Chronothon was born at the very nock of the arrow of time.

In an instant, he grew from a speck to a colossus who dominated the realms which would one day be home to men and gods – mythical beings who were supposed to hold dominion over all things alongside the Dragon, who claimed the name “Annihilation”, but those who weren’t vanquished by the temperamental beast were banished from their homes at the hearts of stars and the Divine Realm.

Mwezi the Moon Goddess was among the many who fled although she was also given the herculean task of bearing a child for the Black Dragon. A task given to her by Chronothon himself.

She did so and although no one knows why the Immortal Dragon sought a scion, it is said Mwezi raised the boy in the realm of mortals.

Whatever fate awaited both of them remains to be seen.

.

..

Silence befell the Adventure’s Guild as Chronell and his servants entered its dimly lit lobby.

While the other adventures wore mostly leather armour and brandished dull, chipped weapons, Chronell and company were clad in gear of the highest quality.

Chronell’s tall frame was turtled in a full set of Drakescale armor which had a dark blue sheen.

He held in his left hand a Drakescale shield and a silver spear in his right.

His burning red, reptilian irises blared through his helmet’s eye openings and they scanned everyone in the room. They stood out against the rest of his eyes which were a dark grey.

Each of his breaths were loud and extended, perhaps as a result of the weight of his gear but despite this, he stood completely upright.

His helmet hid his short-cut hair and youthful dark brown skin. The Drakescale helmet itself was adorned with a crown of small and dark horns.

“Wait- those eyes.”

“Could it be…?”

“A Child of Annihilation.”

Such whispers and murmurs filled the air as Chronell stood.

To his right was a short man whose bright red humanoid eyes scanned the room intently.

His head was covered by a blue plaid turban which hid everything but his eyes and brown skin.

His clothing also consisted of a black silk jumpsuit which was tightly bound to his skin by countless dark blue belts, the largest of which sat by his waist and held two sheathed scimitars.

Behind him as an even shorter woman who wore a conical hat which looked like a crystal although its lower half was wrapped in a long strip of dark blue cloth that bound the transparent crystal to her head.

Her face was pale and the black hair she couldn’t cover stuck out from the head wrap.

The rest of her body was wrapped in a similar dark cotton and covering her petite frame was a large leather Cloak which bore the crest of the Mwezi – a crescent moon which cradled an egg.

She had a pair of deep purple eyes that seemingly sparkled as if they held the very stars within them.

To Chronell’s left was a woman who was almost as tall as him and almost as muscular.

She, like he, was clad in Drakescale armour and in her right hand was a large, steel machete.

Unlike Chronell, she didn’t wear a helmet which revealed her short blond hair and the many fading scars which lined her face. Her blindingly glowing yellow eyes also scanned the room keenly.

The group stepped forward and each of Chronell’s steps were heavy enough to shake the foundations of the building a little.

They slowly walked towards the receptionist's table but before he could reach the formally dressed young man, another walked up to Chronell, stopping the giant who stood no shorter than two and a half meters.

The man who stopped Chronell’s group, who looked fairly young and wielded a large iron axe, glared at Chronell before shaking his head and clicking his tongue.

“Look, kiddo. I dunno where you found an illusion spell to change your eyes but take your maids, go back to your castle, give your daddy’s armor back and read a book or something. The Life of an Adventure is not for showoffs. Those types are usually the first to die.” The man spat but Chronell didn’t respond.

Instead, he completely ignored and walked past him prompting his servants to follow.

A few snickers filled the air as he arrived at the receptionist.

“Hello, my name is Peter, how may I help you?”

“We would like to become an Adventurers.” The young man growled non-threateningly.

Peter looked Chronell over along with his entourage before tapping on a piece of paper on the table.

“Please write your names here, where you were born and the names of one of your next of kin.” Peter droned without expression.

Chronell nodded before filling in his details while Pater reached for something beneath his desk.

Chronell’s servants followed suit.

