78 Devoid Room
"Did we see windows on the tower from below, Boss?"
"I don't think so."
"Me neither."
I spotted Drevolan's sword, Darkscythe—one of the seventeen Great Weapons. It was unusual for him to be armed at home, and its presence did not ease my nerves.
"Welcome to the Tower, Viktor," he said.
"Thank you."
"Few are allowed here."
"Understood. What's with the window?"
"You lack the necessary understanding."
"You're likely right."
"What matters is that I can manipulate the windows to view desired locations. It aids in travel, even to places beyond our world's boundary."
"Quite a useful tool. Know where I can buy one?"
"I can also take anyone with me."
"I'm not sure I like where this is going."
"I'm trying to uncover what Cernan took, and why I didn't notice."
"A fine puzzle to occupy you, Drevolan."
"Look at the window, Viktor."
"Do I have to?"
Despite my reluctance, I looked. The blackness had turned to grey with a reddish tint. Closer inspection revealed orange-red, like a sky. Suddenly, the grey morphed into a mountainous texture, revealing a view of Falcon Mountain in the Healroot chain.
Yet, there was no mountain near Nocturne Castle, and the incongruity sent a chill down my spine.
Drevolan stopped and cast a spell, causing a gentle glow to emanate from his hand. We continued into the narrowing cave, the ceiling getting lower. "Mind your head," he advised.
"Anything strange, Boss?" came the voice of Opal.
"No, Opal. This feels just like every other time I've used a mystical window to step onto a mountaintop and walk into a dark cave to meet a near-mythical magical race. What do you mean?"
"What's that smell?"
"Ah, good point. You've earned a fish head."
The scent was Etherstone, a presence I couldn't explain, but it felt unnatural, especially with its potency.
I looked at Drevolan, his expression unreadable as he continued to lead the way, his hand glowing with the light he had conjured.
About fifty steps from the entrance, we found ourselves facing a wall that seemed natural but couldn't possibly be. Drevolan stood before it, wearing a puzzled expression, and I asked, "What do we do now?"
"I'm not sure of the protocol here," he replied. "Should we wait, or—"
Just then, a noise like pebbles clinking against metal was followed by a low growl, and a section of the wall moved to reveal a narrow stone stairway descending downward.
"I suppose waiting is the answer," I said.
Without a word, he began descending the stairs.
The staircase was short, only twenty steps, and they were not steep. We reached another stone doorway, open and inviting us in, and proceeded down a corridor with flagstones that echoed our footsteps. The passage was tight, and the ceiling was so low that Drevolan had to duck his head. The scent of Etherstone intensified.
"I wonder what's on the menu?" Opal chirped.
The corridor opened abruptly into a nearly circular cavern, about forty feet across. Its walls were rugged, the floor smoothly polished, and the ceiling just high enough for Drevolan to stand upright. The room was devoid of furniture, and at the far end stood a short, thin figure, eyeing us curiously.
The creature was rather unpleasant to look at, dressed in layers of blue and red scarves, and completely bald. It addressed Drevolan in a melodic voice with odd accents but was easy to understand, "Greetings, brother. Who are your friends?"
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We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 100 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.