Anthony was the first to head down into the hole, with Timon following closely behind.
Soon, all seven found themselves in a dark cavern.
Taking out their torches, they set them alight before gaining the necessary illumination to further study their surroundings.
The cavern possessed naturally ford pillars with stalactites and stalagmites punctuating the ground and ceiling.
Ahead, what looked like an insect’s nest, albeit comically larger, was in full view causing the Nesters to put up their guard.
The sight and in extension, the entirety of the cavern held a slightly eerie vibe that caused tingles to reverberate through the bodies of those currently within but this only served to fuel the curiosity of the Nesters as they turned their attention to Ulysses, the last to drop into the cavern.
At first, taken aback by their gazes, he quickly understood what it ant and so, taking a deep breath, he intoned. "We’ll head in but first, I’ll divine the path ahead to check for danger."
Anthony nodded with a proud expression decorating his face.
Nudging Timon in a manner that seed to say, ’See, I told you he could do it’, He then remarked. "Do what you think is right."
Ulysses smiled before taking out a pendant from his pocket to carry out the divination.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and entered a ditative state, before softly muttering. "Is there danger ahead?... Is there danger ahead?... Is there danger ahead?"
Opening his eyes, he watched as the necklace moved to and fro a few tis before coming to a sudden stop.
Pursing his lips, he said. "We can move forward but let’s exercise caution."
"Noted."
"Also, Uncle Leonard, Aunt Agnes, perhaps your familiars would be willing to scout ahead for us?"
"The darkness ahead is too thick, they won’t be of much help," Leonard replied with Ulysses nodding.
"In that case, let’s get moving."
Satisfied with his first act as leader, Ulysses took confident steps forward with the others following closely behind.
Arriving at the nest, Ulysses decided to trust his gut and so just picked the largest hole in the nest before proceeding forward.
In their trek, they soon found what appeared to be bones of creatures unknown scattered across, almost like the owners had been engaged in a conflict of interest before their unfortunate demise.
Rather than apprehensive, the Nesters took the sight as a pri case for study with Agnes taking steady steps forward, her eyes bright with curiosity.
As an Expert in Animal Evolution, such a scene was enough to spark interest in her as she picked up one of the bones to examine it.
"What is it?" Timon inquired.
"No idea. However, judging from its appearance and refined design, it appears to be the remains of so sort of avian."
Then, she picked up another before intoning. "And this appears to be from so sort of arachnid."
"Mutants?"
"I don’t think so. Due to the aggressive transformation of their genetic structure by surplus aether, Mutants usually end up degrading rapidly after death, it would be impossible to find a mutant remains preserved so perfectly."
"So an ancient species, then."
"Perhaps. I do recall we possess a record, Creatures Unknown. I’ll check it for further research once we return."
Saying that, she proceeded to carefully wrap up both bone fragnts in a piece of cloth before placing it in her adventurer’s bag.
"Do we proceed?" Anthony inquired as he turned to Ulysses.
Pursing his lips, Ulysses fell into deep thought for a mont before remarking. "What is the possibility that descendants of these creatures are still alive?"
"Very little. The cycle of destruction docunted so far has revealed that no living creature has survived, hence, I doubt there would be any survivors and even if there were, there’s nothing for it to feed on. It would die from hunger."
Nodding in understanding, Ulysses took out his pendant and carried out yet another divination, resulting in a similar result as the last one.
Satisfied with this, he led the group onward.
Finally, after almost an hour of trekking, they exited the nest, finding themselves in yet another cavern with a notable difference.
The entirety of the cavern floor was covered by beautiful flowers of varying colors both big and small while at the end of it, a large crystalline wall stood in great contrast to the rocky aspects of the structure.
***
"I have co to bargain," Alex remarked, his tone slow and deliberate as he took steady steps forward.
Aiden raised a brow, scrutinizing his approaching figure. "What are the terms?"
"I will hunt down a Monarch and kill them, in return, you will take away the vow keeping Ana tethered to this continent. Do we have a deal?"
"Is that all?" Aiden inquired, his expression revealing that he was hardly impressed with the lackluster offer.
"Killing a Monarch would surely help in the Empire’s efforts to fight off the Night Kindred."
"I’d think you’d be more sensible to at least offer to stop the war entirely considering you are the major reason it’s happening, isn’t that right, young man?"
"It is too far-reaching to say that my presence is what caused the vampires to do away with the Peace Accords."
"It did spur them on however, at least they have a reason to fight once again."
"Regardless, my offer still stands."
"I refuse."
"I see," Alex muttered before proceeding to add. "Fine then, two Monarchs."
"It would seem you do not understand so I shall do well to spell it out for you," Aiden remarked sternly. "Ana shall not be freed from her vow."
"..." Alex kept silent, his expression unreadable as he t Aiden’s gaze.
"Do you have anything more to say?" Aiden inquired.
Alex sighed. "You leave no choice."
"Hmm?"
"I propose an exchange."
"What kind?"
"3." Alex began, raising his fingers to emphasize the number he uttered. "I will compete with you, trying to survive as you unleash three of your strongest moves."
"Alex, no!" Ana instinctively blurted out with Alex raising a hand to silence her.
Aiden’s expression revealed his interest in the proposal as he intended. "Go on."
Reviews
All reviews (0)