Mysterious Book
[Ramona's POV]
[Inside secret room of Imperial Jade Palace]
"Why did you hold him? Now, what should we do with this child?" Caleb asked, looking at the lifeless child in Ethan's grasp.
Ethan carefully wrapped the deceased child in a white cloth and placed it in a basket.
"The king has requested a burial. Why are you placing her in a basket instead of a coffin?" Caleb repeated his question.
Ethan finished his task and stood up, gazing at Caleb. "Although he is the emperor's daughter, I do not wish to bury her in the soil of our village and invite any trouble. Her birth was a curse, just like the suffering we endure now." He paused for a moment, observing the questioning and surprised expressions on everyone's faces.
"Alright, alright, lend me a hand," Ethan said, holding the basket.
The group exchanged glances and quickly assisted him in lifting the basket. They desired to rid their village of this child. Ethan led the group through the dense forest, their footsteps silenced by the fallen leaves.
The weight of the deceased child in the basket seemed to increase with each step, a constant reminder of the burden they carried. They couldn't risk the curse spreading any further. With a heavy heart, he signaled for the group to halt.
In the depths of the forest, at midnight, two figures emerge in disguise. Their faces are concealed by masks as they hold something in their hands and bear swords on their backs. Above, the sky is adorned with a full moon, casting a soft glow over the surroundings. The moon's radiant golden light filters through the branches, forming intricate patterns on the forest floor.
The air is filled with a gentle breeze, carrying the delicate scent of wild flowers and earth. The breeze rustles the leaves, creating a soothing melody that dances through the forest. It whispers secrets to the trees, as if sharing ancient tales of the wilderness.
As the moonlight illuminates the forest, it unveils a world of shadows and silhouettes. The trees stand tall and majestic, their branches reaching towards the sky. Their leaves shimmer with a golden hue, as if touched by the ethereal magic of the moon.
In this moonlit scene, James vigorously waves his hands. He tirelessly digs the ground around the most sacred tree, searching for something. The sacred tree, known for its eerie aura and haunting whispers, stands tall and gnarled, its branches extending like skeletal fingers. Its twisted roots seem to delve deep into the earth, guarding the mystery that lies beneath.
Many have attempted to uncover its secrets in the past, but none have succeeded. James, however, possesses an unwavering determination that fuels his every action. After working for a long time, he finds himself short of breath.
As the dirt flew in all directions, his heart raced with anticipation. Legend had it that buried beneath the sacred tree lay a hidden treasure, a relic of immense power. Determined to uncover its secrets, James had spent countless nights studying ancient texts and deciphering cryptic clues that led him to this very spot.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the clearing, causing the sacred tree to creak and groan. James froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced around, half-expecting to see ghostly figures emerging from the shadows. But all he saw was the moon, shining brightly above, as if urging him to continue.
Summoning his courage, James resumed his excavation. The soil became looser, and his shovel struck something solid. With bated breath, he carefully brushed away the dirt, revealing a weathered wooden chest. Its intricate carvings hinted at the ancient power it held within.
He observed as they approached, their footsteps causing the leaves to rustle and echo through the silent forest. Acting swiftly, he concealed the wooden chest within his sleeves and positioned himself behind the tree, scanning his surroundings. After a thorough search, he spotted Ethan from the Bullock pack and Caleb, a junior from the Night Walker pack, both holding a basket in their hands.
"Four clans of light?" He whispered quietly. "What are they guarding?" He pondered to himself.
"We will place him here," Ethan declared with determination in his voice. "This is the furthest we can go."
Caleb looked sympathetically at the dead child. "Are you sure, Ethan? Can't we give her a proper burial?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, we cannot bring any more suffering upon our clan and village. The child's curse ends here."
With a collective sigh, the group gently set the basket down on the ground. Ethan knelt beside it, his hands trembling as he unwrapped the white cloth. The lifeless face of the child stared back at him, innocent and peaceful in death.
