighting them though?" Valros questioned, which Kyrah answered with a quick nod. "Then what are we waiting for?"

No one expected Valros to throw a dagger at the captain. The blade pierced into his neck and the captain fell onto the ground, gasping out his last breath. The Order of Sydon all stepped back out of surprise.

"To battle!" Korax called out and led the charge.

Korax's silvered dory battered against the shield of his foe as the others charged into battle. Cyrene shot the same soldier Korax attacked with her bow with her arrow piercing through his skull. With his club in hand, Argades cracked the skull of one of the soldiers, ending his life. Leira blasted another soldier with her familiar purple blast of energy, staggering him long enough for Yesleth to slip past his shield and cut his throat with her xiphos. Iraster chanted and held his hands out towards the Order of Sydon; two soldiers fell down onto the ground, snoring. Semestra and Thella set a soldier aflame with magical fire, and as he screamed in, Ferrous took him down with a swing of its mace to put him out of his misery.

Some of the other soldiers were able to stand their ground despite the battle turning against them. One soldier fended off a coordinated attack from Mantes and Halius, blocking the half-elf's xiphos and the human's kopis easily with his shield. The soldier jabbed his spear into Mantes shoulder, prompting him to back away. Seeing Halius by himself, Duris charged in to aid the boy. His mace slammed into the soldier's shield but the continued offensive made for a good distraction. Valros snuck around the soldier and stabbed his blade through from behind, ending his life. Duris gave Valros a quick nod, acknowledging his skill in battle.

It was the final soldier that put up the best fight. Zyfon came in with his rapier but was unable to land a hit. Although he did his best, the satyr wasn't much of a fighter and was brought down by the soldier's dory. Korax, who stood next to Zyfon, took advantage of the opening to strike him in the arm with his silvered dory, although he was too late to save Zyfon. It was, surprisingly enough, Ranri who stepped in to save the bard, placing his hands on his injury and channeling healing injury to restore him to consciousness. The soldier blocked a crossbow bolt from Tellek only to come face-to-face with a greater threat. Phoebe stepped forward, and although the soldier did step away, a single swing of her maul caved his skull in, ending the fight.

"Good work, everyone," Duris told the group.

"Ferrous, help me tie these two up," Iraster motioned to the two men currently sleeping. "They won't be asleep for long."

With Iraster and Ferrous subduing the prisoners, Duris and the others untied the prisoners. Duris blinked when he helped the elderly attendant up, a name and face coming to mind. The man was Proteus, the head of Versi's attendants, although the face he remembered was certainly younger than what he saw now. Whatever magic the Oracle used to keep him alive all these years wasn't expended to help her faithful followers. Pushing those thoughts away, he now realized that Proteus also recognized him.

"I didn't think you would come back but I'm glad you did," Proteus bowed his head.

"What does he mean by that?" Korax questioned.

"It's… I told you it was a long story," Duris shook his head. "We have more important matters to attend to."

"Duris is right," Thella nodded. "The Oracle is being held captive."

"Sydon sent witches to capture Versi," Proteus looked around the room, somberly gazing upon the fallen corpses. "They slaughtered many of us before the Order of Sydon arrived."

"Yet she's still here," Leira pointed out optimistically. "That's why you want us to save her."

"She's in her quarters, tortured by those foul hags," Proteus scowls. "You must save her."

"We will," Ranri declared. "Let's go!"

"Duris will know the way," Proetus told the group. "I cannot come. There's nothing more I can do."

"It's quite alright, Proteus," Duris told the attendant. "We can take it from here."

"Before you go, I think there is something that you could use," Proteus walked over to the altar.

Proteus grabbed several sticks of incense from the altar and held it for Duris. He recognized what the sticks were. Versi used them in her divinations to help focus her gaze to see the future. They were easy to set aflame, although their vapors were quick to fade away, meaning that whoever wanted to inhale them needed to hold them. He never saw himself needing to use them or believing that he was capable but times have changed. Thella and Leira both believed he had the gift of foresight, and although he couldn't see the future at will, he was able to utilize magic.

Duris took the sticks of incense. "Thank you. I'll see to it that they are put to good use."

"Good luck, heroes," Proteus bowed his head. "I believe you are the ones destined to save Thylea."

"We're ready to follow your lead," Thella told Duris on behalf of the group.

Duris nodded, then turned toward a hallway. This was the way to Versi's chambers, a fact he knew all too well. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped forward to lead the way. If they were to save Thylea, they needed to save Versi, and it was time he finally reunited with her, for better or worse.

A/N: Quite honestly, I did not believe I could get a chapter done in a single day, yet here we are. Another 3,000 words to get me closer to the overall goal.

As you can probably tell by now, the Oracle of the Temple will focus heavily on Duris' story, although the others will certainly get their chance to shine. I would describe this as a mini-arc for Duris, with his story continuing with the rest of the Temple, which will be featured in the next chapter.

Until next time.