CG Chapter 76: Defile Eldervale

Tom began to descend down the hole while searching for any sign of life. He knew that if he got caught at that moment, then everything he had worked for thus far would simply disappear into oblivion.

As he climbed down, he felt the roughness of the wood. He wondered how the princes went down the tree since there were no ladders or ropes to help them.

After he reached the bottom of the cavern, Tom looked around, only to find himself in a maze-like place.

Long, dark corridors filled this underground space, and the only light came from scattered lanterns here and there.

The walls of the corridors were covered with monsters of different shapes, and as he observed these drawings closer, Tom noticed that they were all painted in a color that was extremely familiar to him.

A beautiful red color like no other, and the smell of iron that came from it -- these monsters were all drawn using blood.

For some reason, Tom had a hunch that the blood used here was none other than that of humans, maybe even the blood of knights.

However, even after he noticed all of these strange things, he didn’t let them distract him from his goal.

He continued to move quickly without making a sound, not letting the creepiness of the place affect him. Since his eyes were capable of seeing further than any other knight, he knew that he could use that and the darkness of the cavern to his advantage.

He was prepared to turn around and run at the first sight of any other soul.

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While doing all of this, he searched for a better place to hide, wanting to find a vantage point to observe the ceremony.

Tick-Tock

Tick-Tock

A couple of minutes passed, and as he navigated through the unfamiliar path using both his ears and nose, he finally heard voices that he could only assume belonged to the princes.

The closer he came to the sounds, the wider and taller the path grew.

Just when he thought he couldn’t get any closer without getting himself exposed, an idea struck Tom.

He thought of using the rough ceiling walls to climb upside down. With enough strength, he could secure a foothold to prevent himself from falling.

The idea was obviously a risky one, since if he made even the slightest mistake, then the princes and whoever was with them would know of his existence.

But the fact that he was so near to knowing some of the most secretive knowledge, that the kingdoms kept hidden for so long was too tempting for Tom.

These secrets were like forbidden fruit to him, tempting him as if he stood just a step away from the tree, with the serpent whispering to him to take one step closer and pluck it.

Of course, Tom wasn’t someone who would let his impulses get the better of him. He knew that if nothing went wrong, then the darkness of the cavern would work with the high ceiling to keep him hidden.

And if somehow they noticed him, he was prepared to run.

Thinking about all of that within seconds, he didn’t hesitate any longer.

He clung to the ceiling walls as he carefully moved closer.

When he reached close enough to see the ceremony, he stopped, though it wasn’t certain if it was from shock or to avoid being noticed.

On the ground of the room, a giant circle had strange patterns within it, yet it wasn’t enough to shock anyone.

Inside the circle, there was a triangle with statues of the seven gods. Each statue stood in a corner, and in the middle stood Frey, the goddess of Danloor.

Tom wasn’t sure if Frey stood in the middle because she held higher status above the other gods, or if it was because this was Danloor. However, he felt that his latter thought was more likely correct.

This wasn’t all. Around and under the statues lay the blood of multiple knights who were still alive. The knights' hands and feet were shackled as they screamed for their lives.

However, the princes didn’t seem to care as they watched the blood gushing from their bodies with joy.

Among the princes, the most joyous one was none other than the prince of the Danloor kingdom, who was having his ascension ceremony.

The princes around him began to speak in unison, their voices echoing through the cavern.

“Heavenly divine, sacred spirits, seven above just as below. Your servants bless Elias of house Attrio.”

As if some divine being was moving their bodies, once they stopped talking, Elias started to chant:

“By the blood of the heathen,

By the will of the seven,

I, Elias De Attrio, curse the path of old,

Curse the world that once was.

Seven divines, heed our call,

In the depths of Eldgwood, defile its soul.

Bound by blood, veiled in night,

Grant me strength, might to serve.

Crown me with dread,

Awaken me with blood.

I invoke the gods,

I summon the progenitors.”