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Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Beastbound
Priest Felix’s house was unlike any other in the Town. It was small and simple, with only a few essential rooms: a modest living room, a tiny kitchen, and a bedroom. Yet, what made it truly stand out was the huge library that took up most of the space. The room was filled with ancient books, their covers worn and faded with age.
The shelves were packed from floor to ceiling with old tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts, each one holding knowledge long forgotten by most.
Some were so old that the edges had crumbled, while others had faded ink that made reading them a challenge. A sturdy wooden table stood in the middle of the room, where the priest often sat to study, surrounded by bamboo mats spread out on the floor, offering a place to sit for those who sought his guidance.
The air was filled with the calming, sacred fragrance of agarwood incense, which burned softly in one corner of the room. Its holy scent spread throughout the house, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity.
Priest Felix himself sat cross-legged on one of the bamboo mats, his eyes closed in deep concentration. His lips moved silently, as if chanting some ancient prayer or spell under his breath. His face was calm, his brow slightly furrowed as if in deep thought.
The door to Priest Felix’s home burst open, nearly coming off its hinges, as Damon and Lucas stormed inside like a force of nature. Their faces were tight with urgency, the tension rolling off them in waves. Behind them, the others followed, their eyes wide with worry.
"Priest!" Damon called out, his voice sharp as he scanned the room.
"Priest!" Lucas echoed, his tone almost pleading.
Priest Felix remained motionless for a moment longer, his eyes still closed as if he hadn’t heard the commotion. The air felt thick with the lingering smoke of the incense, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. Then, with a deep breath, the priest opened his eyes. His gaze was calm but piercing, taking in the frantic group before him.
Slowly, he rose from his seat, his weathered face unreadable. "What brings you here in such a rush?" he asked, his voice soft but authoritative.
Damon stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides, struggling to keep his composure. "Little thing..i mean kyra... She’s been taken," he said, his voice tight with barely restrained anger. "By one of those big plants. We need to know what kind of magic this is and how to get her back."
Lucas, standing beside Damon, looked pale and hollow. "Please, Priest," he said, his voice quieter now, but filled with desperation. "We can’t lose her again."
Priest Felix’s eyes softened at their words. He nodded once, then turned toward the rows of ancient books, his fingers brushing over the spines like he was searching for something long forgotten.
Priest Felix took out a thick, old book from one of the shelves. The cover was plain, made of worn-out brown leather, with no title or design, only faded and cracked lines that hinted at its age. As he opened it, the yellowing pages inside seemed fragile, their edges crumbling slightly with each movement. The scent of old paper and dust mixed with the sweet aroma of the incense in the room, creating an oddly peaceful atmosphere despite the tension among them.
The priest calmly returned to the table and sat down, his movements slow and deliberate. He motioned for everyone to sit, raising his hand as if to say, "Be calm." Slowly, they all took their places around him, their eyes never leaving his hands as he carefully turned the pages.
On the first open page was a heading: "Beastbound." To the left, strange diagrams were drawn—curved lines and symbols that made little sense to the untrained eye. On the right were lines of inked writing, faded but still legible, speaking of magic, beasts, and ancient rites.
"Tell me more about this plant," Priest Felix said, his voice steady as he continued flipping through the thick paper. He moved quickly yet carefully until a new Chapter title appeared: "Silver Peak Mountain."
Lucas’s voice broke the silence. "They’re big, pear-colored leaves," he said, his tone heavy with exhaustion and worry. "They had this strange, awful smell. And then... they opened up like a portal. It sucked Ky ky inside." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke Kyra’s name, and he clenched his fists, trying to steady himself.
Priest Felix’s eyes narrowed as he listened, his fingers tracing the words on the page before him.
"Those leaves," Priest Felix began, his voice low and serious, "aren’t just plants. They’re mutated creatures, designed to act as portals, sending whoever they capture to a specific location. I’m not entirely sure where exactly, but it’s connected to something called the ’world key.’ Someone, somewhere, is trying to get hold of that key."
The room grew still as everyone listened intently, the air thick with tension. Priest Felix continued, his face darkening. "The Frostlyn Beast means Kyra, it likely plays a role in unlocking this world key. But that’s not all... There’s another requirement—something darker. To break the magical chains that protect the key, a sacrifice is needed. Specifically, a beastman with ancient wings in their human form."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "This is one of the darkest rituals, one used by those who want to gain access to the world key, no matter the cost. Whoever is behind this is willing to go to unimaginable lengths."
"Before it’s too late, you all need to find someone who has the power to control those dark shadows. You don’t have the strength to handle that kind of dark magic..." Priest Felix warned, his voice heavy with concern.
Hearing this, Lucas and Damon’s faces grew darker, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
"Then who should we take with us?" Damon asked, his voice taut with tension. "Priest, why don’t you come with us?"
Priest Felix shook his head. "No, I don’t have that power. But I do know someone who does. However," he hesitated, his gaze serious, "he may ask for something expensive in return. If you’re willing, I can contact him. He’s easy to summon."
"Please, do it quickly," Lucas urged, desperation in his voice.
