Glenn hurriedly pulled Lina out of the coffin, his hands trembling and his face covered in tears. The girl closed her eyes as she snuggled against her brother's chest. Glenn slowly backed up, his legs shaking under him. He sat against the wall and tried his best to calm his racing heart, but the light, negligible weight of his sister in his arm was too much to bear.
"...How, how?" He asked in awe and disbelief. The others watched him silently, taken aback.
Sahro blinked, his eyes going from the coffin to Glenn and Lina, "...Wait, if she's your family, that means..."
Milena gulped, "She's also from another world?"
Glenn couldn't respond, too concentrated on his sister. Milena extended her hand out, but Liara stopped her, shaking her head. Milena pressed her lips together and looked away. Sahro was already facing another direction, his arms crossed as he stared at the Heart of Darkness. Only Decimius was glancing around in confusion, unable to understand what was going on. He kept tapping his chest while looking at the two women, grumbling in his fangs.
"...Cur non sanas me?" He muttered with a heavy sigh, his hurting painfully. The coffin sank back into the floor and the Heart of Darkness retrieved its previous spot, pulsing multiple times with that otherworldly, dark red hue of his.
Glenn could hear voices ringing in his head, speaking and asking questions, but he wasn't able to listen to them. He only had eyes and ears for one person right now.
If...If Lina was in this world too, then... It changed everything.
His main objective, beyond surviving, had always been to find a way back to Earth. A way back to his sister, the last member of his family. And now she was here.
Also lost in Limbo.
Like him.
Glenn scoffed silently, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Why bother going back to Earth, then? Why struggle? The only things tying him back to that world were traumatic experiences and his sister. And now, his sister was here with him.
He was more than fine to abandon the rest. Forever.
And it's not like life in Limbo was that bad. He had an insane mansion, friends he could trust, superhuman powers... The more he thought back to it, the harder it was to find reasons to keep struggling to go back to his boring, standard life on Earth. He hadn't been miserable back then, but he had no dream. No purpose. He was just...living through each day, trying to find something to work toward.
While in the Limbo...it was different. Even if his sanity was threatened with each step he was taking, even if his life was put in danger with each thing he discovered...
It was fun. He loved it.
And the fights? They were probably the best part. The more he fought incredible battles, and won by the skin of his teeth, the more satisfied he became, filled with a delight that nothing else could give him.
Glenn glanced at his hands as he thought back to the idiotic exchange with Decimius when they were just going at it brutishly, fists against fists. At first, he couldn't make a reason for that fight. Why did he throw away his sword? Why did he stop using magic?
Because he wanted to fight because it was fun. And that's not even speaking of magic. Making the impossible possible. He couldn't get enough of that either.
Glenn slowly clenched his fists and hugged his sister tightly, his eyes resolute. Now, he had a new goal. And a pretty simple one, when he thought back to it.
Protecting his sister.
"...It does sound easier than finding a way back to Earth..." He muttered with a slight smirk as he leaned back against the dark stone wall. He sighed deeply, a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders.
Somehow, he felt freer than ever.
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Sahro glanced back at Glenn and shook his head, his lips pressed together. He turned back to Liara and Milena and smacked his lips.
"...I vote we leave him be for now," He whispered. The two women nodded in agreement, unable to keep their eyes off Glenn. The way he looked now was different from how he teared up after revealing he was just a normal guy, who never expected to have to fight for his life every day, meeting gods and pushing back against their agendas. Back then, it felt like he was torn between that world of his, and this one, the Limbo.
But now?
Those weren't tears of despair that they could see flowing down Glenn's face. No, these were tears of happiness and disbelief. Sahro forced them to look back at him and clenched his teeth.
"Stop. He wouldn't want you to look." He rubbed the tip of his nose, "...I think we should spend our time exploring this place and try to find an exit. I'd rather have a plan in mind in case this..." He glared at the Heart of Darkness, "...thing turns against us. We need to leave someone here to keep an eye on Glenn and the orc, though, and it won't be me because I'm the strongest."
