The cohort was shocked. Seeing the ordinary looking pendant could open a sealed barrier of Thousand years. The were surprised to say the least.
Lex looked at Sol with a odd expression and spoke with a surprised tone.
"How.....does one even think of that?"
"Think of what" Sol asked in return
"This!" Lex said while pointing to the opened barrier.
Everybody was looking at Sol. Their expectant gaze seemed to be asking the same question.
Sol thought for a second
'I don't think I will tell you that a floating screen in front of me had some kind of indication that what the pendant was. And I don't think I am the one you should be asking this question. The main thing is Why did Veyra even kept it for so long she could've'
"I just....guessed it." Sol voiced
Lex blinked at him."'Guessed'?" he repeated, like the word physically offended him."You guessed an ancient civilization's entrance exam?"
Sol shrugged."What? It was glowing. That usually means something."
Phoebe snorted softly. "You sound like a toddler pressing random buttons and magically solving problems."
Lily crossed her arms, glaring at Sol with narrowed eyes."…And it worked. Of course it did."
Sara, who had remained quiet until now, stepped closer, inspecting the pendant in Sol's hand like it was both a relic and a sleeping snake."It's strange," she murmured. "The Archbishop his pendant was old, yes. But for it to be connected to this…"
Veyra finally spoke, her voice carrying the weight of exhaustion and authority."It means the Cathedral we found was connected to the Oath Kingdom."She turned toward Sol, eyes steady."And it also has something to do with the seal church is obsessed over."
Then she shook her head."Doesn't matter for now."
Lex raised an eyebrow. "
"We're exposed out here," Veyra said, ignoring him.
The moment they crossed deeper into the abandoned streets, a sudden cold breeze swept through the stone archways.
Not an ordinary breeze—but a thin, needle-like chill that slipped beneath Sol's clothes and stabbed straight into his spine.
He froze.
A full-body shiver ran through him.
Lex noticed first."Dude… you good? You look like someone dumped ice down your back."
Sol clenched his jaw, eyes slightly widening.
"I—uh—yeah. Just… cold."
Another gust hit.
His shoulders tensed.
Phoebe narrowed her eyes. "That's not a normal cold. What did you touch? Did your soul leave your body for a second?"
Sol exhaled sharply.
"…I wanna pee so bad right now."
Everyone stopped.
Even Sara blinked.
Lily turned her head slowly. "…Seriously?"
"It came out of nowhere!" Sol hissed, clutching his stomach."That breeze went through my bones. I swear some ancient king haunts this place just to scare the piss out."
Lex slapped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing."Oh my gods—Sol"
Vivi tried to hold a straight face, failed, and ended up giggling."It's okay… you can go behind one of the houses…"
"No," Sol muttered, cheeks burning."This city is cursed. I'm not pulling anything out in view of a thousand dead people."
Phoebe smirked. "Afraid one might clap for you?"
Sol glared."Phoebe, if I die of embarrassment, I'm haunting you first."
Sara chuckled softly
Veyra shook her head, though the corner of her mouth twitched."Make it quick, Sol. And stay in sight. We don't know what's moving here."
Sol darted behind a half-collapsed pillar, muttering curses at the cold breeze, ancient cities, cursed mountains, and his bladder.
Lex called after him, barely containing himself,"Try not to anger the ghosts!"
Sol grumbled.
The others waited, their shoulders relaxing slightly for the first time since entering the Chained Forest.