The tunnels were dark and barely tall enough for me to fit through comfortably. It made me feel claustrophobic. Luckily, though, I did bring myself a torch and lit it using the bonfire. The dimlight brought me some solace and security.
I was still getting used to being able to walk, after being so abruptly healed. It's magical— zekes ability— reversing the time of whatever he touched. Or atleast, I assumed that was the case. I haven't really seen his ability in action yet. Maybe I will during this mission, later on.
I continued walking throughout the tunnel, my hand running along the rocky walls of the tunnels absent-mindedly, enjoying the rough but somewhat smooth texture of the rocky walls with moss. I was careful not to touch any cobwebs, though.
As I was doing this though, I suddenly felt something. It was like something was plunged inside the wall and my hand brushed against it. Thankfully, it didn't feel like a living thing. The surface of it was smooth and felt like metal to the touch.
I abruptly halted, instinctively pulling my hand back, worried I touched something dangerous. After some thought, I brought the torch closer and let the light reveal what it was that my hand brushed against. Leaning forward, I furrowed my eyebrows and concentrated.
It was.....a lever?
The lever in question protrudes from the rough, moss-streaked surface of the tunnel wall, its aged metal darkened by centuries of damp air and mineral seepage. About the length of a forearm, it sits at waist height, its handle slightly curved like a rusted talon.
The mechanism is set into a recess in the stone, secured by thick iron brackets flecked with greenish patina. The lever itself appears sturdy despite its age, its surface pitted with time but still solid to the touch. A faint groove in the rock beneath it suggests repeated use long ago, though now it sits stiffly, as if resisting movement.
Dust and cobwebs cling to its base, hinting at years—or perhaps centuries—of disuse. The surrounding rock bears faint carvings, worn nearly smooth, their meaning lost to time but suggesting this lever once served a crucial, perhaps mysterious purpose.
'Interesting....'
I never expected to encounter something like this. But isn't it strange? I haven't been walking that long and I somehow found this mysterious lever. Seems way too coincidental....
Am I just being unreasonably paranoid? Should I pull it, then?
This could perhaps be the place where the Abyssal Heart is. If I destroy it, wouldn't that end this mission, while also handing me the rewards as well? Or maybe this is a trap meant to lure in curious prey....
'Eh, whatever.'
Without any hesitation, I wrapped my fingers around the lever and pulled it downwards.
I waited for a few seconds. Nothing happend. That was until I heard a rumbling, the ground began shaking and the spot where the lever was placed began opening inside, the rock acting as some sort of gate to an underground dungeon.
My eyes were wide, fixed on what's happening in both curiosity and apprehension. I remainted rooted on the spot, watching as a "dungeon" revealed itself.
I couldn't quite see what was inside. It was almost like I was staring into the depths of an abyss. Which is a good thing, right? Abyssal Hearts should be in Abyssal Places, I think....and this place that has opended up sure is Abyssal.
'Whats with this obsession with Abyssal stuff, anyway? The Mulligan sure is strange...'
I shook my head, getting rid of these distracting thoughts. I stared into the darkness silently, contemplating whether I should jump inside or not. Weighing the pros and cons in my head—
'I could indeed jump inside. There is a chance this place is where the Abyssal Heart is. Or maybe there is a long lost treasure of The Mulligan inside here. I could find something very useful by taking the gamble...'
'Still, at the same time, it's also very dangerous. The dangers outweighs the rewards. Even if the Abyssal Heart could be here, how can I be sure that it's completely defenseless? It could be guarded by a strong creature, or maybe the Abyssal Heart itself could be strong enough to fight back.'
I hummed to myself, deep in thought. I was greedy, I'll admit. I do want some treasures for myself, that I selfishly don't wish to share with the others, but is it worth risking my life for? It's not like I'm being forced to make a decision. I could always meet up with Zeke, Nico and Isabella at the camp later, after three hours of exploring, we did promise to come back and share what we learned.
That's right. I can always go back and meet with them, then come back and explore this place together. That's much safer, the rational thing to do....
As I nodded and turned around. I heard a voice. A rough, masculine voice with a deep accent.
"BOY!! Don't leave yet!"
I jumped at the voice, turning around to face where it came off, instinctively summoning [Fool's Rapier] and getting into a defensive stance, preparing for a fight.
"Who..."
Before i could continue, the same voice cut me off.
"Boy, come get me. Im down here."
I blinked, relaxing a little and peering down where the lever opended. I didn't see anything, so I didn't say anything. Prompting the voice to continue, echoing from inside.
"Just come get me, boy. It's been years since someone opended this door!"
I was hesitant and reasonably so. I didn't trust this voice at all and was even a little irked by it. Who was this stranger to demand me to come down and get him? Even cutting me off from asking questions! At the same time, however, I was curious. So, I responded, raising my voice so the person down there could hear properly.
"Who are you?!"
As if expecting the question, the voice responded without skipping a beat.
"I'm just an ancient fella cursed with immortality, boy. If you're asking for a name, you can address me as Movarathos."
'Immortality, Movarathos....'
I almost felt the urge to laugh at the absurdness of these claims, but I held myself back. Not because I didn't believe him, but because they genuinely seemed plausible. I have experienced too many absurd things ever since the beginning of The Mulligan, that I'm willing to bet this voice is being serious.
