“Activate scroll: Shadow Army!” Ezra exclaimed aloud, tossing the scroll high up in the air.It unfurled upon reaching its peak and disintegrated with a blinding flash, releasing the magic spell contained within.A hundred shadow clones descended from above and surrounded Ezra. They initially looked like dark silhouettes, but gradually transformed into clones, copying Ezra’s physical features to perfection and even replicating his clothes and weapons.The four Forest Guardians were confused by this sudden increase in their enemy’s numbers. It now became impossible for them to find the real Ezra since all the shadows resembled him perfectly.Unable to understand what was happening, the Forest Guardians started attacking the shadows at random. Their vines whipped through the crowd, targeting multiple clones at once. And as soon as they struck a shadow it disappeared. Ezra quickly realized that though these shadows resembled him in every aspect they could not replicate his movements or a
The elf’s words painted a completely different picture of Valaria than what Ezra was used to. Every history book he had ever read described the lifelong enmity between the elves and the humans and how the first kings had fought tooth and nail to defend their cities from the elven invaders.There had never been a time when the humans and elves weren’t engaged in a bloody war, and King Rudeus and his ancestors had fought countless battles to push the elven armies back and reclaim the lands from the elven rulers.However, after the last Great War that had lasted twenty years, the elves signed a peace treaty with the humans and promised to stay away from the major settlements. A hundred years had passed since the last conflict, and now King Reginald Aubrey followed a policy of appeasement to establish friendly relations with the elves. Though the old elven royals still harbored hatred against the humans, a few new bloods had started mingling with humans and living alongside them.However,
The Blood Orchid was the main residential zone of Galladrium where most of the city's population lived. It was spaciously organized with small cottages, towering basilicas, grand wooden taverns as well as small stone cottages with thatched roofs.As Ezra looked around, his eyes fell on the statues of the elven mages flanking the courtyard in front, and it confirmed Ardryll’s story.Even the mixed architecture consisting of brick houses with rectangular windows and towering skyscrapers with wooden canopies seemed to suggest that this city was indeed inhabited by a diverse population consisting of both elves and humans.Before taking his next step, Ezra opened his inventory and tapped on the Atlas of Altamir. A magical map appeared before him, highlighting the three rings inside Galladrium and pointing out all the places of interest within the city.The lake named ‘Loseth Arela’ was located on the other side of the Blood Orchid ring, just beyond the sacred elven shrine of the Forest Godd
Ezra wasn’t the first treasure hunter who had tried to get inside the Lost Museum. Dark Elves from distant lands, orcish mercenaries hired by the wealthiest nobles, and even human adventurers had sought the relics preserved behind the doors of this ancient monument.However, only a few ever managed to get inside, and even those who passed the first trial eventually fell into the death trap waiting on the other side.Marlin, being the more reasonable one, did his best to dissuade Ezra, but his mind was made up the moment he laid eyes on the three yellow dots glowing on the map.Instead of turning back, Ezra confronted the guards and proceeded to ask his first question.“Did Zepheroth destroy the city of Galladrium?”In response, the guards stood silently without moving an inch.“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Ezra questioned in an agitated voice. “Why don’t you answer me?”He waited for a few more minutes, but neither of the guards opened their lips. They remained motionless wit
Ezra’s decision to get into the museum had proved to be a dangerous one, but now that he was already inside the exhibition hall, there was no turning back.Surrounded by hidden spike traps, Ezra felt like he was standing in the middle of a minefield. The only respite was that he still had his feet on firm ground. However, taking the next step was his biggest challenge.Ezra carefully studied the tiles around him, trying his best to identify a pattern that might reveal which ones had spike traps under them. But no matter how many times he looked at each tile, he could not find any clues which would lead him in the right direction.All the tiles had the same pattern on them and only differed in size. At a glance, it was impossible to tell which ones were safe to step on and which ones would collapse.While Ezra had his eyes glued to the floor, Marlin was looking elsewhere. A sudden sparkle in the gunsmith's cursed eye suggested that he had discovered something useful.“You are looking i
Once Ezra picked up the sniper rifle, a secret corridor opened on his left. As he walked down the narrow path, it led him to an arched stone gateway filled with bright blue smoke.“I must say you have surpassed my expectations!” Ardryll’s familiar voice lauded Ezra’s success. He turned around, hoping to meet the elf’s apparition again, but there was no one standing behind him.“I may not be beside you, but my eyes see everything,” the elf whispered from some unseen corner. “Step into the gateway, and it will lead you back to the main street. We call them Warp Gates. They cut down on traveling time and are immensely useful when you are carrying heavy weights. I promise you will get used to them in no time.”“Sounds awfully convenient,” Marlin mocked. It was clear from his tone that he wasn’t too eager to trust the elf’s words.Ardryll had already noticed the eye on Ezra’s hand but hadn’t been able to put his finger on things until now. Hearing another man’s voice cleared his confusion.
Artificial constructs were the most versatile magical companions a person could ask for. Though initially only mages and sorcerers could summon them and give them commands, gradually several methods were discovered to allow others to enlist their aid as well.The five lifeless constructs standing before Ezra were from a long-forgotten era and looked nothing like the modern elemental golems and mechanical sentries he had seen in Valaria.The rock golem had been assembled using different types of boulders and enchanting them with magic. It had a rotund belly and large gray arms composed of heavy rocks and flat pebbles that formed its fingers.In the middle of the golem’s chest was a large cubical hollow enchanted with magic runes.The treant looked like an ancient oak tree that had uprooted itself and shed most of its leaves. It was similar to the Forest Guardians in some ways but seemed far sturdier and resilient.Just like the Rock Golem, the Primordial Treant also had a hollow core en
In just two hours Ezra had managed to infiltrate the ruined city and make his way into the heart of the Blood Orchid. But the real challenge lay on the other side.Not many would think about scouring the ruins of the Blood Orchid all alone, but Ezra had braved the dangers and used his wits to outsmart the challenges. And now that he had a mechanical sentry protecting him, it allowed him to ease his nerves.Navigating through the rubble which consisted of remnants of crumbling pillars and floating pavilions, Ezra made his way through the deserted streets and eventually reached a wooden suspension bridge that connected the residential zone to the hallowed ground where the city’s holy lake was located.Loseth Arela was an enchanted lake whose waters were rumored to have magical properties. The people of Valaria believed that taking a dip in this holy lake could heal the mind and cleanse one’s sins, helping them get rid of all vices.A thousand years ago it would have been a common chore t