Chapter 15: THE DOOR OF NO RETURN
The air grew colder as the party descended into the heart of the mountain, their footsteps echoing ominously in the narrow stone passage. Yomi, the old man, and the beast girl were shoved to the front like cattle, their chains rattling with each reluctant step. Milner, his hulking frame looming behind them, barked orders with a menacing grin.
"Move faster, scum!" he thundered, his axe resting threateningly on his shoulder.
Ahead of the group, Thanir cautiously led the way, his sharp eyes scanning for traps. His mana seeped into the walls, probing for hidden mechanisms, though his paranoia kept him forcing one of the slaves to tread precarious spots first. Each time he paused to inspect the pathway, his sneering gaze fell on Yomi.
The Dra’kesh slave, calm even in his chains, simply walked forward, his piercing eyes betraying none of his thoughts. His companions, however, were visibly uneasy.
After what felt like an eternity, the narrow tunnel opened into a cavernous chamber at the mountain’s base. The oppressive darkness gave way to dim light, reflecting off the damp walls. There, standing before them, was a massive stone door carved with intricate runes and patterns, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The sheer size of it dwarfed everyone present, its ancient aura radiating a sense of foreboding and awe.
"By the aeons..." Lirien muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with both wonder and trepidation.
Thanir approached the door, his curiosity overriding his caution. His fingers traced the glowing symbols etched into the stone, his brow furrowing as he attempted to decipher their meaning.
"Looks like a seal," he murmured, more to himself than the others. "These runes... they’re older than anything I’ve studied. Some of it’s even written in languages I’ve never seen."
"Spare us the lecture, Thanir," Milner growled. "Just figure out how to open it. We didn’t come all this way for you to gawk at some rock."