Chapter 210 Setting Out on the Journey

Chapter 210 Setting Out on the Journey

This stone represents their hearts. As long as it stays intact, Thomas and the others will be safe. "You have to come back, I still want to marry you!"

Thomas and his group trudged along the winding path, the uneven ground making their steps wobbly. The dense trees around them intertwined, their leaves rustling in the breeze, adding to the tense atmosphere.

Using the map Karen had given them, they carefully navigated through the forest, always on high alert. After what felt like forever, they finally arrived at a cave.

The entrance was hidden by thick underbrush, making it hard to spot unless you looked closely. Thomas crouched down, gently parting the grass, his eyes wary as he peered inside.

He then took some cloth and wood from his backpack, skillfully creating a makeshift torch with a flint. As the torch ignited, its warm light flickered in the darkness, lighting their way.

Thomas and Mary took a deep breath, gripping their weapons tightly as they slowly entered the cave. The air inside was damp and musty, mixed with the stench of decay, making them want to gag.

Water droplets occasionally fell from the walls, their sound echoing in the silence, like a countdown, each drop striking their taut nerves.

They moved forward cautiously, each step light and deliberate, afraid of disturbing something unknown. Suddenly, Mary let out a terrified scream, "Skeletons!" Her scream echoed through the cave, sending chills down their spines.

Thomas quickly raised the torch, scanning the area. The cave floor was littered with skeletons—goat skeletons with their twisted horns looking particularly eerie in the torchlight, and human skeletons with hollow eye sockets that seemed to tell tales of past horrors.

Some of the skeletons still had dried, dark bloodstains, emitting a nauseating stench. They were scattered haphazardly across the ground.

George, their small companion, shivered at the sight, curling up tightly on Mary's shoulder, his tiny claws gripping her clothes. But soon, he seemed to remember his duty, lifting his head and sniffing the air, trying to detect any potential danger.

Mary felt her stomach churn, the stench and the gruesome scene making her bend over and retch. Thomas gently patted her back, concern in his eyes. "Mary, you okay?"

Mary shook her head, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, her voice trembling. "I'm fine, it's just... this place is terrifying."

She felt like Sherlock Holmes, always stumbling upon bodies, each encounter more horrifying than the last. Even though she was somewhat used to it, the sight of so many corpses still made her want to faint.

Thomas slowly approached the skeletons, crouching down to examine them closely. He noticed strange marks on the bones, as if they had been slashed by some sharp weapon, the wounds jagged and deep.

"Looks like there was a fierce battle here," Thomas said, his voice low and hoarse, echoing in the silent cave.

Mary swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Thomas, do you think we might face the same danger? This place is freaking me out."

She felt an urge to turn back, not wanting to stay any longer.

Thomas stood up, patting Mary's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll be careful. We've come this far, we can't turn back now."

"We need to find useful information quickly and get out of here."

They continued forward, their steps even more cautious. George, perched on Mary's shoulder, kept turning his head, watching their surroundings.

With each step, their hearts pounded faster, as if danger could strike at any moment. Thomas used the torch to light up the walls, hoping to find hidden clues or passages.

Suddenly, George let out a low growl, pointing with his tiny paw towards a dark corner. Thomas and Mary exchanged a glance, cautiously moving in that direction.

Their steps were slow and careful, testing the ground with each move, afraid of triggering hidden traps or falling into pits. They gripped their axes and knives tightly, their only source of security.

As they ventured deeper, the light grew dimmer, the air heavier, filled with an ancient, mysterious scent. After a few minutes, the ground beneath them changed.

The rough terrain became smooth, and soon, an old, worn staircase appeared before them. The stairs were made of large stone blocks, covered in moss and the marks of time, each step uneven.

Mary's eyes showed a flicker of fear as she instinctively moved closer to Thomas, clutching his clothes. Her voice trembled, "Do you think there are more skeletons down there? This place gives me the creeps."

Thomas gently patted her shoulder, his gaze firm yet gentle. "With me here, you don't need to be afraid. I'll protect you. Stay behind me."

"No matter what we face, we'll face it together."

With that, he took the first step down the stairs, moving steadily while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. Mary took a deep breath, following closely behind him.

Step by step, they descended the stairs, their heartbeats echoing in the silence. The deeper they went, the stronger the ancient scent became, mixed with a faint, unfamiliar fragrance.

Finally, they reached the bottom, where a large chamber awaited them. The space was vast, with faint glimmers on the walls, possibly from some kind of mineral.

Around the chamber were old tools and chests, some broken, others still intact. The strange fragrance was stronger here, invigorating them.

Mary looked at the mysterious chamber, feeling both nervous and excited. She thought for a moment and then said to George, "George, go check if there's any danger."

If this was a hidden chamber, there might be treasure. They needed to search carefully.

George understood her, jumping off her shoulder and cautiously moving deeper into the chamber. His nose twitched, ears perked, alert to any sound or movement.

Thomas and Mary stood still, waiting quietly for George to return.