Conquering the underworld with my beautiful dragon wives-Chapter 33: Journey to Virasa – The Silent Key

The sun was slowly rising above the treetops.

Its warm golden light spread across the dirt path, and sometimes, through the light mist of the forest, it would fall in patches over their clothes.

Ethan held the green metal key tightly in his hand.

He could feel it—he shouldn’t let it out of his sight, not even for a second.

Alice walked slowly with her hands in her pockets, mumbling things under her breath.

It seemed like she was trying to remember exactly where that library was and what she’d heard about it.

"I always thought keys were for opening locks, not walking through forests..."

Luna said that while pushing a branch aside and squeezing through a narrow path.

Selena, walking right behind her, frowned.

"If you complain one more time, I swear I’ll lock you somewhere myself!"

Fayra gave a half-smile.

"Alright, girls... chill out. We’re heading to a place filled with ancient books and real answers. This is way more than just some normal trip."

Ethan didn’t say a word. He just kept walking.

His head was full of noise. That voice he’d heard in the chamber—it was still there, ticking in his ears like a quiet clock.

"The power of the Spirit Blade..."

It wasn’t just a name. It felt more like a warning.

A reminder that something was waking up.

And now... he was part of it.

Suddenly, the key in his hand gave a tiny shake.

Everyone stopped.

Selena quickly turned. "Ethan? What was that?"

He looked down at the key.

A soft green light was glowing from the lines on its surface.

But it wasn’t just the light that made Ethan frown—

It was a strange feeling coming from the key itself.

A kind of pull. Like it was pointing him somewhere.

In a calm voice, Ethan said,

"It’s pulling us... but not toward the road. We need to go through the trees."

Alice looked carefully into the forest.

"I think he’s right... Side paths usually lead to better answers than straight roads."

Luna groaned.

"Yeah, because dangerous monsters also love side paths!"

Fayra pulled out her sword and smirked.

"Luckily, we’ve got some dangerous girls too."

So their path changed.

No more marked roads.

Now, they were pushing through giant trees, leaping over muddy holes and misty pits, and with every step, they were heading deeper into a world that almost felt like it was calling them.

After two hours of nonstop walking, they finally reached a massive stone.

Right in the middle of a hidden clearing between the trees, a rocky hill stood, with soft green mist pouring out from its cracks.

Ethan stepped up to it and raised the key.

The key’s glow suddenly got stronger.

Its lines lit up bright and fast.

Everyone stepped back.

A ringing sound came from inside the key—

And then, the stone hill shook.

Fayra whispered,

"A hidden door?"

Yep.

Right in the middle of the rock, a smooth circle—completely different from the rest—started to turn.

A swirl of green light wrapped around it, and after a few seconds...

A stone staircase opened, leading down.

Alice held her breath.

"The Virasa city... it’s down there."

Ethan looked at everyone, then smiled.

"Then it’s time to find some answers."

One by one, they stepped down the stairs.

The green glow was bright enough—they didn’t even need torches or magic light.

And as they went deeper down the steps, the whispers got louder.

Voices... coming from the walls.

Like the walls themselves were telling stories forgotten for a thousand years.

But right when they reached the last step

And stepped into a massive hall filled with stone bookshelves...

A voice echoed through the air.

"Welcome... keepers of the key."

Ethan froze.

Fayra instantly pulled out her sword.

Luna and Selena shared a quick glance.

Alice, mouth slightly open, turned toward the voice.

"The key... is just the beginning. And now, you’ve stepped into a story that’s been sealed for a thousand years."

From the darkness, a shadow-like figure appeared between the shelves.

It wore a mask.

And a cloak made of black feathers.

Everyone just stood there, staring at the key lying on the ground. A faint green light was spinning around it, and with every second, it felt like some weird energy was being released from it. Ethan’s sword was still glowing in his hand. His breathing was heavy, brows furrowed.

The mysterious man floated calmly in the air, like nothing had happened. Ethan’s voice was shaky, but firm.

"Who are you? Why is everything so vague? What’s the power? What’s the key?! Is this supposed to be a puzzle game or something?!"

The man gave a small smile.

"Power... only means something when you know why you’re using it. You’ve got the key, Ethan. But you still don’t know what door you’re supposed to open."

Fayra spoke quietly.

"What do you mean? What’s the key? Where’s the door? What are we even looking for?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Selena cut in, her tone sharper.

"He’s just been messing with us this whole time. This isn’t a game."

The man slowly floated down a bit. He raised his hand to his face. Everyone watched in silence. Then...

He took off his mask.

The moment he did, a wave of energy spread out around them. His face was finally visible—silver hair, skin like polished stone, and eyes completely black. Golden lines ran from his neck to his forehead, like magical markings. He didn’t look fully human... more like something from another race.

"My name... is Zareon. I’m the guardian of the border between your world and what lies beyond."

Luna gasped.

"Beyond? What do you mean?"

Zareon looked straight at Ethan.

"The power you’ve awakened... if you can’t control it, it could open the door—or destroy everything. I’m just here to make sure no one uses it too early."

Ethan’s eyes filled with anger.

"I’m done with this cryptic crap! If you’re trying to stop me—"

He raised his sword and charged straight at Zareon.

The sword lit up with a blast of energy, but just before it could hit, Zareon stepped back, gave a little smile... and vanished into thin air with a flash of white light.

Where he’d been standing, only the key remained. A silver key, marked with the same symbol that was engraved on Ethan’s hand.

Alice stepped forward and picked it up from the ground.

"He’s gone... he really disappeared..."

Fayra looked at Ethan.

"So now what? Where do we even take this key? Where’s the door?"

Selena frowned.

"We don’t know anything. All he did was dump a bunch of riddles on us and run off."

Alice turned the key in her hand, her voice low.

"I... I read something once. There’s this ancient library, in a city called Velisa. They store forbidden and really old books there. Maybe we can figure out what this key is for in that place."

Ethan spoke, tired but determined.

"Then we go. It’s time we find the answers ourselves."

Fayra gave a faint smile.

"Alright... but this time, whatever happens, we go together."

Selena and Luna both nodded. Alice closed her eyes and mumbled,

"Velisa... I really hope this time, we get a peaceful trip..."

A strange silence filled the air. A soft breeze blew in from the mouth of the cave.

They were all ready—for the next Chapter.