Chapter 80: Chapter 80 – Trial 1/6

Astrid almost reached the top. Using precaution, she created a major image of a real person. It was Tennyson.

She created a smile from her memory as a warmth bubbled up within her.

Check if it’s safe for me, brother. Astrid said within her mind.

She controlled the image to move forward and over the mountain top. Although Astrid couldn’t see what the illusion could see, if that monster threw another boulder, it would be the illusion and not her.

The back of Tennyson disappeared. Astrid patiently waited for the illusion to break, but it didn’t happen. She controlled it to the edge of Psych Domain’s range, but even then it wandered freely. The monster either knew it was an illusion, or it still refused to attack.

She had the thought of luring an army of monsters here, but she doubted many would make it past the minefield. There was also a risk that the monster wouldn’t be able to distinguish her from the voidlings. If she ended up dying because of the pets that she brought, she wouldn’t be overly happy. She decided against gambling with her life.

There’s no other choice, is there? Astrid grinned and walked over to the edge of the mountain.

Astrid’s eyes widened. Large pillars surrounded a vast courtyard made of black tiles. In the middle of the courtyard stood a hulking giant made of rock. Massive boulders surrounded the monster.

Its head was shrouded in a black hood, although it was far too big to be called that. It was more like a blanket that covered a ballroom floor. The giant’s eyes that peered from behind the cloth reminded her of the void jewels that she had picked up from the cave before. Black cracks sprawled over the monster like thick pulsating veins. It remained unmoving.

Taking a deep breath, she bit down on her teeth and walked down the spiralling path. The countless number of bones on either side of the path made her shoulders tighten. That wasn’t even counting the thousands of remains still hidden underneath.

She stopped in front of the courtyard. With another breath, she stepped onto the raised platform.

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