Chapter 2.3: (The pathway toward the unknown)
As I walked inside, while holding the glowing stone in my right arm, I stand beside the golem-like creature sitting at the back of the giant door.
The golem stands at a towering height of 18 feet, with a hulking, muscular frame. Its body is crafted from a combination of dark, ancient metals and deep, obsidian stones, giving it a menacing appearance.
As I walk closer, I see it more clearly. Its body is almost completely made of old mechanical parts. The metal looks worn out and rusted, as if it has been sitting there for many years.
"Is this a golem or an ancient robot/machine?"
I said wondering—was it a golem, a creature of magic, or a robot, a machine of science?
It looked like it was made from future but with ancient mechanics design and feeling.
There was a massive gray metal tube attached to its back like a thick, coiled hose. From this main tube, twenty smaller pipes stretched out, stretching across its body and connecting to different parts like a power supplier feeding life into the machine. Some of these tubes were rusted, but others still have faint shine of polished steel.
Its limbs were made of thick pistons and sturdy metal rods, that are stiff and unmoving like frozen muscles. Thick copper cables ran through its body, tangled like nerves, some are cracked while others are completely fine,
Old damaged silver armor plates covered its chest, back, and limbs. Strange symbols and designs were carved into the metal. The runes pulsed gently with an eerie light.
At the center of its chest, a core rested—medium-sized, round, and glowing faintly. It gave off a soft clicking sound, slow and steady, like the weak pulse of a sleeping heart. But it was not life—only a fading power source, struggling to keep going. Deep inside, silver gears surrounded the core, perfectly aligned yet still, as if it was waiting for a long-lost signal to awaken it once more.
Its joints were carefully constructed, built with hinges and bearings that locked its massive arms and legs in place. Around its knees, thick golden springs were tightly coiled, designed to absorb impact and help lift its heavy legs, which stood strong and sturdy like a trunk of trees. Every part of the golem was crafted for accurate and smooth movement.
Its arms were massive, built for pure destruction. Layers of reinforced metal covered them, each section secured with thick bolts and rivets. The hands were enormous, each thick metal finger made of tiny gears and interlocking joints. The unknown metal from which they were crafted gave them an unnatural shine.
Along its back, small vents were built into the plated armor, for releasing bursts of steam. The air around the golem smelled of rust.
I look up, raise my glowing stone, and saw the golem's head it looks monstrous, a hollow eyes that glow with an eerie, ghostly light. The glow flickers, as if something is moving inside. Its jaw is locked in a twisted, snarling grin, like a demon frozen in endless rage.
"Bloody hell..." I muttered under my breath. "It looks like a freaking demon." The words slipped out before I could stop them. My heart pounded as I watch and stare the golem face,
Sharp, jagged silver spikes, shaped like tangled vines, located in its forehead like a crown/halo. The spikes glow faintly, as if they carry the remains of lost souls. the crown hums with a quiet, vibrating energy, and tiny sparks of light float around it like dying stars.
And lastly small cracks run across its face, and a black mist seeps from them.
Despite its ancient, imposing and monstrous appearance, the golem shows signs of wear and decay. Its armor and some of its body parts is tarnished and chipped in places, with visible cracks, marks and fractures running through its body.
The golem appears to be dormant, with no signs of movement or life from it. Moss and fungi have begun to grow on its once-immaculate armor, It was also covered in thick layer of dust and cobwebs hang from its crevices.
It looked like it had been there for centuries, and I wondered what had caused it to break and why it was sitting at the back of the door.
"But why does this golem emit warmth... like a living body?" I murmured and asked myself.
In the front of the golem is old wooden buildings of maze bookshelf's that looked like it could go on forever. Wooden spiral staircases sat on each side of the huge room or should I call it a gigantic circular room, with very high walls completely covered in bookshelves filled with books.
The place looked like a super luxurious grand library just for kings but with a very confusing maze like design.
As I walked further and explore the only thing I can see are the old bookshelves that are filled with ancient books.
I picked up a book with numbers on the side. When I opened it, I saw strange letters mixed in with the numbers. Even though the letters were unfamiliar, the numbers looked like the ones I knew from before. As I turned the pages, I saw spooky drawings—a big dragon, demon faces, and a sun hidden behind the moon after that I placed the book back.
as I keep walking I found an unexpected object On the bookshelf, I found a strange glass jar with a flat lid on top. Next to it was a small piece of paper with writing on it that I couldn't understand. When I looked closer, I noticed...
