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Chapter 42: Lankko's Experiments
Last Updated:
2020-09-11 12:20:24
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Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 43: Lankko's Discovery
The branches of the nearby plants shook vigorously as if a huge creature was passing through. Leaves rustled and twigs snapped before the thick leaves in front of Lankko parted to reveal Enzir who had just come after his walk in the surrounding jungle.Lankko breathed easier and his shoulders dropped slightly as he relaxed upon seeing Enzir."Still at it?" asked Enzir, seeing Lankko with his blade drawn. “I hope you didn’t hack the statue into pieces.” Then, Enzir looked behind Lankko to find the statue still intact and apparently undamaged. Enzir nodded after seeing the magical artifact unharmed. “What have you done with it? I heard you shouting ever so loudly that even the birds got disturbed and flew away.”Lankko was surprised that Enzir seemed to be interested in the experiments that he was conducting unlike before when his master would just tell him to get things done without caring how difficult it was or whether Lankko had the resources. Lankko enthusiastically recounted what h
Last Updated : 2020-09-12Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 44: Trouble in the Jungle
The jade statue had grown to the size of an adult man and the jade color had started to fade into a natural skin tone. Before his very eyes, Lankko found that the jade statue had transformed into a real man, complete with the attire of an ancient Alnoc artisan and holding the tools of his trade. The statue-turned-man breathed deeply, his chest rising as air filled his lungs. He blinked his eyes several times and then looked around him in a confused manner, as if disoriented.There was a look of surprise on the man’s face when he saw Enzir and Lankko standing next to him. All of a sudden, he stepped close to Lankko and pulled Lankko’s blade from its sheath. The man wielded the weapon and held it just above Lankko's throat.Lankko was taken aback with the man's swift and precise movements and stared at the blade that was poised to cut his throat at any time. "H-help!" stammered Lankko and gulped. His eyes looked pleadingly at Enzir."Tell me who you are." The man asked Lankko.Enzir had
Last Updated : 2020-09-13Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 45: Casser's Secret
Earlier that day, Casser left Eldion and Wen at the temple and soon reached the bridge that crossed the moat. From there, he ran as fast as he could until he reached the tall reeds that grew over the swamp. Then, he waded through the water and mud and easily retraced his steps that morning by following the trail of broken reeds that he intentionally made as the crossed the swamp to find Alanca and Noha. Soon, he reached the place where they left the cart.Casser heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the cart just as they left it. He quickly lifted the cover and went inside. The pigeons were still inside their cage but looked agitated for not having anything to eat or drink the whole morning. Casser took a few scoops of grain and fed the pigeons. He also poured them water to drink. The pigeons ate the grains voraciously and soon finished their food. Then, Casser opened the cage and carefully took out one of the pigeons. He examined it and whispered to it and then got off the cart. He went
Last Updated : 2020-09-14Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 46: Waiting for Casser
"Casser's been gone a long time," said Eldion. "You don't think he got lost, do you?""You're forgetting that he's a good tracker, Eldion. He can find his way even in this jungle," replied Wen."I don't know. It's just strange that it's taking him too long," said Eldion.Eldion looked at the sky from the window, lost in his own thoughts. He recalled how valiantly Alanca fought the two men who came to the temple. She seemed determined to protect her home from the invaders. Could it also be the reason that she attacked them when they entered the ancient temple city? She saw them as invaders and was merely trying to defend her home. She seemed protective of that statue that the two men took from the central tower. How was Alanca connected to that statue?Then, Eldion returned his gaze to Wen who was sitting next to Alanca."Do you think she'll be alright?" asked Eldion, referring to Alanca."She had taken quite a beating from Lankko and Enzir," said Wen, shaking her head slowly. "I have p
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The sun was already setting when Eldion and Wen were able to return to the temples. The sky was splashed with brilliant colors of red and orange, providing a colorful backdrop to the crumbling walls and towers of the temples. The statues in the inner courtyard glowed in the fading light. Eldion wondered what the statues were for and why they were all gathered in the courtyard. Up close, he was able to see that the statues were of men and women in different poses, engaged in different activities. There were soldiers and swordsmen as well as servants all in the middle of doing something. In the middle of the courtyard were statues of couples dancing merrily. Eldion observed how the statues themselves were very detailed and could only have been carved by talented sculptors. Eldion wondered where the stones the statues were carved came from and how long the statues had been standing there. Unlike most of the temple and the surrounding areas, the statues and the courtyard were relatively cl
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The fire crackled and Casser fed it some more wood. The flames went higher, casting light around the room as some sparks rose with the smoke towards the ceiling. The walls were all filled with carvings that seemed to be moving in the shifting light of the fire. Shaan had arrived with the firewood which he kept in one of the rooms of the temple and brought clothes for Verna. They all sat around the fire after they shared in the two fowls that Casser had roasted. Shaan sat with Verna who seemed to have regained enough strength to sit up while Wen and Eldion sat across from them.Eldion stared at the shifting shadows made by the dancing flames on the wall carvings, then asked Shaan and Verna, "How long have you been staying here?""Truth to tell, I have lost count of the days. All I cared about was to spend every moment of it with my love," said Shaan as he looked away from the fire to gaze tenderly at Verna."Maybe a century," suggested Wen. “All the stories told of the Emperor Sukram an
Last Updated : 2020-09-17Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 49: The Magic Powder
They all went quiet and stared at the fire. The fire crackled and quickly consumed the wood that Casser had just placed. The embers started to glow dimmer as its surface turned into ash. Eldion asked for permission to place more firewood from Casser who nodded his approval."So, did you carve all these sculptures?" Eldion asked Shaan after placing wood into the fire. Eldion was looking at the wall carvings and was admiring the intricate details."Some of them," replied Shaan. "They were all created by my Guild. The carvings on these walls, however, and the gallery across from us where Verna found you, were by my own hand.""They're very beautiful," said Wen, admiring the carvings on the walls."Thank you," said Shaan, bowing his head. "I carved these so that if time comes that we finally left this jungle, people who see them would know what really happened.""The stories told about you had already taken different versions," said Casser."And mostly to suit the storyteller," added Wen.
