Chapter 470 Ruins (Part 2)
After descending a long staircase, the players finally reached an imposing door, its surface covered in ancient silver symbols and ornaments that didn't even look weathered. It was as if it were the entrance to the beating heart of the palace. Carefully, Kaizen pushed the door open, and a creak echoed through the empty hallway, heralding their entrance.
As soon as the door opened, the adventurers were greeted by a majestic, dark hall. The walls were covered with large tapestries that seemed to tell a story, while the high vaulted ceiling resembled a night sky, filled with stars and other masterfully painted figures. The sight was so dazzling that it seemed to transport them to another world.
Kaizen and Xisrith shared a look of wonder, aware that they had entered a very interesting place.
"I'll check that side." Kaizen said, looking at the tapestries.
"And I'll go over there." Xisrith replied, looking at a section of vases. "If you see anything interesting, call for me."
"Okay."
Combining their strategies, Kaizen and Xisrith split up in the majestic hall, each going their own way in search of clues and hidden treasures. Kaizen approached the large tapestries, admiring the intricate images woven into them. As he carefully studied the details of the tapestries, Kaizen began to notice a pattern emerging, as if each were following a script. The images depicted scenes from the ancient history of the Kingdom of Vrikhodour, from its founding to its fall. There were epic battles, portraits of kings and queens, and even mythological figures.
His curiosity was piqued by one tapestry in particular, depicting a brave warrior holding a shining shield and surrounded by an aura of power. Intrigued, Kaizen studied the details of the figure, searching for a clue to the location of some legendary artifact or treasure.
Meanwhile, Xisrith explored the section of ancient vessels and artifacts. She examined each piece carefully, admiring its beauty and searching for something that caught her eye. Her fingers glided gently over the ceramic vases, feeling the texture and analyzing the carved patterns, but she didn't even think about moving them an inch for fear of setting off a trap.
Suddenly, one vase caught his attention. It was different from the others, with a stylized dragon pattern woven around its surface. Xisrith felt a strange energy emanating from the vase, something that seemed to resonate with her Descragon power. She touched the vase carefully, feeling a slight vibration in her hands.
As Kaizen delved into the tapestries and Xisrith connected with the mysterious vase, they both felt a presence in the hall. A sense that they were not alone in this sacred place. The hairs on the back of Kaizen's neck stood on end, and Xisrith felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Xisrith!" he called to her, looking around him carefully.
"I know!"
"You felt it, too?" he asked in surprise.
Xisrith nodded. "Something is happening here."
The two players exchanged worried glances, aware that something mysterious and possibly dangerous was unfolding around them. They remained alert, ready for any challenge that might arise. As Kaizen kept his gaze fixed on the tapestries, he noticed that the details of the figure of the brave warrior seemed to come alive before his eyes, and it soon became clear to him that this was not just a visual impression, but a fact. The image of an ancient king of Vrikhodour suddenly emerged from the tapestry, becoming real and moving, but still retaining the delicacy of his form.
Not only the king, but also various warriors and characters were depicted in the tapestries. However, none of them seemed to have a soul, for their expressions were empty and did not change anything from what had been depicted before. It was as if the castle art itself had been cursed to resist any invaders from the palace.
Kaizen's eyes widened in surprise and he quickly brandished his spear, preparing for a confrontation.
"The arts are alive!" Kaizen shouted, dodging an attack from the king's image, which launched itself at the player like a whip of lines.
At the same time, Xisrith, exploring the section of ancient vases and artifacts, encountered a similar situation. The images on the vases came to life and turned into grotesque, large creatures. She immediately drew her sword from its scabbard and shouted:
"I've got it!"
As the figures on the tapestries and vases moved, the monsters, disguised as works of art, advanced on the adventurers. They didn't say a word, but their vacant, menacing stares were enough to put Kaizen and Xisrith on high alert. With agility and dexterity, Kaizen avoided the attacks of the king and the other warriors, dodging their blows and retaliating with quick strikes. But no matter how hard he hit them, they showed no pain or reaction, as if they were mere puppets controlled by an unknown force.
Meanwhile, Xisrith found herself surrounded by grotesque monsters emerging from the vases. They were distorted and terrifying in appearance, with elongated limbs, sharp teeth, and eyes that glowed with malice. She channeled her magic, casting spells of fire and ice to contain the enemies, but they quickly regenerated and continued to approach relentlessly.
The fighting intensified as Kaizen and Xisrith battled the monsters that had taken physical form. In the midst of the battle, they exchanged information and strategies, searching for a way to defeat their silent opponents.
With each blow, the monsters seemed only to deform and reconstitute themselves, revealing their illusory and sinister nature. It was as if they were facing a powerful magic that was turning the works of art into living aberrations.
Despite the challenges posed by the monsters, Kaizen and Xisrith did not give up. They remained focused, combining their skills and tactics to weaken and eliminate their enemies. Kaizen used his spear with precision, striking at the weak points of the tapestry figures, while Xisrith continued to cast destructive spells against the grotesque creatures emerging from the vases.
After a long and exhausting battle, the adventurers managed to weaken the monsters enough to lift the curse that had imprisoned them within the artwork. An intense glow enveloped the figures, and they merged with the tapestries and vases, returning to their original form.
Kaizen and Xisrith looked at each other, exhausted but satisfied that they had overcome another challenge. They knew there was still much to explore in the palace and more dangers to face, but they were determined to discover the hidden secrets and unravel the mystery of the living artworks.