Chapter 1312 - The Realm of Reality and Nightmare (2/2)
“Beyond the worlds we know, there are existences similar to her. Mother has said this before,” the female warden replied. “So you are suspecting that they are…”
“Mother was lonely, but I think, she will not be any longer,” Loken said as he formed a scepter out of pure energy in his hand. A bolt of lightning surged out from the tip of the scepter and blasted the shadow creeping out from the base of the pyramid. “Those warriors probably came from Mother’s ‘home’ and I could vaguely hear her voice, urging me to trust the warriors. So while they face Lockmarton, our traitor brother, we shall stand our ground, and the tide of chaos shall break before us!”
“When the Ark is opened, mortals from the real world can venture into the realm of nightmare, and the monsters there can use the same pathway into the real world,” the female warden spoke, her voice slow with a rhythmic hum. The cavern was now canvassed by shadows, and the dusk light birthed many writhing monstrosities racing outwards. “Lockmarton will not let this chance go… but this time, we shall not falter!”
A series of light orbs exploded and the roar of combat echoed as the forces of light and darkness clashed. Within the cavern of the Ark, the wardens gave battle to the monsters seeping out of the nightmare realm. The final battle!
On the other side of the Realm of Reflections yet unscathed by combat, in the realm of nightmare, all that happened was the flickering of light on the dimmed pyramid. And this little changes did little to stop the attackers.
Hao Ren and Calaxus led the remaining group of warriors across a long tunnel. With the warden’s guidance, they slowly approached the surface.
Aside from the barbarians who were following the Alpha blindly, the men that Calaxus had brought with him had already realized that they had entered a different world. It was difficult to put into words, but they were very sure that they had stepped into a foreign land!
After leaving the Ark’s cavern and marching on, they should have passed by Asurmen’s crystal hallway and the audience chamber, but now, even when they were moving in the exact same direction and location, they only saw an abandoned rock tunnel around them, plastered with chaotic runes and pictograms. Twisted bones and corroded weapons littered all over the cavern and there was also a pond with a silvery, mercury-like substance in it.
Anyone of the clergies who had lived in Fidelinopolis could attest that there was no such place beneath Asurmen!
“Stay away from that pond,” the Lord of Mountains thundered. “That is a trap of the nightmare. Anyone who falls for it will be trapped in an illusion and die drinking their own blood. Those piles of bones by the pond are its victims.”
Muru cautiously looked at everything along the way as he walked behind his elder siblings made out of rock and metal. He finally found the opportunity to speak. “This cavern seemed to be designed for giants… It is quite huge.”
“That’s because initially, only us giants stood guard against the nightmare.” Geddon glanced at Muru before he nodded. “Didn’t have the time for greetings earlier. You and I are siblings. I suppose Mother created you much later.”
“We didn’t even know we had siblings made of stone like you.”
“That’s because we are a part of history that needs to be forgotten.” Geddon patted Muru on the shoulder as the cave echoed. “…As a life form, you are much more refined than us.”
Muru was collecting his thoughts to respond but by then, they had reached the end of the tunnel.
The dusk light shone at the entrance, and the chaotic skyline was now visible. At the same time, rolling thunder and furious roars could be heard in the distance.
“Welcome to the real Collow,” Geddon announced. “Welcome to the last line of defense in the realm of nightmares, the Eventide Fortress!”
He then grumbled under his breath. “You can also call it the Eventide Ruins.”