Chapter 246 What the fuck?
As they ventured deeper into the dilapidated castle's depths, each step echoed the forgotten whispers of its history. The outer walls, once proud and towering, now stood as weary sentinels to the ravages of time. Erosion and decay had left their marks, causing portions to crumble, sending ancient stones tumbling to the ground with somber echoes.
Their journey inside was an arduous one. The remnants of a once-elaborate structure had succumbed to nature's relentless embrace. Decayed beams creaked as if mourning the lost grandeur, and the faint rustling of fallen leaves underscored the eerie silence that enveloped the ruins.
Yet, amidst this atmospheric disrepair, they encountered obstacles of a different nature. Time-weathered mechanisms, forgotten in their complexity, occasionally sprung to life, triggering ancient traps intended to thwart intruders. Some traps were swiftly dismantled, their mechanisms disarmed by a blend of cautious observation and collective intelligence. Others, however, demanded patient unraveling, consuming precious moments and testing their resilience.
Despite the impediments, the party persisted. They pressed onward, each obstacle conquered unveiling a piece of the castle's enigmatic past. Amidst crumbling corridors and dimly lit chambers, fragmented remnants of history emerged, faint whispers of bygone tales, and clues hinting at the former splendor of this forgotten fortress.
But as the dwindling moonlight grew fainter, Keyara, the leader of the group, suggested, "Let's set up camp here for the night." Her proposal came while they were still navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the ruins.
The newfound camaraderie between Kevin and Zaria, forged through their shared thrill of exploring uncharted territory, prompted them to agree eagerly. They set up camp together, bubbling with excitement over the unexplored ruins.
Despite their enthusiasm, they opted to take lookout shifts together, uniting their watch for the night.
As the group settled down amidst the ruins, they stumbled upon an unexpected yet welcome surprise—a series of rooms within the ancient castle. Though far from resembling a hotel's comfort, these spaces provided enough shelter for a decent night's sleep. It was a stark contrast to the wilderness they were accustomed to, a glimpse into the past hidden within the dilapidated walls.
Keyara, observing the potential safety and comfort of their surroundings, made the impromptu decision to spend the night there. The idea was met with a mix of curiosity and excitement from the team. The prospect of resting within the confines of the ruins brought about a sense of adventure, albeit tempered by the reality of makeshift bedding.
With no evident danger lurking in the vicinity and a lack of tracks indicating monster presence, Keyara proposed reducing the shift durations for safety watch from four hours to two. It was a cautious measure, ensuring everyone remained alert while allowing for some semblance of rest. The first few shifts were set to consist of pairs, and Kevin and Zaria eagerly volunteered for the initial watches.
"Think this place has seen its share of tales?" Kevin mused aloud, casting a glance around the ancient halls as they settled down for the night.
Zaria, arranging her makeshift bedding nearby, nodded in response. "Imagine the secrets these walls hold. It's like we're living a chapter of history."
The excitement of exploring an uncharted territory was palpable, echoed in the group's conversations as they discussed their findings and marveled at the unexpected discovery of these rooms. The opportunity to rest within the castle's walls, however humble, offered a rare chance to delve into the mysterious past it held.
As the night settled in and the team divided themselves into shifts, Keith voiced his interest in taking the second watch and whispered to Kevin with teasing tone . "I don't mind keeping an eye out. Plus, a bit of night exploration never hurt anyone."
But Kevin, brimming with enthusiasm, interjected, "Come on, Keith! Let me take this one with Zaria. We'll have a blast!"
Keith glanced at Kevin and Zaria preparing for their watch with a tinge of envy in her expression. Yet, she managed a playful smile and quipped, "Well, count me in if you stumble upon something exciting out there." Her tone carried a mix of jest and genuine interest, hinting at her desire to be part of the unfolding adventure.
Kevin chuckled at Keith's remark. "Sure thing, I'll make sure to save some excitement just for you." His response carried a mischievous undertone, teasing her a bit before turning his attention to Zaria, who was still looking around with excitement so Kevin didn't disturbed her.
After an entire day's worth of exploring, they managed to add two more precious noxlight flowers to their collection, bringing the total count to three. Satisfied with their findings, they decided to call it a night within the crumbling walls of the ancient ruins.
As the group settled down for dinner, the conversation lacked its usual spark. Amidst the subdued chatter about potential strategies to enhance profits and ideas for the following day's expedition, there was a noticeable absence of the usual banter that usually flavored their mealtime discussions.
