Unexpected Adventures: The Aztec Codex

You never intended to end up here, more or less in this situation. This was supposed to be the simple retrieval and drop off of an expensive artifact. Nothing could have prepared you for things ending so south. Drops of sweat trickle down the back of your neck as the temperature of the room steadily increases. Your chest rises and falls deeply as you try your best to remain calm. Struggling against the ropes binding you, you're just barely able to make out more of your surroundings. A myriad of lit candles surround the stone lined area, providing ample light while also casting dark shadows along the jagged walls. Shifting around a bit more, you look down to see your mostly bare skin covered in some type of crimson liquid that's been drawn out into various symbols and shapes. Groaning, you feel a pounding in your head, no doubt the result of whatever led to your previous unconsciousness. Gritting your teeth, you know there's really only one person to blame for all of this. Unfortunately, they're nowhere to be seen at the moment. It feels almost ironically fitting that you're to meet your demise this way, as some type of ritualistic sacrifice. After all, that's how you've felt as of late, like some type of offering or pawn. Still, you had hoped to go out under slightly less cliche terms. Regardless, you haven't given up hope yet and try to focus on a means of escape. The more you struggle against your binds, the hotter the room appears to become. Beads of sweat run along your neck and down between your still panting bosom. The slightly jagged stone you're lying on, as well as the rough rope, rubs against your skin as you try in vain to break free. Exhaling in frustration, you pause for a moment while trying to regain your breath. Your eyes slowly flutter closed after a moment and your mind begins to drift. You find yourself thinking back to the various events that led you to this moment.