Chapter 17 - Chapter 16: One Step

Before the group lies the issue of finding their way amongst the darkness. The sounds of snarling and gnashing teeth orchestrate a horrific melody of chaos and death. Trudging along, they come to a fork in the road. Unsure of which path is best, they go through some possible scenarios to escape this perilous situation. Going through one another's inventory, they prepare themselves for the inevitable.
"Ok. Looks like you're ready! Let's see what else's here." Nervously looking about, the warriors find themselves with limited resources. They hurriedly enters a small chamber between the paths and lay out the best gear for their next push.
Rummaging through the sack, a gust of wind begins to swirl above the bag. Intrigued and a bit anxious, one of the companions brushes against a smooth luminous object. The group notices the growing winds and decides to peek into the magic satchel. Their curiosity leads their eyes to a small sphere with glowing embers. The embers make the item extremely hot to the touch. The bag seemed to be affected by this objects' presence and is warm even after Tredot picks it up. The being used a "masking" spell which allows the caster to withstand extreme temperatures for a finite period of time. The trio had been on many adventures but the strange glow was never noticed.
"Where'd you find this merchant again?" Now, staring at the mysterious orb. Deigus can't seem to recall its existence before now. Something seemed to had placed this object into the magical tote. "I cannot help but notice that these items are NOT commonly found, like…anywhere." Deigus inquires.
"These were found in the bazaar with the strange creature that followed us that day. The merchant was wearing a cloak that could imitate different life forms. My sensors indicated a sentient being made of pure energy. It didn't speak but made several intergalactic recognizable gestures to make a trade.
I offered my solenium crystals but it wanted something else. It just kept making…circular gestures. Then, poof! It was gone."
"I can't recall ever seeing tech like this. I should be able to analyze the compounds and structure but I have nothing to compare it to. It's comprised of…energy but from what source is still unknown."
Tredot assesses.
"We can figure it out later. Right now, we need a feasible plan to get off this rock and out of harms way."
Kerelia surveys the landscape. Not much different from before.
"Something wants us here. This is no accident. There's no path that leads to anywhere from where I can see. Anyone have a photonic lance? I can scrap it and make some Ra-chaotic energy shards to help brighten the area."
The others check their belongings.
"No. I wouldn't have one. I generally don't do dark worlds such as this one. My funds are typically from…"
"So, that's a no, right?"
"Uhh no".
"Tredot? How about you?"
Tredot sorts through the sackcloth again.
Several items are dumped out. A small cube hits the ground and hovers before them. Small winged creatures spin around it and fly away. A large crater appears above them and poofs into dust. A baby dragon hops out and runs away. A beam of light flickers and dissipates.
"Nope! Nothing!"
Deigus and Kerelia look at one another.
The three find themselves near the area of the ravenous beasts but are slow to move due to the dense mist lingering in the area.
The strange glowing sphere seems to heat up. It's odd glow illuminates a section just to the north of the them.
"You guys seeing this?!" Deigus whispers.
"Yes…quite well. Tredot? Did you find anymore armor? I think that sphere is leading us somewhere we may not want to go."
Tredot shakes his bag and an odd metallic plate drops to the ground.
The thud is loud enough to pierce the sounds surrounding them.
"What…is…that?!" Kerelia asks.
"I've no idea. Hopefully, there's some kind of instruction on it or something. Lemme see here."
Tredot examines the strange metal and discovers inscriptions amongst the grooves. The metal is quite cold to the touch as if touching ice.
"Sheesh!" Tredot jumps from the gases spewing from it.
"Thattttt shouldn't happen. Right? I've seen countless armaments and don't recall anything quite like this."
Tredot slowly picks us the object and peers into the grooves.
"This language…I know this language."
Tredot looks up and his eyes are now black as night.
A cursed artifact, perhaps? The cold look of death makes the others back away.
"Tr-Tredot?" Deigus slowly approaches his friend.
Just then, Tredot is lost in his mind. His thoughts are as real as his realities. He can see things that are the stuff of nightmares. Warning perhaps?
"Tredot?"
Energy slowly gathers from charged particles in the area. Zapping and popping as they collide around Tredot, the energy grows into a massive cloud of kinetic energy.
Tredot's armament glows and "controls" the cumulus cloud of power. He seems to be in some sort of trance. His eyes can see far ahead of time. It transcends all comprehension and knowledge at the microscopic level and beyond. His pupils widened with delight; for he can see the architect of all universal designs. A tapestry of woven intricacies…oh I wish you could see it! It is-
SLAP!!
"Tredot! We have to get moving!!"
Kerelia interrupts.
There is no energy surrounding him.
No mass clouds of anything but illusions.
The armament rests as Tredot regains cognition.
"Wh-what did I just…see?!"
