The Empty Mirror

Chapter 61: Pheromone

The trembling hands imprison the artifacts of sorcery entrusted in this ominous realm. "Hunger on Trial" and "Two of Wands" pulsate with an ominous energy, as if they were living entities awaiting my commands. But instead of feeling empowered, I feel vulnerable, like a mouse among cats. Curiosity and fear intertwine as I delve into the primal inquiry. I resemble an antiquated alchemist, striving to unravel the mysteries of these gloomy artifacts. I meticulously contemplate every detail, every engraving, every gleam, tracing clues about their nature and gifts. "Hunger on Trial" especially haunts me. How can a necklace devour souls? What kind of spiritual energy can it absorb? My hands tremble as I activate its abilities, feeling the tingling of the unknown slithering across my skin. I close my eyelids and abstract myself, pretending to understand the essence of this dark sorcery pulsating around me.

I cannot conclude there. I also need to confront the challenge of understanding "Two of Wands." Its power seems more manageable, more palpable, but equally whimsical. How can I grasp its energy for my purposes without succumbing to its curses? My hands blur with ink as I feverishly jot down notes, attempting to capture every thought, every conjecture that crosses my tormented mind. At times, I feel like a madwoman in an asylum, conversing with inanimate objects and seeking answers in forbidden and shadowy abysses. Nevertheless, I persist, for I know those answers represent my only hope of eluding this ominous place. With each discovery, each advancement in my understanding of these magical objects, I feel that I am getting a bit closer to supposed freedom. And though fear never entirely forsakes me, I also perceive a spark of hope burning deep within me.

My mind teems with questions and speculations as I transition from initial exploration to the conception of a conjecture. How to employ the assimilated knowledge about these arcane artifacts to find a path of escape from this cursed terrain? The notion takes shape gradually in my troubled mind. "Hunger on Trial" harbours the ability to devour souls, to attract and engulf spiritual energy. And "Two of Wands" holds the capability to erect protective shields and launch offensives, albeit equally plagued by curses that warp reality and lurk to unleash pandemonium. But what if I could capitalize on those curses to my advantage? What if I could harness the corruption of "Hunger on Trial" to spawn a pheromone that draws the colossal insects towards me? It's a bold, even reckless, idea, yet in this nightmarish enclosure, conventional rules seem to lack relevance.

My fingers tremble as I imprint my conjecture on the canvas of my consciousness, feeling the weight of responsibility upon my shoulders. Will I truly be able to master these dark forces and wield them to my benefit? Or will they consume me before I even attempt? Yet, I have no time for doubts or hesitations. If I desire to survive, I must act. And this conjecture, however extravagant it may seem, represents my strongest hope of finding a way out of this realm of death and desolation. With a trembling sigh, I push aside my fear and prepare to take the next step in my desperate quest for advantage.

I had a theory, whose seed of suspicion sprouted in the fertile soil of my distrust. I didn't believe that everything consumed by the insatiable "Hunger on Trial" vanished into thin air; it must find its destiny in some remote corner of the inner world. With no certainty, I felt compelled to search for traces of its feast, like one scrutinising the shadows of a throat housing a digestive and spiritual system, hidden from mortal sight. In a panic, I noticed that after each bite of the lethal choker, my eyes succumbed to bewilderment, flickering like fireflies in the dimness. Yet, that description was insufficient, a faint approximation to the inexplicable: something faded before my eyes, a blurry spectre, more opaque than the golden hall of "Two of Wands", like undulating tentacles in an ethereal sea of milk or ash, hard to define but palpable in its essence. It was, one could say, the very essence of the spirit, corrupted by the liquor of Hanging Gardens devoured by the "Hunger on Trial".

I suspected that this corruption, which I will call "degeneration" for now, manifested differently in Hanging Gardens, in "Hunger on Trial", and in "Two of Wands". While the corruption of the gardens was the most virulent, the voracity of the hungry choker could rival its ravages, as I had witnessed on multiple occasions. "Hunger on Trial" seemed to be the most effective weapon against the abominations of the gardens, while the corruption of "Two of Wands" was subtle and weak in comparison, as if it were still in an evolutionary process. With this uncertain theory rooted in my senses and experiences, I conceived the idea of confronting these corruptions in the coliseum of alchemy, where the throes of destiny would dictate their verdict. My hands, trembling before the magnitude of the task I am about to undertake, cling to the fragile balance between courage and fear. Aware of the abyss lying at my feet, I prepare to manipulate forces whose dark designs and unfathomable powers eclipse the light of reason. But I have no alternative. The urgent need to escape this hell compels me to continue, even as every fiber of my being shudders at the spectre of fear.

I gather samples from the plants that nurture the ill-fated giant insects, and a chilling shiver runs down my spine as I approach the breeding grounds of these aberrations. The twisted and corrupted nature of this cursed garden awakens in me the desire to retreat, yet I know I must advance if I even hope to glimpse a glimmer of hope. With trembling hands, I unfold the "Devourer of Souls" ability of "Hunger on Trial", eager to absorb the spiritual essence of the plants and extract samples of their corrupted genetic material. Each step in this odyssey brings me somewhat closer to the abyss, but I persist, driven by desperation and determination.

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Once in possession of the precious samples, I delve into the dark territory of pheromone synthesis. Guided by the knowledge gained from my previous inquiries and by the observations of magical artifacts, I proceed with caution, aware of the danger lurking around every corner. The "Voracious Bite" ability of "Hunger on Trial" stands as my loyal ally, speeding up the synthesis process and enhancing the chemical reaction required to forge the coveted pheromone. Every flicker of light emanating from the choker reminds me of the price I must pay for my craving for freedom. As I continue my work, terror grips me, as if I am playing with fire, knowing that at any moment the flames could consume me entirely. Nevertheless, I press on with determination, aware that this is my only chance to escape this living hell and find the redemption I fervently long for.

