“What do you think? Does it reach your standards?”

Sans nervously asked the pensive woman before him. They, or rather just Elsie, had been modifying the blood formations for the last two days straight. Only a single time did Karbone enter the room, but the moment he did—Elsie vanished and the elder was none the wiser.

“No… but I don’t think it ever will. This is the best it’s going to get… ugh.”

Elsie palmed her forehead in frustration. It was a rare occurrence to see the adorable girl bothered or annoyed, but never did it detract from her radiant presence.

“Then… we can try?”

Sans asked with a hopeful glance. In response, Elsie stuck out her hand.

“Give it here, the Solarstone.”

He beamed a precious smile before handing over a single storage ring. Within it, there was a mass of precious stones all containing some form of concentrated purifying essence. Of course, the most precious one of them all was the Solarstone.

Elsie withdrew the mound of rare minerals and placed in the centermost part of the room. With a stamp of her foot, she called forth the blood altar.

“Are you sure? We can still back out of this. I can take you away, or you can help your friend secure his woman before I assault the palace. I have already instructed some of my minions to conduct a rescue mission for the prisoners below. Justice will be served upon this place, and you can wipe your hands clean of everything you’ve seen.”

Sans shook his head.

Minions? What minions? No, it has to be now. It’s now or never.

His face was resolute and his eyes blazed with determination.

“I have to do this. I will never be at peace until I’m cured.”

Upon hearing his confirmation, Elsie let out a series of quiet grumbles. At the same time, she procured the Solarstone from the storage ring and placed it upon the blood altar. It’s smoldering, yellow heat threatened to incinerate the blood around it, and a pink mist soon enveloped the room.

“Let’s hurry then, otherwise this Solarstone will purify all the blood away. Stand over here, by me.”

Elsie beckoned Sans over, away from the center circle. As soon as he was clear, she began channeling energy into the formation on the ground. Blood surged throughout the room like a tidal wave before entrapping the Solarstone within a thick cocoon. Layer upon layer was wrapped around the Solarstone, yet even still its brilliant light was visible through the red liquid.

The pile of purifying rocks in the center circle were then absorbed by a mess of bloody tendrils. The tendrils branched upward like the roots of an inverted tree, before extending out toward the cocoon of blood.

“Your hand, quick.”

She motioned for his hand with an urgent snap of her fingers. Sans immediately thrust it forward. Faster than he could blink, her nails against his wrist, allowing his blood to flow out like a fountain.

“I thought you said not to do that?”

Sans curiously asked her. It didn’t matter what her reply was as he trusted her with all his being.

“I adapted the formation to try and improve the chances. All the blood energy that is funneled into the Solarstone is from different sources, and no matter how much we purify it there will still be some contamination. However, if we inject your blood directly into the formation at this stage, then you will be the primary source.”

Elsie explained patiently as she sent a stream of Sans’ blood into the mix.

“But what about the poison in my blood?”

“The reason the poison is difficult to cure is because it binds itself to your blood. However, the purifying energy from the Solarstone will eradicate everything that isn’t blood, since the formation can only transmit blood energy.”

Sans could have sworn he felt steam coming from his ears, but either way, he was happy just knowing that his odds would be improved.

With the passage of time, the scarlet engravings along the walls began to sputter and fade. The cocoon of blood in the center became a thin sheet of red, but the Solarstone within no longer blazed with glory.

“It’s done… at least it’s the best we could do.”

Elsie cut off the energy to the formation and everything evaporated in an instant.

“Can… Can I retrieve the Solarstone?”

Sans glanced at the blackened orb on the blood altar. Oddly, it still sizzled with a weird energy, distorting and twisting the space around it.

“Not yet, first I need to enchant it with a few protective shields.”

Elsie came forward and a swirl of energy collected between her hands. A cross between ice, water, and blue fire was combined together, turning into a shimmering shield that enveloped the Solarstone whole.

“It should be safe now, but I want you to know. This is no normal Solarstone. It theoretically contains the required energy to be used for the cure, but this is still a mutated mineral. I don’t know what repercussions there will be, or when they will appear.”

Sans stepped forward and grasped the mutated Solarstone.

“Ouch… it’s hot?”

“Of course it is. Quickly now, put it away.”

Elsie snapped her fingers, causing the leftover dust and rubble in the center of the room to vanish as if they nothing had ever happened.

“So, this is it then?”

Sans asked her as his heart filled with anticipation.

“Is what? Huh?”

“I’m going to cure myself, what do you think will happen next?”