Last Updated : 2020-09-18Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 50: Escape from the Temple City
Casser led Wen, Eldion and the animated statues out of the courtyard and thought of what possible route that would give the least risk of encountering an imperial soldier. He passed by Noha who was still tied to a tree and thought if he should bring Noha with them as they escape the ancient city. Noha looked at Casser and brayed as if to ask where he was going. She flicked her ears and lifted her foot off the ground, like she wanted to come with Casser.Casser wanted to take Noha with them and remembered the many times that the carabao had been loyal and helpful to him. He realized too that Noha would only slow them down as they escape, and they could never outrun the imperial soldiers through the jungle the same way that they outrun them in the wetlands. Casser gave Noha's head a gentle tap and with a quick swing of his knife, severed the rope that tied her to the tree."Verna and Shaan are your masters now, Noha. Serve them well," Casser said and he walked on,
Last Updated : 2020-09-19
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Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 154: The Entertainers
The director placed the back of his hand over his forehead and closed his eyes. He seemed that he was going to faint, but he quickly dropped his hand after a moment and stared at the scene before him. The star dancer was able to sit on the floor, but she was still crying and holding on to her ankle while the other dancers crowded over her. The singer was kneeling before the dancer with his hands clasped tightly together as if praying that everything would be alright.“Do you think you can dance tomorrow?” the director asked the dancer.The dancer tried to stand up with the help of her fellow dancers, but when she tried putting some weight on her injured leg, she gasped and fell on a heap. The dancers gasped and crowded over the injured dancer.“Obviously, not!” said the director. “Quickly get her to the healer and pray that her injuries would heal soon.” Then, to himself, “Or pray that you’d dance at least half as
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 153: The Theater
It was early afternoon when the three men arrived in the center of Dagos. Gent held the reins up and the horses pulling the carriage stopped by the entrance of an imposing wooden building. The door of the carriage opened and a servant garbed in the green garments of local peasants came out. He bowed low while keeping the carriage door open for his master. After a few moments, a man in bright red and purple clothes descended from the carriage.Lankko appeared regal in his red shirt and crown of glorious blonde hair. The heavy gold chains around his neck as well as the sparkling jewels on his fingers completed his attire. He played the part of a wealthy merchant quite well and walked with his chin high, barely looking at the ground. At first, he made a slight tumble upon stubbing his foot on a protruding rock, but Enzir and Gent were quick to steady him.“Thank you,” said Lankko to his servants as he recovered his elegant pose. Then, he wiggled his arms to re
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 152: Precautions
There was a coded knock on the door and Lankko peeked through a hidden peep hole before removing the latch. Lankko insisted on the additional precaution, knowing that it would be very dangerous for his master as well as himself should they be discovered by the Imperial soldiers hiding in the cabin.Lankko saw that it was Gent standing at the door and he was holding several woven baskets. He appeared to be alone. Lankko opened the door to let his cousin in and immediately closed it behind him.“Are you sure no one followed you,” asked Lankko as the metal latches clicked, effectively locking the door. Then, Lankko slipped a thick wooden bar across the door.Gent nodded at Lankko. He then walked towards the kitchen where he placed the woven baskets on the table. Then, he methodically removed the contents of the baskets one-by-one, revealing them to be different food items for Lankko and Enzir. Lankko followed his cousin to the kitchen and helped h
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Enzir remembered the Imperial soldiers whom they fought at Remuel’s den. Those he hit with his energy bolts collapsed to the ground and turned into dust as smoke rose to the air. He also remembered how those whom he thought to have been stunned and lay unconscious would suddenly stand up when an Imperial officer held up a glowing necklace in his hand.Enzir was filled with concern as he realized the forces that he would be up to if he joined the resistance to topple down Terdu’s regime. “What can we do then, Lankko?”“I have to admit that I don’t know, Jad Enzir. Terdu has become too powerful that I don’t even know if it is too late to resist him,” answered Lankko.“You mentioned that the people could rise against him. Why don’t they?” asked Enzir.“As I said, Jad Enzir, people are afraid. They need a leader to rally them into action like Rodan did during the time of Sukram, however&n
