Chapter 1135: Territories Of The Forces
Chapter 1135: Territories Of The Forces
A bright light shone from a hovering stone platform at the centre of a vast hall, spreading an immense glow that enveloped the entire space. A large formation of runes, glyphs and various inscriptions, rotating swiftly above the platform, emitted an overwhelming pressure that filled the room.
Soon...
The rotating formation began to slow down, and the bright, milky light dimmed until it vanished, revealing Orion, Fifi, Nadia, and the stony guards.
The teleportation had lasted precisely five seconds, just as Nadia had said.
Orion curiously surveyed his surroundings. The hall was vast, supported by massive stone pillars. Two rows of soldiers were stationed on both sides of the floating teleportation platform and at the entrance of the large mixed wooden and metallic gates in the distance. With a glance, Orion discerned they were currently underground.
"This is the Crown Palace within the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled," Nadia explained. "Due to the impromptu nature of your arrival, my soldiers will lead you to two rooms where you can rest before moving you to a more comfortable one. It will only take less than thirty minutes, so there's no need to worry."
Orion nodded. "There's no need to prepare two rooms for us; one room will do."
A brief look of realization flickered across Nadia's face before disappearing.
"Oh, I apologize for my lack of insight. I didn't realize the two of you were in a relationship," Nadia said, slightly bowing. "In that case, I'll ensure a larger room is prepared for both of you."
Orion nodded silently.
Fifi snorted in response. Even though she knew her physique was intimidating, she hadn't lost her womanly charm.
She wasn't sure if it was due to her unique genetics as one of the few humans in Paradise. In fact, she had managed to inspire various female warriors, including her sisters: Gina, Sura, Ursa, and Tala. Tala was the only one intensely focused on surpassing her physique and capabilities.
With her talent, Fifi knew she could slowly catch up but not surpass her, as she wasn't planning to remain idle or halt her training anytime soon.
Still, Fifi could sense that Nadia wasn't referring to this, and it only took her a few seconds to figure it out. After all, it wasn't the first time she had heard such comments.
Nadia swiftly gestured to the guards standing nearby.
Ten of them stepped forward, arriving before them.
"Take them to our best guest rooms. Ensure they are protected and all their needs are satisfied," Nadia commanded.
The ten guards nodded firmly and approached Orion and Fifi, leading the way.
Orion and Fifi nodded at Nadia in appreciation before following the guards.
Nadia exhaled in relief at their appreciative nods. Although they didn't seem dangerous from their previous conversation, their mysterious appearance still made her immensely wary of their identities.
Nadia pushed the thought to the back of her mind and gestured to one of the stony guards beside her. "Inform the head maid that I want to see her personally," she ordered.
The stony guard nodded firmly and swiftly left to fulfil the command.
...
Far to the southwest,
Brane and Zara stood before an enormous trench carved into the seabed like a massive scar, stretching outwards like a labyrinth canyon etched deep into the earth. Within the canyon were many underwater volcanoes, steadily expelling fumes of smoke that rose to the ocean's surface, obscuring the rest of the canyon.
"Is this where the Bastion of the Ashen Hope is located?" Brane asked, casting a look at Knight Darian.
Knight Darian nodded with a smile. "Yes. Follow us, and we will lead the way to our destination. Entering the wrong path, accidentally crossing over a vent, or being near a massive explosion can lead to certain death. I understand you are confident in your strength, but I'd appreciate it if you would avoid reckless actions," he said.
"Can you also command them to stay close and follow our movements?" he asked, glancing at the numerous headless winged spawns behind them.
Brane and Zara nodded. They could sense the trench's extraordinary nature and were willing to follow calmly, considering their current location.
Zara was also beginning to glimpse fragments of the future. Despite her growth, the doors she could now make out were fewer than before, frustrating her momentarily before she calmed down.
However, hearing his question, they frowned. They had no way to command the headless, winged spawns behind them and were unsure if the creatures would even listen.
Suddenly, as the thought crossed their minds, the headless winged Vylkr spawns grouped together, stunning them before splitting in half and plunging into the rippling shadows.
