Hearing the mess and talk that went before his mind, Thar was glaring at the group from the entrance to the temple. He dismounted his horse long ago and stood and waited for their charade to be over.
Ortell and the rest weren't even that impressive to talk so high and mighty, yet if anything, their power could mean something, and their purpose something else.
By this point, Thar didn't question the timing or their purpose, so he walked toward a pillar and put his palm on it. He let the mana flow and spoke some words of a sharp grunting language of demonic origin, activating some sort of mechanism that Mindarch accepted. He wasn't feeling sorry or glad about it, as the Hell Party wasn't his problem, nor something he should disallow.
It was up to the judgment of his current master, Levandis herself, or some underling under her Hell Haven. Not Mindarch. He didn't accept this. Only allowed. Some underlings were more likely to act, rather than her mighty self.
The action he caused trembled the temple, and the pillar he touched wasn't one with the Murai's pledged dot, nor was it a part of the second dot that was further to the left on another pillar. This one he touched was special, depicting demonic symbols of claws, jaws, and a flatting mess of thousands of depictions.
There were rough engraved pictures of demons, swords along with dots of souls, and warriors that fought against the demonic marks and claws. It seemed holy, and unlike what a Hell Haven deemed appropriate. It must be a vision of a Divine War, or something even crazier than that, but Thar didn't know about it. The history of this place predated his times by dozens of millennia, if not longer.
Thar waited for a little while until his message came to the other side. A colorful light spread on the pillar's surface as if something was coming from inside, out. It was vivid crimson, and two dots of much brighter light glared at him from this portal from the Hell Haven.
They were looking like Soul Flames of some high-level Guide and a glowing crystal skull of a demon appeared out of the portal. It floated from there, appearing like a ruler with its might and aura that seemed a bit lower than Thar's. The skull didn't consider Thar as important, but he thought the exact opposite.
He bowed and watched how the skull went from the pillar towards the Hell Party, where it ended up before Ortell. “Welcome, challengers of the Hell Party and sick bastards who want to stir some troubles.” the Guide said in a crisp female voice. “Your desires are the rules and laws that are like chains. You took it for yourself to be deemed worthy, and if you back away now, your lives will be forfeit. Understood?” The Hell Guide was brief, and the voice came out of the utterly smoothened-out skull of crystal-like mass, that didn't clutter a bone.
It was no Lint or Lorry, whose appearance was skeletal. This one almost seemed like it was not a skull of a living being. Was there even a soul inside? It was hard to tell or notice it, but its aura and Will shook most of the group, apart from Ortell.
Out of this group, none ever saw such a thing before, yet Ortell showed the most interest and stepped towards this Guide.
He recognized the Laws behind this thing. It was a Magic Construct and not a Guide. It worked fundamentally on Laws and certain forged criteria. It was a form of forceful device that some powerful demons could use to form messengers and talk to others across vast distances. Some gods from the sky also used this sort of thing, but their Divine Sense was usually enough for most of them. But those could be noted, while the Magic Consturts posed lesser problems. They even had something better than this. Their churches had enough voice and interest because of their connection to god, so it was easy to convey any sort of message.
In this case, this crystal skull was a simple messenger and acted on mana, blood, and connection over the soul and Will. In a sense, it was like furthering one's horizons and being somewhere else with Will alone.
It was entirely different from Lorry and Lint, who were literally trapped souls, and living as skulls meant no End. But they were glad to be that. They were tools under their master, and none of them were making it more difficult. The Hell Havens and connection to a proper ruler of one of them was worth serving.
Guides will gladly be slaves for Levandis, albeit most had various visions, hopes, and ambitions because of the Guide status.
This skull was a Guide of Hell Haven and not this Temple of Levandis. Calling it a Hell Guide was thus, fitting. Behind it was most likely a member of a family of Lurr, and it was either a descendant of Levandis or some of her underling. Levandis herself would never involve herself in this sort of situation. The situation had to skyrocket in prose, dangers, and directly involve the interest of the temple.
