novelraw Chapter 1247: What Are You...?
Chapter 1247: What Are You...?
"How many days, how many months, has it been," the horse thought inwardly, its hooves echoing through the maze without a single sign of fatigue. Its ethereal form moved swiftly, never faltering, a spectral figure driven by an unyielding purpose.
The maze twisted and turned, each passage blending into the next, yet the horse navigated with unerring precision. The ancient walls bore silent witness to its relentless journey, their surfaces etched with runes and symbols that spoke of forgotten times. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the rhythmic pounding of the horse’s hooves.
Its eyes, filled with a longing that transcended time, glowed softly in the dim light. Memories of a life long past flickered in its mind, a tapestry of images and emotions that refused to fade. The horse remembered fields of golden grass, the warmth of the sun, and the sound of laughter that had once been its world.
But now, it was bound to this labyrinth, running endlessly through corridors that seemed to stretch into eternity. The horse could sense a change, a disturbance in the fabric of its existence. Someone was following, a presence that resonated with a familiar energy.
"How many more days, how many more months," it wondered, its thoughts a silent lament. "Will I run this path until the end of time?"
"Uncle Ma!" Lyon’s voice reverberated through the ancient maze, a powerful echo that seemed to pierce the very walls. The spectral horse’s eyes remained serene, yet memories stirred within it, surfacing like long-buried treasures.
---
In those memories, twelve majestic beings stood in a circle around a basket containing a baby, deep within a tranquil forest glade. The towering trees whispered their secrets as they watched the gathering with curiosity.
"What should we do?" one of the beings inquired, their voice tinged with concern.
The True Dragon, a formidable and awe-inspiring creature, leaned close to the infant’s face. Its whiskers, shimmering with ancient power, were grasped by the baby’s tiny, delighted hands.
"Not even your scary face could make him cry, catfish!" another being teased, their tone light and playful.
"This is not our responsibility," a stern voice interjected as a figure stepped back. "Not mine."
A figure stepped forward, gently placing their hand on the baby’s wrist. "Hmm, this baby boy’s meridians are shattered."
"Shattered? Not defective?" a female voice responded, a mix of surprise and concern in her tone.
"No, these are shattered," the figure confirmed, deep in thought.
"So, a blank sheet then!" a man with a broad grin and a proud chest stepped forward.
"Ma... I don’t like that look in your eyes," another warned, sensing mischief.
"C’mon, it will be fun. After all," Ma said, lifting the baby from the basket, "I believe this boy is special."
"Specially disabled, you mean?" another voice quipped, skeptical.
"Nah, this one is perfect! I’d say we raise him! With all your help, he’s going to be special!" Ma declared, his laughter ringing through the forest like a promise of the future they would shape together.
---
As the memory faded, the horse—Uncle Ma—felt a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth. It had been there from the beginning, one of the twelve who had taken Lyon under their wing. Its spectral form shimmered with a renewed sense of purpose.
As Lyon chased after Uncle Ma, his brows furrowed in frustration. The maze around him seemed to come alive, its ancient mechanisms activating all at once. Walls shifted randomly, creating an ever-changing labyrinth that twisted and turned with no discernible pattern. Fury burned in Lyon’s eyes as he pressed on, determined to reach the spectral horse.
Beasts of all shapes and sizes appeared from nowhere, lunging at him with snarls and growls. Golems of stone and metal rose from the ground, their massive forms blocking his path. Mimics disguised as walls and doors attempted to trap him. Yet, Lyon fought his way through, his movements precise and deadly.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the maze, his group faced similar challenges. Selena couldn’t stand idly by and watch, her frustration mounting as the maze’s traps and creatures besieged them. Cecile attempted to keep everyone together, but the onslaught was relentless.
"I can’t stay here!" Selena shouted, her patience wearing thin.
"I understand," Cecile replied, her tone firm but worried. "Find Lyon. We’ll manage here."
Without another word, Selena darted off, determination blazing in her eyes. Kesya and Liu followed closely behind, their movements fluid and synchronized.
