Chapter 237 Arboreus Nihil—The Root of Despair (1)
As the light from the door slowly dimmed and they stepped out of the Forest Labyrinth, Fitran and Rinoa found themselves in a vast open field bathed in the warm golden light of dusk. Before them lay a breathtaking view that left them in awe—the ancient city of Stones, its majestic ruins standing silent yet full of mystery. Every corner seemed to hold stories long forgotten.
The towering walls, made from large stones worn by time, were draped in old green vines, symbolizing age and eternity. Despite their great antiquity, the stones emanated a lingering aura of magic, as if echoing the grandeur of a civilization now buried in silence. In the midst of this magnificent city stood a large black monolith, adorned with intricately carved ancient symbols that glimmered faintly in the fading dusk light.
Fitran gazed at the black monolith with a deep sense of reverence and caution, as if intuitively grasping that they stood before a heritage of immense value. Beside him, Rinoa observed with wide, scrutinizing eyes, conveying her profound awe, though a hint of anxiety flickered across her face. Her movements seemed influenced by the powerful magical energy surrounding them, creating a thrilling atmosphere ripe for discovery.
"Stones..." Fitran whispered softly, his voice nearly swallowed by the evening stillness, more as though he were speaking to himself than to Rinoa. "A city forgotten by history, yet harboring great secrets."
Rinoa stepped slowly, her feet touching the ground that vibrated with deep magical energy, flowing like a river from the earth's core. She shivered for a moment, feeling an ancient tremor pierce her soul, older than anything she had ever experienced.
"They say Stones is the gateway to Gamma," she said softly, her voice barely brushing past the evening breeze.
Fitran nodded slowly, filled with conviction. "Yes, but to reach Gamma, we must face the final trial of Stones. A trial that no one has succeeded in overcoming, not even Lord Esgal Mercury."
Rinoa turned to him, her gaze filled with questions and a fiery curiosity. "What makes Stones so difficult to penetrate?"
"Stones is guarded," Fitran replied, his voice filled with reverence, his eyes shining with a profound wisdom as if holding millennia of knowledge. "Ancient beings bound to that black monolith. They will test anyone who dares to cross this threshold. They are not merely physical creatures, but manifestations of everything we have left behind in our lives—our regrets, fears, and lost hopes."
Rinoa fell silent, her gaze fixed on the towering black monolith before her, a blend of awe and fear washing over her. She understood that this trial would be unlike anything they had faced before. It was a test of the soul, a profound existential challenge demanding more than mere physical courage.
They stepped closer to the grand gateway of Stones, a majestic entrance made of ancient copper gleaming under the dim light. The faded carvings of the Tree of Life appeared to hold a thousand stories, now reduced to mere shadows of memories. Just as Fitran's hand was about to touch the gate, a deep voice suddenly shattered the silence, its resonance vibrating the air around them.