An underling was fit for this role more than enough, and Hell Party was a big deal. At least most times. Through some connection to the Mindarch, getting information was effortless. It was a tool and Guide's job to act according to the Will of Levandis. That may be a lot of things and most were way out of the scope of normal human understanding.
It wasn't really important. Especially for this group of humans, who were simple fools who carried their hopes against this temple with inappropriate intentions. Mindarch knew it. Hall Haven will know it. Thar knew it as well. They were using the rules of the temple in accordance with the Lordis's little ploys. It was unfit for mortals to be this harsh, but this went along a lot of godly interests, albeit not to Levandis herself.
“Hello, demon,” Ortell said, smiling in a careless demeanor and folding arms around his chest.
He was quite fearless in the eyes of this Guide who had an aura of an Extreme. It was made out of crystal-like material, which was something between crystals, bones, and metal. It had a simple demonic structure, with a smooth curved forehead that ended up quite inhuman. Its eyesockets were squinted, and there were 4 of them. 2 Soul Flames were inside the upper sockets, while the bottom ones were empty. It had a weird curved inhuman structure and even spikes were behind it
Overall, it made some impression, but none from the group guessed the species or race of this Guide. It may be something structured, but its core should be a real skull. It was always easier to form some connection to something appropriate. This skull was real, but there was no soul inside. Just a Will of someone, but not like it mattered.
Ortell had the ability to be arrogant in front of all that mattered, and that went according to his desires, and heart. As he was close to the threshold of the Extremes, it was no wonder.
As for how Razmund enticed him to his cause? That was in the minds of quite a few people in this group, but everyone among them had their own self-interest. None knew about the Helper status of the other, as it was for them alone. It was an impolite action to pry about them and it was an unspoken rule to let their stakes be theirs.
Neither even knew how the Encounter came to be, so their interest was finite and connected to their purpose alone. They were Razmund's swords, but ones that were away from him to force the Encounter in his favor.
Thar thought about Ortell since it seemed ridiculous for this man to be allowed to act against Murai's side. It shouldn't be possible, because of normal sense, and he couldn't help but think it went outside of the norm. This was an Encounter, but also a Hunt. A terrible one, at that. Totally unbalanced and savage.
Ortell easily moved past the threshold of his challenge because of his power. As for the last 2 times, Thar didn't even remember him, but the Mindarch knew what was up with that. Memories may be foggy and old, and he challenged the authority of this place 2 times before. Both were strange situations that went outside of Thar, but not outside of the Mindarch.
“Who are you to be like this, human? You should feel the truth like a law. We are watching, and waiting.” Hell Guide said.
“Does it even matter what is up with me at all? One of the subjects already accepted my challenge, and that is all to it. It's too late to cry over spilled milk so let's get over with this charade and let us in. I can't wait to see the insides of this place once again.” Ortell said, speaking impatiently and almost laughing.
“Rules are a tool of Chaos and Order alike. For you to be so unhinged as to openly talk like that speaks volumes of your personality and ridicule. You are already in the pretext of the Extremes, so the rest of your party will take a certain hit because of you. You all are coming here in weird circumstances befitting the incoming Ends. Your opinion on forming a Hell Party can be your downfall so do you even know what sort of action this is, humans?” This time, the Guide spoke in a steadier vision, as if it was the rule of a judge.
Ortell faced this Guide and remained confident in himself. None other dared to speak. That included even Mikkala and Gordfiend.
“That is fine. I meant what I said, and the Hell Party is whatever it needs to be. I heard plenty of things about it already. Managing anything that the temple can offer is fine. Tell it to your Lady too, if she even cares about this place.” Ortell replied.
“Hush! You wish my lady would even take a simple glance of misery to such a vile group!” Hell Guide grunted and almost shouted those words. It seems the Will behind it didn't like what Ortell said.
“Oh, I am sure she would be plenty interested. Hehehe.” Ortell joked, laughing straight at this Hell Guide's face.
