As we approached the tower, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The vassals were guarding it fiercely, and we knew that our mission was not going to be an easy one.
The tower itself was a towering structure made of black stone, with eight floors stretching downwards towards the abyss. Each floor was lined with narrow slits that looked out over the surrounding darkness, giving the vassals an unobstructed view of anyone approaching.
We split into our teams, each of us ready to do our part. The emergency group stayed underground, ready to jump into action if needed. The second group, led by another skilled Hunter, began to create a diversion, drawing the attention of the vassals away from the tower. Meanwhile, my team, made up of myself and two other Hunters, began our descent down the tower.
We took it floor by floor, moving slowly and carefully to avoid any traps or alarms. The interior of the tower was just as foreboding as the exterior, with dark corridors and dimly lit rooms. We encountered several traps along the way, but with our training and experience, we were able to bypass them without setting them off.
As we descended deeper and deeper, we could hear the sounds of battle outside, knowing that our comrades were fighting hard to keep the vassals away from us. It was a tense and harrowing journey, but we finally made it to the eighth floor, where the dungeon was located.
The dungeon is a dark and dreary place, with thick stone walls and iron bars separating the prisons. The air is cold, stale, and thick with the smell of dust and mildew. Torches flicker in their sconces along the walls, casting eerie shadows that dance across the stone. The sound of rats scurrying and the muted cries of prisoners echo through the stone corridors. The prison cells are old and decrepit, with rusty iron bars and dirt-covered floors. In the center of the dungeon is a large chamber, with a raised platform and a throne. A single torch hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the desolate chamber.
The dungeon was a nightmare of a place, dank, and reeking with the smell of dampness and decay. The walls were thick with moss and mildew, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling like tattered lace. The floors were slick with slime, making every step treacherous, and the air was thick with the sound of rats scratching and skittering.
The cells were made of thick stone, with rusted iron bars, and were lined with straw beds that were matted with filth. The prisoners' faces were haggard, their eyes sunken, and their skin was ashen. Each of them looked like they had been there for years, with no hope of ever escaping.
As we made our way through the maze of cells, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. But then, in the distance, I saw her. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, is chained up in one of the cells. Despite the chains, she still exuded an ethereal beauty that was hard to ignore. Her hair was as dark as a moonless night, and her eyes were as piercing as an eagle's gaze. But she was weakened, and her skin was pale and clammy.
Next to her, lay a man, also in chains. His features were obscured by the shadows, but even so, I could tell he was important.
The chains were made of shimmery gold, with strange energy pulsing through them. As soon as I saw them, I knew that they were the source of Artemis's weakened state. They seemed to seal every bit of her power and sucked out any attempt she made to fight against them. It was as if they were slowly draining the life force out of her.
I could see the strain on Artemis's face as we approached her, and my heart ached at the sight. She was still the picture of beauty, with her long golden hair and piercing blue eyes, but her body was frail and weak. She lay next to a man, also in chains, who seemed to be in a similar state of captivity.
As we approached, Artemis opened her eyes and looked at us. Despite her weakened state, her gaze was strong and determined. I could sense her strength and resolve, even in her frail body.
"Thank the gods you've come," she said weakly. "I knew you would."
I knelt next to her, feeling the power of the chains pulsing through my own body. I knew that we had to act quickly if we were going to free her.
"Don't worry, Artemis," I said. "We're here to rescue you. We won't let these chains hold you any longer."
Swush
With a slight movement, I cut through the chains. My sword started shimmering and I could feel the power emancipating from it.
Swush
With another precise hit opened the chains of the old man. His eyes were golden and his mimic was sad as if he was seeing a nightmare.
„Apollo. Helios caught him before me and took everything from him in his temple. So don't take him too seriously," Artemis said with a low voice.
„Stand up, brother," she whispered.
Apollo nodded and stood up. There was no sense in talking to those gods in their state or even thinking about anything, so we decided to get out of the tower.
We made our way back up without any problems. It was quite like someone wanted us to pass this way. The hunters and Apollo left the tower first. Before I could step out Artemis dragged me to the side.
"What did you do in the underworld," she asked nervously." There are things we should let nature and our destiny flow alone without trying to change it."
Her gaze was cold and she looked directly inside of me. I could not hide my trip to the underworld.
"I promised Thanatos to be his sword. And he destroyed my seal. Now I am free and powerful. Gifted with additional power. Strong as never before, " I said in a proud tone.
"Beware of the dark creature inside of you," she whispered and left me alone at the entrance of the dungeon.
Ahh
Pain. Uneasy feeling overcame me and I remembered the fight with the admirals. As Artemis had said, that maniac inside of me was dangerous. And if u could not get it under control I would die.