The two did not linger. Stepping over the field of corpses, they headed straight for the path they had spotted behind the Miranda cluster.
As soon as they departed, numerous shadows emerged from the darkness, swarming the area to scavenge for resources and food. Rats, insects, newborn Miranda sprouts, and even the prisoners who had been watching from the sidelines all scrambled forward.
However, none of them harbored any designs on Mohg or Morgott. Those who could survive such a battle—and emerge as the victors—were not targets for the bottom-feeders struggling to survive in the dregs of the sewers. Furthermore, the direction the two were heading was no safe haven; the scavengers wouldn't dare venture any deeper.
Meanwhile, Mohg and the other brother began to wander aimlessly along the great sewage highway. They followed one downward slope after another until even they weren't sure how deep they had descended. Their luck held, however, and they encountered no threats as terrifying as the previous one along the way.
Mohg carved another mark into the wall before continuing forward, his brow furrowed. As they delved deeper into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, an growing sense of unease—or rather, a manic restlessness—began to stir within his heart.
"Mohg, come here. This pipe looks a bit different," Morgott called out, looking back.
"Hmm?"
Mohg forcibly suppressed his agitated heart and moved to Morgott's side, peering into the pipe his brother was pointing at. Like everywhere else, the interior was pitch black, but a pungent, metallic stench wafted from within—one they hadn't encountered before. It carried a loathsome aura. Moreover, Mohg couldn't detect any familiar scents from the pipe; there were no traces of slugs, rats, or similar creatures.
"What do you think? Should we go in and check it out?"
Mohg poked his head out of the pipe to look at the monotonous sewage highway ahead, which was beginning to slope upward again. He nodded.
"Yeah, let's check it out. I'll lead. My sense of smell is sharper; if something approaches, I can react faster."
"Alright."
Morgott nodded, picking up a nearby stone and beginning to channel his energy into it. "This should last us a while."
Mohg took the glowing stone from Morgott and gave a firm nod, leading the way into the pipe. They soon discovered that the tunnel sloped continuously downward, almost as if it had been specifically designed to provide passage to the levels below.
Before long, a familiar fork in the road appeared. Sticking to their usual method, they decided to scout ahead first.
"Wait..."
Suddenly, Mohg stopped in his tracks, raising a hand to signal Morgott to halt. Morgott immediately tightened his grip on his dagger, his other palm beginning to glow with a faint golden light.
"Something's coming..."
Mohg quickly wrapped the glowing stone in a cloth, ensuring not a single sliver of light escaped. He then pulled Morgott behind a corner to observe.
A moment later, accompanied by a wet patter-patter sound, a creature scurried past them. It crawled on all fours, sporting two massive, bulging eyeballs on its head, scales covering its body, and a long tail.
The moment he saw it, Mohg felt his mind go blank.
Are you kidding me? Shouldn't these things be related to the Big Brother? Why are they showing up this early?
Mohg felt a headache coming on. It seemed that Basilisks were a race that had existed for a very long time. He was extremely wary of them; he wasn't sure if their Death Blight smoke would be effective against them. While Death Blight was practically a joke to bosses in the game, reality might have a much nastier surprise in store for him.
If he didn't die at the hands of the Tarnished but fell to a Basilisk instead, he'd be the laughingstock of the Lands Between.
Mohg shook his head, intending to signal Morgott to continue their exploration. However, when he tapped Morgott's shoulder, he got no response. Confused, he turned his head.
There, behind them, was a large pack of Basilisks slowly closing in. Their massive, lidless eyes were fixed silently on the two of them.
Damn it! No wonder the smell suddenly got so strong!
"What are you doing? Don't just stand there! Wait, I mean—run! Run for your life!"
Mohg didn't care about their "relation" to his eldest brother anymore. He delivered a swift smack to the back of Morgott's head, grabbed him, and bolted forward. He sprinted toward the direction where the scent was weakest.
Morgott quickly snapped out of it and, without needing Mohg to pull him further, followed close behind at a breakneck pace.
The Basilisks were hot on their heels. The sound of their webbed feet slapping against the pipes made Mohg's skin crawl. He might enjoy the idea of eating frog legs, but he had no desire to be eaten by a "Curse Frog."
"Quick! There's a door up ahead!"
They ran until their lungs felt like they were going to burst. Finally, Morgott pointed ahead, shouting in surprise and relief.
Mohg looked over and stole a glance behind them. Though they had gained some ground, the Basilisks were still closing in. He didn't have time to overthink it.
Stopping means death, ribbit!
The two reached the wooden door and threw their entire weight against it, heaving the heavy frame open. Without stopping to survey the room, they lunged inside and slammed the door shut behind them.
BANG!
A heavy thud echoed from the other side of the wood a second later. The two let out a collective sigh of relief, sinking to the floor against the door to catch their breath.
"Phew... that was way too close..."
"Yeah..."
Mohg replied breathlessly. After resting for a moment, he began to scan their surroundings.
As the environment came into focus, he froze. He scrambled over to a nearby railing, craning his neck to look down.
The area was designed like a massive high tower, with a spiral staircase winding endlessly downward. Lighting stones and torches fueled by unknown grease lined the stairs, providing constant illumination.
Mohg couldn't describe the sheer excitement surging through him. There was a very high probability they had reached the very bottom of the sewers.
However...
Mohg looked down once more. Below was an abyss that seemed bottomless, and above was a tower that seemed to pierce the heavens.
In his memory... this place was never this damn tall!
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (129 Chapters – Ongoing)
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