Chapter 406
The first creature emerged from the mist, its eyes fixed on him. It moved with a speed that defied human comprehension, striking with a series of lightning-fast blows. The guard managed to parry some of them, but he was no match for the creature’s unnatural speed and strength. A sharp pain shot through his leg as the creature’s claw raked across his thigh, sending him crashing to the ground.
The creatures, their task complete, let out a series of guttural shrieks. They grabbed the unconscious guards, their talons digging into their armor, and began to drag them towards a section of the alley wall that seemed perfectly solid. As they approached, however, the wall shimmered and dissolved, revealing a dark, gaping maw that led into the earth. It was as if a hidden door had opened into the very bowels of the city.
One by one, the creatures pulled the unconscious guards through the opening. The last to be dragged through was the guard who had discovered the idol. As he was pulled into the darkness, he briefly regained consciousness. He looked back at the alleyway, his eyes wide with terror, before the wall shimmered again, sealing the entrance behind them. The alley was once again silent, the only evidence of the struggle the scattered weapons and the lingering scent of blood and dark magic.
Deep beneath the city, in a place the guards never knew existed, a vast cavern opened up. Torches flickered on the walls, casting long, dancing shadows that revealed a disturbing scene. The cavern was filled with grotesque statues depicting the bird-like creatures and other monstrous figures. In the center of the cavern, a crude altar stood, stained with what looked like dried blood. The unconscious guards were unceremoniously dumped onto the cold stone floor. Their captors, now fully revealed in the torchlight, were even more disturbing than they had appeared in the alley. Their faces were avian, with sharp beaks and glowing red eyes. Their bodies were lean and muscular, covered in dark feathers. They were not human, not entirely, but something far more sinister.
These were the zealots and listeners of the gods counterpart. From the appearance of these believers, it can be seen that Crepuscular counterpart has the most influence on them.
For the gods watching, this was a sight all too familiar and sadly they could do nothing but watch as the zealots act. Jaws counterpart seemed to have shared his experience as the gods counterpart now steer clear of what could prove them to act.
As for why they haven’t been found yet, the captain and guards are about to find out for themselves.
The cavern air hung heavy with the stench of damp earth and something else, something acrid and unsettling. The bird-like creatures, their task completed, began to undergo a disturbing transformation. Their feathered forms rippled and shifted, the beaks receding, the talons retracting, and the feathers melting away to reveal human skin. In moments, the monstrous creatures had become ordinary men and women, dressed in simple clothing.
The change was not merely physical. A subtle shift in their demeanor also occurred. The feral gleam in their eyes softened, replaced by a chillingly serene expression. These were no longer ravenous beasts; they were calm, composed, almost... pious.