The sudden movement sent a rush of cool air into the room, and the door flew open, revealing whatever lay beyond its mysterious threshold.

They were left speechless.

What lay before them was a giant hall, the size of a stadium. In the center stood a large round table with five chairs, and a glowing orb radiating a soft, ethereal light. Tall wooden pillars stretched upwards, seeming to touch infinity, while granite walls were lined with shelves crammed full of ancient, leather-bound books.

Despite being underground, the hall was filled with indoor plants and trees, tucked into every nook and cranny, miraculously thriving despite the lack of natural light and care.

The wooden floor gleamed, polished to such perfection that it was hard to believe this place had been abandoned for over a thousand years.

Hundreds of sliding doors lined the walls after each shelf, leading to rooms filled with unknown items and mysteries waiting to be discovered. The entire hall looked as though it had been meticulously maintained, the only exception being the chaotic round table, covered in scattered scrolls and parchments.

The scene was both awe-inspiring and surreal, a hidden world that felt both alive and untouched by time.

Before they could take a step forward, Chief Lian rushed ahead, running around excitedly, giggling and screaming at each familiar item, trying to absorb as much as possible in the shortest time. Despite his age, he reminded them of a child at times.

He exultingly exclaimed, jumping up and down as he held a scroll, 'This...this is the writing of the goddess Yuki Niflhel, my Martial Aunt!'

He beckoned the group to come forward, his hands holding the scroll trembling.

'This had the number 1 engraved on the bottom...so I picked it up. It seems to be for you.'

'Wait...before we start can you please explain what this place is and what's our part in all this?' asked Seo-Jun.

'And Yuki Niflhel, you said...is that the name of the goddess who gave the prophecy about us and made the system in the Forbidden Forest?' added Daiki. He was intrigued at hearing a Japanese name, but felt confused at the other half's meaning.

'Oh, right...I forgot', said Lian Zhong, hugging the scroll tightly, 'Umm...well this place...it's where Martial Aunt used to live and spend time with her companions...this was their base when here. As far as I know, there were other such places in each of the five realms.'

He sighed, 'The one in the Forbidden Forest...was destroyed during the War and takeover. This one was hidden by the goddess so it survived and about the other three...I'm afraid I don't know. We lost all contact with two of the realms a long time ago and the third had always been inaccessible to regular people.'

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He squeezed the scroll, looking around, 'The goddess and her companions...they built this place with their own hands, together. I still remember the hustle bustle and secrecy surrounding it all as clear as if it were yesterday. At the time, I was only a small child, barely able to hold reach their waists...then again they were all uncommonly tall quite like you all.'

He smiled and looked at them, 'You are their chosen successors...they passed on their abilities to you along with their inheritance and tasked you with whatever is mentioned in these scrolls, that's why you're special.'

He touched a chair with engravings of snow flakes of the head and arms, 'She came to me suddenly one day when I was training and told me to gather the elders and disciples to her pavilion. We were unaware that there was going to be a War back then, but it seems she knew. She said that she might ascend and will pass on her abilities to a successor...and gave us the key and directions to this place and asked us to guide that person here...'

'But how did you know it's us?' asked Alice.

He gestured as her sword, 'With that. We had asked her the same question. She told us her companions might follow and do the same as well, and that whoever has our swords are our successors. They might arrive together or separately but possession of the swords is a clear sign...swords which can only be obtained from the Forbidden Forest.'

'So...she set everything up alone everywhere then? You haven't exactly answered my question yet, either', said Daiki impatiently.

'Oh, I apologize. I got lost in my memories...to answer your previous question, yes and no. Yuki Niflhel, was indeed the person who gave us this prophecy of your arrival however the one who set up the Forbidden Forest was her friend, goddess Aylin Kore Verdantia.'

He pointed at Alice, 'You are the successor of my Martial Aunt, whereas Ms. Zhiren is of goddess Aylin.'

He pointed at Jason, 'There were other's as well, you are the successor of the god Kai Marinus who ruled over the Sea Realm, Mr. Seo-Jun of god Scriba Lexicon, the immortal scribe who brought life to his stories, literally. We don't know the conditions of these realms whereas Mr. Daiki...'

He paused, '...is the successor of the god Necros Thanatos, whose realm is inaccessible with his, or I suppose soon your permission. He ruled over the dead and eventually death itself, the ruler of the underworld after Hades, his father.'

'Hey...I get I was kinda depresses and gloomy when I got here, but I don't think I'm the kind of person who would be connected to something that dark...', countered Daiki.

Lian Zhong shook his head, 'You are...it's evident from your sword. And don't associate their realms with their personalities, Necros-shushu was a very bright and charismatic person, which didn't really fit the image you would have of him but just imagine he was the opposite of what you'd think.'

He chuckled, 'Even the other's, having an ice-spirit root you'd think Martial Aunt would have a cold and aloof demeanor when in reality she had a fiery, hot-headed and aggressive personality, Aylin-Ayi was far from gentle and warm...she was sometimes that way but usually quiet, sarcastic, self-righteous, harsh, you get the idea. But she was nice and kind as well, strange right?'

He smiled reminiscing, 'Kai-shushu was...well wicked. You would think he's heroic but well I shouldn't say anything much, heh. And Scriba-shushu was...a coward and brave at the same time. He was a leader who held them all together.'

He sighed, 'Honestly, i could tell who you're the successor of without looking at your swords...your personalities are also a lot like them as well.'

Then he looked at them with a smile, 'Let's look at the scrolls now if that's all, okay?'

To be continued...

----------------------------------------

Seo-Jun: Why us?

Author: You'll find out one day...

----------------------------------------