Chapter 31: The Cult

Xavier entered the expansive library, the scent of old parchment mingling with the faint hum of spiritual energy. In the center of the room, surrounded by towering shelves of ancient tomes, Lord Cedric sat in quiet contemplation, a delicate vial in his hand radiating faint spiritual light.

The elder closed his book without looking up, his keen senses picking up on Xavier's presence. "Ah, Xavier," Cedric said, his voice calm yet curious. "I was beginning to worry about you and Jessica. It's good to see you both have returned safely from the dungeon. How is she?"

"She's recovering," Xavier replied, his tone steady but carrying an edge of urgency. "Thank you for asking, Lord Cedric."

Cedric gestured to a nearby seat, setting the vial aside. "And you? What brings you here so soon after such a dangerous mission? You've never been one to idle."

Wasting no time, Xavier delved into the purpose of his visit. "Something happened in that dungeon—something far beyond what we were prepared for." He recounted his encounter with the void god, the trials he endured, and the ominous warning about the awakening of an ancient cult. His words were measured, but his tone betrayed the weight of what he had learned. As he spoke, he handed over the ancient orb they had been sent to retrieve, its surface glowing faintly with latent power.

Cedric examined the orb carefully, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. "A void god's legacy," he murmured, almost to himself. "And this warning of a demonic cult rising… troubling news indeed. If this void god spoke the truth, we may be on the brink of a disaster unseen in centuries."

Xavier nodded. "I thought it best to inform you immediately. If this cult is truly as dangerous as the void god suggested, we'll need every advantage we can muster."

Cedric placed the orb down gently and leaned back, his eyes narrowing as he considered Xavier's words. "You've done well, Xavier, bringing this information to me. But tell me, is there anything else? Any relics or knowledge you acquired that might help us prepare?"

Xavier hesitated for a brief moment, his mind flashing to the talisman, the spiritual pills, and the ancient artifacts tucked away in his storage ring. He clenched his fists but maintained a composed expression. "Nothing that seemed relevant to the larger threat," he lied smoothly. "The orb was the only significant find."

Cedric's gaze lingered on him for a moment, his sharp eyes searching for any hidden truths. But finally, he nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Very well. For now, I will have this orb examined by the academy's best scholars. If its power can be harnessed, it may prove invaluable."

Cedric stood, his aura radiating authority. "This cult's resurgence cannot be ignored, but we must tread carefully. If their leaders are truly as formidable as this void god suggested, even our strongest disciples will be at risk."

"I'm ready to do whatever it takes," Xavier said, his voice firm.

Cedric studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. But before we act, you and Jessica must continue to grow stronger. I've arranged for additional resources to aid in her recovery and your cultivation. Prepare yourselves, Xavier. When the time comes, I will have need of you both."

Xavier bowed respectfully, his resolve unwavering. "We won't let you down, Lord Cedric."

As he turned to leave, Cedric's voice called out once more. "One more thing, Xavier."

Xavier paused, looking back.

"Beware of those around you. If this cult is already making moves, it's possible their influence has spread further than we realize. Trust is a luxury we cannot afford."

Xavier nodded, his dragon eye faintly glowing as he exited the library, the weight of Cedric's words settling heavily on his shoulders.

Xavier met each one of his friends one by one giving them a spiritual pill each encouraging them not to use it until after the tournament. So they could allow their meridians to stabilize. After the brief interactions Xavier put on a black cloak and created a plan only he knew.

Xavier moved swiftly, the crisp air carrying the faint sounds of rustling leaves and flowing water. His thoughts lingered briefly on his friends as he made his way off academy grounds. He'd given each of them a spiritual pill earlier, his hope resting on their potential breakthroughs. Now, he needed to focus on his own growing concerns.

As he traveled, the subtle flicker of his dragon eye began to enhance his senses. The once ordinary world around him seemed to shift into a vivid tapestry. He could see spiritual energy coursing through the land, faint traces flowing along the water toward a distant waterfall. Even the movements of spiritual animals seemed more distinct, their auras visible to him like faint trails of light.

The waterfall's calm yet steady flow drew him in, but he remained cautious, knowing dangers could lurk beneath even the most serene exteriors. Taking a strategic approach, Xavier climbed one of the towering trees, its sturdy branches providing a vantage point.

