The Sword of Somplak
Magic Palace

Prince Xiao Li Dan did not immediately answer him, he looked into other possibilities of knowledge passed down by the Hampa God. Moments later, he spoke, “No certainty was gained by expecting it. You have to get into it to find out the truth about it. My advice, enter quietly and beware! I'll help you observe everything.”

“Ready, Brother,” reply Ucup understand it.

Ucup stepped further into the deepest area at the foot of the mountain, the ground he stepped on suddenly turned into a gloomy and hopeless field. In the distance, a black cloud was rolling around like an evil spirit waiting for the time to pounce. The cold gusting wind carried a foul scent and fishy smell.

“Are they aware of my existence?” thought Ucup after seeing the change in natural atmosphere that made him have to be more careful in stepping.

The distance to the high area above the foot of the mountain is still very far away, but the natural atmosphere is increasingly felt gripping at every step. Slowly but surely, Ucup is just below the foot of the mountain that is blown a third, leaving a very large flat area and so unique, it looks like a large field as wide as the eye can see.

Invitation of a ladder made of stacked rocks to be the only way to reach the upper area. Ucup very carefully stepped step by step while observing the area around him.

Arriving at a high area, there was a faint rumbling sound in the sky, like the roars of spirits trapped at the location where Ucup was. The occasional flash of lightning split the dark sky, illuminating the terrifying scene beneath. A place so foreign, like a wasted land covered by darkness.

“Brother Xiao, is there anything you have found?” ask Ucup.

“In the distance of a thousand steps forward, I found nothing. Yet I managed to sense such a dense magic aura in this place,” replied the Prince.

Ucup continued his steps while being aware of things that might endanger him. The area around Ucup seemed as if it was vibrating with unstable energy, creating a strange vibration in the air. The dim light from an invisible source casted terrifying shadows that were blown away by the wind.

Among the mysterious mist, intangible silhouettes began to appear one by one, poking out from the darkness gently yet carrying a gripping feeling. Ucup senses that he is surrounded by the presence of an invisible figure, mystical entities who seem to want to test or investigate.

“This place is more creepy than walking in the middle of the grave at night,” Ucup murmured.

Before long, a building appeared before him. The huge building was a round palace, made of black stone that seemed to absorb light. Seen from the flash of lightning that seemed to be absorbed into it. The large gate stood wide open, inviting Ucup inside. The air around the palace was tense, emitting anxiety and warning.

“Lord Ucup, are you sure you will enter it?” Prince Xiao Li Dan began to worry.

“Yes, my instincts prompted me to enter it,” Ucup replied confidently.

When Ucup stepped in, the atmosphere became even more tense. The rooms inside the palace were filled with strange symbols engraved on the walls. The sound of the wind swirling as if telling about the unforgettable tragedies of the past. Faint shadows floated in the air, as if waiting for the right moment to appear.

In that silence, Ucup felt someone watching him. There was no clear sound or shape, but an aura of a powerful and invisible presence permeated the space. Anxiety crept in Ucup's mind, he knew that this place was a place filled with mystical powers that could not be interpreted simply.

This place was a labyrinth of darkness and secrets, an area where magic power and mystical entities combined into an atmosphere filled with terrifying mysteries. Ucup was immersed in a feeling of wonder, facing an even greater task than he had ever imagined.

Ucup felt his heart pound hard as he stepped deeper into the dark magic palace. Suddenly, in the middle of that darkness, appeared a figure so familiar to him—girl who resembles his sister—Princess Rekber. His face was pale and his eyes were filled with fear.

“Puput?” said Ucup shaking, “Puput, what happened?”

However, the girl who resembled her sister only looked at her with wide eyes and suddenly she cried out hysterically as if she saw something scary. Then, he turned around and ran away from Ucup, passing through the dark alleys in incredible speed.

"Snakes, wait!" ucup exclaimed, and without hesitation he chased after the girl with a thumping heart. He tried to reach the girl, but the closer he got, the more the girl felt like she was lost in the shadows. Disguised.

Suddenly, the girl stopped and turned to face Ucup, her face turning into a dark and strange expression. Ucup was shocked as he saw this change, and before he could react, the girl's body turned into something terrifying. His body fluttered and tore apart, then it unexpectedly turned into such a savage ancient beast; a huge black tiger full of sharp thorns with fiery red eyes and menacing fangs.

Ucup took a few steps back, his heart felt like it stopped beating as he looked at the ferocious beast before him. The black tiger howled with a voice that shook the bones. His red eyes stared intensely at Ucup, creating a feeling that he was prey that had been pursued by predators.

When the savage beast leaped towards Ucup, Ucup dodged in a swift motion. The two engage in a quick and dangerous fight, with Ucup trying to dodge the sharp attacks coming from the black tiger. Every move he took was filled with survival instincts, and the grip of tension grew stronger as he tried to find a loophole to act on.

As the two of them engage in a tense battle, Ucup realizes how difficult it is to face this creature. The tiger is agile, powerful, and aggressive, with every attack it launches carrying a real threat. Ucup felt like he was dealing with more than just a monster beast, there was something deeper and mystical in this battle.

Tension mounts as the monster beast grows more aggressive, and Ucup finds out that he must find a way to overcome this monster beast before he becomes its prey.

“Why is there a monster beast that has such a dense aura of death? I-this is not easy I face.” Ucup continued to attack him with various hard hits from both his hands and feet with maximum force.

Amidst this gripping battle, Ucup Rekber contemplates the right course of action to take, he must confront the secret behind the girl's sudden change into this beast.

However, the black tiger was so powerful and extremely aggressive. No injuries he got. This makes Ucup have to think hard and forced to lower the tempo of the attack to find the weakness of the monster. Now Ucup is starting to be cornered by the brutal attacks of tigers that are so fast and very deadly.

“Brother, can you help me scan the strengths and weaknesses of the monsters I am facing?” ucup said he asked for it.

There was no reply from Prince Xiao Li Dan. Ucup frowned feeling astonished. He then tried to call Long An to help him, but similarly, Long An did not reply.

“Sial, what exactly happened?” Ucup started to panic about the situation.