Nefarious Miasma
Disclaimer: The image is AI generated, and is only a depiction of how the region and the character may look like. It does not necessarily present the accurate design of the region and the character.
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A gamble in time (Ch.19-3)
For some reason, the sand here in Area 9 is almost uncomfortable.
It's not because of its temperature or something like that, but the texture.
Typically, sand would be granular and solid when stacked together and is soft and enveloping.
This desert is abnormally weird. The ground feels like shallow plastic and can sometimes exudate unknown liquids.
"Where are we heading now?"
The first to speak is Naya, still curious as usual.
Yvonne did not care to answer at first but did it anyways.
"The tunnel deep under, or could you say the underpass."
"Underground? But why?"
"As you have all been to the village, the eyes of the Governer should be on you now. We have to hide and wait until the crescent."
"Ok, Miss Sehor, I know you have a lot to tell, but most of us have only got to this place for the first time. Can you please elaborate more about those metaphors you just used?"
The candle on Yvonne's hand is slowly burning out.
"Where should I begin, Mr.Ark."
"I am not exactly sure why you would call me that, but here's my problem: What are the eyes? And why should we hide? Finally, why wait for the crescent? Does it mean we'll have to stay here for half a month?"
As Xavier had remembered, this seemed to be the first time someone called Raxical by his last name.
"We are not strangers anymore, Raxical. Just call me by my name."
He remained silent.
"The eyes, also known as archbishops, are the most formidable and menacing trusted aide of the Administrator, the Governer of this area."
Yvonne continues.
"I trusted you guys for your strength, especially Xavier. Yet, I don't think we'll have a chance to win against those archbishops, at least not for now."
Dalvis felt quite unfair about her only talking about Xavier, but it's reasonable at this point.
"Due to the Administrator's blessing, their power scales with the current moon phase and reach the maximum at full moon. For that, it shall be best for us to encounter them at the crescent."
"So, are we actually going to stay subterranean for a whole month? The moon looks like it's at full right now."
Misty spoke. For the first time in a while, she joined the discussion.
"You'll get to know when we get to the pyramid."
Yes, a literal pyramid in the UNDERGROUND.
Who could have thought of that?
Miller dislikes this area, the atmosphere, and the occultism.
Everything makes the hair on his back stand up.
This place is getting weirder and weirder.