Unshackled

Meanwhile, Ash, Bryan, Luna and Selene stood at the other end of the mist, uneasiness and concern etched on their faces. Bryan's brows furrowed deeply, and Ash's normally cheerful countenance turned anxious.

Selene's eyes shimmered with understanding, and recognized the danger of this mist. She understood the toll it could take on Ray's cultivation base and stepped forward to explain the nature of the trap to the clueless Bryan and Ash.

She spoke urgently, her voice laced with a mixture of anxiety and nervousness.

"This mist is dangerous," she began, her voice firm but urgent, "It preys on one's vulnerabilities, delving deep into their past experiences. Amongst all of us, the mist targeted Ray because of his vulnerable past. Ray is trapped within an illusion that targets his darkest memory, the moment that changed the course of his life."

This discovery threw a bomb into the duo's minds. Bryan's eyes widened in extreme worry, his mind racing through the possible emotional turmoil Ray could be experiencing. Ash was stunned with sorrow; a heavy aura enveloped him.

"No…" Bryan muttered weakly.

"…"

Both Bryan and Ash knew what Ray's darkest memory was. Although Ray looked calm and collected on the outside, it was merely a barrier to contain the dark horror that plagued his mind and body. The two friends shared a silent moment of shared worry, their thoughts consumed by their friend's well-being.

"FUCK THIS!"

Ash yelled in desperation as he leaped back to the mist. But before he could even step near it, Selene was right next to him holding him in place.

"LET ME GO!!"

Ash frantically tried to escape from her grasp but the strength disparity was too huge and Ash wasn't in the right state of mind.

"Calm down! If you go into the mist, you'll make it harder for yourself and for Ray." Selene's calm voice mitigated some of Ash's agitation.

After knowing that he won't jump back into the mist again, Selene loosened her grasp and gently patted his shoulder.

Bryan walked over and signaled Selene to give them some privacy.

*Sigh*

"I-I can imagine the torment and the pain he's facing…" Ash muttered as his heart wrenched with a sense of helplessness. Tears welled up in his eyes as he couldn't do anything but just wait.

"System, is there anything you can do to help Ray?!" Bryan hurriedly asked the system.

[Ding]

[…]

[Believe in him!]

Bryan tightly clenched his fist, his fingers digging through his palm.

In the mist, Ray's face contorted with anguish, tears welled in his eyes, and his entire being trembled with the weight of his past. The consequences of that fateful night reverberated through every fiber of his being.

The experience left Ray questioning his own worth, his own existence. He questioned whether he could ever reconcile the conflicting emotions within him. The burden of carrying such a traumatic experience haunted him.

He knew, that everything about his calm demeanour, was merely a façade to lock away his past. He didn't want to worry his boys and he'd rather just hide it away in the deepest part of his mind.

But just like an open dam, everything about that day flooded his mind and his emotions went on a chaotic swirl of turbulence.

"You stupid fuck!"

"Give me the ball!"

"Why don't you try and take it from me?"

"Is that a challenge?"

"What if it is?"

"You two! How about you give me the ball and I watch you two run around like monkeys?"

"Are you asking for a beating, Ray?"

"Ha…ha…! That was a funny one, Ray."

"If you want, you can join Ash for the challenge, Ray."

"Such an annoying bitch."

"Well Bryan, I might as well…"

Amidst the illusion, joyful voices that unraveled a happy memory flickered in Ray's mind. A glimmer of hope, the unwavering support, the understanding and memory of his best friends became a lifeline, slowly reminding Ray that he was never alone in his struggles.

The illusion flickered in 'agitation' and once again replayed the memory. But all Ray could focus on right now was the voice of his best friends.

"What am I doing…" Ray muttered with an emotional tone.

Memories of them fucking around, flashed before his eyes. Their unwavering loyalty and tight bond, served as a beacon of light in the midst of the darkness.

A sudden flash of determination flickered in his eyes as he felt a surge of strength within him. The weight of his friends' unwavering support fortified his resolve as he faced the illusory memory head on.

"You're just a mere illusion trying to trick me with my unfortunate incident."

"Too bad for you, my friends are here with me." Ray smiled with a radiant tone, pointing at his head.

"You can't do anything to me anymore!"

With each passing moment, he pushed back against the suffocating grip of the haunting images. Ray confronted the illusions, unraveling the threads of his past with each step forward. He called upon the lessons he had learned, the strength he had gained, the support he had from his loved ones and the growth he had achieved since that fateful day.

The illusionary scenes waved and trembled as Ray's conviction got stronger. The haunting memories lost their grip, their vividness fading into obscurity. The weight of guilt and sorrow that burdened his soul began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of liberation.

"Haha!"

Ray brightly grinned, "I'm almost there…"

With a final surge of defiance, Ray shattered the illusion, breaking free from the chains of his past. He opened his eyes and the mist cleared, revealing the reality of the present. His best friends, Bryan and Ash, stood before him, their eyes filled with shock, anxiety and happiness.

