Mountains, regardless of their size and shape, all have something in common. Their height, sleepiness, and crooked landscape define them. The latter, especially, is shared by other elevated landforms such as hills and plateaus. Even though these features vary in the degree of their expression in each, they will definitely pose herculean tasks for whoever decides to climb them due to their irregular topography.
However, this mountain was just like every other one during the group's ascent. It was a gargantuan heap of treacherous terrain, especially the ledge they had to cross. But contrary to their daunting ascent to the summit, it turned out to be different.
No, "desolate" should be the right word here. Not only that, its ground was leveled flat and smooth beneath them. Instead of the bumps and jagged surface they had expected to see.
That was why Alvan had exclaimed the word 'strange' when they turned away from the view of their hometown.
Even though there were still small shrubs scattered here and there around the polished mountain top, the refreshing scent of ambrosia filled the air. It was still enigmatic that only a single tree, a gigantic one, stood at the summit, towering towards the clouds. There was no one else around, nor were there any signs of wildlife nearby. Not even flies were seen nearby.
This discovery truly unnerves Alvan. 'There had to be a reason for it to be this desolate.' He thought so hard to come up with a reason or even a theory. No idea was coming to him. He turned towards Apphira and the others, noticing the same confused look on their faces. Even the loquacious Thorne was speechless.
'It doesn't matter, right? As long as we get down safely... What really matters now is to retrieve the elixir and save Etheloria as soon as possible…'
He walked up to Apphira and Drake, who were in front of him.
"Why don't we find a way to get down?"
This is going to be another task to complete. The mountain top was expansive. You can imagine how huge it is. After all the climbing and ledge-crossing they had done. The remaining half of the mountain was still so tall and wide that they had to find ways to climb down.
"Right. We should act quickly. What if we split up and explore different directions to find the easiest way down the mountain? Maybe when we find it, we can take some rest under that..." She stuttered, pointing at the huge tree on the opposite side of the mountain top, from their hometown.
None of them said anything after that as they dispersed to scout for a good route to take. The atmosphere around them was solemn, even though the air up here was the freshest. Perhaps it was because of the shadowy fort they saw a few minutes ago or the currently eerie condition of the mountain.
A few seconds later, Alvan stood at one of the edges with a scowl visibly etched on his face, resembling the engravings of hieroglyphs.
'Shit!...'
'Now of all times.'
He exclaimed inwardly. Then he lifted his right hand, gesturing as if he wanted to harness his innate elemental ability. Probably to gather some gale or whirl around his palms…
It didn't work, though. That was a sign that his powers had left him once again.
'Why isn't there a consistent frequency to when it comes and goes? At least I will have an inkling of when I can and cannot utilize it… Damn! It's always doing its will just to frustrate me.'
He wasn't so sure why he was pissed off. Whether it was just his power or the fact that he and the others were unable to find any path down. Everywhere was too steep to attempt climbing down.
"Calms... breathe in... out." His inner voice echoed within him, and he felt cool-headed.
Turning back, he made his way towards the tree where the others were also heading. Perhaps to devise a plan on how to get down.
Actually, things were beginning to add up. Why haven't the Templar forces attempted to climb this specific mountain out of all the others in this mountainous region? Still, he could not put his hands on it. It was all hazy and vague, ambiguous as well.
***
As they were all about to assemble under the tree's shade. The strangely smooth and flat ground of the mountain shook slightly for a split second, just a blink of an eye.
Before they could recover from the quake that disrupted their balance. The ground opened up at several places. Like the jaws of death, it swallowed each of them into its dark depths underground.
It all happened so fast, as if time had stopped in those milliseconds. Each one of them, including Apphira and Drake, was mowed down by the ground. None of them had the time to react quickly enough with their abilities. It really was strange.
… The answer Alvan had been racking his brain to find, this was it. The reason for the desolation of the mountain top was actually an underground Great bestial plant.
This means that this beastly plant buries itself underground, and it is of the Great rank level.
In the world of Gaville, a ranking system exists that displays the hierarchy of power. For creatures, humans, and other beings inhabiting it.
For the creatures, there are beasts and monsters, demons, devils, and titans.
Each of these creatures is ranked on levels as follows: Dormant, Lesser, Great, Emperor, Legendary, Mythical, and Demi-God levels. Within these levels, there is a significant and exponential power difference.
The classification of beasts, monsters, demons, etc., was based on their features and abilities. However, these ranks show the hierarchy within each classification. Therefore, an Emperor beast can defeat a Lesser demon, and vice versa...
So, this beastial plant that had gobbled them up was at the level of a Great Beast. That is a powerful beastly plant, unlike any they had encountered along their journey here. The question now is whether they would survive its jaws or not.
***
Alvan found himself inside a hollow, tubular, but slimy surrounding. It was actually the supposed lumen of the great bestial plant.
This place was too unpleasant to him, not just the sliminess but the pungent odour added to his problem.
Too bad, he wasn't wearing his telescope mask like the others, so the thick slime wetted his face and head. Somehow trying to suck away his life force.
Alvan forced his hand over his face, managing to wipe off the slime. Then slowly, he forced his eyelids open to behold his new environment. But when it fluttered open, it was dark inside. However, he felt some villi-like projections from the wall of these beasts anchoring themselves on his skin.
In the next moment, searing pain washed over his whole body as the ciliary structures touched his skin. It felt like the stinging pain of hundreds of bees. It was torture.
'Arrgh!!!'
"A...rr..." "Arrgh!" He almost choked on the slime when he opened his mouth to scream. He shut it immediately, enduring the everlasting torture of the plant.
He could feel his life force trying to escape through the Magma Shroud, but it couldn't, as if something was shielding it from doing so. Even his core was slightly shaken by the suction force that accompanied the stinging pain.
This was the moment he prayed that he was like other normal Aetherians; at least then he could do something to save himself from the embrace of this hell.
That was when his mind, which was barely holding on, became anxious about someone else – the person his mother asked him to protect for her – Emelda!
The thought of her, the thought of her mother. It seemed to have ignited an inner spark within him. It was kindling up into a flame when eventually the pain began to subside.
'It's working… What the High Priest taught me…'
With this final thought, he was forcefully ejected from a rear opening of the plant. It was almost as if he was yanked away by it.
He was expecting to be buried inside the soil of the mountain after being expelled by the beastly plant. However, he felt gravity pulling him down as soon as he was out of the damned plant.
Finally, he collided so hard against a solid surface... Another ground within the mountain…