Lucifer followed the trail of blood, his shadows serving as his eyes in the other passages. Even though he found the passage that Talia entered, he was still curious about other passages.
He wanted to see if there was actually something in the other passages, especially in the one where he saw footstep marks.
The eerie atmosphere of the underground passage only intensified his sense of urgency as Lucifer ran further.
As he ventured deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels, the walls seemed to close in on him, and the air grew colder and more oppressive. The occasional glimmer of his flames revealed disturbing murals on the walls—depictions of strange rituals.
In the murals, something akin to a sacrifice was seen in which ten children were sitting on their knees and before them was a woman with a sword.
Behind the woman was a giant statue of a strange creature which appeared to be an amalgamation of a beast, a Demon and a human.
The passage he followed eventually opened into a chamber bathed in an eerie, bluish light. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a shimmering, translucent crystal. It emanated a powerful aura, one that Lucifer recognized as a source of immense energy.
However, there was no one else in the room. Talia wasn't here and there was no passage ahead.
He searched the walls to see if there was a secret opening, but nothing could be found. All the walls were solid, with no gaps in them for any opening to be there.
The only clue he had was the gem in the center of the hall which was giving off a strange aura.
Just like the statue outside, this aura also made his skin feel a burning sensation, especially as he went closer. It was as if his skin was burning.
Even as he surrounded his entire body in dark flames of his own, nothing changed. His skin wasn't protected. The light was able to pass through his clothes and even his flames and lightning. There was no blocking it.
Another thing that caught his attention were the symbols etched into the floor around the pedestal. They seemed to be a part of a complex sealing array. That was supplying some energy to the crystal.
He could also feel the turmoil in the element of space there. It was different from outside. This wasn't sealing teleportation. Instead, the crystal was using the element of space.
Lucifer walked closer to the crystal. He had a theory and the only way to test it was to get close to the crystal. n-(...--/-(()I(/n
With each step that he took toward the Crystal, the burning sensation increased, making his healing work hard to repair his body. If it wasn't for his healing, he was certain that he would've died a long time ago with not even his ashes left behind.
He stood merely half a meter away from the crystal, reaching out his hand. The skin on his hand was completely burned, revealing a grotesque sight of a skeleton hand with skin trying to latch onto it only to be destroyed again and again. Even his bones were starting to be destroyed.
Lucifer's fingers touched the crystal in the center of the hall. Lucifer could feel a spatial energy trying to surround him and send him somewhere, but the crystal was offering resistance, trying to prevent it.
Lucifer wasn't sure if the Crystal was preventing the spatial energy because he wasn't qualified, but that's where his own abilities came into play.
The crystal could try to stop it, but at the end of the day, what it could do was limited, especially before him, who could also manipulate space and time to some extent.
Lucifer utilized his unique spatial element to establish a connection with the spatial aura of the crystal formation, infusing it with his power.
His goal was not only to overcome the limitations of the crystal but also to briefly bypass its defensive measures so it could teleport him where Talia was sent, which was probably the main core area of the inheritance zone.
Lucifer's fingers tingled with pain as he made contact with the crystal. The clash of energies, one resisting and the other pushing through, created a visible aura of light and darkness swirling around his hand. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he focused all his power on this pivotal moment.
The crystal fought back fiercely, as if guarding its secrets with a determination that matched Lucifer's own.
Lucifer was no ordinary being either. He had faced countless challenges in his existence, and his mastery over space allowed him to bend reality to his will.
With a surge of effort, Lucifer pushed past the crystal's defenses. His vision blurred, and the sensation of being torn apart enveloped him. It was as if he was simultaneously being pulled in all directions, stretched to the limits of his existence.
Then, in an instant, the turmoil ceased. Lucifer found himself in a place unlike any other. The surroundings were surreal, a kaleidoscope of shifting colors and dimensions. He could see pathways of pure energy weaving through the fabric of this place, leading to countless destinations.
"What... is this place?" He was taken aback by the existence of a place like this. It was like a world that was created with the destruction of multiple worlds, the fragments of which were later merged into one to create this place.
Talia's presence lingered in the air, a faint trace that a being like Lucifer could easily detect. That was also a faint scent of blood. It was a beacon, guiding him deeper into this mysterious realm. He followed the trail.
As he ventured further, the landscape transformed even further. Each step he took brought him closer to the heart of this realm, where secrets were waiting to be unraveled.
He didn't understand the reason, but he could feel his blood getting warmer. His heartbeat had fastened on its own, despite him being perfectly calm.
Not long after, he finally saw Talia's back. However, seeing her, he could only frown at what he saw next.
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