Gems of the Elements: Part 1: Chapter 2

Farla leapt from the wall on to one of the roofs.
"I can't believe it." She said, viewing the inferno that had engulfed the city of Talern.
"Talern can't burn." She said, tears beginning to trickle down her cheek. "The town I have lived in all my life will soon be nothing but ashes."
She noticed a man in bright white robes walking through the streets and realized he was a member of the Brotherhood of the White Flame. She leapt from house to house, dodging the flames, until she reached and tackled him.
"Tell me how this blasted fire started!" She ordered.
"This city is unholy and it was the whim of Drakol that we burn it."
"This is not an unholy city." Farla said, pressing a dagger to his throat.
"Yes, it is." The man choked out. "Our great lord Drakol commanded that it burn."
"Who is Drakol?"
"I told you, he is our great and powerful lord."
"But who is he really?" Farla asked, pulling out a vial of Liquid Truth.
"Again, he is the mighty ruler who commands the Brotherhood of the White Flame and our patron god."
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." Farla said, uncapping the vial. "But I guess I have to waste this on you."
She forcefully opened his mouth and poured the dark liquid down his throat.
"Loteras kalin sodre halam." The man said, praying for protection.
"That won't help you." Farla said. "Now tell me; who is Drakol?"
"He is the Dark Master; ruler of all the lands and devourer of those who defy him."
"Why did he command this city to be burned?"
"This is the Lost City; it is the one true holy city. It holds ancient artifacts of great power that even he can't control. So he sent me to begin a fire in the main chapel and lead the fire around the city, so that he may have more souls and come closer to being brought back to life."
"What are the ancient artifacts that he feared?"
"There are many here. But the most powerful one are the Staff of Light and the Gems of the Elements."
"The gems are not located here."
"I know." The man said. "I had to burn the city to gain Drakol's trust. I am a spy of the Shining Order, sent to find his plans. But now, because of you, he will kill me. I also know that you and your four friends have the gems."
"What are your sources?"
"Those of us in the Shining Order are protected from revealing such information when under the influence of something like your Liquid Truth. Our memories of such things are erased. But I can tell you this; you must use your control of the winds to reach the heart of the Vault of the Holy Ones. The vault is at the center of the city. Remember, the flames are too powerful to completely put out, so it will waste time in trying to put them out with the winds."
"How can I enter the vault?"
"You must weaken the flames with your control of the winds and run through the weakened fire. The vault is hidden in a dungeon beneath the city. It is called the Vault of the Holy Ones because of the ancient spectral beings claiming to be the Holy Ones that are there to test the souls of those who wish access to the vault."
"Kederos." Farla said, releasing the man from the hold of the Liquid Truth.
"Please," He said. "Leave me here in the flames. Drakol will kill me for my betrayal soon enough and I wish for my burial to be in the flames of this great city."
Farla said nothing and just walked away. She leapt on to a roof and continued leaping from one to another heading towards the center of the city. Soon, she reached the building at the center of Talern. Flames were in a perfect circle around it.
"Time to test out the power of wind."
She breathed on the amulet and felt the winds picking up around her. The flames in front of her began to part and she ran through them. As she reached the other side, the flames reconnected.
She walked to the stairs leading down below the city. As she reached the steps, there came a low whisper.
"Come in, wielder of wind, for we wish to meet you." It said. "You need testing, and we, the Holy Ones, shall judge if you are worthy of the powerful artifacts within."
"I have a feeling this won't turn out well." Farla said to herself, descending into the darkness.