OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 183: Pocket Watch

Chapter 183: Pocket Watch

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Emir's eyes scanned the area, searching for any monsters that were left behind.

He then moved closer to a cocoon, examining the ground around it.

There, amidst the dirt and debris, he noticed a broken pocket watch.

It was a small detail, easily missed, but his instincts told him that it was significant.

He bent down to pick up the broken timepiece, his fingers brushing against the shattered glass.

A sense of unease settled over him as he studied it.

Someone had been here-someone who didn't belong to this ruin.

Could it have been the source of the footsteps Aria had heard?

Aria watched him with curiosity, her eyes fixated on the pocket watch. "What is it?"

Emir's expression was thoughtful as he replied while throwing it away:

"It's nothing... Let's keep going."

They moved through the ruined landscape, their senses, mainly Emir's, attuned to any sign of danger.

And as they walked, his thoughts raced.

The monsters leaving the nest suddenly, Nysandra's 'rage', the broken pocket watch-there was a connection here; he was sure of it.

But what could it be?

And who could have been here before them?

His thoughts were interrupted when Aria's voice broke the silence:

"Look, over there!"

Emir followed her gaze and saw a faint glow emanating from the ground.

They approached cautiously, and as they got closer, they realized that it was a series of glowing runes etched into the stone.

Emir's brows furrowed as he studied the runes.

They were unfamiliar; not that he knew of the Arcane's language, but he simply understood

that they looked different from the ones the Arcanists used.

"These runes... They're not normal."

Emir warned, his gaze never leaving the markings.

Aria nodded, her unease increasing.

"D-do you think they're connected to why the monsters left?"

Emir didn't have an answer, but his instincts told him that these runes held the key to unraveling the mystery.

'Maybe the one who snuck in wrote these down...'

He then took a step closer, his senses on high alert.

The Aether emanating from the runes was tingling against his skin.

And as he reached out to touch one of the runes, a sudden gust of wind swept through the

area, extinguishing the light coming from above and plunging them into darkness.

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and a low, ominous hum filled the air.

Aria's voice quivered as she spoke, her fear evident:

"Emir! W-What's happening?!"

But before he could respond, a haunting voice echoed through the air, carrying with it a sense of ancient power:

"Intruders in my domain... You dare to disturb the balance."

Emir's grip tightened on his twin swords, his instincts screaming at him to be prepared for a quick escape.

The darkness seemed to shift and swirl, and from its depths emerged a figure-a being of pure earth-that commanded nature to its will.

It stood tall and imposing, its human form a combination of earth and wood, intricately woven together as if by nature's hand.

Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, fixed on Emir and Aria with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines.

The being's voice resonated once more:

"I am the Guardian of this ruin, the keeper of its secrets. Who dares to enter my domain?"

Emir exchanged a quick glance with the terrified Aria, noting that she finally realized the magnitude of the situation.

This wasn't just any monster; it was a Tyrant.

One with at least seven Aether cores, way stronger than the Maligorth Emir had once killed.

'I've got way more than I bargained for...'

Steeling himself, Emir spoke with respect:

"I am Emir, and this is Aria. We didn't come here to disturb the balance, but to understand the chaos that has gripped the ruin."

The Guardian's gaze remained fixed on Emir, its presence unyielding.

"Chaos born from imbalance, imbalance born from trespass. The cocoons you see are what is left of my kin. They were disturbed by an outsider's touch, and now the ruin seeks equilibrium."

"We didn't cause this. I only came here to uncover the truth." Emir spoke with confidence. The Guardian seemed to consider his words, its ethereal form wavering slightly.

"Truth is a fragile concept, easily distorted by the intentions of those who seek it. You must prove your worthiness to understand."

Emir's mind raced, searching for a way to convince the Guardian that they meant no harm.

'Those types of guys usually like trials... This Tyrant might too.'

"We're willing to do whatever it takes to make amends. We'll face any trial you set before us." The Guardian's eyes glowed brighter, and its voice carried a hint of approval: "Very well... To prove your intentions, you must venture into the heart of my kin and kill....."

"I cannot harm my own children; you must kill those that went mad and retrieve their cores." "Present to me and Madam Nysandra. Only then will the ruin consider your purpose."

'Nysandra? ...I'm right then; she's involved too.'

Emir thought as he looked around with slowed time, only to notice a nearly transparent hologram of a woman, her blurred body standing behind the guardian.

Emir, who now pieced everything together, nodded.

"I accept your trial. I will restore the balance and uncover the truth behind the chaos."

With a final gesture from the Guardian, the darkness began to recede, replaced once again by

the faint glow of the runes etched into the ground.

The being faded into the shadows, its presence lingering in the air.

Emir turned to Aria, who looked to be frozen in place.

"My companions will get here soon. They'll get you out of here, so you don't need to worry about this; you'll be home safe and sound."

"..."

Aria remained quiet as her eyes locked with his, her trembling body resisting the urge to stay since she subconsciously knew that whatever was going on was way out of her depth.

"O-okay..."

"Alright, I'll-"

Clomp! Clomp!

'Speak of the devil...'

Emir thought as his head snapped to where his ears picked up the sound of footsteps.