#temur

"And the Lightwardens. There's one here, in Amh Araeng, I can feel it! We should tell the others." Minfilia hesitates, then turns back to Temur. "... Could you go on ahead and look for them? They should have caught up to us by now."

"You're not coming?"

She shakes her head. "I just... need a moment to think. But I promise I'll be right behind you, and then we can go track down that Warden."

Temur's jaw tightens slightly, but he forces himself to simply nod. "Sure. See you in a minute." With that, he turns to make his way back through the ruins of Nabaath Areng. After a short ways, when he's sure he's passed out of earshot of Minfilia, he lets himself pause to lean against a wall. He had never been much bothered by the heat, but he knows that's not the reason his head and chest are still aching. He shuts his eyes and takes a few deep breaths, but the Light-ridden air here brings little in the way of relief.

When he opens his eyes, he spots Ardbert across the ruined street and smiles faintly. "Was wondering if you'd show up." He pushes off of the wall to keep walking, albeit more slowly than before, and Ardbert joins him. What, miss me? He glances up at his surroundings. Didn't expect to find you here of all places, though.

"We saw Min— the Oracle. Minfilia got to talk to her."

Ardbert looks shocked for a moment. Wait, you talked to her? Here?

"She's gone now. She passed on the last of her strength to Minfilia." He hesitates uncomfortably. "I'm sorry."

Ardbert smiles ruefully. It's... fine. Would have liked to know why she left me like this, but I suppose that will just have to stay a mystery.

Temur's mind goes back to the vision he had had, of the Oracle surrounded by Warriors of Light ahove the palace building. "... She did say something, before she disappeared. That not even the most valiant heroes can stand alone."

When she stopped the Flood, she told me... no, forget it. I'm not much of a hero, am I? So what's next for you and the kid?

Temur's response is cut short as his head begins to spin again and he stumbles. Ardbert moves reflexively as if to try to steady him, but he lands painfully on one knee. You alright?

Temur rubs his head, and dusts himself off as he stands. "That... aetherial corruption, Y'shtola called it. It hasn't been getting much better." He laughs humourlessly. "And I'm supposed to fight another two Wardens like this." One hand finds the hilt of his sword and begins tightening and loosening its grip rhythmically.

In your condition, I don't envy you. But if anyone's got a shot against those things, I believe it's you.

"And what if I don't?" Temur's voice suddenly raises, with a note of frustration and fear. "I'm not— whatever hero the Exarch thought I was when he brought me here. I'm not you." He gestures with his sword in a sweeping arc at the frozen wave of Light looming against the southern sky. "If you couldn't stop that, what chance do I have?"

Ardbert appears taken aback for a moment, as if at a loss for words. You're right, you're not me. You've got a chance to be a hell of a lot better. And you've already done more for this world than I ever did. I might not trust the Exarch any more than you, but I doubt he'd send you to die.

Temur's sword arm, already shaking with nervous energy, drops to his side. "I— I don't know. Maybe." His mind goes back to what Y'shtola had said. That the aetherial corruption was already so bad when she first saw him that she couldn't recognise him, and that it would only get worse. Urianger knew too, and she had already hidden that much from him. Still, even with her penchant for secrets, she wouldn't be complicit in sending him to his death, would she? And then there was the Exarch, who he didn't know a damned thing about. Did he really expect him to kill all the Wardens and make it home at the end of this? He shakes his head. It's no use, he can barely think, let alone sort out all the different possibilities. He's dimly aware of his breath catching in his throat, his heartbeat pounding, and Ardbert's voice growing urgent. Hey. Hey, stay with me. Temur!

"Temur!" He looks up. Suddenly realising his face is wet, he hurriedly sheathes his sword and runs a sleeve over his eyes a moment before the Scions round a corner into view. He mentally curses himself as he notices Minfilia is already with them. He had been supposed to meet up with them before her, hadn't he? Now they'd all know something happened. "There you are. Ryne asked us where you went, and we heard shouting from this direction." Y'shtola explains. He stares blankly for a moment before making the connection. Ryne, then. "Apparently Thancred isn't the only one going off on his own and giving the rest of us heart attacks today," she adds drily. "Are you alright?"

Temur's gaze drifts over to the spot where Ardbert had been standing a moment ago, but he's gone. He hesitates a second more before looking back to the Scions. He can't help but feel like the question is a bit of a trap when at least two of them know what's happening to him, and Alisaie has proven more than capable of telling when he's being evasive. "I'll be fine. I just needed a minute." Before anyone can respond, he continues, "so there's another Warden nearby?"

"Indeed. To the west of here lieth Malikah's Well, below which run extensive waterways. The ideal place for a Lightwarden to conceal itself," Urianger confirms, "and with Ryne's newfound abilities we shall know for certain soon enough. If thou art well enough to travel, we can make for the site now."

Filipe Pagliuso

Character Designer/ Illustrator ([email protected])

artstation

I’ve seen a few polls for favorite guild, and I thought it would be neat to make one for favorite shard/clan. I would really appreciate if you decide to reblog; I’m a pretty small blog, and I’d be curious to see what the wider MTG Tumblr community thinks.

Why, you may ask?

This is why: