After crossing the scarlet waters of the Lake of Rot, the group reached the ancient complex on the opposite shore.
It was the Grand Cloister, built in the era of the Eternal City. Originally intended to channel flowing water, it was now completely covered in a scarlet fungal carpet.
At the entrance to the cloister, a group of Kindred of Rot had gathered in a circle, kneeling in worship before something.
They were prostrating themselves before a raised stone platform.
Messmer frowned.
Without hesitation, Messmer stepped forward. Messmer's flame surged from his palm like a living thing, forming a searing ring of fire that swept toward the kindred.
"Hiss-aaah!"
The Kindred of Rot did not even have time to react before they writhed in the flames and turned to ash.
The flames did not stop, sweeping across the fungal carpet surrounding the platform. The writhing scarlet vegetation gave sizzling cries under the intense heat, rapidly withering and charring.
The flames even ignited the scarlet waterfall pouring down from above.
An Ulcerated Tree Spirit concealed within it had no chance to lunge out before the flames poured into its body and erupted from within, burning it into a heap of charcoal in the blink of an eye.
Lilith clapped and laughed. "Nicely burned! All clean now. Just looking at it feels good~"
Horace offered no comment. His gaze settled on the platform.
An object lay there quietly.
Horace walked up onto the platform.
The Scorpion's Stinger. This was what the Kindred of Rot had been worshipping.
Horace reached out and touched the Scorpion's Stinger. In that instant, he heard a soundless accusation.
Pain.
Boundless pain, like being immersed in stagnant time, rotting with every second yet never able to die completely.
Horace saw the Lands Between in ancient times, when rot