With lips trembling like the leaves of a tree whipped by the wind and a heart beating to the rhythm of a frenzied drum, I plunge into the titanic challenge of synthesizing the pheromone that I crave to be the key to unlocking my chains and leading me towards the longed-for freedom. The samples of corrupted genetic material rest before me as silent witnesses to the horrors hidden within the bowels of this accursed enclosure, emitting an ominous aura that envelops the room in a cloak of tangible darkness. I strive to maintain serenity as I combine the elements, each of my movements meticulously calculated, recalling with crystal clarity every nuance of my previous observations and experiments. The "Devourer of Souls" ability of "Hunger on Trial" pulses in my mind like a sinister echo, reminding me of the dark power that lies locked within this choker and the high tribute I must pay for defying it.

Guided by the knowledge painstakingly acquired in my initial research and the clues found in the magical objects, I advance with reckless determination. Every drop of sweat beading my forehead seemed to carry the weight of oppressive anxiety, but I persevere, driven by the hope of a tomorrow beyond the bounds of this sinister labyrinth and its collection of horrors. The "Voracious Bite" ability of "Hunger on Trial" becomes my faithful companion once more, hastening the pace of synthesis and enlivening the alchemical reaction that transforms the samples into the elusive pheromone desired. I close my eyes and immerse myself in the task, discarding all thoughts unrelated to the work at hand. Every moment seems like an eternity as I await the final result, fearful of what my efforts may unleash. But at last, when I open my eyes and behold the fruit of my labour, a spark of hope radiates from the depths of my being. The pheromone is ready, and with it, a glimmer of possibility illuminates the path to an escape from this infernal maze.

With the pheromone captive in the fragile rod of my hands, I am about to embark on the efficacy tests, aware that this step is crucial to ensure my survival in this gloomy scenario. My fingers, barely perceptibly, tremble under the weight of the responsibility they now bear, holding the essence that could be my ticket to the longed-for freedom, but also my sentence if fortune's designs turn against me. I decide to carry out the tests in a relatively safe corner within the monument of perversion, seeking to minimize risks as much as possible. The mist enveloping the corrupted garden under the perpetual twilight adds an additional layer of oppression to the environment around me, further darkening the horizon of my hopes. With trembling hands, I disperse a minuscule amount of the pheromone into the air, cautiously observing any hint of change in the atmosphere. My senses, sharpened like the edge of a sword on the eve of battle, remain alert, every fiber of my being tense, eagerly awaiting the outcome of my experiment.

Moments pass that feel like eternities, and I perceive with growing anticipation a subtle change in the surrounding atmosphere. The giant insects, grotesque winged creatures that soar the skies of the monument, show signs of unease, as if they had sensed the presence of something foreign to their world. My heart, pounding in my chest, races at the fascinating and terrifying sight of how the winged colossi begin to converge in my direction, drawn by the pheromone I have released into the air. The tension in the atmosphere becomes palpable, and I feel adrenaline coursing through my veins as I eagerly await the outcome of this crucial test. For a fleeting moment, I am intoxicated by the illusion of control, as if I had managed to tame the untamed forces surrounding me for my own benefit. But this ephemeral sense of triumph is quickly overshadowed by the cruel reminder that I am still a prisoner in this gloomy den, and that my struggle for freedom is far from over. Nevertheless, amid the shadows of my fears and doubts, a small flame of hope shines in my chest. For the first time since my arrival in this infernal place, I glimpse the possibility of escape. With that faint light as my guide, I prepare to face the challenges that stand like walls between myself and the freedom I so desperately crave.

After verifying the efficacy of the pheromone and attracting the winged colossi, I understand that my work is far from over. While it is undeniable that the essence takes effect, I cannot afford errors. It is urgent to refine and adjust it meticulously, ensuring its maximum effectiveness and avoiding any unwanted side effects. With the valuable substance in the ape's paw, I return to my ephemeral and makeshift study within the heart of the corrupted monument. My thoughts are besieged by unease and anxiety, but also by the firm determination that guides my actions. This is my chance to escape from this den of nightmares, and I cannot afford to fail. I delve into the review of my mental notes and records of past experiments, scrutinizing every line for clues and patterns that will lead me to the desired improvement. Every detail, however trivial it may seem, is of crucial importance; every observation could be the key that unlocks the path to success.

Once the necessary changes are outlined, I return to the arduous task of synthesizing the pheromone. Using the gathered information, I carefully adjust the proportions of corruption and refine the synthesis process, hoping to increase its effectiveness and minimize inherent risks. The ability "Voracious Bite" from "Hunger on Trial" emerges as my faithful ally, accelerating the chemical dance that transforms the samples into the desired essence. Every step I take is imbued with tension and anticipation, but also with determined ferocity. After multiple trials and adjustments, I finally possess a new version of the pheromone ready for testing. I prepare to face the danger once more, hoping that my efforts and sacrifices have found resonance in this new iteration. With my heart pounding in my throat, I disperse a slight amount of the pheromone into the air through the rod and cautiously await any hint of change in the environment. This time, I trust that my hard work and sacrifices have been rewarded, bringing me one step closer to my longed-for goal: escaping from this cursed realm and finding the redemption I so desperately crave.