Lisa lowered her density even more, appearing small like a Soul Whisp. She flinched and flew before Murai's face, where she glanced at him in doubt whenever she wanted to talk for real or wait.
“You could be this small?” Murai asked in wonder at her tiny appearance. She could sit on his beak and look great.
“Could be big too. Anyway, what do you think is the reason those mountains remain in this place, even though Levandis dug out this cave herself? Seems kind of weird, doesn't it?”
“She dug it out herself? Never seen a God be this bored to dig out some soil. Was she weak-minded or foolish?”
“We are standing in the middle of Sun God's past kingdom,” Lisa reminded him of that past that she already mentioned multiple times. Murai heard it a long time ago from Will of the Battleworld and his entry to this temple. “This is a very potent land with deep history and depth and Gates and who knows what else.”
“Former soil, you mean? Sun God is gone. No more sunning and breathing, or whatever this one did.”
“Regardless, why is this place like this?” Lisa pressed to go back to the previous topic.
“Because mountains could be useful like soils, sturdy like asteroids, or these mountains appeared after she dug around like a rabbit. Seismic activity and the wonderful Depths of this world are other things. Or she created them as a shelter because of that big sun that she decided to hang up on the ceiling. It is too big, too close, and far too intense. Or she didn't care to dig like a proper rabbit. I wouldn't do such a job either. Take my guess, frankly. A lot of things could work and not work after some time.”
“Rightfully so. Time, logic, and answers are all points of interest.”
“Your interest could be quite something sometimes. You should look at the mirror,” Murai said with a deep amount of irony.
Lisa ignored his remark. “It's all the above in my opinion, but publicly, the choices and interest matters like lands we walk on. Valuable things that might not be for Gods or Sages or Overlords could be treasures for just about most mortals. This place was once the land of an old age and the last peace of this planet. Sun God. The kind that bathed this planet in his former glory pushed this place to the limits. The power of Light Pathway found its way.”
“And died so Levandis looted his palace. Got it. Poor fella. Shortsighted because of his Light, I bet.”
“Unsurprisingly dead and also snatched of his former belongings. Would you expect something else from a demonic God? Why not take something that is already abandoned?”
“The point that she managed it is surprising,” Murai said. “Inheritance of former Gods are two different dimensions from simple inheritances from other times or places or just little portions of them. Taking a bite out of a former Divine Kingdom is a peculiar problem. One would think they would be long snatched away. No God should like to be looted like a fool. Trust me. What was up with the Sun God anyway? Was Levandis the first to claim his stuff, or was she lucky, or... wait. Her Path sounds different. Is it her strength that matters? Why would she even want some stuff from him if she sees all this Chaos? Seems silly.”
“I've heard stories that said that Sun God's inheritance was wildly considered as earthshaking and irregular. It wasn't about the sun alone, but his armies and people were powerful back in his time, or so the stories said. This temple as a whole is the epitome of that time. Ancient, I mean. You don't see it, do you?”
“I am fighting it out against babies of this lofty Levandis, so yes. I don't see the point of this temple or the past.”
“At least you know it. I wonder. Who knows what was included in that inheritance, yet when the End comes, reasons could go away. Levandis got it going. Somewhat.”
“She isn't fit for it though,” Murai said again, knowing that the Chaos and Light weren't nearing like neighbors or suitable Laws. Levandis seemed to be of the Thousand Grave Path. That was within the Pathway of Death, latching onto the Path of Necromancy or other kinds of Paths. It was quite a harsh Path because A Thousand Graves depicted a thousand instances of corpses and a thousand kinds of Law comprehensions, giving this Path much more complicated matters to touch. Divinity was also a weird part of it, which made this Path one of the better within this Pathway.
So for it to snatch some former Divine Kingdom, Murai wasn't surprised.
“Who are you to say that?” Lisa questioned, “She changed most of the walls already, frankly, but many old constructs and ideas remain and assemble this temple. Mindarch is one such thing. I understand some stuff myself. That is why I am talking to you about it.”
