10 A Hero from the Pas (1/2)
In the middle of the room a book illuminated by an unknown beam of light floated above an altar.
”...!”
”That book...”
Rainer walked to the altar step by step, his heart was beating loudly, showing how nervous he was.
When he arrived at one step from the altar, he stood there.
He extended both of his arms and slowly placed his fingers on it.
”...”
Nothing happened, no trap was set and no army of undead appeared to defend it.
After removing the book, the light seemed to realize that it had lost its purpose and disappeared.Rainer placed the book back upon the altar and it reappeared.
”How convenient...”
After having played with the light, Rainer checked the book.
”...”
The leather-wrapped book he was holding in his hands was from the Ancient Era, but it looked like it had just been writen without showing any signs of aging.It seemed to be covered with a mysterious energy.
He opened the pages but he was unable to understand anything.....
”With so few ancient records left, the ancient language is almost lost...”
”What is the use of this book for me if I can't understand it!”
After his fuss, Rainer decided to look around the rest of the place.
On the first gate, the design of a huge snake could be seen.Though it was not real, its eyes emitted a deadly chill.
...
”Uhgggg”
Rainer tried to force the gate without much success and it didn't look like there was a mechanism in sight.
After a while, Rainer realized that each door represented a different beast.Furthermore, all beast designs were the same as the beasts on the murals in the corridor!
”Where have I wandered, is this some kind of evil cult? I must be careful....”
Rainer felt that he had entered into the wolf's mouth without realizing it.
”I'd better go home, Alisha might be worried....”
When Rainer was about to leave, Lerna, who had been quiet the whole time, walked into the corridor.
”...? You also want to leave this place,right?”
Impatiently, Rainer followed Lerna back into the corridor, and it was then that Rainer noticed a single painting on the wall in front of the murals.
It portrayed ten persons from different races in the room that Rainer had been in a few moments ago.
The man to the far right seemed to be human, easily recognisable among the others, his fire-red hair and eyes were very prominent features, but in general, his facial characteristics made him look like a 'pretty boy'.
Other was a dwarf wearing a heavy armor and a hammer on his back,he had the typical appearance of a dwarf, he was short and well built, he also had an abundant beard.
One of the few women carried a shining bow and quiver due to her pointed ears, she was probably an elf.Her green hair and eyes were prominent, in general she was very beautiful.
Another woman wore heavy scarlet armour, Rainer never heard of a race like the woman's but he supposed that she could be a dragonkin.A race that seems to be extinct because all the members of it disappeared one day without a single trace..
Rainer thought she was a very attractive lady, she had a generous chest and cherry-colored lips but her expression made her look like she always looked angry.
The dragonkin were able to change between human and dragon shape, they were great warriors that according to the legends, there was no rival for them, of course, this was until the arrival of the Giant Race...
....
Rainer was not able to see any further because the painting was in a very poor state.
All these great figures were different from each other, but what all of them had in common...
It was a ring with a torch emblem!
....
Rainer came closer to the painting and picked it up. Behind it a sort of safe was set in the wall.
”Too simple....”
Inside the safe were papers that after touching them became dust, keeping their shape for hundreds of years was an impossible task....
Under all the paperwork, a ring with a torch pattern appeared.
”Eureka!”
He quickly grabbed the ring and put it on his finger.Immediately, a wave pierced his brain and a message echoed through his mind.
”Hi predecessor, my name is not relevant but I was known as Jekaho, the human hero.First of all this is a recorded mental message for the one who receives the ring after my departure, don't get your hopes up.”
”Whatever race you are, I must congratulate and apologize to you all at once, if you have arrived here it means that you have overcome all the obstacles I placed at the entrance of the cave.
To the point, this palace was built by us, the Ten Heroes, its existence is at once the salvation and the perdition of this world. Here are the souls of the last ten giants that no one was able to defeat....”