CHAPTER 15: THE ETHEREAL GUIDE

Cold wind blows through the stagnant air inside the hidden passageway. The first rays of dawn mingle with our slowly fading torchlight, casting shadows upon the ornated walls, replicating the drawn scenes of ancient battles anew. Elara and I make our way back to the entrance, still wondering what the newly discovered treasures will bring in the future. The crystal we found is a great mystery, and we are eager to discover what will come next.

Step after step, we climb the stairwell back to the surface, expecting to see the forest lit by the rays of the sun and the plain with the altar in its center. But instead of the forest, we emerge in a distorted, clear space filled with nothing but the void itself.

A figure stands solemnly in this space, their back turned to us. They are tall and clad in black, like the silhouette of a shadow. Their posture is straight, and an aura of strength and ruthlessness envelopes them.

Instinctively, we draw our weapons, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

The figure begins to speak, their voice resonating in the emptiness around us. "Congratulations on retrieving the artifact of the Lost Legacy. With the acquisition of the crystal and artifact, you have earned the unique chance to prove yourselves to us and assembling the missing pieces of the artifact, revitalizing it to it's true power. This will allow you to defeat an incredible strong enemy posing a threat for this whole world."

"Who are you?" I ask, my voice steady despite the unease I feel.

Elara steps forward, her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'proving ourselves'? What exactly do you want from us?"

The figure jolts slightly at the question, then lets out a soft chuckle. "Those voices... hehehe, this will be more entertaining than I thought!" The figure's tone shifts, becoming more formal. "Let's say I'm a friend, at least for now."

The figure turns to face us, their features obscured by the darkness of their cloak. "You must gather the remaining pieces of the artifact. Only then will you unlock its true power and understand your destiny. The path will be fraught with challenges, but the rewards will be beyond your imagination."

I exchange a glance with Elara, both of us processing the implications of the figure's words. "And how are we supposed to find these pieces?" I ask.

The figure raises a hand, and a shimmering map materializes in the air before us. "This map will guide you. It reveals the locations of the remaining pieces. Each location holds its own dangers and trials. But I have no doubt that you possess the strength and cunning to overcome them."

I reach out and take the map, feeling a surge of energy as my fingers touch it. "Why are you helping us? What do you gain from this?" I ask, my suspicion evident in my tone.

The figure's smile is hidden, but I can sense it in their voice. "My reasons are my own. Suffice it to say, your success aligns with my interests. Now, go forth and complete this quest. The fate of this world rests upon your shoulders."

With those final words, the figure fades into the void, leaving Elara and me alone once more.

As the unknown figure is slowly fading away, they raise their arm one last time. Reacting to this the artifact and the crystal begin to glow, levitating from our bags. They circle each other, orbiting closer and closer with each rotation till they finally merge into one.

With the artifact merged, the void around us starts to waver, and the distorted space dissolves, returning us to the forest clearing with the altar.

Elara looks at me, her expression a mixture of determination and concern. "What do you think, Orin? Can we trust anything that just happened?"

I study the map in my hands, feeling the weight of our mission pressing down on me. "I don't know, Elara. But their presence alone was so strong, I think we don't have much of a choice here. We need to find those pieces and unlock the full potential of the artifact. Whatever it takes."

We take a moment to gather our thoughts and then begin our journey back to the city. The forest is alive with the sounds of the day, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the void. As we walk, we discuss our next steps.

"We should head to the first location on the map," Elara suggests, glancing at the parchment. "It looks like it's in the southern swamps. Not the most pleasant place, but we don't have time to waste."

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"Agreed," I say. "But first, we need to rest and prepare. This isn't going to be easy, and we need to be at our best."

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Back in the city, we find an inn to rest and recuperate. The artifact and the map are safely tucked away, and we take some time to gather supplies and make plans. The innkeeper, a kind old woman with a surprising wealth of knowledge about the region, provides us with valuable information about the swamps and the dangers we might face.

The enemies we might face in the swamp consist most commonly of scaly, poisonous serpents and the living trees known as treant. She also warned us about the corrosive gases which permeate the area.

To prepare we roam the shopping streets of the city to buy supplies like extra foot and water prove gear and better boots. We also coat our weapon in an expansive oil, said to aid in resisting the corrosive gas in the swamps.

From the apothecary we sell the herbs we found in the dungeon for quite the profit and use it to also obtain a plethora of healing potions and antidotes to protect us against the dangerous poison of the serpants.