From this elevated position, he scanned the land with meticulous focus, his dragon eye glowing faintly as it worked to unveil what normal vision could not. It was then that he spotted something—a symbol carved into the side of a moss-covered rock near the base of the waterfall. Hidden amongst the foliage, it would have been invisible to an ordinary observer.

The symbol radiated faint spiritual energy, an intricate design resembling interwoven serpents encircling a single eye. Xavier's heart quickened as he recognized the resemblance to the warning he'd received from the void god. Could this be a sign of the cult's presence?

Descending swiftly from the tree, Xavier approached the waterfall with heightened caution. Every sound around him seemed amplified, every shadow a potential threat. The roar of the water grew louder as he neared the symbol. Placing his hand against the carving, he felt a surge of energy shoot through his palm.

The ground beneath him trembled slightly, and the air grew thick with spiritual tension. The carving began to glow, faint lines of light spreading outward like a web.

Xavier stepped back, gripping his infernal soul blade tightly. "What are you hiding?" he muttered, scanning the area for traps or enemies.

Suddenly, the light coalesced into a singular point, and a faint outline of a door began to appear on the rock face. The symbol was more than a marker—it was a gateway.

Xavier hesitated, his instincts urging caution. But his curiosity, coupled with the urgency of uncovering more about the cult, pushed him forward. Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer to the glowing outline, prepared for whatever lay beyond.

As Xavier stepped through the rock door, the room inside revealed itself to be a hidden chamber within the mountain. The air felt heavy, almost sacred, and the faint hum of spiritual energy hung in the atmosphere. Books lined crude stone shelves, their covers adorned with religious symbols and intricate patterns. Strange markings covered the walls, depicting rituals and diagrams Xavier couldn't immediately decipher.

The further he ventured in, the stronger the spiritual aura became, though it felt tainted, almost sinister. As his dragon eye flickered to life, it began to highlight details his normal vision missed. Amidst the markings, a faint trail of energy led his gaze to an unassuming corner of the room where a subtle shimmer caught his attention.

He approached cautiously, noticing a barely visible lever embedded in the wall. The dragon eye's influence made its outline clear. Pulling the lever, a section of the wall groaned as it slid open, revealing a hidden chamber.

Inside, Xavier froze at the sight before him. A woman lay slumped against the wall, her hands and feet bound tightly with rope, her mouth covered by tape. Though her appearance was disheveled, her beauty shone through the dirt and bruises. Her long hair was matted, and her clothes were torn, but her aura flickered faintly.

Xavier approached cautiously, gripping his infernal soul blade in case of a trap. When no danger presented itself, he knelt and carefully cut the ropes, then removed the tape from her mouth.

The woman gasped, her wide eyes filled with terror as she scrambled back against the wall, her body trembling. "Please… don't hurt me," she croaked, her voice hoarse from dehydration and fear.

Xavier immediately raised his hands in a calming gesture, keeping his voice low and gentle. "I'm not here to harm you. I found this place by chance. You're safe now."

It took several moments of silence and reassurance before she began to relax, her body still trembling but no longer recoiling from him. Xavier handed her a small bottle of water from his storage ring, watching as she drank it greedily.

"What's your name?" he asked after a moment.

The woman hesitated before speaking, her voice still unsteady. "Liana," she whispered. "I was captured… by them."

Xavier frowned. "Them? The cult?"

Liana nodded weakly, fear flashing in her eyes. "I don't know who they are, but they kept talking about a bloodline warrior and a ritual. I think they were waiting for you…"

Xavier's stomach turned, but he kept his expression calm. "You're safe now. I'll make sure of it."

To further assess her condition, Xavier activated his dragon eye to scan her spiritual energy. What he found startled him—despite her fragile appearance and injuries, her aura revealed her to be a 3rd-ranked Earth Warrior.

"You're… strong," Xavier said cautiously. "How did they manage to capture you?"

Liana lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with shame. "They ambushed me. There were too many of them. I used up all my spiritual energy trying to escape. I've been here ever since…"

Xavier clenched his fists. "Those bastards." He helped Liana to her feet, noting how unsteady she was. "Can you walk?"

She nodded faintly. "I'll try."

Supporting her weight, Xavier led her out of the chamber and back toward the entrance. As they moved, his mind churned with questions about the cult's intentions and why they'd been waiting for him. One thing was clear—they wouldn't stop, and he'd need to be ready for what came next.