< dd2 - wolfrem >

God, it is so hot.

A blessing in flora-filled caverns, Wolfrem’s excessive fluff and fur was only aiding the heat warming his body inside the furnace. He’d only recently found the courage to finally venture here, especially upon hearing that extreme heat helps produce jewels and gems, especially some of the more rare varieties that can’t be created without it. His desire for all things shiny was something that burned deep within him, and was strong enough that even overheating didn’t matter if there was a chance at finding something even more elusive and glittery.

Many new dangers existed in the furnace, and he didn’t want to bring Esper along until he’d explored some himself. Guiding around a blind horse was much easier when you knew what all to expect, and here, he had no idea. Lava pooled instead of water, and the aching creaks of hot wood echoed throughout the bridge-laden chamber. Growls of what he knew to be hellhounds reverberated at every turn, and he had no idea what else awaited. Cautious but confident as ever, he paid close attention to every step he made in this new expanse.

Ahead, the rocky floor seemed to descend, and he approached a bit more apprehensively. Peering down below, crumbling steps led down into a dark chamber, only lit by scattered torches. Depth and heat. That was the combination for what he’d been told were called diamonds. The further you go, the more pressure there is, and the more heat there is. With a sigh holding more nervousness than apathy, he slowly began the descent down the steps. 

Careful with his steps, he only stumbled a few times, and at the bottom he reached a turn. Stone walls encasing the hallway trapped in the heat much more, and his breathing was growing much heavier. He stepped forward and leaned his head just past the turn in the hall, seeing a larger chamber at the end of the tunnel. A light emanated from it, illuminating the floor in a dull orange light. Curiosity piqued, he stepped forward and turned to face the chamber, and walked a bit more eagerly towards it.

Inside, the temperature plummeted. Sweat that had begun to build along his coat was drying much quicker than it should, and the chill was more relaxing than it should’ve been, given the oddity of it. And right in the center of the chamber sat the impossible source - a lit brazier, something that should’ve been heating up the room instead. He scanned across all four walls of the room and found absolutely nothing. The brazier sat alone, the crackle of the flames being the only source of sound. He approached with caution, merely stretching to get closer to try to see inside the torch better. It was full of coals seeming untouched, and the air seemed to only get colder as he grew closer and closer to the flames. 

An oddity among the furnace, of course. Nothing should be this chilling down here, especially something housing flames designed to provide warmth. While not of his usual intrigue, he was eager to know more about it. Not too small and definitely not too large, he decided to bring it home, suddenly grateful that the exit to the furnace was not far from the top of the steps he had just come down. Perhaps someone at the camp might know more, or its origins may lie in one of Lethia’s many, many books. So he pulled out his ropes from a satchel adorning his sides, and began lugging the curiosity home.