The room that Emery found himself in was sparse and uninviting, a hollow shell in the labyrinth of the citadel. It was here, on a hard stone floor, that he had chosen to meditate, his body folded into the familiar stance of a lotus position. The chill of the stone seeped through his clothes, providing a grounding sensation as he endeavored to attune his mind with the reality of his situation.
He had been thrown into this alien environment, far from everything familiar. Yet, his resolve remained undeterred. He was here to survive, to find a way out, even if the odds stacked against him suggested otherwise. Eeshoo might have already met his fate. But for Emery, the mission had always been clear - escape.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Emery turned his thoughts inward, delving deep into the silent recesses of his mind. There, a dormant entity lay nestled within his spiritual core, a presence that had intertwined with his own. Its name echoed within his thoughts, a call cast into the void. "Cthulhu.. can you hear me?"
The call reverberated unanswered. Hours passed in the gloom of his room, each minute stretching into the next as he waited for a response. But there was none. Cthulhu was silent, its presence obscured as if it were not there at all.
Emery had known this might happen. He had struck an agreement with the Khaos Guardian prior to their capture. In the event of their imprisonment, the guardian would utilize Khaos energy to cloak its existence within the fabric of space, rendering itself undetectable.
Cthulhu had agreed to this plan; the entity had always held a predilection for long periods of slumber.
A single lunar cycle, thirty days, was the time Emery had to live without the abilities and artifacts tied to the Khaos Guardian. For a whole month, he would not be able to draw upon the enigmatic power of Cthulhu, nor access his stored belongings. This included the set of devices given to him by Jinkan.
His eyes drifted to the corner of the room, envisioning the concealed cache of tools he couldn't access. He couldn't help but hold on to the hope that there was indeed something in the devices that held the solution to his escape.
Yet, hope was a fickle friend. He was well aware that his situation could end up being a dead-end, with no escape, no miraculous saving grace from the array of devices. If that was the case, he would need to resort to his final contingency plan, one that involved pushing his limits and risking everything.
That plan was to break through to the sixth stage of his Katra, to fully restore his spirit core, and embrace the mantle of a Khaos Champion. When such a thing happens, he could attempt to use the power of Khaos to escape this place.
Emery had little faith in Jinkan's plan. He was more inclined to rely on his own strength and determination, rather than placing his faith in the Nephilim's cryptic devices. As such, every spare moment he had was dedicated to honing his Katra, practicing the techniques that could lead him to the next stage.
He sat in the gloom of his chamber, channeling his energy, feeling the familiar ebb and flow of his spirit core, focusing his will to strengthen his Katra. Time slipped away as Emery dove deep into his practice, preparing for the arduous journey that lay ahead.
A scant twenty-four hours had passed when his solitude was disrupted by a knock on the door. The visitor was Magus Urix, a scholarly figure who held an air of authority. "Training is beneficial, Emery, but you also need to contribute your fair share," he said.
With that, Urix guided him out of his quarters and through the winding corridors of the citadel, finally arriving at a bustling workshop. At the center of the activity was Master Flemming, engrossed in her craft. Urix cleared his throat to catch her attention. She turned to them, a sharp focus in her eyes as she appraised Emery.
"I hear you have a knack for apothecary. What rank are you?" she inquired.
"Artisan rank 6," Emery answered without a hint of hesitation. His status as an apothecary Master, bestowed by the wood elves community, was something he chose to withhold. In the eyes of the Magus Alliance, he had only reached the level of an Artisan, and Emery saw no reason to divulge more than necessary. At least, not until he knows more about what they wanted from him or until he feels that he can trust this master in front of him.
"Good, quite an achievement for your age. We are fortunate to have you," Master Flemming commended him, a hint of surprise coloring her words. She then proceeded to brief him on her work.
Deprived of their artifacts upon arriving on this alien planet, the humans had been forced to adapt and survive with the resources at hand. The female master with her extensive knowledge in the field of apothecary, had taken it upon herself to concoct a myriad of potions and pills using the local flora of Demon's Pit. She began to introduce Emery to the variety of plants she used in her concoctions, and the methods to extract their vital essence.
The objective was clear: Emery was to go out into the alien wilderness and gather these plants. "An away party will be setting out later today. You will join them," Master Flemming stated.
Though the task posed a considerable risk, it also presented an opportunity for Emery to get a better understanding of the planet, its flora, and the challenges that lay ahead. With a determined nod, he accepted the task, mentally preparing himself for the journey.
Emery found himself led back out into the citadel's yard where Captain Steele stood tall, flanked by thirteen other men. Amongst them, he recognized the formidable form of Atlas. He noted with surprise that a significant number of the group comprised the magus who had been part of his own batch that just arrived yesterday.
As the realization dawned on him, he understood that this expedition was more than just a supply run. It was a structured introduction to the hostile new world they found themselves in, a testing ground to gauge the skills and capabilities of each individual under practical conditions.
Captain Steele, with his towering presence and stern expression, addressed the assembled group. His words were stark, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Follow my orders or you will not make it back, Let's go!"
x x x x
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on fre(e)webnov(l).com