771  The Silence of Ebonvault           The air was thick with an unusual tension as Ren and his companions sailed along the stream, the gentle ripples of the magical energies creating a soothing melody. The Netherworld's landscape unfolded around them, a kaleidoscope of shadows and ethereal hues. The journey had been relatively calm, but the tranquility was shattered when Lethargia, who had been peacefully dozing off, suddenly stirred.

Her eyes, usually half-closed in perpetual drowsiness, snapped wide open. Unearthly whispers escaped her lips, as if an unseen force compelled her to share cryptic insights. "The Rebellion has crossed the border and would reign terror upon Ebonvault."

The words hung in the air, casting an unsettling atmosphere over the group. "Huh, what is she talking about?" Lorelai asked. Vivi, with her knowledge of Lethargia's peculiar abilities, explained calmly, "That's Lethargia when she's having a prediction of the future. She sees glimpses, often cryptic, of events that may come to pass."

Elena furrowed her brow. "But what does she mean about the Rebellion laying waste to Ebonvault?"

Desira wore a grave expression as she responded, "Ebonvault is where Avaris is located."

The revelation sent a chill through the group. Avaris, the Warlord of Greed, was the demon that they were going to see next, but the news of impending danger struck a chord. Upon reflection, Ren considered that Avaris would be the first male warlord they were about to encounter.

Evie raised a crucial question. "Then that means he is in trouble, right? Or is he already in trouble?"

Azazel and the others' faces were now etched with seriousness, and they exchanged silent glances that spoke volumes.

The urgency of the situation weighed heavily upon them. In unison, they knew what had to be done.

"Let's hurry to Avaris right now!" Azazel's command was met with a swift response.

The atmosphere shifted from one of calm exploration to an urgent quest. The stream seemed to quicken its pace as if mirroring the hastened heartbeat of the group.

Tiki sliced through the magical current with haste. The Netherworld's eerie beauty passed by in a blur, shadows dancing across the landscape like specters of impending events.

As they moved closer to Ebonvault, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Lethargia, having delivered her premonition, returned to her usual drowsy state, aware of the words she had said among her companions, but chose to sleep instead of helping. She contemplated lending a hand but quickly realized the substantial effort it would require. Consequently, she opted to sleep through it, anticipating the issue to resolve itself.

"Wake me up . . . when it's all done . . ." Lethargia mumbled.

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING AT ALL!" everyone exclaimed in frustration.

11:09

The journey that they thought was going to be peaceful transformed into a race against time. As Ren and the others emerged from the mystical stream, they found themselves standing in the field outside of Ebonvault, a city adorned with an unusual sight. The first thing they notice was an immense compilation of shiny objects, forming a towering heap at the center of the town. The pile stretched upward, threatening to breach the surface floor, and emitted a captivating radiance that sparkled in the ambient light.

The dazzling array consisted of various treasures, artifacts, precious items, and even junks creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that captivated the eyes of the onlookers. Ren couldn't help but marvel at the sheer wealth amassed in this peculiar display, wondering about the origin and purpose behind such an extravagant collection.

However, their fascination with the dazzling hoard was soon overshadowed by the haunting silence that enveloped Ebonvault. Despite the bustling appearance of the city, there was an eerie emptiness that sent shivers down their spines. Not a single soul could be seen roaming the streets, and an unsettling stillness permeated the air.

The once lively and vibrant town now seemed frozen in time, as if caught in the grip of an unseen force. The absence of any signs of life heightened the mystery and left Ren and the others with a sense of foreboding.

"What's happening here?" Ren inquired.

"I don't know, but it seems like there's no one inside the town," Elena answered, uncertainty lacing her words.

Lorelai shifted her gaze left and right. "Where are the armies?"

Azazel, Desira, and Vivi shared equally baffled expressions.

"Let's go inside; I can feel Avaris inside the castle," Desira said with a serious face.

The group unanimously agreed to enter the town.

Their footsteps echoed through the vacant streets, the sound resonating like a ghostly whisper in the lifeless atmosphere. The haunting ambiance intensified as they ventured further, exploring the desolate city with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Windows were tightly shut, curtains drawn, and doors sealed, adding to the sense of abandonment. The eeriness was accentuated by the occasional gusts of wind, which carried the echoes of a distant howl that seemed to reverberate from the shadows.

"Looks like Avaris's greed intensified," Vivi commented, eyeing the vast pile of treasures and junk at the center of the town.

"If this falls, we'll all get buried under it," Elena remarked dryly.

"Don't make the mistake of touching them," Desira cautioned. "Avaris has put a curse on whoever steals or even touches his belongings."

"Talk about stingy," Lorelai quipped. "It makes me want to touch them all the more."

"Hoi," Ren warned her.

Lorelai stifled a laugh. "I'm just kidding, of course."

As Ren and the group delved deeper into Ebonvault, the bizarre amalgamation of wealth and emptiness created an unsettling contrast. They couldn't help but wonder about the fate of the citizens, the reason behind the massive treasure trove, and what happened in here. "I wonder what happened here?" Lorelai vocalized what everyone was thinking.

"Maybe the people couldn't help themselves and touched the treasure, aiming to steal it, and then they disappeared or died because of the curse?" Elena conjectured.

All eyes turned toward her, and she shrugged. "It's the most likely scenario."

"Let's go to the castle and wring out the answers from Avaris himself," Desira said, leading the way toward the castle while dragging Lethargia with her, still sleeping and snoring as if she couldn't feel the bumps on the road.

GOALS!