Unveiling Secrets
Altharus stepped cautiously into the dimly lit chamber, his hands raised so that he shows he isn't holding a weapon. His heart pounded as he faced the wary group, their weapons still drawn and ready. The cold, calculating eyes of the woman leading them were fixed on him, her spear poised inches from his chest as he approaches.
Before stepping out from the shadows, Altharus had thought carefully about what he would say. He needed a name, something that would sound believable and fitting. Reflecting on the first beast he killed and the glimpses of Erebus, he decided on a name that mixes both of those.
Altharus took a deep breath, his mind racing but his prepared plan clear. "I don't mean any harm," he began, his voice steady but urgent. "I woke up in this place with no memories of who I am or how I got here. All I know is I've been wandering through this annoying labyrinth, trying to make sense of it all. You can call me… Ereleon"
The woman's eyes narrowed, her grip on the spear tightening. "How long have you been hiding?" she asked, her voice icy and suspicious.
As soon as the question was asked, Altharus felt a strange, irresistible force compelling him to respond. It was as if his body had a mind of its own, and he struggled to control the flow of words. He realized he couldn't lie, and his mind raced to find a way to answer truthfully without revealing too much.
What is this feeling? he thought, panic rising. Why can't I hold back answering her question?
His voice came out steady, despite the turmoil inside him. "I arrived when the fight was already happening. I stayed hidden because I wasn't sure who to trust or what was going on," he said carefully, nodding toward the fallen bodies. "I saw enough to know that you were winning." Altharus couldn't shake the sensation that had overtaken him. It was his first encounter with others since awakening in here, and this compulsion to speak truthfully was overwhelming. *Why am I forced to answer? he wondered. I have to be careful.*
he realization that he might be unable to lie or keep secrets made him start feeling regret that he ever revealed himself.
The man with the scar across his chest stepped forward, his expression skeptical. "And what about those chains on your wrists? What's your story there?"
Altharus felt the familiar compulsion rising again, his body almost moving on its own. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure.
"The chains?" Altharus began, lifting his wrists slightly. "I woke up with them. I don't know how they got there or why I have them. They were already on me when I first regained consciousness in this place." He saw the doubt in the man's eyes and knew he needed to provide more "I've been trying to find a way to remove them," he continued. "But so far, I've had no luck." Inside, Altharus's mind was a storm of confusion and frustration. What is happening to me? Why can't I just choose not to answer? He hated feeling so out of control, the words spilling from his mouth whether he wanted them to or not. He could see the group exchanging glances, weighing his words. The woman, still holding her spear with a steady grip, seemed to consider his explanation. I need to make them believe me, or at least not see me as a threat, he thought. Altharus decided to take a chance. "Look," he said, his voice calm and earnest. "I don't know who I was before this, but I'm trying to survive, just like you. If you can help me understand what's happening here, maybe I can help you too. All I want is to find some answers." His heart raced as he waited for their response, the uncertainty gnawing at him. *Please, let them believe me* he thought.
The group exchanged glances, their skepticism evident. The woman's spear remained unwavering, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. "And what about a weapon?" she pressed.
Altharus felt the compulsion again, and he knew he had to answer truthfully, but he could still be selective with his words. "I had a pair of rusty daggers I found on a corpse when I first woke up here," he said carefully. "Since they got too damaged in a fight, I don't have them anymore."
Altharus watched the group exchange glances, their skepticism not entirely dispelled. The woman finally nodded, her spear lowering slightly but still ready. "Alright, Ereleon," she said, her tone still cautious. "You'll come with us, but don't try anything foolish."
The man with the scar grunted in agreement, though he kept his weapon within easy reach. "We've already dealt with one ambush today. We're not taking any chances."
As they started moving through the labyrinthine corridors, Altharus took the opportunity to observe his new "companions" more closely. The woman, clearly their leader, moved with a confidence and grace that suggested extensive combat experience. Her cold demeanor and commanding presence made it clear she was someone to be respected, if not feared.
