[Book II Chapter 102] ROSE: An Obvious Outcome
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Stannis departed quickly without a word. The two necromancers, Alana and Raphael, followed him with looks of displeasure, taking their companions with them. They’d lost this round. Even if they returned and defeated the tyrant again, the loot for the first clear of Dark Heritage would be claimed.
Rose hopped down the crater to congratulate the duel’s victor. “I can’t believe you got Stannis to admit defeat…” Despite struggling for a while, her sister had achieved an unlikely upset.
“Me neither.” Dawn replied, staring bitterly at the towering pillar of ice she’d created. Even as the others heaped praise upon her, she maintained her sullen demeanor. I’ll never understand her. Normally she’d be reveling in this kind of attention. I might as well appreciate the reprieve. She’ll be unbearable later.
Eventually, attention turned to the temple entrance. “We’re still one too many…” Cindy said. “How do we choose who proceeds?”
“I’ll withdraw.” Noor offered graciously. “I’d like to get my hand reattached as soon as possible.” Retrieving his frozen limb from Dawn, he retreated.
Walking down the corridor, they reached a spacious atrium. On all sides, a mountain of treasure overflowed: artifacts, precious metals, jewels…
“There’s no way all this is the reward.” Rose exclaimed.
“This is likely a ‘pick one’ scenario.” Cindy explained. “If anyone attempts to take more…” She pointed to horned dark knights stationed on every floor.
“Before we split up to make our choice, let’s collect our true prizes.” Valrie approached the alter at the atrium’s center on which rested three items.
“Are these what I think?” Lonar asked.
Valrie nodded, pointing to black tentacles intertwined in the form a staff. “Chthonian Rite, which Sola wielded to conjure eldrish abominations on the battlefield.”
Her hand moved to a bunch of small metallic skulls connected in the form of a necklace. “The Necrotic Judicar, which transformed Nataray into the avatar of hate.”
Until receiving this artifact, Nataray had been much like Cedric Grinfield, an avenger hunting down evildoers. Although it was ordinarily difficult to gleam information from lingering soul fragments in the Abyss, Necrotic Judicar’s illusory grace, whispers of the dead, allowed her to extract those answers. Over time, delving that cesspool of resentment had corrupted her mind to the point where she loathed all life.
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“And finally,” Valrie glanced at a stake fused to the chain linking a pair of manacles. “The Shackles of the Damned, worn by Kongal’s avatar until the dark age’s final day.”
In the case of Kaine, king of sirks, the loyalty instilled in him by his creator was enough to ensure he’d led his people to extinction and fall into despair. To guarantee this outcome, Sola fashioned an artifact to prevent his death or capture. As long as the shackles were worn, the wearer would resurrect endlessly where the stake was driven into the ground.
“With the gauntlet Zentrias is wearing, we’ve recovered everything.” Ezekiel stated.
After sealing and storing away the dangerous artifacts, they separated to make their selection. After a couple of minutes, Rose was elated to discover what she was searching for. I can’t believe I found one. She swiftly snatched up the miracle seed. Among all the marvels ——and horrors—— gathered here, it was the rarest she’d seen.
This adventure was a grand success, Rose thought as they teleported back to the entrance. Outside, she was happy to see a bored Roxanne lounging in the courtyard. “You were waiting for us?” She cried out.
“Considering what you’re meant to bring back, somebody had to be here to greet you. I took up the role as it’s been quiet since Astra froze the surrounding Twisted Lands.” Her mentor replied. “It wouldn’t do to have you ambush by a disreputable party.” She smirked in the direction where Stannis and his group lurked quietly.
Roxanne then laid her eyes on Zentrias, and her face went white. “Those fingers…” She whispered.
A tall black staff appeared in her hands, crackling with crimson flame. “Take them off immediately.” She demanded coldly.
“I can’t.” Zentrias replied. “They’re fused with my hands.”
“I’ll rip them off for you.” Roxanne declared.
Rose quickly interposed herself. “Cutting them off doesn’t work. The bandages just reassemble him.”
“If that what it takes, I’ll burn him so badly there is nothing to left reassemble. Now move aside.” Roxanne’s tone tolerated no disobedience.
Failing to note the madness in the woman’s eyes, Dawn walked forward to mediate. “Calm down. We all want the gauntlets——”
With a ruthless swipe of her staff, Roxanne send her sister flying into a wall, where she slumpt unmoving. “Last warning. Move aside.” There was a desperate resignation in her voice. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
Rose flinched, her panic rising. Considering what Nuzou did to her, I should’ve seen this coming!
“Elliot!” Cindy yelled out. “Get here now!” Rose saw a wish seed vanishing from her comrade’s hand.
“You called?” Elliot Watson appeared besides them in his usual refined attire. His brows furrowed witnessing the confrontation. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s trying to remove his gauntlets by force.” Cindy explained, pointing.
Elliot glanced at Zentrias’s sharp metallic fingers, and his eyes lit up in understanding. He jumped in front of Rose. “I understand your reaction——
“You’re getting in the way too?” Roxanne raged. Her staff flared viciously. “I swear those things will never hurt another soul.”
Elliot shoved Rose away as Roxanne unleashed her crimson fire. She turned to find him struggle to block the flames with a purple barrier.
“You can’t stop me.” Roxanne declared. “I won’t let you.”
We can’t reason with her. “Zentrias, go back inside the dungeon.” Rose called out. “She can’t enter there.”
“He’s not escaping.” Roxanne summon a flock of phoenixes, which dove after the fleeing man. Fortunately, Elliot shoot down enough of the birds for Zentrias to dodge the rest. He disappeared inside Dark Legacy’s skull entrance.
“Noooo!” Roxanne howled.
“Don’t worry, I’ll recover them.” Stannis Gilron announced, dashing into the darkness as his companioned moved to prevent others from following.