[ Chapter Thirteen - Ordeal Begins ]
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Ashran and Goyo stood below a cage hanging from a tree branch, their eyes fixed on it. "By the way, did you hear the professor say anything about how we're supposed to find this Orb? I wasn't listening at that time," said Ashran, breaking the silence.
"Now that you mention it, I didn't either," replied Goyo. "I think we just need to wander around and search every corner."
Great, Ashran thought. There were no signs or clues hinting at where the Orbs might be hidden, even though they might already be in the heart of this forest.
As time went by, perhaps a whole fifteen minutes had passed, Ashran and Goyo were now crouching awkwardly behind a large tree log.
"Did you see that?" whispered Goyo. "How could they put a Golem here? Do they want us to be killed? They must be insane!"
"Yeah . . . " mumbled Ashran. He was staring over the tree log at the figure close by. The Golem was a menacing construct made entirely of bones. It featured multiple skulls, like those of wolves and humans, integrated into its structure. It had elongated, skeletal limbs and sharp, claw-like hands. Its oversized ribcage resembled an iron maiden, with many of the ribs and other bones sharpened to points and facing inward.
"Look, there's something shiny stuck on its skull," said Ashran. Goyo, who was trying so hard to conceal himself, peeked a little to see the Golem's head; which was not of human but more closely resembled an Orc's.
"Is it the Orb? No way, how are we going to get that?" said Goyo, his voice now so low that Ashran had to move closer to hear him clearly.
"I have a plan."
"Really?"
Both of them had no weapons, as the Admittance rules stated they had to rely on their pure strength and abilities. Therefore, Ashran suggested they should lure the Golem into a trap and sneak the Orb out of its skull. They had to do it quickly, as they were running out of time now.
"Do you think that will put him down? That thing's huge!" said Goyo.
"Trust me. It will," said Ashran.
"And if not?"
"Then we die."
"Or run," Ashran quickly added as he caught Goyo winced.
At first, Goyo seemed reluctant about the plan where both of them would act as bait. "I'll tell you this, I'm not a fast runner," he said. However, as they didn't have any other options, he eventually agreed.
Ashran set to work immediately with Goyo's help, gathering thick vines and sturdy tree branches. He chose a spot where the forest floor was uneven, perfect for tripping the Golem. Carefully but quick, they wove the vines through the branches, creating a makeshift snare designed to catch the Golem's feet. Every few seconds, Ashran turned around, feeling as though someone was watching them.
Finally, the double traps they set up looked as if they were made by a six-year-olds' to Goyo. But to Ashran's eyes, there wasn't anything wrong with them. In fact, they were perfectly fine. Golems don't have brains or intelligence. What only makes them frightening is their insane strength and, probably, their appearance too.
"There. Shall we do this?" said Ashran.
"Alright . . . let's do it," replied Goyo as he gulped.
Ashran and Goyo stepped out and showed themselves. The Golem loomed ahead, staring at them.
At first, the Golem didn't react. Its skeletal frame stood still, only the faint creaking of bones could be heard along with the rustling of leaves and birds chirping high above. Then, with a series of bone-chilling clacks and creaks, it began to move. The sound was like nails scraping against a chalkboard, echoing through the forest.
"Now!" Ashran shouted, and the two of them tried to attract the Golem's attention. The Golem turned sharply toward Ashran and Goyo, its eyeless gaze locking onto them. They backed away, leading it toward the traps.
The Golem followed, its bony limbs clattering with each step. The ground shook slightly under its weight. As it approached the snare, Ashran's heart raced. Just a few more steps.
At that moment, the Golem's foot caught in the vines. With a loud snap and a thud, it tumbled forward, crashing to the ground. Ashran and Goyo exchanged a quick look of triumph.
"Gotcha!" Goyo beamed, his face lighting up with excitement.
But their victory was short-lived. The vine holding the Golem snapped under its weight, and the beast fell to the ground with a bone-rattling crash.
Without wasting a second, Ashran leapt onto the Golem. He reached for the white orb embedded in its forehead, his fingers brushing against it. But just as he was about to grasp it, the Golem roared and flung him off with a violent jerk.
Thump!
Ashran hit the ground hard and barely managed to stand up, wincing in pain from where the Golem's claw had struck his ribs. Unknowingly, he stepped into the second trap they had set. The vines tightened around his ankle and yanked him into the air, leaving him dangling upside down. "You gotta be kidding me. . ." he sighed.
Goyo, meanwhile, had tripped pathetically over a root and was now crawling on the ground in fear. He looked up to see Ashran hanging and the Golem getting back on its feet. Panic flashed across his face.
"WHAT DO WE DO NOW?" he shouted, scrambling to his feet, his legs shaking.
The Golem, now angrier than ever, turned its gaze toward Goyo, its skeletal jaws clacking menacingly. Goyo swallowed hard, his mind racing for a solution as the monstrous creature lumbered closer. Surely, he regretted agreeing to the plan.