58 Chapter 58 - Gates of Nothingness.
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[Adam C. POV]
We moved through the lab, gathering any remaining documentation and evidence of the twisted experiments that had taken place there.
Before piling them up in the center of the room, I struck a match and watched as the flame consumed the dark secrets they held. The fire crackled and danced, illuminating the once-hidden horrors and casting eerie shadows on the walls.
As the fire spread, engulfing the lab in a cleansing inferno, we made our way back into the main temple.
The weight of the horrors we had witnessed still hung heavily in the air, but there was also a sense of resolution, or at least it felt that way.
Pushing those thoughts aside, we pressed on, exploring the labyrinthine corridors of the temple, determined to find the artifact we had been sent to retrieve.
With each passing second, the air grew colder and more oppressive the deeper we ventured, but we kept on pressing on.
Eventually, we came upon a grand chamber, adorned with intricate carvings and weathered statues.
At the center of the room was a stone pedestal, upon which rested a small, ornate box made of gold and encrusted with precious gems.
The box radiated an aura of power and mystery, and seeing everything felt worthless in comparison, it was clear that this was the artifact we had been searching for.
As we approached the pedestal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if once again someone was watching us.
It was a strange feeling...
I glanced over at Erza, who was carefully examining the chamber for any signs of traps or hidden threats, before reaching out and carefully lifting the artifact from its resting place.
"We've got it," Erza grinned, a sense of triumph mixed with relief in her voice.
I smiled. "Well done. Now, let's get out of this place. I had about enough Eldritch horrors for a day."
"Eldritch what?" Erza asked, confusion evident on her face.
Right... that's not a thing here.
I really ought to update my references, otherwise, my humor will go to waste.
I shook my head. "Never mind. Let's just go."
We made our way back through the twisting passages of the temple, retracing our steps and avoiding the traps that had been set up to deter any would-be thieves.
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As we stepped out of the temple, the sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow across the sky. We took a moment to catch our breath and survey the surrounding jungle, before making our way back to town.
The journey back was uneventful, save for the occasional rustling in the bushes to fill the lack of noise.
Once we reached the town, we made our way to the local tavern, where we intended to pass the night before going back home.
The smell of stale ale and cigarettes wafted through the air as we entered, and the dim lighting lent a cozy if not slightly seedy atmosphere to the place.
We took a seat at the bar and ordered some food, toasting to our success, Erza with her juice, and me with... well, beer.
As we ate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness; something about this entire mission had gotten under my skin.
It felt off like I was playing into someone's game, I just couldn't put my finger on it.
Erza must have sensed my unease, as she nudged me with her elbow. "You alright, Adam?"
I glanced at her for a moment, before nodding.
She was pretty perceptive for her age.
"Yeah, yeah, what about you?" I asked, tilting my head.
Erza sighed. "Still processing the things we saw, but nothing a few days of rest won't fix!"
I smiled at her, amused by her optimism.
We had seen things that would haunt most people for the rest of their lives.
But in time, these memories would become nothing but an echo of experience. It was part of our job, to deal with things nobody else wanted to deal with.
Being a wizard wasn't always glamorous.
We finished our meal and retired to our room upstairs, where we unpacked our things and settled in for the night.
As I lay down on the bed, in my room, finally alone, I stared at the ceiling.
I wasn't scared.
Or concerned, at least not a lot.
Just annoyed I couldn't figure out what was troubling me about this mission.
I closed my eyes, letting out a long sigh, and tried to clear my mind.
It didn't matter.
Whatever it was.
Whoever it was.
I would be ready when the time came, to cut them down.
In the meantime, I would just wait.
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[Mard Geer Tartaros POV]
I sat inside my room, watching the events unfold on a giant magical screen that connected to the location of my liking.
I watched as the mysterious human, the one who according to our records managed to create a successful body like ours to host a human soul, fought valiantly against some of my failed creations; destroying them with impressive speed and skill.
"What a welcoming surprise," I muttered, as I considered the possibilities this... little human gave me, all the experiments I could run on this fragile little thing.
While all he was doing was cleaning out the trash I had left behind, I had to admit it was a marvelous sight.
This man would surely give me valuable insight into the capabilities of humankind, and their potential to become more than what they are, their potential to become demons.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at this.
I could hardly remember the last time I felt like this...
How odd... but not unwelcome.
It was strange, really, even though I knew it was foolish to think such thoughts; when it came to humans, his feats so far made me feel intrigued.
After all, how often did one get the chance to study a human who not only wasn't afraid of death? But one that walked on a path similar to that of our creator?
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.
As much as I wanted to see the limits of this human, it was not time yet to reveal myself or my intentions. It was too early to make a move, I still had a lot to do before being able to move freely.
For now, I would simply bide my time and watch as this human continued to grow stronger, to see what he was truly capable of.
But one thing was for sure when the time came, I would not let this opportunity slip away.
I smiled to myself, looking forward to the possibilities that lay ahead.
It was all a matter of time.
And if there wasn't something I had plenty of, it was that; time.
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[Erza Scarlet POV]
As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and pride. I had never felt more alive than when I was fighting, pushing my limits to the brink, and coming out on top.
I had succeeded in my mission today, I had managed to defeat one of the monsters all by myself, showing Adam he wasn't wasting his time teaching me.
As I sat in my room, I reflected on today's events.
It had been tough, scary, and maybe a bit traumatizing, but all and all rewarding.
I had grown stronger, both physically and mentally, and I was proud of myself all things considered.
That being said, I owed this victory to him.
Adam had played a big role in my growth. He was a great mentor, always pushing me to be better and to never give up.
I was truly grateful.
I could only inspire to someday be a warrior of his caliber.
I would continue to hone my skill so that one day I could be the one to protect him, and everyone else, that is my vow!
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and let out a contented sigh, my body feeling heavy in the silence of my room, with the only sound that could be heard being that of my steady breathing as I slowly closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift off into a blissful slumber.
