Chapter 3 : old friend
At the Gate
Zeus and Arni stepped into the First Hell, a place that resembled an enchanted fairy village more than the feared underworld.
“We’re getting close to the exit,” Zeus said, his tone calm but firm.
Arni interrupted, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
“That means it’s going to get harder. We need to stay vigilant.”
They paused to take in the surreal beauty of the First Hell. It was nothing like the fiery inferno they had expected. Towering trees stretched into the heavens, their leaves casting shimmering shadows under a black sky glittering with stars. A grand castle, like something out of a fantasy tale, loomed in the distance. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of rare roses.
Suddenly, a sharp blow landed on the back of Arni's head. He whirled around, dagger in hand, and struck the figure behind him with precision. To his astonishment, it was an elderly man.
Panic flickered across Arni’s face as he withdrew the blade. The old man laughed, seemingly unbothered by the wound.
“Well done! You’ve struck me! Hahaha!”
The man plucked the dagger from his neck with ease and handed it back to Arni. Before Arni’s eyes, the wound closed as if it had never existed.
“Who are you, sorcerer?” Arni demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
The old man circled him, his gaze inquisitive.
“Where did you get this fruit? It feels… stolen.”
Arni’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Leave me alone with your talk of sorcery. Let me pass.”
With a smirk, the old man reached into Arni’s pocket and pulled out the Rain Crow Orb.
“This is the fruit. Strange that you possess it but know nothing about it.”
Before Arni could respond, a massive stone fell from above, crushing the man’s leg. He collapsed to the ground, crying out in pain.
“Help me! Please, help me!”
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Zeus and Arni exchanged a glance. Without a word, Arni took the orb and continued forward, leaving the old man behind.
---
The pair pressed on toward the castle, which rested atop a colossal tree. In front of the tree was a weeping wooden door, its tears of blood gleaming faintly in the dim light. Guarding the door were two enormous crystal dogs, each with three heads.
Zeus tried to burn the creatures, but their crystalline bodies were impervious to fire. Electricity coursed through them without effect. Frustrated, Zeus transformed into his dragon form.
“We’ll fly up,” he said. “Fighting them is a waste of time.”
As they reached the top, they were met by an army of crystal warriors. Zeus hesitated, unsure of how to defeat them.
“Lie flat on my back,” he instructed Arni.
“What?” Arni asked, puzzled.
“Just do it,” Zeus replied.
Reluctantly, Arni obeyed. Zeus took a deep breath and launched himself headfirst into the army. The impact shattered the crystal soldiers but left Zeus gravely wounded, with shards embedded in his body and a deep gash over his eye.
Zeus reverted to his human form, collapsing from exhaustion. Arni quickly tended to his wounds with leaves from the massive tree.
---
As they rested, the castle doors swung open, revealing seven hulking beasts. Though weakened, Zeus forced himself to transform again. He retreated slowly, unleashing a torrent of fire. The flames didn’t burn the beasts but instead propelled shattered crystal shards from the ground into their thick scales, piercing and killing them.
Zeus coughed, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
“Well, that was easier than the crystal army.”
They pressed onward, entering the castle’s opulent halls. Inside, they encountered a battalion of powerful fairies immune to fire, electricity, and physical attacks. After a brief rest, Zeus insisted they continue despite Arni’s protests.
While exploring, Arni accidentally wandered into the advisors’ chamber. Realizing his mistake, he fled, stumbling into another room. There, he met a strikingly handsome man with auburn curls and a muscular build.
“Ah, visitors!” the man exclaimed, his voice warm. “This is a rare delight. Where are you from?”
Arni hesitated, fumbling for words.
“Uh…we came…from—”
The man interrupted with a knowing smile.
“Ah, messengers from Priest Baradok of Heaven. Welcome! I am Hades, the King of Hell.”
Arni, thinking quickly, nodded.
“Yes, that’s us. Baradok sent us.”
“Excellent. Come, let me show you something,” Hades said, leading them into a room dominated by a massive device rising from a pit.
“This machine will change the world forever.”
Before they could respond, another figure entered. Hades greeted him warmly.
“Ah, Priest Victory. What brings you here?”
Victory pointed at Arni and Zeus.
“These two are impostors, my king. They came from the Second Hell seeking passage to Heaven.”
Hades’ smile faded. Without hesitation, he shoved Arni and Zeus into the pit.
---
Zeus transformed mid-fall, attempting to save Arni, but failed. Arni struck the ground headfirst and died instantly.
Grief-stricken, Zeus carried Arni’s body far from the castle, burying him beneath a tree.
In the void of death, Arni’s consciousness stirred.
“I’m really dead... What now? True Hell?”
From the shadows, a voice spoke.
“So, this failure is my heir. How disappointing.”
“Who are you?” Arni demanded, his voice trembling.
“I am Karubo, the Rain Crow, ruler of the Second World,” the figure replied. “And you hold my fruit. I can grant you my power.”
“Does that mean I’ll live again?”
“Yes,” Karubo said with a smirk. “But there’s a price. I’ll use your body for 20 minutes whenever I wish.”
Desperate, Arni agreed.
---
Revived, Arni allowed Karubo to take control. Transforming into a flock of crows, Karubo returned to Hades’ castle.
Sensing the approaching power, Hades prepared for battle. But upon seeing Karubo, he lowered his weapon.
“How could I forget your aura, Karubo?”
The two conversed like old friends. When Karubo relinquished control, Arni explained his mission. Hades, amused, provided the location of Heaven’s Stairway and gifted them weapons.
Reunited with Zeus, Arni promised to explain everything. Together, they ascended, leaving behind an unlikely ally in the King of Hell.
---
Meanwhile, in the Second Hell, Priest Danger discovered the theft of the Light Dragon’s Fruit and the Rai
n Crow’s Fruit. Enraged, he vowed to hunt down Arni and Zeus, determined to reclaim the stolen treasures.
To be continued…