Chapter 003: Path of the Kings - Part 2
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Nimrod made a list of what he had retrieved from the king. He has a corroded golden ring, with an emblem of a dragon and a spear. A broken golden spear, tattered golden heavy armor set and a scaly-black armlets. Nimrod is sure that before the fight these items may have looked so cool you would think they are legendary items. But now, he has doubts if he could even properly use them in battle.
"Still, I would gladly receive this than go empty handed. Specially when I am about to go on war against the Titans of this world."
Nimrod is not sure how big this place is or how monstrous the Titans would be. However, he needs to fulfill the test otherwise he will be stuck on this place for eternity.
It would be bothersome to wear the broken items, even so Nimrod looked over them. Then he first took what remains of the ring. He looked at the crest embedded on the ring. "Dragon and spear." Nimrod saw that he also has a similar item on his right arm. "This is the symbol of our family. Dragon and spear. If the broken golden spear the king was using signifies the spear in our emblem as our weapon of choice, then what would the scaly-black armlets represents?" Nimrod took and wore the armlets on both his upperhand.
- Item: Devouring Titan Armlet
- Ability: Mutation
- Item is extracting blood from the user.
- Item compatibility: 100%
- Fusion: Item will be consumed…
- Fusion started.
- Fusion complete.
Nothing from his previous life could have made him prepare for that. Nimrod saw, how the scaly-black armlets yank buckets of blood from him, devouring the blood instantly and with flashes of blinding light disappeared without leaving a trace. Abrassions and lacerations filled his hole body. He suffered from an immediate blood explosion so that his skin and muscles are swollen and tender to touch, any form of movement gives unbearable pain. Luckily for him, no one is watching, otherwise, his disfigured and pained facial expresions might suggest he is not human.
"Seriously! That thing is a leech! It drank my blood! I took a vampire armlet!"
Nimrod wanted to complain when he suddenly staggered and fell, his vision darkened, his whole body is in tremendous pain.
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'Don't tell me, I will have to die again!' It was at this moment when Nimrod felt the essence of a huge savory smell just a few blocks away from him. 'That definitely is a Titan's essence. If I could just crawl towards that direction, my gut tells me that I will surely live!'
Nimrod use all his might, he crawled ever so slowly towards the direction of the essence. He did this purely out of conviction, and determination. 'I will live! I can do this!' For several hours, he endured the pain, until such a time where his mettle is to be truly tested.
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Nimrod is facing a wall of soil. It appears that all this time, he had been inside a huge cylindrical hole. He can sense that the blood essence is just directly above him.
"Such.. a... thing…" Such a thing shouldn't be happening! That is what Nimrod is currently thinking. He had used all the remaining strength he could muster, and now, he couldn't even open his mouth. He felt very tired, a calm feeling overcame him and he…
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Beside the golden temple.
A figure could be seen trampling around, leaving dents and marks on trees and flowers nearby. A wallop broked the branch of the tree as it made crackling sound. "What the hell is wrong with those tests!? I died twice already! And I died painfully!" Nimrod is currently very angry. He had already died twice since arriving in here. With no other possible way to leave this place, he has to try and beat at least one of the three tests.
"Now, the path of the brave King won't even let me enter!" That is right, after just failing once, the path of the brave King lost its light. It has now become impossible to use it again. "It is still highly difficult for me to beat the path of the wise King. It would be better for me to try the second path, and gain as much experience I can." Nimrod regained his composure and made his way towards the temple.
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- You have chosen to take the path of the cryptic King. The immortal ruler shall pour its powers to test your ability. Prove your worth by uncovering the secrets of the enigmatic Mystic Orb.
- Objective: Unlock Mystic Orb
A black and suffocating atmosphere enveloped the area as Nimrod was transported into a dark tunnel. He is now wearing a black leather armour, covered by black hooded robe. Two daggers hangs by his sides. On his back two short katanas were fashioned comfortably. All in all, he looked like a newly initiated theif or assassin.
It did not take long for Nimrod to notice that there are a dozen hooded individuals inside the pathway. They all are in a crouch position, and are strategically posted so that no man is behind the other and all have unrestricted line of sight towards entrance. Nimrod's position is at the farthest from the entrance. All of them are silent so that even the few droplets of water could be clearly heard. Suddenly…
"Protect the Shrine Maiden at all cost! This is the last tunnel, if we can pass through here this battle will still be our victory!" A group of about a dozen armoured men are running towards the entrance of the tunnel. It seems they are protecting a beautiful lady from someone or something.
"Commander, the ghouls are almost upon us! Please go ahead, we will hold them for you!" Right away, six individuals broke of from the group, and formed a defensive straight line as they place both their sword and shield in guard position. The rest of the group spared no energy as they bolted towards the dark tunnel.
"James, Reid, move past us and scout the path ahead. We cannot slow down our speed so you have to clear everthing that will hinder us. However, you have to return to us at the first sign of danger!"
"Yes sir!"
"Everyone else, maintain close formation, stay focus!"
"Yes sir!"
The group rushed their way into the tunnel.
- end chapter -