《The Gilded Hero》6 - Ritual
Advertisement
Ignorance is bliss, but power is absolute.
…………
There was nothing I could do. Panicking and flailing on the door would likely end in a negative outcome, as would climbing out the window (and likely falling to my death...)
So, I found that pacing seemed to fall-in as a nice and happy medium, between those two things.
I didn't sleep well.
Rereading that note, identifying it: trying to see if I could get a piece of information I'd missed. In the end, that's all it was. A note someone has written in blood, and hidden. Likely, long before I'd arrived. Assuming anything more, was guesswork.
Just because I found an old note, didn't mean it necessarily had anything to do with me. The person who wrote it, could have been a criminal- or a thief, or...
“Welcome…”
Memory of the King's voice settled back into my thoughts, giving me yet another chill.
This was all too strange. Finding the note, was akin to the expression of "icing on the cake." Just enough to push me over the edge, into what bordered a nervous breakdown.
This was bad.
This was really, really bad.
Thoughts circling, I was lucky if I managed to sleep more than twenty minutes that night, before the "escorts" arrived in the morning, to lead us all away.
It was a solemn march.
I couldn’t have been the only one who felt that something was terribly wrong, but no one dared speak. Though we were instructed to bring our gear, we weren't brought to the training fields. Instead, we were marched to a different section of the palace grounds. Along winding halls of ornate gold and silver, eventually we were made to descend down several sets of marble stairs, before reaching a large stone platform.
On the floor, I saw hundreds of intricate letters and shapes, carved into the stonework.
Advertisement
[Identify]
Runic Slab
Stone used in Magic Rituals.
If there hadn't already been an uncomfortable feeling and panicked butterflies in my belly, there was a frenzy of them now. Thoughts of trying to run were bubbling up to the front of my mind, but one look at the Knights, and I knew it was a pointless endeavor. They were so strong, and right now... no.
There was no way I'd make it.
"You will stand here, and you will not move." One of our escorts announced, suddenly, as they stepped off of the platform. On their retreat, several individuals wearing dark robes, moved forward.
Six people... I wasn't sure if they were male or female, but with staffs in hand, they moved closer: hoods shrouded. I felt my anxiety creep up another notch.
"What's going on?" A woman from our group asked, loudly stepping forward. "Enough is enough."
"Do not move." The Knight repeated, pushing her back to the platform. Several of the hooded figures glanced in their direction. One shook their head.
"Listen, I don't know who you guys think you are, but I've had it with all of this. Tell us what you're doing." Paul crossed his arms, joining the woman. "We're not asking for much."
"They must step back. The next batch will arrive soon in the throne room." One of the shrouded figures spoke, whisper of a voice disturbingly loud. "We must cast now, or the spells might be in conflict. The Transfer will be in error."
"Transfer? What transfer?" Paul asked.
"Step back." The Knight commanded, louder this time. An armored hand settled on the grip of his sword.
"Not until you tell me what you're doing." Beside Paul, the woman spoke back up. "Honestly, I'm sick and tired of this. Every time we ask you people anything, you just give us the run around." She complained. "We're tired of this shit. Some of us would like to go home."
Advertisement
"We can wait no longer." The hooded man whispered. "They delay the ritual. It must be cast."
"A waste." Another muttered.
"An acceptable loss. They were docile, compared to those who came before." The first replied. "Only two, the King will not mind."
"Step back!" The Knight shouted, drawing his sword. Though it sounded as a threat, I could almost detect a tone of desperation. Not for himself, but for us. "Step back- Now!"
They didn't, though.
"Not until-" Paul's voice cut off, replaced by... Something else. Not a word, but a sound. A horrible, gut-wrenching, sound. I can tell you what I saw when it happened, but I won't.
Just know, of all there was to know or see in that instant: it was red.
Then, we were somewhere else. Somewhere unfamiliar.
But Paul and the other woman weren’t with us.
Advertisement
- In Serial349 Chapters
Everyone Else Is A Returnee
Yu Illhan was always the one left behind. Left out of cliques in school. Left out of social invitations. Just…always left out. Except now he’s been left behind for real.
8 1443 - In Serial10 Chapters
A Nerd's Wuxia Tales
Scheduled Chapters on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 5 AMIf we have more than 3 chapters done, we will post them on the site. These won't replace the scheduled chapters.American professional gamer, number 1 on multiple leaderboards of the most played Japanese MMORPGs, Mark stands at the peak of the gaming world when it comes to MMORPGs.One night, Mark's body is removed from the world, leaving only his soul. When Mark finds out that he has been reborn in a fantasy world. Exhilarated, he wonders about all the things he can do which other people in this world won't be able to, thanks to his knowledge and experience.Little does he know that this world is nothing like that of an MMORPG, but rather a wuxia world.Prodigy Note: 'If I remember correctly, this reminds me of those annoying Chinese novels, the genre is what, wuxia? F*CK!! Just when I thought I would become the overlord of this world!! So annoying! Why couldn't this just be a damn Japanese MMORPG?!'Will chaos descend when Mark transitions into another world? Or will he become the righteous prodigy of yet another genre!Written by DaedraKyne and Matt/Xazin
8 236 - In Serial37 Chapters
The Hellish Incursion Part II: Canis Infernum
There was a loud sound of bang, then there was silence. Those were the final things Ifrit remembered before he woke up in a cold prison, naked and disoriented. He remembered a sharp, agonizing pain, then the shock of his body hitting a cold body of water. However, as he escaped from his predicament, he found that his revival came at the worst possible time. The Hellish Incursion had started, and it had been three years since the tragic event on the Bridge to Summinat. He found an unexpected help from a former foe, along with rescuing a new ally that would also find that he had a purpose in the whole affair, regardless whether he could see or not.On the other side of the story, Lilac continued her own adventure with Albert and Eshdar in finding more advantages for the surface and their allies to win the Hellish Incursion and save the world from demonic takeover. She became involved with the preparations of a war that could possibly determine the fate of the surface world, along with surprises from her past and help that crossed over boundaries of space and time. This is the second part of the Hellish Incursion, continuing the story of Ifrit Schelkz and Lilac Rezmirn.
8 206 - In Serial7 Chapters
Nebulanomicon
Genius inventor and alcoholic bachelor, Jonas Jupiter, is whisked away on a stupid space adventure. Featuring ray guns, sexy lizards, spaceships, dangerous architecture, and how! New chapter every Sunday! Check out nebulanomicon.com for original art and more recent chapters!
8 190 - In Serial30 Chapters
Mr. Professor [A Jeon Jungkook FF]
This story revolves around a normal university student who's pretty good at academics but in practical life, she's a failure. She often gets caught in an unpleasant situation with her newly appointed History Professor. The Professor is usually a kind guy but exceptionally weird towards her. He's had a gray past that made him numb to every emotion.Both of them were not bothered by each other unless their lives took a drastic turn and now, their fates Kare entangled with each other.What's going to happen? Do heavens have ulterior motives? Are their lives going to be shattered or, are they going to heal each other?WARNING- CONTAINS SMUT (18+)YOU CAN GIVE A TRY TO MY STORIES. I'LL TRY NOT TO SHOW YOU REPEATED CONTENTS!
8 216 - In Serial14 Chapters
demon's daughter
Following the League's coup, Marinette al Ghul and her twin brother, Damian, are left on the doorstep of their father- Bruce Wayne, otherwise known as Batman.Or, the story of Marinette- the granddaughter of the Demon's Head, ex-assassin, Starling, and Ladybug.________________#1 mlxdc#3 twinsau#8 leagueofassassins
8 186