Chapter 186 ~A Different Kind of Quest~

Chapter 186 ~A Different Kind of Quest~
(Xander’s POV)

Fuck! How could I forget Atlas? 

I tried to pass through the door, but the ceiling was coming down so fast that it wouldn't even fit me.

“What about my friend, Atlas?” I yelled to the genie on the other side. “You promised I'd get him if I passed the trial!”

“Did I?”

Then suddenly, the door shut with a loud slam.

“Fuck! Fuck!” I hit the door, and it resounded with a loud bang. “Fuck!”

I'd been tricked, and now, there was no way back.

Reconciling myself to my fate, I left the door, making myself a promise that I would come back for Atlas as soon as I had the chance to.

“Hang in there, man.” It was hard, but I continued on my journey.

The key that had saved my life was still somehow miraculously in my palm, so I tucked it into my pocket in case it came in handy later.

Then I continued on my way.

I don't know how long I'd walked for, but I suddenly came to a spot that was filled with water… almost like a crystal-clear stream.

There was no way to get across except by crossing the stream. But I could see creatures peeking from underneath the water. As I studied them more closely, I could make out the long mouth, sharp fangs, and two empty holes for eyes. Crocodiles.

I gulped, wondering if there was another way I could go, but it was a dead end.

Chuckling to myself, I tried to picture how Atlas would react if he was here with me. He'd probably say something along the lines of: “I'm out of here, Cap. I'm not trying to be Cheetos for crocs.”

I inhaled deeply. I needed to do this for him.

There were smooth rocks lining the way. I could climb on them to cross over to the other side, but the problem was that they looked incredibly slippery. One wrong move and I could actually become dinner for these crocs.

Nevertheless, I rolled up my pants and began by placing one leg on a rock. The crocodiles didn't move; in fact, they looked either unalive or in a really deep slumber. I was praying for either one to be true.

Gently, I placed my other foot on the next stone and monitored them; There was still no movement. 

Huh. Maybe they really were asleep.

Gaining a little more confidence, I began to move faster and with more confidence. The only sounds I could hear were the gentle rippling of the water and the uneasy churning of my stomach.

I was almost at the last rock leading to the other side when I suddenly stepped onto a rock covered in slippery moss, losing my footing. I couldn't help the loud groan as I landed in the water with a loud plop.

It happened so fast. Suddenly, the once-still water erupted into chaos as dozens of large crocodiles rushed toward me in a frenzy.

I tried to regain my footing, but my legs seemed to be stuck on something, and for some reason, I couldn't swim. So I watched with dread as I watched the crocodiles' tails snake their way toward me. It felt like a nightmare, only that this was reality and it was my life on the line.

This is bad! 

I expected their teeth to sink into my legs tearing me apart piece by piece, but instead what I felt was a hand gripping mine, pulling me out of the water and away from the attacking crocodiles.

I turned to see who my savior was.

“You again?” I stared at him in shock.

“Yes. Me again.” He nodded. “And congratulations, by the way; I never knew you'd make it this far.”

I didn't know how to take the backhanded compliment, so I simply stared at the man with the moon crest tattoo on his forehead. Was he even human?

“Follow me,” he said. “I want to show you a place.”

–-----------

I followed him as he walked for what felt like forever. My legs were aching badly.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I panted.

“We're here already,” he said as he led us through the thick bushes, and when we got to the other side I gasped at the sight I saw before me.

There were thousands and thousands of Mooncrest seals littered across the place.

“What is this place?” I asked, growing cold. A voice inside me was telling me to pick up some Mooncrest Seals and make my way back to Wintercrest and pretend that everything else was just a figment of my imagination.

I wished I could. But I simply couldn't.

Here I was, in the midst of the thing I'd so desperately wanted, but which was no longer relevant to me.

“Is this Black Hollow?” I asked him.

“No,” he gave a small smile. “But soon, you will be at Black Hollow. “The question is: are you ready?”

Could anyone ever be ready?

“You should go on your last quest,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “This one is a little… different.”

“Good different or bad different?” I raised my brow.

He shrugged, his face concealing something beneath the surface.

I guess I'd have to find out for myself.