He revealed a sly smirk as she stared at him in confusion.

“You’re going to kill the king? It’s your trial, after all.”

“Uh… I’d still like to talk with him first…”

Caught off guard, he gave her a sheepish look. Initially he was going to challenge her to another duel for freedom. After all, their previous duel wasn’t at all fair, but it was only at the mention of his trial that he remembered he could only challenge her once per floor.

“Never mind.”

He waved dismissively and turned away in embarrassment.

“Let’s get out of here then. I have some things to prepare before I begin my assault on the palace.”

Sans gave her an odd look.

“About that… when did you plan all of this? Your assault on the palace?”

“Hmm? What do you think I’ve been doing? Laying about on the couch?”

Elsie pouted her lips while resting her balled hands on her hips.

T-That’s exactly what I thought!

Sans cried out internally.

“Don’t think foolish thoughts. I have my own trial to complete as well, you know? It’s amazing what you can get away with when you have righteous glory on your side.”

Elsie pumped her fist into the air with squinted eyes and a faraway look. She was every bit the hero that the world needed.

“Wait—you are level one?”

He stared at her in shock. With every ridiculous action she made and with her extraordinary wealth of knowledge, he hadn’t even considered the possibility that she was also bound to the first floor of the tower.

“Huh? Did you think I was some ancient monster?! One who’s traversed levels and explored the darkest reaches of the tenth floor? How could you!”

She punched his shoulder with teary eyes. Never in his life did he think he could wrong this angelic woman, but somehow he had managed to do just that.

“Go and make the cure. Based off our calculations, it should only take a few hours to cleanse Heaven’s Tears from your system. So after a few hours have passed, I’ll draw King Anthor and Advisor Karbone outside the palace. Once that happens, help your friend out… okay?”

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Sans stared at the storage ring in his hand, within it was his ticket to a new life, a new beginning.

“Mm, let’s do this.”

----

The halls were quiet like the calm before a storm. Sans reached out, touching the different artifacts that decorated the walls. Each one was an intriguing piece, and this would be the last time he would be able to appreciate them.

“Sans?”

A familiar voice called out, bringing a smile to his face.

“Oh Chenbo, here.”

Sans tossed over the key to Lyra’s shackles.

“This is…”

“Yes, you’ll know when the time is right. Be prepared, it’ll happen soon. If I get caught up with something, then just escape on your own.”

Sans turned away, sticking his hands in his pockets. There was still the possibility that he wasn’t going to be cured, but it was a fate he was prepared to deal with should it occur.

“Sans wait.”

“Hmm?”

He paused upon hearing Chenbo call out.

“Thank you, for everything.”

A weak smile formed across Sans’ face as he stared at Chenbo’s earnest expression.

“Don’t… thank me yet. You still have to get out of this alive, so focus on that.”

He sucked in a deep breath and continued on his way.

“When the dust settles, you have to visit us!”

“Yea, yea.”

“Promise!”

Chenbo cried out with a silly smile.

“I promise—I’ll be there.”

With a wave of his hand, Sans continued down the hall.

----

Finally, it’s time to rid myself of Heaven’s Tears.

He smirked as he pushed open the door to his room.

“Time is tight. Elsie said the plan goes into motion in just a few short hours… let’s hope this works.”

With expertise and finesse, he smoothly scattered a series of vials across the table. Each vial was filled with various liquids or medicinal pills, and each one was more necessary than the next.

“Even if it’s mutated, this blood variant Solarstone contains too much energy to humanly handle after refinement. That’s why…”

Meridian Restoration Tonic, Soul Mending Beads, Heart Fulfillment Serum, Blood Renewal Pill, and Bone Mending Pill… these are just the grade A medicines, not to mention the lesser medicines I’ve prepared.

Lastly, he withdrew the mutated Solarstone and stared at it pensively. Despite Elsie’s protective shielding, he could still feel its piercing heat.

“Well, better start now. Otherwise I’ll run out of time.”

With a snap of his fingers, a torrent of flames gushed forth.

Now to craft the cure…

Minutes turned to hours, but eventually he held a smoldering liquid that refused to be contained by any standard vial. All attempts to secure it resulted in the vial itself being incinerating under an intense and purifying light. Instead, he held its integrity together within a cauldron of his own fire. His frown marked a grim expression as he debated his next step.

I can’t store this anywhere! It seems I’m left with no choice. I have to take the plunge right now.

Sans glanced at the plethora of medicines on the table. One by one, he swiped each vial and empty their contents into his mouth. A rush of healing energies flooding every inch of his body, but he had a sinking sensation that not even they would be enough.

