Chapter 135: Just Forgotten

Chapter 135: Just Forgotten

Once Vaughn healed Kyriil and Nokuti with white magic, the group continued deeper into the tunnel. Kyriil was still unconscious, so Marek carried him. It was the least he could do, he hadnt been able to help in the battle earlier.

After another hour of walking and several turns, they spotted a pale white light emanating from the distance. The nearer they drew, the more the atmosphere changed. The air turned frigid and thick, they could practically taste the flavor or iron on their tongues.

Were getting close, Crow said.

So, what exactly is this weapon, anyway? Lysaila asked.

Youre from the Amber Realm, right? You must have encountered plenty of dangerous monsters in your life, Crow said.

I have, the lamia nodded slowly.

Is there any particular monster that is known to terrorize the jungles of your homeland more than the rest?

Lysaila stopped in front of Crow, You know what it is, dont you?

We have them here too, albeit in far smaller groups, thankfully.

What are you two talking about? Nokuti asked.

...Dragons, Crow sidestepped the lamia and kept walking.

The dragons hunt the Amber people for sport. It doesnt matter if you're beastkin or not, all die just the same, Lysaila clenched her fists.

Yes, dragons are apex predators wherever they go. Understandably, your people couldnt do much to stop them, Crow said.

Whats your point? Lysaila hissed.

...I found it, over ten years ago. I was reading an old passage from a discarded tome. The book spoke of a time when dragons were not the hunters, but the hunted, Crow said.

What? Lysailas eyes widened.

What sort of person could hunt a dragon? Grim asked.

Not a person, an entire species. A void species, Crow said.

Void species? As in void mana? But, I thought void mana wasnt real, only theoretical? Nokuti frowned.

Crow shook his head, Not theoretical, just forgotten.

Thats why were down here, Marek said.

Crow turned to the group, We are here for the Unildyr, the predator of dragons.

Wait, are you saying there is a creature down here that hunts dragons and you want to find them? I dont think this is a good idea, Grim stopped walking.

Relax, you two, the Unildyr died out millennia ago, Crow said.

Then what exactly are we doing here? Grim asked.

Follow me, Crow waved them on.

Marek walked next to Crow, Lysaila a few feet behind. Nokuti grumbled under her breath but followed along. The twins pushed past the tall axlean and kept walking quietly.

I dont have much of a choice, do I? Grim sighed.

As the group neared the white light, the air grew colder. Suddenly the tunnels walls widened and they found themselves in a large cavern. A glowing pool sat at the bottom of the chasm, pale mist rising from its still waters. The bones of a long-dead creature rested near the edge of the pool.

Its just like what I read all those years ago, Crow said fervently.

We shouldnt be here. This doesnt feel right, Nokuti took a step back.

Weve come this far, we cant turn back, Marek said resolutely.

Lysaila wandered down to the pool and the bones nearby. She slithered close to the gigantic skull amidst the skeletal remains. The skull had two large horns, each longer than her upper body. Two tusks the size of short swords jutted from its bottom jaw.

Is this? Lysaila pointed at the skull.

An Unildyr, yes. Or at least whats left of one, Crow said.

That skull is a little over 3 ft. The creature must have been at least 20 ft tall, Grim swallowed.

Most dragons dont stand that tall, Lysaila bit her lip.

Crow glanced at the skull, Thats a juvenile.

...What? Lysailas jaw went slack.

Crow walked down to the pool below. Marek placed the sleeping Kyriil on the ground and followed Crow down.

The skolguls wouldnt dare come down here, the scent these waters give off would scare any predator away, Crow said.

I thought you told me this pool is like the Mirror Springs above? Marek asked.

Compositionally? Yes, it is. But, this pool is alive. Unlike the waters above, you cant see your reflection here, this pool is already full of souls, Crow said.

Marek could see faint white silhouettes squirm within the surface of the pool.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

What are they? Marek asked.

Nourishment for the ones beneath, Crow pointed at the pool.

So, what are you doing up here anyway? I thought you were drunk.

Im trying to get drunk, Callum picked up his bottle.

Stryg sniffed the air, Are you drinking blood? What happened to your maids?

I left them behind. The captain thinks it best to not drink any blood straight from the source while on the ship, it makes the human crew members uncomfortable. The last thing you want is an angry crew while stuck on a ship. Hes my fathers best naval captain, so I just agreed. Now Im regretting it.

I understand, your maids are quite pretty, Stryg nodded. Wait, if youre trying to get drunk why are you drinking blood?

Vampires can get drunk off blood, though its much harder than alcohol, Callum took a swig. But, it tastes a whole hella lot better.

I disagree.

Strygs head did not reach above the railing, so he was forced to rest his chin between the rope railings. He looked down at the large waves crashing against the hull. He had never seen such large waves before, the Dire River indeed.

Callum bit his lip, I forgot, youve tasted blood before, right? Back in your tribe?

A couple of times. It was a ceremonial drink. The cooks always served it mixed in with these herbs. They said the herbs would make it taste better, but the whole thing was nasty if you ask me. The only bright side was that we only had to drink very little, Stryg grimaced.

...Herbs, huh? Thats the wrong way to go about it, Callum smiled wryly.

What do you mean?

Ask any vampire and they will all tell you blood tastes best pure, nothing added.

I somehow doubt that.

Taste for yourself, Callum offered him the bottle.

Stryg reluctantly grabbed it and took a hesitant sip.

So, what do you think? Callum asked.

Its not bad.

Yeah, I thought youd say that, Callum muttered.

Stryg handed the bottle back. Hey, Cal?

Mm?

Why did you think I was an assassin?

Oh, well, Im an aristocrat. Its an occasional threat. Falling into the Dire River is always dangerous and at this time of the year it basically spells death.

Stryg glanced at him, Are you worried about your siblings trying to kill you?

The bottle slipped from Callums hands and fell into the crashing waters below.

What? He swallowed.

I talked to Clypeus older sister, Gale. She told me of the battles for succession that will probably happen between your siblings and you. Assassins dont seem far-fetched, Stryg said.

Gale was exaggerating. Killing my siblings? That would be ludicrous, he laughed awkwardly.

Oh? It didnt seem that way to me. Having to kill people to become chief of a tribe? Ruthless? Yes. Necessary? Most definitely. People in power never give it up. Its just the way it is.

Stryg

If you stand in the way of someone obtaining power? Well, then its a hunt or be hunted situation. And if it were me, Id always choose to be the hunter.

Callum gripped the rope railings, Are you saying I should kill my siblings to become the leader of my family?

No. Im saying that when the time comes when its you or them, I will be there to make sure they dont kill you first.

Why? Callum swallowed.

Stryg scratched his nose, Youre my friend.

Callums throat felt tight. This wasnt how he thought things would go. He wasnt ready to tell Stryg and Kithina about his familys internal affairs. And he never thought Stryg would act this way after learning the truth.

The truth? Callum grimaced.

He wasnt sure how, but if Stryg shared Stryga Veres blood, then he was a child of the direct line. Callum stared at the small unassuming goblin.

Youd be the last direct descendant of Veres I. The heir apparent of House Veres, Callum thought bitterly.

Callum chuckled to himself, not that his family would ever agree to letting some stranger rule the family, let alone a goblin. His siblings would kill Stryg first.

Callum felt ashamed that the thought had crossed his own mind. Stryg was a potential danger greater than even his eldest sister, Carmilla. And yet, the goblin had just promised to protect Callum from all of them.

Everything was so blurred, Callum didnt know what to think anymore. He ran his hands through his black hair and sighed.

Hey, Stryg?

Mm?

Thanks.

Mm.