Over the next several days, they traversed the northern part of the continent. The terrain gradually changed to a mountainous area, which made traveling much harder. The mountains were steep, and they were difficult to traverse. Snow and ice covered the mountains, and small avalanches occurred at random intervals.
Brittany took a break at the base of the mountains one evening.
"At least we're getting closer to our destination." She said to nobody in particular.
She really missed her conversations with Raul.
If only he hadn’t died!
As she spoke, she noticed movement in the distance. A large group of warriors were approaching from behind.
"Oh, no! Not now!" She groaned.
We never should have stopped to rest!
A spear went through one of the Voidspawn's arms. The wound leaked black blood, but they were still able to continue.
"Death to the enemies of the tribe!" one of the warriors shouted.
Threat Detected!
A contingent of warriors from the Tribe of Asher are descending upon you. Do you wish to fight, or retreat?
Fight | Retreat
Brittany knew she couldn’t risk sacrificing any more Shadow Walkers, so their only chance was to outrun them. They needed to fulfill their mission. They were getting close to their destination, she could feel it. She selected "Retreat".
“Retreat!” she yelled, “Do not engage the enemy! Retreat!”
The Shadow Walkers immediately obeyed their leader's orders, and they retreated further north. But the warriors were relentless in their pursuit.
Why are they still chasing us? They must know by now that we don't want to fight them!
Just as she finished her thought, a spear slammed into one of the Voidspawns at their flank right below its shell. The impact caused it to lose control, and it toppled over. The warriors managed to swarm onto the fallen creature, killing the Shadow Walker trapped beneath its weight and began pummeling the Voidspawn with their fists and feet.
After a few minutes they were finally starting to gain some distance. However, they were still being chased by the warriors.
"Are you sure we shouldn't turn around and fight them?" a female Shadow Walker named Naomi asked, "They'll catch us eventually!"
"We can't afford to sacrifice any more of our forces!" Brittany insisted.
"I'm not afraid of dying! I'd rather face my enemies, than die from a spear in the back!" Naomi said defiantly.
"What about the others?" the Shadow Walker named Ray who had confronted her back at the encampment added, "I don't want to lose anyone else!"
"You won't lose anyone else." Brittany promised, "We'll make it if we keep running. We’re almost there! Keep moving! Don't stop or they'll catch us!"
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They moved faster than ever before as they approached the edge of the tundra. A lone mountain loomed in the distance, at least that’s what appeared at first. Then Brittany recognized it.
The ruins of the Tower of Babel! We found it!
It felt like they had traveled forever, but suddenly they were approaching the mountain-like structure covered in ice.
"That mountain is huge!" one of the Shadow Walkers exclaimed, "And its shape looks unnatural.”
"Its appearance is indeed strange." another replied as the Voidspawn carried them ever closer.
“That’s our destination!” Brittany shouted to the others, “And that’s no mountain. It’s the long lost Tower of Babel. Deep inside the ruins is a portal to Earth. That’s where the Leviathan wants us to go!”
"A portal? Are you sure?!" the female Shadow Walker pointed behind them to the warriors in full pursuit, “You better be right, or else we’ll be trapped!”
"Trust me!" Brittany replied, "I'm confident that this is the right place!"
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As the Shadow Walkers approached the structure, they saw that it was much larger than expected. At the base was an opening that resembled a cave.
Congratulations!
You have found the legendary Tower of Babel!
The tower is ancient and must gift some of its power!
Choose Between:
+5 Strength +2 Intelligence | +2 Agility +5 Intelligence
+4 Willpower +3 Intelligence | +3 Stamina +4 Intelligence
Upon your choice you will receive:
An Elemental Magic Skill | +500 XP | +100 Bonus Mana
Although she had longed for this moment to come again, Brittany had no time to consider her options right now, so she temporarily archived the prompts with a swipe of her hand.
As Brittany guided her Voidspawn through the opening, the terrain changed to frozen ruins with columns as far as the eye could see.
"Wow…" the Naomi gasped, "This is incredible!"
They entered a large room filled with pillars of varying sizes and shapes. The ceiling was high above, and it was completely dark despite the fact that the sun hadn't set yet.
Brittany conjured the Element of Light to illuminate their path, and she listened to the voice of the Leviathan as he guided her onward. In her mind’s eye she could see the portal on the far side of the building. They raced through the corridors and past the hundreds of pillars until they saw light streaming in from the other side.
Before they knew it, they reached the edge of the building. One of the Voidspawn didn’t stop fast enough as it reached the edge, falling off a cliff with its rider in tow down into the deep icy water of the ocean.
“Halt!” Brittany yelled. All of the Voidspawn screeched to a halt, some of them wrapping their tentacles around several pillars to help stop their speedy momentum.
Brittany peered over the edge, seeing the sheer drop of at least 300 feet to the ocean below.
"How did the others fare?" she wondered aloud, "Did any more fall?"
"I don't know." The Naomi responded, "But we lost one!"
Brittany sighed in dismay. This expedition has cost them far too many lives.
As she pondered over her next move, the Leviathan guided her toward the portal. In her mind’s eye she could see that it was perched on the edge of the cliff, hovering in mid-air. It looked like a horizontal swirling blue whirlpool. Had she not known any better, she might think that by stepping through the portal she could fall off the cliff to her death.
A loud commotion erupted from the other side of the tower. The warriors had caught up to them.
“Hold your ground!” Brittany gritted her teeth, “Here they come!”
The warriors rushed towards them with weapons drawn.
"Defend yourselves!” Brittany yelled, “We are close to our destination!"
The warriors charged at the Voidspawn, but the tentacles of the Abyssal-like creatures blocked the spear thrusts. A few spears punched through, but they didn't penetrate the outer layer of the vessel.
One of the warriors tried to grab a Voidspawn, but one of its tentacles wrapped around its wrist instead, causing his own spear to pierce through the warrior's chest. The warrior’s body fell limp, and his comrades attacked the creature with their spears, causing it to burst into a puddle of black goo.
Brittany rallied the others to run along the edge of the cliff, seeking the portal.
The warriors pursued them, and they closed the distance quickly.
"Guys, get ready!" Brittany warned, "They're coming!"
Two of the Voidspawn got caught under a large pillar that crumbled on top of them. The warriors were upon them instantly. Another warrior attempted to jump on a Voidspawn, but it caught him by the leg and pulled him into the air. He screamed as he plummeted off the cliff to his doom.
"Let's go!" Brittany urged her companions, "The portal is just ahead!"
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