Chapter 34: Novark Town: En Route to the Battlefield
"Greetings, Zac, Bella," Elise greeted with a warm smile. Clarisse, taking the lead, inquired, "Are you prepared to embark on our journey?" Both Bella and Zac nodded in confirmation.
Clarisse guided the group, with Zac and Bella following suit, as they set forth on their quest. "May I inquire about the proximity of the battlefield, and are we to traverse it on foot?" Zac inquired with a touch of curiosity.
"No need for such exertion," Elise replied with a hint of amusement. "We shall utilize the teleportation portal to transport ourselves to the nearest town adjacent to the battlefield. From there, our feet shall carry us forward."
Bella's curiosity bubbled to the surface as she questioned, "Is there no teleportation portal within the castle? Why do we need to use the one outside?"
Clarisse, with an air of authority, interjected, "The internal portal is not linked to the town near the battlefield. It's a security measure."
Undeterred, the group navigated through the city, converging upon the teleportation hall.
Upon arrival, Zac and Bella were met with the sight of extensive queues forming outside the teleportation hall. The architectural grandeur of the hall, with its peripteral design featuring a colonnaded portico encircling the structure, commanded attention. A raised podium, accessible by a stately staircase, showcased Corinthian columns lending an air of regality to the hall.
With practiced finesse, Clarisse escorted Zac and Bella to the forefront, brandishing her Family's distinguished token. The guards, recognizing the emblem, expedited their entry without a hint of delay.
Inside, as the group seamlessly transitioned, the vigilant guards swiftly prevented others from entering. The orderly crowd outside remained composed, understanding the protocol of restricting access when the primary family members engaged the portal.
As Zac and Bella surveyed their surroundings, they discovered that the inner sanctum of the hall held the imposing statue of the Blood Queen. The frieze, adorned with meticulously carved reliefs, depicted intricate mythological scenes, chronicling the epic tales of the Vampire-Werewolf War and the bestowal of power by the Blood Queen.
Within this hallowed space, six teleportation platforms commanded attention. Operated and guarded by vigilant pairs of individuals, the platforms offered gateways to the unknown. The circular formation of six imposing archways, adorned with ethereal glyphs, whispered tales of mystical realms. The guardians, draped in dark, regal attire befitting their vampiric nature, seamlessly blended into the shadows.
Cloaked in fabric reminiscent of midnight silk, their garments concealed the true nature of their movements, allowing only glimpses of their phantom-like grace. Mysterious masks, crafted with exquisite detail, shrouded their faces, rendering them expressionless and impervious to the betrayals of emotion.
In an eerie display of stillness, interrupted only by the occasional faint swaying, these sentinels stood with unsettling grace, defying the limitations of mortal articulation. Tasked with the solemn duty of guarding the portals, they executed their roles with deliberate actions, maintaining an aura of otherworldly solemnity.
Under Clarisse's guidance, the group approached a designated portal, where she presented her Family's token to the operator. The vigilant attendant, after a thorough verification, initiated the teleportation portal with a practiced efficiency.
Zac, his gaze fixed upon the unfolding spectacle, noted the distinctiveness of this portal compared to his previous encounters with Bella. The archways were resplendent, adorned with an intricate tapestry of elaborate runes and symbols. These celestial glyphs, softly aglow in a palette of otherworldly hues, served as the arcane language through which adept travelers could communicate with the portals and articulate their desired destinations.
Above each portal, a mesmerizing arcane matrix of floating runes hung, an exquisite testament to navigational artistry. Attuned individuals possessed the delicate skill to rearrange these runes, akin to celestial cartographers crafting a cosmic map. This intricate matrix served as a conduit for precision, allowing travelers to set coordinates with a finesse befitting the dance of celestial bodies.
In the midst of this mystical display, Zac, ever inquisitive, questioned the practicalities, "Doesn't operating this contraption consume a considerable amount of energy?"
Elise, with a knowing smile, replied, "Indeed, it does."
Perplexed, Zac pressed on, "Then why, pray tell, are we granted the luxury of teleportation without charge?"
Elise's response was tinged with a hint of familial assurance, "Oh, my dear little brother, teleportation is far from free. Consider it a privilege bestowed upon members of the main family." With a brief smile, she unraveled a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of privileges woven into their lineage.
Meanwhile, Clarisse seamlessly navigated the bureaucratic dance with the operator, brandishing the Family's token for verification. As the portal hummed to life, Zac's gaze lingered on the archways adorned with the celestial glyphs, realizing that the journey ahead was not only a physical passage but a nuanced negotiation with the arcane language of the supernatural.
Simultaneously, Zac engaged in telepathic discourse with Bella, questioning their approach, "Are we simply walking into the portal without any preparations?"
Bella, injecting a dose of humor into the exchange, quipped, "Planning on setting up a campfire and enjoying a meal before our grand entrance?"
Zac, with a serious demeanor, emphasized the gravity of his concern, "Bella, this isn't a joking matter. Remember our last attempt? I had to jury-rig a makeshift space pod to navigate the portal, and I nearly succumbed to the exposure to space energy."
Undeterred, Bella reassured him with a touch of confidence, "Zac, you can't compare our makeshift portal with this sophisticated arrangement. I'm sure they've inscribed special runes here to stabilize the pathway, allowing for direct bodily travel without the need for contraptions."
With the teleportation portal fully charged, the operator inquired, "Destination?" Clarisse, with unwavering confidence, declared, "Novark Town."
The operator, a skilled artisan in the arcane language of runes, swiftly commenced the ritual. His hands danced across the intricate symbols, orchestrating a symphony of cosmic energies. The glow emanating from the teleportation portal pulsated in tandem with the operator's deft movements, a visual manifestation of the harmonious coordination between magic and skill.
