Chapter 27: Hidden Cave
Meanwhile
[Life Severing Art: Severing Slash]
siing
"ARGHHHHH…"
A loud scream of agony tore through Brad's throat as his right hand was cleanly separated from his body. He clutched his empty shoulders and fiercely glared at Loki.
"I told you!" Loki smirked and leisurely walked towards Brad.
"YOU ARE DEAD NOW, BRAT!" Brad roared and activated his special skill.
[Scorching Embrace]
His whole body was burning intensely with flames and he looked like a flame god's incarnation. He gripped his axe tightly and swung it with full power towards Loki filled with deadly killing intent.
Loki's heart raced with excitement. He laughed wildly and surrounded his sword with an aqua-blue aura.
[Aqua-splitting Strike]
The intense heat from Brad's axe clashed with the cool, piercing energy of Loki's blade. For a moment, it seemed as if the world held its breath. Then, with a flash of blue light, Loki's sword cleaved through Brad's axe, slicing it cleanly in half. Brad's eyes widened in disbelief as his weapon fell to pieces.
In the split second of distraction, Loki moved. He was in front of Brad in an instant and activated his new skill.
[Hydroblast]
The eden concentrated around Loki's sword tip and formed a blue ball.
The blue ball escaped his sword's tip and pierced Brad's chest. Brad couldn't even defend as they were very close to each other. He could only helplessly watch as the ball pierced his chest and struck the trees behind him.
boom
A loud explosion echoed as Brad fell to his knees, his body trembling with the effort to stay upright.
Blood trickled down his chest, pooling around the gaping hole where Loki's attack had struck. His vision blurred, the edges of his world fading into darkness.
Blerh
With a final, hateful glare at Loki, Brad coughed up blood and collapsed, his life slipping away. Loki quietly stood beside watching his life slowly fade away until he fell on the ground.
Loki's hand was trembling slightly after killing Brad. This was not the first time he had killed a man but the weight of taking a life still lingered. Memories of his first kill flashed in his mind. It was during his two years of training, he accidentally killed an assassin. He became severely traumatic after that and nearly had a mental breakdown. Thankfully his parents arrived and consoled him.
After that experience, he learned a harsh lesson that only strong people are feared and respected. He overcame the trauma and strived to become stronger with greater resolution.
"Are you alright?" Athena softly inquired with concern etched on her voice after noticing his shaking hands.
Loki nodded, her words offering a small comfort. He turned to the merchants they had been protecting.
"Are you all fine?" he asked, his voice steady despite his inner turmoil.
"Thanks to you not only us but even our goods are saved." one of the merchants said, his gratitude clear in his eyes. They even offered some rewards but Loki politely declined them.
"It's our duty to protect you," he replied. "That's what we're here for."
The remaining mercenaries tended to their wounds, and they mourned the two comrades who had fallen in the battle. They buried them under the trees, offering quiet prayers for their peace.
"May you rest in peace."
The mood was quite sad but the journey continued.
The days passed by as they approached their destination. They battled another group of bandits yesterday and lost a few of their men. The atmosphere was quite weary and silent as everyone was on their edge the whole time.
"I am all exhausted and tired from all this battle. Hey Athena, How about you?" Loki inquired with a tired voice.
"Same," she replied while quietly nibbling her food.
Loki had packed a lot of food so they were at least safe in the food department. Yet the mental toll was immense.
Loki longed for a simple bed and a chance to wash away the grime of battle. But such comforts were a distant dream in their current situation.
As more mercenaries fell on the battlefield, the pressure mounting on them increased drastically. It was a small mercy that most of their foes were of common rank; anything more, and they would likely not have survived.
"A cave is ahead. We can pass the night there."
a mercenary announced, pointing towards a shadowy opening in the cliffs ahead. The cave was a welcome sight. It was large enough to shelter them all and, remarkably, seemed free of any beasts. The merchants set up camp around its entrance, lighting a fire to ward off the chill and the darkness.
Loki was feeling bored so he asked Athena to explore the cave together. They were setting the camp at the entrance and the cave looked quite deep from outside.
Athena hesitated. She wasn't thrilled about wandering into the unknown, but Loki's persistent urging finally wore her down. "Alright, but only for an hour," she conceded.
They informed the team about their exploration. The merchants were a bit worried and against their decision, but a single glare from Loki shut their mouths.
"Please return to the camp before the next day." they pleaded and Loki reassured them with a smile.
Loki and Athena entered the cave and travelled forward.
Their footsteps echoed against the walls. The cave was almost empty despite being huge. Only mere common-tier insects were roaming inside. As they entered the deeper part, the light from outside slowly started to dim until it was utter darkness.
Loki cast a simple light spell on his sword and it glowed lightly in the darkness. The cave narrowed down as they ventured deeper and the air grew thick with eden.
"This place is a natural training ground," Athena observed, her voice tinged with awe as she sensed the potent eden around them.
They came across a small gate near the end of the cave. The gate looked old with its rusty look and damaged architecture design.
Loki got curious upon glancing at the gate.
"Maybe we should return," Athena suggested, a feeling of unease settling in her stomach.
But Loki was drawn to the gate. Something about it called to him. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold metal. A faint tattoo emerged on his palm, glowing softly in response.
ziing
A weird metallic sound resonated from inside the gate. He placed his hand on the gate's surface and slowly pushed it open.
creek
The gate slowly opened and a blinding light escaped from inside.
"Ughh.." Both Loki and Athena covered their eyes with their hands.
The light dimmed slightly and the interior was displayed before their eyes.
Loki and Athena halted, their breaths catching at the sight before them. Inside was a grand hall or rather a chamber. The chamber was immense, a vast expanse of luminescent stone shimmered around it highlighting their richness. Celestial symbols and intricate carvings adorned the walls, depicting its vast history.
They became mesmerized and cautiously entered inside. Upon entering, they inspected the carvings and quietly observed the chamber walls.
"This must have been left behind by some ancient civilization," he muttered, his voice filled with awe and curiosity.
Athena beside him gazed forward at the end of the chamber.