章節 35: Chapter 35: The Veil
At the edge of The Veil, four individuals stood, their breaths heavy and their appearances disheveled, marked by the signs of a recent struggle. Dirt and blood smeared their clothes, and their eyes darted nervously towards the ominous mist ahead.
"Big sister, we can't go into the other side of The Veil. If we cross it, it will be too late for us to return," pleaded Elysia, a 14-year-old girl with tangled auburn hair, her green eyes wide with fear. She clutched a wooden staff tightly, her knuckles white from the strain. Elysia's clothes were torn and muddy, evidence of the battles they had fought to reach this point.
Aeliana, a woman in her early 20s and a core disciple of the Silverleaf Consortium, an all-female faction, stood tall and imposing with long, raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes. Her armor was dented and scratched, and her face was smeared with soot and sweat. "I know, Elysia. But we may not have a choice. We have to find a way to escape our pursuers. I'm sure they won't follow us inside."
The Veil was an expanse of land surrounded by a thick, black mist, giving it its foreboding name. The mist swirled and moved like a living entity, its tendrils reaching out as if to ensnare anyone who dared to approach. It was said that the mist was so dense that visibility was reduced to mere feet, and once inside, it was impossible to navigate.
This belief stemmed from the accounts of those who had ventured close to The Veil but not fully entered. These individuals reported that as they approached the boundary, their vision quickly deteriorated, and they could barely see more than a few feet ahead. The disorientation and eerie whispers that seemed to emanate from the mist caused many to turn back in fear.
Despite the fact that no one had ever returned from deep within The Veil, the consistent experiences of those who dared to approach the edge had shaped the terrifying reputation of the place. The stories of reduced visibility and the palpable sense of dread served as stark warnings, reinforcing the belief that entering The Veil was tantamount to a death sentence.
Rumors about The Veil were abundant in Lumina Falls, the large town situated near the forest. The townspeople spoke of it in hushed whispers. They believed that the mist was cursed, filled with the restless spirits of those who had perished within. Tales of eerie whispers, ghostly apparitions, and unexplainable disappearances were common, and the mere mention of The Veil was enough to send shivers down the spines of the bravest souls.
Over two hundred years ago, a renowned cultivator at the peak of the Mystic Core Realm, Master Zhen, ventured into The Veil, determined to prove that the legends were nothing more than superstitions. His sect had thrived under his leadership, and he was confident in his abilities. However, after he entered The Veil, he was never seen or heard from again. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, but Master Zhen did not return.
The disappearance of their leader left his followers in disarray. Without Master Zhen's guidance and protection, they became vulnerable. Rival factions seized the opportunity to attack, and within a year, they were eradicated, its members scattered or killed. The tragic fate of the group served as a grim reminder of the dangers of The Veil, and since then, no one had dared to venture into the accursed mist.
As the group stood at the edge of The Veil, Ryn, a 14-year-old girl with tousled brown hair and wide, fearful eyes, tugged at Aeliana's sleeve. "Big sister, what if we can't find our way back? What if we get lost in there forever?"
Aeliana placed a reassuring hand on Ryn's shoulder, though her own heart pounded with uncertainty. "We won't, Ryn. We'll stick together, and we'll find our way out. If we stay here, the disciples of the Shadowfang Clan and the Bloodmoon Sect will catch up to us."
Her words were intended to comfort Ryn, but Aeliana herself was filled with doubt. She didn't know the dangers that lay ahead in The Veil, but the immediate threat of their pursuers left them with no other option. The Shadowfang Clan and the Bloodmoon Sect were relentless, and being captured by them would mean certain death or worse.
The fourth member of their group, a burly 16-year-old boy named Thorne, who belonged to the Dawnfire Brotherhood, an all-male faction, stepped forward. His face was bruised, and his clothes were torn, bearing the marks of their recent battles. "We don't have much time, they're getting closer. If we stay here, we're as good as dead," he said urgently.
Having no choice, Aeliana tightened her grip on Elysia's hand and motioned for Ryn and Thorne to follow. "We have to go," she said, her voice filled with determination. With a final glance at the approaching danger, she dragged Elysia, Ryn, and Thorne into The Veil. The thick black mist quickly enveloped them, reducing their visibility to mere feet. The air grew colder, and the oppressive darkness pressed in on them from all sides. Aeliana led the way, her heart pounding in her chest as they ventured deeper into the cursed forest.
