The team nodded, fully understanding the gravity of Reign's words. Each one of them was keenly aware of the challenges that lay ahead, but the new spear infused them with hope, hope that they would be able to create more such weapons and items if they continued exploring the underground.
They knew that their next steps would be critical in their quest to reach Tier VII and ultimately bring down Nicholas if they managed to catch his trail.
Even if they don't, Reign could wait, he knew that if he managed to become Transcendent, then he would be able to gain the help of the system to locate Nicholas, and thanks to the fact the planet was his home world would no longer be a part of the 'game', he would be able to kill him without suffering a penalty.
He just hoped the bastard didn't die before he got to him, that was the only worry that Reign currently had.
Aelrinder swung his new spear a few more times, feeling the balance and power in each movement. "This will make a significant difference for me, compared to the old spear, well, they can't even be compared," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "I'll make sure to use it well."
Reign agreed. "We'll take the rest of the day off to rest and recover, then head back to the underground, we need to keep pushing our limits."
The next day, the team prepared for another expedition into the underground desert. This time, their spirits were bolstered by the presence of Aelrinder's new weapon. They knew it would give them an edge in the battles to come.
Aelrinder was quite efficient previously as well, but his weapon did not truly hold him back. His attacks were powerful and swift, but still a bit below Reign and the others without using the power of the stars.
That was simply how it was, a good weapon was very important, and without having one, Aelridner was simply not able to keep up properly.
They did just as they said they would do, they rested, but not for the whole day.
They were all a bit restless as they weren't injured or very tired and wished to continue fighting and hunting down monsters, especially Aelrinder who couldn't wait to use his new spear in battle.
And thus, after resting for about 3 hours, they all came together and decided to go back to the desert.
As they descended into the depths once more, they were met with the familiar bioluminescent glow and eerie silence. The underground landscape was as treacherous as ever, but the team moved with a sense of determination and focus.
They navigated through the winding tunnels and caverns, their senses alert for any sign of danger. Aelrinder took point, his new spear gleaming in the dim light. He felt a surge of confidence, ready to test the weapon's capabilities against the formidable foes that lurked in the underground desert.
The first sign of trouble came in the form of a low, rumbling growl echoing through the cavern. The team halted their weapons at the ready. From the shadows emerged a pack of reptilian creatures, their scales shimmering like obsidian and eyes glowing with a predatory light. Your next journey awaits at mvl
"Looks like we've got company," Shadow muttered, his daggers glinting as he prepared for the fight.
Reign approached the door, his eyes scanning the carvings. "This looks like some kind of entrance," he said, his voice echoing in the cavern. "We should proceed with caution."
Laura moved to the door, her keen eyes examining the runes. "These runes are a type of ancient language, similar to the ones we saw in the ruins where we found the Essence of the Guardian," she said, tracing the patterns with her fingers. "It looks like a warning or perhaps instructions."
"Can you decipher it?" Mia asked, her eyes focused on the door.
"I'll try," Laura said as she started working on doing just that.
She started taking notes, looking at the runes, doing her best to decipher them.
It took her quite a while, over half an hour, but she managed to decipher a part.
"Lair of the wicked, prison of the damned, seal for the cursed."
"Do not open, do not attempt, for death is all that waits ahead."
"In the darkest of hours, the door was made, in the brightest of days, the door shall fade."
"Be warned and do not proceed, for death and darkness is all that you shall find."
"Quite cryptic I would say," Shadow said with a chuckle as he stared at the door before placing his hand on it, tracing the runes and the lines.
"So, do we dare try to open this thing, or do we listen to what is written there?"
"That was only a portion, the rest of the runes are much more complex, some of them are what strengthens the door and keeps it closed, but I can tell one thing from the runes, however, and that is that they were made a long time ago and that their strength has faded over time."
"Whoever created this was more powerful than us, however, so I can only imagine what we might find inside."
Reign nodded and put his hand on the door, only for his eyes to widen.
Ding!