Caleb whispered a prayer, his voice barely audible. "May you find peace, little one. May your soul be released from every burden and curse." With heavy hearts and determined spirits, they turned away from the child and made their way back to the village, prepared to face whatever challenges awaited them.
After some time, he observed them leaving the basket on the ground and returning to the village. He stepped out from behind the tree and retrieved the wooden box from his sleeve. As James pried open the chest, a blinding light burst forth, illuminating the entire clearing. He shielded his eyes, momentarily blinded by the brilliance. When his vision cleared, he found himself staring at an ancient book, radiating a unique energy.
Overwhelmed by the discovery, James's mind raced with possibilities. He knew that this book held immense power, capable of changing the course of the future. His eyes widened with greed. Without wasting a moment, he hastily threw the wooden box onto the dusty ground and eagerly opened it.
His hands trembled with excitement as he reached inside, expecting to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. However, to his dismay, the book was blank, its pages yellowed with age. He flipped through the pages, hoping to find some hidden message or clue, but not a single word was written on it.
It was as if the book had been intentionally left blank, mocking his insatiable desire for wealth and power. Confusion and frustration filled his mind. "How could this be?" He had heard tales of the box's legendary contents, stories of untold immortals and ancient wisdom. Yet, all he held in his hands was an empty book, devoid of any meaning or purpose.
As he stood in surprise, looking at the blank book, he suddenly heard the sound of a child crying. He raised his head, looked around, and saw the same basket that the Bullock pack had left there a while ago.
"Wait, is that... a baby?" He murmured to himself, his curiosity aroused. He cautiously approached the basket, his heart racing in his chest. As he drew nearer, the cries grew louder, tugging at his emotions.
Peering inside, he discovered a newborn swaddled in a white sheet. The baby's tiny face was red and streaked with tears. Without hesitation, he gently lifted the child, cradling them in his arms.
"She... She is the Emperor's daughter," he whispered in surprise. "The crown princess of the 'Bullock pack.'"
As he stood there, observing, he sensed movement among the leaves nearby. He quickly embraced the baby and glanced at the moonlit foliage. A girl emerged, dressed in black and red. On her exposed arm, he noticed a tattoo.
"Eleanor? What are you doing here?" He asked, taken aback. The girl raised an eyebrow and smirked arrogantly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Surprise! We meet again, James," a deep voice sounded near his ear. He swiftly turned around and saw Micheal standing behind him.
"The Silver moon pack," he whispered.
"What do you want, Micheal?" James demanded, tightening his grip on the baby protectively.
Micheal stepped in front of him, his eyes gleaming with malice, and his black robes billowing in the wind. "Clearly, not you," he sarcastically replied.
"Hand over the baby, James, only then will we grant you an easy death," Eleanor said in her seductive voice.
James glanced at the baby in his arms, then at Eleanir. "It appears that the baby possesses special powers. This means she can assist me on my immortal journey," he thought, while tightening his grip on the child.
"I will not allow you to harm this child," James declared, his voice filled with determination. "I will protect her with my life."
Micheal chuckled darkly, narrowing his eyes. "Do you not think that she will aid you in your cultivation?" He angrily widened his eyes. "Because I will not allow this to happen."
Without any warning, Eleanor took a step forward, her eyes emitting an otherworldly glow. She reached out her hand, and a surge of dark energy crackled around her fingertips.
"I strongly advise you to surrender the child willingly," she hissed, her voice infused with an icy coldness. "Otherwise, we will forcefully take her."
Bewildered by her sudden attack, James instinctively tightened his hold on the child. Instinctively, his hand began glowing blue as he cast a protective barrier.
"You will learn that resistance will avail you nothing," she continued, her voice rising in intensity. "Your feeble human defenses won't save you. All you have is your own feeble human strength. Do not make me repeat myself."
"You're bluffing!" James exclaimed loudly, shielding the baby from Eleanor's dark energy. The magical shield glowed brighter, shielding the baby from harm.
"If you don't surrender her willingly, you will experience a horrific fate." She glared at him, her green eyes flashing with anger.