Depthless Hunger

After so long skirting the wilder parts of the Commonwealth, Kai felt a bit uncomfortable moving back into civilization. Yes, the crowds on the roads gave them more cover, but it also risked the chance that they would be discovered. Their elven cloaks had hidden them for many days now, he just doubted they could last forever.

On several occasions he'd used Thunderbird's Wings to take them over a large area, since it was one of their best methods of movement that couldn't be detected by any chakra art. It was draining, though, and carrying his allies was extremely distracting when he wasn't half-mad with battle adrenaline. Now they settled in for a more careful pace as they neared their next destination, and one of their primary goals for so long.

It took them five days to reach the Kama Altar, and as they got close, Kai began to wonder what this place actually was. Since it supposedly would unlock Zae Zin Nim's chakra, he had assumed it would cater to warriors. All around them he saw... couples. Mostly young with a few old, many infatuated with a few pushed by families. Their warrior trio stuck out enough that he worried about drawing attention.

Many of the couples seemed to be visiting for the sake of various shrines, inns, and other establishments centered around marriage. Only relatively few were headed toward the largest building, which was a circular tower topped with a yellow glass dome. Along the side he saw a number of symbols, one of which he actually recognized: the Sacred Creed followers had shown him similar symbols while talking about "lingam" energy.

What the hell were they walking into? He'd assumed that Zae Zin Nim was being so cagey because it was personal or feminine, but now he began to wonder...

Some other couples attempted to approach the large building, only to turn away with fallen expressions at a circle of human-height posts surrounding it. He had no idea what to think of that until they approached and he felt an aura wash over him... it was like the elves' glamours or the Banchlain aura of fear, but weaker. The three of them pushed through it easily, then they were away from the main crowds.

There weren't many others on the path to the building, which only meant more attention. Kai felt very self-conscious walking with two beautiful women in an environment like this. One young man stared long enough that his presumed bride slapped him and they began to argue.

When they reached the door, they were stopped by a middle-aged man with a shaved head and a wrap that passed over one shoulder. Kai saw several others dressed in similar monk-like fashion, both men and women with one breast uncovered. He was so discomfited by the whole thing that he didn't even stare, just focused on the man in their path.

"You've traveled far to come to the Kama Altar," the monk said. "Its energy has been exhausted for the day, and will not be renewed until we have passed through the enveloping yoni of night and the rising lingam of dawn."