"Y-You…" Ash stammered words trailed off as he looked at Ray with a mixture of relief and shock.

Ray chuckled with his haggard face, and walked up to Ash and Bryan. He pulled them both into a tight embrace, holding them as if he would never let go.

"I was so fucking worried, Ray." Ash muttered; his voice filled with a mix of emotions.

Ray smiled, his voice a bit shaky, "I'm sorry for making you guys worry. But I'm all good now, thanks to you fucks."

Bryan observed Ray closely and noticed a bright aura surrounding him, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. A sense of relief washed over Bryan, and he unclenched his fist, his worry dissipating.

"You had me worried, Ray." Bryan said, a smile forming on his face.

"Haha! I'm sorry about that. But whatever I experienced in there has now made me free." Ray chuckled jovially.

Bryan nodded and said, "It seems whatever happened in there must've unshackled your chains."

"It did."

Ash's cheerful demeanour returned in full force, and he clapped his hands with joy, "We're back in business, baby!"

Luna and Selene, witnessing this heart-warming scene, couldn't help but smile at the strong bond between the trio.

"It seems like they share a strong bond." Luna commented softly.

"Not just strong, sister." Selene said, "But fated…"

After a few minutes of regaining composure and catching their breath, the group successfully navigated past the treacherous traps that laid in their paths. Their perseverance and unity had paid off, and now they stood at the entrance of a long, narrow corridor that beckoned them forward into the heart of the palace ruins.

The corridor stretched out before them, its walls adorned with faded torchlights and tapestries. A sense of anticipation filled the air as they made their way down the corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the aged stone floor.

At the end of the corridor, they entered a vast, majestic hall that seemed to breathe with a timeless aura. The majestic hall was surprisingly decorated with nothing. It was eerily near-empty.

The nauseating stench of blood suddenly assaulted the group's senses as they widened their eyes in shock and horror. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, so potent that it seemed to cling to their every breath.

In the center of the hall stood a bronze altar, a relic of the past, its surface carved with ancient and complex engravings and symbols.

A grotesque and spine-chilling spectacle uncovered before them. The bronze altar, tarnished and weather by time, its surface was marred with dark stains that blotched out some of the intricate carvings, evidence of something inhumane that had happened recently.

Their eyes were drawn to the bronze altar and the group of five noticed the presence of a group of people that had arrived before them. They saw Yorak Vilnius and his clan members standing around the bronze altar.

Lifeless and shriveled up bodies lay scattered around the altar, their forms contorted and limbs splayed in unnatural positions. The victims had been drained of their life force and blood, their once vibrant essence extinguished by the hunger of the altar. It was a monstrous sight, an affront to the sanctity of life, and a testament to the cruelty of those evil who has orchestrated it.

Nathe Pelke of the Crimson Clan and Villie Storm of the Storm Clan laid down unconsciously at the other end of the hall, with heavily injured and battered bodies.

The bodies around the altar were the clansmen of the Storm Clan and Crimson Clan, along with the other unfortunate rogue cultivators who had tagged along with them.

Blood, coated the surface of the altar, dripping down its sides in disturbing rivulets. The crimson liquid pooled on the ground, staining the stone floor and giving it a sinister sheen.

The group of five were instantly astonished but was soon replaced with a maelstrom of revulsion, anger and sorrow. The realization of what happened before them sickened them to the core. Luna and Selene felt a revolting disgust sprouting from the depths of their mind.

Ash's face twisted in revulsion as he uttered, "What the fuck have they done…"

Yorak Vilnius and his clansmen were so engrossed in their 'dark ritual' around the altar that they remained unaware of the presence of the group of five.

"Luna! Selene!"

Luna and Selene looked towards Ray who had called out to them.

Ray took a deep breath and explained with a steady voice, "The leader of the group is Yorak Vilnius, of the Azure Clan, accompanied by his clansmen. The two unconscious individuals over there against the wall are Nathe Pelke of the Crimson Clan and Villie Storm of the Storm Clan."

Ray's voice hung in the air, causing Luna and Selene to freeze momentarily.

"They came to the Chaotic Forest as a singular group with a goal in mind. But right now, it seemed like Yorak Vilnius harbored a sinister and an ulterior motive involving the other two clans. I cannot say for certain what his intentions are at this moment, but from the looks of it, they do not bode well."

Luna and Selene were stunned after hearing the identity of the people in the hall.

Ray caught the abrupt change in their eyes and asked with a direct gaze, "Isn't it about time that you two tell us where you hail from?"

Bryan and Ash, caught off-guard by Ray's probing question, exchanged puzzled glances. Selene, however, remained silent, her gaze fixed on her sister, silently urging her to step up and respond.

Luna shook her head and sighed.

"We…we are from the Infinity Lunar Palace."