7. Went To Land of Amapherald Elder

The horse's footsteps stopped in front of a dull but sturdy old building.

Mal stared at the towering building of The Vandelmork. Not like what he imagined. This building does look abandoned, but it doesn't look damaged at all. In fact it tends to look like a historical building that was treated.

Several points on the walls of the building did show damage. But anyone would feel more of a mixed atmosphere that makes the hairs on the back of the neck prickle.

No words came out of Mal's mouth when he jumped down from the horse he was riding. Mal's gaze still fixed on the building.

'Am I really not dreaming?' Mal thought. He took a deep breath. 'How could that be

"Welcome to The Vandelmork building." One of the maroon-robed men who had escorted him made a sound.

Mal flinched slightly and turned her face to the man behind her. The two men gave their small smiles.

"Are you surprised?" asked one of the men in maroon robes. "Oh, my name is Valkery, I am the representative of the Light Clan's elder who will guide you."

Mal didn't say anything, while Oldeen looked grim with worry.

"W-who are you really?" Olden asked. In contrast to a moment ago, Oldeen now looked worried. "Light Clan? Elders? What do you mean?"

Valkery still looked calm despite Oldeen bombarding her with questions.

"You will understand once you enter The Vandelmork building. Do I need to introduce my name?" The man wearing a dark blue robe answered.

"Olcra," Valkery answered. "Don't take too long. You, why do you have to be so annoyingly mysterious?"

Olcra just shrugged his shoulders in an indifferent manner. Paying no heed to Valkery, Mal, and Oldeen, he walked unceremoniously to approach the door that towered high on two sides.

Mal also watched Olcra's movements until he looked at the door of The Vandelmork building. His eyes squinted to clear the vision. Unknowingly his steps moved closer to Olcra out of strong curiosity.

In the middle of the six meter towering brown door belonging to The Valdelmork building, Mal saw a large circle. Within the large circle, a colorless sun symbol with an arrow stuck out. I do not know what is the meaning behind the symbol.

Right on the symbol, there is a large lock case or lock system box. Mal thought Olcra was going to stick the key in the big keyhole in the lock case. However, what Olcra did was silence for a few seconds.

Until finally, this big door opened slowly.

Mal was wide-eyed in panic and shock. This was the umpteenth time that Mal was stunned by the events in this forest.

"You don't want to linger outside, do you?" Valkery's voice awakens Mal. "It's getting to evening. It's not safe if we're still outside."

Even though Mal didn't understand what 'unsafe' meant, he still obeyed Valkery's orders. After all, he only knew Valkery and Olcra now, and Mal didn't have any shelter in this thick forest.

Valkery walked past Mal and Oldeen. As soon as Mal wanted to follow him, Oldeen rushed over and grabbed him by the wrist.

"You're going to follow them both?" asked Oldeen with a look of panic on his face.

Mal briefly glanced at Oldeen's hand on bis wrist. Then watched Oldeen's worried face for a few seconds.

"Where else are you going but to follow them?" Mal threw back the question.

Olden sighed. "I don't know, but I'm not sure about them either."

Mal's brow furrowed. "You suspect them?" he asked, and got Oldeen's head nod in response.

"What if those two will kill us?" asked Oldeen, his voice growing low as he didn't want Valkery and Olcra to hear him.

Unfortunately, Valkery notices that Oldeen and Mal are not following him. He stopped walking, turned around, and watched the two teenagers in astonishment.

"Aren't you going to come in?" Valkery voiced.

Just then, Oldeen was greatly jolted by Valkery's voice. While Mal just casually looked at Valkery.

"I'm going in," Mal said, then pointed at Oldeen. "He asked if there was food inside. Said he was hungry."

Oldeen stared in disbelief. His mouth was about to open to refute, but Valkery suddenly laughed.

"No need to worry. Inside, plenty of food." Valkery curved a friendly smile at the end.

After Valkery continued walking, Mal then gave a warning to Oldeen through her expression.

"You can leave if you want. Besides, we're not that close until you hold my hand," Mal warned Oldeen firmly.

Oldeen was left speechless after hearing Mal's sharp words of warning.

Ignoring Oldeen's reaction, Mal then turned around and followed Valkery's steps. Actually, Mal wasn't one hundred percent sure about Valkery and Olcra. But Mal has no other shelter than The Vandelmork building. It would be even more dangerous if he were to wander in the wilderness of this middle of nowhere forest.

At least, Mal mastered the martial arts moves he learned from the game.

Although not sure what and who is inside.

Mal's steps were already at the doorstep of The Vandelmork building. Mal didn't expect that the inside of this building was so magnificently spread out. The soaring ceilings resemble that the building has four levels without floors and is left open.

The shape of this building is circular with ceramic tiles made of marble which have been dulled by the thick dust and ruins of buildings. Some of the pillars still stand firm. But there is moss thick enough to cover some of the points of the pillars.

The more Mal stepped inside, he saw that there was a floor under the floor he was stepping on. The mall only needs to go down three steps, then see a large burning bonfire surrounded by concrete tiles.

Mal saw two women and a man in robes each standing looking at the bonfire. Meanwhile, two other people who looked the same age—one person looked slightly older—and Mal were on a circular ceramic seat.

Valkery and Olcra bowed to the three people standing facing the bonfire.

"Greetings, Chief. I've brought two other members of The Seeker," Valkery said.

Mal briefly focused on the two teenagers who were looking at him through worried eyes.

"The full moon will appear tomorrow. We already have four The Seekers."

Valkery and Olcra had straightened up. They nod.

"We're just waiting for Eldera and Teressa to bring in the other two Seekers."

"If they don't bring the other two Seekers, we won't be able to perform the official ceremony."

Mal's brows knit together at the mention of a formal ceremony.

What will actually happen?