The campsite shows signs of wakefulness.

Despite the eternal dusk, this is our morning.

The party's three men and one woman have yet to get their blessing, so I must wait to depart.

While I wait, I observe the goings on of the gathered challengers.

They feel my eyes and return the gaze.

One man beckons me over.

The gathering of men and women is to plot how to pass this leg of the journey.

"I'm telling you, the Annunaki have war bands patrolling the road. We stand no chance on our own."

Several heads nod their agreement.

"We need weapons to fight. Does anyone have anything that could help?"

A silence settles as everyone covets their tools.

Finally, the silence is broken when a man comes forward with an oddly shaped gun.

"This kinetic has 3 rounds left."

Many eye the weapon with avarice.

I find myself confused. Everything had seemed so medieval. Such that contraptions like guns had no place in the world of the dead.

My preconceptions are surpassed, and I watch as others show their weapons.

I return to my camp and retrieved my aluminum bat.

Bat in hand, I show my weapon.

Some call out for a redistribution of the weapons.

"We each have what we have. If you try to take my kinetic, I'll have one less round to use on the lizard men."

Others share the sentiment, and an awkward silence hangs over the gathering.

"How big are the war bands?"

The question gets us back on point.

"13, and they cycle through quickly. If we spend too much time fighting one group, we'll be caught by another 13."

"What if someone distracts the Annunaki while the others maneuver around?"

"Well," someone says. "They do have pretty predictable behavior. If someone runs out and catches the sight of the lizard men, the whole war band will chase them wherever they go."

"So, who's gonna run decoy?"

The question makes everyone shift uncomfortably.

I look around at this diverse cast of the dead. Everyone is chasing the dream of transcending this reality.

I think to myself how I miss the sun and the moon. Two opposites meant to duel eternally. The infinity of twilight stirs my anxiety.

I am still trying to figure out the reason. But, I raise my hand.

Looks of relief spread across the features of most of those in the gathering.

"You're sure?" a woman asks. "At the least, it means you won't pass. At the worst, the annunaki will kill you."

I nod my understanding, "Yes. I am prepared."

It's not that I want to be some hero. I just know that someone must take this bullet.

The gathering discusses the plan for a while. My part is rather simple in comparison to the maneuvering of the large group.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

When I have a moment, I seek out the head priest who had welcomed us on our entry.

I find him looking into the cavernous residence of the god with the flaming beard.

Though I come upon him silently, he greets me.

"Challenger, you have something on your mind."

I come to his side and look into the temple.

"Yes."

"He was here. But, left shortly after arriving."

I'm surprised by the old man's insight.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"Your aura is touched by his and his by yours."

That doesn't answer much. But, I accept the sage's words.

"Do you know why he's running?"

The monk silently stands beside me.

"You are being manipulated, challenger. Your objective is not what he seems to be."

I accept his words readily. It would be hard to explain my quest to find him if he were what he seemed.

"Be safe in your challenge."

With that said, the monk turns from his god's home.

My companions had already received the blessing and are waiting for my return.

"Will," one of them says. "They told us you're gonna be the distraction for us to reach the next temple."

I nod my head and witness a weird emotion carry through the group. The three men and one woman I'd only known briefly seem regretful for our parting.

"It's fine," I console them. "I'll figure something out and follow right behind you."

With a slight smile, I turn from my party and ready myself for the trial.

It takes a few days for the logistics of such a large movement to be complete.

Our troop is in columns; I stand at the forefront with the defacto leader.

"You ready for this?" the man asks.

"Would it make a difference if I said no?"

A light chuckle escapes the middle-aged man.

"No, I suppose not."

Shortly, we move out.

Scouts run ahead in stealth, and we spend several days diving into enemy territory.

During a rest, I listen to the conversations of my raid party.

The talk is anxious, as though the annunaki are advancing on our position.

Scouts confirm the length of the road the war bands patrol. We have only a little ways to go.

Sleep does not come easily that night as I think of my role as a sacrificial pawn. But then, I volunteered. No one to blame for what's about to happen.

The new day comes, and a tense silence carries as we move out.

I run ahead with the scouts and wait for the lizard men to come to us.

The recon team gives me an encouraging thumbs up.

When the time comes, I run out in front of the war band.

The alarm goes out, and the scaled creatures see me ducking through the foliage.

I'm safe and can play with them to keep them on me. That is until I watch a nearby tree explode.

"Shit!" I yell as more explosions aimws in my direction go off.

I feel my heart in my throat as I evade sonic projections one after the other. I don't even have the time to see if the whole band is following me.

This process continues for hours as they hunt me like a pack of wolves.

I need to find out the circumstances of the main body. But, as far as I know, the plan's proceeding successfully. Even if I'm running ragged.

There's only one chance for me to pass on to the next temple. And it involves running through Annunaki territory.

The explosive sonic weapons grow less mind-numbing as I run.

As I enter their territory, I see a number of the lizard men blocking my flight.

"Hah," I sigh. It was arrogant of me to think I could get through.

I stand where I am and wait for them to shoot me.

My expectations are yet to be realized. But they continue to advance on me.

Even now, a part of me wants to fight to the bitter end. But, I let them take me.

The creatures are a head taller than me, and their grasp is strong as they drag me.

I imagine they'll boil or roast me. Or do they eat raw meat?

The forest gives way to a clearing.

Or it would be a clearing if not for the object that fills it.

A pyramid of some obsidian black stone.

At the perimeter, black obelisks are stationed all around the temple.

I am dragged into the pyramid. Harsh blue light makes my eyes hurt.

It takes some time before I'm thrown into an empty room. They don't lock me inside. But, they station guards to keep an eye on me.

The blue snake perches its head on my shoulder as I wonder about my fate.

"Any ideas?"

I look at my companion for a moment.

The snake flicks its tongue at me.

I let out a chuckle.

The blue snake slides down my body as if incensed by my silliness.

I look at it curiously as it moves to the open door.

I notice some activity from the guards. But they return to their task quickly.

Hours pass as I wait for either the snake or a butcher.

Instead, I'm greeted by an annunaki carrying the blue snake.

I open my mouth, but the alien respectfully offers my companion back to me.

"Human," I'm alarmed to hear the rasping voice. "We know what you seek."

I find myself surprised. Honestly, I have no clue what I'm seeking anymore.

"If you break the gate, you will bring a cataclysm upon creation."

I look at the lizard man dubiously.

"Haven't there been others? That meat jelly god said three have succeeded."

The golden eyes of the creature entrance me. The darkness in its pupils is endless.

"No," I hear. "The gate has never been broken. Those who have succeeded in the trial have passed through the gate."

"Well," I say. "What if I just pass through like the rest?"

The rasping voice cuts me with anger, "You will not."

I cough uncomfortably.

"So, where do we go from here?"

Some resentment shows on the annunaki's face, "The annunaki will not stop you."

Relief and confusion come over me.

"Why?"

The lizard-like individual looks to my sleeve, where the blue snake has hidden itself.

Without a word, the creature turns and leaves.

A moment later, the guards take me from the temple and leave me on the fringes of their settlement.