“Oh, then why are we talking about her and Sun God? I am not following.”
“Because.” Lisa shrugged her tiny little arms. “I am a fervent taker of history and want to talk about it. For a former Succubus, I know, it isn't fitting. I am testing something for you.”
“Hm? I am questioning the former of the former, but please, continue the story if it means something good or great. If not... then our positions remain the same and my disappointment is.... silent.” Murai added, surprising Lisa who seemed to have decided on something.
“Fine. My point is underground and the earth of the former Sun Palace. Some say it was on the Surface back then, going deep into the Battleworld. The whole Seven Death Forest was a giant paradise, so the soil carries some treats and bits of treasures and power of that distant past. But that is.... well, difficult. Death Valley is there, looking terrific and savage. So what is below? Not Mana Essences, but not something wild and different either. Some say it is like a Law, others say it's blood, and other says it was here before the Sun God. After all, why would Sun God choose such a location? On the Surface, surrounded by many regions and powers, he built his Divine Kingdom. Such acts are as old as Death and sound interesting and not long-lasting.”
“Different times speak of different plans. What was there all those years ago? From what I've gathered, the Sun God is ancient. Older than the Battleworld or this... well, the Old World is still not up to me. I am no historian like a floating little wisp.”
“Who said that?” Lisa asked.
“Is it wrong?”
“A bit. A lot of places are ancient yet still standing for good reasons. A lot of information prevailed from those times as well. Those are not only part of Dungeons, you see. A lot of cultures and Gods give history some pressure because they are old and know it. Of course, when we gather Surface or Depth together and add Sky, things get difficult. Historians and those interested in the former world gather evidence that this world is sacred and meant to be protected. Not filled to the bones with battle and endless suffering.”
“Endless suffering? All that I am hearing is a yapping of an old history. What is the evidence, I wonder?” Murai said seriously, contemplating where was Lisa going with this topic or logic.
“The world? Places? Dungeons themselves and inheritances left their charms. This world departed many bits as well and left it like a memory or trial from previous times. Battleworld is vast. Racially, it changed. Geologically, it hasn't changed all that much. Well, continents changed, people did too, and who knows how many Gods turned this into something else? That is secondary.”
“Secondary? Are you belittling the course of planets and time? Gods are freaks that don't consider history to be important if it doesn't mean shit to them. Or it is about suiting their needs. They are greedy pigs.”
“Says you.”
“Am I wrong?”
“Not at all,” Lisa said firmly. “Word by word, there is much to say and discover and tell. Sun God was a big deal in the former world.”
“So big that he is nowhere but a memory. I can see how massive he is.” Murai said and deep sarcasm resounded in his soul, shuddering Lisa's core.
“Fair enough,” Lisa sighed, figuring that she diverted from what she meant to say. “Sun God's place of influence was in no Sky, yet it was vast and deep. It was here, on the earth and below, and also on the Surface. Desert used to be a fascinating farm, land, kingdom, and paradise.”
“That dreadful place?” he tried to remember that crazy desert and figured some races could still live there and establish quite a decent Divine Kingdom if their race or Bloodline was good. It didn't need a God. Almost no place ever did.
“Yes. The former palace ended up destroyed and cut into the earth, forming this temple that Levandis remodeled for her needs. A portion is the old temple. Hellscape is new, but in place and close to the old ruins, or built into them.”
“Where are you going with this? I am lost in your words or story if that's what is even right.”
“It is about mining. There are treasures that you would want to see. What do they mine? Something that Levandis wants? Something that caught her eyes all those years ago? Do those mountains protect or hide something?”
“Perhaps both. She is God. She must be a greedy pig herself.”
Lisa suddenly jerked her hand, using her ring which was a belt at her current size.
A tiny gem came out of it. She caught it, hugging it so it wouldn't fall when she charged her body like a little spark.
The gem was very small, yet glowing in little veins that were almost impossible to see because of the light that connected to Lisa's own light. Murai still caught what it was and felt a disturbing idea. He had seen something like this before. Either in the Helltrim City or David mentioned it once or twice.
