Chapter 24: Secret Altar
Amelia stood on top of the hill and looked at the other side. She was amazed to see all that.
But what she saw left her stunned, her mind struggling to comprehend the sight before her. Instead of the salvation she had hoped for, Amelia beheld a landscape marred by devastation and chaos. The other side of the island was not the sanctuary she had imagined, but a realm of darkness and despair.
In that moment of despair, as she grappled with the crushing weight of disappointment, Amelia's resolve wavered. The enormity of their situation threatened to overwhelm her, and for a fleeting instant, she questioned whether their efforts were in vain.
But even as doubt crept into her mind, a flicker of determination ignited within her. Amelia knew that she couldn't falter now, not when the survival of her companions depended on her strength and courage. With renewed resolve, she steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to face whatever obstacles stood in their path.
For Amelia, the journey was far from over. Though the road ahead may be fraught with peril and uncertainty, she refused to abandon hope. With unwavering determination, she would press onward, driven by the belief that together, they could overcome even the greatest of trials.
As Amelia felt something and turned around, her heart pounded with fear, uncertain of what, or who, awaited her. She braced herself for whatever vision or specter might confront her, her senses on high alert as she scanned the area behind her.
But to her surprise, there was nothing there. The forest stood silent and still, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Confusion clouded Amelia's thoughts as she searched for any sign of the presence she had sensed, but there was nothing to be found.
For a moment, she questioned her own sanity, wondering if the stress and isolation of their situation had begun to take its toll on her mind. But deep down, Amelia knew that there was more to this island than met the eye, and that the mysteries it held were far from being unraveled.
With a deep breath, she shook off her unease and resolved to continue her exploration. Though the island's illusions may try to deceive her, Amelia remained determined to uncover the truth, whatever it may be. Stepping forward once more, she forged ahead into the unknown, her senses alert for any further signs of the island's secrets.
"Wait a second, how is that even possible? This place is surrounded by whirlpools. So this much bigger city that looks like it was destroyed recently, makes no sense. Without the outside world help they cannot build a city like this. Even if it was destroyed by the volcano how did it build here in the first place."
Amelia thought about it and took a step forward. She stepped on a rock and lost her balance. As Amelia steadied herself, her heart raced with a mixture of fear and fascination. The realization that the island possessed such mysterious powers only deepened her determination to unravel its secrets.
With a newfound sense of purpose, she resolved to resist the island's hypnotic influence and seek out the truth hidden within its depths.
Gathering her resolve, Amelia continued her journey, her mind racing with questions and possibilities. Though the island's illusions had momentarily thrown her off balance, she refused to be swayed from her quest for understanding.
With each step forward, she moved closer to uncovering the truth behind the island's enigmatic facade, determined to unlock the mysteries that lay hidden within its shadows. That time she saw the city was vanished. She thought she was having a mirash, but she understood that the island is hypnotizing them to see things.
She walked downwards. She noticed that there was not much acary animals or monsters in the other side. Still she walked carefully without making any noise. She saw a cave and felt curious about it. She walked into it without making a noise. It was dark inside but on every turn and every corner there was fire burning like someone set it.
As Amelia ventured deeper into the cave, the flickering flames cast eerie shadows that danced along the walls. Despite the darkness, she pressed on, her curiosity driving her forward. The sight of the fires ignited a mix of trepidation and intrigue within her.
With each step, the air grew warmer, carrying with it the scent of smoke and sulfur. Amelia's senses were heightened as she navigated the labyrinthine passages, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
As she rounded a corner, she stumbled upon a chamber bathed in an eerie glow. In the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing gemstone pulsating with otherworldly energy. Mesmerized by its radiance, Amelia approached cautiously, her hand outstretched to touch the mysterious artifact.
Within minutes she understood that the place is a witches hideout. She saw the carvings on the walls and the symbols which looked like it was some kind of ritual altar. As Amelia examined the carvings and symbols adorning the walls of the cave, a chill ran down her spine. The sinister depictions and arcane symbols painted a dark and ominous picture.
The realization dawned on her that she had stumbled upon a place of dark magic and ancient rituals.
Her heart raced as she pieced together the meaning behind the drawings. It seemed to tell a tale of sacrifice, of offering women to some malevolent deity in exchange for power or favor. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her, and she knew she had to tread carefully in this unholy place. She saw the drawings and found out it's something about sacrificing woman to become a god.
With a sense of urgency, Amelia backed away from the altar, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had discovered. She knew she had to relay this information to the others, for they were all in grave danger on this cursed island. Turning on her heel, she hurried back the way she came, her heart pounding with every step.
She reached the hilltop and looked back at the place one more time. That time she again felt something was on behind her. She turned only to see that Jude was standing there with an evil smile. She couldn't realise if it was really him or the island playing tricks on her. He said,
"You found my secret place, so you're the eighth!"
Saying that he put his hand on her face. She fell down unconscious. He picked her up and walked towards the cave…