Chapter 73: Middle of Nowhere
The envoy from Cardinal Peaks, Mayor Rachmat, Sheriff Nathkin, and Rhynn, alongside her trusted companion Ember collected themselves and took in their surroundings, they found themselves in a dimly lit chamber adorned with arcane symbols and mystical artifacts.
The air crackled with an unnatural energy, heightening their senses and sharpening their focus. The soft, flickering light of magical nature lined the walls, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets in the ancient language of magic.
The chamber was vast, its walls etched with complex carvings that depicted long-forgotten spells and mythical creatures. Beams of pale moonlight filtered through a high, arched window, casting an ethereal glow upon a raised platform at the center of the room.
Upon the platform was an ornate marble statue of a never-before-seen zak'nagi breed. Standing nearly ten feet tall, the statue gleamed with an iridescent purple hue, reflecting the ambient light in the chamber.
Its body was segmented, with sharp, jagged plates forming a protective carapace that covered its entire form. Glistening, multifaceted eyes adorned its elongated head, granting it an unnerving, all-seeing gaze. From its thorax, a pair of wings extended, hinting at its incredible speed and agility.
The statue's long, slender legs terminated in razor-sharp, scythe-like claws that could rend steel and stone with ease. Each leg was adorned with a series of patterns, reminiscent of those etched on the walls, hinting at a connection to the arcane.
Along the creature's back, rows of spiky protrusions trailed all the way to the tip of its abdomen, giving off an aura of danger and menace, as if these spines were capable of launching projectiles.
But the most distinct aspect of the statue was its tail. A row of seven grotesque terminal appendages extended outward. Each appendage resembled a scythe, curved and wickedly sharp. These deadly blades glistened with a malevolent aura, hinting at their formidable lethality.
The level of craftsmanship in the statue was extraordinary, capturing the elaborate details of the creature's fearsome visage and its essence of primal threat. As if it was not a statue but a real live zak'nagi, frozen in time.
As their eyes adjusted to the dim light, the group noticed a series of doorways leading out from the chamber. Each doorway pulsated with a different hue, casting a faint glow that illuminated the path beyond. The choices before them were clear, each doorway promising a unique and perilous journey.
Mayor Rachmat's gaze swept across the chamber, his voice filled with awe and curiosity.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"One of these doorway will surely lead us out of here."
Sheriff Nathkin, ever vigilant, surveyed their surroundings, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his trusted mace.
「 Sheriff Nathkin 」
"Stay cautious."
"We don't know what may lie ahead."
"It has been a while since I felt this kind of arcane pressure."
Rhynn's eyes gleamed with dread. She could feel the pulsating energy of the chamber resonating with her own mystical abilities.
「 Rhynn Erulisse 」
"The paths before us hold great power and great danger."
"We must attune ourselves to the energies emanating from each doorway and choose the path that aligns with us the most."
Ember, its fiery presence casting a warm glow in the chamber, growled softly in agreement. The flames upon its mane seemed to dance in rhythm with the flickering torches as if urging the group to embrace the challenge before them.
The group gathered in a circle, their gazes fixated on the doorways, each one glowing with a distinct hue. The air was heavy as they contemplated their choices. Each doorway held the promise of escape from this unknown place.
With a shared understanding, the envoys of Cardinal Peaks steeled themselves for the trials that awaited them. Their determination burned bright amidst the mystical ambiance of the chamber. They knew that the path they chose would shape their destiny and determine the fate of Cardinal Peaks.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Any takes, Nath?"
「 Sheriff Nathkin (whimsy) 」
"Well..."
"Lemme try."
"Eenie, meenie..."
「 Rhynn Erulisse 」
"Stop that Mr. Cole..."
"I am trying to concentrate!"
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Hahaha..."
As the group exchanged a brief moment of lightheartedness to ease the tension, Sheriff Nathkin cleared his throat and adopted a more serious demeanor.
「 Sheriff Nathkin 」
"Apologies, Rhynn."
"As serious as ever, it seems."
He approached the doorways, his keen eyes scrutinizing each one, searching for any signs or clues that might guide their decision. The pulsating energy of the chamber seemed to intensify as he drew nearer, the arcane pressure growing more palpable with each step.
His hand hesitated, suspended in mid-air as he weighed the gravity of their choice. Finally, he took a deep breath and pointed towards the doorway emitting a soft, green glow.
「 Sheriff Nathkin 」
"This one."
"I sense a resonance with the protective magic we've encountered in Necrotia."
Rhynn closed her eyes, her connection to the spirits growing stronger as she attuned herself to the energies emanating from the chosen doorway.
「 Rhynn Erulisse 」
"Yes, I feel it too."
"This path calls to me also."
"The energy that emanates beyond this doorway is..."
"Familiar."
The group stood in front of a set of doorways, each leading to a different unknown path. The room was dimly lit, and the reliable source of light was the flickering presence of Ember. As the group deliberated over which path to choose, Ember let out a low rumble, as if indicating its approval for the choice they were about to make.
With their decision finalized, the group stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the chosen doorway. As they did, a sudden surge of energy enveloped them, leaving them disoriented and bewildered. The air around them was charged with otherworldly magic, and they were surrounded by a swirl of mystery and intrigue.
The chamber they had left behind faded from view as they stepped through the doorway, leaving them in a completely different location. Rhynn was the most taken aback by the sudden change of scenery, but despite her puzzled expression, she exuded an air of confidence, as though she knew exactly where they were and what they needed to do next.
"This is Venaria Forest!"
「 Sheriff Nathkin 」
"Are you sure Rhynn?"
"The trees..."
"I have never seen this kind of tree in Venaria before."
"Look like they are not from this world at all."
Rhynn's brows furrowed as she observed the unfamiliar trees that surrounded them. Their trunks were slender and shimmered with a silvery hue, while their leaves were translucent, reflecting the ambient light in a mesmerizing display. The branches swayed gently, as if they possessed a life of their own, whispering secrets in a language only they understood.
Rhynn's connection to the spirits deepened, and she closed her eyes, seeking guidance from the mystical forces that dwelled within the forest. The spirits whispered to her, their voices carried on a subtle breeze that rustled the luminescent leaves.
「 Rhynn Erulisse 」
"These trees..."
Rhynn paused for a moment as if trying to prevent a slip of the tongue before continuing.
"The spirits urge us to venture deeper..."
"Into this unfamiliar territory."
Ember's flames danced with flickering intensity, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated their path. Mayor Rachmat, though slightly bewildered by the sudden change of surroundings, placed his trust in Rhynn's spiritual guidance.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Rhynn, lead the way."
"We shall follow your guidance."
Sheriff Nathkin, ever vigilant and protective, drew his mace, its polished surface gleaming in the otherworldly light.
「 Sheriff Nathkin 」
"Stay close, everyone."
"We don't know what dangers lie ahead."
As they ventured deeper into the enchanted forest, the air grew thicker with mystical energy. Strange and fantastical creatures flitted between the shimmering trees, their forms supernatural and ever-changing. Unfamiliar sounds filled the air, a symphony of whispers, chimes, and harmonious melodies that resonated with the very essence of the forest.
The path they followed wound through the forest like a meandering river, sometimes narrowing and other times opening up to reveal hidden clearings filled with vibrant flowers that glowed in hues not found in the mortal realm. The ground beneath their feet felt soft as if walking on a carpet of moss and petals.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, they reached a point where the path split into three distinct ways. Each path beckoned with its own unique allure, promising untold wonders and challenges.
The first path veered off to the right, disappearing into a dense thicket of vines and flowers. The second path led straight ahead, vanishing into a mist-shrouded grove. And the third path curved to the left, meandering through a grove of ancient trees with gnarled branches that seemed to reach out like beckoning hands.
The group paused, their eyes scanning the paths, considering the choices before them. The air hummed with anticipation as if the forest itself awaited their decision.
「 Rhynn Erulisse 」
"The spirits are silent."
"We are on our own, now"
Mayor Rachmat nodded, his eyes filled with determination.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Choices after choices..."
"As if we are hamsters running around in a maze."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Babazam
Babazam Since WN doesn't like my story, I will find other platforms to continue... but here is a final chapter from this platform. The other unreleased chapters here will be announced for publication later.
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