I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 444: Underground

Adrius proposed an idea that immediately caught the interest of Erend, Adrien, Billy, and Saeldir. They exchanged glances, realizing that this was a great opportunity, one they couldn't afford to miss.

"Do you trust us?" Saeldir asked.

"Of course," Adrius nodded, seemingly without hesitation.

"Oh," Saeldir said. "Alright, then. Do you want to know more?"

"Actually, yes. But it can wait for later. For now, we should rest," Adrius then lay down on the rock.

"Why?" Erend asked. He felt he wasn't tired, and neither were the others. And he was sure that even this Archmage didn't feel tired after spending time inside this cave.

"I know a shortcut to the Astoria kingdom, and the path is not easy. We should rest while we can," Adrius replied.

Erend looked at his friends. "What do you think?"

Saeldir thought silently for a few seconds. Then he said, "He surely knows more about the Astoria kingdom than we do. If he says the path we will take is difficult, then maybe he is telling the truth."

"I am telling the truth," Adrius commented.

"Okay. Let's sleep," Adrien said.

That night, they slept on the hard rock floor inside the cave. Outside, the sound of the storm continued to rage, hitting the tall trees and bushes, creating a sound like the roar of a giant beast.

The next day, they woke up in the first light of dawn. The sky was still quite dark, and the air was still very cold, shrouded in mist. But the storm had ended, leaving only a light drizzle.

"Are you ready?" Adrius asked.

They all answered that they were ready. There was no doubt or laziness in their voices. Adrius could even sense the urgency that made him more convinced that what they were doing was indeed something significant.

They emerged from the cave. Adrius looked at the four horses, which were also awake, waiting for their masters.

Adrius smiled, seeing that even the horses were passionate about this journey. However, his smile vanished a moment later because he had to deliver bad news to them.

"No horses can pass through our way that we're going to take."

"Why?" Saeldir asked. "Where are you actually taking us?"

"Underground. It would make a lot of sense if we cut through hundreds of kilometers by going through an underground way, right?"

"If that's what we have to do, then it can't be helped. These horses are smart. They can find their own way back," Saeldir said.

Adrius nodded. "I guess they are horses bred by you Elves."

"You're right," Saeldir nodded at that remark.

Although Adrius said they had to leave their horses, they didn't have to do it immediately. After about an hour of walking through the challenging forest, they finally found the way out. Then they rode their horses.

Adrius rode with Saeldir so he could show him the way. They traversed open areas like vast valleys and lakes quickly.

Finally, after the sun began to set, they arrived at the entrance of the underground passage as instructed by Adrius.

They dismounted from the horses and bid them farewell. The four stallions ran back in the direction they came from.

Billy watched their departure with a sad look. He sighed. "I hope they can return home safely."

Adrius led them through several slippery, rocky uphill paths battered by rain.

Adrius explained where they could actually find the passage. It was concealed and hidden amidst the landscape, cleverly disguised to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.

It was a narrow crevice nestled between rugged rocks or beneath overgrown vegetation. But with Adrius's help, they were able to find it.

Adrius murmured something. It turns out that the entrance wasn't something that could be opened with just physical effort; they had to use some kind of spell. No wonder it was so difficult to use it.

They descended into the darkness below. The air grew cooler and damp as they journeyed deeper underground.

The earthy scent of soil mingled with the faint echo of distant water droplets. With torch in hand, they pressed forward, guided by the flickering light casting dancing shadows along the ancient walls.

"This tunnel was once part of an ancient structure?" Saeldir asked, representing the curiosity of Erend, Adrien, and Billy.

"Yes. I'm not sure exactly what structure it was. But whatever it was, the inhabitants met a terrible fate," replied Adrius.

"How do you know?" Billy asked.

"I once explored this tunnel and found traces of that terrible demise."

After that, they chose not to ask further. The fear of whatever might have happened in this ancient structure was the last thing they wanted.

The passageway widened into expansive chambers adorned with shimmering stalactites and stalagmites, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that echoed with the whispers of history.

Their footsteps echoed against the stone as they navigated the treacherous terrain, mindful of hidden pitfalls and traps left by long-forgotten inhabitants. Fortunately, Adrius understood this passage well enough to guide them effectively.

As they delved deeper into the underground labyrinth, they encountered branching paths leading to hidden chambers and secret alcoves, each holding its own mysteries and secrets waiting to be unveiled. Once again, Adrius's knowledge of this passage greatly helped them.

"This place is so vast that we can't reach the surface quickly," Adrius said.

"How long do we have to be down here?" Erend asked.

"About three days."

"That's too long!" Billy, who didn't particularly like being underground, said.

Adrius sighed and looked at him. "If we took the surface route, it would take you a week, maybe more depending on the conditions out there."

Billy sighed, realizing there was nothing he could do.

As the adventurers pressed deeper into the ancient underground structure, they stumbled upon a chamber cloaked in an eerie darkness that seemed to swallow the feeble light of their torches. The air grew heavy with a sense of foreboding, and a chill crept down their spines as they ventured further into the unknown.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Erend asked.

They all felt the chill and immediately knew that this chamber was not as safe as Adrius claimed it to be.

What made them even more anxious was that even Adrius seemed worried.

Adrius looked at them. "I guess something is indeed happening. Come on!"

Adrius began to run, and of course, the four of them followed him. There was no time to blame him or curse at him for bringing them here. That could wait until they reached the surface.

Suddenly, their torchlight illuminated the shadowy figures of ancient tombs lining the chamber walls. Their surfaces were etched with cryptic runes and symbols of a long-forgotten language. The scent of centuries-old dust thickened in the air.

Suddenly, they saw figures shrouded in tattered robes and ancient armor. Their hollow eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they gazed upon the intruders with a mixture of curiosity and malice.

"Shit," Erend muttered.

~~~