As evening falls, Elara and I sit by the fireplace, the warmth and comfort of the inn a stark contrast to the cold, harsh journey ahead.

"So," Elara begins, her voice soft but firm, "I know we've faced a lot together, but this... this feels different. More dangerous. Are you sure we're ready for this?"

I look into her eyes, seeing the same determination and resolve that I feel. "We have to be ready. We've come too far to turn back now. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "Together."

The next morning, we set out for the southern swamps. The journey is long and arduous, but the map guides us with unerring accuracy. As we travel, I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched, but I chalk it up to paranoia. We reach the outskirts of the swamps as the sun sets, the landscape becoming increasingly inhospitable and foreboding. On our way to the swamp, we had to fight with a large number of goblins and slimes.

The swamps are a murky, treacherous expanse of waterlogged land, with twisted trees and dense undergrowth. The air is thick with humidity, and the ground squelches beneath our boots. The eerie call of unseen creatures echoes through the mist, and the stagnant water reflects the gnarled silhouettes of ancient trees. Moss hangs like tattered shrouds from their branches, swaying gently in the faint breeze. A dense fog blankets the area, limiting our visibility and giving the surroundings an ethereal, almost otherworldly feel.

As we make our way through the thick roots of the tall trees, I detect an enemy presence. I signal to Elara to stop. “There is an enemy ahead. It seems like a serpent, so let’s prepare.” With this, we ready our battle stances and slowly move forward, our eyes pried for the serpent. Then, we see it move through the swampy water at high speeds. The serpent's scales glisten in the dim light, its body a sinuous coil of muscle and menace.

The serpent rushes toward us and leaps out of the waters in an attempt to throw us off and attack us while we are in a state of shock, but we are prepared. Elara takes her longsword to engage the enemy while I try to attack its back with my daggers. I give my best, but as I strike the serpent, its tail lashes out at me, and I get hit, the force sending me sprawling into the mud.

[Achievement made]

[Achievement acquired: "First Serpent Battle"]

[Reward: "Skill Upgrade"]

[Skill acquired: "Basic Dagger Mastery Lv: 9"]

I stagger to my feet, the notification flashing in my mind. The serpent's movements are quick and fluid, a blur of scales and fangs. Elara's longsword gleams as she deflects a strike from the serpent's fangs, the blade biting into its scaled hide. I circle around, using my newly enhanced dagger skills to aim for its vulnerable spots.

The serpent hisses, its forked tongue flickering out as it lunges at Elara. She sidesteps, her sword cutting a deep gash along its side. Taking advantage of its distraction, I dart forward and drive my dagger into the base of its skull. The serpent writhes in agony before collapsing into the murky water, its body twitching before going still.

Breathing heavily, we exchange a brief nod. Victory is ours, but the swamp is far from safe. We press on, the eerie silence of the swamp only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant croak of frogs.

[Achievement made]

[Achievement acquired: "Serpent Slayer"]

[Reward: "New Title"]

[Title acquired: "Serpent Slayer"]

Our journey takes us deeper into the swamp, where the trees grow denser and the air heavier with an earthy, decaying scent. Suddenly, the ground trembles beneath our feet. Ancient trees around us begin to creak and groan as if coming to life. From the shadows, enormous figures step forward—treants, living trees with gnarled limbs and glowing eyes.

“These are no ordinary trees,” I mutter to Elara, drawing my daggers once more. The treants tower over us, their bark-like skin cracking as they move. One of them raises a massive limb and swings it toward us. Elara rolls out of the way, her sword slicing into its wooden arm. I leap onto another, using my daggers to climb up its body, aiming for what I hope is a weak spot near its eyes.

The treant roars, shaking me off, but not before I land a critical hit. I crash to the ground, narrowly avoiding being crushed by its massive foot. Elara fights valiantly beside me, her strength and skill with the longsword proving invaluable.

As we defeat the treants, the path to the dungeon becomes clear. The ancient stone structure is partially submerged, with vines and moss creeping over its surface. The entrance yawns open, a dark void that seems to swallow the light.

“This must be it,” Elara says, her voice a mix of excitement and trepidation. “The first relic lies within.”

Nodding, I step forward, my mind racing with thoughts of the challenges ahead. This quest is not just about the relics but about uncovering the secrets of my past. I feel a strange sense of anticipation as we descend into the darkness of the dungeon, ready to face whatever lies ahead.