[Name: Chronell

Place of Birth: Everwinter

Next of Kin: Mwezi of Everwinter]

[Name: Vuren

Place of Birth: Vinemoore

Next of Kin: Mwezi of Everwinter]

[Name: Habab

Place of Birth: The Burning Steppes

Next of Kin: Mwezi of Everwinter]

[Name: Flow

Place of Birth: Everwinter

Next of Kin: Mwezi of Everwinter]

“Alright, now please hold this in your hand for a moment.” Peter prompted while offering Chronell what appeared to be a large lizard’s eye only it was made from a transparent crystal.

Chronell accepted it and the lobby fell silent as everyone stared at him.

A moment passed.

Then two and still, the eye did not show any visible change.

Chronell turned his widened gaze towards the receptionist who’s brows furrowed a bit.

“Are you sure you want to hide your known Shade? We’ll have no choice but to give you a C-grade Amethyst Name Tag.”

“Err… yes. Do that. An Amethyst tag will do.” Chronell said and the deepness of his voice hid the fact that it was shaking.

His helmet also hid the fact that he had a panicked expression.

“Alright, although I’ve always wondered if there’s someone out there with no Aura or Shade at all, hehe.” Peter chuckled making Chronell chuckle as well although his eyes were as widened as they could get and his body was lined with sweat.

Murmurs began to fill the air as Peter took the crystal eye from Chronell and gave it to Vuren and as soon as it landed in her hand, the entire lobby was bathed in bright yellow light.

“This… this should be impossible! We’ve seen a few Adventurers with A Grade Yellow Aura before but this is too bright!” Peter cried while shielding his eyes with his arms.

People then began to stand and gasp in awe.

“W-w-we’ll give you an A Grade Citrine Tag if you’re alright with that!”

“That is acceptable,” Vuren smirked revealing her two rows of pointed teeth.

She then gave the eye back to Peter who handed it to Habab and as soon as it landed in his hand, the eye caught fire.

Everyone in the lobby gasped as a panicked Peter quickly snatched back the eye and it lost its fire as soon as it left Habab’s hand.

“We’ll have to give you an A Grade Spinel Tag!” Peter breathed in an exasperated manner.

He then fearfully turned to Flow who held out her hand.

Everyone in the lobby held their breath as Peter dropped the eye in her hand and at first, nothing happened.

Then the lobby suddenly darkened.

Strange small lights began to appear in the rapidly dimming space and the lights began to take on the appearance of stars in the night sky.

Some people even fainted and Chronell wasn’t doing much better as his face was covered with sweat.

A visibly shaken Peter took the eye and, with unblinking eyes, placed it back beneath his desk.

“You’ll receive an A Grade Amethyst Tag but I won’t be able to place an order for any of your tags until you all clear or help clear a Dungeon,” Peter explained as his eyes darted back and forth between Chronell’s group.

He then retrieved four slips of paper which he handed to Chronell.

“In order to receive your tags, you’ll have to return with proof that the dungeon has been cleared and that’ll come in the form of a Tungsten Chain Link which you’ll get after defeating the Dungeon’s most powerful monster which is usually found at its lowest level,” Peter explained hurriedly and Chronell nodded in understanding.

“Alright, I look forward to your return!”

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Chronell and company turned to leave as the lobby filled with awe-struck murmurs and whispers.

“A Lord who hides his true power.”

“A warrior whose light shines as bright as the sun.”

“A Mage who commands the might of the stars.”

“A blade made of fire.”

Such things were said as Chronell’s group left the Adventures Guild building and stepped onto the streets of the city Iris which stood at the foot of Drakefang Mountain.

Soaring gloriously above was the Hollow Sun.

A large circular ring that bathed the world with heat and light.

The Hollow Sun was said to be created by the Virgin Saint Nix – the Saint of Light.

Chronell and company wordlessly made their way through the streets of the city, walking past its humble residents although among them were the impoverished and homeless.

Driven to such a pitiable state by the Kingdom of Hearth’s biggest problem – Monsters.

Creatures of twisted and varied make that emerged from beneath the ground with only one desire.

To kill all humans.

People stared at Chronell’s group with looks that varied from awe to fear but each of his servants kept their eyes on their master.

“Are… are you alright, My Lord?” Vuren asked with concerned eyes.

“Mmm? Of course! Ahem! Mister Habab, where is the nearest Dungeon?” Chronell asked while walking really quickly and without turning to face his servants.

