A Gorgeous White (BL) Chapter 489 - 478 || The Obsidian Chamber

"They are quite stubborn, those old fools."

Silver eyes lifted to et a certain elf's calm gaze. The youth's slender figure stood elegantly within the bright Arcan chamber. Even his reflection on the damp white floor exudes such serene grace. But no one knew the turmoil behind Moulin's composed expression.

Na'El looked unbothered by the young man's scrutiny as he continued to evaluate the bright chamber. Although it looked to be quite... modest, it impressed him how it possessed such intricate, uniquely woven magical formations. It almost felt like an experint. Moreover, the runes were far from familiar as though they were originally created. Perhaps most of it was...

The elf's eyes grew deep as he straightened his posture and placed his clasped hands behind him. He had already known Lady Calanthe entrusted Moulin with the legendary book of Orchaedia. But it surprised him how quickly the youth beca in tune with the divine teachings...

He glanced at Moulin. 'Perhaps it was the divinity inside him...'

"I'm well aware of the probable accusations..." The silver-eyed maeruthan reached out and caressed the stone pedestal. "

"Consorting with malevolent magic? Using a realm within the stronghold? Without sanction?"

Moulin turned away with a sigh. At the existence of a single error, the council seed to find it right to oppose him imdiately. Perhaps they were already fed up with the countless rumors within the stronghold and saw a decline in their influence.

'I haven't even done anything outrageous yet.' Moulin wanted to shout. Were the rumors Lord Hyantor had been spreading so excessive? How was he to know?

... Did I really do too much?

However, Moulin couldn't partly bla the council for their growing trepidation. They had risen with pride and wouldn't be too keen on being harmonious with a potential rival in power. What bothered Moulin the most was what the crown prince would be throwing together to degrade Hercullio's prestige and honor.

Silver eyes narrowed. That troubleso prince really liked to ensure turmoil... even at a ti like this. Was he that unstable?

"They will bombard you with questions. Perhaps throw a few insults as well." Na'El thoughtfully spoke. "But I believe public opinion would favor you, young lord. The council wouldn't be that foolish to create discord within the people. They rely want to put you in your place..."

"If I let them, they will no longer listen to a word I say. To accomplish this goal, I must be there to lead. This affects not only all the people the stronghold protects but all the survivors throughout Corhan as well. No matter what race and being." Moulin spoke as determination brimd within his pupils. He turned to face Na'El, never faltering.

"I will use whatever everyone calls this, divine blessing or curse, and end this deadly plague. They say it began with ..." Moulin's faintly scoffed. "If that's true, then I will do what I can to end whatever this is..."

"Such motivating words... "The elf approached the youth, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be too desolate. The lords only needed proof to confirm your intentions."

'If you knew how cunning this crown prince is, you would know it isn't that simple.' Moulin stared.

"..." Smiling, Na'El's eyes curved like crescents.

Signing, Moulin scanned the entire chamber.

'Just several more days...' Moulin internally whispered. Dread reared its head, making the youth grow anxious.

.....

If the cold seems to overwhelm your body, making you shiver uncontrollably and ceaselessly gripping your flesh, the heat saps your energy, draining your soul and any sense of reason within your mind. As an ice-wielder, Emlen had never been so grateful for his abilities.

... Only he couldn't even release a wisp of a cool breeze, much more cool his hands.

They had traveled for several hours in his unbearable heat, relentlessly trying to test their patience. The rocks and soil had gradually turned darker the farther they traveled. Sotis, they noticed glimrs of crystals within the grim and desolate rockscape. If Emlen didn't know better, he'd thought they were journeying toward the heart of a volcano...

"..."

Hopefully, they weren't.

He stepped over a tiny crack, radiating a red glow within its crevices then turned behind to check the n. Their faces were concealed within the makeshift masks they made to filter the air, enabling them to breathe better. However, Emlen recognized the exhaustion in their eyes while they traversed this hell-like landscape.

The group warily escaped the fire chamber through a small cave and rested for a couple of minutes. It was a dead end. Emlen checked his pocket watch. If it weren't for this thing, they wouldn't be able to tell night from day within this godforsaken place.

Will they ever get out?

Fear crawled on their spines at the thought. No. They must.

The n were up on their feet with one word from the Pathfinder lord and began to search the area. Struggling to see through the blanket of darkness around them, they split up and scoured the cave. The air shimred with heat, like a magnet, sapping their energy. Their feet cautiously pressed on uneven ground and unstable rock hills. An hour passed with no luck.

Just as they were about to despair, Emlen paused before a strange-looking rock wall hidden behind gigantic black boulders.

"It's made of obsidian, my lord." One of the n replied after his assessnt.

"We haven't noticed anything like this, have we?" Emlen turned to the warriors to which they answered with a shake of their heads.

Strange...

Emlen lifted his gloved hand, tracing the jagged diagonal texture of the obsidian wall. He inched closer, almost leaning against the rock before. With a deep gaze, he lifted his fist.

The knocks were slow yet strong, and the hollow sound echoed instantly. The mont they heard it, their spirits lifted. A sense of relief filled the n as they gathered closer. Finally, they weren't stuck. Emlen made a quick assessnt of the cave's structure before deciding.

