2 years have passed by in the blink of an eye...
KEIICHI MIURA
As the colossal aquatic beast leaped towards me, its jaws agape and claws extended, I gracefully leaped into the air , my body moving with unparalleled grace and speed. In a mesmerising display of agility, I evaded the creature’s attacks with ease, each movement choreographed as if I were dancing through the air.
In perfect synchronisation, I hurled one of my finely crafted daggers at the beast, the blade finding its mark with pinpoint accuracy. The dagger pierced the creature’s eye, causing an eruption of dark, blackish blood to cascade from the wound as the massive monster slowly collapsed, sinking into the depths of the sea below.
With the threat vanquished, I stood upon a stone floor that was partially submerged in water. All around me were remnants of ancient stone buildings, their aged appearance telling tales of forgotten times.
Green vines snaked their way up the walls, marking the passage of centuries. Some of the structures were tilted at odd angles, while others lay in ruins, half-submerged in the murky water.
This forsaken place was known as Route 37 of the 43rd realm: Mophiriel, The Sinking Domain. It was a place where past glory had been swallowed by the relentless march of time.
"Well done," a voice echoed from behind me.
I turned to see Elsie’s translucent figure, her radiance seemingly untouched by the gloom of this realm. Her ethereal presence filled me with a mixture of sorrow and comfort.
As I faced her, another voice cut through the air, tinged with sarcasm. It was Wallace’s illusion, standing beside Elsie, his ruby-like eyes reflecting a playful demeanor. "You’ve taken down the seventh one already. These creatures are supposed to be the most formidable in this realm, and you didn’t even need to resort to sol-weaving," Wallace’s illusion remarked, his tone a mix of admiration and jest.
The illusion of Elsie smiled softly, her eyes filled with pride. However, the scene soon shifted, and the illusions of Elsie and Wallace cracked and dissipated like glass, revealing Cliff and Davy, my true companions who had reunited with me last year.
More than two years had passed since the tragic deaths of Wallace and Elsie. After reaching the 4th respite zone, I had the good fortune of reuniting with Cliff and Davy, who had journeyed alongside Wallace and me from the 3rd to the 6th realm before deciding to return to Earth.
Their unexpected return to Limbo surprised me, as I hadn’t anticipated them braving the dangers of this realm after hearing of the Ninth Herald’s demise. With no one else left to protect Limbo, the number of Venturers had dwindled significantly, leaving only me and my two friends to navigate the haunting echoes of this realm. We were the last remnants of hope in this vast, desolate domain.
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Their aspirations were noble, driven by a deep desire to become paladins and safeguard Limbo until the next Herald was chosen. Despite the looming uncertainty surrounding the fate of Limbo, they held on to hope, convinced that its collapse was not imminent.
However, their optimism was interrupted by a sudden rumble beneath our feet. Without warning, the ground trembled, and from the depths of the water emerged another of the fearsome sea beasts, its menacing appearance baring deadly fangs and a single, piercing brown eye that made it look all the more ferocious.
"The appearance of these creatures shows no signs of slowing down," Davy sighed, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and determination.
Both Davy and Cliff sprang into action without hesitation. Thick, brown wooden branches manifested around the creature, skillfully reshaped by Cliff’s second-phase wood weaving, locking the beast into immobility. Seizing the opportunity, a trident of fire materialised in Davy’s hand, its three sharp edges poised to strike.
With precision, he launched the trident, its blazing tips piercing through the beast’s vulnerable eye. Helpless and trapped by the wooden bindings, the creature could only await its inevitable demise as the fire spread, engulfing its body along with the wood surrounding it.
Our presence in this realm attracted the attention of such dangerous creatures because we were among the few remaining Venturers in Compound 009. These loyal Venturers, like us, had not lost hope and persevered on their journey despite the odds stacked against them.
During these two years, I have not slept a single day. Utilising my blessing, I traversed through the realms during the day while dedicating my nights to rigorous training and meditation. This relentless pursuit of power made these two years feel twice as long, filled with seemingly endless endeavours.
Through persistent meditation and training, the duration of my Zen state gradually extended, ultimately integrating itself into my very being, resulting in a permanent state of Zen.
Nelchael’s projection had granted me invaluable knowledge about Lune, but it proved to be incomplete, guiding me only to a certain extent. Nonetheless, the knowledge I gained propelled me to attain a magnificent power.
"Let’s go. The exit is near," Davy said in a low, determined voice, drawing our attention to the path that lay ahead.
**
As we ventured deeper into the submerged buildings, the sea beasts became more relentless in their pursuit.
Their massive forms glided through the water with impressive speed, but their efforts were futile against our agility and resourcefulness. Darting through the crumbling corridors, we nimbly dodged their lunges and retaliated with swift strikes whenever an opportunity presented itself.
After navigating through this aquatic maze, our gazes finally fell upon a magnificent sight—a grand underwater staircase stretching into the darkness. The colossal steps seemed to lead to an unknown domain, and the faint glow of a white light emanated from its depths. We knew this must be our path to escape the confines of Mophiriel, the Sinking Domain.
With mutual understanding, we dove into the water, the cool embrace of the sea enveloping us as we made our way down the staircase. The journey was treacherous, with venomous sea snakes and other aquatic predators lurking in the shadows, ready to attack. But we pressed on with unwavering determination, carefully evading each threat.
As we approached the end of the staircase, the white light grew brighter, and suddenly, we found ourselves standing on a circular platform—a familiar elevator. The absence of water brought immense relief, and we knew that we had successfully left the desolate place behind.
The elevator’s descent commenced, and as it did, the Ventureseal on the back of my right hand began to morph and emit a soft, comforting glow. It was a reassuring reminder of our journey’s progress. The seal registered the 43rd realm, signalling our arrival in a new domain.
After the descent was complete , a subtle yet resonating voice filled my mind, harbing the realm we had entered: [You have arrived in the 44th realm, Route 37: Eaziamar, Refuge of Titans.]