Chapter 8 : Darkveil Forest

Suddenly, Ezra found himself lifted into the air, spinning around. He caught a glimpse of the person spinning him———a man in his 30s with unruly black hair, piercing black eyes, and weathered, rough skin.

A prominent scar slashed through his left eyebrow, adding a rugged charm to his face. He had broad shoulders and well-defined muscles and wore a broad grin that spoke of genuine joy.

"Uncle Relius!" Ezra shouted, his eyes wide with surprise and joy.

Uncle Relius, or Aurelius Artemis, was the older brother of Ezra's father, Adonis Artemis. He looked like an older version of Adonis, yet he had a youthful aura about him.

Even though Adonis had a fit body, his features were softer and more refined, befitting a researcher. In contrast, Aurelius's physique was rugged and chiseled, with broad shoulders, a muscular build, and a stance that suggested years of physical training and hard labor.

"Uncle Relius! When did you arrive?" Zara's excited voice came from behind Ezra.

"I just got here," he said, handing over a bag to Zara. "Here, these are some souvenirs for you two."

Uncle Relius rarely visited, but whenever he did, he always brought souvenirs for Zara and Ezra, much to their delight.

"So I don't get any souvenir?" Adonis asked playfully.

"We just met yesterday," Uncle Relius said with a mock scowl.

"You've been at the Capital?" Acantha asked, joining the conversation.

"Yeah, it's been a few days since I came back from the Crypts," he said with a small nod.

As a Void Explorer, Uncle Relius spent most of his time inside the Void Crypts. Ezra had heard that there were cities within the Crypts, built by the Void Explorers themselves.

Ezra had initially thought that the Void Crypt was some dungeon or small pocket dimension where you fight a monster and then get a reward, influenced by the fantasy knowledge of the memories.

The memories made his perspective different from the people around him. Sometimes, they left him confused; other times, they sparked ideas and concepts he had never encountered in this life.

Despite his assumptions, the Void Crypt was a whole other world. It wasn't a labyrinth created by some mad wizard or a crack in the dimension. It was a world where people once lived, complete with dense forests, towering mountains, and vast, turbulent seas that stretched into the horizon.

His uncle had told him and Zara many stories of his adventures in the Void Crypts, and he likes to boast his exploits to his nieces, often embellishing his achievements for their amusement.

Ezra has always enjoyed hearing his uncle's stories, gaining a wealth of information about the Void Crypt that left him both captivated, intrigued, and eager to explore this mysterious realm himself one day.

Acantha continued their conversation, "So, how long will you be staying this time?" she asked, knowing that Uncle Relius's visits were often short.

"Oh, I'll be here for a few weeks this time," he said with a small laugh, then added, "And I also have some other business to take care of."

"Is it about the Darkveil Forest?" Adonis asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, the association has issued a contract," Relius said, nodding.

"So your squad is here as well?" Adonis asked, his expression turning serious.

"Not yet, but they'll be here soon. One of them will arrive tomorrow."

Ezra didn't fully grasp the details of their conversation, but he sensed its seriousness. He understood that the world he lived in wasn't just filled with flowers and sunshine; it also harbored nightmarish horrors that roamed freely.

"You two, go check out what Uncle Relius brought upstairs," his mother said, noticing her children's curiosity. She didn't seem keen on involving them in the ongoing conversation.

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"No, Cathy, I think they should be warned about these things," his father said, having a different idea.

There was a hint of hesitation on Acantha's face, then she sighed and nodded to her husband.

Adonis turned to his children and began to explain.

"So, you know about the Darkveil Forest, right?" he said, getting nods from Ezra and Zara.

Of course, Ezra knew about the Darkveil Forest. It was part of a vast woodland that formed a natural border between several kingdoms. The Darkveil Forest and the Gaia Forest were separated by a river, If one ventured to the edge of the Gaia Forest and crossed the river, they would find themselves in the Darkveil Forest.

The forest was forbidden for children due to the dangers lurking within its depths, and even some adults hesitated to enter it. It was said that the deeper you went, the more perilous it became.

But of course, the adults ventured into the forest. Despite its dangers, it was a major resource for Gaia Village. Hunters brought back meat, leather, and other animal materials, while others gathered herbs and minerals. The forest was abundant with valuable resources.

His father continued, "Over the past few years, the forest has become more dreadful," he paused, then added, "There have been more sightings of Void creatures near the forest's edge lately."

