The Lazy Chronicles: Apartment of the Apocalypse-Chapter 106 - 105

The Oracle’s Domain

Guided by the cultists, Mallory and her companions ventured deeper into the underground ruins. The flickering glow of bioluminescent fungi cast eerie blue-green shadows across the cavern walls. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something metallic—like old blood.

Greg walked with his arms crossed, still grumbling. "I can’t believe Blinky became a god before I did."

Alex smirked. "Maybe if you jiggled more, the cultists would worship you too."

Quinn patted Greg’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, Steve. You’re our emotional support disaster. That’s a divine role in its own way."

Greg groaned. "I hate this team."

Blinky, now perched on Mallory’s shoulder like some kind of gelatinous deity, wobbled with self-importance. The cultists whispered reverently as they stole glances at the so-called Devourer.

Mallory exhaled, shaking her head. "Alright, let’s just focus. The Oracle is supposed to be down here, right?"

The cult leader, still shrouded in his ragged robes, nodded. "Yes. But be warned—her visions come at a cost."

Greg immediately paled. "See, that’s the kind of thing you tell people before they agree to meet her."

The cultist ignored him, leading them through an arched stone doorway covered in strange, twisting runes. Beyond it lay a vast chamber.

A massive stone throne sat in the center, surrounded by pools of shimmering black water. On the throne sat a figure draped in tattered crimson silk. The Oracle.

Her face was hidden behind a mask of dark metal, twisted into an emotionless visage. Her fingers, unnaturally long and adorned with rings, idly traced the arm of her throne.

"You have come seeking truth." Her voice was soft yet resonant, echoing through the cavern. "And truth always comes with a price."

Mallory stepped forward, holding up the magic key. "We need to know about the Forgotten Gate."

The Oracle tilted her head. "Ah... the key of passage. You walk a dangerous path."

Greg muttered, "We live on a dangerous path."

The Oracle ignored him. Instead, she lifted her hands, and the water around them began to ripple. Shadows curled within the pools, forming shifting images.

"The Forgotten Gate lies beyond the Ruined City," the Oracle intoned. "But to unlock its secrets, you must pay the Price of a Hero."

Mallory frowned. "We’ve heard that before. What does it mean?"

The Oracle’s masked gaze turned toward her. "A choice. A sacrifice. A cost that cannot be undone."

Alex crossed his arms. "That’s... vague."

The Oracle chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down their spines. "It is only vague until the moment arrives."

Mallory tightened her grip on the key. "So how do we find the gate?"

The Oracle raised one hand, pointing toward the far side of the chamber. There, carved into the stone wall, was a symbol—the same one etched onto the key.

"The Gate calls to the worthy," she whispered. "But only those who embrace their fate will pass through."

Quinn eyed the symbol. "So what, we just head that way and hope for the best?"

The Oracle slowly rose from her throne. The air grew heavy, charged with unseen energy. "You must be tested first. To see if you are ready to pay the price."

Greg groaned. "I knew this was coming."

The Oracle stretched out her hand, and the pools of dark water surged. Shadows coiled into monstrous forms, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.

"Prove your strength," she commanded. "Or be consumed."

And with that, the shadows attacked. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Trial by Darkness

The first creature lunged at Mallory, its tendrils lashing like whips. She barely dodged in time, rolling across the stone floor and drawing her dagger.

Alex met another beast head-on, his sword flashing in the dim light as he cleaved through the writhing darkness. But the creature reformed instantly, shifting like living smoke.

Greg, already scrambling for cover, yelled, "Oh great, they don’t stay dead! Fantastic!"

Quinn grinned, flipping a knife between his fingers. "Guess we just have to keep cutting till we find what works."

Elara, always the strategist, narrowed her eyes. "They’re made of shadow. We need light."

Mallory cursed under her breath. She didn’t have a light-based spell prepared.

Then, an idea struck.

"Blinky!" she called.

The little gelatinous creature wobbled in response.

Mallory grabbed a glowing mushroom from the wall and tossed it at Blinky. The slime absorbed it instantly, and within seconds, its entire body began to glow with a pulsating, golden light.

The effect was immediate. The nearest shadow creature recoiled, its form flickering wildly.

Greg gaped. "Oh my gods. Blinky is a glowstick."

"Use it!" Mallory ordered.

Quinn, never one to hesitate in the face of chaos, picked up Blinky and threw the glowing slime at the nearest monster.

Blinky splatted onto the creature’s face. There was a horrific screech as the shadow writhed, then vanished in a burst of light.

Greg gasped. "HOLY CRAP, BLINKY JUST EXORCISED A DEMON."

Alex smirked. "New strategy: weaponized slime."

They fought with renewed vigor. Alex and Quinn kept the creatures occupied, while Mallory and Elara used glowing fungi to enhance Blinky’s radiance. Greg, for his part, provided constant, terrified commentary.

One by one, the shadows fell. Finally, with a last unearthly wail, the final creature dissolved into nothingness.

Silence fell over the chamber.

The Oracle watched them, then slowly inclined her head. "You have proven yourselves worthy."

Greg flopped onto the ground. "I would like to formally request never doing that again."

Mallory ignored him, turning back to the Oracle. "So, the gate?"

The Oracle gestured toward the symbol on the wall. The stone shimmered, revealing a hidden passage beyond it.

"The Ruined City awaits," she said. "And with it, your fate."

Quinn dusted himself off. "Well, that sounds ominous."

Greg pointed at Blinky, who was still glowing faintly. "I vote we bring our divine glow-jello into every battle from now on."

Blinky jiggled proudly.

Mallory rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Come on. The sooner we reach the gate, the sooner we find out what this ’price’ really is."

With that, the group stepped through the passage, leaving the Oracle behind.

Ahead of them, the Ruined City loomed. And whatever awaited them there... was something they could never prepare for.

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om