I can only pray.

With a flick of his finger, the cauldron of fire flew towards his mouth. Subconsciously, he was already hyperventilating as it inched closer. The nervous and anxious assault on his heart and mind was already enough to tear him to pieces.

D-Don’t think. J-Just do!

The next moment, the beaming liquid of purity flew into his mouth. It was a clash of unbridled energy as soon as it made contact with his body. The healing energies that floated aimlessly about were soon fighting against an impossible enemy as they worked tirelessly to keep Sans’ body from exploding.

Sans sank to the floor, his eyes wide with shock. He could feel his blood boiling as if a series of miniature bombs were being set off right beneath his skin. His bones cracked and reformed from the combination of intense purification and healing substances. Each blood vessel was torn apart as if they were threatened to be snapped out of existence, but in the process—so too was the poison that plagued his body.

His face flushed a mixture of gold and blue, and eventually he fell to his side, curling up like a prawn. Blood, laced with a sparkling blue substance, flowed out from the corners of his mouth, but he paid it no heed as his eyes continued to stare off into nowhere with a most vacant expression.

----

The gates of Anthor Palace were as peacefully busy as ever. They were thrown wide, towering over their surroundings and acting as a landmark for the average passerby.

The previously blue skies were graced with the fading sun’s light, dying them an artistic orange that seemed to capture the soul. Birds and beasts cawed and squeaked as they roamed about, unaware of the impending shift in environment that was to come.

Walking along the road was a cloaked individual, which oddly everyone seemed to avoid.

“These streets will remember this day…”

Elsie muttered as she walked alone, toward the gates of Anthor Palace. Even if she were to chart a path through the most crowded of pathways, everyone would part ways for her, completely unaware of their own actions.

“I wonder how his purification is going…”

Elsie glanced toward one of the palace’s many distant windows.

“He’s no longer moving about, but at least he’s alive.”

She grasped the hood of her burgundy cloak, pulling it more securely over her head. Although her face was hidden inside, it still wasn’t enough. With a simple illusion, the insides of the cloak became a swirling mist of shadows. Only her eyes were visible, which shone like two fiery orbs bathed in white and gold.

“It’s about time to begin…”

Elsie floated upward, a sizeable distance away from the palace gates. Her feet stood upon solidified air, as if it were as natural as the ground itself.

“King Anthor…”

She spoke softly, yet her voice still propagated throughout the skies, penetrating each and every home. The heavy pedestrian traffic below came to an abrupt halt.

“…you are hereby accused of practicing the forbidden arts of blood magic. An unholy act, punishable by execution.”

The world turned silent. Not even the wind dared blow too loudly.

“Come forward, and accept your fate, or otherwise prove your innocence. Such is the decree of Millennium Dragon.”

Her words were like an enchanting funeral tune, audible to every soul in the kingdom. She took a small but mighty step forward, which was met with a deafening bang.

Within the air, black cracks splintered outward as space distorted around her. It was as if the horizon itself had shifted and broken apart. The sprinkle of rain that followed was like a herald for the swiftly rolling clouds billowing across the skies. Elsie took another step forward and a twisted aura of gold and white spiraled out from beneath her.

Unavoidable heat radiated down upon the city, bringing shock and terror to the citizens as they ran for cover. It was a day of reckoning for Anthor City. An embodiment of destruction had come for their king, who had still yet to be seen.

----

“Millennium Dragon? How are they here?!”

King Anthor shouted in fear and alarm. He was in the middle of discussing the kingdom’s future with Advisor Karbone, when suddenly the entire palace rocked and shuddered. An expert had arrived, and with a single scan with his senses—he understood it was not one they could defeat.

“I-I don’t know.”

“How could this be?! Who have you told about the blood magics? You’re the only other person who knows!”

“I haven’t…”

Karbone paused for the briefest of moments.

“There was the alchemist…”

“You told the alchemist?! What was his name again? Sans?”

“Yes! I told the alchemist, but he’s in on it with us. He’s on our side. He was helping me-“

King Anthor waved his hand, silencing the advisor.

“You’re still chasing those foolish aspirations? Ugh… has anything about the formations changed?”

Advisor Karbone shook his head vigorously.

“Everything is in proper order. Rest assured, the alchemist doesn’t know the slightest thing about formation design. I could tell the moment he first laid eyes on the ritual room.”

“Good, good. We might just have our way out then.”

King Anthor strode away with heavy steps.

