You wander on, tiring but not able to stop in the thick mire of the swamp. The thought of staying is a bit unpleasant so you continue. Though bits of light filter through the foliage, the path is pretty much dark. Creatures flit past in the shadows, something slimy slithers over your foot and you suppress a cry of surprise. You are unaware of the many pairs of eyes following you until later when they decide to show themselves.

    Stopping to lean against a tree, attempting to catch your breath in the heat and humidity, to your horror, warm, moist breath begins to slip down your neck. Slowly, hesitant to see what it might be, you turn your head. Two huge, burning eyes of fire confront you, they gaze at you unblinkingly, penetrating. Your heart seems to stop, your breath catches in your throat. The dragon moves back, blowing a blast a hot air into your face. 

    "Who are you, why are you in my swamp?" The dragon's voice is deep and powerful, instantly striking fear. You blink, than reply. 

    "Syra sent me."

    The dragon takes another step back and looks you over curiously. "Syra?" It bows it's great crimson head and backs off. "Apologies, if you are a traveler sent by Syra, I mean no harm. My name is Blood Light and I'm a Whorling of the dragon type.

    You introduce yourself and a conversation follows of the swamp and it's inhabitants. 

    "There are others," Blood Light says, dropping to all fours. "Would you like to meet some?"

    You nod enthusiastically. 

    "Right than, follow me and stay close, if you are injured, it is not my responsibility." 

    You follow Blood Light closely, glancing anxiously around, you don't want to be left behind so you shadow him, almost touching his hard amour like scales with your nose. Brush rustles nearby and Blood Light stands up and sniffs the air, than sits back on his haunches, nodding to you before calling out.

    "Skarlath, show yourself!"

    Something hisses, than a head peers out of the brush, red eyes inspect you before the dragon body follows. Where wings should have been, bones arched, glistening a sickly white, long talons made for ripping and shredding dig into the mossy ground. A muscled tail with a sharp stinger at the end waves dangerously near your head, you swallow nervously. Incredibly, Blood Light chuckles.

    "Skarlath won't hurt you, you've got Syra's protection."

    Skarlath sidles up to you, sniffs you once, sneezes, than disappears into the mist.

    "He's not one for talking, Skarlath, he's a stinger dragon, comes from the Ever Realm as do I."

    You both continue on.

    Another creature of shining silver and yellow enters upon your path. It's body shimmers even in the dim of the swamp, long raking talons extend from it's fore arms. It's eyes are a bright amethyst, full of intelligence. It stops and stands on it's hind legs to get a better look at you. It's pale green mane falling into it's face. With out any invitation, it introduces itself in a polite manner, it's voice gives away it's gender, female.

   "Good day, I go by the name Splitstorm. I am a Whorling of the gryphonic kind." It bows it's head to you, telling you that you may introduce yourself.

   After the proper introductions are made, Splitstorm nods to Blood Light. "Blood, the Temp Portal is open today, it will save you a lot of time." With those words, she suddenly disappears into thin air. You stand there, just blinking stupidly.

   "Splitstorm can detect portals and use them too, that's where she went, through the Temp Portal, come, let's go through."

Lovely Background from Myrror Images

Beautiful creatures from Ever Realm (also a creation of Myrror)