Scout it out.

Melinae sighed as she remembered the debacle with the centaurs. Deciding diplomacy was too risky and wanting to avoid open combat, the group tried sneaking around the camp. Only for Lirra to stumble across a pebble, falling face-first into the dust and alerting the guards with the clang of her metal armor hitting the barren ground. "Well... I guess you have a point. Let's see if we can get a bit closer to whatever is making that noise," she said to Monaa.

Melinae opened a small satchel on her belt and took a small set of tools into her hand. She kneeled down and used the little metal rods on the lock. After a moment of fidgeting with the device, the girls heard a click as the lock sprang open. Melinae pushed against the door, careful to not make too much sound. Monaa watched in admiration at the speed the hunter had opened the door. Sure, she could have easily opened it too with her newly transformed finger nails, but Melinae had seemingly done it without any effort.

Peeking her head through the doorway, Melinae decided it was safe enough and gestured Monaa to follow her. "Only whispering from here on out," she said, taking the lead. Before them a staircase stretched into depths unknown, illuminated solely by the light of the hallway. Monaa used her staff to make a small amount of light, jutt enough to make sure they wouldn't trip on the steps, but hopefully not too much to get them noticed. Melinae quickly closed the door behind them and took the first step downwards.

The pair continued down the winding staircase, careful to step as lightly as possible. Slowly, the noises started to become a bit more audible. Monaa, thinking she could no longer feign ignorance, decided to whisper to her companion: "I hear it now. I know what you mean when you say it sounds like bugs, but also not like bugs. What do you think it could be?" "Not a clue," Melinae whispered back. "But I think we're about to find out. I see light up ahead."

Indeed, now nearing the bottom, a faint amber light lit the bottom few steps. Monaa dimmed her purple light further now that they could see the steps more clearly. Melinae and Monaa carefully walked down the last few steps. A new smell hit them. Sweet and thick, like honey. Monaa appreciated the smell and took a deep breath. Meanwhile Melinae covered her nose, clearly not appreciating the odor as much as her companion. The noises were even louder and clearer now.

Moans that could be mistaken for painful groans pierced the air as well as the occasional scream. "Whatever is happening to them, it can't be good," Monaa whispered. "These women sound like they're in pain. We have to get closer and see if we can help them." Melinae meanwhile seemd conflicted. The moans and screams didn't sound painful. She knew what sex sounded like. But her curiosity got the better of her. Besides, she really wanted to know what made that horrible scittering sound.

Melinae nodded, moving down the hallway that streched before them. The smell got stronger, making her a bit woozy as well as a bit... aroused? Her nipples had gone erect, a feeling made all the more clear by the fact she wasn't wearing a bra. After all, her small breasts never sagged and to be honest she kind of liked the feel of her bare skin against the smooth leather. That's why, when she was feeling a bit frisky, she also skipped wearing panties under her armor. Melinae composed herself and refocused on her task of locating the women.

The marble walls suddenly ended as the two woman were now standing among dirt and rock. Clearly this was not a part of the original temple, but a tunnel dug long after it was constructed. The amber light was a lot brighter now and seemed to be coming from around a bend in the tunnel. The pair of adventurers carefully entered the tunnel. The smell was getting overwhelming now, having a visible effect on both the women as their breathing sped up. Soon they rounded the corner and found themselves looking into a larger room.