Mountain Archaic, the highest mountain of Laminia, towering on the southern plains, was regarded as the most sacred place in the world. It was surrounded by six mighty trees and was covered in golden dusts.
There were already some warriors waiting in small groups. Their murmurs were interrupted by the arrival of Robin and Benjamin. Some of them exchanged inexplicable looks.
Benjamin spotted some familiar faces. Dorky, Scar, and Belle, with whom he used to share countless adventures. Together, they wandered in the chilly winds on grim nights, explored the most dangerous caves, and vanquished fierce demons from Hell. They carried numerous poor souls to their assigned destinations, as they witnessed many big and little wars between the three worlds.
However, these friends didn’t even notice him. Their gazes, filled with worry, were fixed on the two figures standing on top of Mountain Archaic.
The thin long figure was Elder Joe, the great spiritual leader, who had guided the Laminia warriors through many ups and downs. Beside her was a rippled muscle-guy with a smug smile. That was Zooney, a rising star with a bunch of enthusiastic supporters. He looked tough, talked tough, but acted foxy.
“Look at the cunning bastard,” Robin couldn’t help but swore. “The best thing he has ever done is wiping his own arse.” His comment drew a few hostile looks from Zooney’s fans.
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“Things have changed, I’m afraid,” lowering his voice, Robin continued. “Many of the warriors start to question the purpose of our missions. They want to get out.”
Can’t blame them. Benjamin thought to himself. Though he was forced to leave Laminia, he understood the difference between their world and the upper world. Indeed he lost freedom there, but he was, relatively speaking, safe. Living in Laminia, however, you counted yourself lucky if you managed to reach the prime of your life. And it was always night in Laminia. No sunrise. No tomorrows.
“Zooney gives them hope.”
“How?” Benjamin asked with great confusion. “The exit of Laminia is extremely hard to find because the world changes all the time. As soon as I arrived, some metal mountains chased me around, so I got lost at once. No one can safely get out of here unless there is a Blackout Summon. Just like what happened to me.”
Robin shook his head. “I don’t know exactly how he’s gonna do that, but he promised them he will take them out if they help him gain the power.”
“That’s just a wicked lie,” Benjamin said in disgust.
A golden circle above the mountaintop started to flash, causing a hush upon the agitated crowd. All of the warriors looked up with full attention.
Elder Joe stepped forward and cleared her throat. “My fellow residents of the World of Laminia, we gather here today for a big announcement. We’ve been living in this underneath world for hundreds of years, throughout which, we have encountered millions of crisis and risks. But you, mighty warriors, you have proven yourselves brave, skilled and dedicated guards of the middle world between hell and earth.”
A silvery light caught Benjamin’s attention. It seemed like a cold reflection from a sharp blade. No. Not a blade. There were more. They came from several spots near the summit of the mountain.
Benjamin felt a sudden thrill of foreboding. He leaned closer to Robin and said, “I’m afraid there will be an assassination.”