It seemed like the weariness of the day's exploration had subdued their usual animated exchanges. Despite the absence of lively discourse, the camaraderie among them remained palpable. The dwindling light of the campfire cast soft shadows across their faces, reflecting the day's efforts and the sense of accomplishment from their discoveries.
For this particular evening, the atmosphere was tinged with a quiet resolve, each member silently contemplating their next moves and the tasks that lay ahead. The ruins stood as silent witnesses, echoing whispers of ages past, while the group mulled over plans and potential paths for the coming day.
Under the tranquil moonlit night, Kevin leaned against a crumbling wall, glancing around the ancient ruins that surrounded them. The air carried an eerie quietness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl.
"Seriously, Zaria, these ruins have a vibe, don't they?" Kevin remarked, half-serious and half-amused. "I mean, if these walls could talk, they'd probably have centuries of stories to share."
Zaria chuckled softly. "Absolutely. It's like stepping into the past, isn't it? Makes you wonder about the lives that once filled these halls."
"Exactly," Kevin nodded, feeling the thrill of exploration. "The mysteries that linger in every corner, the untold secrets hidden in these stones. You never know what we might stumble upon here."
Their conversation meandered through tales of adventure and imagination, weaving stories about the castle's history, filling the silence with whispers of knights and hidden treasures. Amidst the musings, Kevin noticed Zaria's eyes lighting up with each fanciful plot they crafted together.
"Tell me, Zaria," Kevin started, his voice carrying an air of curiosity, "what's the most intriguing place you've ever explored?"
Zaria's face brightened with reminiscence. "Oh, there was this old cave in the mountains once. The way it twisted and turned, it felt like a labyrinth of forgotten secrets. And the stalactites... they shimmered in the dim light, like stars trapped in stone."
Kevin's eyes widened with fascination. "That sounds incredible! Did you find anything unusual there?"
"Well, not anything out of an adventure novel, but stumbling upon an underground stream with luminescent algae was quite a discovery," Zaria shared with a smile.
As the night progressed, their conversation flowed effortlessly, blending reality with the allure of make-believe. They exchanged anecdotes, created elaborate stories about the castle's past, and laughed over imagined scenarios that might've taken place within these ancient walls.
As Kevin found himself growing more at ease with Zaria during their shared shift, he seized the opportunity to draw closer to her. Amidst her tales of adventures and discoveries, he interjected with a curious question. "Have you ever come across any ancient love stories?"
Zaria's eyes sparkled with the prospect of recounting one of her treasured discoveries. "Oh, definitely! During one of my expeditions in the forgotten catacombs of the ancient D'Orlan ruins, I stumbled upon inscriptions—hidden amidst the ruins—that spoke of a poignant love story."
As she delved into the narrative, her voice took on a gentle cadence, painting vivid imagery with her words. "It revolved around a prince and a commoner, forbidden by the rigid societal norms of that era. They met clandestinely under the moonlit canopy of a secluded garden, their love a forbidden melody in a world that dictated otherwise."
"The prince, enchanted by her spirit, would visit the garden each night, shrouded by the cloak of darkness, to share fleeting moments with his beloved. Their love blossomed, a secret garden where their hearts found solace amidst the chaos of their worlds."
"The tragedy struck when their clandestine meetings were uncovered. The prince, torn between duty and love, was compelled to distance himself. Yet, their love lingered, an echo in the halls of time, remembered in whispers and hidden messages etched in the walls of the ruins."
As she concluded, Zaria's expression reflected the wistfulness of a tale that transcended generations. "It's fascinating how love, even across eras, has the power to echo through the corridors of history, leaving behind traces of emotion and longing."
Kevin, entranced by the story, listened with rapt attention, captivated not just by the narrative but by the way Zaria's eyes lit up while narrating it.
Kevin found himself grappling with an unusual discomfort as Zaria shared more about her life. The more amiable and congenial he tried to be, the more he felt like he was veering from his usual self. It was as if he was treading into an unfamiliar territory of exaggerated amiability, feeling uncomfortably inauthentic.
In the midst of this internal struggle, a sudden pang pierced through his mind, jolting him out of his discomfort and plunging him into a brief moment of piercing pain. It caught him off guard, leaving him momentarily lost in the throes of inexplicable agony.
"kevin....kevin.....wake up...." and then he felt subdued pain and heard Keith's worried voice.
'what the fuck? what the fuck?...' he shouted in his mind hearing Keith's worried voice.
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