The cold, dark sky was completely empty, without a single star in sight. It almost resembled a dark ceiling extending for countless miles, blotting out stars and other heavenly bodies alike.

However, despite the lack of any source of natural light, an eerie glow illuminated a plateau on top of a mountain peak.The mighty mountain was so tall its height was unfathomable. Usually, when gazing up, one would see countless lanterns floating all around the massive mount. Many thin, skeletal figures, carrying gigantic boulders on their backs, could also be noticed if one was to look more closely.

These beings resembled humans, however had much longer noses, deep eyesockets and soulless, dark orbs of shadows in place of their eyes. They had bodies that looked like simple sets of bones covered in leathery, grey, decaying skin. Their bodies were barely covered in strips of cloths, the rest of their head was concealed beneath their hoods, held up by large chains.

The boulders were inscribed with majestic runes, emanating a bright blue glow. The engraved symbols were fuming: the column of smoke would rise in spiral before joining in with countless others.

Dragging their bare, long feet on the rocky ground, the skeletal figures wouldn’t falter as they walked up almost the whole length of the mountain, stopping only slightly short from the top, before walking back down.

It was unknown just how long a single full cycle would take. Whole eras would pass, and one would still be able to look up only to see such an awe-inducing distance to the top as when he had started.

It was also unknown just how long these cycles had repeated themselves. For such a long time, these dried up husks would walk up and down, devoid of any other thought that was not completing their duty. They were mere slaves of the vicious cycle and its long since gone creators.

However, the Hollowed would not rebel. They were slaves, slaves to their own bodies. For so long they had been forced to walk with the gigantic stones on their hunched back that they had long since forgotten just who or what they were.

There was only one word to describe the process these countless individuals had been chained to since ages long gone.

Wicked.

To steal someone’s freedom such as so was nothing short of the utmost evil! It was the gravest of sins!

However, in such an atmosphere of wickedness, of unholiness to its extreme, there was still something hinting to a greater, deeper scheme… even in such a wicked place, a hint of sacredness could still be sensed.

And indeed, the area at the very top of the gigantic mountain did look like a sacred place.

Complex blue symbols were engraved on every single brick that made up a huge structure. It had no ceiling, as it seemed to have endured the test of time for countless ages, yet the walls still stood proudly, the floor looked still firm and only displayed a few cracks where the bricks had broken down.

Countless alcoves and ruined statues could be seen situated on the outer perimeter of the circle-shaped room. Many seats were found when looking towards the center of the large structure, surrounding a circular room that was completely cut off from the outside world.

The ancient aura lingering around the whole mountain peak was almost that of a spot where ancient beings would meet to discuss the fate of the world! If such place was to exist, it would without a doubt closely resemble this very one. Then, this mountain would surely be the resting place of gods and deities alike!

At the moment however, such a godly place was ruined, an eerie, blue fire consuming the mountain whole!

Above the tall mountain peak, clouds swirled nonstop. However, these were not the blue colored clouds made out of the fumes rising from the rune stones. No, the columns of smoke came from the fires that spread all over the length of the tall mount!

Countless skeletal bodies, stones strapped to their backs, had finally stopped in their weary endeavors. Their bodies burning, they rose to the sky as ash, dust, partciles, smoke, joining together in the making of those clouds. Finally, even though only in death, at least they would be able to look down on the mountain that had imprisoned their souls for so long... right?

That could have been it indeed, but that would have needed to be so long ago it would not be recorded in history. Because, now that they were the Hollowed, beings whose souls had long since dried up along with their consciousness, even in death, they would be unable to find peace.

More than ‘killed’, it would have been more accurate to describe them as simply having been ‘switched off’. Burned by such hot fires, they would have no time to scream that the blue flame would have already consumed their body. The fires almost looked like a gigantic beast, sinking its fangs into the body of a rock titan, devouring whatever happened to also land in its jaws.

As for the culprit of such a chaotic situation, he could be found at the very top of the ruined mountain. Usually, the heat emitted from the flames would escape upwards, making being at the top of a burning object a pretty dangerous position to find oneself in.

Yet, neither flames nor hot air would approach such a figure. In fact, they would not approach the top of the mountain peak at all! Such a powerful aura of ancientness from the stony plateau, not even the world burning flames that were eating away at the mount’s body would be able to get close.