"How can I trust you?"
The voice was silent for a few seconds after my words. Then, I saw something. A bright orange lights underneath. It grew brighter and brighter, until the entirety of the place I opended using the lever was revealed to my eyes.
It was a vast open space. The walls and the floor was a flawless onyx, there was intricate carvings on the surroundings walls. Or were they runes? I wasn't able to tell from this distance.
The air, as always, was stale and damp. There was spider cobwebs on the ancient onyx walls, visible moss littered on the floor and dust can be seen falling from the sky, now visible because of the orange light emitting from there.
At the center was a large cell? It looked like one from above. The metal had rusted an the ceiling was blocking what was inside. But I could tell Movarathos was trapped there, from the orange light emitting from inside it. Was this his way of gaining my trust? To show that he can't do anything and was trapped there?
As if reading my thoughts, Movarathos responded.
"Yes, Boy. Im trapped here. I have been trapped so long, I lost count of time! Come save me, Boy."
I was still hesitant. This all could very much be a trap, but the curiosity inside me was equally strong. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. So, I prepared to turn around and leave. That was until, I heard what Movarathos had to say next.
"You're friends are in danger, boy. You're crush and the masked man you met aren't real. They are just fake. The real friends of yours is with a fake you."
My eyes widened, as I turned around back towards the area the lever opended up, [Fool's Rapier] still in hand, in case of an emergency. My response can instinctively and defensively.
"Not my crush."
Taking a breath and calming myself, I continued.
"How do you know this, anyway?"
Movarathos laughed and continued.
"Because I have seen many others fall victim to this same trick. That thing pretends to be you're friends once you guys are separated, lures you into its lair and then kills you when you're guard is down."
He paused and then said.
"They don't kill straight away because those things pretending to be you're friends are just servants of something bigger. They lure unsuspecting humans into where their boss lives and offers the humans as sacrifices to please the boss."
I was silent. Contemplating this. As much as I would like to say that the voice was wrong, it wasn't. I just didn't want to accept or acknowledge this. After all, even I did notice some inconsistencies in the way both Isabella and Zeke behaved. They talked differently and just overall seemed uncomfortable and stiff in their own skin, almost like they weren't used to it.
If what Movarathos says is true, then Isabella and Zeke might me in danger. Wait, hold on. If this is the case, then….
"Can these pretenders perfectly copy the abilities of whom they act as? Even have their memories?"
Movarathos responded without any hesitation, sounding a little pleased I noticed this detail.
"Indeed, boy. They gain the originals memories and even abilities. But they can't mimic them to a perfect degree. That's their weakness. In truth, if they were to face against the original, they were certain to lose. The copy of an ability is just a crude version of the real one."
I nodded in thought, letting the [Fool's Rapier] disappear. I was starting to relax around Movarathos a little. What he was saying lined up with what I thought. He clearly wasn't lying. Still, if this is the case, just how amazing is the real version of Zeke's ability?
"Boy, don't make me wai—"
I cut him off.
"Fine, im coming down. I'll help you."
Carefully, I began climbing downwards, my hands clinging to the rocky onyx walls, as I made my way downwards. I could of jumped from this height and been fine, especially if I did so by jumping to the ceiling of the cage in the center, but the lingering trauma of my feet hitting the water from the great height and the bones shattering still lingering, so, I wasn't in the mood to be cool.
Slowly climbing down, I got on my feet and then walked forward, until the cage fully came into view and I saw what was inside. My eyes widening at the unexpected sight.
Inside the cage was a Skull. Not just any ordinary skull. This skull was as big as an adult human, almost taking up the entirety of the cage. The most distinguishable feature being it's charred and scorched surface, as if the skull has been exposed to an intense heat long ago. There was a crack running down from its right eye hole. From the eyes, the bright orange light emitted, sounds of fire crackling from inside the skull could be heard.
The cage itself looked ordinary. It had the height and width to fit the skull perfectly, almost making it seem like the cage was too big for it. The metal had clear rust on it and there were spider cobwebs all over it, signifying how ancient this cage was. At the center was a keyhole to a gate made of metal bars.
Taking a good look around, I finally spoke.
"Nice home you got here, Mova."
The skull didn't seem to appreciate my sacarsm nor the nickname, the next words coming out harshly— the mouth didn't move. Naturally.
"Brat! Don't be snarky with me. You may address me as Movarathos, not Mova. Understood?"
I chuckled and nodded.
"So, what now? Why should I free you?"
Movarathos responded without missing a beat.
"Because then you'll recieve my help in this mission of yours. You want that, don't you?"
I was tempted to ask him what he was. I have never seen a talking skull before. Well, of course I haven't! This was out of the ordinary, even by Mulligan standards. But I didn't really want to waste too much time here. If he was gonna help me, I'll let him. No questions asked.
"Additionally, I don't mind being you're first spirit bind. If you succeed in saving me, that is."
My eyes widened in curiosity.
"Spirt bind?"
Instead of Movarathos explaining, the screen appeared mistaking my words as a command. Instead of the mission screen, it was something else. Just a single question, with yes and no potions beneath it. It read;
[Would you like to Spirit Bind with Skull of Ruin?]