Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 942: The sacred Cenote, again

Not all the structures of the ancient city were close to each other. Some were at a considerable distance, but this time Uriel didn’t need Sam pointing the way for him as he could somehow sense the Sacred Cenote at a distance.

Uriel made a straight line directly pointing at the Cenote with uncanny precision, yet not as uncanny as his silence and focused expression that would not shift even when monster level cryptids attempted to ambush them from the dense jungle.

Winged snakes and pigmies proved to be no threat, not even in numbers as whenever that happened Nika would channel a bit of flux through the peacemaker which activated it’s effect spreading fear among her foes.

"Just a heads up, the water in that Cenote has been stagnant for years and it would be a shame to get all muddy right after taking a bath." Nika informed, then directed a resentful glare towards Uriel even though he did attempt to warn her the last time.

However, contrary to the circular stagnant pool of water Nika expected to find, she saw a marvelous body of water of emerald blue color. most impressive of all was the fact that what used to be a cave, now seemed to be a golden building that stood tall above jungle level and seemingly dug deep into the earth.

Once they walked down the stairs and reached the entrance of what used to be a cave but was now something that resembled a meeting room of sorts, with stands that surrounded a golden path that led to a chest.

Everyone marveled at the sight of the precious building, worth its weight in gold and so much more as Uriel already knew its significance and proceeded to explain it.

"This place was used to perform secret rituals at the same time the public ones took place. That way, while most people looked at the human sacrifices made in Kukulkan’s castle, those who knew the true purpose of this entire city would be able to come here and perform their duties."

"What duties? Is this some sort of office building to make shady deals? It doesn’t seem likely considering that it’s pretty much open to the outside. Anyone could just walk in and see whatever they did here." Medusa pondered out loud.

"Maybe that is how they chose the people to pass down this task. While all the population worshiped father of many nations at the pyramid, those who strayed from its path would find themselves wandering the city to avoid the ceremony and if they were curious enough or if they already suspected something shady, they would eventually find out about the secret ceremony."

"The secret ceremony... right." Nika nodded as if she knew what Uriel was talking about.

"Once a cycle, those who had been chosen would open the altar and deposit a single offering. It would be their most valued object as a gift to the beings sealed in this tomb," Uriel said then continued somberly. "Water warlock and Dearest one."

"Hear me out, what if we put the dagger back in this place where it obviously belongs? That would take Water warlock out of the picture and..." Sam had a point, but Uriel’s expression soon shifted into one of nostalgia or perhaps sadness.

"No, it wouldn’t change anything. Even if Water warlock was the one who destroyed the world once, the one threatening us now is the shadow titan. By sealing Water warlock we would be sending to waste our one chance to survive."

"If you’re not putting him back, then that means..." Medusa gasped barely managing to contain a shriek.

"Yes, we’re not here to put him back. I’m here to fulfill my oath to him and get my heart back so I can make a new pact."

His words weighed heavy as everyone suddenly realized that their trip was not a stroll through memory lane, but the last item on Uriel’s bucket list. He had made his peace with surrendering his identity to a higher being in hopes of getting the power that would save humanity.

Knowing that it would be the last time they would see their friend, Medusa and Luna helped him remove his boots and take off his hat respectively, then they also unburdened him of his backpack. They would have loved to allow themselves to cry and beg for him to reconsider, but knowing Uriel he had already made his choice and the only thing they could do was support him in whatever menial way they could.

Sam watched the solemn scene unfold with and once Uriel was ready to soak his feet in the water, Sam grabbed some with his hands and proceeded to kneel on the ground and wash his feet, not daring to lift his head to look at him.

Not because he was crying, which he was, but because he was ashamed of the path he took. Had he trusted his friends they would have likely figured everything much sooner. Things would have been easier and much more fun, but his jealousy blinded him. And all that resulted in that his one friend was now about to sacrifice his will, his body and everything else he had to a higher being just to clean up the mess Sam started.

Sam didn’t say the word, he didn’t say anything. But the care he displayed by diligently washing Uriel’s feet conveyed his emotions in a much more direct and meaningful way.

"Tsk." Uriel clicked his tongue while looking at Nika who stood nearby, yet did nothing to help him, though she didn’t react in any way and watched as Uriel walked the path leaving glowing marks wherever his wet feet touched the path.

The rest stayed back and they witnessed how the altar came up, then Uriel opened it just like before only this time it was empty and was bound to remain empty for all of eternity. The reason why they activated the building was because it was the first step necessary to open the dungeon, though that also alerted the nameless horrors of the presence of the hunters which became evident the moment a shrill sound hissed in the distance, or maybe nearby. It was impossible to tell whether the sound came through the air or directly into their minds but one thing was sure, even Sam whose holy rank should have put him at the same level of those creatures felt a bone chilling shiver traversing his spine.

"They’re on their way, which means you should be too. Did you gather all you needed to replicate their technology?" Asked Uriel to Medusa who had a hard time not breaking into an ugly cry.

"Yes, this is more than enough and I’ve already thought of interesting new devices." She nodded.

"Luna, make sure to keep them alive. Will you?"

"Sure." She replied, her expression cold as stone, yet one of her hands refused to let go of Uriel’s sleeve as she clung to it like a drowning victim to driftwood.

"Sam, I know a lot of things have happened but I just want you to know one thing..." Uriel lingered for a few seconds before mustering a smirk. "I’m the one who always used your conditioner."

"Guess that makes us even." Sam joked.

"And Nika..." Before Uriel eve managed to finish the sentence, Nika cut him short.

"Oh, heck no! I’m coming with you. The day you came back from this place alive I swore to myself I would go wherever you went. I don’t care if we get separated for a few days for a mission, but this is the kind of place where you can’t go without your shadow."

"Then at least be of use and carry my backpack, would you?" Uriel laughed a bitter laugh as he knew stopping her was just as impossible as keeping her alive inside the dungeon.

Not saying goodbye was considered among them as a sign that they would see each other again, though that didn’t stop Medusa from giving him a traditional peck on the cheek. A tradition that now seemed enticing to Luna who asked to be lifted so she could do the same without Uriel needing to bow down.

After that, Uriel took a last glance at his friends before opening the dungeon and disappearing from sight, even to the holy rank hunter Sam whose Lighbringer trait allowed him to see as far and wide as he wanted, though it could not pierce the dungeon’s veil.

Both Nika and the jaguar followed after Uriel, leaving the place in utter silence and it remained so for a few seconds until they left amidst echoing steps of a chamber that would probably never be seen again.

Fighting two horror level cryptids was out of the question, but the nameless were even more difficult as there was absolutely no information about them. Not knowing their weakness was bad enough, but without knowing their origins or even their abilities, fighting them would be a fatal mistake.

Besides, from what Uriel said to them before the nameless horrors were unable to pass the sacred barrier of the site and the Cenote being at the fringes of the barrier made it even easier for them to escape.

"When he comes back, he won’t be our Uriel anymore." Medusa muttered to herself as she took a last glance at Chichén Itzá before hoping aboard the Pegasus.

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