Liara glanced at Glenn and smiled, "...I'll stay."
Milena nodded and sided with Sahro, "Okay. Careful about that orc, okay?"
Liara nodded with a light chuckle as she patted the sword hanging at her waist. Decimius grunted and dragged himself against a wall. He grounded his fangs in displeasure, before shrugging and closing his eyes. Moments later, his snores were making the whole structure tremble, loud and powerful.
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The Black Heiress watched Sahro and Milena's back as they left the room to explore the rest of the structure. The Heart of Darkness kept on pulsing rhythmically, sending shivers of dread down her back, yet...She wasn't as scared as she was earlier.
She silently walked up to Glenn and sat next to him, while hugging her knees. Glenn's mouth was still shut, but something had changed in his eyes. He looked...determined. Determined to do what, she had no idea.
But that look certainly suited him better than that fake happy smile he was often wearing these days.
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"Let's see..." Sahro muttered as he walked down some stairs he found with Milena earlier. The woman glanced at the red lines illuminating the path and sighed.
"I...I can't stop thinking about it," She said with a guilty look.
Sahro raised an eyebrow, "Think about what?"
Milena twiddled with her thumbs, "Javier... we still haven't seen him, and you heard Glenn."
The Black Heir clicked his tongue, "Listen, for now, let's give him the benefit of the doubt. He was with me after landing and left after the lights went up. Perhaps he's already working on finding the exit, I don't know. You know how he is."
Milena pressed her lips together, "...I know, yeah."
The sound of machinery working in the distance stopped them from further continuing their discussion. They proceeded with extreme caution, their weapons drawn and their nerves tense. They eventually arrived in a large, massive room with a huge, glass hopper. The black sand from the desert that had been taken alongside them was falling down the drain and into a massive furnace-like contraption, made of that strange dark stone from which the whole structure was built.
The product came out through a thick faucet, glowing white with incredible heat, before going into another furnace-like contraption. Another opaque tube was connected to the furnace, covered in the now-familiar red lines of energy. A dark substance, the same color as the dark stone came out from a hole at the bottom of the furnace and landed on the floor. Sahro watched in confusion as the substance was absorbed into the floor as if it had never existed.
Milena suddenly gasped beside him, her eyes wide open, "Oh, this all makes sense now!" She exclaimed.
Sahro frowned, "What does?"
Milena pointed at the black sand of the furnaces, "This...we're inside a growing machine!" She explained excitedly, "The black sand is processed into an extremely pure metal, which is then used to create the dark-stone alloy. That alloy is then used as a building material for this whole structure. I bet that the place we're in currently is growing with each passing second!"
Sahro took a step back and looked at the machines with a new look of understanding, "...So this whole place is alive, but not at the same time?"
Milena nodded, "Yes, a...a growing machine, or factory? Completely autonomous too. Wow, whoever created this thing is the genius of the century—no, the most brilliant brain since the creation of King's Rise!"
The Black Heir gulped and shook his head. This whole thing wasn't making much sense to him, but if Milena was saying that it was incredible, it probably was. And it did look incredible, so it wasn't that hard to accept.
"This is very interesting, yes, but..." He snorted and dismissed his awe, "...This still doesn't tell where the exit is."
Milena's excitation faded away and she looked down in disappointment,"...No, it doesn't."
"Let's keep on searching, then. Maybe we'll eventually be able to find something."
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Javier walked up to the Heart of Darkness silently, veiled in shadows. He glanced at Glenn and the girl he was holding, as well as Liara who was keeping a watch over the two. Another glance informed him that the orc wasn't moving either, still sleeping and recuperating from his battle with the Devil's Eye earlier. The Pale Son glanced down at the blade he was holding, still covered in the blood of the madman from earlier.
