As we walked through the dark and narrow cavern that led to the mountain’s peak from Avery’s residence, the sound of our footsteps echoed off the walls. We were eager to begin our journey to the next realm, but I knew there was much to do before I could progress to the first phase of sol-weaving.
My first task was to forge my own nexus. I could not think of anything that I had spent the most time with in my life. This meant that I was free to study a particular subject and gain an understanding of it. It was essential to identify this because it would serve as the foundation for my sol-weaving practice.
In addition to this, I also needed to focus on maintaining my Zen state for longer periods of time. While Kei and I were both capable of achieving an enhanced state for a few minutes, I knew I needed to strengthen my ability to stay in that state for longer. This would require practice and dedication, but it was essential for my journey.
Another challenge I faced was the burning sensation I felt when trying to take in more oxygen. I realised I needed to reinforce my sensory channels to prevent this discomfort.
"I’m unsure of my nexus." Kei was curious.
"We are unaware of the effects it would have on you, so I urge you against trying to use it." I proposed
"Alright." Kei sighed
"Avery indicated the next realm should have a swamp-like ecosystem; I wonder what awaits us," I pondered.
As we approached the end of our path, a dim light caught my attention. As we drew closer, we could hear faint voices coming from people. Upon exiting the cavern, I was amazed by the breathtaking view before us.
We had reached the peak, and in the centre stood a massive cave that seemed to be the passage to the third realm. The flat ground we were standing on was surrounded by trees, and a few doZen people were resting nearby, probably other Venturers who had completed their trek to the summit.
Suddenly, I saw a man wave at me, and I stared at him for a moment, trying to recognise his face. Suddenly, it hit me like a bolt of lightning—I knew him!
"It’s been a while, Cliff," I said as I recognised the face of the boy from my training on the lakefront. As we got closer, I also saw the face of the boy next to him, but I couldn’t remember him.
"Davy Robinson," the man said, extending his hand.
It took me a while to recall the name, but then I remembered him. He was the one who got an A+ on the final exam of our training and secured the first position.
Cliff then pointed towards Kei and asked, "Who is this person next to you?" I explained that Kei was my travelling companion whom I had found in Robhurst rove. We all sat down and introduced ourselves, discussing how we had ended up there.
Cliff and Davy had teamed up before diving into the first realm and had reached that area before us. They were resting here before proceeding on their journey. I also shared our exploits, including encountering a giant tarantula, but I left out the details about the bird since Avery had advised us not to share it with anyone to maintain harmony among Venturers.
As we sat there talking, Cliff suggested an idea. "Guys, how about we form a party? We can share the accolades of our journey between ourselves, and it would make things for us a lot easier, right?" he proposed.
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Davy Robinson chimed in, "I agree, we can go our separate ways if tension arises between us, but we can try to fight through these hurdles together, and I presume we all have so much to learn from each other."
I glanced at Kei, who nodded in agreement. It seemed like a good idea to have a group of people support each other and share our knowledge. "We look forward to working with you," I said with a faint smile.
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AVERY PAQUET
While I worked on my research, the mechanical sound of my apparatus and the air’s delicate white jellyfish humming created a surprising melancholy. It had been a few days since I had dispatched Wallace and Kei, the two boys, on their journey after educating them on the skill of sol-weaving.
"I’m curious to see where their venture takes them." I addressed myself.
People like them are the sort to reach the bottom. The lad with the mysterious aura, Wallace, and the other boy, Kei, both seemed out of the norm. The likelihood of emerging as a paladin increases the farther you go from the term "normal," as this labyrinth is not a place for the ordinary.
The sound of someone’s footsteps distracted me from my thoughts.
As I had to make more of an effort to hide this location once Kei and Wallace arrived, it was unlikely that anyone could find it at this time.
I extended my hand towards a stone pedestal where my trusty rapier lay. This sword had been my faithful companion throughout my journey to the bottom. To retrieve it, I conjured up a gust of wind and used it to lift the weapon off the pedestal, causing it to hover in mid-air until I grabbed hold of it.
"Finally, Avery Paquet, we’ve met." The intrusive person’s voice echoed throughout the cavern.
"So now you choose to come out. I spoke in a firm tone when I responded.
"In fact, my instincts were correct. You were the one pulling the strings that were attached to the one-eyed bird incident, the attack on those boys, and all the other bizarre things that have been happening around here. Isn’t that right? Cyanthos, Leader of the Voidshades," I finished.
"Indeed. Although I am happy that you were able to solve everything, shouldn’t that have been expected of you as the Ninth Herald’s disciple?" The man confirmed
"So, the order you represent has finally decided to make a move on compound 009. Yet I’m still unable to grasp one thing. Why did you spare them when you dispatched your voidlings to attack those youngsters’ camp? You might have easily eliminated them with a finger flick." I questioned
"That was a mistake on my part, I guess," he moaned, a scowl spreading across his face.
"When I came to a camp of rookies who had gathered supplies, I was trying to hunt for resources. I watched them from the shadows and sent my voidlings to attack them to get those supplies, not realising that the man I was attacking was ‘Wallace Garret’. I saved him after realising my terrible error, but it was too late for his companions, and three of them perished."
"To make up for that, I even wove a bridge for him to cross the river," the man elaborated.
"Very considerate of you." I mused
"Yet that doesn’t address my query. Why is this Wallace boy special?" I asked
"Wallace Garret is an existence that needs to be preserved. Enough chitchat now. You are going to let me know where the Ninth Herald is." His expression turned serious.
"I have already informed him about your advance on this limbo. You can never get to him." I replied
"As predicted. Then, get ready to die." A grin formed on his face.
The situation was dire as the man extended his hand and began forming ice around the entire cavern, leaving me no escape. With his eyes locked on me, I felt powerless as the ice encased my entire laboratory.
I quickly leaped into action, using the wind to propel myself towards him, but he released his fist, and a deafening noise echoed through the cavern. Looking back, I saw that my base had been reduced to what seemed like fragments of broken glass.
Despite the obstacle, I continued towards him with my rapier aimed at his heart. But just as I was about to strike, an impenetrable veil of ice appeared, blocking my attack. My rapier barely scratched the surface, but I didn’t give up.
I used the wind to rotate my rapier at an otherworldly speed, turning it into a drill, and the ice began to crack and shatter. As I approached him, ready to strike again, he surprised me by grabbing my rapier with his bare hand. Blood oozed out between his fingers, but he used his incredible strength to deform my weapon, which then fell to the ground, freeing his hand.
Before I knew it, he had me by the neck with his other hand, lifting me into the air. In a brutal move, he punched me in the stomach with his bleeding hand, causing one of my ribs to break.
"I’m looking forward to playing with you until I get what I am here for.". He grinned.