Author's Note: It's been a while, but here it is, the next chapter of the story. Not only was writer's block rearing its ugly head, but I had some things going on in my life as well. But I promise you this, readers. However long it may take, I WILL take this to the end of the game. And I anticipate that there will only be one more chapter before getting to Zephon himself.

Zephon's Clan Territory Pt. 4

I crept up the pipes, keeping close to the wall.
The insect below waits to strike, should I fall.

And one other insect awaits just ahead.
Evading his strikes, I continued to tread.

I easily made the ascent without fail.
And so, I proceeded to follow the trail.

In time, it was sundered in two different routes.
I still advanced forward, in spite of my doubts.

I followed the path in its winding direction
Straight into a bloodthirsty insect's detection

He suddenly struck, but I had little fear.
I struck him in kind, and a fire was near.

I did so until he could no longer fight.
I then tossed him forward to set him alight.

And once this was done, on his soul I would feast.
Unfortunately, this is where the path ceased.

Although this short battle was easily won
There's still one last thing in this place to be done

I'd not fed enough to replenish my blade.
A human descends to his knees, unafraid.

Consuming a miniscule part of his soul
I needed to act with extreme self-control.

Ensuring that he would not die as I feed
By only consuming as much as I need.

I'm not often praised with such spirited zeal.
I ambled away and allowed him to heal.

Above is a man who was armed just the same.
He kneels in reverence, the closer I came.

And so, I stood close, and I fed carefully
And then felt the wraith blade returning to me.

Though just a small part of his soul was devoured
My thirst was assuaged, and my blade is repowered.

And once I leapt down and my steps were retraced
I made my return to the split path I'd faced.

I followed the path that I left once before.
This passage that I would no longer ignore.

Although I advanced without being assaulted
My peregrination was once again halted.

Ahead, several moveable stones had been found.
The stones were embedded deep into the ground.

Two stones were exposed, and two, covered with glass.
Perhaps I must turn them in order to pass.

My search to find Zephon would not terminate.
I shifted to limbo and passed through the gate.

A portal was there, so I wouldn't remain.
I quickly returned to the physical plane.

I followed one path to pursue a solution.
With nothing to guide me but blind resolution.

I traversed the course the entire way through.
And briefly attempted to see what to do.

Two worshippers suddenly hurled their knives.
For challenging me, they would pay with their lives.

Though one of them hit me, I fought without pause.
And brought them both down using only my claws.

As soon as they fell, both their souls were devoured.
And then, at that moment, my sword was repowered.

Ahead were three slabs of identical stone.
Their purpose, however, I hadn't yet known.

Each stone bears a lid I could easily raise.
Perhaps this was part of the subsequent phase.

I leapt to the lids that were close to the wall.
Accomplishing nothing by lifting them all.

With each lid I lift, different sounds could be heard.
There's no need to open them all, I inferred.

And once I closed only the furthest one out.
The next sound approaching left no room for doubt.

Eventually, I could hear a small clatter.
There only remains one more cover to shatter.

And now that I seem to be done in this section
I followed the path in the other direction.

The end is in sight, but an insect was there.
He suddenly struck me, but I didn't care.

The strikes of my claws only weaken and maim.
Though, luckily, I was not far from a flame.

And so, as I kept the small fire in sight
I shoved him until he would fleetly ignite.

I fed on his soul as his corpse quickly burned.
At that very moment, the Reaver returned.

Ahead were three slabs with a lid, as before.
I also need only raise two, furthermore.

I lifted two lids, and the sound this would make
Induced the last cover to finally break.

I shifted to limbo and made my way out
Consuming the souls that were floating about.

In search of a portal, I traversed the hall.
There's one straight ahead, if I duly recall.

Though distant, the portal's location was plain.
I used it, returning to earthly terrain.

I quickly turned back to the stones I once freed
To see what I'd managed by doing this deed.

And now that I'm in this location alone
Completely unhindered, I turned every stone.

I turned them to power a thundering vent.
I slowly leapt in, and I made my ascent.

I rose to the pipes through which air is directed.
And somehow, these vessels had been disconnected.

The pieces were raised, so I pushed them below
And nothing would hinder the air's steady flow.

My efforts appeared to be met with success.
I followed the walkway ahead to progress.

I reached a new part of this derelict place
Prepared for whatever new straits I might face.

Two massive stones stand on one side of this room
And so, I must move them aside, I assume

Of course, two more creatures observed my appearance.
By now, they are only a slight interference.

They struck at me swiftly; the Reaver dispersed
This crisis, however, was plainly reversed.

These creatures did little in halting my aim.
I gathered a torch and I set one aflame.

I turned both the panels nearby, I decided
And both of the stones near the wall were divided.

There's still one more creature I needed to fight.
And there was no alternate weapon in sight.

I tossed him between the two towering stones
Then brought them together, contusing his bones.

Consuming their spirits upon their demise
I saw that the path still continues to rise.