Submission (#6248) Approved

Nestled within a distant part of the jungles of Kyendi lies a crumbling ruin.  The ruin is the vestige of a bygone era, inciting whispers of a forgotten civilization that existed here long before the first elnin set foot in these lands.  The air in this part of Kyendi is thick with the scent of damp moss and the cacophony of colorful birds, thus the atmosphere is permeated in a sense of timelessness.

The temple, now a mere skeleton of its former grandeur, reveals intricately caved facades that once glistened with vibrant pigments.  Time has weathered the stone, leaving behind faint splotches of the colorful hues that once dotted the surface of these ruins, proving the ruins’ witness to the countless long years that have passed.  While hard to pick out in some areas, the intricate details of the mythical creatures, celestial dancers, and scholarly ascetics that climbed the walls of the temple are still visible where protected from the worst of the elements, providing a glimpse into the craftmanship of the masons that built the temple.

Long past its heyday, vines now weave through the crevices of the walls, their sinuous tendrils entwining along the carved reliefs.  Towering trees emerge from the sacred grounds, their roots twisting along the temple’s foundations to reclaim the land here.  The jungle and time’s relentless march have long since encroached upon this space, rendering the boundary between the natural and constructed elements indistinguishable.

Visitors who encounter the ancient ruin often choose to navigate its labyrinthine paths that lead to the hearts of the ruin.  There they will encounter the remains of an ornate courtyard, now dilapidated so that only the walls and open ceiling construction will lead one to recognize it as such.  The site invites contemplation on the building’s existence, leading many to wonder how this temple would have looked long ago, and what kind of creatures wandered its halls.