Harvestasya stayed close to Maria and Cecile, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any threat. Assid and Graham stood guard, ready to defend against any attack. Cecile sighed, feeling the weight of the situation, but Maria’s reassuring smile and gentle pat on the shoulder brought her a measure of calm.
"Seems like the old days," Maria remarked, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia.
On the other side of the maze, Azleid and his group of four faced incredible confusion. The walls around them shifted left and right randomly, creating an ever-changing maze that seemed to mock their efforts to find a way forward.
"What in Paradise is happening?!" Azleid exclaimed, struggling to keep up with the chaos around him.
The maze’s mechanisms were relentless, and the group found themselves constantly backtracking and reevaluating their path. Azleid’s frustration grew as every corridor seemed to be a potential route, but none led to the treasure they sought.
With each slain beast, another rose from the inky depths of the corridor. Azleid’s patience was wearing thin. A flicker of contempt crossed his face as he dispatched yet another grotesque creature. These things were beneath him, yet their relentless onslaught threatened to consume even his formidable abilities. Retreat was the only sane option, but the claustrophobic confines of the ruin offered little escape. "What demented architect conceived this labyrinth of death?" he roared, his voice echoing through the narrow passage. "No wonder this treasure remains unclaimed—it’s a graveyard waiting to happen!" Cornered at a four-way junction, Azleid and his companions were overwhelmed. Blood and the acrid scent of fear hung heavy in the air. His arms burned with fatigue as he fought desperately to hold their line. Just as he was about to unleash a powerful "Teardrop Art" technique, a blinding streak of motion caught his eye. A magnificent horse, its coat shimmering with an ethereal glow, flashed past them, leaving nothing but a blurred impression on their retinas. Azleid’s breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to hold off the relentless onslaught. Just as it seemed his group would be swallowed by the tide of beasts, a chilling realization dawned on him. The creatures that had been closing in from the flanks were abruptly turning tail, their eyes filled with a primal terror. Then, he saw it. A monstrous, unseen force was wreaking havoc on their kin. "Wave of Shattering World!" Beast after beast was hurled against the walls, their bodies crumpling like paper. A guttural roar, filled with raw power, echoed through the corridors. "Lyon!" Azleid exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and a hint of admiration.
The cultivators who had previously dismissed him as a mere noble scion now stared in open-mouthed awe. Their champion, their protector, had vanished, replaced by a figure of terrifying power.
Did you see it?" Lyon demanded, his gaze intense. "The horse?" Azleid replied, still reeling from the sudden transformation. "Where?" Lyon pressed, his voice low and urgent. Azleid pointed towards the direction they had last seen the mysterious creature. "Thanks," Lyon acknowledged curtly before striding towards the center of the intersection. The beasts, sensing an apex predator, hesitated in their attack, their focus shifting to the newly emerged powerhouse. Lyon’s eyes scanned the creatures, a cold, calculating gleam in his gaze. "Necromancy," he muttered, recognizing the dark magic that animated the grotesque abominations. With a sudden, dramatic gesture, white horns sprouted from Lyon’s forehead, forming a crown of ethereal light. "First Calamity!" he roared, his voice echoing through the corridors. The beasts, their bodies rippling with unnatural energy, erupted from within. Dark flames, born of the same malevolent force that animated them, consumed them from the inside out. Their screams were a cacophony of agony and despair as they were consumed by their own corruption. In moments, nothing remained but charred husks and a lingering stench of sulfur. "Huh... wha... Hm?!" Azleid’s eyes widened in disbelief as the necromantic creatures were instantly incinerated. The sight was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Lyon stood amidst the burning remains, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. The fire reflected in his eyes, showing his unyielding determination. He turned to Azleid, his voice cold and commanding. "Stay out of my way."
Azleid and his group were left in stunned silence, the scent of burnt flesh and dark magic lingering in the air. The young master of the Teardrop Clan had witnessed a power that defied his expectations, and the implications of Lyon’s strength were just beginning to sink in. He buried his finger into his trembling palm to no avail. "What are you...?"