Eye of Judgment

Chapter 7: The Ominous Departure

Adelia could barely stand, her body swaying precariously as searing pain coursed through her head. She braced herself against a cracked stone pillar, her fingernails digging deep into its rough surface. The stinging pain from her palm was nothing compared to the burning agony from the Seed of God-Sight, which felt like it was tearing her soul apart. Sensing her distress, the first Oathkeeper gently touched her forehead, infusing a cool blue light that temporarily alleviated the excruciating pain. But the moment the light faded, she could still feel a powerful force stirring deep within, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

"The backlash from the Seed is worse than I anticipated," the first Oathkeeper withdrew his hand, a flicker of concern crossing his eyes. He carefully observed Adelia’s pale face and trembling body. "Before heading to the Flame Mountains, we must visit the refugee camp of Emerald Kingdom. There lives a dwarf named Grok Moltenheart, who is proficient in soul magic. He once used ancient rune magic to repair damaged elven spiritual veins. Perhaps he can help you stabilize the power of the Seed of God-Sight. But make no mistake, taming such an otherworldly power will require enduring unimaginable pain and challenges."

Lariel retrieved a yellowed map from his tattered backpack and spread it on the dusty altar. The map’s edges were severely worn, with numerous markings and annotations in various colored inks. Pointing to an area marked with fiery symbols, he said, "The camp lies in a forgotten valley called 'Hidden Flame Valley' between the ice wastes and the Blazing Empire’s border. It was originally a dwarven mithril mine. After the veins** (depleted), it was converted into a shelter. But now, with Shadow Eaters rampaging across the ice wastes, their territory has expanded to the purple-shaded area on the map. We must avoid their main hunting grounds. According to ancient ballads, near the Blazing Empire’s border, there are Frost Giants’ Eagles that can control blizzards. They guard the border fiercely and will launch a deadly attack on any intruders."

Adelia looked down at the scale fragment in her hand, its golden patterns swirling as if narrating ancient tales. "We could use the old Dwarven tunnels beneath the ice," she suddenly suggested. "I saw them in the Seed’s visions. They’re a vast underground labyrinth. The entrance is hidden beneath a glacier crack in the ice wastes, guarded by three rune - inscribed stone doors. However..." Her eyes clouded with unease. "Something unknown lurks within those tunnels. I saw eerie green lights flickering deep inside, countless red eyes watching from the darkness, the air reeked of decay, and the ground was piled high with bones. The gnaw marks on those bones were strange, unlike anything made by ordinary creatures."

After a moment’s thought, the first Oathkeeper nodded. "It might be our best bet. The Dwarves built those tunnels in ancient times to escape god - demon wars. These tunnels not only connected various dwarven cities but also had numerous hidden defenses and magical barriers. But over time, many sections were overrun by dark creatures, and the protective magic circles gradually failed. We must be extremely cautious—every step could be fraught with danger."

As they left the Gray Mist Abbey, the sky remained veiled in eerie purple clouds. Dark purple lightning flashed within the clouds, as if the sky was being watched by a giant demonic eye. Adelia glanced back at the Abbey, its spires vanishing and reappearing among the clouds like a giant eye watching their departure. In the Abbey’s shadow, she thought she saw dark figures writhing, their shapes twisting and merging into Metemnis’ mocking face.

Entering the Dwarven tunnels, a damp, foul - smelling air hit them, a stench of decay mingling with the metallic tang of rust that made their stomachs churn. The ground was covered in moss and slime, requiring them to tread carefully to avoid slipping. Lariel used magic to ignite the moss on the walls, casting an otherworldly green glow that only made the narrow passage seem more sinister. By the light, the horrors became clearer: animal bones littered the ground, some marked with strange claw marks; faded dwarven runes were carved into the walls, interspersed with eerie symbols painted in blood.

"Stay alert. This silence is unnatural," the first Oathkeeper unsheathed his silver longsword, its blade glinting coldly in the dim light. His words were barely out when the sound of dragging chains echoed from the darkness ahead. Dozens of giant, slime - covered spiders dropped from the ceiling, their backs etched with curse runes identical to those on Shadow Eaters. Their eight eyes glowed with ravenous red light, and they continuously spat out pungent spider silk that reeked of decay.

"These are Light - Devouring Spiders, vanguard minions of the Shadow Eaters!" the first Oathkeeper swung his sword, easily slicing through the webs. "Their silk can not only bind but also corrode magic! Once it touches the skin, it will quickly dissolve the epidermis, seep into the flesh, and release a nerve - paralyzing toxin."

Adelia gripped her father’s broken sword shard, the Seed of God-Sight thrumming wildly within her. She saw that the spiders’ weak point wasn’t their hearts but the dark red carapaces on their heads, where their nerve centers were located. "Aim for their heads!" she shouted, charging at a spider. On the way, she deftly evaded the webs shot by other spiders. The shard pierced the carapace, black venom spurting out and hissing as it ate away at the ground. But the injured spider became even more frenzied. It waved its massive pincers at Adelia and secreted more slime, which turned into sharp spikes upon hitting the ground and flew in all directions.

However, the battle’s noise alerted a more formidable presence. The tunnel shook violently, large rocks raining down, some as big as a person. Lariel quickly cast a protective ward around them. Through the swirling dust, a massive figure emerged—a ten - meter - long Abyssal Poison Centipede. Its body consisted of countless black segments, each embedded with glowing curse gems that exuded a sickening stench. Its head had two giant antennae, with eerie purple flames burning at the tips, distorting the air around them.

"The Abyssal Poison Centipede! It’s a commander of dark creatures, able to control poison mist and summon minions!" the first Oathkeeper’s voice turned grave. He formed hand seals, launching a huge blue energy blade, but the centipede’s gems absorbed it, transforming the attack into a purple poison mist that billowed towards them. The mist was filled with tiny poison needles that could paralyze the body upon contact.

The Seed of God-Sight almost overwhelmed Adelia’s consciousness. Amidst the pain, she saw the centipede’s weak point—a pulsating purple core hidden beneath its soft abdomen. But reaching it was no easy task. The centipede was surrounded by a barrier of poisonous fog studded with sharp bone spurs, and it could summon hordes of smaller centipedes at will. "I’ll draw its attention. You two attack its belly!" Ignoring Lariel and the first Oathkeeper’s protests, Adelia charged. As she ran, she used the sword shard to fend off incoming poison needles and small centipedes, nimbly dodging the centipede’s pincers and poison barbs while continuously striking its legs.

The first Oathkeeper and Lariel seized the opportunity to attack from both sides. The first Oathkeeper’s sword cut through several of the centipede’s antennae, but they quickly regrew. Lariel summoned green vines to entangle the creature, but the centipede angrily thrashed and broke free in an instant, then released a powerful poison wave that sent Lariel flying. Adelia saw her chance and leaped high, driving the sword