The enormous entity followed suit behind it.
Orion observed the enormous entity with wide eyes, filled with shock.
The creature was a grotesque, monstrous figure with thick, inky black and pale skin. Its upper body was humanoid, with four arms-two on each side-while its lower body stretched outwards like nurous tentacles resembling vines.
Its fearso appearance was horrifying as it erged from the water with razor-sharp jaws wide open, all four arms, each ending in sharp claws, outstretched to capture the Morphic Puppet.
It was enough to terrify any mortal.
However, what truly shook Orion wasn't its grotesque form but the thick, crystal-like locks of hair. He recognized the enormous entity as none other than a Prisrion!
The smaller entity in his grasp was also a Prisrion with more humanoid features-two legs and two arms-except for its razor-sharp teeth and wide-open jaws, which seed ready to bite Morphic Puppet holding it.
"What's going on? Tell what you see," Ilse asked again, her tone filled with urgency and concern. She was anxious and curious about what had caused Orion's expression to morph into such shock.
Orion withdrew from his thoughts, turning toward her and opened his mouth to speak hesitatingly.
Ilse suddenly felt a bold premonition stirring in her heart.
"If you've found sothing, Orion, please inform us. We're all eager to know what it is," Aurora added.
Aerailia silently nodded in agreent.
The Key Leaders, including Forr Village Chief Brane and Chieftess Zara, voiced their thoughts, unable to control their curiosity. They, too, were eager to know what Orion had uncovered within the pocket dinsion.
Unable to withhold the information any longer, Orion nodded and explained, "I found sothing similar to a Vylkr spawn within the ocean."
Ilse furrowed her brows, looking at Orion in bafflent.
Aurora and the remaining Key Leaders were astonished by the revelation but felt a chill crawl down their spines at the ntion of a Vylkr spawn.
"And... the Vylkr spawns resemble Prisrions," Orion continued.
Selene and the others felt their minds reel the mont his words landed, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Ilse stood motionless, frozen in shock.
"... What did you say?" Ilse managed to ask, her lips trembling with emotion.
Orion repeated his words, revealing everything he had learned.
Seeing the doubt in Ilse's gaze, Orion turned once more to observe the enormous entity swimming in the vast ocean before ordering the Morphic Puppet to return.
As they had suspected, when Morphic Puppet tried to exit the pocket dinsion, the rift was no longer there, confirming that entering wasn't a problem; there was only a problem when it wanted to leave.
Fortunately, they had prepared for such an event. Without delay, Morphic Puppet vanished from its position, teleporting out of the pocket dinsion and reappearing before them.
.....
Unbeknownst to Orion and the others, within the pocket dinsion, just below Morphic Puppet stood, a small head peeked out from the water, looking around curiously. Unable to find anything, it wore a frustrated expression before subrging back into the water.
Outside the pocket dinsion,
As Morphic Puppet returned, holding the grotesque entity tightly in its grasp, Ilse collapsed, her trembling gaze fixed on the creature with all-too-familiar features.
Aurora narrowed her eyes at the scene unfolding before her.
The Key Leaders and others imdiately backed away, thinking they were under attack. They sighed in relief when they realized it was a false alarm, but their expressions turned grim as they observed the familiar features of the entity within Morphic Puppet's grip.
"My... child...," Ilse whispered, her voice cracking with emotion as tears stread down her face. "...What happened? Who did this to you?"
Unable to bear the sight, the Key Leaders, Forr Village Chief Brane and Chieftess Zara turned their heads away, exhaling tiredly with heavy emotions.
Only Selene continued to watch, her eyes drenched with tears as she covered her mouth, silencing her mournful cries.
Such a terrible existence! Who could have done such a thing? They thought.
If they had any doubts about the origin of the abandoned pocket dinsion before, they were confident now. Only one person could be held accountable for such a horrendous sight, and that person was none other than Naka!
Aurora continued to watch the grotesque entity, narrowing her eyes in thought.
Aerialia also intently observed it.
Though silent, their minds raced, each filled with different thoughts.