“You.... Very well. My warning states the same degree of danger for the rest of the group. Hell Party is no individual course of action but a Party to go against the full potential of one of the Gates. Everyone shall meet their last fate if it's worthy of your path, or if you are weak and dumb enough. It will be a chance for the temple to grow, and for you as well.”
None of the people in the group told a thing. Each had some resonance over their decisions to get to this place. Some may be fearful, or questionable, but each decided to go in over their safety.
So, the Guide gave up trying to stir some interest, and coming up with their reasons wasn't working. Comprehending the situation was almost redundant since Mindarch provided enough information anyway. It was fine to send them straight to the 4th Gate and the rest will resolve itself.
There, they will meet the kind of task that no ordinary Challenger had to undergo. It was a unique chance and challenge that was worth more than some Grade S rewards. The dangers were there, and the death toll of Hell Parties was above 80%.
It mostly depended on what Hell Haven did. Ortell was the highest balancing factor because his power was the highest. The rest of the group wasn't as powerful as him, which made sense since all Hell Parties had various patterns depending on the choice of the Gate, and amount of forces Hell Haven sent there.
The Mindarch did view it too, so there would be almost no wrongs in this. They were making a mistake, however, and the temple won't care for that. Their balancing factors will speak of the reason and Gate 4 will welcome them with corresponding power.
Hell Guide began to undulate shimmers of mana and spoke some word of demonic origin. The mana flared around it, forming flaming crevices and waves from its sockets. They enveloped the group in a wide manner, while Ortell remained smiling.
It shrouded them in a crimson color, similar to the color of the Hell Guide's skull. A cocoon surrounded them, and upon fully submerging them within, it started to revolve like a sandstorm.
In the blink of an eye, the mass of mana slammed to the ground and disappeared from this place as if nothing happened, leaving no one around.
Hell Guide was also away, following Ortell and the rest that went straight towards Gate 4, as they wanted. They didn't have to go through the Gates prior to the 4th.
Unknown to them, they will meet with a disaster and force to reckon with, as this wasn't a challenge, per se. They were mocking the full authority of the temple because their true reasons for coming here weren't fit as a challenge. They weren't challengers, but mocking challengers that wanted to stir some trouble. It won't make a difference for the Mindarch, but mainly, Hell Haven won't let this slide.
Per their obliviousness, apart from Ortell, everyone else was a fool in Razmund's plans.
In the corner of the darkness, Thar stood there, looking at the previous location where the challengers stood.
“How impudent to let this slide in this way. They started it... So is it something that Lurrs already decided on pursuing? What will even she think? Well... I know what that may be. This already seems like they want to let some forces shine and change, but is this enough? Ortell is not alone... Razmund and Murai are other things. No. Perhaps they both alone are the spark that will engulf much more than what is currently obvious. They haven't got much time, but war is war, and a challenge is a challenge. Disaster will strike this place I fear, rather than what remains of this place.” He mumbled, yet what he could do against it?
Overthrow the Rules? They didn't mean shit in the minds of powerful beings that ran this place., He was also nothing but a guarding dog, so he shut his mind.
He used to be closer to the opposite of a dog, but because of the shackles that he took for granted, he can't be as free as he used to be. Now, he was a shell of his previous self, as Lisa said.
Looking at his right hand, which lacked some fingers, Thar watched his lacking power. He became softer, weaker, and betrayed the road to power.
He hated this dog's position.
Quenching what remained of his fist, a glow, as well as bloody veins within the cuts winced the bones. He let them grow as if they were alive, and in a blink, his fingers regrew. His fist became bigger and more deadly. Each finger was now a fine weapon, and as a whole, this fist would shatter mountains, and clutch human heads. His bones were strong and almost unfathomable, filled with vitality and strength that seeped outside like a mystical treasure. It wasn't necessarily called a marrow any longer. Fitting names would be Life Force, Mana Marrow, Mana Fluid, and all kinds of other iterations of fusion of mana, vitality, strength, and physique.