The man with the scar walked beside her, presumably some kind of vice leader, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. He had a soldier's bearing, his movements precise and efficient. Altharus could tell he was the kind of person who had seen many battles and survived through sheer determination and skill.
The rest of the group was a mix of different types, all armed and alert., the lean man who had spoken earlier, seemed particularly wary, his eyes darting around as if expecting another ambush at any moment..
Altharus's mind raced with questions. Why did these people seem so familiar with this place? What were these Harbinger Seeds they were talking about? And why did he feel this strange compulsion to speak the truth? He needed answers, but he knew he had to be careful about how he asked his questions.
Finally, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Altharus spoke up. "So, what exactly are these Harbinger Seeds you mentioned? And what's the deal with this place?"
The woman glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You really don't know, do you?" she said, her tone a mix of suspicion and curiosity. She then turned her gaze toward the lean man, who had a tendency to talk a lot. He caught her look and nodded, stepping forward.
"I'm Kieran," the lean man said, his voice carrying a hint of enthusiasm despite the grim surroundings. "Let me fill you in."
He took a breath before launching into his explanation. "This place we're in is called the Forsaken Expanse and we are currently inside one of many if not infinite labyrinths within it. Each of the labyrinths lead to at least one Harbinger Seed, the Seeds are believed to be created by the gods, filled with trials. The gods, in their infinite wisdom—or maybe just their twisted sense of fun—created these trials to test us, to push us to our limits."
Kieran's eyes lit up as he spoke, clearly relishing the chance to share his knowledge. "The Harbinger Seeds are the core of these trials. They're like time bombs, waiting to go boom."He giggled at his own joke and then continued "Or what we actually call it is blooming . When they do bloom, they open gates that allow Ancient Creatures to flood into our world. Our job is to find and destroy these Seeds before they bloom."
Altharus listened intently, trying to absorb every detail. "And what happens if you fail?"
Kieran's expression darkened. "If we fail, those gates open, and the Ancient Creatures spill out. They're not just mindless beasts; some of them are incredibly powerful, capable of wreaking havoc on a massive scale."
The burly man with the deep scar across his chest, who had been listening silently, added, "Every Seed is a recreation of some ancient event from the Gods' Realm or at least that's what most people like to belive. and each person has to go trough their own tiral"
Kieran nodded. "Exactly. And once you conquer a Harbinger of a particular rank, you can't face the same rank again. It's always something new." Altharus absorbed this information, and then asked. "And how exactly do you clear a trial"
Kieran looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Clearing a trial isn't straightforward. Each Harbinger is different, with its own set of challenges and objectives. Sometimes, it involves defeating a powerful creature or a series of enemies. Other times, it might require solving complex puzzles or surviving a relentless onslaught. The key is to adapt and overcome whatever the gods throw at you."
He paused, then added, "Sometimes the trials are about overcoming your desires, like lust or greed. They can seem simple—'just resist it'—but they vary greatly in difficulty. In some trials, you might lose all your memories and believe you're 'living the dream,' while in reality, the longer you stay, the closer you are to death. Time is crucial in these trials; you have a certain amount of it depending on the trial's type and difficulty."
Altharus listened intently as Kieran continued, "Other times, you have to face your worst fears, whether you're aware of them or not. These trials can be deeply personal and psychologically taxing. Overcoming them requires not just strength but also mental fortitude and self-awareness."
Altharus nodded slowly, trying to process everything. "So, it's not just about fighting. It's about strategy, endurance, and psychological resilience."
"Exactly," Kieran replied. "You have to be smart and resourceful. The gods enjoy making these trials as difficult as possible, pushing us to our limits."
The woman leader, who had been silently listening to the conversation, finally spoke up. "We can't afford to get too comfortable. This place is full of surprises, and none of them are pleasant. Stay alert and be ready for anything."