She continued, "Beware of Deadly creatures hiding in plain sight as innocent-looking plants or rocks. Enchanted vines might ensnare and strangle you, while unstable ground could give way under your feet, revealing hidden chasms.
Partner, You need to avoid explosive, volatile flora that detonates upon contact, and time-altering anomalies that can age you rapidly, causing instant death.
Patches of darkness can swallow you whole, and an ever-present sense of dread can lead you to despair and self-destruction. To resist the dangerous effects of this place, you need to spend time in the wondrous forest realm. Staying too long in the death realm can drive you insane, so take breaks and return to the forest realm for safety."
After hearing Eve's warning, Rio took a deep breath and nodded to himself, understanding her words.
"Thank you for the warning. I'll keep that in mind But you haven't told me where I need to go," Rio asked, his voice calm and composed.
Eve responded, "You need to travel far to the east until you come across a forest filled with towering trees, their crowns so high they seem to vanish into the sky. That's where you'll find what we're searching for. Once we've obtained the treasure, we'll head for the monarch beast's portal."
Rio's attention was on Eve's warning as she outlined the direction he needed to follow. He knew that he would've to proceed with caution, using his [Heaven's Eyes] to navigate the dangerous landscape and survive the deadly traps.
As he continued his journey, with every step, he made sure to clearly avoid any flora or materials that seemed suspicious or dangerous. Eve pointed out from time to time when he seemed to be heading down a dangerous path, keeping a close eye on him to ensure his safety.
Despite his best efforts, after what felt like an entire day of walking, Rio still hadn't found any sign of the forest Eve had mentioned.
Exhausted and in need of rest, he decided to take a break and went into the Wondrous Forest Realm.
As Rio lay down to rest, his mind began to wander as he allowed his mind to drift. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar yet serene voice, It was Lia.
"Are you Okay, Husband?" she asked, the concern evident in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just taking a break," he reassured her, sensing the worry in her voice.
Lia spoke with a relieved tone, "It's been four days since we last talked. so I was worried."
Rio's brows furrowed in confusion, "No, Lia... We had talked in the morning."
Lia's voice was filled with confusion as she asked, "Morning? How is that possible?"
At that moment, Eve's voice resounded in their minds, providing an explanation, "Oh dear, I forgot to mention that time flows differently here in the Death Realm compared to the outside world. What feels like a dozen hours to you, has actually been four days for Lia. Silly me!"
The revelation of the time difference caught Rio and Lia off guard, and they quickly understood the implications it had on the boy's situation.
Though Helia had already faced the punishment of her actions at the hands of both wives, neither of them had asked Rio for an explanation nor had they shared any details of the events that had transpired. Lia remained silent as the urgency of Rio's task became even more apparent, and he knew he couldn't afford to waste any more time.
After resting for several hours, Rio left the Wondrous Forest Realm and continued on his journey. The days stretched on, one after another, as he traversed the treacherous landscape. Finally, after seven long days, he stumbled upon a peculiar forest.
The trees in this forest were a vibrant shade of green, their leaves so abundant that they seemed to envelop the entire trunk.
But what truly made these trees unique was the vibrant green color that encompassed every part of them - from their lush leaves down to their trunks and branches.
Vines entwined themselves around the trees, accentuating their unique beauty and adding an air of enchantment to the area.
A wave of relief washed over Rio as he realized that he had finally found the place where the treasure was hidden.
Eve's voice rang in his head, confirming he was right, "This is the place we've been searching for, Partner. You don't need to worry about the other dangers now. All you have to do is make your way to the heart of the forest."
Upon hearing that he no longer needed to worry about the other dangers, Rio infused his body with a surge of crackling thunder. With renewed vigor, he shot toward the heart of the forest like a bolt of lightning.
He streaked past a multitude of majestic trees, their towering heights dwarfed only by their captivating beauty. The forest floor was carpeted in a rich tapestry of vibrant flora, each blooming seemingly more exquisite than the last.
Transparent silver butterflies fluttered gracefully through the air, their delicate wings shimmering with an iridescent glow as they danced amongst the foliage.
At last, Rio reached the heart of the forest. The journey had been an enchanting display of nature's splendor, and he was awestruck by the breathtaking scenery that enveloped him.
Nevertheless, the sight before him caused Rio to furrow his brow. In the center of the forest, amid a lake whose waters radiated a rainbow-colored light, stood a large, golden lotus-like flower.
The lotus had yet to bloom, but Rio could sense a rejuvenating energy emanating from it, washing away the fatigue accumulated from his long journey.
As Rio advanced toward the lotus, he activated his [Heaven's Eyes] to inspect it more closely. Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock, revealing a discovery that left him—and the reader—on the edge of their seats...
________________________________
Please vote with power stones and Golden tickets to support this book. The more, the better.
I'll add the important character images on the:
Like it? Add to the library!
Edited By: TheWhiteSnow