Now, or before, it was still fine to call it a source of his power. He was only a skeleton as far as he could remember and his bones were all to his living, along with his Soul Flames, of course. He knew how strong his bones were, but he no longer remembered the shape of his flesh. It was too long ago...
It was almost alien to imagine flesh and running blood over his bones. This used to be his body, at some point in his life, yet was it so different to think of this as his body? No. Even when free, he did hope for a dream.
He longed for a proper life and not this mindless and numb body. His case was peculiar, as he no longer remembered what his face looked like. Was he lofty? Arrogant, with a hefty chin, neat brows, and sharp eyes?
He wasn't sure.
Was he pretty? Ugly to one's eyes, or opinion? What was his skin color, or the color of his eyes?
He couldn't imagine either.
Sighting for himself, Thar moved toward his horse that remained standing outside. “Let them play, and let them all seek their chances. Perhaps I will follow them too if Lurrs will deem my worth, but I doubt that. Taking some part is fun, but I doubt they can share. This dessert is my backyard. Protecting it is a task as you said, Mindarch. Let's see and fear the consequences of Lordis's idea, and the fog that surrounds Murai. This will end up as a disaster or an absolutely unfathomable mistake, I bet.”
Jumping onto his horse, he watched as the sandstorms returned to their splendor, engulfing him and his horse into them. He disappeared to his rightful place, no longer interested in anything else. With the Hell Guide gone along with the Hell Party, things will get messy in this temple.
He will have to look into the politics more than usual, and he didn't like how Hell Haven acted. They were full of Chaos, and Ego. Almost like the Gods above, but who cared about the differences? God was a God. In the Depths, there were as many of them as in the Skies.
No matter what, this will be interesting.
***
At Gate 1, but far from the beginning and closer to the end than one would guess.
Murai emerged from the portal some time ago and entered the corridors that stretched and curved far away. He was much further into Gate 1, and almost at the very end. Mindarch's help was incredible, so he didn't have to travel for hours to the end and battle like a maniac. He could, Mindarch thought otherwise.
The corridors were like a maze, filled with chaos, death, and fog that was so thick, that he couldn't see or feel his surroundings more than 5 meters before him.
At some point, he wondered what sort of lunatic would build this sort of place, or force others to fight in this place. It seemed to serve no purpose than be annoying, and it must be of questionable past, that he couldn't even imagine.
Behind him, Lisa and Lorry also floated from the portal. They appeared fine, similar to Murai, but they were further behind, acting as observers.
This journey was for Murai to take, and he looked forward to where he ended up. He didn't watch the end of the portal behind him. He continued forward until he noticed something very easy to spot. There was an opening, and there was a light, as well as the end of the fog. But that was just how it appeared, as the source of the fog was right past this light, and it surged out to Gate 1.
“So a final boss? A room, or a unique place? Guardian of the 1st Gate? How original. Let me see what it will be.” Murai said to himself, ignoring Lisa and Lorry.
Walking through the fog, he arrived and moved through some entrance at the end of the corridor. Murai's eyes took a second to adjust to the sudden light and cleared fog. He wanted to focus, but he had some troubles in his head. That was an issue because he spent hours in the fog, and he didn't like that. He cursed as he entered a tremendous, open room filled with all kinds of lighting elements. There were lanterns of all kinds of shapes and sizes on the ceiling, torches littered the sides, and even flaming chandeliers glowed up the ceiling.
This was some sort of mansion hallway. A huge one, resembling a castle of some sort. The ceiling was at least 15 meters tall and about 7 meters wide. Everything inclined one to wonder what sort of place this was, but Murai watched it as his eyesight returned to normal.
Fog spread around the floor for about 20 centimeters tall, making the surroundings that much more enchanting, captivating, and mysterious. In fact, this place was beautiful to behold. Unlike the rest of Gate 1, there were many paintings of beasts, animals, and figures of humans around the walls. Even elves were there, then demons, and sculptures and statues of them all. Nice architecture went along the interiors, ensuring this place was unlike the simple corridors.
This place resembled a museum, unlike the rest of the corridors which had nothing to them apart from the death, fog, and battles.