“There are several within ten Kilometers of the city’s walls, young master.” Habab whispered.

“Alright. Let’s clear one!” Chronell declared loudly while raising his fist and this prompted all of his servants to respond in unison.

“Yes, My Lord!”

.

..

The Lesser Paths or Dungeons, as they were commonly called, were ancient underground structures that were seemingly carved into the ground.

They were made of a style and structure of architecture that scholars failed to date or recognise with most assuming they predated the current age by age.

They were usually four floors deep and filled with monsters, beasts and other fantastical or nightmarish things.

Some of which were beginning to escape their ancient halls which led to the formation of the Adventurers Guild.

An organisation which gathered the Kingdom’s most powerful and bravest people to fight back the malignant forces from the world deep.

Chronell and company stood before a seemingly normal cave in the forest just south of the city only it was guarded by two members of the Drakenguard – Elite knights who were said to be superhuman.super human, a rumor born from the fact that they had yellow reptilian eyes. They were clad in golden armour and wielded steel long swords.

They accepted the Passes Chronell’s group held and allowed them into the dungeon which had its entrance deeper in the cave.

“To think that active Dungeons would be present so close to the Capital,” Vuren commented as she walked closely behind Chronell.

“The glory-hungry bastards that call themselves Adventurers probably ignore these smaller ones.” Flow spat.

“Perhaps- oh- there’s the entrance!” Vuren pointed at a large stone doorway in front of which was a pair of goblins. Short, green skinned humanoids that had large pointed ears, twisted yellowed eyes, gnarly yellowed teeth and enlarged bellies. Their skin had a similar texture to that of a lizard and they held in their hands crude wooden clubs.

“And would you look at that? Some targets for our Lord to practice on.” She celebrated while coming to a stop prompting everyone else to stop as well.

The goblins noticed the group and began loudly snarling and hissing.

Chronell’s eyes widened again.

“Err… of course. They will make for good fodder to feed my Spear, Hahaha!” He loudly bellowed and this even managed to frighten the goblins.

“Destroy the pests, My Lord!”

“Return them to the Hearth, young master.”

“Go…”

Chronell’s heart was lit aflame with motivation upon hearing his servants and so, after taking a deep breath, he charged towards the goblins who, in retaliation, charged towards him.

Chronell then raised his shield to block their attacks.

He then let out a struggling grunt as the goblins struck his means of defence.

He looked for an opportunity to attack but the goblins just kept whacking at his shield.

“Good defence, my Lord! Now finish them off!” Vuren cheered but Chronell genuinely couldn’t find an opening.

His gear meant that he was too slow to quickly maneuver around the goblins and even though his armor was of the highest quality, if he got hit, the force would still reach his body.His gear meant that he was too slow to quickly manoeuvre around the goblins and even though his armour was of the highest quality, if he got hit, the force would still reach his body.

Five full minutes passed and eventually, the goblins got tired of hitting the thick shield.

One of them tried flanking around the Chronell but he stepped back and faced it once more.

This enraged the little green creature which ended up striking its fellow goblin in the head.

The two began fighting each other and Chronell took advantage of this opening to stab both of them with his spear but his strikes were barely strong enough to pierce their tough hides so they continued fighting until they both died from their wounds.

“Well done, Lord Chronell!” Vuren cheered while the Dragon-eyed young man caught his breath.

“Did you intentionally frustrate them until turned on each other, sir?” Flow tilted her head curiously.

“Ahem! They must have seen how futile it was to keep striking my shield and so they turned on each other after finding no solution. A natural outcome for minds as twisted as theirs.” Chronell exhaled.

“I see.” Flow noted and, after catching his breath, Chronell tapped the ground with his spear.

“Now, while it would be exciting for me to take on the dungeon on my own- I think it would be best if you cleared it quickly so that we can get our tags as soon as possible.”

“Oh?” Vuren sounded as she released some of her aura, bathing the cave in light. Her golden hair began to glow so brightly it was as if her head was on fire.

“Is that an order, young master?” Habab asked as his eyes burnt with determination.

Chronell swallowed what little saliva was in his mouth.

