Хризалида Том 1 Глава 1615 Первичный бульон

[ P/P: Original broth is a term coined by the Soviet biologist Alexander Ivanovich Oparin. In 1924, he proposed a theory about the origin of life on Earth through the gradual chemical evolution of carbon-containing molecules into a primordial soup. ]

The descent into the lower chamber of the heart proved arduous. The chamber walls' flesh sagged and oozed with mucus, and the path was narrow and treacherous. Though the Zissst had paved the way, maneuvering such a large and heavy monster was no simple feat. As they neared their destination, Zlut abruptly sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

Vapors of immense potency and toxicity billowed upwards, causing his skin to blister and burn upon contact.

Below lay the pool of mucus left by Theorazn, the source from which all other puddles in the nearby Slime Lands originated. He keenly desired to witness it up close, yet apprehension held him back. It was this profound respect for the perilous elements of the fifth layer that had enabled the Krats to endure within this domain.

«How close are we going to get to the pool?» he directly queried Soluzz.

The large Krat understood Zlut's underlying concern.

«The slime is so potent that even I would dissolve if I ventured too near,» he replied. «From a distance of one hundred meters, we can lower the monster down and observe the resulting changes. If we move any closer, I cannot guarantee your safety».

Even from a hundred meters away? Zlut found himself even more intrigued. Every Krat held a deep reverence for the Ancient One, but the true extent of Theorazn's capabilities remained a mystery. To think, a puddle of his immaculate slime could remain here, within the heart, for millennia and retain such formidable power!

Chotzt harbored no such awe as Zlut, her gaze fixed intently upon the inert form of the slime-coated monster.

«Not much longer now, abomination,» she hissed. «Soon, you will come to despise everything you once held dear».

«There is still one more,» Zlut reminded her. «The task is not yet complete».

«That other one did not slay my warriors. This creature did,» Chotzt spat, her caustic saliva bubbling on the platform.

«Once we turn this one, we can return to the fortress and destroy it. Following that, the chanting will cease, and two of the Ancient One's three tasks will be accomplished,» Soluzz stated.

«There may be more,» Ulist, a Krat'lat of Bulg, cautioned. «Now that the Ancient One has awakened, we must be prepared for further visitations».

«I shall be prepared, but you need not concern yourself,» Chotzt declared, enunciating each word with precision as she addressed her rival. «Theorazn will speak only to the worthy».

Given that he was speaking directly to Chotzt, Ulist could not offer a direct rebuttal. Before their exchange could escalate further, Soluzz intervened.

«We have arrived. From this moment forth, maintain silence».

He offered no further warning, merely a flicker of his bulging red eyes, making it unequivocally clear that he was not to be trifled with.

Lowered by thick strands of mucus, the platform—fashioned from hardened mold fused with acid—descended to touch the heart's lower reaches.

Lifting his gaze, Zlut remained astounded by the sheer immensity of the chamber. The heart, a pulsating conduit of poison and toxicity, served as the core of this entire fifth section, through which all of the Ancient One's miasma-enriched mana flowed. The walls throbbed on either side, propelling the current of energy and establishing a perpetual cycle of corruption that had shaped the Krats into what they were.

Soluzz, noticing his stare, drew his attention with a wave of his hand. He gestured to the side, and Zlut promptly shifted his focus.

Vast pillars of ossified flesh ascended from the heart's floor, dozens clustered together. Their shriveled apexes gaped open, drawing in immense torrents of mana.

The sources of the vents! Zlut had known of the vents his entire life but had never witnessed the origin of their power firsthand.

The group proceeded along a crudely constructed pathway, guiding them over the heart's viscous flesh. Behind them, a contingent of mighty slime warriors dragged the monster towards its doom.

With each passing moment of their journey, the miasma in the air grew progressively thicker, until Zlut felt as though he could barely draw breath. Observing the others, he perceived they were suffering just as he was, yet they refused to exhibit weakness before their rivals, so he continued to breathe normally despite the searing pain.

Soluzz silently led them onward until he finally halted. With a gesture, he beckoned the others closer, pointing downwards towards something they had not yet seen.

Even before discerning the pool itself, Zlut saw the vapors rising from it. They distorted the air, easily discernible despite lacking any actual color. It seemed as though the very world was tainted by them, warping and deforming from the mere proximity to something so toxic.

Approaching the edge of the pathway, Zlut looked down and was immediately struck by a sharp, burning pain in his eyes.

Бассейн был настолько невероятно мощным, что он едва мог на него смотреть. В слизземлях Сли у них была лужа для обращения, но она была разбавленной, в ней едва ли был плевок настоящей жижи. Ядовитое вещество Теораззна насыщенного желтого цвета с вкраплениями ядовитой пузырящейся зелени было настолько абсолютно сильным, что он чувствовал, как его собственная плоть начинает деформироваться и шипеть от одного взгляда на него.

Он отпрянул назад, отводя глаза и хватая ртом воздух, несмотря на то, что каждый вдох обжигал его изнутри.

Древний создал это? При этом тысячи лет назад?! Это было невозможно. Мог ли Крат когда-либо надеяться произвести что-то настолько мощное? Одна мысль о том, что это может оказаться в его плоти, заставляла Злута вздрогнуть. Он будет уничтожен в то же мгновение.

Придя в себя, Злут обернулся и увидел, что он был не единственным, у кого была бурная реакция на бассейн. Все остальные Крат'латы, за исключением Солузза, съежились, тяжело дыша. Огромный крат испытывал сильную боль, но держался, выражая свое превосходство тем, что твердо стоял там, где остальные не могли.

Он поднял руки, махая своим воинам, тем самым приказывая им подтолкнуть монстра вперед. Отсюда он должен был соскользнуть вниз по краю ямы, в которой находился бассейн обращения. Им нужно было только опрокинуть его через край.

Однако во время этого жеста Солузз замер. В воздухе внутри сердца случилась перемена, пробежала рябь, которая устремилась вверх, казалось, исходя из центра Подземелья. В тот же миг мана начала убывать, концентрация энергии начала падать.

Волна закончилась.

Он хмыкнул. Она продолжалась дольше, чем следовало. По крайней мере, теперь им будет гораздо легче перемещаться по туннелям и переместить силы для захвата крепости.

По его приказу воины потянули муравья вперед, все еще завернутого в кокон из слизи. Однако эта защита не продержится долго. Слизь, возможно, и могла противостоять мане пятого, но не могла защитить от того, что находилось под ними. Кокон уже начал медленно таять.

Последним рывком воины сбросили монстра с обрыва, и Солузз, вместе с Чозт, с нетерпением наблюдал, как существо начало катиться вниз навстречу своей гибели.

Вот тогда-то и началась тряска.