BXBX NOVEL Chapter 58: Mystery of Solaris Amulet [2]
Chapter 58: Mystery of Solaris Amulet [2]
Upon disembarking from plane I made my way towards passport control.
A routine process when traveling internationally.
The customs officers appeared to be following the some outdated procedures that I had seen countless times in movies.
I handed over my passport, NDNF, and other necessary documents to the immigration officer.
After scrutinizing my passport and verifying my eligibility, he stamped it and returned it with a courteous, "Here you go, sir."
It seemed that the customs regulations in this particular country were a bit peculiar? compared to what I was accustomed to.
Then again—
I am from an entirely different world, so perhaps these disparities were to be expected...
During the customs declaration, I was required to present my machete.
The officers couldn\'t help but burst into laughter, their amused chuckles echoing like hyenas in the room.
It almost felt like they were mocking me, maybe they were
I suppose I understood why, considering that my machete was of low-grade quality.
But seriously,
Why do people think machete is a joke?!
Sigh~
It was a frustrating realization that left me sighing in exasperation.
With a heavy heart, I made my way towards the prepaid taxi that I had booked, where my guide was supposedly waiting for me.
.....
Vooom!! —The car accelerated, whisking us away in a rush of speed.
The interior hummed with the vibrancy of movement, the ambiance enhanced by the simple yet elegant decor.
Black velvet seats and a smooth leather ceiling added a touch of sophistication.
Seated in the back, I couldn\'t help but feel out of place in this archaic vehicle.
It served as a constant reminder that I didn\'t belong to this world..
Or even this time..
"Would you like a bo\' ó wo\' wa?", the guide inquired, turning his head to face me from the front seat.
I furrowed my brows, perplexed by his unusual query.
"A... bo\' ó wo\' wa?" I echoed, unsure of what he meant.
A flicker of understanding finally illuminated my mind when he gestured towards a bottle of water, clarifying the meaning of his words.
"No, I\'m good", I replied, signaling with a dismissive wave of my hand.
Gazing out of the window, my eyes met an urban landscape dominated by towering steel buildings and bustling crowds.
The scenery swiftly flew by as the taxi sped on its way.
Vooom!—
Ironically, the sky above remained a clear and flawless blue, devoid of any hint of cloud.
Then again, given the tropical desert climate of the Baku Union territories, such weather was to be expected, contrasting sharply with the tropical monsoon of St. Sebastin.
And here I was, navigating through this new environment, with a rough idea of the location of the [Solaris Amulet] mystery; but one thing was certain—it was going to take a toll on my mind, if not my body, to obtain it.
"Sir, do you see that?", the guide suddenly interjected, his British accent seeping through his words.
He pointed towards a majestic golden pyramid-like structure in the distance, standing as an unattainable fortress behind its imposing gates and heavy security.
"That\'s where our first king, Aldric Gedeon—the slayer of nights—built the shrine as a sign of reverence for the goddess", George explained.
George, the knowledgeable travel guide, possessed a British accent that piqued my curiosity.
Intrigued, I couldn\'t help but wonder about his origins, although there seemed to be a hint of another language mixed within his accent.
As the car glided past the magnificent pyramid monument, George continued, delving into the historical accounts:
"Ancient Babylonian temple records recount the practice of offering homage to kings who were believed to possess divinity."
"Hymns dedicated to these kings often alluded to their union with a goddess, depicting the mythological concept of the sacred marriage."
"In those times, one of the epithets used for the king was \'endowed with life\' or \'imparting life.\'"
I pondered his words, finding the stories truly captivating.
They added depth and intrigue to the city, transcending it from being merely a name on the map.
But I wasn\'t here to engage in casual sightseeing.
"Take me to the wilderness in Jaf", I demanded, my tone firm and resolute.
"That can be arranged, but we\'ll have to make a slight detour. The car won\'t be able to reach the exact location, so we\'ll have to continue on foot",George informed me, to which I readily agreed.
Jaf, known as "dry" in Arabic, referred to a region in which the Wilderness of Jaf lay.
This unique place was a forest oasis nestled amidst the surrounding deserts, encompassing an area of approximately 10 square kilometers.
After another brief five-minute drive, George steered us towards a different section of the city, where the narrow streets of the slums proved too cramped for the car to navigate.
And so, we embarked on a journey on foot.
During our expedition, George shared fascinating tidbits about various monuments, noteworthy individuals, and the rich history surrounding this place.
As he continued, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in his anecdotes, thoroughly enjoying the unexpected learning experience.
But what did bothered me was the sudden shift in atmosphere the moment I emerged from the air-conditioned compartment of the car.
An intense wave of heat and humidity enveloped me instantly, hitting me like a wall.
The air felt thicker, laden with a distinct earthly scent, and the overall atmosphere grew more muggy with moisture.
No wonder that most of the people here sported a beautiful golden-brown complexion, a stark contrast to my own pale, fair skin.
As George continued his narrative, he mentioned something that I could never have anticipated hearing from anyone\'s lips, "It is even said that Galandrath once had a meeting with the king and personally divulged information about eight national treasures. One of them being a bracelet, and the other, an amulet."
Eight national treasures?...
A bracelet?...
An amulet?...
Suddenly, a strange and unfamiliar surge of emotions washed over me, as if experiencing déjà vu... almost like emotions from another lifetime.
My brow furrowed, contorting with these unexplained emotions, but I fought to maintain my composure.
Stay calm Noah.
No
No, what the heck... Galandrath? Could this be a reference to the...
I glanced at the red bracelet adorning my left arm... ?!
Thump-thump... Thump-thump...
As my heart began to race, I swiftly composed my expression, taking a deep breath. "Huff."
"Galandrath, you mean the same Galandrath from the renowned Book of Legends?" I inquired keeping my bloody emotions in check.
"Indeed", George replied, affirming my suspicion.
He then extended his hand, pointing towards a small office nestled amongst a row of fences.
"I\'m afraid I can\'t venture any further. This seems to be as far as our paths intertwine",he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
With that, he departed from the location.
I took a moment to absorb the striking red signboard that had seized my attention.
Its bold letters spelled out "Wilderness in Jaf."
Finally, I had reached my destination...
~"Huff"
Step... Step... Step...
The ground beneath me, composed of rocky soil, echoed with each footfall.
As I moved forward, a peculiar calmness began to envelop me, gradually soothing my stirred emotions, almost as if...
...comforting me...
\'Solaris Amulet...\'
Step... Step... Step...
\'Your master... has arrived\'