The entrance of the passage slowly closed behind them, making a dull echo, as if it was the last farewell, completely isolating them from the outside world. The passage was pitch black, and only after Carl took out the torch from his backpack and lit it, the orange-red flame dispelled the surrounding darkness and illuminated the winding road ahead.
"Be careful of your feet." Carl reminded, his voice echoing in the narrow passage, seeming particularly hollow.
Mark nodded, he held the ice sword tightly in his hand, and observed the surrounding environment vigilantly. The rock walls on both sides of the passage were engraved with strange symbols, which flickered under the illumination of the fire, as if hiding some mysterious power, and seemed to be telling an ancient story.
They walked along the passage for about a quarter of an hour, and the end of the passage suddenly opened up, and a vast underground space appeared in front of them. This space was larger than any cave they had seen before, with a towering dome that seemed to reach the sky. In the center of the space stood a huge ice crystal altar, which was made up of countless huge ice crystals, crystal clear and emitting a faint chill. On the top of the altar, a blue gem emitting strong light lay there quietly, and the light of the gem illuminated the entire space, like a bright moon in the night sky.
Mark was attracted by the light of the gem, and he couldn't help but exclaimed. "What a beautiful gem..." There was a hint of intoxication in his voice.
Carl also looked up at the gem on the altar, and a complex light flashed in his eyes. "Be careful, Mark." There was a hint of warning in his tone, "That gem may not be simple." He turned his head to look at the ground around the altar, where some strange symbols were engraved, which were very similar to the symbols on the murals they had seen in the cave before. "It seems that this is the place we are looking for." Carl said, his eyes swept over the symbols, trying to interpret the meaning they contained.
Mark was deeply attracted by the light of the gem, and he walked towards the altar involuntarily, his steps getting faster and faster. Karl noticed Mark's abnormality and immediately shouted, "Mark! Wait! Don't get close to the altar!"
However, Mark seemed not to hear Karl's warning. He walked straight to the altar. His eyes were only on the blue gem that emitted a strong light, as if he was possessed.
Karl saw this and his heart sank. He knew that Mark might have been controlled by the power of the gem. He quickly pulled out the survival knife and chased after him, hoping to stop Mark.
Mark walked to the altar and stretched out his hand to touch the blue gem. Just as his fingers were about to touch the gem, Karl finally caught up with him and grabbed his wrist.
"Mark! Wake up!" Karl shouted, "The gem is dangerous!"
Mark turned his head, his eyes were full of confusion, as if he didn't know Karl. "Karl... what are you talking about..." His voice was hoarse and weak.
Karl looked at Mark's state and was full of worry. He knew that Mark was completely controlled by the power of the gem. He took a deep breath and made a difficult decision.
He pulled Mark away with force, then pulled out the survival knife and chopped at the blue gem on the altar. With a crisp sound of "dang", the survival knife chopped on the gem, but left no trace. The light of the gem suddenly increased, and a powerful force shook Carl away. He fell heavily to the ground and lost consciousness.
Mark looked at Carl lying on the ground, and a trace of struggle flashed in his eyes, but was soon swallowed by the light of the gem. He reached out and gently stroked the surface of the gem. The light of the gem suddenly became stronger, covering Mark and Carl who was lying on the ground. After the light, both of them lost consciousness and collapsed in front of the altar.
On the ground around the altar, those strange symbols began to flash, and the light became stronger and stronger, and finally formed beams of light that shot into the sky. The entire underground space was filled with mysterious power, as if some ancient existence was awakening.
At this moment, a figure slowly walked into the underground space. His body was covered with scars, his steps were staggering, but his eyes were firm. It was the captain, who appeared at this time.
The captain walked to the altar and looked at Mark and Carl wrapped in the light cocoon. A bitter smile appeared on his face. "It seems that I came at the right time." His voice was hoarse, but it was full of unquestionable power.
The captain slowly reached out his hand and touched the light cocoon. His body began to glow. Energy flowed out of his body and merged into the light cocoon. His face showed a trace of fatigue, but more of relief.
"Mark, my child." The captain's voice echoed in the light cocoon. "I am your ancestor and your guardian. I don't have much time, but I must tell you something important."
Mark felt his consciousness gradually become clear in the light cocoon. He saw the captain's figure and heard his voice. "Captain, why are you here?"
The captain smiled slightly, his face was pale, but his eyes were full of warmth. "I have always been with you, Mark. You are the only one who can save this world."
The captain began to tell Mark the story of ancient humans and ice beasts, from their initial peaceful coexistence to the final tragic separation. "The energy stone was originally a symbol of peace, and its power could maintain the balance of the world. However, the emergence of the Rebirth Organization broke all this. They destroyed the energy stone and provoked a war between humans and the Ice Abyss Beast."
"The energy stone was broken into 9 pieces and scattered all over the world. Only by gathering 9 energy stones can the Ice Abyss Beast regain its sanity and restore world peace." The captain's voice became weaker and weaker, but he still insisted, "Mark, you must find other energy stones. This is your mission."
A trace of determination flashed in Mark's eyes, and he held the captain's hand tightly. "I will, Captain. I will definitely complete this mission."
The captain nodded, his body began to become transparent, and finally completely merged into the light cocoon. The light of the light cocoon became stronger, and Mark felt a powerful force surging into his body.
The light cocoon gradually dissipated, and Mark stood up, his body emitting a faint light. He looked at Carl who fell to the ground, and a strong sense of responsibility surged in his heart.