Chapter 59
Danger
Adom's brow arched in surprise, the word "no" echoing in the still forest air like a challenge. Zara's refusal to back down was unexpected, her stance firm and unwavering despite the intensity of their recent encounter.
"What do you mean, 'no'?" Adom asked with caution.
Zara's gaze met his squarely, a flicker of resolve sparking in her eyes. "I don't expect you to spill your secrets, Rey, if that's even your real name. And frankly, I wouldn't ask. Everyone has their shadows," she said, her voice steady.
"But here's the thing," she continued, shifting her weight slightly, as if bracing for the weight of her proposal. "My crew, Borgen and the rest, we've set our sights on something beyond this forest. We've been preparing it for two years. A dungeon, located in the depths of Hell's Paradise. It's a dangerous place, even for the most seasoned adventurer. But given what I've seen of your abilities..." Her gaze flickered to Adom, assessing. "We could use someone of your caliber."
Adom's interest piqued, the mention of Hell's Paradise and its dungeon, his destination, confirmed his doubts about the adventurers. "You're proposing an alliance, then?" He queried, his mind already turning over the possibilities.
Zara nodded, a flicker of anticipation crossing her features. "An alliance, yes. Temporary, if that suits you better. Your skills, combined with our knowledge of the dungeon's layout and traps, could make for a formidable team. And let's not forget the rewards that await those who can navigate its depths successfully."
Adom's mind raced as he considered Zara's proposal. The allure of Hell's Paradise and its dungeon was undeniable, yet the potential ramifications of his involvement weighed heavily on him. From his knowledge, only Jace and Assia had made it out alive from their crew in his previous life's records. The absence of any mention of the others suggested a grim fate. Aligning with them now could alter that outcome, introducing a level of unpredictability that could compromise his advantage of foreknowledge.
He dissected the situation with cold logic. On one hand, the unpredictability introduced by changing the survivors' roster was a significant risk. His strength lay in his knowledge of future events; deviating from what he knew could render that advantage moot. If the adventurers survived en masse, the butterfly effect on future events was an unknown variable. Would these changes work in his favor, or would they complicate his long-term objectives?
On the other hand, Adom lacked precise intelligence about what awaited him in the dungeon. His initial plan involved leveraging the Ka'ui orcs' assistance to navigate the treacherous depths of Hell's Paradise. Yet, even these formidable allies traditionally avoided the cursed region, highlighting the peril that lay ahead. Zara's proposition, in this light, presented a pragmatic alternative. The combined might and knowledge of her crew could compensate for the orcs' absence, potentially offering a more direct path to his goals.
Moreover, there was the matter of trust. Adom's interactions with Zara's crew, including their conduct during their brief alliance against common foes, had shown no overt malice or intent to betray. The opportunities for treachery had been plentiful, yet they had chosen cooperation over conflict each time. This, coupled with the absence of malicious intent he'd sensed from them, painted the crew in a cautiously favorable light.
The treasures within the dungeon, significant enough to have funded Atlas's war efforts in his previous life, underscored the high stakes of this venture. The wealth and secrets buried in Hell's Paradise were ample, more than enough to share among allies. Joining forces with Zara's crew could not only secure his portion but might also accelerate his broader plans by providing necessary resources and insights sooner than anticipated.
After a moment of contemplation, the scales tipped in favor of collaboration. The potential benefits of joining Zara and her crew, under the right conditions, outweighed the risks of altering the known future.
Zara eyed Adom intently, a question forming in her gaze. "So, what say you?" she asked, anticipation lacing her words.
Adom met her look with a composed nod. "I'm in," he declared, extending his hand towards her in agreement. As their hands clasped in a firm handshake, a silent accord was struck between them, sealing their newfound partnership.
Zara, however, wasn't one to let the moment pass without delving a bit deeper. "Rey," she began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "I know I said I wouldn't pry, but your immediate acceptance of my proposal... You didn't even bat an eyelid at the mention of a dungeon. You were planning this all along, weren't you?"
Adom couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in her observation. There was no need to conceal his intentions, at least not this part of them. "Yes," he admitted.
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Valiant interjected, "I knew it!" His attempt at levity, however, fell flat, earning him a pair of unamused looks from both Adom and Zara. He quickly backtracked, mumbling a sheepish "What? It's true!"
Adom, choosing to move past the awkward interjection, turned his attention back to Zara, his own curiosity piqued. "I have a question for you, though," he said, his tone serious yet open.
Zara, unfazed by his probing, responded with a simple, "Shoot."
Adom's question was direct, "Why do you trust me? What tells you I won't betray you given the chance?"
Her chuckle broke the tension, a sound so rare that it took Adom by surprise. "If you had wanted to, I'd be dead already," Zara said, her laughter subsiding. "I was vulnerable after our fight with the Nāga, still am, and you know it. Yet, here I am, still breathing." She locked eyes with Adom. "Plus, I've always had a good sense for people. You, Rey, you're an okay kid. That's enough for me."
