Agiston
Towering forth from an endless sea of white smoke rises a stark pillar of black stone. Atop, a white structure glitters, gold accents casting flares of light across the sky. Aside it, in a courtyard of dark sand moves a white-hot goddess in the throes of combat. Several balls of sand hover above the ground, held aloft by pillars of flame. The goddess drifts about, graceful like a dancer but with the ferocity of a raging hydra. She lashes out with impeccable form, the balls of sand exploding as her swordspear slashes through them. As she moves forward, waves of flame burst forward from the weapon, annihilating the targets outside her reach, puffs of fire accompanying each hit. As she leaps forward toward a target far past her reach, wings spread wide and screaming with energy, she spins while her weapon's blade becomes engulfed in an inferno. She hits the ground, sand pushed aside from her feet. As she lands, she swings her weapon forward in one swift motion, bringing it to a halt pointing straight forward. The fire bursts forth in an explosion as she brings it down, a blade of flame running through the sand and growing in height as it screeches forward. It strikes the final target, a huge cone of flame and sparks spreading outward, casting the sand in bright light.
She draws her weapon back in, waves of heat drifting from the surface. She holds it steady, the base resting in the sand as she surveys the field, sand flung wide and depressions left where her flames took their victims. She releases the swordspear, which dissolves into flames and disperses.
She calmly strides toward the structure, her wings of plasma returning to their normal state. She slows briefly to view her paintings as she makes her way to the pool in the center. Her eyes trace the crossbeams and metalwork, then fall upon the recessed liquid. Her armor dissipates, puffing away like her weapon as she takes the first step down. Her pure form of energy condenses, taking on a more structured shape.
She reaches the center of the fluid, and kneels. Her head tips back, eyes closed while she relaxes.
Purpose / Function
This structure is the residence of Ensear. Here, she rests, plans, and trains.
Design
Beginning at the crossing, centrally there is a three-tiered depression in the floor, five feet deep. Contained within is a foot of white, semi-viscous liquid that is thousands of degrees in temperature. Beside it are four pillars that support crossbeams of white marble.
In the choir is an onyx dais that is held astride by golden bars. Beneath is a deep pit, at the bottom of which is a bright light. This dais and the hole are collectively called the Hearth.
In the nave are various pedestals of white marble, each with plasma twirling forth from a hole in their centers. Beside them, in the aisles, are stairs on either side that face the crossing. The are decorated with more metal flames, and ascend sixty feet to a platform encompassed by stained-glass windows. This landing's floor is fringed by white tile, whilst the center is made of gold that looks as if it had once been melted and swirled, drifting with beautiful patterns. It is perfectly smooth on the surface.
The narthex opens directly into the courtyard, with no wall between them. Four white pillars hold up the wall above, with metal designs set between them.
Beyond the cathedral is an open court, with a patio of white marble laced with twinkling gold. This gives way to a field of black sand, easily three times the size of the cathedral itself. The sand is shallow, with black stone beneath. Encompassing this field is a low wall of white stonework, decorated with shallow carvings of curling smoke filled with gold.
Entries
The only entry is from the courtyard through the pillars.
Sensory & Appearance
The air here is always hot, hovering around 80 degrees Celsius.
Contents & Furnishings
Where one would normally find the transepts are curling golden racks that house various weaponry of black metal, sized to Ensear's stature. Beneath the landing are a variety of twenty-by-fifteen foot paintings on cloth, all of which have onyx frames. There are four of these, depicting scenes of fire elementals, a flight of her angels, a field of flowers, and a portrait of her wielding Scintill in combat against several demons.
Valuables
The art and weaponry here are priceless.
Architecture
Structurally, it is built like a cathedral, but lacks a transept. The building is massive, towering into the sky. It has a domed top, beneath which a wider structure moves outward.
The building is composed of black and white stone: marble, granite, and onyx. The exterior has matching plate-work and windows that house glass depictions of combat and compassion alike. Every corner is a pillar of polished granite, with further pillars spaced evenly between each. The rest is marble, with onyx as filigree along the joints and window frames. The domed top is adorned with large gold plates shaped into roaring flames. Astride the main body are buttresses made of gold that evoke licking flames and meet with a ridge of marble that rides the spine of the building.
Type
Cathedral / Great temple
Environmental Effects
This location exists atop a black pillar of stone that extends downward into white smoke. Beyond, a hazy orange and red sky stays in a state reminiscent of the dawn. No other features are present in this realm, and it is constantly hot.
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