“This is Ultra Gem.”
“Ultra? What a weak name. Unoriginal.” Murai squinted as he observed it. He felt its Light. It was no Mana Essence, but it was a material holding onto some minor element for sure. Law of Light might be close or almost like a shadow.
Or it was a Divinity flowing into the physical realms.
“Your opinion. We are talking about someone called Levandis, Lady of Thousand Graves. Edgy, correct? Names are names for a reason.”
“Fair enough. And I am a sufferer of endless Cursed Living.”
Lisa shifted her body again, enlarging herself because she had trouble handling this small Gem in both tensed tiny arms. “Ultra Gems are a rarity in this place, as well as a historical treasure from ancient times coming to reality. They are found nowhere else but in this region. Ultra means endlessly rich in some depiction of the older languages.”
“Never heard of it.”
“Almost as if you don't know the entire universe. How surprising,” she teased him and tossed the Gem twice up and down. “These Gems are unique in the fact they store and depict a different class of Mana Essences than normal veins found around the universe. They are weirder than that. More than most elements and materials. Some consider them to be a mutation of this ground that took note of Sun God's Divinity, Authority, or something else. It isn't about mana or his Laws. A lot of Gods try to mix things up and create their divine treasures and fail. Creating something out of universal stinginess is rough and takes a long time or a very potent bravery.”
“Hm. This could be blood-related.” Murai added as she spoke and hiccuped.
“What makes you say that?”
“Divinity can change a lot of things. The dead body of a God is the same thing, basically. It feels... disturbing. Deaths of Gods, that is. Mana is also endless and various, yet the universe acts like a lock, despite going and seeping out as it moves to the unknown. Some things could change, twist, and revolt under the hands of those mastering some secrets,”
“Personal experience?”
“Personal oversight and hope.”
Lisa hummed, almost whistling. She held the Gem forward, offering it. “Have you seen this before?”
Murai flinched his head closer, his beak resting inside of Lisa. “It is small. Too small to be worth something in my eyes. Looks like a glass ball with some Light inside of it. Almost fake.”
“Small things could be big when you look at them closely or deep.”
“Sounds awful. I prefer size, thank you.”
“Got it from David. A Chip like this is worth something like a Grade 7 Mana Essence if it has a better elemental affinity. This one is loaded with bits of Brightness. Not Light. These things are plentiful in the ground, flowing through soil and materials, and constructing some unique places. Those glass pillars going up but also deep to the ground all have light of these Ultra Gems. Some said they were long here before. Bullshit. They didn't come like the rest. Levandis discovery was everything.”
“And? What of this Chip?”
“Have you heard of an essence with properties or affinity that are integral and could increase on their own? Recharge, own their secret mysteries, and empower treasures and beings? Without dissipating, shutting down, or cracking, they could lose their light temporarily. They flow much better into the flesh too, mending into the cores of those who could afford it.”
“I doubt I get where you are going, but I know some bits about such treasures. The actual worth and size of the universe give birth to things far from the normal size of a head or soul. Even yours, I think. Mine is bigger, but even then, I hardly get the whole picture and weight of the universe. What you are saying is about time. Time is history. History is about Chaos Cycles. Cycles about Epoch and... well, you get me.”
“So you are acknowledging that you don't know?”
“There is no shame in that,” Murai said firmly to her head.
“Really?” Lisa blinked and believed him. “Well, I do wonder when you've seen it, but you have your secrets, and so do I.”
Murai chuckled after this silly comment and her story that didn't seem to touch on this journey all that much.
“In the mines, there are veins and a sea of Ultra Materium. It is like very dense metal, water, ice, or light turned physical. Looking like glass, this Ultra Gem is a byproduct of mining, close to something you would see selling like candy on the Surface.”
“Doesn't seem like much,” Murai added.