Otherwise, would He have dared using the flames, risking to lose his precious toy in the process?

The man simply stood there, his blurry figure standing out from his surroundings, almost as if an ethereal veil was covering his appearance from prying eyes. At the same time, the fear of the unknown that laid below the hazy cover would make one subconsciously feel great terror when laying his eyes on the single thing discernible: a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes.

Those blue eyes scanned the mountain in its entirety, almost as if he could see beyond the limits imposed on him by his five senses. In his eyes, the mountain was nothing more than a small mound on the ground. With but a step, he would step over it and then some.

The sacred atmosphere of the mountain had not disappeared yet, despite the mountain already having died figuratively. However, the glow coming from its top, a light that was such a bright shade of blue it seemed to eclipse the blue flames!

The clouds swirling at the top of the mountain, made out of the thin ashes that had once been the Hollowed, were also colored the shiny, light blue due to the blue glow.

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Suddenly, the clouds of smoke parted as a massive object approached the tall peak. Enormous! Imposing! With a casual swish of its tail, the clouds parted and powerful winds blew! Having blown away the clouds, the appearance of this new arrival could be seen.

“Lord, this is the chamber of the Door. This humble one is so ever grateful of his greatness’ favor! He will be sure to pay it back!”

The speaker was an Hollowed. Or, more accurately, had been. Just a few moments ago, he had been carrying those stones just as he had done for so long before. Now however, the skeletal figure was no longer, having changed into the body of a flying fish so big it could be mistaken for the sun. And that had been thanks to the blue eyed man’s abilities.

The fish’s body was covered in bloody, red scales, making him look as if he was covered in blood. Divine Skyfish, an ancient beast that roamed the skies, terrorizing all and everyone who laid its eyes upon it. To think that such a majestic creature could have been turned into an Hollow was already pretty hard to believe. However, to actually see it bow its proud head was even more astonishing!

“…”

The hazy man said nothing as he simply witnessed the world burning flames rising to the sky. Finally, he closed his eyes and walked towards the center of the large plateau. Wherever he stepped, the stones would crack as the symbols grew dim, almost as if something or someone was draining them of their power.

He turned around to look at the skyfish and the burning mountain one last time. He smirked, his motion hidden by the ethereal blur:

“I have grown tired after such a long journey. Let’s see... Those flames of mine can bring enormous boost to your power if gobbled up after having lowered one’s defense. This shall be a parting gift to you, as thanks for being my companion during our travels up this tall mountain. As for returning your favor, just forget about it…”

Having heard those words, the Skyfish’s eyes widened and he immediately turned to look at the blue flames.

A power up? Is there really such a thing? And he’s willing to give it away to me for free! Then, I won’t be courteous!

It sped downwards and lowered his defenses before opening his wide mouth and sucking the flames in all at once! He inhaled, inhaled, inhaled for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, until not a single flame was left on the mountain!

At this moment, the Skyfish’s scales turned a bright orange and began to fume…

Yes! Yes! This heat, I can feel the power course through me! With this, I am invincible! Uh? Ugh, it’s… getting hot… eheh, I can still bear… can still… can’t bear the heat! Hot! Hot! HOT!

BOOOM!

Without even understanding what was happening, with a bright blue flash, the Skyfish burst into azure flames! The fire devoured the Skyfish in both body and soul, turning it into ash, scattering in the wind…

“Idiot. I guess he was a bit too... fired up? Ahahah, at times I can't help but laugh at my own jokes... they are just too good!”

Worker laughed as he waved his hand. In a flash, the blue flame flew in his hand and glowed brightly for a second before turning into a complicated and blurry symbol. He examined the mark in his hand with satisfaction and then walked into the circular room at the center of the plateau.

Finally, when he stopped in his steps, the hazy man extended his hand and grabbed the glowing symbol before storing it away.

“Now then…” Worker lifted his head, his gaze landing on the figure of a strange door. The object’s design was kept to the simplest, with simple, wooden boards making up the whole of the door’s frame.

However, the door was peculiar as well as awe inducing not because of its simplistic design, which could have induced some uneasiness in any case seeing as how the door was placed in such a mysterious place, but because, beyond the frame of the door… was a world of light!