“Yes.“

What followed was what could be best described as a massacre.

The group entered the Dungeon’s first level, a large space which somehow contained grass and even a small lake, where the rest of the goblins were in a tribe of about two hundred.

This space received light from cracks in the level’s ceiling high above.

Vuren was the first to step forward and without lifting a finger, waves of light and heat rose from her body.

These waves washed over to the goblin village and it wasn’t long before screams filled the air as it got so hot that their rickety wooden huts caught fire.

The small hairs on the little creatures combusted while their flesh was seared regardless of whether they were directly touched by Vuren’s Light.

They didn’t even get a chance to see what was killing them and it wasn’t long before they were all reduced to piles of burnt flesh and bone on the floor.

“Well, sir? What did you think?” Vuren gleefully asked but Chronell couldn’t even bear to look at the hellscape she had created which made Vuren’s shoulders droop.

“Did my attack perhaps displease you?” She asked but Chronell rapidly shook his head as his the smell of roasted flesh filled the air, making him really nauseous.

“Not at all! It was just a bit too bright, hehe!” Chronell chuckled while still trying not to look at the burnt remains.

He then took a a deep breath and stepped forward while his servants gave him concerned looks.

“Mmm.” Vuren droned as Chronell tip toed over the corpses ahead.

“He’s trying too hard again.” Flow sighed.

“Regardless, we must follow the path he treads,” Habab whispered before following the young master into the burnt village with the others in tow.

The group then entered the second level via a staircase at the furthest end of the first level.

It was hidden behind some tall grass and was along a wall that marked the end of level.

One thing that gave Chronell and company pause was the pile of goblin skulls along the staircase which led into another space which looked like a forest.

Since there was no sunlight down here, the reason why Chonell was able to see was Vuren’s glowing hair.

Even Chronell could sense that something was watching them from within the dark woods.Her light allowed him to see glimpses of a group of shadowy figures that lurked in the dark forest.

“May I?” Flow asked.

“Of course.” Chronell sighed as Vuren gently tapped his shoulder.

Flow nodded before raising her right hand.

The dark forest darkened even further and star-like lights began to appear all over.

As they did, the crystal on Flow’s head began to glow white and in the next moment, the floating lights turned into laser beams which shot into the forest in an instant.

The sound of several falling bodies then filled the air which made Flow sigh.

“Lead the way, Miss Lamplight.”

“You could have asked nicely, rock head, but alright.” Vuren raised her nose sharply at Flow as she walked ahead of everyone prompting them to follow.

Her light revealed several bodies belonging to humanoid creatures that were taller and far more muscular than the average human.

They had shiny dark grey skin, short pointed ears and worn clothes that looked like they were made from goblin skin.

“Orcs.” Vuren muttered.

“Elves corrupted by dark, twisted magic,”. A Shaman must be nearby.” Habab whispered.

“Did you kill all of them?” Chronell asked.

“Yes, My Lord.” Flow bowed and with that, Chronell led the way forward again.

He walked over several corpses and tried not to look at the perfectly circular holes in their heads.

The group eventually reached the third level where they found a most peculiar sight upon descending another stone staircase.

Unlike the previous two levels, this one was empty, revealing its bare stone floor and walls.

The floor in particular was lined with weathered markings that Chronell couldn’t even begin to decipher.

At the centre was a pile of what looked like chains.

Chronell and company moved in to inspect the dark chains.

“Umm… do you think it counts if we bring back a chain link without defeating the monster it once bound?” Chronell asked while nervously eyeing the dark and distant corners of the level.

“Perhaps, although I strongly recommend we confirm that we find and kill whatever these chains bound. If not for the Tag, then for the experience you would gain through the encounter.” Habab whispered.

“Good point. So, either we already killed it and walked over its corpse or…” Chronell supposed aloud as he knelt to pick up one of the chains but.

But, just as his knees bent, something suddenly appeared in front of him in the fraction of a second.

It had the head of a Goat, the torso of a human and large goat legs which were covered in dark fur from which plumes of smoke rose.

From its muscular body hung dark chains which loudly clashed in the silence of the level.

