NOVPUB
Chapter 359: 359
Turning his attention to the eastern continent, Björn locked in on his target "King Nwadiebube" Björn wanted to take a closer look but he was in an unfamiliar territory as this continent was claimed by Ikenga, he is not around but that doesn’t mean he won’t return.
Björn closed his eyes as he leaned in on his throne, the war will come and he will be called upon, by then he could watch as much as he wants to.
At the eastern continent, Ezinne has already prepared herself for her advancement, with the help of the branch. Ezinne can be seen dressed in white kneeling before the statue of Keles, around her was a drawn magic circle with other shamans gathered around.
They all began walking in a circle around her while at the same time murmuring a spell, Ezinne was also murmuring with them soon Ezinne body dropped yet no one stepped forward to help.
The shamans had a glow in their eyes as they looked at Ezinne, unsurprised as her soul left from her body, the branch she was holding casting a natural green energy around her.
"Mounts of the inbetween, i need help" Ezinne soul called out, she waited a while as the space in front of her shook as a huge deer walked out of it.
The deer looked at her and the green glow she had on her, Ezinne stood wide eyed as the deer came closer to her and touched it’s snout on her. Ezinne wasn’t the only one surprised as this was the first time since these spirit deers ever bothered to get closer to them.
The deer bent its body allowing for Ezinne to climb on to it, with that the deer stood up and began walking away. The deer slowly turned from walking into strunting soon it became a full blown run.
Ezinne held on tight as the deer all of a sudden dived into the earth with her. The scenery was passing by fast, when Ezinne got to her senses, they were now in front of a huge gate.
Ezinne recognized the gate, Ezinne found herself entranced with the gate as her body began to slightly float away from the deer’s back. Only for the deer to shake its body getting Ezinne back to focus.
Ezinne heard the spirit speak to her "The green on you is good for you but also hold a lot of attraction to the underworld, keep your curiosity to yourself if you ever plan on getting back"
The deer Ignored Ezinne as it spoke out "Father open the door" Down in the southern continent, Wardenwild who is keeping guard on Murmur heard the request. He looked down to see the human woman and one of his children.
Curious Wardenwild nodded as the gate to the underworld opened up for Ezinne and the deer to walk through.
The gates groaned open, their heavy iron creaking with an eerie melody as Wardenwild granted passage. Beyond the threshold, a sprawling expanse of the underworld stretched out, a realm both desolate and brimming with an unsettling vitality. Shadows flickered as if alive, and the air was heavy, thick with the weight of countless souls.
The deer stepped gracefully forward, its hooves making no sound against the ground. Ezinne clung tightly to its back, her eyes darting around the alien landscape. Whispers brushed against her ears, faint voices murmuring secrets and sorrows. She could feel the oppressive pull of the green glow encasing her, drawing attention from unseen entities lurking just beyond her sight.
The deer spoke again, its voice reverberating like a deep bell. "This is your path, shaman. Do not stray. The underworld watches those who do not belong."
Ezinne nodded silently, her determination unwavering despite the growing tension in the air. The glow around her pulsed faintly, and as they moved further, she noticed shapes beginning to emerge in the distance. Souls, wandering aimlessly, their faces etched with despair and longing, turned their hollow gazes toward her. Some recoiled from the green light, while others reached out as if seeking solace.
"Why do they fear this light?" Ezinne asked softly.
The deer replied without turning. "It is life. To some, it is a beacon of hope. To others, a reminder of what they’ve lost. Pay them no mind. We have a destination."
They journeyed deeper until the landscape began to shift. The ground beneath them turned from barren rock to soft, shifting soil, and the air grew colder. Ahead, a lone figure stood, its form flickering like a candle caught in a breeze. It was an ancestral soul, its presence unmistakable, radiating a mix of strength and sorrow.
The deer stopped a short distance from the figure, lowering itself to allow Ezinne to dismount. "Go," it said. "Your task begins here. Remember the words I spoke—curiosity can be your undoing."
Ezinne approached cautiously, the green glow around her casting long shadows. The soul turned to face her, and she gasped. It was a woman, her features eerily similar to Ezinne’s own, as though the spirit were a reflection from another life.
As Ezinne approached the ancestral soul, recognition flooded her senses. It was her great-grandmother, Ngozi, a woman whose tales of wisdom and resilience had shaped much of her family’s identity. Ngozi’s spectral form glowed faintly, her features clear and familiar despite the ethereal nature of her presence.
"You’ve come far, child," Ngozi said, her voice warm yet laced with caution. "But this is only the beginning. The underworld does not yield its treasures without struggle."
Ezinne bowed her head respectfully, clutching the branch tightly. "Great-grandmother, I succeded in finding a way to claim a domain, as a resisdent of thie realm. Guide me."
Ngozi nodded approvingly, then gestured for Ezinne to follow. The deer that had carried her thus far stood silently, its glowing gaze fixed on her as she stepped forward. With each step, the terrain shifted subtly. Shadows flickered and danced, forming hazy outlines of structures long forgotten by the living. The air was thick, carrying whispers that seemed to seep into Ezinne’s thoughts.
They walked until they reached a hollow, where a cluster of souls had gathered. These were ancestral spirits, some faint and drifting, others vibrant and alert. Ezinne’s green glow caught their attention, and murmurs rippled through the group.
"This is where I reside," Ngozi said, gesturing toward a small grove that shimmered faintly with her essence. "It is a safe haven, but only for those who have claimed their place. Now, child, it is time to choose your land."
Ezinne’s eyes scanned the expanse. The underworld was vast, its geography as mutable as its occupants. Nearby, she saw a stretch of barren plains tinged with faint green hues, calling to her as if it resonated with the energy of the branch she carried. But scattered across the expanse were other souls, some aimless and weak, others alert and wary. She realized that claiming a domain would not be simple—it would mean displacing others.
"This land is free to claim," Ngozi continued, "but it is not unoccupied. The moment you step forward, the spirits will understand your intent. They will not surrender easily. Some will flee, but others will fight for what they see as theirs. You must be ready."
Ezinne inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "And if they fight?"
"Then you must prove that you are stronger, more determined. The underworld respects power and resolve. But beware—the strongest spirits, those who still retain fragments of their sanity, will see your claim as a challenge. They may come for you."
As Ezinne stepped onto the barren plains, the ancestral glow around her intensified, drawing the attention of every spirit nearby. Some retreated, sensing the strength of the ancestral bond emanating from her. Others, more territorial or desperate, edged closer, their forms solidifying, ready to defend what they believed was theirs.
Ngozi stepped forward, her spectral presence growing more tangible as she turned to address the other ancestral souls gathered. "This is not just her battle; it is ours. If she succeeds, this land becomes a sanctuary for our bloodline—a place where we may gather, where our family’s spirits can rest and thrive for generations to come."
The gathered ancestors nodded, their faint forms beginning to glow with resolve. One by one, they aligned behind Ezinne, forming a spectral retinue of her lineage. Their combined presence radiated a powerful aura, the kind that only a united ancestral line could produce.
Ezinne glanced back at them, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and gratitude. "Thank you," she murmured. "I won’t let us fail."
As the spirits of the plains advanced, a low hum of energy rippled through the ground. The ancestral souls stepped forward, their forms growing more defined. Ngozi raised her hand, and a shimmering barrier of light spread outward, pushing back the weaker spirits.
"This is our claim," Ngozi declared, her voice resonating like a tolling bell. "Leave, or face the might of a united family."