“It has been a while… to think those bastards would actually hide it up here after that incident a few months ago! Then again, I guess I was too reckless last time. Opening it so freely without even trying to hide my actions, it was, in a way, bound to happen that smeone would notice it. Otherwise, it would have shamed the reputation of this one door…”

Worker smiled and lifted one of his arms, approaching the strange door:

“Now then… shall we see how is my favorite bastard doing?”

He stepped forward, leaping into the world of light!

…

“Well… now this is a disappointment!”

Worker looked around him, puzzled: around him, nothing had changed from when he had left. He had expected some large-scale calamities would have happened in the span of almost a thousand years, but they had not.

Only one year had passed in the perspective of those in the Planary System of the Nine Heavens, and yet one would be shocked to find out that the time that had passed in this version of the Nine Heavens had actually been just a few weeks short of a whole millennium!

He turned around and his body flashed before reappearing in front of a worn down hut. It was built with wooden planks which had long since rotten. It was as if it had endured centuries of the harsh weather without anyone tending to it

Worker ignored the situation of the hut as a bad feeling swelled up in his chest. Ignoring that feeling, he smiled and walked forward, knocking on the door gently:

“Little bastard? You grandfather is here! Come open the door!”

After waiting for a few minutes in vain, the blue eyed blurry man grew impatient. With a click of the tongue, he stepped forward and grabbed the door’s handle:

“Well, fuck you too! I’m coming in!”

The door slid open as Worker pushed it open. As soon as he did so, his expression changed! Suddenly, a current of air so hot it almost incinerated him on the spot rushed out! At the same time, he felt a presence akin to a sharp blade, ready to pierce through both the body and the soul with but a single thought!

Worker gulped as he stabilized his projection into this world. That's right, projection. After all, he wouldn’t send his real body in such a lowly mission! He had better people to con and slaughter and, even better, more people to con and slaughter elsewhere!

He had to be careful. After all, despite not being the original, he had almost been wiped away by a single of the other’s (presumed) attack!

Worker looked into the room. There, a figure sat cross-legged: red skin covered in sweat, incredibly long, crimson hair spread all around him, he wore a loose pair of black pants tight around the waist, and strips of dirty cloth that had once been a white undershirt.

Two spirals on his cheeks, an anklet from which dangled blue and green precious gems, a silver feather hanging from one of his locks, some of his hair tied into long braids.

The youth emanated an aura so hot he was like a flame, a will of fire so powerful it almost felt as if it could burn with but the slightest thought! Right now, his eyes were closed and he was sitting cross-legged, his back straight and his mouth opened as he seemed to be exhaling. As he exhaled, wisps of smoke formed above him, turning into countless figures, both concrete and abstract.

Such a sight, it was absolutely mesmerizing! Just like watching a flame, one would be enchanted and only snap out of it after a long while…

After hours had passed, Worker finally recovered from the shock and once again fell into a deep state of uneasiness and shock. At that moment, the red haired man was still exhaling: it was unknown exactly how much that single motion had lasted.

However, at that time, the temperature in the room suddenly shot up! Waves of heat were visible as flames burst all around the youth, completely engulfing the hut in the process! Worker widened his eyes as he jumped backwards, barely evading the flaming tongues!

He turned to look back into the room: despite the strength of the flames, the hut had actually not been burnt at all! Instead, it was as if it had been reborn! The wood was now not rotten anymore nor were the walls decaying!

At that moment, within the dark room, the red skinned, red haired boy… opened his eyes! A pair of the reddest flames burnt in the darkness of the room like two suns! A powerful presence spread, almost like that of a deity amongst deities!

The red eyed youth patted his clothes and examined them: thanks to those flames, they had turned back to what they had looked like hundreds of years ago, completely unscathed by the test of time!

“You!” Worker stared in both shock and horror at the emerging figure of the red skinned youth. This shock and horror were not due to fear. Instead, great rage welled up in the blue eyed man’s chest as he shouted: “What have you done!?!”

The youth lifted one of his eyebrows and looked into the pair of blue orbs. He licked his lips and retorted, narrowing his eyes as he yawned:

“Well... it has been quite the nice nap!”

Cheng Hao smiled enigmatically.