[The 29th Floor | “The Unending Abyss”]
A world of its own, isolated within the nebulous tower, surpassing all reason and capacity for possibility, yet it existed; a boundless, sky of void stretched onward, with black sand welcoming the footsteps of the many.
Amidst the daunting terrain was a single door, surrounded by no walls and kept upright by nothing; the ominous entrance of abyssal wood remained closed before the expedition.
“This is it,” a tall, well-built man with a silver beard and matching hair, tucked into a ponytail remarked, keeping his arms folded over his chest as he looked upon the lonesome door with his emerald iris, “The twenty-ninth guardian is beyond this door.”
[Beowulf | Invictus of Hyperion | Rank #3]
The wizened man of a sturdy build wore a simple, black tunic with a cloak of the same shade hanging from his shoulder. Behind the leader figure stood a dozen adventurers, half of which beamed with confidence, and the other hesitant.
Beside the leader of Sapphire was a youthful figure, who bent his knees and hopped up repeatedly, swaying his arms with the quick squats in the unorthodox environment. The eccentric man came to a stop with a radiant smile, tightening his white gloves before running his fingers through his black-and-blue strands of messy hair.
“Exciting, isn’t it? We’re about to make history,” the excited man claimed as his azure irises dazzled, “Can you feel the electricity in the air? This battle will decide the next Ranking of Gods.”
[Sirius | Invictus of Zeus | Rank #2]
The pumped-up man wore a spotless, white-and-gold uniform, outfitted with medals of different shades and shapes, representative of countless accomplishments. On the back of his golden-laced gloves laid the symbol of his guild: the head of a dragon, etched with a bolt of lightning.
A laugh followed from another figure, who playfully patted his hand against the shoulder of the white-uniformed adventurer, “You should really learn to read the room, Sirius. But, I agree. I’m thrilled.”
[Jason | Invictus of Chronos | Rank #1]
Of similar age as the leader of the Dracon Alliance, the man with snow-white hair spoke with his golden irises being covered as he pulled down a pair of lavish goggles, made of a gilded steel.
He wore a sleek, black uniform, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, bringing his hands together with a ready smile.
“I hope you know, Jason,” Beowulf stated with a tone that left no room for jest, “The success of this battle hinges on you.”
The white-haired man adjusted his goggles with a lackadaisical smile, “Of course. I plan to pull my weight. Just make sure you pull yours as well. Same goes for you, Sparky.”
Sirius reacted to the nickname with a smirk as he placed his arm over his own chest, tugging it to warm his muscles up, “I’m going to give it two-hundred percent, don’t you worry. I’ll snatch that number one spot right from under you.”
“Give it your best shot! I hope to see it!” Jason patronized his comrade, clapping his hands together with plastic enthusiasm.
That single door seemed as though it was as tall and imposing as a mountain; the simple, but nebulous gateway was treated like an untamed beast.
Amongst the group that followed behind the silver-bearded leader of Sapphire, a woman with light, orange hair and a verdant cap on her head twiddled with one of the arrows drawn from her quiver.
“Lady Skadi, please guide my aim true today,” the woman quietly said, caressing the arrow made of uniquely bright material.
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[Vanya | Invictus of Skadi | Rank #18]
Standing behind Sirius was a towering man with a mane of wild, scarlet hair, wearing the spotless, white uniform of the Dracon Alliance. The excited giant of a man was of overwhelming muscularity, slamming his knuckles together with a readied smile.
“I can’t wait! Life is about overcoming the most difficult of trials!” The towering man exclaimed.
[Alcides | Invictus of Hercules | Rank #4]
A tired looking man of youth with dark bags beneath his eyes scratched at his own cheek nervously, seeking imposed by the presence of the captains beside him.
“…Err, is this really that exciting? Dying sounds like a drag…Can I just go home?” The pale-skinned man quietly said, averting his gaze.
[June | Invictus of Erebus | Rank #11]
A gathering of the strongest; a summit of the path of adventurers, banding together to confront the unknown depths of the twenty-ninth guardian. There wasn’t much chatter between the guilds, as the atmosphere of the gloomy environment weighed heavily with enigma.
The one who turned towards the gathering of adventurers was the silver-bearded man, who stood tall, oozing with experience that spanned decades.
With his commanding voice, interlaced with power and authority, he addressed his comrades, “If any of you value your lives, turn back now!”
Those words of the respected figure only cemented the dreadful challenge awaiting. Uncharted territory; as much experience as one may have, the deprivation of information on an enemy more dangerous than any other encountered previously wasn’t an easy obstacle to face.
Beowulf continues, shouting so his commanding voice was carried through the abyssal atmosphere, “We will not condemn you for turning away! What we ask of you is the greatest of requests: to stake your life on this battle! This is the path we have chosen, as adventurers: to climb the Tower, striving ever closer to the top. Where “Humanity’s Treasure” lies.”
Though most of the adventurers remained with their heads held high, it was clear that most were shaken by the territory ahead; some shook and quivered, others prayed to the Divine.
Standing beside his fellow guild leader, Sirius quietly remarked, “I think Old Man Wulf is just scaring them more than they already were. Not exactly inspiring words.”
“If it scares anybody enough to back out, then good. It means they weren't ready for something like this,” Jason responded, adjusting his goggles,
“Can’t say I get it. This is what it’s all about–being an adventurer, I mean,” Sirius said with an excited smile, “The unknown, a challenge unlike any other, pushing yourself to your limit–this is what we seek. Don’t drag your feet when the prize is just ahead.”
Jason couldn’t help but laugh at the words of the azure-eyed guild leader, “Well, not everyone is quite as crazy as you are. I get you, though. This is the kind of time I live for.”
Though the two eccentric guild leaders were able to smile and laugh in anticipation of the enigmatic guardian, the same attitude wasn’t held by the grouping of adventurers.
The harrowing warning from Beowulf didn’t deter any of the readied members, though some seemed a breath away from leaving, with expressions twisted by fear.
Beowulf watched the adventurers, seeing that everybody remained before speaking again, “There is not much known about the twenty-ninth guardian. We’ve sent multiple scouts beyond this door, and many have died. Those that have returned lost any will to go back.”
Some gulped at this information, others struggled to keep a steady grip on their equipment with trembling fingers. The dark air of the abyssal floor was suffocating; an overwhelming darkness, devoid of hope.
“It’s a deity of death; that’s what we know,” Beowulf told, “A single touch will likely kill anybody with less than a Supremus Blessing–so leave the vanguard to us and the captains. Focus on support.”
Among the ranks of the allied guilds, murmurs started between the adventurers, seeming to find some relief in the leaders taking the front.
“Guess this is it…” An adventurer with dark-gray hair sighed, nervously holding his spear.
[Ron | Member of The Argonauts | Rank #124]
A woman with curly, orange hair tightly clutched her white-wood staff to her chest, “I-I’ll do my best to provide…s-support!”
[Ino | Member of Sapphire | Rank #112]
“If the Divine deems my life to end here, then so be it,” a man in all-white armor said, preparing himself as he poured a concoction over his blade.
[Desmond | Member of Dracon Alliance | Rank #85]
It was time; with dozens of experienced adventurers, all wielding Blessings of their own, it was Beowulf that approached the ominous door amidst the abyssal dessert.
All eyes watched in anticipation as the man’s hand reached out, gripping the onyx handle. As it was twisted open, a drawn-out creak echoed through the dark sands. It didn’t require a tug, the doorway slowly opened itself, revealing what laid within its threshold: nothing.
An abundant darkness, deeper than a hopeless void, existed beyond the gateway. Even in the area devoid of much light, it felt like an even greater quality of dark.