A new world

Ch-110

As Zaros, Lenora, and Maximus stepped into the ancient willow tree, they found themselves transported into a realm of forgotten grandeur. Before them stood a vast stone palace, its towering spires reaching towards the heavens like silent sentinels guarding the secrets held within.

"This seems to be abandoned," Lenora muttered as she drank into the grandeur of the huge abandoned stone palace. There were some scriptures written on the walls of the palace. Just looking at them made her feel scared. She clutched Maximus's hand a bit tightly. Maximus held on to her hand patting her slowly as if saying it's fine he was with her. 

Despite its apparent abandonment, the palace retained an air of majestic splendor, its walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures. The air hung heavy with the weight of centuries past, each stone bearing witness to the passage of time.

"This place is oozing with the evil energy," Zaros said.

"Well… it's the place of the ancients. They were sent into this sleeping stage when they no longer could control their powers, and turn evil," Maximus added. 

So… that was how things were… Lenora thought. She always thought since the ancients were so powerful why they needed to go into this undead state. With their powers… they could always come and solve all the problems in a second. But they never did. It always confused her. For some reason, no books about the ancients stored this thing. That made her wonder… how could Azazel meet an ancient. What secrets did he hide?

"I wonder how Azazel found an ancient and made him do all his bidding," Lenora commented.

"I wonder too," Zaros said.

"Only Azazel can answer that," Maximus added. 

Lenora just sighed and walked ahead. The statues that lined the halls seemed to watch their every move with stoic indifference, their eyes carved from stone but seemingly alive with a pearl of ancient wisdom. Their silent gaze followed the three intruders as they navigated the maze-like passages, the presence of the huge statue both haunting and mesmerizing.

The three of them stopped at the dead end. There seemed to be something different about the last statue. "There is something about this one unlike others," Lenora commented.

This statue was the smallest among the others. While others seemed to be fierce it seemed to be like a scared one that needed to be protected by everyone. 

"I think this is the one that Mom spoke about. The opening statue for the ancient coffins," Lenora said.

She held the head and twisted it but it didn't open. Then she again twisted it. It didn't work either.

"I remember it should be twisted in an infinity shape," Zaros said. 

"But will this statue's throat be stretched? It's so small," Lenora mused out.

"Maybe throat is not the way to open it…" Maximus said.

The statue's belly was protruding with a bump in it. He pushed the bump making the head of the statue spring. Only then they could twist it into an infinity shape. The whole wall became transparent when the head was twisted. Entering the hallways, they found three different ways to walk in vast corridors. 

"One is the father of the Vampira and Werewolfia, the other is Vampira ancient, and the other is Werewolfia," Lenora muttered.

"If we were to search one by one together, it might be too late given the vast corridors," Lenora said as she looked at the huge pathways. 

"We should split our ways," Lenora suggested, her voice barely more than a whisper in the oppressive silence. 

"You are his target, dear sister," Zaros said through his gritted teeth. 

"And your wife is in his hands ready to be killed! I don't wish to waste any more seconds!" she replied with the same intensity. 

"That doesn't mean we will let you enter the danger zone all alone! We already have one in trouble. We don't want to add another!" Maximus said before Zaros could say anything.

"I am his daughter! In the letter, he didn't mention anything about killing me. There is more to it. If I were to find him first, I would stall time, and get his intentions out by the time you guys arrive, Trust me for once!" Lenora said. 

There was a hesitant agreement among them, for none wished to leave her alone in this ominous place. Yet, time was of the essence, and they knew they had to act swiftly to rescue Adira from the clutches of Azazel. 

Maximus was completely upset. He doesn't want to risk but that was the only better option they have right.

"Fine. but be careful," Maximus said. 

"But…" Zaros wanted to say something but he stopped himself after thinking about it for some time.

"Protect yourself. Wait for us and do not be rash, okay," he said looking at her. He took slow steps towards her and kissed her forehead.

"I wish the four of go in one piece," he said to her.

"We don't have the luxury to waste time, my King," she said with a smile. 

Maximus took a step back, producing a small ring from his pocket. 

"Take this," he said, handing it to each of them in turn.

"What are these for?" Zaros asked looking at the ring.

"If any of us find her, click the ring. It will guide the others to the one wearing it."

They nodded in understanding, accepting the weight of their mission as they each took a ring and split ways, disappearing into the labyrinthine corridors in search of Adira. The dim light cast eerie shadows across the palace walls as they ventured deeper into its depths, their hearts heavy with determination and hope.

The three of them took three different ways to reach Azazel. But Lenora felt that the eldest ancient was the one who was helping Azazel. That was why she ventured into the middle of the of the coffin. She hoped she was right.

Because she wants to know what Azazel was thinking. This man… who ruined her life was her father. She doesn't want him to be her father. Only taking this path will lead her to the perpetrator of her life and her biological father.