The Lazy Chronicles: Apartment of the Apocalypse-Chapter 120 - 121:The Oracle of Rust

Chapter 121:The Oracle of Rust

Chapter 123 - The Oracle of Rust

The underground tunnels stretched endlessly before them, dimly lit by bioluminescent mushrooms and flickering torches placed at odd intervals. The air was thick with dampness, carrying the scent of ancient decay and something metallic—rust, perhaps, as the Oracle’s name suggested.

Mallory led the group forward, clutching the key tightly in her hand. It pulsed with an almost imperceptible warmth, as if reacting to their progress.

Behind her, Greg was still muttering under his breath. "I can’t believe we just got accepted into a cult because our pet slime has the appetite of a cosmic horror."

Elara smirked. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."

Greg threw his hands up. "Of course, it’s a bad thing! The last time I checked, cults don’t usually end well for the people who get involved with them."

Quinn patted him on the back. "Relax, Steve. We’re not part of a cult—we’re just using their resources."

Mallory stopped, turning to face them. "Enough. Whether we trust these people or not, we need their guidance to find the Oracle. Let’s not waste time."

Greg grumbled but didn’t argue further.

The cultists—known as the Keepers—led them deeper into the underground ruins, their robes trailing along the stone floor. The leader, known only as Avaris, moved with a graceful confidence, seemingly unaffected by the damp and crumbling surroundings.

"You must understand," Avaris said, his voice echoing slightly, "the Oracle does not answer to just anyone. You will be tested."

Greg groaned. "Of course we will."

Avaris cast him an unreadable glance but continued walking.

---

The Hall of Echoes

After what felt like hours of navigating through tunnels, they arrived at a vast, open chamber. Towering pillars, covered in rust and creeping vines, reached toward the cavernous ceiling. The walls bore faded carvings—scenes of battle, destruction, and something resembling a great gate.

"The Hall of Echoes," Avaris announced.

Mallory stepped forward, scanning the surroundings. "What kind of test are we talking about?"

Avaris gestured toward the center of the chamber, where a raised platform stood. "Each of you must step forward and face the Echo."

Greg squinted. "Echo of what?"

"You."

A hush fell over the group.

Alex was the first to react. "You mean... we have to fight ourselves?"

Avaris smiled faintly. "In a way."

Without further explanation, he raised his hand. The moment he did, the carvings on the walls shimmered, and the air crackled with unseen energy. The chamber darkened, and in the next instant, figures emerged from the shadows—each one identical to Mallory and her group.

Greg blanched. "Oh, hell no."

The Echoes moved, their eyes glowing faintly, mirroring every stance, every movement. They did not speak, but their presence was unmistakably hostile.

Mallory narrowed her eyes. "Guess we’re doing this the hard way."

---

Facing the Echoes freёnovelkiss.com

The battle erupted in an instant.

Mallory lunged at her Echo, their blades clashing with a sharp, ringing sound. Her opponent mirrored her movements with unsettling precision, forcing her to think beyond brute force. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a test of self.

Quinn ducked as his own double slashed at him, their knives a blur of motion. "I have to admit, fighting myself is both exhilarating and terrifying!"

Greg, on the other hand, was not having a good time. "WHY IS MINE SO FAST?!" he shouted as his Echo effortlessly dodged his attacks. "THIS IS UNFAIR!"

Elara fought with calculated strikes, trying to analyze her Echo’s weaknesses. "They react exactly as we do. That means we have to change how we fight!"

Alex, the quietest of them all, simply smirked at his Echo. "If you’re me... then I already know your weaknesses." He stepped forward suddenly, using a feint before delivering a decisive blow. His Echo faltered, shimmering before vanishing into mist.

Mallory gritted her teeth. Adapt. Change your rhythm. Don’t be predictable.

She broke her usual fighting stance, switching her grip mid-swing and forcing her Echo to hesitate for just a moment—enough for her to land a strike. Her double flickered, its form beginning to destabilize.

One by one, the group overcame their Echoes, each learning something vital about themselves in the process.

Greg stood over his fading opponent, panting. "I hate how competent I looked just now."

Quinn chuckled. "You mean you hate that you had to outthink yourself for once?"

Greg groaned. "Exactly."

Avaris stepped forward, pleased. "You have proven yourselves worthy." He gestured toward a massive set of doors that had begun to unseal. "The Oracle awaits."

---

The Oracle’s Chamber

The room beyond was unlike anything they had seen before.

Rust-covered walls formed a circular chamber, at the center of which a massive construct loomed—a humanoid figure of metal and stone, covered in intricate engravings and draped in tattered cloth.

The Oracle of Rust.

Its head slowly lifted as they approached, glowing amber eyes locking onto them.

"Seekers," it intoned, its voice ancient and layered, as if countless voices spoke as one.

