Capítulo 37: Babel's Hive.
**[You've Entered the Inner Area of the Beast Plane]**
**[Section 1: Babel's Hive]**
**[Beware!!!]**
Ethan moved cautiously through the ominous forest, unaware of the turmoil brewing in a cursed child's life far away. The air was thick with tension, the silence deafening. He could have waited in the same spot for the beasts to come, using them for target practice, but there was something pulling at him, something deeper and more primal. He felt it resonating inside his core, a mysterious force that beckoned him forward, its origin shrouded in the dense foliage ahead.
Curiosity tugged at him like an insistent whisper. Ethan wasn't one to ignore such feelings, but even as his curiosity grew, so did his wariness. He was cautious, moving like a predator but with the alertness of prey, scanning every shadow, every rustle of leaves. It was as if the very jungle around him was watching.
---
He had been walking for an hour and a half when the dense underbrush gave way to a clearing. The scene before him was breathtaking and bizarre in equal measure. The edge of the cliff he stood upon overlooked a sea of swirling white clouds, stretching infinitely in all directions. Floating islands hovered in the mist; their rocky forms scattered haphazardly with no discernible pattern. Some were as small as boulders, while others resembled colossal mountains suspended in mid-air. The sight was both majestic and unnerving.
Ethan could feel the presence of creatures lurking in the distance, their movements subtle but unmistakable. The strange feeling that had been gnawing at him grew stronger, like a distant hum vibrating through his bones. The islands seemed to hold the answer to whatever force was calling him.
There was, however, one glaring problem: there was no bridge or path leading from the cliff to the nearest floating island. A gulf of about twenty meters separated him from the first landmass. It was clear that flight was the primary mode of travel for the inhabitants of this strange realm.
Ethan considered his options. He put away his weapon and stepped back a few paces from the cliff's edge, calculating the jump in his head. He could try to leap across, relying on his physical prowess and a touch of his newly acquired Psychic abilities to guide him. As he prepared, yellow lightning crackled briefly around his legs before vanishing. He cursed under his breath.
---
**[You Are About to Enter Babel's Hive!]**
**[All Aura Control Skills Are Deactivated. Please Use Your Skills.]**
**[Good Luck.]**
---
"Tch! This thing again," Ethan muttered, annoyed. The system had a way of throwing curveballs at the worst moments. His Aura Control skills, which would have allowed him to jump effortlessly, were now off-limits. But that wasn't going to stop him. His affinity for Telekinesis could help him fly, though he had only just begun training in it. It was a matter of controlling the forces around him, manipulating the air and gravity to his advantage. Easier said than done, especially when it required immense willpower.
He stretched out his leg, testing the gravity. It felt heavier here, denser. Angitia, coiled snugly around his neck, gave a gentle hiss, sensing his tension. With a determined huff, Ethan readied himself. He would have to rely on brute strength and his stats to make this jump.
In a flash, Ethan bolted toward the cliff's edge, the ground beneath his feet cracking under the force of his sprint. A moment later, he launched himself into the air with a loud *WHOOSH*, the speed creating a shockwave behind him. His body cut through the air in a graceful arc, the wind whipping through his hair, the sensation of freedom exhilarating. For a brief moment, he forgot where he was, relishing the thrill of the jump. His spectacles were forced tight against his face from the wind, and he smiled despite the danger.
But as he began to descend, reality hit him like a boulder. The sudden increase in gravity—now twice as strong as in the outer parts of the Beast Plane—dragged him down at a speed far faster than he anticipated. His stomach flipped as he realized he was falling too quickly, the island's surface rushing up to meet him. He cursed again. He'd miscalculated.
---
**CRASH! BOOM!**
---
Ethan plummeted into the island, smashing through several trees on impact. The crash echoed through the air as branches splintered, and leaves scattered like confetti. Pain shot through his body as he lay on the ground, groaning. Gravity pressed down on him like an invisible weight, making his bones creak under the strain. It felt as though he was trying to lift a truck with every breath.
He struggled to stand, each movement a test of endurance. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself upright. His mind raced, wondering how the creatures here could survive in such harsh conditions. As if to answer him, the system chimed.
---
**[You Have Successfully Entered Babel's Hive.]**
**[Please Be Careful.]**
**Ding!**
---
**Quest Initiated! **
**Find the source of the strange feeling you are having. **
**Time Limit: 3 days. **
**Reward: Unknown. **
**Penalty: You Don't Wanna Know. **
---
Ethan's face twisted in frustration. This quest was clearly designed to push him to his limits. And the ominous "penalty" only made it worse. But there was no turning back now. The strange sensation pulling at him was more intense than ever, and he knew the source lay somewhere within this cursed hive.
---
**[Babel's Hive] **
**[As the name suggests, is a hive, a habitat of strong beasts known as Gargoyles. Babel was the first chief Gargoyle who awakened his intelligence, attained human form, and ascended. He created the hive to protect his kin. The hive's vast resources have allowed the Gargoyles to grow stronger over time. Even beasts from deeper parts of the Beast Plane think twice before confronting a Gargoyle.]
**Beware of the different classes of Gargoyles: **
1. **Yor Gargoyles: ** Normal Gargoyles, identifiable by the color of their horns.
2. **Xor Gargoyles: ** Possess crystals on their foreheads. Their power is marked by the crystal's color.
3. **Barix Gargoyles: ** A rare breed with gold eyes, gold details on their wings and horns, and a grey crystal on their forehead. Only those with Insight can discern their strength. Babel himself was a Barix Gargoyle. **
**Gargoyles are highly attuned to Earth, Metal, Plant, and the rare Alchemy affinities. Their ability to turn into stone makes them nearly indestructible. **
---
Ethan groaned internally. The quest's objective was becoming clearer, and with it, the danger was rising. The source of the strange sensation was undoubtedly connected to the hive and its inhabitants. He had no choice but to press on, but he was walking into the lair of creatures who could crush him with ease.
He trudged forward, his steps heavy under the oppressive gravity. Every few minutes, he would stumble and fall, the weight pressing him into the ground. Even though it was agonizing, it was also a form of training. Each step built his willpower, and each stumble strengthened his resolve.
Occasionally, he attempted to use his affinity to create a shield, but it barely lasted 30 seconds before shattering under the intense gravity. Still, he kept trying. Gradually, the weight on his body lessened, though only slightly.
---
Unbeknownst to Ethan, a pair of golden eyes watched him from the shadows. The creature, perched silently in the branches above, studied him with a mixture of curiosity and malice. Its gaze flickered with a mischievous light, and a silent chuckle rumbled in its chest.
---
Ethan walked forward, oblivious to his stalker. His senses were stretched to their limit, trying to capture anything out of place, but even his heightened vigilance failed to detect the creature lurking nearby. It was stealthy, biding its time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As Ethan moved through the strange forest, shivers ran down his spine. He paused, his instincts flaring, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. A shadow flashed past him in an instant, too fast for him to notice.
He pressed on, unaware that the true danger was just beginning to unfold.
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