The others look around to see only the faint light glowing amongst them.
"We saw nothing…you ok?" Deigus leans in to further examine.
"Y-yes. Perhaps I had a dream of sorts…"
Tredot feels a bit faint but seems to be ok.
"It's a bewitching spell. Cast by demiwyverns who toy with it's prey before draining their crest." Kerelia explains.
"Oh, how do you know?" Tredot asks.
As she is walking away, she points to an aged scroll.
"Says so." Now pointing. "Right there."
Tredot looks down and reads the scroll.
"Demiwyverns?"
"Mystical beasts half-formed of beast and man. Originally referred to as a quasiban, the beast has the weight of two men, scales of a reptile and the ability to conjure spells, dispel spells and summon low-tier creatures. Believed to be near extinction as their power relies on—-"
Kerelia stops.
"Relies on what?"
Tredot drops the scroll.
Looking terrified, he reluctantly exclaims the details of the badly damaged artifact.
"This?!"
Tredot can feel his crest being torn away from his core.
"Arghhhhhhhh!!!"
Whispers surround the three.
"But buyer beware
But buyer beware
Not a twig
A coarse of throat
Shall bear
For only the foolish
Would dare
To offer a pence of gold
For warfare
Not once but thrice
Did I warn thee
Yet still awakened
The curse be
Around and around
Till no one sees
The darkness
The death
Beyond
Those…
Treeeeeeessssss!!!!"
A large booming horned sound can be heard in the distance.
"Tredot?! What have you done?!?!" "One path. One path. Is all you shall find. Unless another. Unless another. Shall rewind. And be bound by this curse. Of this I swear. Not a fool. Not a fool. Founded anywhere…" The whispers echo throughout the lands and the beasts are alerted to their presence. A small glowing path leads them north but darkness engulfs them. "Tredot?! Snap out of it! We have to get out of —" A robust crackling noise can be heard in the distance. The swirling of whirlwinds appear before the lands as they continue their journey. Along the trail is a dimly-lit path that flickers and disappears intermittently. "What do we do?!" Deigus asks. "We can't fight this many beasts at once. We don't know what the specs are on the armor. Tredot? Can you walk?!" "Y-yes…" "Good. Stand up and follow this path." The flickering path goes on for miles as the warriors gather themselves. They walk and inspect some of their gear. "Keep moving. I feel something's coming this way." A strong rumbling from a stampede of wild creatures can be felt for miles. The three walk a bit faster. "I don't wanna die like this, Kerelia!" Deigus states humbly. "If you know of anyway to beat them…I am with you?!" The sky began to open its' mouth and swallow the area. The three visitors find no comfort with their situation but press on. "Just one step…into those footholds…we can begin our journey there." Kerelia points into the darkness. Beyond them is the Nether Realms of Jidii. A darkened place believe to be the inescapable oblivion for the living. Within its dense atmosphere are the damned. Warriors who lost their way and followed the path of madness. Foreboding ghastly screams and horrendous moaning awaits them in this forbidden darkness. "St-steady yourselves…" Kerelia chatters. She's shaking from fear for the first time since her early years. There are many haunting sounds but one scares her the most…"ARGHHHH—-!" The piercing scream abruptly interrupts the orchestra of anguish and fades away as if being dragged in and out of dimensions. "ARGHHH—-!" The sound grows ever closer as the three try to stay on the dimly-lit path. "ARGHHH—-!" The sound begins to multiply…echoing as if they were playfully mimicking one another. Each a different p— "ArGHhhh!" The sound suddenly stops. Near Deigus, an eerie slender figure emerges from the darkness. With elongated arms, hands, neck and torso, the grotesque image appears for a moment then quickly disappears. "Just keep moving forward!" The narrowing path seems to wind through this field of hidden beasts. However, none of the creatures encrouch upon it. A strange humming noise is reverberating from the path. A machine of some sort? "ArgHH—-!" "Move! Move!" The three stumble along the path as the sounds begin to imitate that of a crowded room. As if someone was browsing at the local market. As they traverse through the darkness, their peripheral vision is distorted. The growing noise now mimics the sound of breaking glass. The group huddle closely and keep moving as one. Each take turns peering along to see the strange path. "This way! Keep going!" Scrambling amongst the path, the "brave" warriors near the threshold of magic: the barrier that separates them from the fierce wrath of monsters. "There! There!" Exclaims Tredot. The sky lights and flickers as the ground swells and falls. A curiously odd sound echoes above and below. The band of warriors try to navigate the darkness. Each sound reminds them of their impending demise. Before them a small path dimly lights again. This time headed East: directly towards the hoards of felled beasts. Behind them is a strange clicking noise…"ARGHHHHHHHGK—-!" Just then, a foul beast lunges toward their location. "THEY SEE US!!!!!"