“Don't run against a wall and call it a mistake. These Gems are a big deal because of their rarity. It allowed Levandis to crack the lines and become Rank 1 in a few decades without ever touching it. Her people do that. Ultra Materium is a unique formation, filled with strange matter the size of mountains, crystals, seas of waves, or numerous flowing rivers. It's mana, but it isn't that. It is like Law, yet old and raw. It carries density like veins of natural essences, yet it isn't essence. It is far too dense for that, far too strange.”
“What about properties? Character.”
“Brightness, Flame, Light. Aspects of the Sun, I believe, but not all of them have everything or the others. They take the majority. Something with Divinity could be the cause, or it is the work of many things. Is that the right assumption? The past was vast; answers lost in time.“
“And often wrong and right depending on how you told it,” Murai added, interested in this conversation all of a sudden. “Haven't you said that history is left out from history? None depicted Ultra Materium in some records?”
“What If I said some do and don't?”
“Then it is a mystery. Count it to millions of others.”
Lisa gave him a long look. “You see, you can be clever and annoying at the same time.”
“Could be more of the other if I wanted.”
Ultra Materium sounded like something from Endless Sky but with a different name. Perhaps it was something else many cycles ago, or its meaning never changed. Murai realized it from her words, but he lacked practicality. Divinity might be contained in creation or death, or it might be more complicated than he thought because he wasn't seeing the creation process of this material.
If it was underground, in place of a former Divine Kingdom, the planet might be the cause, creator, manipulator, or mana was the essential and main cause. Perhaps it was like pointing at the sun and calling it bright.
Mana could be many things and many names. Whatever Divinity depicted always depended on the Divine Kingdom and God who handled it for their life. In Chaos or Order, Divinity pointed to two sides of the same coin, and Laws assembled everything like the foundation of a sturdy structure.
Lisa talked about the Sun God. Why was she wasting time with questions that might not be that far? Was she doubtful or wanted to answer from him? Why care about this material and mining?
“Wait, could this be about that portal?” Murai suddenly asked as he looked at her holding that little Gem.
Lisa flinched her hands, tossing the gem up and down. “Probably not.” Lisa seemed to catch it quite well. But for the reason of her words, Murai needed to see some reasons for himself.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Why are you taking that to your mouth then?”
“There is a certain portal in the underground. Ip'ur Mountain, you see, is a place like this one. A city and a place full of mines and this Materium.”
Murai grumbled something and let her continue.
“These Gems have a long history and are very hard to mine. Their worth is astronomical outside of this place. They require quite a lot of power and patience to mine, but they are like big piles of huge mountains the density of diamonds and finest steel. Yet, they are seen-through like glass, seem to weigh nothing and display Laws as easily as sea a water, but not everyone gets them. Each time some Materium successfully cracks, it explodes to smithereens, forming various sizes of Ultra Gems. Handful ones for human hands are worth a lot. They last the longest and are useful. Flow and recharging take time, so that is a disadvantage. Grade and density of the matter inside is also important when mining or using it.”
“What about the value then? Their usage? Is it mana or not?”
“You tell me?”Lisa tossed it and caught it again, pointing it to him closer on top of her palm. The little Gem took most place of her hand.
Murai recognized an open invitation. He summoned his Mana Sonar in tiny little waves, shrouding the locations around Bagus's head under his influence.
Grifhart flinched but rested in the shade, oblivious to a shady business on top of his head. He drank for the sake of his heart and wished for a bath.
Murai was over this in a heartbeat. “Feels like embodied material that went through some processing. Artificial or natural, this feels man-made. Mana feels like something for sure. It is like steel, glass, and something that underwent alchemy or transfiguration. It is small, so it doesn't feel special.”
“Yep. This one is very poor and out of flow. Natural and man-made at the same time sounds like bullshit to me though. Can't you feel something else?” Lisa argued.
“Eh,” Murai said and shook his head. “It's confusing. I get the Brightness of it, but it is like a speck. Is this worth a lot? How? I wouldn't even get disappointed if I lost it myself.”
