Chapter 603: Separate Encounters
Diana's Arena
In a corner of the Rock of Eternity, Diana, having wandered about, arrived at a place resembling an ancient Colosseum.
Coiled in the center of the arena were three colossal monster sculptures: a three-headed hound, a winged bull, and a four-armed demon ape. The moment Diana stepped in, the three beasts' eyes snapped open. Simultaneously, a magical barrier rose, enveloping the arena and isolating it from the outside world.
Diana realized what was happening. She drew the Lasso of Truth wrapped around her waist, and her wristbands transformed into a shield.
The three beasts stood up, the stone peeling off their bodies. With deafening roars, they regained their former power and charged wildly.
The battle of the arena had begun, though there were no spectators.
Hasshett's Confrontation
Perhaps by fate, or for some other reason, the two ancient rivals, Hasshett and Carter Hall, were transported to the same area. The space was thick with black fog, devoid of light, yet they could see clearly. As far as the eye could see was a hollow, empty world.
Carter Hall walked forward cautiously. After a moment, he ran into an equally nervous Hasshett.
Enemies meeting sparks immediate hostility.
"Prince, what a coincidence. We meet again."
Carter Hall gripped his mace, his face grim, and demanded, "What is this place?"
"Why ask? It's the Sealing Place, of course."
Carter Hall frowned. "Didn't you intend to unseal Teth-Adam? How did you end up here? And the crystal sphere..." At this, he seemed to understand something.
"So, you didn't know either."
Hasshett sneered and slowly raised his scepter.
"Your Highness, it's time to send you on your way. No one can save you this time."
With a low shout, the scepter rapidly expanded, transforming into the giant Cobra King, which roared and lunged at Carter Hall.
Barbara's Treasure Trove
Inside the Armory of the Rock of Eternity, a creaking sound rang out. The warehouse, which had been dormant for thousands of years, finally saw its first light. A dusty head peeked in, cautiously assessing the situation. After shouting a few times with no response, the door was finally pushed open.
The weapons in the armory were once considered sophisticated, even legendary. Alas, even the finest things succumb to the wear of time. After millennia, these weapons, even the magical ones, had turned into scrap.
Barbara, an archaeologist, naturally recognized the extraordinary nature of these objects. Any one of them would be a national treasure. However, to be safe, she walked around the room. After confirming no one was present, she, like a child who had just received a gift, began to examine the weapons closely.
Spears, swords, bows and arrows, daggers... each weapon was engraved with exquisite patterns. Even covered in rust, their inherent brilliance could not be hidden.
Barbara picked up an oddly shaped blade. After examining it, she couldn't help but gasp.
"My goodness! An Ancient Egyptian Sacrificial Blade! It's at least five thousand years old!"
"If I could take this out..."
She trembled, covering her mouth, as if seeing a future of endless, wealthy, but monotonous shopping beckoning to her.
In addition to the dagger, a flying hawk crown inlaid with diamonds and jewels sat on a table. The moment she saw it, Barbara was so excited she nearly achieved ecstasy.
An Ancient Egyptian King's Crown!
It's worth at least a billion dollars!
God, where have I come to?
Is this Heaven?
Barbara couldn't find the words to describe her current, intense excitement.
The dagger, the crown.
With these two items, her life was destined to be one of tedious luxury, provided she could take them out.
Barbara took a deep breath, wrapped up the dagger and the crown, and then checked the rest of the warehouse. As she passed a table, she suddenly heard a sigh.
A low voice echoed in her mind, gone in an instant.
Barbara was startled. She instinctively looked around, but the dimly lit warehouse was empty. She thought she'd misheard and was about to leave when the sigh came again.
"Who?"
"Who is here? Come out! I'm warning you, I have a gun!"
"Come out, or I'll shoot!"
Barbara grabbed the dagger and frantically looked around. After waiting a long time, no one appeared. Suddenly, a short sword on a weapon rack glowed dimly. The rust flaked off, and the glow faded, leaving behind a strangely shaped black short blade.
The sigh grew stronger, gradually turning into a kind of summons.
"Are you calling me?"
"Could it be..."
Barbara's heart raced. Her face shifted between anxiety, fear, and, most of all, curiosity. She had encountered many legends of ancient magic, but they were stories in books; no one had ever experienced them. This was the first time.
"What should I do?"
"Give it up, or..."
After a moment of hesitation, Barbara finally grasped the short blade and tucked it into her pack. The sigh vanished, and silence returned.
The girl let out a long breath, continued her scavenging, and, after confirming nothing was missed, left the armory with her pack.
Sivana's Talent
The light in the Rock of Eternity is dim, but this meant little to Sivana. As a magic fanatic, part-time archaeologist, and grave robber, he had spent most of his life in the dark confines of ancient tombs.
Decades of experience had developed his nearly psychic intuition. Regardless of the type of underground ruin, after spending a short time inside, he could determine the general layout and find the correct path based on minute clues.
This was his unique talent.
Sivana arrived at what appeared to be a kitchen, circled it, and then moved to the adjacent dining hall. Using the ventilation shafts, he quickly determined the direction he needed to go.
Following his intuition, he walked forward, passing through a garden filled with bizarre plants and a long, seemingly endless circular corridor. Without realizing it, he came to a large hall dotted with sculptures.
Seven terrifying monster sculptures lined the sides of the hall. Suspended on a stone in the center was an energy orb. The light emanating from the orb seemed to permeate the soul. Sivana stared straight at it, his eyes slowly losing focus.
"Who are you?"
"Why have you come here?"
A hoarse voice arrived, instantly snapping Sivana to attention. He looked up. Seven stone chairs were placed at the front of the hall. A man with white, disheveled hair sat in the center chair, his eyes piercing like swords.
The man spoke Ancient Egyptian, a language that has been extinct for millennia and is only known by a few historians. Sivana, fortunately, was one of them. After a moment of contemplation, he replied in slightly clumsy Ancient Egyptian,
"Greetings, ancient powerful one. My name is Thaddeus Sivana. I am an archaeologist who accidentally stumbled in here while exploring an ancient tomb. Please forgive me."
"You lie!"
The old man in the stone chair slowly sat up. His body seemed frail; even simple movements required him to support himself with both hands, but the light emanating from his eyes was extraordinarily bright.
"No one can lie in the presence of the Gods."
"Outsider, state your purpose."
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