Chapter 963: The Ancient Sunlit Ruins
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Even though we've already reached the entrance of the Lake's ruins, there were no new Quests appearing yet, it was rather unnerving, but at the same time, I was preparing myself for almost anything at this point.
Thanks to Belle and the rest of my Familiars, we got here in a few seconds, bringing with us the four researchers, who hurriedly ran past the Sunlit Lake, a beautiful lake made of golden liquid, resembling liquid gold.
"Aah, this liquid, it is Sunlight Spring Water!" Goldie said, drinking some of it. "Hmm! Ah, no, wait, it tastes just like water. Right, this is an illusion, huh?"
"Raaarr!" Silver quickly slammed his fish-shaped head and told him to come along. "Roar!"
"Okay, okay…" Goldie sighed.
As we walked through the lake while ignoring her, as there was little point in trying to extract materials out of a place that wasn't truly what it was, we moved in front of the ruins. Mercedes and the researchers were in silence, looking at the old stone gates.
"I can already sense a lot of dark energies here…" Said Cecilia, sighing. "Dammit, this is really bad. We're going in, aren't we?"
"Didn't she said it had Divine Beasts inside? Won't we get mauled once we get inside?" Hermes asked.
"That's why we're here though!" I said with a smile. "Don't worry, we got your backs, let's go. We're got a whole army over here after all."
"R-Right…" Mercedes nodded. "I suppose we must go then, coming here quickly was my idea. I hope we can find some sort of artifact that could bring us to the demon king continent, or at least give us some other clue about their true plan. Even with the relic on, that woman only told us in the most cryptic ways imaginable."
"She was insane after all; she probably couldn't say the truth properly even with the artifact…" Said Elbedo. "Let's go, there's little else to talk about, we have to hurry! You guys please make sure to watch our backs!"
"Sure!" Nodded Lily. "I'll watch everyone's backs!"
"I would prefer to stay at mother- I mean, at Mercedes' side." Said Brisingra. "Sorry if that is annoying."
"No… It's fine." Elbedo smiled. "Thank you, your magic's really strong, Brisingra. Keep her protected, she happens to be our frailest fighter, haha."
Elbedo stayed in front while Hermes and Cecilia by their left and right side. The gates were forcefully opened after the Ancient Elves used their magic to easily "hack" through the runic system keeping it close.
Creaaak…!
RUMBLE!
The gates opened, revealing a huge empty hallway, made of black stone. A quick opening of my auras and senses quickly gave me the impression this seemed oddly suspicious. The walls and ceiling were covered on strange runic inscriptions, traps of some sort. But there were no Divine Beasts around here- Wait.
BAAAM!
Suddenly, as we entered, the gate behind closed instantly. I looked behind for a split second, noticing that the gate seemed tightly shut again. I suppose we'll have to break through them once we want to get out.
"The gates closed?!" Nieve said.
"Huh, well, we'll have to just break through that later." Johanna shrugged. "Anyways, you four, where should we get going to?"
"To your deaths." Elbedo responded.
For a moment, we didn't quite register what we heard.
What… did he said?
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Asked Mark. "To our- Shit!"
Before anything else could be said or done, the Divine Dragon's claws moved towards us, a wave of golden and black flames impacted us, a huge explosion happened. Everything surrounding us was set ablaze!
BOOOM!
Not only that, but walls descended from above us, quickly attempting to separate the huge hall into two different rooms. Mercedes, Hermes, and Cecilia were still trying to process what happened before she and Brisingra were trapped inside with Elbedo and the rest!
"Elbedo! What are you doing?!" Cried Mercedes.
"I commend you for trying, but…" Before I could hear anything else, the walls closed.
And as if that couldn't be enough surprises, the wall of the left and the wall of the right opened wide, revealing two gigantic creatures resting inside. The moment the walls opened, their eyes did so as well. One pair glowing with golden light, the other with crimson light.
One revealed to be a giant golden wolf, with sharp crimson eyes, and a long, spiraling horn made of golden crystal. The other was a completely silver-colored lion, with a pair of golden eyes, and two black crystal horns.
Both creatures were about twenty-five-meters of height, and their bodies not only overflowed with Mana and Spirit Energy, but with something much higher, a Divinity Spark, and one that has grown tremendously strong compared to my Familiars!
[The Divine Guardians of the Ancient Sunlit Ruins [Golden Wolf Of Sunlight: Lv350+] and [Silver Lion of Moonlight: Lv350+] have been summoned to protect the Ruins from any invaders!]
[Their bodies overflow with Upper-Rank Divinity Sparks!]
[The Divinity Spark of Sunlight embraces the surroundings with burning light!]
[Any foe takes 20% Sunlight Damage per second, and all their non-light elemental magic and skills power decreases by -50%!]
[The Divinity Spark of Moonlight embraces the surroundings with all-consuming draining light!]
[Any foe takes 20% Moonlight Damage per second, and all their Stats further decrease by -30%!]
"SHIT! MERCEDES!" Rita tried to break through, but both giant beasts leaped in front of her, releasing breath attacks that blasted her away!
"RITA!"
I ran forwards, grabbing her before she was to be sliced apart by their super-fast claws, a second later, they appeared behind me as I carried my friend, my body was torn to shreds before I could register their movements.
They were way too fast!
"Elayne?!"
Rita panicked as she saw me being torn to shreds, only for my body to quickly regenerate within a second. I kicked the ground as hard as I could, a shockwave of spiritual energy swiftly spread my Domain and Terrain within a split second.
"Catch them, quickly! We have to save Mercedes!" I left Rita on the ground as she immediately transformed, protecting my back from the wolf's claws.
CRASH!
"These damn fuckers! So the traitor was the dragon this whole fucking time!" Said Rita.
"No, not only the dragon!" I said. "I saw their faces! Either Cecilia or Hermes, or both! They can't be trusted either! They didn't do a single thing when Elbedo attacked!"
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