A strange insect that looks a bit like an ant, but it's different. It has a horn on its head, three dark purple eyes, and an exoskeleton like a beetle. It's sitting still and not moving.
As my fingertips grazed the surface of the jar's lid, a sudden piercing sensation shot through my skin. Instinctively, I recoiled, expecting to see a sharp object protruding from its surface. To my astonishment, upon inspecting the lid, I found it completely smooth,
I slowly put down the container in the ground and saw my fingertips bleeding
I take at the glance at the Lid of the container but it didn't have any sharp things in it it's just flat.
I picked the container and place it in the shelf where I get it.
And continued to explore the place. Finally I reach the center there was a long white stone tables and 8 big chairs.
I walk carefully toward it.
On the desk sits a weathered scroll next to a traditional inkwell and a delicate feather quill, Beside them lies an old lantern with glass panels on each side, mounted on a golden holder. Inside the lamp rests a dormant stone similar to the luminescent rock I had, except this one no longer emits a glow. As I unroll the scroll, the numbers 77-42-15-36-19 catch my eye, written in faded ink.
the first words that came out from my mouth "What is this.....!? What's this supposed to mean?"
Then for some reason something just like switch happened to my brain and it's like all of my blood pumped toward my head and made my mind more clear as if I am putting a set of a puzzle
And then I remembered the numbers in the side of the books so I decided to go find the numbers that are in the scroll
In the corner of the room, a massive cement and metal door looms, with some mysterious lines, its surface marred by time and wear. In the center, a weathered dial resembling that of an antique safe beckons with over 100+ symbols, letters, and numbers beckons that as big as a truck wheel.
The door couldn't be opened because of its height, and it seemed impossible to turn.
So first, I set out to find books numbered 77, 42, 15, 36, and 19. Climbing the creaky stairs, I discovered book number 19 at the bottom and number 15 on a nearby shelf. In the middle, I found number 36, and at the top, I finally located number 77.
"Where's the remaining book?"
While at the top, I saw seven large orbs hanging like a chandelier. Determined to complete my search, I retraced my steps and found the missing number 42 in a dark, worn book tucked away in a corner.
After coming back downstairs, I neatly arranged all the books on the table. I opened each one carefully and found a unique code or sequence on the first page of each book:
"Where's the remaining book?"
1. A9k1
2. P0c4
3. 17y3
4. D8r2
5. G6n
After collecting all the books, I'm not sure what to do next. I sat down to think about it, but after 20 minutes, I still couldn't come up with anything.
I stand in my seat and kept searching in the grand library and infront of the door and the walls for a clue to open it, but nothing seemed to work. Suddenly, I heard a strange murmur getting louder and louder. After 10 minutes of confusion, I couldn't take it anymore and angrily shouted out, "What do you want?! How am I supposed to understand these random numbers and letters like 'A9k1'!? That doesn't make any sense!"
As I shouted the "A9k1", the vintage safe's combination like lock in the center of the door spun with a loud mechanical hum before clicking into place, stoping on a different symbol.
At that moment I realized that the numbers and letters in the books were actually the code to unlock the door.
I said the second code "p0c4." And in an instant, a surge of electricity converged on a single point with a loud crackling sound, causing the lines on the massive door to glow softly in white light.
Next is "17y3," and the room filled with the sound of a massive clock ticking, its rhythmic beat echoing through the room.
But After mentioning the fourth code, "D8r2," everything started shacking violently. It felt like an earthquake at first, but then it escalated quickly. Books fell, shelves began to hover, and furniture toppled over. I started to Panic as little cracks starting to appear on the walls. The room was shaking uncontrollably, and it seemed like everything inside was on the verge of collapsing.
"What's happening here?! The ground—it's shaking! Is it an earthquake?!"
During the shaking, everything started to float, including the shelves and books. I was scared because I found myself floating with no ground beneath my feet.
"Help! I'm floating!!"
It feels like I was inside of a space where gravity dont exist.
And lastly the final code "G6n," the huge door began to open slowly. A dark, smoky cloud emerged with a loud, grinding noise. I covered my ears to shield myself from the sound as the door creaked open, releasing a dusty fog into the room.