Eclipsed

Chapter 44

As the trio continued through the dense forest, the atmosphere grew even more suffocating, the trees pressing in on all sides like silent sentinels watching their every move. The fog that had been swirling around them earlier now clung to their boots, its weight heavier as they pressed on, each step growing more deliberate and cautious. Every sound seemed muted, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and decay, a stark contrast to the brightness of the world outside.

After what seemed like an eternity in the stillness, the forest began to thin. The trees became more gnarled and twisted, their branches reaching out like claws, some even appearing to have been bent unnaturally by some unseen force. The mist was heavier now, swirling in unnatural patterns as if it, too, were alive.

Suddenly, they broke through a thick thicket of trees and into a small clearing. The ground was uneven, covered in moss and patches of deep green fungus that thrived in the damp environment. At the center of the clearing stood the entrance to Zhaakari's base.

It was an imposing sight.

The entrance was carved into the side of a jagged cliff, the stone walls dark and slick with moisture. A thick, vine-covered archway stood at the forefront, its edges adorned with strange runes etched into the rock, glowing faintly in the eerie light of the fog. The air around the entrance seemed heavier, colder-thick with a sense of foreboding. From the base of the archway, two massive serpentine statues curled outward, their heads raised in an eternal hiss. Their eyes were made of some dark, reflective material, giving them an almost lifelike gleam.

The structure itself seemed to breathe, the faint sound of something large moving within its depths, like the slow rhythm of a great beast's slumbering heartbeat. The ground around the entrance was littered with broken stone, old bones, and remnants of forgotten sacrifices-signs of a once-feared place, one that had been steeped in dread for centuries.

Valen, having come this far before, eyed the entrance with cold professionalism. He looked back at Ren and Aiko. "This is it," he said in a low voice, his expression serious. "Zhaakari's lair. The entrance isn't guarded openly, but don't be fooled. The whole place is rigged with traps. We need to be quick, precise, and-above all-quiet."

Ren stepped forward, taking in the ominous scene before them. His sharp gaze flicked over the serpentine statues, studying every detail. "Seems... too quiet. Not a good sign."

Aiko's hands clenched at her sides, her expression one of clear unease. "It's... cold," she whispered, pulling her cloak tighter around her. "And there's something wrong with the air here. It doesn't feel... right."

Valen nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. The air was thick with a sense of ancient malice, as though the land itself had absorbed the wickedness of those who'd entered before them. "It's a place built on poison-Zhaakari's whole philosophy is rooted in control through corruption. That entrance is a gate to something far worse inside."

Ren glanced at Aiko, who still seemed unsettled. "You okay?" he asked, his voice softening just a little.

Aiko hesitated, nodding slowly but still visibly tense. "I'm fine," she replied, though her voice lacked conviction.

Valen stepped forward, his boots crunching on the mossy ground. "Alright, we'll move in silently. Ren, you'll lead. You've got the agility and stealth to get past the traps and move undetected. Aiko and I will follow close behind, ready to back you up if things go south."

Ren's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the entrance again, considering their strategy. "I'll get through, but I can't promise it'll be easy."

"You won't be alone," Valen said, a rare hint of reassurance in his voice. "We're in this together."