They disappeared, leaving only two behind.
To their astonishment, the two headless winged spawns merged with Brane's and Zara's bodies, seeping through their clothes and bronze armour like an extra layer of protection. Stunned, Zara raised her hand and clenched her fist, feeling the formidable power within her grasp.
Seeing the inky black layer of skin wrapped around his body and his wife's, Brane felt a similar surge of strength.
"Even though we told them we want to achieve this on our own, it seems they aren't willing to let us put ourselves in danger," Brane said tiredly, sending a message to his wife through the
mask.
"Maybe this won't affect our chances of attaining godhood. After all, being protected by such a unique goddess is a privilege, and I'm sure it will enhance our qualities rather than hinder us. Compared to Orion, Aurora is a much more reliable and amiable individual, so it's best we trust her foresight," Zara responded.
They both glanced at the immense volcanic trench before them and quickly realized why the headless, winged spawns had wrapped around their armour, giving them an extra layer of protection and enhancing their strength.
They refocused their gaze on Knight Darian, whose mouth was wide open, along with the forces of the Bastion of the Ashen Legion, who had backed away and stood in an attack formation. Their trembling hands gripped their weapons tightly, some not even holding them
properly.
"I apologize for the disruption, Knight Darian, but I'd appreciate it if we could continue immediately," Brane said, clearing his throat.
Knight Darian and the others snapped out of their trance.
"...Are... the... two... of... you... feeling... alright?" Knight Darian asked, his voice trembling
with each word.
"We are both fine," Brane responded, nodding firmly.
"I assure you, there's nothing wrong with us," Zara nodded.
Hearing their response, Knight Darian breathed a sigh of relief and smiled slightly. "Alright, stay close." Patting his protruding breastplate, he gestured for the rest of the forces to return to the formation and swam down the trench.
The others followed closely behind.
Far Southeast,
Izak and the forces came to a sudden halt.
Aurora and Iris, following behind, also stopped.
"Is this the Tidal Depths Kingdom?" Aurora asked, glancing curiously around her
surroundings.
She had already dispersed the Eternal Chaos Legion and recovered the energy she had spent, with the rest stored within her staff before entering the territory.
Iris also looked around curiously.
Surrounding them was a vast seabed with formations of crimson coral reefs, as well as several other colours and beautiful natural formations. But the only thing that seemed out of place in this stunning landscape was the surprisingly large number of tainted beings swimming at a distance around them-some were heavily chained to the seabed, while others freely roamed. Each bore the same resemblance as the residents of the Tidal Depths Kingdom before them, but they appeared to ignore their presence as though they weren't even there. Aurora and Iris found the scene too astounding to process.
"We are only at the entrance. You might not be able to see the Tidal Depths Kingdom due to the illusionary barrier protecting it, but it will open in a few moments for us to pass through," Izak responded with a slightly proud smile.
Though he couldn't read their expressions, he could tell by the curiosity in their voices that he had managed to astonish the mysterious travellers before him.
However, her following words made his thoughts come to a grinding halt.
Aurora nodded and replied, "I asked because I can see the barrier and the Tidal Depths
Kingdom." She advanced a few steps and halted before stretching her right arm forward.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
At first, it seemed like a simple gesture, but then the other side of her arm rippled through the water and vanished into thin air.
A sudden, tense silence enveloped their surroundings.
.....
Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled Territory,
In a wide, stony room with beautiful paintings depicting layouts of trees, mountains, and rivers on the walls, seemingly attempting to create the illusion that the room was within a vast forest, a large, comfy king-sized bed made from tree branches stood at the centre. Soft-textured linens covered it, and five chairs were arranged around a table in what appeared to be a dining area on the other side of the room. An adjacent room held a small pool, seemingly a bathing area.
Orion lay on the bed, amazed at how similar it felt to his comfy bed at the manor, though a
few stiff areas still needed fixing.
.....
Author's Note: After peeking at the Basion of Ashen Hope Territory, you can easily discern why I initially picked Seth.