The creature reached out to touch Chronell but, before it could even extend its arm, Habab stabbed it in the temple with one of his scimitars which had caught fire in an instant.

ItsThis fire then seemingly grew so hot and large that the creature’s head exploded, bathing Chronell in blood and sending out a small shockwave through the dungeon.

“Apologies, young master! I failed to sense it in time!” Habab bowed but Chronell shook his head while rapidly blinking as his mind slowly caught up to what had happened.

“Its… it’s alright. None of us sensed it meaning it must have been using the darkness to further mask its presence.” The young master assured while standing upright with a chain link in hand.

“Now, let us return to the Adventurers Guild-“ Chronell stopped as the ground suddenly began to shake.

He wanted to tell everyone to run to the level’s entrance but before he could even open his mouth, the stone floor beneath them suddenly collapsed into a chasm.

Chronell hurriedly grabbed the small Flow and cradled her in his arms while Vuren kicked away the slabs of stone that threatened to crush her master.

Habab cut apart the slabs that she couldn’t as the group fell from what felt like five minutes before entering into a space that was about the size of an entire city.

It was of the same design as the dungeon above but several times larger and at its furthest end was a gargantuan doorway which led into a bright white place.

A place so bright, no one could see what was on the other side.

“My Lord!” Vuren cried while reaching out to and grabbing Chronell.

She then kicked the air beneath her with so much force that it decreased the rate of their descent by several folds.

Habab slowed his descent by ejecting pillars of fire from his feet and hands.

The group quickly landed and Habab hurriedly got to his feet and, after taking a deep breath, breathed out a massive pillar of fire that sent the rest of the falling debris away.

Chronell checked to see if Flow was alright and she gave him a thumbs up prompting him to stand up alongside her.

“Vuren, Habab, are you hurt?”

“Not at all, My Lord!”

“I am unharmed, young master.”

Chronell nodded before turning his gaze towards the humongous doorway.

“Where do you think we are?” He coughed as the dust cleared.

“I have a dreadful theory.” Flow droned cautiously.

“The Absolute Path?” Chronell’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes. This could be the first level but I’m not sure.” Flow answered and Chronell digested her words carefully.

There was an old saying, a prophecy that loomed over every second of Chronell’s life.

“A Child of Annihilation will one day walk the Absolute Path so they may stand at the edge of all worlds to face the Black Dragon and claim dominion over all things”.

These words were the first Chronell could remember and they were the last thing he heard before departing on the journey that led him here.

Chronell blinked a few times, returning his mind to the present.

At this point, his body had gotten tired of the constant panic and his heart had begun beating with a deliberate determination.

This is what he wanted.

Or, more accurately, this is what he was fated to do.

Where he was fated to be.

He looked behind him and saw a distant wall which had a grand doorway which he assumed led out of the Absolute Path.

“I… if this truly is the Path of the End then I don’t think it would hurt for us to enter it briefly to gauge just lies beyond. Then we could prepare appropriately. How does that sound?”

“A wise and cautious move, my Lord.” Vuren nodded.

“We could benefit from the knowledge, yes.” Flow droned.

“I will follow you to the ends of all worlds, young master.” Habab bowed.

Chronell nodded back before walking towards the bright doorway.

Due to the size of the space, it took them some time to reach the doorway and the closer they got to it, the heavier the air got.

It was as if whatever was beyond was so powerful, it affected the space beyond it.

“Wait!” Habab yelled, stopping the group as they finally reached the door.

Chronell wanted to ask what Habab saw but before he could speak, Habab drew his scimitars and glared at a point next to the door.

“Reveal yourself!” He barked, straining his voice in the process.

Chronell’s eyes widened once again as the space where Habab was looking warped.

A figure then materialised from within the space.

It was a woman who was half a meter taller than he was.

She had dark skin; short dark curly hair and her eyes were hidden by a lace veil.

She was clearly wearing armour although it was hidden beneath a Cloak which was as black as moonless night. Scattered across its velvet-like surface were gems that glimmered like diamonds.

“Greetings, holder of the Eyes of the End. I, Nike - Watcher of the Saints, welcome you to Lower Interstice – the Final Step of the Path Absolute.”