Chereads / The emperor of Shadows (dropped) / Chapter 6 - 6 - Temple

Chapter 6 - 6 - Temple

Reynold stood there in the depths of the Alberoth Dungeon, having just reached Level 4 and overcome a horde of zombies. The sense of accomplishment lingered, but it was swiftly replaced by a question that nagged at him: Should he return home or continue his journey into this mysterious darkness?

After a moment of contemplation, Reynold decided to press on. There was something about this place, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, that urged him to explore further. And so, with renewed determination, he ventured deeper into the gloom.

As he walked, minutes turned into an eerie silence, and Reynold couldn't help but wonder why there were no enemies in sight. His footsteps echoed in the stillness, and an unsettling feeling began to settle over him. He muttered to himself, "Why are there no enemies? It's too quiet."

Just as he voiced his unease, he noticed a colossal shadow looming ahead. The sight froze him in his tracks, and fear gripped his heart. The shadow was massive, unlike anything he had encountered before. It stood unmoving, an imposing presence in the darkness.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as Reynold stared at the unmoving shadow. Slowly, his fear transformed into a hesitant curiosity, and he summoned the courage to approach. Step by cautious step, he drew closer until the shadow revealed itself to be the entrance of a temple, resembling the ancient Baalbek Temple built by the Romans.

Relief washed over Reynold as he realized he had stumbled upon something unexpected, something that hadn't been mentioned in the rumors or news about Alberoth Dungeon. Questions swirled in his mind. Was the government hiding this place? Or had it appeared here recently through some unknown means? Despite the fear of the unknown, his curiosity got the better of him, and he ventured further into the temple.

As he entered through the surprisingly open main entrance, Reynold was met with a sight that left him awestruck. A richly decorated carpet stretched before him, the kind fit for kings. His gaze was drawn to four towering statues, each standing at an impressive height of 17 feet, resembling mini-giants.

1st Statue: It depicted a figure holding a sword and a shield on his back.

2nd Statue: A woman-like figure wearing a mask and adorned with bracelets on each hand.

3rd Statue: A humanoid with wings on his back and upward-pointing horns on his head.

4th Statue: A skeletal figure in intricate armor, its form resembling that of a martial artist.

While each statue was distinct in its appearance, they all shared a common feature. They were all gazing reverently at a central coffin, each in a unique posture. The statues were seated, with their right legs bent and resting on the ground in a traditional Japanese sitting position. Their left arms were placed on their left legs, with their elbows touching their knees.

Reynold couldn't help but wonder what made this coffin so unique and special that these statues paid homage to it. His curiosity overcame any lingering fear, and he approached the coffin, now standing beside it. He reached out and touched it gently, expecting...something.

And then, in that moment, as his hand made contact with the ancient coffin, something extraordinary occurred.

The world around Reynold seemed to blur and shift, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through him. His surroundings transformed, and he found himself on the precipice of an unimaginable adventure, one that would lead him to discover the secrets of this enigmatic temple and unveil the true depths of his own powers.