Words
After the stone statue's words echoed through the air, an eerie green light began to swirl and spread from deep within the sanctuary. The light writhed like a living thing, slowly but surely drawing nearer to us. The air grew heavy, thick with tension. The Guildmaster placed a hand on his sword, assuming a defensive stance. I gripped the Atlantis civilization's lyre tightly, trying to predict our next move.
The green light began to form several strange creatures. They had bizarre appearances, like fused plants and animals. They possessed sharp fangs and hooked claws, their bodies covered in vine-like tendrils, scattering glowing spore-like particles into the air. Their forms were nightmares incarnate.
“...This is... the Sacred Domain's Guardian Beasts... Mandragora Forest...” The stone statue's voice echoed once more. “...Defeat... these... That is... the trial...”
The Mandragora Forest attacked us all at once. Their movements were swift and unpredictable. The Guildmaster, with his exceptional swordsmanship, cut down the Mandragora Forest creatures as they came at him one after another. However, their numbers were vast, appearing relentlessly, threatening to overwhelm him.
I attempted to counter the Mandragora Forest by playing my harp. From the Atlantis civilization's harp flowed a powerful melody unlike any before. It was a melody filled with both an imposing presence and vibrant life force. The sound waves struck the Mandragora Forest, temporarily slowing their movements. Yet, they could not be completely stopped.
The green light still swirled, continuously spawning new Mandragora Forest creatures. This was not merely a battle. It seemed the trial could only be cleared by completely subjugating this sanctuary and this Mandragora Forest.
The Guildmaster fought on, gasping for breath. “Mitam!... This... How much longer...?” His voice trembled slightly.
As I played the harp, I felt a slight sense of impatience at the lack of an end in sight for this trial. But I couldn't give up here. To obtain the blood of the Sage, I must overcome this trial. What exactly awaits deep within this sanctuary? And what is the true nature of that green light, the very source that keeps creating this Mandragora Forest?
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