"What's a Void creature?" Zara asked, voicing the same question on Ezra's mind.

"They are a type of grotesque creatures mainly found in the Void Crypt," it was their uncle who answered.

"Yes, they are very unpredictable and vicious creatures. There are two village people dea- I mean went missing last week," Adonis said with a troubled expression, then added, "So you two have to be careful when you go play under the Gaia Tree and never go near the river."

"Is Uncle Relius here to defeat all these monsters?" Zara said, her eyes lit up with enthusiasm rather than fear.

Ezra understood that two people had died, despite his father's attempt to soften the news. However, he felt little remorse upon hearing of the deaths in his village, which housed over five thousand residents. The news of two strangers' deaths didn't stir much emotion in him.

However, he was more concerned about the incident happening near the village they lived in, as it exposed him to the harsh realities of the real world, a stark contrast to the serene and peaceful village life he had known.

"You bet, I'm going to kick the crap out of those evil creatures," their uncle boasted, answering Zara with a laugh.

"So, did you bring your Void suit?" Ezra asked, excitement surging through his eyes. He knew his uncle had a Void suit. Ever since Ezra saw one at the market, he had been captivated by it.

He was fascinated by its sleek design and powerful aura. The aesthetic beauty of the suit had left an indelible impression on him, fueling his imagination and sparking a deep admiration for the incredible piece of equipment. One of the reasons for his passion for Rune craft was because of the suit.

Relius grinned at Ezra's eager expression. "Of course I brought my suit. It's in the basement, your father is doing some maintenance on it."

Ezra's smile widened upon hearing that, but it quickly faded at the mention of the basement.

After the incident in the basement, they were banned from entering it without permission, making it necessary for them to use their secret weapon to persuade their parents for access.

He glanced at his sister, who met his gaze. In a split second, it seemed they communicated silently through their eyes, then both turned to their parents, wearing matching puppy-dog eyes.

"Fine, come with me," Adonis sighed with a small chuckle, giving in to their request, and led them down to the basement.

As they entered, Ezra caught sight of the Void suit positioned on a stand, giving it an almost lifelike appearance. Even from behind, its majesty was evident, stirring a sense of awe in him.

Standing before the suit, Ezra found himself momentarily breathless. Unlike the bulky models he had seen at the market, this Void suit was different. It was sleek and form-fitting, resembling more of a bodysuit than armor. Intricate patterns adorned its edges, giving it an almost alien appearance. Covering nearly the entire body, it exuded a sense of lightweight yet formidable design.

Ezra was certain that the suits he had seen before and this one were distinctly different from each other.

'And this one is even cooler' he thought, and voicing his curiosity, "This is different," he said making his father grin,

"Of course it's different, because this is an original Void suit, unearthed from the depths of the Void Crypt itself, not some imitation crafted by modern artisans," his father explained passionately, his scholarly enthusiasm evident in his eyes.

"Most of the runes we know were studied from these original Void suits, yet we haven't fully grasped the extent of the runes engraved on them. That's why no one has ever created a Void suit that rivals the originals," his father explained.

Ezra slowly moved his hand toward the suit in a lucid motion as he listened to his father's explanation in the background.

When he touched the suit, he could feel the material used to make it. It didn't feel like any metal; it wasn't soft either. It felt organic but incredibly durable, as if it were made from a blend of living tissue and some unyielding, otherworldly substance.

The surface was smooth yet firm, almost as if it were breathing, but it exuded a sense of invincibility.

"It is incredibly rare to even see one of these in one's lifetime," his father continued, his voice tinged with reverence. "Artisans would kill for the opportunity to study one for just a few hours."

"Yeah, I still remember the look on his face when your father first saw this suit," Uncle Relius recounted, laughing. "I could practically see his jaw hit the floor."

Everyone chuckled, familiar with Adonis's antics when it came to such topics.

Ezra noticed his father coughing awkwardly, swiftly changing the topic to shift focus away from any uncomfortable memories. He delved into explanations about the suit and rune crafting. Ezra, too, began to appreciate the depth of his father's passion.

Sometime later, they gathered for lunch, sharing hearty meals and lively conversation. Uncle Relius, with a twinkle in his eye, spun tales of his daring adventures, painting vivid pictures of faraway lands and ancient ruins. The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and storytelling

That night, Ezra had a dream of a life in a distant place.