Following the incident, they discovered themselves in what appeared to be a grand ceremonial dome, a space as expansive as a colossal arena. Intricate symbols and elaborate murals graced the ground beneath their feet, and they found themselves positioned in the epicenter of the room, encased within a perfect circle. A radiant light illuminated them from far above, reminiscent of the sun, yet there was no sky in sight, only an endless expanse of the dome.
Upon regaining consciousness and absorbing their surreal surroundings, each of them questioned their reality. Were they still on Earth, or had they been transported somewhere far beyond their comprehension?
After overcoming and suppressing their inner demons, they begun to take notice the bizarreness of their surroundings.
Vegetation crept up the walls like insistent weeds, suggesting their location was a place long forgotten by time. The murals, coupled with the state of decay, hinted at an ancient site, a relic of a bygone era. Curiously, despite their exploration of the surroundings, no exit presented itself. The sun-like light above was an enigma, its existence inexplicable in their enclosed environment.
Life, however, had found a way to thrive. Plants and small insects seemed to flourish, nourished by a stream of water that flowed freely between two towering obelisks, pooling around their base to form a serene pond. The stone obelisks bore markings of an unfamiliar script, characters that seemed as ancient as the site itself.
In the aftermath of their encounter with the artifact, Amelia and the rest had delved into the study of historical symbols and languages in their quest for the puzzle box. They had hoped to unearth any clues about the artifact's origins and decipher the cryptic symbols etched into its surface. But much like the undecipherable engravings on the artifact, the secrets held by the two obelisks remained shrouded in mystery. Their meanings were as elusive as the artifact's origins, adding another layer to the enigma they found themselves in.
"We've surveyed the surroundings so far, and it's vast. It may take a while to fully explore, but based on what we see from this distance, there doesn't appear to be any exit," Will confirmed.
"It could be hidden or camouflaged by the walls," Oliver, Will's pale right-hand man, added, visibly examining the floors as well.
Everyone experienced a moment of shock and began contemplating the task of locating the dome's exit and adding it to their agendas.
"This place is both frightening and strangely ethereal," Lucy muttered, and everyone heard her, unable to disagree.
"That feeling is understandable. The overall structure doesn't seem to have been built by human hands. The more I examine the details, the more impossible it seems for it to have been constructed by humans in ancient times," Noah confirmed.
"They could have used a different type of technology," Ethan suggested.
"If that's true, then their technology is more advanced than ours," Noah said, his voice filled with fascination.
"Now, now, kids. I hope this time you'll listen to the adults and refrain from doing anything reckless out of curiosity, hmm?" Will smiled dangerously at the five of them. Will's smile sent shivers down the others' spines, as they fully realized the seriousness of provoking him.
Reflecting on their previous arguments with Will and the others, they couldn't help but feel a sense of regret for not fully grasping how dangerous Will could be. In that moment, they resembled children being reprimanded by their elders, facing the consequences of having their allowances cut off, without a hint of humor.
"I didn't hear an answer," Will threatened once again.
Afterwards, Will heard a series of muffled responses, so he had to repeat himself, appearing displeased.
Soon, everyone responded with a series of 'Yes, sir!' and 'We understand, sir!' in a loud voice.
Satisfied with their response, Will finally allowed them to proceed with their survival plans.
"You certainly have a talent for being a disciplinarian," Oliver spoke in a serious voice, without a hint of teasing, although Will knew better.
"And your true personality is starting to emerge," Will retorted, his face deadpan.
'Do I even have to continue pretending in this place? There are no company documents to work on, and Will's fortune holds no significance here,' Oliver silently complained.
----
Realizing that their escape from the room might be a long-drawn process, Amelia and Lucy leaned heavily on their resourcefulness and knowledge. They put their survival skills to the test, identifying edible plants and insects within the area, turning the dome into their own survival pantry. Their knowledge of flora and fauna became their lifeline, ensuring they had sustenance while they worked out an escape plan.
Jake, armed with his media expertise, took on the role of a documentarian, chronicling their experiences and survival strategies. He plan to document their daily life within the dome, creating a visual record of their unexpected adventure. He set aside his initial despair about his previous decision to take risk. At some point when everyone was still disoriented by the sudden event they found themselves in, he regretted not speaking up about his gut feeling of how wrong their decision of keeping the artifact. Jake like everyone else had a strong mentality, they know it might take a while for them to get home or worst they might not be able to. So with determination, he decided to record what he can that might help them in the future.
Ethan, on the other hand, worked with Amelia and Will setting aside their initial differences to set rules and regulations to ensure everyone's safety, creating a structured environment within the chaos. His initiative gaved him the air to lead which gained admiration from Will and Amelia.
Ethan had always had this talent but seem to restrict himself to ensure someone with a clear mind can take over in any case of desperate situation. This time, his strong sense of justice didn't allow him to stay placid as it might cause harm to his friends to be in danger by any slight mistep of judgement.
Noah took it upon himself to watch over Rayana. Her delayed awakening had everyone on edge. Unlike the rest, who woke up at the center of the room, Rayana was found beside the obelisk. They had transferred her to a more comfortable space after their failed attempt to awaken her. Noah made sure she was comfortable during her prolonged slumber while pondering the overall situation and why Rayana found beside the obelisk instead and hasn't woken up. Noah's eyes showed a mysterious glint that is unlike his usual innocent and free spirited personality.
Meanwhile, Will and Oliver, stood near the obelisks. They carefully examined their surroundings and engaged in discussions, their voices murmuring within the dome. Occasionally, a trace of banter could be heard in their voices, but their expressions remained stoic, devoid of emotion, and they stood in a serious manner, causing everyone to question if they were imagining things.
The bodyguards - Max Harrison, Luke Bailey, Jack Murphy, and Sam Carter - put their professional skills to the test. Tasked with the group's protection, they vigilantly surveyed the area for potential dangers. They also fashioned makeshift weapons out of available materials, preparing for any emergency that might arise. Their presence was a reassuring constant, a symbol of safety and security in an uncertain situation.