As the operator completed the delicate choreography of rearranging runes, the teleportation portal regained its stability. Turning towards Clarisse, he formally declared, "You may proceed." Clarisse, accompanied by Elise, Zac, and Bella, acknowledged the permission with a nod and confidently stepped into the portal.
The transition from one realm to another unfolded with a seamless grace, marking the commencement of their journey to Novark Town.
As Zac ventured into the teleportation portal, he experienced a paradoxical blend of familiarity and novelty. The recognizable embrace of space energy enveloped him, a sensation he had encountered before. However, an unexpected twist manifested. A profound shift occurred within Zac, causing his body to shudder as if responding to some unseen force.
A peculiar occurrence unfolded as Zac's cells commenced a vibration at a distinct frequency. Observing his own hands, he witnessed them oscillating and, at a certain point, transitioning between the realms of illusion and reality. His form wavered, caught in a dance of ephemeral existence.
Turning his gaze to the surroundings, Zac sought reassurance from his companions, only to be met with streaks of light flowing beside him. In a state of confusion, he reached out to Bella through their telepathic connection, "Bella, what is happening to my body?"
"Allow me a moment. I'm in the process of analysis," Bella, residing in Zac's soul sea, calmly asserted. However, before their inquiry could delve further into the mysteries unfolding, the teleportation journey abruptly concluded. The group found themselves in what appeared to be a smaller teleportation hall, a scaled-down version compared to the grandeur of the Crimson city.
With a concern for their well-being, Clarisse inquired, "Is everyone unharmed?" Assured of their safety, Clarisse led the party out of the teleportation hall into a bustling street adorned with an array of diverse stores, capturing the attention of Zac and Bella.
Seizing the opportunity to update Zac, Bella communicated, "I'm unable to fully decipher what transpired with your body. I have some lingering uncertainties. Rest assured, I will provide a comprehensive explanation once I have absolute clarity." Zac, in acknowledgment, nodded.
"Welcome to Novark Town. Despite its nomenclature as a town, its dimensions rival that of a typical city," Elise remarked with a touch of informative elegance.
"Given the lack of immediate preparations required, let's proceed directly to the battlefield. If we embark promptly, we should arrive well before dusk," Clarisse declared, efficiently setting the course for their next destination.
In unanimous accord with Clarisse's strategic decision, the group wasted no time, embarking on their journey with a shared determination.
Unbeknownst to our intrepid group, a mysterious figure shrouded in black robes lingered just outside the teleportation hall. This enigmatic presence turned out to be none other than Craig. Acutely aware of Novark Town's pivotal role as a transit point to the battlefield, Craig had strategically positioned himself ahead of their arrival, laying the groundwork for his clandestine plans.
With a keen sense of anticipation, Craig shadowed the group, expertly blending into the stream of travelers converging towards the battlefield. His dark attire served as a cloak of anonymity, allowing him to maintain a discreet distance while staying unnoticed amidst the diverse crowd.
Aware of the clandestine protection surrounding their group, Craig patiently bided his time, cognizant that an emissary from Madame Vanessa would eventually arrive to divert the attention of their mysterious guardian. Once the path was clear, he schemed to eliminate the perceived obstacle in the form of the young brat, Zac.
Meanwhile, Zac observed other travelers sharing the same trajectory as their group. Inquisitive, he sought clarification, "Are they also en route to the battlefield?"
Clarisse, with a composed response, shared insights, "Some are, while others have different destinations." Perceiving Zac's perplexed expression, she elucidated, "Our journey to the battlefield leads us through the Bloodthorn Forest. It's a perilous route where some individuals venture to hunt ferocious beasts. The materials garnered from these creatures' remains can fetch a substantial sum in the market."
"The moniker 'Bloodthorn Forest' does carry an eerie resonance," Bella remarked with a hint of trepidation.
Clarisse, adopting a sober tone, affirmed, "It's not merely the name; the forest lives up to its ominous reputation." Following a thoughtful pause, she delved into an unsettling explanation, "The nomenclature originates from the presence of a peculiar sentient species unique to this woodland—the Bloodthorn trees. These trees unleash vines adorned with thorns, a sinister defense mechanism that ensnares anyone in proximity. The thorns, once embedded, extract the blood from their victims, reducing them to mere husks of skin and bones. The macabre twist lies in the fact that the trees then wrap these lifeless forms, crush them into powder, and release the remnants at their roots, where they are absorbed."
A shiver traversed the spines of Zac and Bella as they absorbed Clarisse's unsettling depiction of the Bloodthorn Forest. Sensing their disquiet, Elise offered reassurance, "Fear not. Our path merely skirts the forest's perimeter. The truly perilous Bloodthorn trees are situated deeper within. You need only concern yourselves with the occasional stray beast crossing our way, and even those are unlikely to be formidable near the outskirts."
Intrigued, Zac, fueled by his insatiable curiosity, inquired, "Has anyone ventured into the heart of the forest?"
Clarisse, maintaining a composed demeanor, replied, "Undoubtedly. We possess comprehensive information about the entire forest, indicating that explorers have delved into its depths."
Bella, harboring a skeptical air, questioned, "You mentioned ferocious beasts inhabiting the forest. Why haven't they fallen prey to the Bloodthorn trees?"
Clarisse, her response tinged with an air of uncertainty, explained, "My uncle mentioned a pact between the ruler of the ferocious beasts and the king of the Bloodthorn trees. Though the details escape me at the moment."
Meanwhile, trailing behind the group, Craig's patience wore thin. Seizing the opportunity presented by the group's isolation, he readied himself for action. The secluded stretch of their journey, devoid of other travelers, provided the ideal backdrop for his clandestine plans to unfold.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone