Chapitre 46: 'Her'
Adrian didn't pay much attention to the necklace at the moment, as he was preoccupied with contemplating his next choice. Amidst the assortment of relics, he spotted a mirror, a key, a hat, a mask, and an array of other peculiar items, yet he found it challenging to make a decision.
The mask and the hat intrigued him greatly, but he couldn't simply make a choice by merely trying them on.
Adrian harbored concerns that certain relics might possess adverse effects that could complicate his escape. As these thoughts occupied his mind, the lantern pressed him to move forward, warning of impending consequences should he delay.
Coincidentally, he overlooked the opportunity to inquire about the nature of these consequences.
Adrian found it peculiar that he had overlooked such a crucial detail, but it had already occurred, leaving him without the means to rectify it. With no clear method for deciding what to take with him, Adrian ultimately narrowed his choices down to the key and the hat.
He opted for the hat, despite its weathered appearance, as it complemented his dark suit. Additionally, he chose the key to enhance his odds of a successful escape.
Adrian remained uncertain about the key's purpose or its functions, but he was unwilling to take any risks, recognizing that his survival hinged on every possible advantage.
Adrian selected the key and the hat, adding them to the necklace and compass. He muttered, "Now I should do what the lantern asked me to do."
However, as Adrian took a step forward, a strange sensation overcame him, and he felt as though he were immobilized in place. Puzzled, he glanced down and saw that everything appeared normal, yet he remained unable to move.
Once more, the eerie voice of the lantern resonated, urgently urging him to take action.
.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, Adrian demanded, "What the hell did you do?" His question was directed at the fox figure emanating from the lantern.
The fox responded with a sly smile, conveying the consequences of Adrian's choices. The relics granted people power in exchange for sacrifices that were beyond human comprehension. Overwhelmed by the unfolding situation, Adrian cursed his own luck, realizing the gravity of his oversight in failing to ask more questions.
Frustration welled up within Adrian as he spoke out, "You urged me to move, and now you're preventing me from doing so. This is an unjust rule. It shouldn't be possible." The sense of being cheated gnawed at him, and he couldn't help but reflect on how he, who was accustomed to cheating others, had seemingly fallen victim to a twist of fate.
The fox figure, with a smug grin plastered across its face, gazed at Adrian, reveling in the moment. It appeared to relish the spectacle of watching a human struggle to deny its mercy and engage in a game of wits.
"Human, thy own folly led thee astray, for thou didst not seek clarification on the rules. I made no mention of any prohibition on movement, only that thou must advance. Thy insatiable avarice hath ensnared thee, and thy trust in 'HER' should have been unwavering."
The fox's laughter echoed without restraint, laced with a malevolence that could have shattered the cores of any middle-rank bearer had they been present. However, Adrian, being coreless, remained unharmed by the sinister laughter.
Adrian couldn't help but ponder the strange coincidence of stumbling upon something that only a core-less bearer could access. Was it a matter of fate, or was there something else at play that he couldn't comprehend?
While these thoughts swirled in his mind, one thing remained clear from the fox's words: he was instructed to place full trust in 'Her' gaze, a notion that both intrigued and unsettled him.
Adrian, struggling to grasp the unfolding events, inquired, "Her? Who is she? And why are you referring to her as a goddess?" His curiosity was piqued, especially given the lantern's mention of 'Her' in a tone that suggested this mysterious figure was someone even the otherworldly lantern held in great reverence and fear.
"I am mystified as to how thou hast captured 'Her' unwavering attention to this extent, even in this place. It appears thou dost possess a modicum of luck, after all." The fox retained its taunting smirk, infuriating Adrian further. However, he found himself completely powerless in the face of this enigmatic predicament.
Adrian couldn't shake the memory of how 'Her' gaze had intensified upon his arrival, as if it could bore holes through his very being. He also recalled how he had impulsively touched the lantern without exercising the caution he would typically employ.
This uncharacteristic behavior troubled him, as he knew he wouldn't typically put himself in such precarious situations.
With his sharp and strategic mind, Adrian couldn't help but question his own lapses. "Is Alaya behind this too?" he pondered. It seemed counterintuitive for her to harm him, considering that he was the sole means for her to obtain the compass.
The enigma deepened as he considered the motivations at play in this peculiar situation.
Adrian continued to speculate, "Perhaps she never desired the compass, but instead, she wanted to witness my struggle?" He found himself trapped in a web of uncertainty, unable to determine Alaya's true motives for opposing him so vehemently.
The needle embedded in his chest remained ineffective, and he surmised that either the power within this space surpassed that of the needle or it remained locked, preventing its full potential. These possibilities offered little aid in his quest for escape.
Adrian's gaze drifted downward once more, and he was horrified to witness something squirming beneath his clothing. The unsettling sensation of maggots wriggling under his skin became increasingly apparent.
Unable to tear his eyes away, he cursed himself for not looking away sooner, as the moment he observed the maggots, they began to spill out from within his pants. The gravity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, and he knew he was in deep trouble.
As the last resort, Adrian fixed his gaze on the source of the intense presence he felt and called out to 'Her.'
In a calm and resolute tone, Adrian addressed the mysterious entity, saying, "I don't know who you are or what you want from me, but if you help me escape this situation, my soul is yours to claim. Despite its cursed nature, it's the only thing I have to offer."
As he made this solemn vow, his expression became blank, and he regained his composure, recognizing that he bore responsibility for his choices but suspecting that other forces were also at work.
Adrian's plea seemed to satisfy the intense gaze he had been hoping to seek help from. The fiery fox figure began to distort and disintegrate, making way for the emergence of a blurry figure. This figure, although distinct from the initial woman he had encountered, held a unique enchantment of its own.
The mysterious, enchanting allure of the blurry figure made Adrian feel a sense of connection and belonging. The figure gazed at him for a few moments, seemingly asking if he was certain about his pledge. In response, Adrian simply nodded in confirmation.
As Adrian nodded in confirmation, the figure mouthed words that he couldn't hear. Suddenly, he felt a buzzing sensation in his ears, and blood began to trickle from his ears, nose, and mouth.
Simultaneously, the needle in his chest grew more potent, causing blood to flow from his chest as well. The price of the pact he had made was proving to be far more agonizing than he had anticipated.
Suddenly, Adrian found himself back at the first step of the entrance to the red door. He realized that he was in the same hallway as the numerous rooms he had explored earlier. Not wasting a moment, he compelled his legs to move, and he stumbled out of the red door without the lantern's eerie presence in his face.
Checking his bleeding chest and the needle embedded within, he couldn't help but glance back at the location of the red door, a mixture of relief and dread washing over him.
Adrian's heart sank as he looked back to find the door had disappeared, leaving no trace of the enigmatic entrance he had just escaped from.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
samandridaku
samandridaku In the tale of 'Her,' a mystery unfolds,
Of secrets, desires, and stories untold.
With every word and every line,
A journey into her world, so divine.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone