Chapter 162: Privilege
[ A kingdom beyond the borders of the Old World]
The humidity was so overbearing that it felt like even the air had weight... like it was burdened with memory!!
Selene’s boots sank as she made her way forward.
Each step into the murk was a struggle. She was knee deep in slush that looked like tar spun from crushed violets and coagulated blood. It made sickening ’shllk’ ’shllk’ noises as she trudged forward.
Every step earned an involuntary ’hiss’ of disgust from her lips.
"Ah! Ah fuck this," she whined through gritted teeth. Her voice echoed strangely in the warped, endless expanse.
The reddish violet mire dragged at her ankles like it was trying to hold her back. Every paddle forward left ripples that shimmered like oil under a poisoned sky. Before her, loomed a door...no, it was not really a door.
It was a monolith.
Wrought iron, rusted black, its monstrous height vanished into the clouds above, where thunder curled and cracked like a sleeping beast. Vines, like black veins, pulsed faintly across its surface.
Perched atop the highest spike of the door was a raven. But not just any raven.
Its feathers gleamed as if soaked in wine, and its eyes were bright violet. It stared straight ahead. Unmoving.Like a sentinel.Watching everything... and nothing at the same time.
Selene craned her neck up with what looked like much effort. Her face was pale and slick with sweat. Her voice was hoarse.