23 The Hands of Bligh (1/2)
Thousands of miles away from Fyhir, Savage beasts and wild vegetation predominated region. Unlike most sections of Mathras, a dense fog covered this area which caused most of the vegetation to have strange colors. In fact, they would only grow in places like this–where the sunlight could not touch them. Unlike most plants who needed the sun for its growth, they abhorred its piercing light. Just like the floral, the beast also thrived within the artificial darkness caused by the fog, and a majority of the beast had a reputation for being the most venomous creatures in Mathras.
If the constant howls of beasts or, the oddly shaped vegetation, and the ominous whistling caused by the howling wind did not scare Intruders away, then the number of beast corpses would do the job. Coupled with the fowl stench which pervaded the air. Originating from the corpses and excrement of the beasts. With several venomous creatures inhabiting this region of Mathras, poisonous gases covered a fair proportion of the region. Death, and a painful one at that, would be the only reward for those who wandered carelessly into this deathtrap.
However, the silhouette of a man-like being weaved through the vegetation covered with fog. Taking a closer look, it was an Elf who had a black glow covering his body. Meanwhile, the fog and poisonous gases in the area, churned and parted, almost as if the black glow on the Elf's body was their weakness.
Without saying a word, the Elf who had only his eyes and ears exposed, continued on his journey through the forest. A few minutes later, he appeared before a massive rock formation. The fog in this area was denser than others regions of the forest, and the number of vegetation had decreased, too. Occasionally, the faint howls of beast reverberated, but none of them ever wandered to this area.
With a distance of twenty meters separating the Elf and the entrance of the formation, a loud but serpentine voice echoed. ”Who goes there?! Bring forth your sacrifice or lose your life,” it said, and the hissing of several snakes followed.
However, the Elf said nothing. Instead, he removed the cloth covering his face. Revealing his handsome face which Elhorn, Lumvug, and Arilya would instantly recognize. Because, the Elf was the famed Hariel. Although he removed the cloth covering his face, a blue scarf covered his forehead. Meanwhile, just as he removed the cloth, he made a strange gesture with his index and thump fingers while saying, ”Malak… it's me.”
While his voice echoed, the sound of several snakes slithering together drifted into Hariel's ears. However, he maintained is bland facial expression while staring at the entrance of the rock formation.
A few seconds later, he could see the silhouette of an off creature through the fog. It made its way towards Hariel's position, but still Hariel showed no reaction.
”What's the need for all these theatrics? Don't waste my time Malak,” Hariel said as he crossed his arms around his chest.
Just as he finished speaking, a large serpentine creature appeared before him. Only a distance of three meters separated them. Taking a look at this creature, it had the lower half of a serpent while its upper half was that of a human man. Albeit a serpent-like human male. It had a black scale which complemented the ground of the forest while its naked upper half had no distinguishing feature. But, his face lacked a nose and ears. Instead, he had strange gill-like openings on his neck. Just like its lower half, the hair on his head which went down to his back had a black color. The same with his reptilian slit eyes. He had a sly smile on his face as he stared at Hariel with his forked tongue occasionally popping out from his mouth.
”Hariel, what happened to you? We haven't seen you in the last three weeks. The boss was about to send someone to search for you. By the way, stop calling me Malak. My name is Malikieth,” Malikieth said while mimicking Hariel's posture.
Hariel, on the other hand, had a frown on his face as he heard Malikieth's words.
”What I was doing or where I went is none of your business. I had some stuff to handle, and I lost track of time. What does Yenarel want with me? Did you tell him I went out? If you did, I'll…” before Hariel could finish his statement, Malikieth interrupted him. ”I said nothing! Don't blame me for your mistakes. The boss found out himself, and how many times do I've to tell you not to call him by his name? If you keep on threatening me, you'll become an enemy to all Snakemen,” Malikieth said while increasing the distance between him and Hariel.
Although his words sounded like that of someone confident in himself, his facial expressions and reaction betrayed his words.
”Snakemen? Haha… you guys will join the long list of those who have me already. I've being traveling for a while now, I don't want to spend another minute here. Open the gate for me and don't tell Yenarel I've returned. Do you understand, Malak?” Hariel said with a meaningful expression on his face while curling his hands into a fist.
Malikieth could not hide his terror as he saw Hariel's reaction which made him to turn around and flee. But, just as he slithered a few meters, he suddenly paused as if he had remembered something. Which made Hariel wonder what the cowardly snake was up to.
”Hariel, the others have being waiting for you. With your arrival, the Hands of Blight will assembled for the first time in ten years. Don't say I didn't give you a heads up!” Malikieth said as he slithered away like a frightened snake.
Meanwhile, Hariel assumed a pensive demeanor after hearing Malikieth's declaration and his facial expression had become sterner.
'If Yenarel has gathered everyone, it means something big is about to happen. Or, is he about to start the plan? Hmm… I wonder if he knows about those human Intruders already,' Hariel mused.
While this thought occupied his mind, a loud explosion echoed into the air. Followed by Malikieth's voice, ”Hariel, it's open. The boss already knows about your arrival. He said you should come to the river. The others are waiting for you!”
”Damn it,” Hariel muttered he walked towards the entrance of the rock formation.
…
A few hours later.
Hariel weaved through the gigantic rock formation which resembled a massive multicursal maze. Since the rocks in the formation were several hundreds of feet high, the fog gathered at the surface. Leaving a clear, but cold and dark path below. However, several crystalline rocks embedded in the rocks acted like neon lights–illuminating Hariel's path.
With his head slightly lowered, Hariel walked in lazy steps while the occasionally chirping and cracking of insects and frogs echoed around him. If one listened closely enough, they would hear crashing waves, almost like the sound of a waterfall.
…
After walking on the same path for several minutes, Hariel made a sharp turn to his left and then again to his right, and then to his left again. At that moment, he reached the center of the massive rock formation. The rocks at the center towered higher than the other paths, and the accumulated fog formed a continuous downpour of water which formed a waterfall and a river at the bottom. The river had a slight brownish blue color, and visible living creature swam in it.
Hariel did not know the depths or width of the river or, where the water flowed towards. In fact, he did not care. Unlike most people who would have appreciated the wonders of nature; instead, Hariel focused his gaze of four people sitting close to the river.
Since the crashing waves of the waterfall echoed in all directions, they did not know about Hariel's arrival, and he did not plan on drawing their attention, too. But, he had a questioning look in his eyes as he scanned the area around the four individuals. Almost as if he was looking for someone.
Just as he began his search, a calm but sharp voice drifted into his ears, ”Are you looking for me?”
Before Hariel could respond, someone placed a hand on his shoulder pulling him into a side hug.
”Yenarel, why are you looking for me? Why did you gather all of us?” Hariel said as he brushed off the hand from his shoulder. He still maintained the same bland expression on his face.