After 10 grueling days of surviving the labyrinthine Hollow of Echoes, Merina, Callisa, and Isola finally crossed into a safe zone.
As they stepped over the threshold, the eerie silence of the place gave way to the low hum of life and activity.
The narrow, winding tunnels opened into a vast cavern, its high ceiling adorned with shimmering stalactites that cast a faint, beautiful glow, making the cavern look like a city under the stars.
It was as if they had stumbled upon an underground metropolis, bustling with activity.
At first glance, the city seemed to grow organically from the cavern itself.
Buildings were made from intricately carved stones, following the natural curvature of the cavern walls. Glowing moss and fungi served as the city’s primary sources of light, casting an otherworldly glow over the entire area.
Meanwhile, demons of various species filled the city, some bartering with the vendors while others lounged in small caves, forging and tending to their wounded or trying to form alliances, either by coercion or pleading.
The rhythmic hum of chatter filled the air, creating a cacophony of echoes within the ominous caverns.
Merina was surprised to see some people had set up their own shops in alcoves within the cavern walls, their goods laid out on rough-hewn tables made of stalagmites.
Isola’s eyes widened at the sight of various trinkets, relics, and weaponry gleaming under the fungal glow.
She knew things seemed relatively peaceful only because of the rules of the Safe Zone. Otherwise…
“It seems people are selling the things they made on their own in exchange for Deviar Shards. Quite a wise way to get some without risking their lives,” Isola said to Merina, who nodded with raised brows as she took a look around them.
“They know many groups had already lost at least someone who had learned a limited scroll. The remaining members of those groups must be trying to compensate for their loss by buying things directly from other people,” Merina mused before her expression became doleful, “This just makes me worry for Master and Ceti. The map shows that they have yet to come upon a safe zone, and we are still so far away from them.”
Isola gently placed her hand on Merina’s shoulder as she said with a soft gaze, “I know the longer they are out there without a safe zone in their sights, the harder it would get as their supplies run out. But don’t worry…We both know Asher and Ceti are more than capable of surviving on their own. They know how to get things done without making too much noise…literally,” Isola meant every word she said, especially regarding Asher, since she knew Asher was more than just the strength he had now. 𝞸𝓥𝒩xt.𝗇t
As someone who had once been the strongest Hunter, she knew he knew things and had nurtured sharp instincts that would give him an edge over the others when it came to surviving.
Merina looked up at Isola, the worry in her eyes lessened after feeling the confidence in Isola’s voice.
For some reason, she felt that Isola wasn’t saying it to reassure her but that she was really confident about it.
“Koo…” Callisa let out a soft, weak mewl as she looked at Isola, who nodded and said, “Yes, Callisa. He will be fine without us, and we will reunite with him soon.”
As the pair ventured further into the safe zone, the murmur of the crowd took on a different tone.
Because of Callisa’s huge size and the two stunning beauties walking in front of it, no soul failed to notice them.
Whispers hissed through the crowd like a chilling breeze. Merina, with her sharp senses, could not miss the sideways glances, the raised brows, the quiet gasps, and the overt pointing.
Word had spread of the royal consort’s party entering the Hollow of Echoes, and the sight of the Umbralfiend Princess and the royal consort’s maid, minus two of their party members, including the royal consort himself, had sent shock waves through the crowd.
The whispers grew louder, curiosity and fear intermingling as the crowd questioned the whereabouts of the royal consort and his companion.
Were they already dead? Such news could shake up the entire Bloodburn Kingdom and the rest of their realm as well since most of them standing here had already had terrifying rumors about the potential of the royal consort…especially the fact that he possessed an Immortal Bloodline.
Merina clenched her fists upon noticing some people gloating and scoffing upon realizing Asher was not among them.
Surely, they were people who obviously didn’t like the Bloodburn Kingdom or her Master.
Some of the people had their faces looking like they were containing the urge to ask something. They wanted to know if these two beauties, especially the Umbralfiend Princess and the legendary Kraken wanted to join their group.
But they either knew they weren’t qualified to ask, while some didn’t have the courage, thinking they might take it as an insult.
However, everyone knew that most groups would dream of having an alliance with these three. Any group that has them would surely stand a chance at coming out victorious.
Those who had heard of the Umbralfiend Princess and the rumor of her being a Soul Devourer deeply bowed as she walked past. To witness a Soul Devourer walking amongst them was an honor in itself.
As they navigated through the bustling safe zone, Merina found herself glancing over at Isola, an aura of calm amidst the cacophony.
“It’s… unusual, you know,” Merina began, her voice echoing in Isola’s mind, “Master has begun to entrust you with more and more significant tasks. I have never seen him do so with anyone else…” Merina remembered how Asher gave the Deviar Crystal to Isola to safeguard.
Merina thought how he would never do that with anyone else other than her, and Isola wasn’t bound to him in any way to command her complete obedience.
Isola looked at Merina with a complicated glint in her eyes, “I…
hadn’t given it much thought,” she admitted.
Merina shook her head, a soft smile lighting up her face, “It’s alright. ways she couldn’t describe but for the better.