He had been the one to cleave through the Devil's Eye and who forced shut the Void Gate. But he didn't care for recognition. He only ever cared about one thing. He looked down at the Heart of Darkness while slowly grabbing his neck. The Pale Plague curse had destroyed his vocal cords, as well as every emotion a human should be able to feel. His power wouldn't grow anymore, and praying to the gods had resulted in no results.
The only time he was able to go beyond who and what he was, was when he fell victim to the Heart of Darkness in the forest of the Blessed Grove. He heard Their voice then, and realized what could, and should be done. Without even a shred of hesitation, Javier stabbed down the Heart of Darkness and cut it open. He ripped out the Seed of Darkness from the Heart and looked at it. The dark green pearl was filled with everything yet nothing was there, waiting for him.
And for the first time in ages, Javier smiled.
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Glenn felt a wave of dread wash over him and suddenly looked up, his eyes widening in horror when he saw Javier holding the bloodied Seed of Darkness in his hands, as he stood above the stabbed heart. His sword was gleaming threateningly in the weakening red light of the room, and a smile was etched on his face.
That was what terrified Glenn.
Javier was smiling.
He hurriedly stood up with Lina in his arms, his Mana twirling around him.
"Javier?!? What the hell are you doing?!?" He yelled, startling Liara next to him. The Black Heiress stood up and drew both her weapons, her eyes widening in shock when she realized who the threat was. Decimius kept on snoring heavily, completely unbothered.
Javier ignored him, grinning widely at the Seed of Darkness he was holding. He stabbed his sword once again in the Heart of Darkness and sent a pulsing wave of dark Aura into it. The heart pulsed weakly before burning and crumpling away, his life force drying out in a few seconds. Glenn's jaw dropped to the floor as the remains of the Heart first crawled up Javier's sword, and then his arm, to then fuse completely with him. The silent hunter, the trusty Pale Son, a loyal friend, threw the Seed of Darkness in his mouth and swallowed.
Glenn and Liara both gasped, shocked. Javier closed his eyes and pressed his pale, almost translucent hand on his chest. He reached with his other hand and pulled at the air. The Heart of Darkness container melted away into a dark substance as the Driver's seat popped up from the floor, the coffin opening up in front of Javier.
"Shit, Javier, don't do—!" Glenn's yell was interrupted when Javier stepped into the coffin and closed it down, not even leaving room for discussion. Glenn gritted his teeth and reached out, conjuring a spell, but his Mana was too weak.
"Shit, I expended too much in my fight with the Devil's Eye," He muttered in frustration. He almost called up on Nelg, but many reasons advised him against doing so. First, Nelg was traumatized and needed some rest. Secondly, he was carrying Lina at the same time, so melee-fighting was simply unthinkable.
Thankfully, he wasn't alone. Liara dashed forward without hesitation, her sword and spear covered in a bright, pale white Aura. She stabbed the coffin, only for the stone to effortlessly deflect her attacks. Undeterred, she kept on attacking the stone, trying to crack it open.
Glenn shook his head dejectedly. He already knew the result of her efforts. Even he and the orc had a tough time breaking it open, so Liara...? The Black Heiress heaved as she stood back, her blades dull and her arms weak. The coffin was in perfect condition as if she had missed every single one of her attacks.
The red lines illuminating the whole structure suddenly changed colors, turning into a dark, deep green, a filthy color of corruption and madness. Sahro and Milena ran into the room, worried and puzzled.
"What's going on?!?" Milena yelled. Glenn gritted his teeth as he watched the coffin sink into the floor.
"Javier..." He forced himself to speak, his heart wrenched, "...Javier has betrayed us. He took the Driver's seat and killed the Heart of Darkness."
Milena froze, and she opened her mouth to retort in disbelief. Javier couldn't betray them, he was their most trustworthy companion, so why—?
The ground opened up beneath them, dropping the team a few meters down in the dark sand. Glenn landed on his back, protecting Lina from the fall.
That's only when he looked up that he realized the size of the structure they were in. Four, massive letters, each as big as a castle, were carved on its side.
W.O.R.M