“But no thanks to you, it’s decades too early. This is a disaster. Go, Karbone. Stall that representative from the guild. Use the grand formation if you have to! They absolutely cannot be allowed to find evidence! Otherwise… this entire palace will be razed to the ground.”

Advisor Karbone wasted no time and scampered away, leaving his cane motionless on the floor. No longer did he hobble like an elderly man; instead, each step was as wide as a lake and as swift as a dog.

----

Elsewhere within the palace, Madam Altores barked orders to a troupe of guards. Each one bore a special insignia, which represented the anti-king’s faction.

“The time is now! Collect together! Each and every one of you! Where is Commander Ramon?!”

She waltzed through the rumbling halls as platoon after platoon stood at attention.

“I’m here.”

A delighted smile decorated her face upon seeing her sole anchor in life. The sturdy man stepped forward, his red cape fluttering behind him.

“Ramon, it’s time.”

Her voice turned low.

“Let’s go rescue our son… and get revenge.”

“Wait.”

Just as the pair were about to lead the way out, a terrifying pressure solidified the air around them. Commander Ramon’s expression grew solemn as he stared at the newcomer.

Princess Ling approached them with a terrifying visage. From the sleek black armor that was bound to her body, to the massive greatsword that she gripped with a single hand—every aspect of her being was ready for combat.

Commander Ramon stood defensively in front of Madam Altores, but inwardly he was more terrified than ever.

“Put down your puny dagger, commander.”

Ling’s voice was laced with fire as she came forward.

“I’ve been instructed by Lady Elsie… to help rescue the prisoner’s below. I understand the situation. This kingdom has been entangled with twisted magics since long ago. I’ve known for years, which is why I had never returned home. My father is no longer the man I once knew.”

Relief washed over the couple’s faces as if an insurmountable weight had just been lifted off their shoulders. Madam Altores gave her a slight bow.

“T-Thank you, Princess Ling. With your assistance, it should be a smooth operation.”

“Let’s not waste time then. Men, follow us to hell. Save as many lives as you can!”

With a final shout of encourage from Commander Ramon, the troupe marched throughout the palace, making their way down to the torturous caverns below.

----

Outside the palace, Elsie didn’t have to wait long.

“Halt! Stop!”

Advisor Karbone cried out as he stood at the entrance of the palace gates.

“You are to come no further! We are an innocent people!”

The people had long evacuated the area, sensing that a battle beyond their capabilities might soon unfold.

“Hmpf. You think yourself innocent? If I enter the palace right now, do you think I would find evidence of blood magic?”

Elsie’s cold voice sent shivers down all those that heard it. Even still, Karbone braved the storm and stood his ground.

“Millennium Dragon is not allowed to enter without evidence!”

“Is that so?”

She could easily see what the elder was attempting to do. By pulling in the righteous name of Millennium Dragon, he could bind her with the rules they had set themselves. After all, it was customary for evidence to be produced by the accuser, not the accused.

“But… who is going to stop me?”

Despite customs, everything could be washed away in the face of true strength. Elsie took another step forward, causing a series of fractures to decorate the once sturdy gates. Even the palace walls themselves were affected as fault lines could be seen forming.

“G-Grand Formation! Activate!”

Advisor Karbone cried out as he slammed an open palm to the ground. Immediately, a series of vibrant blue lines broke free from the stone underneath. Within the blink of an eye, an enormous barrier had been erected around the entire palace.

“This is our Grand Formation barrier, a relic from a time long passed.”

Karbone sneered as he gave Elsie a challenging stare.

“Not even 20 tenth floor experts would be able to break it in less than a month, let alone you who is alone!”

Elsie glanced at the barrier with only partial surprise.

I knew they had a barrier, but I didn’t think it would have this much energy. How long have they been preparing for this day… since the time of Marumen?

She floated down from her position in the skies, landing directly beside the barrier. She placed her hand on it and lightly pressed.

“No one can enter or exit. Not until I cancel the barrier. I suggest you leave and end this farce, otherwise we will be here for a very long time.”

Advisor Karbone crossed his arms over his chest with a smug expression.

“You are right, it would take me awhile to break down this barrier.”

Elsie commented offhandedly while Karbone nodded with closed eyes.

“But it won’t take more than a day…”

With a single finger, she pressed against the blue barrier. Sparks flew in every direction as tiny cracks began to form in its outermost shell.

“I-Impossible…”

Karbone stared at the impact point with his mouth agape. Suddenly, the pressure of time had just become much heavier.