"Knock it down."

Muscles straining and sweat-sheened, the n pushed against the giant boulder, as tall as three people, situated at the top of the rock hill a distance before the obsidian wall. With a loud crack, the rock broke off, violently rolling down the mountain, crushing everything in its path. Like a relentless teor, it ruthlessly smashed against the obsidian wall.

Boom!

Sharp debris flew, and the air grew heavier. Once the dust settled, Emlen lowered his arm that covered his head. The hit was powerful enough to shake the whole cavern. Fortunately, nothing serious had occurred.

A cough tore its way from his throat as he approached the broken wall, lifting the little lamp. anwhile, the n climbed down, silently following him into the hole. Suddenly, their steps slowed. Awe filled their eyes.

Before them was a vast cavern of beautiful obsidian walls. It looked as though a giant had dug through a gem, leaving a spacious hole within. Jagged lines embellished the shiny rocks, and the air was surprisingly cooler inside. The ground remained uneven but looked steadier and a bit glossier.

Emlen took one careful step after another, lifting the lamp to illuminate his surroundings. It felt as though he were in a house of mirrors as the walls and the ground reflected faintly reflected the warm lamplight. Indeed, this was the strangest place they had explored throughout the expedition.

This unusual discovery only fueled his anticipation. Moulin must be right. The myth must be real. And it seems the n with him felt the sa.

"My Lord... This place... looks far too pristine to be born from the mountain. Although, it doesn't look anything like an artifact chamber... Its strangeness is enough to clue." One of the n hopefully said. "We must be at the right place..."

Emlen furrowed his brows. He could be right. However, it didn't look like anything related to a place where light crosses paths with the darkness. They were briefed that the Chrysolite must be lured and forcefully awakened within its riddle-like chamber. Unfortunately, there was nothing but darkness within...

"Light..." Emlen mumbled. Realization sliced through his thoughts. He abruptly turned to the n with him. "Search for anything that could have emitted light or illuminate within the chamber. If the legend holds, centuries of hiding the relic potentially have weakened its barrier spells or chanisms that protected it along with altering the location of its burial..."

The n nodded, spreading out quickly. Their hearts pounded within their chests, realizing that they were already so close to accomplishing the mission. It must be heaven's pity for them. Emlen continued to explore the vast obsidian chamber with the group.

There was much less discomfort staying within the obsidian cavern than returning to the heat-stricken caves they had escaped from. Furthermore, with the plain landscape within, the n were able to move and search better.

The only thing that seed amiss was the heavy atmosphere plaguing the area. Perhaps it was just Emlen overthinking it, but he felt the heaviness growing in his chest as ti crawled. It provoked dark thoughts haunting his mind, which he shook off with a deep breath.

'This whole journey was already driving insane. It can't possibly get any worse than that...' His gaze scanned the dim area as his hand subconsciously touched the arcan charm on his chest. If Moulin were here... he'd probably understand these situations better.

"My Lord! Over there!"

Grey eyes followed the direction one of the n pointed. High above the ceiling might,y obsidian walls were shaped in a do-like formation, eting at the central point where an unusual looking circular structure was located. It seed like a hole. A skylight of so sort? Did the chamber require sunlight or moonlight to awaken?

Emlen stood right under the structure in uncertainty. If that were the case, then it would be impossible... The Kron had shrouded the land with thick miasma clouds that prevented sunlight from ever touching the Corhan. They were lost once more...

"Damn it..." Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists tight and lowered his gaze. A sinking feeling filled his chest. The despondent aura around them grew thicker with each passing second.

What should they do now? Returning wasn't an option...

Emlen unconsciously wrapped a hand around the arcan charm hanging from his neck. His dark eyes deepened. And sohow, within the ever-growing bleakness of his surroundings, a clear and sonorous sound erged from his heart.

'His relic is the key'

Emlen's breath hitched. A flash swiftly darted through his grey eyes.

"My Lord..." One of the n approached him with doubtful eyes and pointed towards him.

Emlen followed his gaze, settling on the faint glow, flashing through the gaps of his fingers curled tightly around the arcan relic. Pupils constricting, surprise gripped his soul. The mana emanating from the arcan relic was dangerously potent and pure. It could attract malibreeds from a hundred miles away.

'It's reacting.' Emlen swallowed, snapping the relic off his necklace and bringing it before him. The crystal emitted a faint white glow, pulsing as though it were a beating heart. The runes carved on its wooden fra lit up slowly. Emlen breaths picked up.

'Let go.'

All of a sudden, Emlen instinctively drew his hand back. His movents were so quick it looked like a reflex of one having their hand burned. Even Emlen himself was confused. The n gave him startled gazes before shifting their attention to the now levitating relic.

Twirling slowly, the glowing crystal floated a few ters upwards, underneath the blocked hole in the obsidian ceiling. Although the air was still, Emlen and the sentinels felt a gradual shift in the atmosphere within the chamber. An energy pulsing, growing stronger as though it was a predator ready to pounce.

However, their eyes never left the glowing crystal.

The crystal's bright light reflected not only within their eyes but upon the black walls of the cavern.

Then...

Boom!

A flash of light engulfed their visions.