Their pursuers arrived at the edge of The Veil shortly after. The group consisted of fifteen men, each wearing distinct clothing that marked their allegiance. Seven of them, members of the Bloodmoon Sect, had their insignia prominently displayed on the left side of their robes. Their eyes were cold and calculating, and their expressions were a mix of disdain and determination. The remaining eight men wore the uniform of the Shadowfang Clan, dark and foreboding, with an air of ruthless efficiency about them.
Among them was a man in his 20s, whose appearance was despicable and menacing. His face was marred by scars, and his eyes gleamed with malicious intent. He was the youngest son of the Patriarch of the Shadowfang Clan, known for his cruelty. His name was Darius Shadowfang.
"Fuck, those bitches actually went into The Veil," Darius spat, his voice filled with contempt. He kicked at the ground in frustration, his eyes narrowing as he glared into the mist.
The men around him exchanged uneasy glances. Even they, hardened by years of dark cultivation and ruthless tactics, were wary of The Veil. Its reputation for consuming those who entered was well known, and the thought of pursuing their quarry in such a place was daunting.
One of the disciples of the Shadowfang Clan hesitated before speaking up, his voice trembling slightly. "Darius, perhaps we should return to the Clan. There's nothing we can do here if we don't follow them in..."
Before the disciple could finish speaking, his head was abruptly severed from his body by Darius, who moved with lethal precision. "Do I look like I need your fucking advice?" Darius snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.
He turned to the remaining disciples, his gaze sweeping over them like a predator surveying its prey. "Does anyone else want to go back?" he asked, his voice dripping with menace.
The other disciples shook their heads in unison, and their faces paled with fear. Even the seven members of the Bloodmoon Sect did not utter a word, their eyes wide and apprehensive, terrified that they might be the next to lose their heads.
Darius had a fearsome reputation in Lumina Falls. He was well known for his extreme cruelty, not only to his enemies but also to his own clansmen. Tales of his callous behavior were widespread; he was a rapist, a killer, and a sadist who took pleasure in inflicting pain. His malevolence surpassed even that of his father and elder brother, both infamous for their ruthless deeds. Darius's name was synonymous with terror, and his reputation as an evil and sadistic individual cast a dark shadow over the entire Shadowfang Clan.
"What! Are you all afraid to enter The Veil? Are you going to be outdone by those four weaklings? Don't tell me you're worse than those four bitches?" Darius taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. He smiled with a twisted grin that bore an unsettling resemblance to the malevolent smirk of the Joker from Batman.
The others exchanged nervous glances, the weight of their decision pressing heavily upon them. Especially the members of the Bloodmoon Sect, who found themselves in a dire predicament. Entering The Veil meant venturing into the unknown, facing potential death and the horrors that lay within its depths. But remaining outside was a certain death sentence at the hands of Darius, a sadistic bastard who would not hesitate to kill them for defiance.
With resigned sighs, they nodded, steeling themselves for the perilous journey ahead. They began to prepare themselves, gathering their resolve and preparing their equipment to venture into The Veil.
Darius's face lit up with a malevolent glee as he saw them nod. He smiled broadly, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing eerily through the forest. "Good, don't worry, I will protect you all once we're inside," he declared with mock reassurance.
The others nearly rolled their eyes at his words. Only a complete fool would believe him. They all knew that Darius would sacrifice anyone without hesitation to save his own skin. His promise of protection was dripping with irony, and it wasn't lost on them. They braced themselves, fully aware of the dual threats they faced: the unknown horrors within The Veil and the treachery of the man leading them.
Darius looked at the mist and thought to himself, 'You probably think I won't follow you into The Veil, Aeliana. But I will not pass up the opportunity to ravish you to my heart's content, you fucking bitch.'
"Let's go," Darius commanded, his voice cutting through the tense silence.
With that, he began to lead the way into the thick black mist, a sinister smile still playing on his lips. The others followed, their steps heavy with dread, not ready to face whatever awaited them within The Veil.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票