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墨書 Inktalez
Alice's mind was a whirlwind of confusion, as if countless memories were surging within her. The image of the mask began to sharpen, and she saw her parents, whispering in a corner, seemingly discussing her future and the significance of the mask.
Suddenly, everything came to a halt. Alice snapped back to reality, realizing that the stone slab had vanished, yet she still clutched tightly to the fox's shoulder. His eyes were filled with concern and warning.
"Are you okay?" The fox's voice sounded particularly clear at that moment.
Alice steadied herself, gradually coming to terms with what she had just experienced. She took a deep breath, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her. That stone slab seemed to be more than just a physical object; it brought not only a visual shock but also a kind of mental manipulation, attempting to overturn her thoughts from deep within.
She shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the eerie sensation from her mind, turning to the fox. "I... I'm fine." She forced herself to calm down; her tone was somewhat unnatural, but at least she managed not to reveal too much panic.
The fox's gaze remained heavy as he surveyed their surroundings, as if assessing whether there was greater danger ahead. "That slab is not an ordinary stone," his voice trembled slightly. "It can influence a person's will, leading their thoughts into chaos. Just like how you almost..." He trailed off, but Alice understood he was referring to how close she had come to being consumed by the slab's power.
"We can't waste any more time," Alice said in a low voice, her eyes resolute. "Fox, I understand now. You're right; there is a greater force behind that mask. We cannot let it continue to control us. Whatever we face, this must end."
The fox looked at her, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. "Are you really ready for this, Alice? You know that once we embark on this path, there may be no turning back." His tone was filled with warning but also an undeniable hint of concern.
Alice did not answer verbally; instead, she tightened her grip on his hand, her gaze unwavering. "I know, Fox. I won't give up; we'll face this together."
She turned and led the way deeper into the cave. Everything around them grew increasingly bizarre; the air felt heavier with humidity, and the ground was thickly carpeted with moss and rubble, making each step feel exceptionally arduous. Her heart raced on, but the mist ahead seemed to clear gradually. She realized that the fox's disappearance, the secret of the mask, and even her parents' past all converged at this moment.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from ahead. Alice and the fox halted simultaneously, exchanging tense glances. The fox frowned slightly. "Someone's coming."
Before they could react further, several figures emerged from the darkness. The faces were vaguely familiar yet predominantly cold and resolute. The leader among them was someone Alice recognized immediately—Arthur the Naturalist—who she had seen conducting research on the other side of the cave and seemed particularly interested in these ancient relics.
"You all..." Alice frowned, "How did you get here?"
Arthur smiled faintly, a hint of coldness flickering in his eyes. In his hand, he held a peculiar device that seemed to measure some energy fluctuations within the cave. "I came here to find you," he said in a low voice devoid of any emotional undertones. "You have come into contact with that stone tablet, which is very dangerous, especially for those like you who do not fully understand it."
"Who are you?" The fox's gaze was sharp, clearly skeptical of Arthur's words. "What trick are you playing?"
Arthur smiled slightly and pointed toward the depths of the cave. "You don't understand; this place, and even the entire island, conceals powers beyond our imagination. The mask is just the beginning; there are greater secrets behind it. Your parents, especially yours, Alice, are the guardians of this secret."
Alice's heart skipped a beat. She had thought her parents' disappearance was just an ordinary accident, but now Arthur's words made her realize that their absence might be intricately linked to these mysteries.
"What are you saying?" She could hardly believe her ears. "My parents are involved in this?"
Arthur nodded, a certain helplessness in his eyes. "Yes. Your parents have been protecting this island, safeguarding the mask and the secrets behind it. You have no idea how deeply you have been drawn into an inescapable situation."
A thunderous realization struck Alice's mind. All the clues seemed to suddenly connect—the disappearance of her parents, the fox's absence, even every step she had taken on this island felt as if it were manipulated by some invisible force.
"What do you really want?" The fox's voice was cold and carried an undeniable threat. "If you truly know all this, you should understand that we won't let you succeed."
Arthur did not respond immediately; instead, he turned and pointed toward a distant light. "If you go further down, you will see more truths. I know what you seek is answers, but are you prepared to face these truths?"
Alice's heart was filled with conflict. She wanted to know the truth but also understood that each step could lead her deeper into despair. She looked intently at the fox, a glimmer of determination flashing in her eyes. "We can't stop," she said softly.
The fox fell silent for a moment before responding quietly, "Alright, let's continue."
Arthur's lips curled slightly. "Well then, I wish you good luck. The path ahead will be even more difficult, and the true power of the mask is beyond your imagination."
As his figure faded into the darkness, Alice and the Fox stepped back onto the unknown road. Each step felt like delving deeper into a mystery, and behind that mystery lay an inescapable fear and truth. She could sense that every time she drew closer to those answers, the aura of the mask lingered around her, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart.
No longer hesitating, her resolve was firm. No matter what fate awaited her ahead, she would walk alongside the Fox until the truth surfaced.
As she walked through the dimly lit passage, her thoughts began to echo—her parents' disappearance, the power of the mask, the Fox's experiences; all the mysteries converged into a massive whirlpool, consuming all her reason and fear.
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