In fact, it’s… it’s heartening. I am glad he is trusting you with things since he needs someone like you in his life,” Merina had noticed how Isola and Callisa together had changed her Master in subtle ways she couldn’t describe but for the better.
She also instinctively and through her observations felt that Isola was one of the most honorable women she had ever met.
Merina’s voice carried warmth, making Isola return the sentiment with a soft nod, “Thank you for feeling that way about me, Merina. But it’s not just about me…I am only helping him because I believe he can carve a peaceful future for us all. And you are a significant part of his life. Even if he may not say it, without you, he wouldn’t be able to look after himself properly. And considering the kind of person Asher is, he needs someone like you.”
Merina’s eyes widened, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She looked away, stammering with a look of appreciation, “I… I hope you are right. I never want him to get rid of me or think that I…am useless.”
Gently, Isola clasped her hand, her gaze full of determination and sincerity, “Asher would never discard those he trusts, Merina. You should have more faith in yourself since I know you understand the value of his trust.”
Merina blinked, taken aback by Isola’s firm words. She offered a faint smile, her heart lightened by the reassurances, each word like a warm beacon.
Suddenly, the air in the safe zone stirred with a shift in energy. The murmuring chatter quieted, the usual hustle of trade gave way to a collective intake of breath, and the atmosphere tensed like a taut string ready to snap.
Isola and Merina found themselves standing amidst a parting sea of demons, a powerful undercurrent of apprehension washing over them.
From the pulsating throng, a formidable group emerged, their presence a palpable force of power and authority.
The five figures walked with a coiled grace, a blend of lethal intent and controlled power that resonated with every step.
Each held a distinctive aura, their eyes reflecting the raw, ancient spirit of their lineage, especially the one in the front.
The diverse crowd instinctively backed away, yielding to their commanding presence.
All 5 of them were quite tall, dwarfing most who were walking past them, and their group name read “Nightmare Reapers”.
Merina’s grip on Isola’s arm tightened, a frisson of fear in her clutch.
Isola turned to see a frightened expression shadow Merina’s gentle features.
The sight prompted her to ask in a low, measured voice, “Are they the…Draconvers?” Isola had only ever heard about them but never saw one personally due to them living on the other side of the world.
They were a striking mix of man and dragon, and their history was deeply connected to the Bloodburn Kingdom.
But she wasn’t surprised by Merina’s reaction since everyone knew the Draconvers ruled the Draconis Kingdom and hated the Bloodburn Kingdom to its bones.
They were also feared greatly since the Bloodburn Kingdom ruled the south and the werewolves the east, while the Draconvers commanded a lot of power in the north and west combined.
The only reason they or the Bloodburn Kingdom never locked horns in the short past was only due to the distance and the potential collateral damage that could be caused in a war. The one who attacks first would surely stand a chance to lose more.
Merina nodded, her breath hitching, “Yes… And I had prayed we would never encounter them here, most of all the one leading them…Agonon, the Prince of the Draconis Kingdom…They already have collected more than 60,000 shards…” Merina could only imagine how efficient they must have been to collect so many shards quickly. But she wasn’t shocked since she knew their prince was a Soul Devourer!
Nevertheless, Isola remained calm, and Merina steeled herself, standing their ground as the group approached.
The man in the front, who seemed like their leader, a towering 6 7″ feet figure with jet black skin glimmering with scales, strode forth. His fiery red eyes bore into theirs, and midnight-black wings fluttered ominously while his intimidating presence filled the space around him.
Their leader stepped forward and spoke in a voice that was as rough as rolling thunder, sending an involuntary shiver down the spines of those who heard it. His gaze never wavered from Isola, “What a coincidence…To run into you here and the Kraken. House Thorne truly lost their teeth, hm?” Agonon said as he looked up to glance at the young Kraken briefly, who was staring at him with wariness.
Circe, the woman beside him, her dark yellow serpentine eyes assessing Isola with a predatory interest. Her crimson skin seemed to glow in the luminescent light, the silver strands of her hair falling around her shoulders in a stunning contrast, “The rumors do not do you any justice, princess. You look even more beautiful than what they say and it makes me quite jealous.”
Flanking them was Erebus, his charcoal grey skin blending with the shadows that danced along the cavern walls. His spectral white hair flowed like a ghostly river, his void-like eyes appearing as unreadable as a moonless night, “Focus, Circe. This is not the time to play,” He whispered to her, making Circe let out a subtle scoff.
On Agonon’s other side, Rune’s royal blue skin adorned with golden runic tattoos stood out. His brawny figure exuded raw power as he eyed Merina with a look of hate and contempt.
“Oh, you three seem to be alone. I heard the royal consort was in your group. Did something unfortunate happen to him?” Vespera, the only calming presence in their intense formation, asked with a look of innocent curiosity.
Her lavender skin, midnight black hair, and spectral eyes painted a hauntingly beautiful picture, a stark contrast to the fear she evoked in those around her.
However, despite how innocent Vespera’s question seemed, Isola and Merina could feel the danger in her question.