Chapter 619: Hunt and Illusion

Chapter 619: Hunt and Illusion

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

In a thick, sprawling forest with immense trees reaching towards the sky, there was a peculiar activity underway. A delicate knife, crafted from a shard of dark bone, was being used to carefully carve designs into the rugged tree barks. These carvings were subtle, almost invisible, but each bore a meaning deeper than met the eye.

Richard, relying on his memories, was engrossed in this marking ceremony. In his hands, he wielded the bone-made knife, inscribing intricate runes onto the trees. These symbols were not mere decorations; they represented a profound, arcane power. After each carving, Richard would smear his own blood onto the symbol, infusing it with life. As he continued his task, he noticed Dumont, a fellow participant, also engrossed in a similar ritual some distance away.

Drawing nearer to exchange words with Dumont, Richard overheard him saying, Although each of these symbols holds only minimal power on its own, together, once weve etched enough of them, they might sway the energies of Atlantis in our favor.

Lost in his own thoughts, Richard whispered more to himself than Dumont in his reply, Its still not sufficient were far from our goal All the while, he fiddled with the knife, turning it this way and that.

Grinning confidently, Dumont responded, True, just these marks may not be enough. But as the ritual gathers pace and if Atlantis is reminded of that fateful day, our rewards shall be plentiful. We cant always trust the Enders, but this time, the intel theyve given us is solid gold.

Richard didnt utter a word. Instead, his eyes were fixed on a tree, specifically on the mark that Dumont had just made. His concentration was so intense that it piqued Dumonts interest, causing him to look up as well, wondering what had caught Richards attention so fiercely.

Dumont started to ask, Whats caught your eye? Is there someth

Suddenly, with an eerie agility, Richard twisted his arm and lunged towards Dumont, aiming for his heart with the bone knife. But, being ceremonial in nature, the knife could only scratch the surface of Dumonts chest.

The unexpected assault and the sting of the blade shocked Dumont. But he reacted swiftly, pushing Richards assaulting arm aside. He clutched his bleeding chest and immediately created distance between them. From the ether, black chains surged, and a menacing, shadowy hound formed right behind Dumont. However, before the dark hound could attack, a skeletal crow swooped down from Richards shoulder. Its bony wings morphed and enveloped the phantom hound. The surrounding air was filled with the eerie sounds of clashing bone and ethereal growls, with neither creature having a clear advantage.

Staring at Richard in disbelief, Dumont shouted, Whats gotten into you?! Have you gone mad? Were you trying to end my life?!

I have no desire to hurt you, Richard declared, firmly shaking his head. His gaze shifted towards the menacing dark hound, which at that moment, was held back by the equally formidable death crow. For a fleeting second, Richards face contorted with a mix of revulsion and confusion, an emotion that was difficult to pinpoint. However, his sincere concern for Dumont shone through as he said with urgency, All I want to do is to assist you.

To assist me? Dumonts face was a canvas of shock and disbelief. He gaped at Richard, as if he was trying to make sense of a lunatics ramblings. Yet, deep within him, a storm of perplexity brewed. The ceremonial knife wasnt designed to be lethal. The unexpected attack from Richard had resulted in nothing more than a superficial scratch. And in that split second, Dumont was left grappling with how to process the situation. One thing stood starkly evident: Richard wasnt behaving normally.

Richard, however, looked earnestly into Dumonts eyes and affirmed, Exactly, to assist. Theres a void in you, a sort of hollowness. I intend to fill it with cotton. Its for your well-being.

Cotton? Dumont repeated, his voice thick with incredulity. Are you delirious?

However, his internal questioning halted abruptly. A nagging itch sprouted from the exact spot where he had been injured. What began as a subtle tingling sensation quickly escalated, and it felt as though something alien was squirming underneath his skin. Almost involuntarily, Dumonts fingers scratched at the irritation. His caution regarding Richard momentarily abandoned him as he inspected his wound.

She paused to inspect her ash-caked shoe, visibly irritated. Balancing herself on a nearby burnt tree limb, she removed her shoe, vigorously shaking out the bits of debris and burnt remnants.

Its as if were trapped in a loop, forever skirting the edges of this devastated landscape, she lamented. Do you think theres even a path leading to the epicenter of all this ruin?

Morris, his gaze following the sprawling blackened branches ahead, responded, The massive branches from the World Trees upper levels have come crashing down, barring our way to Atlantiss core. Its daunting.

But these werent just any branches. Their sheer magnitude defied understanding. Even fragments that seemed like smaller offshoots covered vast stretches, with widths rivaling that of large towers. These charred remnants, scattered haphazardly across the land, formed a massive barrier. From afar, rather than resembling burned branches, they evoked the image of a once-magnificent citys ruins plummeting from the heavens.

Simply blowing through was unfeasible given the magnitude of these obstructions. Their choices were limited: either meticulously navigate around the debris or bravely venture through the narrower gaps, hoping the ash hadnt yet clogged all possible routes.

I bet if Vanna were here, shed just power her way right through these barriers, Nina remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice, Her sheer might would make short work of these hindrances.

Having known Vanna for quite some time, Morris corrected, Vanna isnt all about raw power. But, confronting such daunting barriers, even she might find it

But then he trailed off, lost in thought.

After a brief pause, he conceded with a chuckle, Alright, maybe shed manage.

Not to be outdone, Nina added softly, Given the chance, I could do it too.

Morriss gaze shifted to the young woman beside him, a thought forming, almost prompting him to voice it. However, as the words were about to escape his lips, a sudden, sharp gust of wind roared across the desolate, ash-blanketed landscape. The force of the wind churned the settled ash, creating a swirling cloud of grey. But within that transient haze, both Morris and Nina perceived the indistinct silhouette of a figure not far off.

Was that the silhouette of an elf? Was it possible that amidst this wasteland, an elf stood, disoriented and isolated, buffeted by the winds?

Nina, taken aback by the sighting, swiftly turned her gaze towards Morris, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of astonishment and intrigue. Mr. Morris, she inquired, her voice slightly quivering, Did you also witness that shadowy figure just now?

Morriss face became noticeably graver, Yes, he responded tersely, It bore the semblance of an elf.

Pondering the brief vision, Nina added, almost to herself, It wasnt Shireen, thats for sure She furrowed her brows, attempting to reconstruct the fleeting image in her mind. But something about the attire struck a chord It seemed reminiscent of

She hesitated as if fearing her own conclusion might be unfounded or too hopeful. Morris, however, slowly nodded in understanding, completing her thought, The garb looked much like those worn by the denizens of Wind Harbor.