Chapter 92: The River of Illusions!
Chapter 92: The River of Illusions!
The temple corridors whispered of despair as the group, now reduced to 37, solemnly entered the third trial. Their faces were weighed with sadness from the losses suffered in the previous trials, each death a fresh wound in their collective heart. The atmosphere was heavy, and even the bravest among them felt the creeping uncertainty of what was to come. No one could predict what horrors awaited them next.
Ikehara limped at the side, gritting his teeth through the pain. His broken leg was barely healing, but it wasn't just his body that was battered. The thinning numbers made him feel both relieved and anxious. While fewer people meant a clearer path to the cloak he sought, the unpredictability of the trials shook him to the core. He had planned for a lot, but this—this was beyond even his deepest calculations. He could no longer control the situation, and that terrified him.
In a secluded corner of the room, Nymff whispered urgently to Adrian. She grabbed his arm, her face pale from the memory of his last near-death encounter.
"Don't you ever sacrifice yourself like that again," Nymff began, her voice trembling. "Adrian, you may not be human, but you still bleed like the rest of us. While you were facing that Lycoptera... you gave me a heart attack. I thought I lost you."
Adrian's face softened, the sadness in his eyes apparent as he gently took her hands in his own. "I'm sorry, darling. Truly, I am." His voice was filled with regret, but then a smile crept back onto his face. "But you know I won't let anything take me away from you. I promise."
Nymff stared up at him, her eyes filled with concern. "You must get out of here alive. Promise me that, at least."
Adrian's smile grew warmer. "Of course, darling. I will. Seeing your face is all the strength I need."
While they exchanged quiet words, at another corner, Tessa stood vigilant. Her expression was unreadable, but the weight on her shoulders was clear. She had wrapped a veil around her arm and was using it to shield the eyes of her companions whenever possible, trying to protect them from the illusions that the temple's enchantments might throw at them. Her movements were precise, but her heart ached. Every death felt like a failure, a sting she couldn't numb.
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They finally reached the River of Illusion, a vast expanse of water that shimmered under the dim temple light. At first glance, it appeared tranquil—crystal-clear water reflecting the temple's towering ceilings. But as they approached, the river began to shift, twisting and turning, as though alive. From the water's surface, images began to rise. Faces—some familiar, others from dreams or nightmares—gazed back at the group. The illusions grew stronger with each passing second, drawing from their deepest fears and desires.
Tessa felt the pull immediately. Visions of those who had died flashed before her eyes, their voices echoing in her mind, asking why she hadn't saved them. Her hands clenched around the veil, determined not to succumb.
Adrian glanced at the river, and for a moment, his eyes flickered as the water showed a twisted version of himself, lying defeated, covered in blood. He shook his head violently, resisting the tug of the illusion, though the weight of it gnawed at his spirit.
"Stay close!" Tessa commanded as they began to wade through the shallow river. But the whispers grew louder, the illusions more vivid. Shadows flickered in the water, creating monstrous shapes that seemed to reach out to the group.
Suddenly, one of the companions, a young warrior named Jax, screamed. His reflection had shifted into that of his childhood, but instead of safety, the image was twisted into a horror. He tried to run from it, splashing in the water, but the illusions overwhelmed him. Before anyone could intervene, a shadowy hand grabbed his reflection, pulling him under the water. The real Jax gasped, clutching at his throat as though invisible hands were choking him. Within seconds, he vanished beneath the water's surface.
"No!" one of his friends shouted, trying to pull him out, but it was too late.
As the group pushed forward, three more fell victim to the illusions. One by one, their minds were snared by the river's deceptions. They were drawn in by their own memories, their own fears, and ultimately, consumed by them. Each death was swift, leaving nothing behind but ripples in the water.
Tessa fought against the rising panic within her. Every death added a fresh wound to her soul. She knew she had the power to stop it, to protect them all, but the nature of the trials prevented her from doing so. These weren't battles she could fight with strength alone. It was a war on their minds, and the temple thrived on their weakness.
Adrian remained steady, his eyes hardening as he caught sight of the others breaking down. "Keep moving," he urged, his voice like an anchor in the storm. "Don't let the illusions in. Focus on me. We're almost through."
Nymff, Lhiza, and Lhize huddled closer, their faces pale but resolute. Adrian's calm demeanor gave them something to hold onto, and they pressed on, following his lead.
Even Ikehara, limping at the back, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He was no longer sure of his survival, his plans unraveling in the face of the temple's malevolent power.
By the time they reached the other side, the group was smaller yet again. Four more lives lost. Tessa, at the front, knelt down, her hands trembling. She couldn't stop the tears that burned behind her eyes, though she held them back. She had saved no one, despite her best efforts. The temple's cruelty was unmatched, and the sorrow in her heart was growing heavier with each trial.
"Are you alright?" Adrian asked as he came up beside her, his voice soft yet filled with strength. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Tessa gave a small nod, not trusting her voice. They were losing too many, and the worst was yet to come.
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The third trial was over, but the group had little time to recover. Their numbers had dwindled to 33, and the dangers lurking ahead promised no mercy.
.