The temple rose out of the sea many years ago, and its spires now hung over the little town like a building storm on the horizon. They rose up in twisting spirals of opalescent blue stone, which put me in mind of a trident even as I now approached. The heavy doors, intricately carved with scenes of warriors and mages and monsters, had always been closed.

The stone of the steps leading towards the doors was warm from the sunlight as I took my first step. From this close the thing looked even bigger. I could feel my heart beating faster as I stared up at its towering bulk.

I continued up the stairs, towards the doors. The whole thing smelled of brine and hot stones, but also of... something spicy.

There were statues along the staircase that lead to the door, each practically identical. A human-shaped figure, but certainly no human. No nose on its face, its skin smooth, its hair long and flowing. It had a flat chest and hips, its toes and fingers were slightly webbed. It was dressed in a chestpiece that put me in mind of a seahorse, almost, its bottom half covered to the knees by a flowing skirt, its feet completely bare. Its expression was blank as it stared straight ahead.

I felt myself shiver when I acccidentally looked one in the eye.

I held out my hand as I reached the doors. The stone there felt smooth and cool just like the stone underfoot, the texture of the patterns reminding me of twisting fish as I traced them with my fingers. The scenes depicted struck me then, suddenly, as old. A kind of old that put weight on my mind. Old enough to be a legend to this already legendary temple. I shuddered to think of it, but at the same time I felt my heart soar. How incredible it was!