“Wait… Could these coffins be made from congealed blood?” Jared muttered, eyes wide.
The stench of blood In the air was heavy, almost suffocating. Strange runes moved slowly over the surface of each coffin, like leaves floating on a river current.
Mysterious energy hovered around them, seeping into the coffins as though something inside was feeding on it.
Jared and Jemima kept studying the coffins in silence, each lost in thought
***
Meanwhile, Aziel was growing impatient. He had assumed the two of them had found something, but wasn’t willing to approach blindly.
“You, go check it out,” said, nodding at Verdin.
Verdin frowned. “Why don’t you go?”
“If you don’t, I’ll kill you. Take your pick, walk forward or die right here,” Aziel snapped.
Verdin’s face soured. He was furious, but it didn’t matter. He couldn’t stand up to Aziel, and even if could, Dexton was still backing him. There was no way he’d make it out alone.
Gritting his teeth, Verdin reluctantly stepped forward. He looked back at Nymeria, silently begging for help. But Nymeria’s expression didn’t change. She acted like hadn’t even noticed.
This world had no room for pity for the weak. If one wanted to survive, one had to grow stronger. That was the only way out. So Verdin had no choice but to approach Jared and Jemima.
They were still deep in thought, studying the coffins, and didn’t even notice Verdin approaching. He walked cautiously, watching his every step.
As reached the steps leading up the platform, glanced at the statues. The eyes of the warrior statues remained locked on Jared and Jemima. Still, Verdin pressed forward.
Just as stepped onto the stairs, a sudden gust of wind whipped past. Startled, Verdin drew his weapon to guard.
Right then, the two warrior statues seemed to come alive. Their massive swords swung toward in unison.
Boom!
Verdin was hurled through the air and crashed heavily at Aziel’s feet. His blade shattered in his hands. His arm hung limp.
Just one blow had crippled him. His weapon was destroyed. His arm was done for.
Everyone stood frozen in shock. Even Jared and Jemima turned around instinctively.
Jared’s face darkened as soon as saw that the statues had attacked. He had felt something off about them from the beginning.
Verdin was no weakling, a Fifth Level Tribulator. And yet, one strike was enough to put down. The warrior statues were far stronger than anyone had imagined.
Jared raised his Dragonslayer Sword, eyes sharp. Jemima stood close, equally tense. Neither of them had expected the statues to really attack.
What puzzled Jared most was that and Jemima had been near the statues the whole time, and they hadn’t made a move.
Verdin slowly got back up, seething with rage. He was completely baffled. He’d taken the same path as Jared.
Why had been attacked and not them?
Aziel and the others were just as confused.
“Mr. Draycott, do you know why this happened?” Aziel asked, voice low.
Dexton shook his head. “There aren’t any arcane arrays on those statues, or any sign of control. I’ve got no idea why they suddenly attacked.”
