CHAPTER VI - AWAKE
It was the day that Gabriel and Gorge were going to the Temple of Wisdom. Gorge was waiting in the Wind Park, it was the center of the whole town. The park was packed with people as always, Wind Park was a tourist place in the town as it holds the Statue of Gomez, it is a large 200-foot bronze man statue with his left hand holding a trident and his right palm stretching towards the ocean. The statue is visible from every corner of the town.
Gabriel reached the park, Gorge saw Gabriel and waved his hand, Gabriel went to Gorge as soon as he spotted him.
"I am sorry I kept you waiting," Gabriel apologized,
"Hey! No need to be sorry, we are friends after all," Gorge said, "So shall we go now?" Gorge asked,
Gabriel knotted.
As they were going, they could see the white marble government buildings on both sides of the road. Though the town boasts a population quarter the size of Gablon, it surpasses Gablon in historical significance and importance. Throughout the centuries, the town has been graced by the presence of numerous monarchs, but now it proudly stands as an autonomous city.
The sky was blue like the sea, the wind was cold. Gabriel and Gorge passed many neighborhoods, some were rich and poor, but everything was clean, the people of Blue Town liked cleanliness, and the streets were clean and wide. They could see the Temple from the wide street, the temple was perfectly aligned with the statue of Gomez. They stopped at a small street stall that was selling buttered corn. They both had one piece each and sat on a bench side of the road, the road had many benches and many small trees for greenery. "It is really good, I have never had buttered corn before," Gabriel said,
"Really?" Gorge said,
"Yeah, we don't have buttered corn over in Qual," Gabriel replied,
They started their way to the temple as soon as they finished eating. The place was a little cold but sunny, the cold winds cooled Gabriel's face. Blue Town was a little cold for Gabriel as he was raised in a hotter region.
They reached the temple, a huge seven-story square building with four pillars extending even further on each corner. The temple was built over a century ago to accommodate the wisdom they learned from Master Shin. Master Shin was from Semihall, but he settled in Blue Town to spread his knowledge to the world. The temple was built after his death.
Gabriel and Gorge entered the temple gate. The temple was surrounded by beautiful trees from different parts of the world, and there was also a roof-top garden.
They passed through all the floors and reached the roof-top garden after worshiping the Lord of Wisdom, the Master Shin. From up there, they could see the whole town—a panoramic view with a statue at the center of the town and the sea. The sky was a little cloudy at that moment.
"Who is that statue?" Gabriel asked,
"It is Gomez who saved the town from the big wave over 150 years ago. And the statue was built to honor him." Gorge explained to Gabriel,
"Wow, he is a great fighter then," Gabriel replied,
Gorge knotted.
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Julian woke up from his unconscious state, he turned towards Lilly she was still unconscious and they were tied to a chair in a dark room. Julian spotted That old man and shouted "Hey! Hey, you old hag. Why did you tie us?"
Lilly woke too by hearing Julian's scream, "Julian! Are you okay?" Lilly asked Julian in a dull tone, "Lilly, what is happening?" Julain.
"Wait, wait, don't rush, I have many things to do to you, the last blood," Liam said and started walking around them.
"What? What did we do?" Lilly asked,
"You didn't do anything but your blood did," Liam said taking out a dagger,
"What do you mean?" Julain asked,
"I am Liam Norson, you dummies,"
"What? So you cursed and killed my mother?" Lilly shouted,
"Oh I killed your mother, I'll kill your father and you two," Liam said in a deep voice and was standing next to Julian with his dagger on Julian's neck.
"Wait, don't hurt him," Lilly shouted and asked, "What do you want?"
"Okay, straight to the point. Um…, I want the end to the Normen family," Liam backed up and sat on a chair with an evil smile.
"Please we meant no harm, spare us," Lilly begged Liam,
"Nah, I can deal with you easily. You came directly into my custody, I need to find your father after you two." Liam smiled,
Liam bought a wooden log and banded it with a cloth with oil, he ignited the log and kept it under Lilly's chair, he did the same to Julian. Lilly and Julian were screaming with burning feet, their tears were vanishing with the heat. Liam was Laughing and drinking while seeing them suffer.
The room was filled with smoke and mist, and the darkroom turned green, Lilly slowly floated up and the ropes that tied her were untied. As she was floating her neck cracked. Suddenly a loud sound hit the room, there were snakes made of mist coming out of Lilly's chest. Julian's ropes loosened too and he quickly escaped the fire, he tried to lower Lilly but he was unable to do so. Liam's face was packed with fear and shock, he stood up and started running towards the exit, as he reached the door, the snakes made of mist got him, they went inside his body and busted him from it, the blood covered the floor. Julian was in shock as he had never seen his sister like that before, he was not able to handle his sister, all he could do was to stay back. After a short time, Lilly fell down.
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Thunderstruck and set a tree ablaze, illuminating the area just beyond the house where Emma and Steven sought refuge. Peering cautiously out the window, Emma witnessed the aftermath, spotting a mysterious figure atop a lifeless horse. As the creature advanced towards the house, Emma recoiled in fear, seeking her father's protection. Steven, quick to assess the situation, located an axe and discovered a rear exit to the house.
The enigmatic creature dismounted the horse and ventured inside, only to find that Emma and her father had already fled. Unveiling its hood, the creature revealed a grotesque sight - its brain protruding and decayed, with a single eye within that suddenly opened. Suddenly, a horde of undead creatures known as Vinedrils, beings that straddle the line between life and death, obstructed Emma and Steven's path. Whispers of their existence traced back to the ancient Silver Times, dating centuries ago.
Hundreds of agile and bloodthirsty Vinedrils impeded Emma and Steven's progress through the slick, rain-soaked terrain. The creatures displayed remarkable agility, effortlessly scaling trees and leaping from one to another. The leader of the Vinedrils, the one atop the dead horse, led the pursuit. Urging the horse onward, Steven pushed forward, only for Emma to glimpse the relentless Vinedrils closing in. Halting as they encountered a sizable pitfall in the dense forest, the duo found themselves encircled by the Vinedrils, evoking a sense of impending doom.
As the Vinedrils closed in and emitted eerie screams, their sovereign, draped in a cloak, approached. Casting a penetrating gaze upon Emma, its eyes mirroring the blood-red orbs she had encountered in the cornfield, instilled a sense of dread within her. A radiant beam of sunlight pierced through the clouds, engulfing the area and incinerating the malevolent creatures. The Vinedril king, observing from a distance, retreated slightly, locking eyes with Emma once more before departing.
A faint voice echoed through the woods, pondering, "What is she?"