Chapter 30: That Which Can't Be

Chapter 30: That Which Can't Be

Chapter 30

That Which Can't Be

How did Sylas wind up near a sizzling, crimson-red lake, a sword in hand, facing a Ghoul directly, completely alone? There was a tale there, he was certainexcept he didnt know what that tale was. In fact, he wanted to scream into the sky and beg for the answer to the question: Where the hell am I?! The last thing he recalled was falling asleep and then he woke up here. Just a moment ago, he was alone. Not so much anymore, what with the gnarly Ghoul staring at him with those eyeless eyes.

He was shaking, like a leaf in the wind, his teeth crackling. He wasnt ready, far from it, to face the horror all on his own. Hed barely managed to learn enough about the sword to not stab himself accidentally, but certainly not enough to face a Ghoul and live to tell the tale. And yet, despite him calling out dozens of times nobody answered. His surroundings were entirely dyed in thick fog, and he couldnt see anything past the lake, the faint shoreline, and the Ghoul.

"Shit, why does this feel like that first boss fight in a game?" swallowing a mouthful, he tried taking several deep breaths to calm his nerves down. Bit by bit, he managed to convince his brain that it didn't mattereven if he lost, even if he was gnawed at and eaten and completely brutalized he'd simply wake up back in the castle before all of this began.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

T-thats right, he mumbled, forcing out a grin. Treat it as a test. Yeah. Thats it. So what if you dont know how in the fuck did you end up here? Even if you were kidnapped, so what? I can just off myself. Wouldnt be the first time. God, that sounded grim. Aah fuck, fuck, fine. Fine. Lets go. Lets fucking go you ugly-looking, cock-sucking, shit-infested fuck. Come on! Come at me fucker!! revving himself up until adrenaline was burning through him, dispelling fear like a spell, he grabbed the swords handle tightly and rushed forward.

The Ghoul replied in kind, stretching out its gaped maw and roaring, some form of liquid dripping out over the edges. It swung its long, bony arm in a wide arch; it was extremely slow, Sylas realized, much slower than the Ghouls that invaded the castle. He smiled and ducked, easily dodging the strike while pushing the sword forward, entering a stabbing motion that he practiced for the Heartseekers challenge.

Though the speed of it wasn't anything to write home aboutand neither was the power behind the stabit wasn't as though he was facing the elite defense. It was just rotting flesh and bones, and the sword easily stabbed through. Knowing that the Ghouls didn't die that easily, he immediately yanked the sword back and pushed himself off, gaining some distance. His footwork, though still sloppy, was working. He was fastor at least faster than the rotting carcass.

With the adrenaline still burning high, he once again dipped forward, ducking underneath yet another swipe of the bony arm, stabbing forward, aiming for the same hole. It was actually counter-intuitivethese tiny holes did little, if any, damage to the Ghouls. He knew that he should just chop their heads off, but this was a golden opportunity to practice.

He hit the same holetwice in a row. He wasnt going to match the insane requirements of speed, but that didnt matter. He was still training his body, learning, remembering, hammering in the stances and the moves. He was a novice, and he

Wake up, Sylas.

And he had promise

Sylas, wake up! We need to go!

Yes, Ryne nodded. They are used as one of the anti-measures for illusions. You can think of them as the youre on the correct path talismans.

Oh? So that means were on the right road? Sylas mused, stroking his chin. Thats quite a switch-up, isnt it?

"Y-yes," Ryne calmed down swiftly, realizing as well that it truly was strange. The pattern of trees in front of them was like a lighthousebut who would build a lighthouse here, this deep into the darkness, after so many other patterns were meant to send them away?

Well, this has all the major markings of a trap, Sylas said, standing up and yawning. In case anyone somehow managed to stumble their way here. Its like finding a cabin in the woods with a sign above the entrance reading come in, we wont eat you, promise~.

So, what should we do? Tenner asked, frowning. Turn back? But it would be wasteful

Why would we turn back? Sylas glanced at him strangely. Yeah, its a trapbut its also a confirmation that there is something here. Isnt that why we came to this godforsaken place? RynI mean, Ryu, right? Yea, Ryu, can you tell how long has this pattern or whatever been standing around?

I dont know, Ryne replied. At least a few dozen years, but even thats uncertain.

Hmm, Sylas hummed for a moment, stroking his chin yet again and looking at the trees. He was actually excitedafter all, after so many days of literally nothing new or exciting there it was. Something new and exciting. I plan on going forward. If you guys would like, you can turn around and walk back home. Ill send Ryu with you so you dont get lost.

No, no way! What about you?! Tenner asked. He knew just how much the Prince valued this mannot to mention that the man was an Exorcist. If something were to happen to him the Prince would likely behead them all! If youre going in, so are we. No discussion!

yeah, okay. Whatever. Lets go then, Sylas shrugged it off and confidently stepped forward.

There was some pep in his step, and corners of his lips continued to twitch as he held back a smile. Something new, something exciting! He was honestly considering offing himself and just delaying the expedition until some time in the future. Luckily, he still had some reservations about ending his life, even if he wasnt truly ending it.

He walked at the far front, with Tenner rushing to meet his pace, as though he were his bodyguard. Some ten minutes later, there was finally a changethe trees began to thin out, more and more, until, eventually, they vanished, leading way to a massive opening. And yet, the moment Sylas stepped into the opening, his mouth gaped, his brain fried, and his eyes rolled so far back into his skull that he could see the back of his head from the inside. After all, what he saw before him completely broke him. And he certainly wasnt alone.

HOW CAN THERE BE A FUCKING MOUNTAIN VALLEY HERE?!! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!!!!