Orion glanced at Ilse. He guessed she might have already suspected this pocket dinsion was sohow related to Naka, which explained her earlier anxious behaviour.
He then refocused on the spatial rift, wondering if more secrets were hidden. If there were any further clues about Naka or whoever was responsible for this, he was eager to uncover them.
"...Release him," Ilse ordered.
Orion nodded, and Morphic Puppet let go of the entity in its grasp.
The entity dropped to the ground, quickly recovering itself. It looked around warily, but just as it was about to move, it froze in place, lifted off the ground by an invisible force.
Ilse had restricted its movent telepathically. With a wave of her hand, she opened a rift in space and walked through it. The rift pulled Orion and everyone else present along with her. Another rift opened within the Golden Palace. Ilse erged first, the entity hovering behind
her.
Orion and the others reappeared as well, still in the sa positions.
"I'm sorry for dragging you all in without warning, but I've already exhausted myself and don't think I can stay awake much longer," Ilse apologized.
Orion nodded, unbothered. He understood it was necessary; they had to make every second count in dealing with the pocket dinsion before Ilse lost consciousness.
The others felt the sa way.
"I want you to wait for for a few days so I can join you in exploring the pocket dinsion," Ilse said firmly. She could see they were eager to uncover the secrets hidden within it, and she
shared that eagerness.
"No. It's too dangerous for you to co with us," Orion responded, shaking his head firmly.
"Why? Is it because of my emotions? I assure you, I can handle them," Ilse said, her figure trembling as she stared at Orion, her fists clenched.
"It's because Paradise needs you. We don't know what will happen if you leave Paradise to follow us. Even though the ti you can remain awake has increased, it's still limited. Besides, we're unsure if a divine being or Vylkr spawn might erge and wander into the pocket dinsion so we need soone to stay outside to warn us if that happens," Orion explained why she couldn't accompany them.
"Orion is right, Goddess Ilse. Even if we're confident the exploration will go smoothly with you, it's still equally dangerous. It would be best to stay in Paradise until you fully recover," Aurora added, agreeing with Orion.
Ilse frowned. "Are you also planning on joining the exploration?" she asked, picking up on
Aurora's intent.
"I am. That way, I can ensure their safety," Aurora nodded.
Ilse studied Aurora, then shifted her gaze to Aerialia, who wore a solemn expression while
floating beside Orion.
Aerialia nodded, sensing Ilse's gaze.
Ilse exhaled tiredly. "Fine, I'll stay and continue to watch over Paradise," she said, refocusing
on Orion.
Ilse stretched her hand forward, subrging it into a golden glowing rift that appeared before her. When she withdrew it, two golden keys with tiny gemstones on their bows and
beautiful engravings on their bodies were in her hand.
Ilse tossed the keys toward Orion and Aurora.
"With this keys, you can open a rift back to the Golden Palace no matter where you are, as long
as the restrictions on the space aren't powerful enough to prevent it. If they are, you must use its strength to override them. If I had access to a larger portion of my vault, I would have given you sothing better," Ilse explained, detailing the keys' function.
There were keys that could open a door regardless of any restrictions they encountered, but they were hidden within the Golden Palace. Her forr self had placed restrictions on several sections for various reasons, which she could only access when she had enough strength.
Orion and Aurora nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, goddess Ilse," They thanked her for the keys.
"Who are the others you've chosen to join you on the exploration?" Ilse asked. "Stronghold Leader Seth and Iris," Orion replied, glancing at Seth, who stood behind him.
With Morphic Puppet, Aurora, Seth, and Iris's strengths combined, he was confident they would survive any enemy they encountered, as long as it wasn't a divine being. "Cough... Aren't you forgetting two more?" Forr Village Chief Brane cleared his throat and spoke up. He stepped forward with Forr Village Chieftess Zara beside him. Both wore firm
expressions.
Noticing Orion's frown, Brane continued, "I told you before, Chief, we are not afraid of death. We look forward to it as long as we can gain recognition of the Divine Mysteries." He had decided after learning that Zogar led 40 four-star warriors against a stowaway alliance and two Grade One Runaway Cities.
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