Chapter 6

❄ The Gatekeeper Arrives ❄

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As the figure emerged from the gate, the dim light of the cave slowly revealed her imposing form. The woman was tall and imposing, standing at around six feet in height. Her long, straight hair was a deep shade of brown and fell past her shoulders in a sleek, elegant style. Her sharp, angular features were complemented by piercing red eyes. She wore a black suit that hugged her curvaceous figure and a bright red tie that contrasted against the darkness of her attire. In her hand, she held a deadly weapon - a chain whip that made a distinct sound every time she moved. The metallic links clinked together, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

Beside her stood a massive demon dog, its black fur so dark that it absorbed the light around it. Its red eyes burned with an intense fire that sent shivers down the spines of those who saw it. The creature's massive frame towered over the owner.

Shin grinned, awaiting the challenge that lay ahead. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.

The woman let out a resigned sigh as she surveyed the scene before her. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen creatures. She knew her master would not be pleased with the loss of his minions.

Shin aimed his sword at her. "Bring Hades here. I'm not interested in fighting you again, Ida," he said, his voice cold and determined.

Ida strode confidently towards the group, her demon dog at her side. As she stood tall before them, she looked down at Shin, her lips curving into a sinister smile. "Your tracking ability is quite annoying, I must say," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I see you brought some new faces this time, and of course, Arthur."

Arthur stepped forward, his gaze locked on Ida. "You think you can take us on two-on-one, Ida? Please stay humble," he said, his voice calm and measured.

The demon dog began barking and growling, its fierce gaze fixed on Arthur and Shin. Ida quickly knelt down and rubbed the creature's stomach, trying to calm it down. "There, there," she murmured, hoping to quell its anger.

As Ida stood before them, Rime couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He though to himself. "Was this woman truly one of Hade's servant?"

He called out to her, unable to contain his curiosity. "Hey, old lady," he said.

Ida turned to face him, visibly irritated by his remark. "How rude! I'm not old," she snapped back. "Just call me Ida. I'm known as the gatekeeper."

Mia was eager to fight and demonstrate her abilities. She grabbed Rime's shoulder, grinning. "Mia, you really want to fight?" Rime asked, surprised by his sister's sudden enthusiasm.

"I'm tired of just sitting here doing nothing in this cave," Mia replied, her hands radiating with flames.

Rime hesitated, uncertain if he was ready to face Ida in battle. Before he could speak, he suddenly fell to the ground, overwhelmed by a strange voice coming from his head, "FIGHT!" Rime lay on the ground for a moment, trying to regain his composure. He felt disoriented, as if his mind was being controlled by some outside force. The voice in his head was powerful and insistent, and he couldn't ignore it. He tried to push himself up, but his body felt heavy and unresponsive. The voice in his head grew louder, urging him to stand up and fight. Rime knew that he needed to resist the voice, but it was difficult. He felt like he was being pulled in two different directions.

Arthur chuckled at Mia. "Here's your first task: get rid of this gatekeeper," he said.

Mia began to remove her large jacket and started stretching her arms and legs. Rime grabbed her by the shoulders, interrupting her. "Mia, let me fight," he said firmly.

Mia looked at him in confusion and anger. "Uh? What do you mean, you want to fight?" she asked.

Rime who did not understand why all of a sudden he felt the urge to fight replied to her. " I-i don't know...i just have a feeling."

Mia's eyes narrowed in frustration as she tried to push Rime away. "Stop it, Rime! You're always like this, trying to take everything from me," she yelled.

Rime's expression hardened as he held on to her hoodie tightly. "I'm not trying to take anything from you, Mia, i just think i should fight," he said.

The tension between them grew as they continued to push and pull at each other, their breathing becoming heavier with each passing moment. The air around them crackled with energy as their chi began to build up.

Arthur and Shin watched in silence, observing the siblings' interaction with interest.

Ida smiled at the sight before her. "Excellent," she said, her voice filled with anticipation. "I love a good fight." As both siblings pushed each other around Arthur could not help but chuckle.