Mallory stepped forward. "We need to know about the Forgotten Gate."

The Oracle was silent for a moment before responding:

"The Forgotten Gate is not merely a doorway—it is a threshold between worlds. Beyond it lies the Price of a Hero."

Greg muttered, "See, that’s the second time we’ve heard that phrase, and I still don’t like it."

Mallory pressed on. "What is the price?"

The Oracle’s eyes dimmed slightly. "A choice. And once made, it cannot be undone."

The weight of the words settled over them.

Mallory inhaled deeply. "And where do we find it?"

"The Gate lies beyond the Ruined City... guarded by those who would see it remain closed."

Quinn crossed his arms. "Of course it is."

The Oracle’s gaze swept over them before settling on Mallory. "You, above all, must be prepared. The Gate does not open for the unworthy."

Mallory clenched her fists. "I will be."

The Oracle nodded once, and with that, its form grew still once more—its purpose fulfilled.

Avaris stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your path is now clear."

Mallory turned to the group. "Then let’s go. We have a Gate to find."

Greg sighed. "And probably a dozen more life-threatening obstacles before we get there."

Quinn grinned. "Wouldn’t be an adventure otherwise."

As they left the chamber, Mallory couldn’t shake the feeling that their journey was about to change in ways they weren’t ready for.

The Forgotten Gate awaited.

And so did the Price of a Hero.

--

Facing the Echoes

The battle erupted in an instant.

Mallory lunged at her Echo, their blades clashing with a sharp, ringing sound. Her opponent mirrored her movements with unsettling precision, forcing her to think beyond brute force. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a test of self.

Quinn ducked as his own double slashed at him, their knives a blur of motion. "I have to admit, fighting myself is both exhilarating and terrifying!"

Greg, on the other hand, was not having a good time. "WHY IS MINE SO FAST?!" he shouted as his Echo effortlessly dodged his attacks. "THIS IS UNFAIR!"

Elara fought with calculated strikes, trying to analyze her Echo’s weaknesses. "They react exactly as we do. That means we have to change how we fight!"

Alex, the quietest of them all, simply smirked at his Echo. "If you’re me... then I already know your weaknesses." He stepped forward suddenly, using a feint before delivering a decisive blow. His Echo faltered, shimmering before vanishing into mist.

Mallory gritted her teeth. Adapt. Change your rhythm. Don’t be predictable.

She broke her usual fighting stance, switching her grip mid-swing and forcing her Echo to hesitate for just a moment—enough for her to land a strike. Her double flickered, its form beginning to destabilize.

One by one, the group overcame their Echoes, each learning something vital about themselves in the process.

Greg stood over his fading opponent, panting. "I hate how competent I looked just now."

Quinn chuckled. "You mean you hate that you had to outthink yourself for once?"

Greg groaned. "Exactly."

Avaris stepped forward, pleased. "You have proven yourselves worthy." He gestured toward a massive set of doors that had begun to unseal. "The Oracle awaits."

---

The Oracle’s Chamber

The room beyond was unlike anything they had seen before.

Rust-covered walls formed a circular chamber, at the center of which a massive construct loomed—a humanoid figure of metal and stone, covered in intricate engravings and draped in tattered cloth.

The Oracle of Rust.

Its head slowly lifted as they approached, glowing amber eyes locking onto them.

"Seekers," it intoned, its voice ancient and layered, as if countless voices spoke as one.

Mallory stepped forward. "We need to know about the Forgotten Gate."

The Oracle was silent for a moment before responding:

"The Forgotten Gate is not merely a doorway—it is a threshold between worlds. Beyond it lies the Price of a Hero."

Greg muttered, "See, that’s the second time we’ve heard that phrase, and I still don’t like it."

Mallory pressed on. "What is the price?"

The Oracle’s eyes dimmed slightly. "A choice. And once made, it cannot be undone."

The weight of the words settled over them.

Mallory inhaled deeply. "And where do we find it?"

"The Gate lies beyond the Ruined City... guarded by those who would see it remain closed."

Quinn crossed his arms. "Of course it is."

The Oracle’s gaze swept over them before settling on Mallory. "You, above all, must be prepared. The Gate does not open for the unworthy."

Mallory clenched her fists. "I will be."

The Oracle nodded once, and with that, its form grew still once more—its purpose fulfilled.

Avaris stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your path is now clear."

Mallory turned to the group. "Then let’s go. We have a Gate to find."

Greg sighed. "And probably a dozen more life-threatening obstacles before we get there."

Quinn grinned. "Wouldn’t be an adventure otherwise."

As they left the chamber, Mallory couldn’t shake the feeling that their journey was about to change in ways they weren’t ready for.

The Forgotten Gate awaited.

And so did the Price of a Hero.

---

End of Chapter 123

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