“This here is Grade E Ultra Gem. They are excellent conductors for construction with light priorities, formation of flames, or various devices. Some are good for some machinery too, as it's far from being brittle, scratched, or worn down over time. Properties range from equipment, weapons, golems, to various artifact pieces.”
“Not surprising. So? Why are you showing that to me?” Murai asked in confusion.
“Talk about it as if it's important. Yes. Demons can't do much with it. A small fraction is one with Flame, which is about useful for some of them, while the rest is not. It is a shame that Levandis found this fortune that is hardly put to use. Mined and sold in the Surface for ridiculous prices is her true treasure. It is almost a shame, eh?”
“Seen worse things worth a word shame.”
“It could be useful to you. Think about it. It isn't much of a currency because of its hard mining factor that has incredible value in the Surface. It is a treasure that a lot of Delvers want and take out of this place if they could. Of course, the big factor is getting this deep and not pissing off some rules in the process. Levandis takes mining around these Gems seriously and for Outsiders to take them isn't easy. Smuggling, buying, or stealing these Gems from miners is a good choice to take them out.”
“That makes sense. Alright. Last chance. What usage does it have for me, and what is there for you? You sound like you want to convince me about a job opportunity. I am listening. I am trying... really hard to not snap my beak at your neck.”
“Have you seen them in the previous Vaults?”
“No? Don't remember, but you asked me what I think, so you must have some questionable demand in your head.”
Hearing him so curious made her a little happy inside. It seemed to be important to her, for some reason.
“There wasn't any in Vaults because usage varies like their worth. Their properties come in weight and sizes, while this one isn't much worth for anyone, and its quality is dogshit. Most denizens use such little chips for light sources but almost all of it ends in Levandis possession because mining's priority is private and clutched like her little treasure. Sun properties are for some mages who need them. For folks that cherish them. What is it for those that don't need one?”
“Useless rock, or something saleable Use in experimental alchemy or forging sounds useful. Oh, and decoration.”
“It is heat resistant, so making the right weapons is hard. Sharpness works well against it, or high power that would explode it from the inside out. More or less, their usage is odd depending on who you are and what it holds. It can change and shift the world and people. Internal or external powers do have their secrets. For some, it is the only available Law Material that is not inherently limited by outer or godly factors.”
“Laws have their limits, so this thing... Oh, I see. For someone who is suddenly speaking so much, you would do so well if you just said it. What is your deal?” Murai gave her an ultimatum. “I don't like running around a house aflame and hoping to quench it.”
“Oh.” Lisa seemed disappointed about something and tapped the Gem with her finger. Unfortunately, it had no reactions whatsoever, and since Murai wasn't finding it interesting, she tossed it back to her ring.
“I will show you their worth later. You will show me yours.” She said mysteriously. “It could be something for you. Mining in these places is something that Challengers doesn't take lightly. Most fools from Surface wish for these for a good reason.”
“Sure. A rock, huh? I get it. Essence that went through changes? God could change it, or is this place responsible? Is it bone? Ancient remains, or part of the River of Manaflow that ended up lost or etched into this planet?”
Lisa liked all of his ideas; she didn't know the origin of this Ultra Materium but she had numerous ideas that weren't worse or better than his.
“Most think of them as investments when their use will outshine the rest or time.”
“You said it is worth a lot in the Surface. Why?”
“Suns?” She replied as if talking to an idiot.“ I spoke of its effects. It can charge and change the mana of the world and surroundings. People too. One can use them for their advancement as long as they know what they do. I saw someone get burned by it though, shining until the corpse was red and bright. Talent for this thing is far or low. It is like a lottery, frankly. Dangerous and burning.”
“Sun, huh?”
“Sun, Brightness, Light, Flame elements. These could have visions of Affinities and their differences. Elemental ones belong to this category because it is a mixture of what you would expect. I think it is about the true energy of the universe, you see. It is either a lost ideal, or something new, yet forgotten. It carries residues. Touches. Intent. Not divine or righteous feelings. It feels empathetic like something pure and overlooked. It could be useful for you, so I hoped to see your ideas first before I see something else.”