There was a different place altogether, but Murai didn't care about them at all. The fog was no longer that bad. It was at the ground level, hovering around his neck, so he had to keep his neck jolted up so he could see out of the fog.
It wasn't discomforting, and he could see the surroundings far away. There were more halls beside this one, so he kept walking and saw more statues, paintings, and architecture. Mana was less unkept and more calm.
It resembled a walk through a gallery of some sort and he watched the sculptures of demons, beats, and devils with his eyes. Some were even human-like, while others were nothing but a ferocious beast. Quite a few statues were looking almost too alive and had one special thing to them. They had some mana undulation and a Soul, and each of them was made of stone.
Murai was looking at them but never found this so-called Guardian, nor the gate or portal towards the next Gate. He went around this place for almost half an hour, until a distinct feeling of Will of the Battleworld, descended upon him. It was not Mindarch this time around, but both he and Will of the Battleworld acted along, making a time for Blessed more unique than for ordinary Challengers. There were two voices of those things in his head, so it wasn't that appealing to him.
Some non-blessed held those voices in the high remark and took them for a god's voice, but Murai would laugh at their faces. Spending some care on the Mindarch was worthy, as long as one reached further into the temple and wouldn't die. Rewars were always due, as long as one survived.
[Congratulations, Citizen. You've reached the ending course of Gate 1 of Lavandis Temple] The dull and mechanical sound echoed into Murai's soul. Lisa heard it too, as she floated not far from him. She silently observed the surroundings, and it seemed a dark cloud was over her head. She was listening to what this would be about since Mindarch and Will of the Battleworld were very different things when it came to Murai.
[What is around you are prisoners. All kinds of beings lost their touch in the Hell Haven, or against Levandis. One of them is your foe: A Guardian of Gate 2]
[Be careful, as there may be more to this than meets the eye]
[Defeat the Guardian in order to proceed to the rundown of rewards, and opportunities that will await at the next Gate]
[Rewards will come through the Mindarch and Will of the Battleworld's connection. Both will have to work]
Hmm? That was it? No shit they are the guarding dogs. They are all alive, and some have a beating heart and even a mana source in them. I can tell that... Murai thought to himself. I am not stupid, or blind.
This one was a bit of anticlimactic massage, and he was more than sure Mindarch would tell him more about this than WiIll of the Battleworld.
He had already gone over many of these statues, so he could tell their worth and number weren't in the small digits. Be it the Mana Detection or the Soul Read, he was able to discern some of the living beings hidden behind the stone. They were all forcefully turned to stone, and stored here as if they were trophies. That was quite wild, and devilish, since the living soul and beings within the stones weren't dead, but remained living.
Their lives were their prison, which spoke to how ferocious Levandis was. Murai wondered what sort of conclusion he should make about this. Should he choose his Guardian, or this place will do so for him? Will of the Battleworld didn't speak of it clearly.
He didn't understand it until Lorry moved past him and laughed in his annoying voice.
“What does Murai think? Quite a nice collection, isn't Lorry right?”
“It's somewhat impressive. Sure. I saw some Omnibeast, Titan-like creatures, and even a Far Realm beast from Beyond the Sky. I guess your Lady is indeed somewhat peculiar with her tastes, and this forms a challenge even for Extremes, doesn't it?”
Lorry paused, opening his jaw as if in shock. He didn't expect to hear Murai's words and his rather clear and open words. They were still quacks, but he could understand it all. “Oh? OHH! So, Murai understands it quite far and wider than Lorry would've guessed. For Murai to take notice of the highest stakes of this place is indeed a welcomed thing to consider.”
“You don't say...” Murai grunted.
“Well, beasts and the highest ordeals are one thing. Murai is the other. One thing is, the temple is already full on going against Murai and the battle long started.” Lorry stated and looked around mysteriously.
“Did it? I can't tell a thing. It's just a place to seek validation so let's get this over with already.” Murai said in a bothersome tone, already fed up with walking for the past hour.