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Chapter 116: Towards the Next Level
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2021-01-02 22:12:21The three travelers went through another narrow passageway before ascending a few steps to outside the pyramid. The sun had sunk lower and they knew that it would soon be twilight. They were told by the healer to hold on to their cups and they each carried their cups as they climbed towards the third level.
“So, what does that mean?” asked Eldion. “What does the candlewax say about our own desire?”
“Nothing!” replied Casser. “Do you really think wax solidifying on the most delicious tea I’ve tasted would say something about what you desire? I desire delicious tea. That’s what I want right now.”
“I don’t know either,” Wen answered Eldion, ignoring what Casser just said. “The healer did say that only the holder of the cup could decipher the meaning of the candlewax.” Wen tried to make sense of what the healer said, but try as she might, she really could not understand what it
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Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 117: The Third Level
The temple was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun and Eldion was amazed at how the light had changed the color of the stones and the small plants that had managed to grow in the crevices. He looked at his own hands and the faces of his companions and noticed the slightly pinkish glow because of the fading sunlight. Even the surrounding forests had changed color from bright green to a darker shade that seemed to anticipate the darkening of the sky.The three travelers made it to the entrance of the third level. It was more beautiful up close, thought Eldion, and he observed the tiny carvings on the stone pillars that were not visible from the base of the pyramid. There were flowering vines and other small plants that crawled around the pillars, softening the contours of the stones and adding color to the brownish gold of the surface.Between the pillars, Eldion noticed a wooden door with carvings of plants, not unlike the vines that were growing around the te
Last Updated : 2021-01-03Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 118: Wen Enters the Temple
Eldion turned away and looked at the wide expanse of tree tops that had grown another shade of darker green as night approaches. She thought about what Wen just said about the Orchid Queen. He felt excited to be there and finally see the Orchid Queen to ask her for advice and possibly to give him answers about his loss of memory and the possibility of restoring what he knew. All he could then was wait and hope that the meeting with the Orchid Queen would tell him something more about himself.Wen also kept silent as she tried to think about what Eldion said. It’s true that no one had seen the Orchid Queen, but it seemed everyone who did talk about her were quite consistent of her beauty and her ability to provide answers to their questions. She had expressed her doubts a while ago to her travelling companions about the healers and how no one had returned her feather bag to her. She would have to ask the Orchid Queen about it.The woman healer approached them and
Last Updated : 2021-01-04Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 119: Tya Min Leng
Every step that Wen took gave her a bigger view of the chamber that lay beyond. She looked at the high pyramidal ceiling that was adorned by gold and gemstones that sparkled in the light. There was an oculus through which the last rays of the sun entered and provided the light reflected by the precious stones and gold adornments of the chamber.Upon reaching the last step, Wen was astonished at the sloping walls that eventually joined to become the ceiling. Viewed from outside, it was the pyramidal structure that formed the topmost portion of the temple. Wen was amazed at the enormous amount of wealth that covered the walls from the carvings that were inlaid with gold to the gemstones that were set on the stone surface. As she looked up, she realized that the gemstones were meant to mimic the stars on a clear night sky.Wen dropped her sight and saw the carved stone flooring. It was of colored green marble that also tried to capture the colors and texture of a gr
Last Updated : 2021-01-05Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 120: The Queen's Truth
Wen never thought that the Orchid Queen could be so heartless as to let the City of Sorrelia perish by taking its pearl. Wen had believed the Orchid Queen to be caring and loving over all individuals and had devoted her life to teaching her healers to cure people of their ailments. How could she have become so selfish, Wen thought.“I appreciate all that you have done to help people by teaching us the healing arts, Your Highness,” Wen began. “But I hope you would reconsider taking the pearl from the people who need it most. You have lived in isolation for many years and have prevented the intrusion of the outside world. If you will, I would return the pearl to Sorrelia with the promise that I would do all I can to tell people not to encroach upon your domain.”There was melodious laughter that echoed in the large chamber as the Orchid Queen expressed her amusement at Wen’s statement. “You would tell people not to encroach upon my dom
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Casser held Wen tightly such that she could not move. “You are making a big mistake, Your Highness! If the Emperor is taking control of every city in Sendorra, then Sorrelia would be our best chance to resist him. Without Sorrelia, there will be nowhere for the forces against the Emperor to convene and plan the resistance. The resistance will be scattered like ants. Even the Emperor will soon find a way to defeat your plants and enter your realm,” said Wen, pleading at the Orchid Queen.“You have said enough,” said the queen. Then, the plant with enormous leaves near her moved and separated, revealing an archway through which several healers entered. “Take these two to the cage while I think about what to do with them,” the Orchid Queen ordered the healers.The healers tied Wen’s hands and they left the room with Casser following them. As soon as they left, the plant hid the archway with its leaves and stayed motionless w
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Eldion saw several steps that lead upwards to a more spacious chamber. Cautiously, he climbed up the steps as he looked around. He was overwhelmed by the explosion of color and light that seemed to descend upon him from the sloping walls that eventually joined at the apex of the pyramid. The gemstones sparkled like multicolored rain while the weakening light from the dying sun descended on the raised structure occupying the center of the chamber. Looking at the intricate carvings on the wood, emphasized by well placed gilding and jewel ornaments, Eldion could not help but be drawn at the central structure. He walked towards it in slow but assured steps.As Eldion came nearer, it became apparent to him that there was a woman in purple robes sitting still on an enormous chair underneath the canopy. Her face was hidden under a thin white veil and Eldion could not tell how she looked. However, the woman held her head high and her back straight as she waited for Eldion to come nea
Last Updated : 2021-01-08Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 123: In Pursuit of the Orchid Queen
Huge green tentacles erupted from the giant plant behind the throne of the Orchid Queen and pushed Eldion to the floor with such force that he landed several feet from the throne. Eldion shook his head as he tried to orient himself. He looked up and saw that giant plants had uprooted themselves from behind the Orchid Queen and had moved between him and the throne. Huge tentacles moved in the air like giant flexible arms that threatened to strangle him.Eldion immediately rose from the floor and stood firmly with his legs apart. One by one, the giant plants took a swipe at him, attempting to wrap a tentacle around his body. Eldion was quick to evade them, jumping from one place to another and punching and kicking those that came close. Another tentacle attached to his leg, attempting to catch him off balance, but Eldion was quick and launched himself to the air by jumping on the tentacle. The plant’s limb was crushed under his foot, but a part of it remained attached to
Last Updated : 2021-01-09Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 124: Eldion's Fire
Eldion picked up a piece of charred wood and threw it to the passageway. As soon as the charred wood touched the thorny plants on the floor, it was smothered by the slithering stems while several thorns shot at it like darts. Eldion remembered Rolho and knew that the plants fit the description of the terandu that can shoot poison thorns on their victims.Eldion wiped the sweat off his brows. He was starting to feel the exhaustion after creating the streams of fire that destroyed the plants meant to kills him. He breathed deeply and tried to focus as he created an enormous ball of fire between his palms. Then, he rolled the fire ball inside the passageway and it burned the snakelike terandu which slithered away at the fire. It shot some of its poison thorns at the rolling ball of flames.As Eldion watched his ball of flames incinerate the terandu on the floor, he knew that he needed to create more fire to destroy the remaining plants that slithered over the walls and ce
Last Updated : 2021-01-10
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