Chapter 43: Truth, Destiny or Desire?

Chapter 43: Truth, Destiny or Desire?

As he delved deeper, the atmosphere grew more oppressive, and an eerie stillness enveloped the surroundings. n-)o--v/(e)/l-(b(/1)/n

The screeches of the Nightmare Beasts became distant, until they completely disappeared.

The absence of the Nightmares' relentless pursuit was still a thought in his mind that was constantly surfacing.

The path seemed to stretch on endlessly, leading Raven further into the unknown recesses of the maze. The dim lighting cast eerie shadows along the walls, creating a foreboding ambiance. Every step he took was accompanied by a sense of curiosity towards the end of this path.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the echo of his own footsteps. Raven's mind raced, contemplating the possibilities that awaited him at the end of this path.

The conflicting thoughts of a safe zone and a menacing presence warred within his mind.

As he pressed forward, the air grew colder... Cold enough to make an ordinary man shiver.

Raven tightened his grip on his sword, ready to defend himself against any impending threat. Yet, the tension remained unbroken, and no Nightmares lurked in the shadows.

....

Back in the passage filled with Nightmares, Julien and the others finally reached the end of the path, with five separate passages before them.

"He actually left. Do you think he chose the right path?" One of the Players asked, glancing toward the second passage.

Julien sharply frowned. He wasn't sure if Raven actually chose the right path. The only thing he was certain about was that the wrong path meant death.

So far, no one had returned alive after taking the wrong path. It was through their years of trial and error with many players sacrificing their lives that they found out the right path to enter and the right path to exit. Both times, the maze acted differently.

"Doesn't matter! Let's check the right passage! If they selected that, we can still catch them. And if they selected the wrong path, then doesn't it mean our work is already done? Only a matter of time before they are dead."

One of the players took the lead, entering the second passage to make sure Raven wasn't on the right path.

The other players also entered the second path, since that was protected from the Nightmares. On the other hand, Julien was still standing there, lost in thoughts.

He glanced at the other four paths. In the end, he shook his head and also entered the second path. Without any Nightmare Beast to stop him, he could use his full speed to get out of the maze and catch upto Raven if he was there.

Within a short time, he overtook the other players and reached the end of the Dungeon, where the opening was.

He passed through the Dungeon wall, appearing back on the surface. He found it quite strange that he hadn't found Raven until now. There was no way he could've reached here before him.

"Did he really take a path to his death?" He wondered. He covered his face and wore a hood, before jumping to a nearby building.

Throughout the day, his figure appeared all around the city, yet he never found Raven, which convinced him. Raven had taken the wrong path, a path from where there was no return.

"Maybe it's for the best," he commented, sitting on the highest building in the city while gazing at the beautiful moon in the sky.

"If only you could've joined us. I thought I could help you like he helped me when I was new... I thought I could be like Weiss... Instead, I pushed you to your death by taking you to my guild."

Under the bright moonlight, the Majestic Statue in the center of the City appeared even more prominent...

.....

Time seemed to lose its meaning as Raven continued his solitary journey. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, and the weight of uncertainty bore down on him. It was as if there was just no end to this passage.

Doubts and questions swirled in his mind, but he refused to let them deter him. He had come too far to turn back now.

There was one good thing though. So far, he hadn't come across any traps, which gave him a sense of calmness. It made him feel like this was indeed the right path. Despite that, he remained alert, taking each step after careful consideration.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the path widened, revealing a large chamber bathed in an ethereal glow.

The sight that greeted Raven's eyes left him in wonder. It was a breathtaking scene—a serene garden filled with vibrant flowers, their colors seemingly untouched by the darkness that plagued the rest of the maze.

In the center of the garden stood a majestic, ancient tree, its branches reaching toward the heavens. The tree exuded an aura of tranquility and power, radiating an energy that calmed Raven's restless soul. It felt as if he had stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary, a haven amidst the chaos.

Other than him, there was no one else in this place.

Raven cautiously approached the tree, his gaze taking in the beauty that surrounded him. As he drew closer, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, whispering secrets of the past. The tranquility of the garden washed over him, momentarily alleviating the burdens he carried.

It was as if all his fatigue was disappearing. However, amidst the peaceful respite, a faint voice echoed through the chamber—a voice that seemed to emanate from the very essence of the tree itself.

It spoke in a language unknown to Raven, yet its melodic tones resonated within his being, touching his heart and awakening a To his surprise, the entrance to this garden had closed on its own. There was nothing there but a wall, as if the entrance was never profound sense of awe and reverence.

Slap!

Raven suddenly slapped his face, coming out of his daze. It was as if he was hypnotized by the ancient tree, monetarily losing control over his body.

Thud~

A sudden banging sound resounded in the back, making Raven turn.

To his surprise, the entrance to this garden had closed on its own. There was nothing there but a wall, as if the entrance was never there!

The strange voice came again!

Initially, he couldn't understand the strange language, but the next time he heard the voice, it became more clear.

The voice was asking him a question, and it was coming from within the ancient tree before him.

"What shall a wise man seek?! Truth, Destiny or Desire?!" The desolate voice asked.