Chapter 213: Loop 2 Day ?

Chapter 213: Loop 2 Day ?

The snake slithered along, the bitter cold of death wrapped around its scales like a second skin - but not quite that. Because it was more than that. Food. Drink. Comfort. Healing. Safety. Life.

Need.

Something flickered at the edges of the snakes mind, seen and immediately forgotten by its conscious mind. Wiped away by the comforting, cooling touch of death.

And yet, another part remembered.

Gained Major Title: [Reanimated].

Description: Reanimated after death and placed under the control of the one responsible, your body and mind have mutated into a facsimile of life. Death has become a source of health, and life a poison.

Species Gained: Undead

Innate Trait: [Life-Death Inversion MAX] Acquired.

Name: Paradox

Species: Snake, Ouroboros, Undead

Major Title: [The Snake That Eats Its Own Tail] [Little Guardian] [Reanimated]

Minor Titles: [Minor Mana Core] [Venomous Retribution] [Touched By Fire] [Ascended Seeker]

Innate Traits: [Venomous II] [Life-Death Inversion MAX]

Blooded Traits: [Paralyzing Venom IV] [Poisonous Blood III] [Illusion Spark IV] [Clinging Grasp III] [Sound Shaping VII] [Chains Of The Creator I] [Anticoagulant IV] [Constriction VIII] [Spore Puppeteer VI] [Ascended Sense I] [Ambushers Vision IV] [Sting IV] [Streamlined Scales V] [Enhanced Lungs VI] [Razorflesh III]

Resistances: [Piercing Resistance - Intermediate II] [Venom Resistance - Intermediate II]

Level: 68

Trait Points: 2

Core Skills: [The Endless Cycle] [Chrono Fire] [Verdure Parasite] [The Golems Fading Heart]

The water was radiant, a gleaming blue that only became more iridescent in flight and in fall - and when it shattered against the otherwise-glassy lake, forming a misty spray of light that fanned itself ever-so-slightly upwards again in a series of gleaming droplets

Valera could only think of rain again.

She turned her head to the side, and caught sight of something even more wondrous - even if it was slightly disgusting.

The coils of a Guardian Statue rose up from the edges of the lake, as if pulled from the very earth in the place where water met stone. It was majestic, with its obsidian-black coils that seemed more scale than stone twisted underneath its massive bulk - a bulk that was even larger than before. The light directly around those coils dimmed as if sucked inwards before releasing again at the edges of its scales, forming a strange and unnatural barrier of light and dark and light again.

At its feet - or coils, rather? - was a corpse, bloated and beginning to rot. The thing was absolutely massive, even bigger than the Guardian Statue itself - which was impressive, because the Statue was massive as well.

Somehow. How did a tiny snake make something like that, anyway? He didnt even have hands. Valera had questions, that was for sure.

Skies above, do we even need to be following right now? Doran asked, befuddled, having noticed the same thing that she did. It looks like things are going pretty well for the little guy, honestly. He paused, muttering under his breath. How did that thing even die, theres not any plants here like there were in the city

Kala, who was already beginning to remove the enchanted hooks and silken ropes that would be necessary to rappel down the cliffside - because jumping into the water was not an option, especially not while weighed down by armor - grunted noncommittally. Who knows. Doesnt really matter right now; well find out when we catch up. Besides, its good news for us.

Doran cocked his head to the side, and then shrugged. Guess so. Id still like to know, though, he said, pausing to take the first of the hooks from Kala. With a forceful grunt, the man forced the hook into the stone at his feet, the combination of Earth-enchanted metal and overwhelming strength allowing the blow to break through with impressive ease. A powerful twist later, and the hook was safely secured. The rope was lashed on soon afterwards, and the Seekers began to work their way down.

The putrid corpse only seemed to become larger as they approached the Guardian Statue, and the smell

Unfortunately, the smell grew along with its size. It was horrible, like some unholy amalgamation of rotting fish and putrid flesh, increased to unfathomable proportions. Which was exactly what it was, so that made sense.

Valera was the first to vomit. Thankfully, there was plenty of water nearby to clean herself off.

Ugh. Elara, seriously. How can you stand being so close to that? she eventually managed to ask, watching the armored figure walk right by the rotting corpse without any hint of a reaction. She even walked through part of it, the enchanted armor that she wore allowing her to phase into shadow for long enough to step past a giant outstretched fin without breaking her stride. The very picture of nonchalance.

Elara turned, her expression hidden behind the armors face-covering helmet. Oh, she said. I made my nose stop working before we even started climbing down, the youngest of the group continued, her voice slightly distorted by the helmets barrier. Is it bad?

Valera had never experienced an envy so powerful.

Then she vomited again.

Yeah. Its bad, Erik deadpanned, working hard to keep his own stomach in line.

They eventually settled on a solution to the problem - momentarily passing Elara each of their [Little Guardians Totem]s, and then giving the massive, putrid corpse a wide berth while she attuned each necklace to the Guardian Statue.

It was much better that way, and Valera was already beginning to feel a little less queasy by the time they picked up the Little Guardians trail again at a tunnel on the other side of the lake.