Chereads / The Sacred Frontier / Chapter 100 - Act II Chapter LXV

Chapter 100 - Act II Chapter LXV

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Aspax, Basin: Desolate Ash: Sacred Underground, Time: 4:50 PM

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Don and Layla, after sinking into the quicksand, found themselves in the sacred underground of the palace. The atmosphere felt ancient as if they had stepped into a pyramid filled with mystic energy.

"Layla, you alright?" Don checked on her, brushing off the sand from his clothes.

Layla nodded, seemingly unfazed. "Yeah, just a bit sandy. But where are we?" She rubbed her head, she almost had a concussion.

The underground chamber was vast, adorned with hieroglyphs and ancient symbols. Strange torches emitted an otherworldly glow, revealing intricate carvings on the walls.

"I have no idea, but it feels sacred, like a hidden realm beneath the palace," Don remarked, studying the peculiar surroundings.

As they ventured deeper into the underground, the architecture became more elaborate. Pillars with intricate patterns supported the ceiling, and mysterious artifacts were displayed in alcoves.

Layla strummed a chord on her guitar, the sound echoing through the chamber to check for any enemies nearby. "This place is giving me the creeps. It's like a mix of ancient history and something out of Yin's room has a baby with each other."

Don agreed, glancing around cautiously. "We should keep moving. Maybe we'll find a way back up or some answers about this place."

Their footsteps resonated through the vast chamber as they explored the underground pyramid. The air seemed to carry whispers of a forgotten era, adding to the mystique of the hidden realm.

They turned a corner and stumbled upon a large, ornate door with intricate engravings. Layla examined the carvings, her fingers tracing the patterns.

"I think this door might lead to something significant," she suggested.

Don nodded, a sense of anticipation in the air. "Let's find out. It might be our ticket to unraveling the mysteries of this place."

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Aspax, Basin: Desolate Ash: Sacred Underground: Pharoh's room, Time: 5:00 PM

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Together, they pushed open the heavy door, revealing a chamber that emanated an ethereal glow. The room was filled with ancient artifacts, and at the center stood a pedestal with a peculiar charm on it. There's also a coffin behind the charm.

"This must be important," Don speculated, approaching the charm cautiously. The charm seems to have a shape like an Egyptian ankh symbol.

It seems the charm has the same universe material with Don could see the star inside it.

Layla examined it with curiosity. "It feels like it's pulsating with energy. Maybe it has a connection to the palace above."

As they pondered the significance of the crystal, the underground pyramid held secrets waiting to be unveiled.

Don decided to take the charm. "I will be taking this, then."

Layla seemed concerned, "What are you doing?! What if it activates some kind of trap or something?!"

Don could only smirk at her, "Oh, I ain't just an ordinary sniper, midget. I am the Treasure Sniper." Don tried to pull it out, but it budged a little. It felt like it was magically pinned onto the pedestal.

"Oh, what happened to you stealing it, Mr. 'Treasure Sniper?' " Layla stated with sarcasm, trying to pull him away from the charm.

"Don't you dare laugh? I can..." Don tried his hardest; it seemed to lift a little.

"Pull it out!" Don's hand started showing veins before he finally pulled it out.

The pedestal released a magical wind as if Don had just released something. Something that was supposed to be hidden.

The coffin behind the pedestal started to open up slowly, with Layla and Don just watching it in silence.

"Come here, you idiot!" Layla gestured with her hand to come to hide with her. Don quickly ran toward her, hiding himself in the pillar.

Out of the coffin, a mystic wind was released. It was like a bunch of spirits came out at once.

"God, I wish I didn't have spirit control right now..." Don could hear and see them. He didn't believe in spirits, but ever since he learned spirit control, he finally believed in it.

"Holy shit... Yin was right, ghosts are real..." Layla covered her mouth. She could hear it all, and it was like ringing in her head.

Tap. Someone walked out of the coffin, the dirty and dusty fabric came out and grabbed hold of the coffin before throwing it to the other side of the room.

Don and Layla ducked as the coffin crashed and shattered into pieces.

The dust cleared as the figure finally revealed itself.

The man was covered in old fabric, head to toe. The Nemes was on his head, almost molded into it like a parasite.

Luckily, he was wearing short clown pants, consisting of yellow and blue colors. A yellow oval-shaped gem was stuck onto his face; the fabric and the gem molded into each other.

"Is that..." Layla whispered before Don covered her mouth.

"Yeah, that's a mummy, alright..." Don whispered. This might be troublesome to leave.

Don and Layla exchanged anxious glances as the mummy stood slowly, ancient linen wrappings coming loose. He did not seem to have noticed them yet behind the pillar.

 Don cautiously peered around as the creature shambled towards the chamber entrance, muttering incomprehensibly. "Maybe we can slip out while it's distracted..." he whispered.

Nodding, Layla carefully picked up her satchel while Don pocketed the carved scarab, their dubious "prize" from this room.

 They began creeping towards the exit, wincing at every scuff of their shoes on the stone floor. The mummy paused, and he froze in place, barely daring to breathe.

After an agonizing moment, the creature turned away, still focused on the entrance. Layla jerked her head urgently, and they scrambled the last few feet.

Just as they crossed the threshold, Don's boot scraped loudly against the stone. The mummy whipped around with an unearthly snarl, ancient eyes fixing upon them.

"Run!" Don yelled, bolting down the darkened hallway with Layla. They sprinted flat out, hearing the mummy's ragged roar echoing behind them in pursuit.

 Daring a glance back, Don's blood ran cold seeing their desiccated pursuer gaining speed, ancient rags flying as he bounded after them. He grabbed Layla's arm, willing their legs to pump faster. Just what had he unleashed?!

Layla suddenly tripped; the fabric seemed to catch her before she could escape. "Oh, fuck!" She yelled.

Don stopped before grabbing Layla's arm. "I got you! I got you!" He was pulling as hard as he could.

The mummy slowly approached the duo; the fabric didn't let go at all. He could only groan and moan his anger and sorrow away.

Don decided to grab his crossbow bolt and try to stab the fabric. Luckily, it was old and dusty, and it started to tear apart.

"Let her go!" Don yelled out as he finally got the fabric to loosen, letting Layla go into his arms.

"Oh, thank god..." Layla muttered before she stood her ground against the creature.

He finally stopped, face to face with the persons who had awakened him. The fabric seemed to knock on a nearby pillar and block the exit.

"Guess we're fighting this old grandpa, ay?" Don prepared himself to fight the horror that was in front of him.

His muffled scream signaled the battle as the mummy lunged toward them. All of them were ready to battle.

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