Reincarnated with the Country System

Chapter 73 Hearts of the Jungle (2)

Lewis, ever vigilant in his role as security chief, took point as they entered the dark passage. His hand instinctively went to his hip, but he remembered that their weapons had been confiscated. He'd have to rely on his training and instincts to keep them safe.

"Stay close," Lewis whispered, his eyes straining to adjust to the darkness. "We don't know what we're walking into."

Jammy followed closely behind Lewis, with Rachel bringing up the rear. The passageway was narrow, forcing them to walk single file. The air grew thick and musty as they descended deeper.

Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet began to slope sharply downward. Lewis raised his hand, signalling the others to stop.

"Careful," he warned. "The floor's getting steeper. We don't want to lose our footing."

As if in response to his words, a faint light began to glow ahead of them, revealing a chamber that opened up at the bottom of the slope. The walls were covered in intricate carvings, depicting scenes of jungle life and what appeared to be ancient rituals.

As they entered the chamber, torches along the walls burst into life, bathing the room in flickering orange light. In the centre stood a large stone table, upon which rested three identical clay pots.

A disembodied voice, seeming to come from everywhere, filled the chamber:

"Seekers of knowledge, your first trial begins. Within these pots lie your past, your present, and your future. Choose wisely, for only one path leads to truth. The others lead to illusion and danger."

They were surprised by this sudden voice

Lewis scanned the room, looking for any signs of traps or hidden dangers. "We need to be careful," he said, his voice tense. "This could be more than just a test of wisdom."

Rachel stepped forward, her diplomatic instincts kicking in. "We need to think this through carefully. The choice we make here could affect the rest of the trials."

Jammy nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Let's examine the pots closely. There might be clues in the designs or markings."

As they approached the stone table, Lewis kept his senses on high alert, watching for any hidden mechanisms or traps. The three clay pots appeared identical at first glance, each adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change in the flickering torchlight.

Rachel circled the table slowly, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "These symbols," she murmured, tracing her finger along the side of one pot. "They look like they might represent different stages of life."

Jammy nodded, leaning in to examine the markings more closely. "You're right. This one seems to show birth and childhood, this one adulthood, and the last one... old age and death."

Lewis, still scanning the room, added, "But remember what the voice said. Only one leads to truth. The others could be dangerous." Experience new tales on empire

Rachel bit her lip, considering their options. "The riddle mentioned past, present, and future. But it also said to choose wisely. What if it's not as straightforward as it seems?"

Jammy ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "We need to make a decision. We can't stand here debating forever."

Lewis, ever practical, suggested, "Why don't we each take a closer look at one pot? We might notice something."

They agreed, and each approached a different pot. As Rachel examined hers, she noticed a faint shimmer beneath the surface of the clay, almost as if something was moving within. James reported a similar observation, while Lewis's pot seemed completely still.

"I think I've got it," Rachel said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with realization. "The past and future are always in motion, constantly being reinterpreted or reimagined. But the present... the present is now. It's solid, real."

Jammy nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face. "So you think we should choose the pot that represents the present? The one that seems still?"

Lewis, however, remained cautious. "It could be a trap. Making the obvious choice might be exactly what they expect us to do."

Rachel took a deep breath, weighing their options. "We have to trust our instincts. I believe this is the right choice."

After a moment of tense silence, Jammy nodded. "I agree. Captain Lewis?"

The security chief hesitated for a moment longer, then gave a curt nod. "Alright. But let me do it. If there's any danger, I should be the one to face it."

Before Rachel and Jammy could protest, Lewis reached out and grasped the middle pot, the one representing the present. As his fingers closed around it, the chamber fell silent, the torches dimming to a faint glow.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, with a grinding of stone on stone, the floor beneath their feet began to shift. The table sank into the ground, and a new passageway opened up before them, leading deeper into the structure.

The disembodied voice spoke once more: "You have chosen wisely. The present is your gateway to understanding. Proceed to your next trial, seekers of knowledge."

Lewis let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Well, that's one complete," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.

Rachel smiled, though her eyes remained serious. "We did it. Let's hope we can keep that up for the next two trials."

Jammy nodded, already peering down the new passageway. "No time to rest on our laurels. We need to keep moving."

With renewed determination, the trio set off down the newly revealed path, the darkness swallowing them once more. The second trial awaited

As they ventured deeper into the passageway, the air grew thicker and more humid. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls, creating an eerie atmosphere. Lewis remained on high alert, his eyes constantly scanning for potential threats.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, they emerged into a vast circular chamber. Unlike the previous room, this one was brightly lit by an unseen source, revealing intricate murals covering every inch of the walls.