Arthur settled down by the rocks, carefully placing his jacket underneath his head. He gazed up at the cave ceiling, lost in thought. "You know, Shin, Cronus had children," he said, his voice low and serious.

Shin's eyes widened in surprise. "What? You mean to tell me that the monster who started the "War of the Titans" was a family man?"

Arthur nodded. "Take a look at those kids, Shin. They're Cronus's own flesh and blood."

Shin squinted his eyes as he looked at Rime and Mia, trying to see if he could spot any resemblance to Cronus.

Shin thought to himself "uh? uhm, they look nothing like him."

Ida's laughter echoed through the cave as she looked at the siblings. "I must know your names, you both are interesting individuals," she said, a sly smile on her face.

Rime and Mia exchanged a glance, unsure of what to expect from the gatekeeper. "My name is Rime Kruger," he said confidently.

Mia stepped forward, determination in her eyes. "My name is Mia Kruger," she declared, her hands still glowing with flames.

Shin and Arthur observed the situation from a nearby rock. Ida extended her chain whip to her dog, who eagerly drooled over the weapon, leaving a trail of corrosive saliva behind. The hiss of the acidic droplets hitting the ground signaled a warning to any who dared challenge her.

Ida brandished the whip, gesturing to Rime and Mia. "How about this then?" She said while slashing the air with her weapon. "You two can fight me together, and if you win, I'll bring you to Hades. Deal?"

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Rime and Mia stood side by side, their bodies tense with anticipation. They exchanged a nod, their eyes flickering with determination as they channeled their chi energy. Rime could feel the power crackling in his veins, a heady rush that left him feeling invincible.

Their focus was fixed on Ida, who stood before them with a twisted smile on her face. Rime felt a prickle of unease in the pit of his stomach, but he pushed it aside. He was ready for this. As they charged forward, their battle cry ringing out into the air, Rime suddenly froze. Something was wrong. Ida was not moving and was looking down in the ground with a sinister smile. "Stop, Mia!" he shouted, his voice raw with urgency. But it was too late. Mia had already launched herself at Ida, her body a blur of motion. Rime watched in horror as Ida unleashed a barrage of chain spikes from beneath the ground.

Mia was hit before she even had a chance to react, her body pierced in a dozen places. Blood gushed from her wounds, and Rime could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He had to do something, but what?

Rime's eyes widened with terror as he saw Mia's limp body crash onto the ground. He rushed towards her, his heart racing with fear. He knelt beside her and saw that her eyes were closed, but her chest was still rising and falling in shallow breaths. Rime let out a sigh of relief knowing that Mia had coated herself in chi energy before the attack, which saved her life. He couldn't believe what had just happened.

Rime picked up his wounded sister and brought her close to a nearby rock. He turned to face Ida, his fists clenched, and his jaw set in determination. However, before he could make a move, he heard a loud thud behind him. He turned around to see Arthur and Shin tied up in chains, unable to move. Rime knew that he was alone now and that the fight was his to win or lose.

He took a deep breath and charged towards Ida, his chi energy burning inside him. As he got closer, he could see Ida's twisted smile again. It was as if she was enjoying all of this. Rime felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew that Ida was not just stronger but had also become something else entirely.

Rime's heart was racing as he approached Ida, his muscles tensed and ready for action. He saw an opening and lunged forward to touch her, hoping to freeze her in her tracks. But before his fingertips could even graze her skin, Ida's body blurred into a blur of motion. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach and he was sent hurtling backwards, his body crashing to the ground.

As he struggled to regain his footing, Ida was already upon him, her chain whip slicing through the air with deadly precision. Rime's reflexes kicked in and he rolled out of the way, barely avoiding the whip's sharp bite. He tried to counterattack, but Ida's movements were too quick, too fluid. She was like a viper, striking from every angle. Despite his best efforts, Rime was unable to land a single blow. But he refused to give up. With each dodge, he grew more determined to take down this monster.