NABC Chapter 417 The Ageless King
Chapter 417 The Ageless King
Sanguina interjected, "Well, it's sort of like a pet I used to have. Of course, this thing's a little uglier, but that doesn't matter much. Regardless, what's the issue, Puggles?"
Puggles hesitated before answering, "I don't actually know where this purple door is... it's always moving and can be hard to find sometimes. I believe if you work your way out and work inwards, you should be able to find it in about three to four hours."
"Three to four hours?! Ugh..." Sanguina groaned. "This is going to be a pain."
"Well, let's get looking, I suppose," Vick said with a sigh, adjusting his makeshift arm sling.
They set off, the dense forest presenting its own challenges. The path was uneven, the ground covered in roots and underbrush that made each step a careful calculation. The sounds of nocturnal creatures echoed around them, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
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Meanwhile, Nanako and Todd were awakening from their slumber.
Loud clangs echoed around the room they lay in. Nanako lifted her head, feeling a soft burning sensation on her shoulder. "Ouch, ouch, ouch." Bringing her hand up slightly above her shoulder, she found the curse mark glowing a hot red, spinning slightly.
"What the hell is going on with this?" Her mind became bombarded with thoughts and images from her dream state, where she saw her parents die and the sight of Erebos. "What the hell was he doing, and were those visions even correct?" she wondered, lifting her head and looking around.
She saw King Griswald glowing with a blue aura, blue diamonds encrusting his entire body. He looked like a young man with a decent-looking beard as the chains around him slowly crumbled and faded away.
Walking over to Nanako, he stated, "I hope you got some good sleep, Lady Nanako. It's a pleasure to know you were able to get through your challenge, and all alone at that."
"But where are we even going now?" someone asked, the uncertainty evident in their voice.
King Griswald paused, his gaze distant. "I believe whoever the gatekeeper is, he's some sort of spiritual entity who locks places down. He might have lived during the time when this world was in turmoil. For now, we should focus on grabbing the Dragoon's book and escaping. I don't think we will actively need to fight him."
As King Griswald's hand glowed against the wall, a giant blue crystal left his hand. A black portal emerged with a blue outline edging along the walls.
"Wh-what is this?" Pegasus asked, standing up fully and looking on in awe.
"This is our way out," King Griswald replied, his voice steady. "Everyone, stay close and be ready for anything. We don't know what lies on the other side."
As they all went through the portal, they dropped from a high level onto a cold, damp, rocky ground with no light. The sudden impact knocked the breath out of them, and they scrambled to their feet, disoriented in the darkness.
King Griswald gave a slight cough and stated, "It's a bit too dark. Lyra, dear, can you do something about this?"
"Y-yes," Lyra responded, pulling her staff off her shoulder. She hummed a soft, melodic tune, and her staff began to glow with a warm blue aura, casting a gentle light around them. "This should last for a while. Do you think this is enough?"
"Yes, dear, thank you very much," King Griswald replied, his expression softening. "Looks like we have a straight path to move forward for now."
"You are doing this all with one hand and the trauma you faced, So I thank you regardless; please stay close to me from here on out so I can ensure you are protected." King Griswald stated with a heavy smile
The blue light illuminated the rocky tunnel ahead, revealing the rough, uneven walls and the glistening moisture that clung to the surfaces. The atmosphere was cold and clammy, the air thick with the scent of damp earth.
"Everyone, please make sure to stay close in the meantime," King Griswald instructed, his voice steady but urgent. "We don't know how long until he realizes I broke the chains. I still don't know why he didn't kill us himself or try to at least, but don't take that as a sign he won't given the chance. We have already lost two people, after all."
The group nodded, their faces tense but resolute. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing softly in the confined space. The light from Lyra's staff cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the tunnel feel even more oppressive.
As they walked, the sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel, adding to the sense of unease. King Griswald led the way, his senses on high alert. Behind him, the others followed closely, their eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit tunnel.