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 150: A History of Magic
“If those healing stones really do work, I think it’s bad that there aren’t many of them left,” remarked Enzir.Lankko nodded. “I don’t know if you still remember, Jad Enzir, but we used to have a lot of sun stones at the fortress. You place them under the sun during the day and they will shine at night when activated, replacing the need to burn candles or oil.” Lankko’s face brightened as he remembered how it was when the use of magical artifacts was ubiquitous.“I remember that. I had a lot of those in my bedroom,” said Enzir.“When Terdu banned the practice of magic, I think we lost a lot of our simple joys and freedoms,” said Lankko, hanging his head.“Why did he ban magic in the first place, Lankko?” asked Enzir.“You really don’t know, Jad Enzir?” asked Lankko, scratching his bald head. “I thought your teachers in magic history covered
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 149: The Healing Stone
After serving breakfast and washing the dishes, Lankko decided to go to work in extracting energy from an old healing stone that he was able to get his hands on. It was an old magical artifact that he got from his cousin who also managed to get it from an old friend. According to Gent, the stone worked by rubbing it vigorously between the user’s palms and placed over the painful area. The stone would produce enough heat to warm the area it was applied on and helped in the healing process. Lankko that there was not enough energy in the healing stone to extract but still went on the laborious process of finding out how it worked and develop a method for extracting its power. After several tries, Lankko was finally able to discover that the stone drew energy from the sun and placed it outside. He then directed several mirrors towards it before dropping the stone inside a glass vessel filled with a mixture of salts and minerals. Only then did the stone start to create bubbles that
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 148: Lankko's Plan
The following morning, Enzir woke up early with the sound of Kora’s nervous clucking. He looked out his window and found that the chicken was not without company. A rooster was walking around her excitedly and after flapping his wings, gave out a loud crow that could have woken even the heavy sleeper. Enzir smiled as he saw the two chickens eyeing each other and flapping their wings in some form of dance. Slowly, Enzir lowered his window to give the chickens some privacy.There was the sizzling sound of frying along with the delicious smell of garlic being fried. Enzir stretched out his arms and then got out of bed to see what Lankko was cooking. He walked to the kitchen and saw Lankko busily adding ingredients on a frying pan where there was already a steaming pile of rice.“Good morning, Jad Enzir!” said Lankko to his master after giving him a quick glance. “Did you sleep alright?”“Slept like a log,” replied Enzir. “W
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 147: Dinner With Lankko's Family
Dinner with Lankko’s family was a rowdy affair, but Enzir did not mind. After all the chaos and not being able to eat at a proper table in the past few weeks, he realized that dining with other people on plentiful was really a luxury. He remembered the many times that he did not even recognize the efforts of his own cook who feisty as she was still made the most wonderful dishes that he had ever tasted. Lankko and Darla tried to control their children, especially the little ones who kept on arguing while trying to outdo each other in telling stories of their journey to Dagos. The children really do miss their father, thought Enzir. He had not really thought of Lankko’s family and failed to recognize that his Keeper of Secrets did have his personal life outside his work. Enzir did make Lankko work a lot, especially after he discovered that he could extract energy from the magic artifacts to make an elixir capable of infusing power to whoever drinks it. He had Lankko
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 146: Enzir's Mother
“What are you saying, Lankko?” asked Enzir, his voice rising as he felt his blood rushing through his veins. “What do you mean my mother may still be alive?”Lankko suddenly felt warm. He felt sweat forming on his forehead and he wiped it off with his hand. He could not look at Enzir whose eyes seemed to drill into his own. “I have to apologize, Jad Enzir. Your father forbade everyone to speak to you about your mother and I had to obey his orders.”Enzir felt weak. He wanted to shout at Lankko and destroy everything he could have his hands on, but there was nothing to break, nothing to smash against the walls.“Aaahh!” cried Enzir. He finally managed to pick up a rock and threw it hard towards the lake. He felt his breathing quicken and he stood on the slope watching the rock he threw fly through the air and landing on the water.“Please, Jad Enzir,” pleaded Lankko. “Please don’t be angry wit
