Chapter 57: Ancient Demons
As I stopped my spinning, my gaze landed on the path leading West. It felt right as if an invisible hand was guiding me, or perhaps it was just my own intuition playing tricks on me.
"Alright, West it is"
I shook my head, trying to shake off the uncertainty that lingered. I took a step forward, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit passage as I ventured into the unknown.
Tap... Tap...
The walls seemed to close in a bit, and the path gradually sloped downward. It was eerily quiet, and every sound I made echoed through the corridor. The air felt heavy, laden with a sense of history and purpose. I couldn't help but wonder what trials awaited me on this chosen path.
I moved cautiously, my hand brushing against the cold, rough stone walls. The passage was slightly curved, and after a few minutes of walking, it opened up into a wider chamber. I paused to take in my surroundings.
The chamber was adorned with intricate carvings on the walls, depicting scenes of ancient battles, mystical creatures, and individuals with twisting horns, demons harnessing dark mana.
These images seemed to come alive in the flickering torchlight, telling stories of the past. The carvings, although beautiful, gave off an aura of foreboding, as if they were guardians of the secrets hidden within this chamber.
I continued onward, and the path took another turn, leading me deeper into the maze-like structure. The air grew cooler, and I felt a slight breeze, a sign that I was getting closer to something significant. My senses were on high alert, every step calculated, every sound analyzed for potential danger.
After a while, I reached an intersection where the path split into two. There was a peculiar symbol on the ground, like a circle intersected by a vertical line and a horizontal line, resembling a cross. It seemed to be the key to proceed, a puzzle to solve before I could continue.
At first, I cursed, since this wasn't the same path Eva had chosen, but I knew that turning back was not an option, the torches behind me had already burned out, leaving me with only darkness.
As I pondered the meaning of the symbol, I noticed that there were four engravings on the walls, each representing a different element: fire, water, earth, and air. It dawned on me that the symbol might be related to these elements.
I considered the characteristics of each element. Fire was often associated with passion and energy, water with adaptability and flow, earth with stability and endurance, and air with freedom and intellect.
Tap...
I took a deep breath and made my choice. I placed my hand on the carving representing the element of fire, and the symbol on the ground began to glow softly.
Quake...
The chamber rumbled slightly, and a passage to the left of the fire carving opened up.
I stepped through the newly revealed passage, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.
The path twisted and turned, and after a few more minutes of walking, I reached another chamber. This one was different, though. It was circular, with a pedestal at the center holding a small, glowing crystal.
My heart raced as I approached the crystal, realizing that this was the next part of the trial. I carefully picked up the crystal, and a surge of energy coursed through me.
For a second my mind connected with something beyond comprehension.
I saw visions of ancient demons, vast landscapes, and beings that seemed otherworldly.
It wasn't anything I didn't know, but seeing the power of ancient Demons truly made me realize the magnitude of the power they possessed.
In one of the visions, I saw a young Demon cleave the Volcano in two with the sheer wind pressure of his sword strike.
In another one, I witnessed a middle-aged Demoness harnessing the power of water to create a massive tidal wave that swept away the entire coastline of a continent.
However, the one that left me the most in awe was the vision of an old, wise Demon standing at the summit of a mountain, surrounded by a swirling storm of fire and lightning.
His frail figure and blinding white hair betrayed his age, but his eyes were ablaze with wisdom and power not to be underestimated.
With a slight gesture of his hand, he commanded the elements to dance to his will, demonstrating the mastery he had gained over the forces of nature.
Meteors fell, Earth split open in his path, the water rose and fell in obedience, and the winds whipped around him at his command.
Even Lightning bowed to his will, striking where he directed and illuminating the sky with its fiery brilliance.
His control over Dark Mana was above anything else I had ever witnessed.
Somehow, at the back of my mind I knew...
All of these visions were the previous Demon Gods, beings who could impact the world in unimaginable ways with their immense power.
I didn't know why I was seeing these visions, but Eva hadn't discovered this room and didn't find this crystal, hence this was new.
However, now I am lost.
What should I do next?
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