“Hm. Alright.” Murai commented. “Now, I want to see what sprouted this in your head..”
“Don't spout nonsense. We have a reason to be here, and I wanted to speak to you about it first before doing anything later. Should've done that much earlier, frankly. I wanted to make sure you don't get it, or get it, so don't think much of it.”
“What If I do think about it?” Murai asked, smirking.
“Then you are a terrible liar.”
“Am I?” Murai wasn't sure. He thought he was feeling something and it wasn't very strong.
“Anyhow, in a bit, we won't have time for these worries. So let's not waste time and give some fools time to catch up to us, right?”
“Nasty fools?” Murai was wondering where in the world was he going wrong with this life. Where did it turn weird? Since the beginning? Since that cave? Since he met Lisa? Perhaps he was wrong from the get-go, stubbornly going against the suffering of this life.
Gate 1 and 2 were so intriguing to him, filling him with a sense of adventure, rewards, and progression. But this? He was on the run against fools way too powerful than him, and why did he train and feel as if he wasn't doing anything substantial?
Because balance was in shambles, and some lofty God made a wanted poster out of his perky beak and nice feathers?
No. This gate would hunt him regardless because he was a Challenger. What about Lisa? It seemed that a lot of things went out of her right now, but not everything. The outside world wanted his head as well, and it seemed to have no stops.
There was no break.
No time to waste.
He was Hunted.
Murai would be fuming in anger if he found it unbearable. Yet, he didn't. Lisa made it more tolerable, but her words always turned it sideways, challenging his head with her ideas or giving him peculiar turmoil.
He felt less joy in this adventure, or the charm of the previous ones was lessened because he wasn't seeing the rightful time.
Perhaps there was some joy in things that weren't so open-minded. Perhaps he should change his outlook again and trust those around him in a try to lie and appease his Cursed Living.
No.
Hellscape sounded fun if it weren't for the messed up reasons of the current reality. Levandis was the maker of this mess, though she was particularly safe and not faulted for everything for a good reason. Nothing was her fault. It was Lisa who forced him to this hell, leaving a nauseating feeling of dread and disappointment that appeared enticing. Whatever whisper he felt from that little Gem was over and her explanations and act were hiding something. Since he entered this desert, he felt something very wrong indeed.
Murai wondered what he would think if some deeper problems would come. Things like the former lives wouldn't be appealing in the slightest, so perhaps this one will be the same since it was weird from the very beginning. Still, his disappointment was slim because he was curious about the mines, and it seemed he was about to enter one very soon.
Not here. They were here for something else. By now, Lisa was over this charade and left the group with Bagus, who begrudgingly went with her as her bodyguard, but it wasn't as if she needed it. Itrosh was more than glad to be left with Murai in the shade. Flying away with her ring for a bracelet, Lisa will look at everything herself.
And if someone would bear her path, they might as well get killed by her or Bagus.
Murai went back to rest, safe and sound. No one was troubling him or Itrosh and his day was far from ruins. He felt he shouldn't think about bad things or suffering. It would be the beginning of depression, or something much deeper. And he sure had plenty of these times in this life and others.
This one, where he nearly lost his life and felt his crippling beginning, was peculiar. It truly changed him in some way. He fought out of that shitty well, broken, feeling drowned, yet clinching for life. He never wanted to see another well in his life. Never.
Lisa came back in half an hour, pouting and shaking her head in disappointment, so she let the group out of the city after leaving numerous corpses in the shadows of some buildings, either in pieces or gnawed to pieces. No military was here. No sorry excuses came to them either.
But more was coming, so they left after purchasing some last-minute meals. No water. With Murai around, they didn't lack it.
Everyone had some form of Spatial Equipment. Most provisions and food were in Bagus's necklace which was more precious than any other, if one forgot Murai's hoodie as a whole.
Murai could tell that his necklace was a masterpiece and a priceless treasure. By some surprise, he found he had it all his life with more than a thousand cubic meters of capacity. That was quite a big space.
