Descent into Darkness
The temple had become a place of both revelation and frustration for Altharus. The scrolls and murals provided glimpses of a world governed by mysterious forces, yet the practical application of this knowledge had proven elusive. Though he had managed to spark a tiny flame and sense the faintest whisper of Numina, he was still haunted by questions about his identity. Was he the heir to Erebus's dark legacy, or was he Erebus himself? The lack of memories from before he was pulled into the wall, combined with the fragmented visions of Erebus, left him in a state of constant annoyance, even tho it annoyed him to no end for not being the one in control and not being able to remember anything, he just gave up on thinking about useless stuff and leave that all to his future self an so determined to continue his journey and uncover more answers, Altharus decided it was time to move on.
The map he had found at the abandoned camp showed a distant mountain range. The mountains loomed on the horizon, their peaks shrouded in mist, offering the promise of a higher vantage point from which to survey the land. With renewed purpose, Altharus set out towards the mountains, leaving the eerie comfort of the temple behind.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew colder and the trees more twisted and dense. The forest seemed to whisper secrets to itself, and the shadows played tricks on his eyes. He moved cautiously, every rustle and distant cry a reminder of the dangers that lurked in this forsaken land.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew colder and the trees more twisted and dense. The forest seemed to hum with a life of its own, and the shadows played tricks on his eyes. He moved cautiously, every rustle and distant cry making him jumpy. Though not afraid of death, he still quite enjoyed breathing, and each unexpected sound was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in this forsaken land. " Gotta stay alert, You've already faced one monstrous beast which was clearly quite week considering I could beat it, since i won by outsmarting it, not brute force, so if something stronger comes out I'll be f*ed. Who knows what else is out there?"
The journey was arduous. The forest floor was a treacherous tangle of roots and undergrowth, slowing his progress. The air was thick with the scent of decay, a constant reminder of the forest's naturally gloomy environment. Despite the oppressive atmosphere, Altharus pressed on, driven by the desire to both grow stronger and to find out more about himself
Days passed as he made his way through the forest, each step taking him closer to the mountains. The landscape began to change, the trees while still creepy and bent into weird forms started thinning out and the ground becoming rockier. The forest gave way to a rugged terrain of jagged rocks and steep inclines. Altharus could see the mountains more clearly now, their peaks rising like sentinels in the distance.
As he approached the base of the mountains, he noticed an ancient path winding its way up the slopes. The path was narrow and treacherous, barely visible beneath the overgrowth. With a deep breath, Altharus began his ascent, the weight of the chains on his wrists a constantly digging into his skin and causing him small jolts of pain, which he already got used to after so long.
The climb was steep and exhausting. The air grew thinner as he ascended, each breath a struggle. The path twisted and turned, sometimes disappearing altogether, forcing him to scramble over rocks and through narrow crevices. The higher he climbed, the more the landscape unfolded beneath him, revealing the vast expanse of the forest and the distant outline of the temple he had left behind.
As he neared the summit, Altharus's progress was suddenly halted. The ground beneath him gave way, and he found himself plummeting into darkness. He landed hard on a stone floor, the impact jarring every bone in his body. With clenched teeth he hissed painfully "F''' me sideways, of course something like this would happen." Dazed and disoriented, he struggled to his feet, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. "Where the F''' am I now?"
He had fallen into a vast underground chamber. The air was damp and musty, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the darkness. The chamber was lit by a strange, phosphorescent glow that emanated from the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw that the chamber was filled with ancient stone structures, their surfaces covered in intricate carvings and symbols.
Altharus felt a chill run down his spine for some reason. Tho this was no ordinary cave. It was a labyrinth, a twisted maze of tunnels and chambers that stretched deep into the earth. The air was thick and still, "F''' I'm still disoriented and the walls seemed to closing in on me ". He knew instinctively that navigating this place would be a one hell of a endeavor.
The walls of the labyrinth were adorned with more of the ancient script he had seen in the temple, their meanings just out of reach. He traced his fingers over the carvings as he walked, hoping for some spark of understanding, but the symbols remained stubbornly elusive. The path twisted and turned, sometimes narrowing to the point where he had to squeeze through gaps in the stone, other times opening up into vast chambers filled with strange, otherworldly light.
As he ventured deeper, the challenges of the labyrinth became more apparent. He frequently encountered dead ends, forcing him to backtrack and rethink his route. The narrow passages scraped his arms and legs, leaving shallow cuts and bruises. At times, he had to crawl on his hands and knees through tight spaces, the rough stone tearing at the little he had clothes.
Several times, he found himself in vast chambers that seemed almost otherworldly, filled with eerie, luminescent light emanating from unknown sources. These chambers offered brief respite, but they also presented their own dangers. In one, he narrowly avoided stepping into a pit that seemed to have no bottom, the darkness within it swallowing the light.
The labyrinth seemed to play tricks on his mind, its twisting paths and sudden turns disorienting him. He often found himself doubting his sense of direction, the oppressive silence amplifying his uncertainty and frustration.
After what felt like hours of navigating the labyrinth's treacherous paths, Altharus stumbled upon an open area. He slowed his pace, moving cautiously as he approached a wider corridor. The air here was just as cold as before, each breath he took releasing mist.
Curiosity piqued, he edged closer to the entrance of the open area, taking care to remain hidden in the shadows. He peered into the space beyond, his breath catching at the sight before him.
In the center of the chamber, illuminated by an eerie, flickering light, were several figures locked in combat. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the chamber, punctuated by grunts of exertion and the occasional shout. The fighters moved with a grace and precision that spoke of extensive training, their movements fluid and deadly. Altharus was taken aback; these were the first humans, or rather the first intelligent beings, he had encountered since he woke up on that rock with no memories.
Altharus's eyes narrowed as he began to evaluate the combatants, trying to determine who the leaders were and who posed the greatest threat. The tall man with a scar running down his face moved with a commanding presence, his sword flashing in the dim light as he parried and struck with deadly accuracy. Altharus identified him as the likely leader, his authoritative demeanor and skill setting him apart from the others.
He then shifted his focus to the other fighters, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. One woman wielded a spear with remarkable agility, her movements swift and precise. She stood out not just for her skill but for her commanding presence and the way others seemed to react to her, suggesting she might be a key figure among them. Another fighter, a man with a shaved head and muscular build, used a pair of daggers, his attacks relentless and brutal.
Altharus noted the tall man's strategic strikes and defensive prowess. *If I have to fight him, I'll need to find a way to break through his defense, perhaps by exploiting any moments of hesitation* he thought, glancing down at the weapon fashioned from the scorpion tail. A precise strike from this could catch him off guard.
His eyes then shifted to the woman with the spear. *She's fast and her reach is extended with that weapon. I'd need to close the distance quickly to neutralize her advantage.* He considered the longer chain on his left arm. *If I can entangle her spear with the chain, I might be able to disarm her and turn the tide.*
The man with the daggers was a different kind of threat. His close-quarters combat style meant he relied on speed and aggression. Altharus considered his own strengths and weaknesses. *I can't match his speed, but if I can force him into a confined space, I might be able to limit his movements and gain the upper hand.* He thought about using the shorter chain on his right arm to block and deflect the dagger attacks while countering with his makeshift weapon.
As he continued to watch, he devised potential strategies for each combatant, mentally preparing himself for the possibility of confrontation. He knew that if they turned on him, he would need every bit of cunning and skill to survive.