Adom grinned at Zara's insight, amused by the thought of how a young sorceress like her perceived him as just a kid. If only you knew, he mused internally.
Valiant quipped, "Look at you two, getting along much better than I expected. Never thought I'd see the day Zara would laugh." His jest, however, only earned him a scoff from Zara and a chuckle from Adom, both clearly more tolerant of his humor than impressed.
Turning back to more pressing matters, Adom addressed Zara, "Borgen mentioned that you'd be in the village for a few more days. Does that mean I'm to wait here as well?" His query was more about confirming the details rather than expressing any reluctance.
Zara nodded affirmatively. "Yes, we'll be preparing for the journey ahead. It'll give us some time to plan our approach to Hell's Paradise and its dungeon."
Considering the turn of events, Adom found the proposition of staying in the village more appealing than his initial plan of advancing alone. Initially, he had aimed to get ahead of the adventurers to avoid any entanglements. Now, with the opportunity to join forces with Zara and her crew, the dynamics had shifted. Not only could he share in the endeavor, but their collective strength also promised a better chance of navigating the perils of the dungeon. With this new alliance, Adom saw a path that aligned with his objectives, albeit one that would now be walked together with Zara and her team.
But as they were preparing to leave, a sudden disturbance caught their attention. "What's this?!" exclaimed Valiant, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Zara turned to Adom, seeking his heightened perception. "Can you perceive what's coming?" she asked.
The distant sound they initially dismissed grew louder, and soon the earth beneath their feet began to tremble. The once-stable ground now quivered like a leaf caught in a storm. Trees in the distant forest swayed violently, some uprooting entirely and crashing to the ground with thunderous roars. The relentless advance of an unseen force sent shockwaves through the forest, toppling what stood in its path.
Adom, sensing the urgency of the situation, activated his [Aetheric Echo], extending his senses to decipher the chaos. Through the tumult, he detected the unmistakable presence of an enormous creature barreling towards them—"a behemoth." He said.
Behemoths, colossal creatures of immense strength and size, were known for their peaceful nature but were equally recognized for the destruction they could inadvertently cause. Their usual habitat was deep within the forest, far from civilization. Zara confirmed, "Behemoths aren't carnivorous, but their sheer size makes them one of the most dangerous creatures around. They're not supposed to come this close to the village. We're less than 10 kilometers away... "
Valiant, his usually playful demeanor replaced by a seriousness befitting the situation, added, "A behemoth attack this sudden could be catastrophic!"
The sound of the creature's approach now filled their ears, a deafening thunder that drowned out all else. The ground shook with increased fervor, signaling the beast's imminent arrival.
But as Adom focused on the behemoth through his skill, he noticed something alarming. The creature was wounded, bleeding heavily as it ran. Its movements were erratic, fueled by panic rather than aggression. Something was driving this gentle giant to such extremes of fear.
This revelation brought a new wave of dread to Adom's heart. Two questions haunted his mind: What could possibly injure a behemoth to such an extent? And more disturbingly, why couldn't his [Aetheric Echo] detect the pursuer?
A sudden, violent disruption in the ambient Essentia from afar detected by Adom's skill told him all he needed to know. His heart raced, pounding against his chest with such intensity that he could hear it in his ears, a relentless drum of dread. Sweat coated his palms, making them slick and clammy, a physical manifestation of the terror that gripped him. His throat was dry, parched from the rapid breaths that seemed to do little to quench his need for air.
Every sense in Adom's body screamed at him to flee, to escape the unseen terror that was formidable enough to send a behemoth—a creature known for its tranquility and sheer immensity—into a frenzied flight. His mind, a fortress of logic and strategy, was momentarily besieged by the raw instinct to survive.
The once tranquil forest transformed into a battleground of nature's fury. Trees, ancient and mighty, succumbed one after another, their fall thunderous, as if the very earth rebelled against an unseen aggressor. The air, thick with dust and fear, carried the scent of impending doom. They could no longer hear their own properly shouts over the cacophony of destruction, the behemoth's panicked flight sending shockwaves that rattled their bones.
Amidst the turmoil, Adom tried to evaluate their grim situation. The creature's sheer size and the trail of devastation it left were harbingers of a catastrophe that could level the village if not diverted. But the realization that whatever was pursuing the behemoth could not only pose a significant threat to the village—and to them—catalyzed his decision. It was a moment where instinct and logic converged, propelling him to take decisive action.
As the ground beneath them convulsed with each thunderous step of the behemoth, Adom caught sight of Zara and Valiant, their faces etched with fear. With a commanding shout that cut through the chaos, Adom yelled, "Run! Not to the village, head south!" His voice, imbued with the urgency of the moment, left no room for doubt or debate.
Without a moment's hesitation, Zara, with Valiant in tow, followed Adom's lead, their survival instincts fully awakened. They sprinted southward, away from the path of the rampaging behemoth, each step a race against time and the unknown terror that drove such a creature to madness.