Chapter 317: Luck is changing
Nero’s azure flames coloured the cave in its deep hue, but small, shining rocks embedded within the walls revealed a pale, yellow light that filled the cave otherwise as well. Even with Nero’s light steps, small rocks crunched and shuffled under his steps, filling the otherwise silence with their soft noise.
The very beginning of the case, once Nero descended, was like a small room with a single, narrow path that curved heavily even as it descended further into the hill. The layout was almost like one would expect from a room atop a spiraling tower, yet nothing about it seemed artificial, as if the cave had naturally formed this way.
Nero noticed a thin white smoke that hung close to the base of the room, and a noticeable but not significant temperature drop from the outside.
After ensuring that there was no immediate threat or danger, Nero stepped forward. As a result of the dense aether within the cave, the cursed energy had been pushed into concentrated pockets that he could sense down below. He couldn’t help but think about how such an environment would actually be perfect for Vanessa to scout. There was even soft lighting just in case she didn’t have dark vision.
After casting Muted Self, with slow, steady steps Nero stepped forward, the glaive in his hand ever ready for combat should he need it. He even receded his flames for the time being, melding perfectly into the silent dimness of the cave.
The path curved left and right, making it impossible for Nero to determine where he was going, his vision blocked by the walls, yet he didn’t let the uncertainty affect him. He continued in the same, measured pace for one thousand three hundred and forty four steps before the path finally opened up, revealing an enormous cavern.
Luminescent mushrooms seemed to be growing all over the walls, and Nero spotted countless tiny insects and lizards scurrying across the walls. Amazingly, he even saw a family of ferrets running through the white smoke on the ground, each of them radiating a powerful aura at the very peak of the Neophyte realm.
This specific cavern was not so silent as the previous path, as small signs of life filled each corner of it. Yet oddly, Nero felt no threat to him at all. It was as if, unlike the rest of Perilith, the creatures living within this cave system were actually friendly.
Of course, Nero didn’t rely solely on his feelings, and carefully navigated through the cavern, keeping a safe distance from everything moving. He did his best to erase his presence as much as he could, but it wasn’t like he was invisible entirely. But none of the many creatures in the cavern seem to care much about him. He just hoped it stayed that way, though he didn’t depend on it.
As he explored the cavern further, he found many openings, descending further still, with one particular opening exuding a cursed aura so ominous Nero was certain that some kind of abstract curse lay at the end of the path. He avoided it, and continued to explore the cavern, looking for any of the hints or signs that Vanessa told him to look out for.
Nero genuinely did not actually expect to encounter any signs because he knew how unlikely it was to stumble onto the pond they were looking for. That is why when he saw the odd bleaching on the rocks near a particular opening, he paused in disbelief.
He squatted down and lit his Cryoflame on his finger, using its light to better observe the rocks. They looked exactly as Vanessa described. Unexpectedly, this was a good sign. He did not celebrate prematurely, however.
He began descending down the pack with the bleached rocks, noticing how the temperature kept dropping as he descended, not that it bothered him.
More ferrets ran by his legs, completely unbothered by his presence, moving with some unknown urgency. The further he descended, the more he found bleached rocks, to the point where the rocks started to turn unnaturally white, as if bone.
Then, abruptly, the path changed after a single curve, and the change was not described by Vanessa, making Nero feel a hint of uncertainty. From an entirely natural cave, the path seemed to change, as if it had been hand built with the utmost care.
The uneven floor turned into a bricked pathway, though Nero was certain the brick patterns had just been carved into the stone that made up the cave. Grand pillars, each one of them so thick Nero wouldn’t be able to wrap his hands around it, stood tall on the sides of the path, as if he were entering a mansion instead of some underground cave.
An eerie chill began to fill the cave - one that affected even Nero, for that chill didn’t come from the declining temperature.
An elaborately carved out arch indicated the end of the path, opening up to a much larger cave which was oddly well let. The echoes of dripping water, and the scurrying of some rodents could be heard from where Nero stood, though his focus was not on that.
Within the new hall were hundreds of mausoleums, carved out of pure white marble, with lanterns shining bright blue lights hanging by their doors.
Nero stood absolutely still, not just because of how drastic the change was in the cave, but also because of the sea of bones that covered the hall floor.
Many of them looked human, though Nero could not imagine why there would be human bones here. But there were also bones of another kind. They had horns growing out of their skulls that vaguely reminded Nero of the panthers-like creatures he saw back in Lumina.
More than anything else, Nero stood still because he could see, in the distance, a skeleton moving lazily, deep blue flames in its eyes, as if its soul.
Now ordinarily, this sight alone would have been enough for Nero to turn around. Yet he could see the unique bleaching in the rocks that Vanessa told him to look out for, and it was a lot more prominent now than before. He saw even a few more signs that indicated that the pond was nearby.
This should have been enough. He could go back now and confirm that the pond was here. But alone, he could explore much more easily. If he could find the exact location of the pond, then getting to it would be much simpler when he led the whole team down here.
Besides, seeing the skeletons walking in the distance filled him with a hint of anticipation. The tunnels, so far, had been oddly disappointing in terms of opponents. Technically that was a good thing. But if the pond were so easy to get to, Nero would actually feel uncomfortable and doubtful, as if it had been specifically prepared for them.
Now, though, with signs of formidable enemies guarding the entrance, it kind of made sense why the tunnels had been devoid of larger creatures before.
Excitement and anticipation caused Nero’s body to tingle as he finally stepped into the hall. He had switched his innate ability from Cryoflame to Virtuous Moonlight, ready to use the white light in his defense at a moment’s notice.
He didn’t want to jinx it by getting too excited too early, but it seemed his luck was changing.
*****
It had been around ten minutes since Nero descended into the hole, and the team was still in good spirits despite facing a small skirmish. Compared to their many previous experiences within Perilith, today seemed to be going relatively well.
Although they had not entirely gone through the day without fights, they had avoided any fight that could be considered extremely dangerous. To make things even better, the seven soldiers they thought would be a burden actually ended up being a surprisingly helpful addition.
Bael sniffed the air and furrowed his brows.
"Hey what’s that smell? Anybody else notice it?" he suddenly asked, attracting everyone’s attention.
"We’re wearing masks and a sealed suit. If you’re smelling anything, it’s likely yourself," joked Dave, as slapped the big guy on his back.
"No, it could be an indication of a failing gas mask," said Vanessa, not taking the situation lightly. "Use Serene Wind and see if that makes a difference."
"No need. If there were any danger, I’d be able to sense it," said Dave dismissively.
The team suddenly turned towards Dave, as if sensing something unusual, though before anyone could ask any questions, Bael suddenly collapsed.
"Ugh, finally," Dave groaned, and swiftly stabbed a dagger into the collapsing Bael’s back, aiming for his heart.
Yet Vanessa, who had raised her guard the moment Bael complained about the smell, launched a black coloured energy ball at Dave, causing him to jump out of the way. Even so, the deed was done.
Bael was on the floor, bleeding, unconscious or possibly even dead, his true state unknown.
"Let’s get this party started, shall we?" Dave said, his voice unusually jovial. "I’d rather get done before that freak returns."
A wave of dizziness suddenly hit Noman and Vanessa, causing them to fall to the ground, leaving only Dave and the seven silent soldiers standing.