Out in the desert, no one was there to welcome them or say goodbye. That was good in Lisa's eyes and Bagus could only scowl as he stepped on the scorching sand.
The road to the Ip'ur Mountain was very close and not far. Its location was problematic, thanks to the deep heated sun right above that mountain.
It wasn't really a mountain, but in a strange sense, it was a bit different than others. There was a deep crevice and holes in the sand right when Levandis was digging her Hellscape. Its location was good, treasures deep, and whatever she found left her smiling.
And in that crevice were many mountains, small and ancient sights of some mining creation, but old, ancient, and too old to make sense of them. Mountains had no purpose. There was no sun under the ground, yet there was immense light. Holes, crevices, and soil or rocks couldn't stop the flow of Brightness that overwhelmed and seeped into the earth.
In one place, there was a huge hole as if something exploded or disappeared within. Not one, but there were more of them. Some smaller were smaller. In them, even in the biggest or smallest, there were mountains inside, protruding not from the flat lands, but inside the hole, twisting, and going for hundreds of meters up.
Sector 45 had the biggest hole, depicting the Ip'ur Mountain. Sectors 48 and 50 had the biggest afterward, and by now, what had once been found was turned into Scorching Light and one giant snake cave.
Murai was beginning to get the idea of his approaching zone, yet there was no sight of any enemies, let alone David and Ultium.
They never called back. Never said a thing. From Sector 44, there was a steady decline in altitude as if they kept moving down a bit at a time. The holes were holes, but they had better names.
Calling them canyons was best. One would wonder how they were
formed, or how they never changed, and some were hiding minor settlements, caves, or simple continuous sand and rocks.
Murai was curious the more he looked forward, seated on top of Bagus's head. Even those shiny Ultra Gems were occasionally on his mind. Such thoughts weren't enough for Lisa to tell her full story or speak about it.
It took them an hour and a half to reach a massive cliff, overseeing an enormous five kilometers wide canyon. It wasn't as deep as Murai thought. He saw the mountain going upward like a poking finger to the sun above, yet it was far from it. The canyon itself was at least a kilometer deep at its deepest point, so the mountain was far from even reaching the sun or rocky cliffs around this location.
There was less of a desert around them and more rocks. Deep red rocks. The heat was unbearable with such a close sun. Murai felt as if he was in an oven, feeling as if his Beast Core was rampaging in this heat like in some sauna, and it wasn't even feeling bad at all. It wanted out. Go wild. It needed an outlet and heat.
William swallowed everything like usual and pretended that everything was fine. Constantly turning onto his Water from time to time was kind of odd, yet not doing much.
It was a wonder how this place operated. Considering the laws of mining and caves, this single kilometer of height should've given many advantages to go even deeper into the earth. It was a wonder why there weren't any portals in this place.
Lisa knew the answer. The sun. Heat? Or was it the politics?
Most took this place as a strategic point and greedy place. Levandis took it for a treasure that should remain under her grasp. She simply didn't want any troubles here. That was it.
Or, so it was told. Lisa had certain doubts because there was a portal even she didn't know about. The Token in Murai's pocket would answer that for sure.
“This is it?” Murai asked her. “I can tell it's going to be hot down there. A kilometer isn't enough. The sides should make a nice oven. What a hell!”
“It is our destination.”
“Not a way out, though.”
“No,” Lisa said out loud, chuckled, and felt silly, considering some little things flying in the sky. She wondered if spies were looking at them and heard them as well. If so, she might as well go deep and let them laugh.
Murai learned of this bait that was no bait. “So, going deep in the middle of this continuous Hunt is your way out?”
“I am working on that,” Lisa said to his mind. “You don't have to worry. I am confident.”
“What happened the last time you were confident?”
“No idea.” She shrugged. “And don't be comfortable just yet. I doubt it will be fine. Finding that damned portal will be a pain. Do you know how big this place is? How many Millennia Mines are here? Cities worth of crevices and paths could take us a couple of days to go through.”
She was here before. Murai could tell that, whereas Bagus couldn't wait for shades of those mines.