A massive mushroom cloud enveloped the impacted area of the forest, tremors rippling outward like shockwaves. Champions glimpsed the rising inferno in their peripheral vision but continued navigating the crisscrossing ladders with determined focus.
Scott's oblivious shadow host paused mid-ascent, a sudden, ominous chill creeping up his spine. He averted his gaze from the moon, eyes widening as he spotted five massive flaming objects streaking toward him. The moonlit ladder beneath him vanished, and he, along with several others who had sensed the searing heat, plummeted to the ground.
The flaming rods obliterated their targets with brutal precision. The descending judges shifted their attention to a female orc ascending steadily. Without warning, another barrage of rods shot towards her, materializing before she could react.
Ladders disappeared, and bodies rained down, the slain champions fading out of existence only to be reborn within the earth, bound by thick vines and roots. They struggled to break free, but the earthly bounds constricted and visible drained their energies.
Anxiety rippled through the remaining groups. Some witnessed the devastation firsthand, while others sensed it through the chaotic tremors. Confusion spread—why were the judges attacking? Most champions questioned themselves, and their companions through their party channels, but no one could give a definite answer.
The judges, with four arms and two pairs of golden wings, hovered ominously, faceless heads swiveling as if searching for someone. Suddenly, their grips tightened around their rods, launching the flaming weapons at a motionless champion.
“What the hell are you doing?!” she screamed, her voice swallowed by the ensuing silence. An illusionary shield enveloped her just in time. The rods struck fiercely, cracks spiderwebbing across the emerald barrier. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, knocking several champions off balance.
The champion’s expression soured as she braced for another attack. But the judges turned their attention elsewhere, targeting another champion nearby. The rods flew with lethal intent, obliterating him and his companions, collateral damage sweeping through the ranks.
The judges continued their relentless assault. Each throw brought further devastation, soon igniting a massive inferno beneath the brilliant lattice of ladders. Flames twisted and churned, and a sea of blazing orange slowly became visible to the surviving champions above.
Most champions couldn’t understand why the judges would unleash such a random attack. They had seen almost no activity from them, except when someone tried to cheat their way to the moon. It quickly became clear that the judges were hunting someone who used an unorthodox method to ascend, and the champions were mere collateral damage.
As realization dawned on the champions, anger welled up within them, but they had no outlet for their rage. The idea that they were being used as pawns without any recourse elicited a primal fury that only the culprit’s blood could satiate.
More judges descended, each wielding a flaming rod in its four arms. The faceless entities launched wave after wave of attacks, but the champions, now wiser, resisted fiercely. Despite their hatred for the unknown person or group exploiting them, they couldn’t allow themselves to fall. The struggle to free themselves from the constricting vines and roots was too fresh in their minds. Worse, if they fell, the winds would scatter them in different directions, making reunification a nightmare.
Meanwhile, Scott, the unwitting villain in the champions' minds, continued his ascent using the shadows of the oblivious. He leaped from one champion to another, targeting those closest to the moon. He couldn’t understand how the judges tracked him, but he was content to let the unsuspecting champions bear the brunt of their ire.
They're starting to cluster in the same spot, Scott thought, noticing the judges converging at a central location while launching their attacks.
Paranoia gripped the other champions, leading some to attack the judges, while others flagrantly attempted to ascend without the aid of the ladders. They reasoned that if someone else could do it, so could they.
Contrary to their expectations, their attacks bounced off the judges' sturdy frames. The judges retaliated, obliterating all who flouted the rules. Consequently, even more ladders vanished, and massive holes appeared in the large ladder framework.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, more champions disregarded the rules. There was no guarantee they wouldn’t be targeted or fall victim to the disappearing ladders. Rather than start all over again for the umpteenth time, they took their chances, fleeing to the moon.
The thought took root, especially among those halfway through their ascent—the zone suffering the brunt of the attacks. Group after group took to the skies, watching their ladders vanish. The rule-adamant judges struck back, hitting champions left, right, and center with little difficulty.
Amidst the chaos, Scott ascended faster than ever, using the aggrieved champions’ attacks to propel himself forward. More judges descended to quell the unrest, but it only triggered more dissent. Scott's arrival in any zone fueled more attacks, leading to unrest and insurrection. Unbeknownst to the champions, the source of their misery climbed unimpeded, nearing his destination. The further he traveled, the better he masked himself within the shadows, becoming indistinguishable and undetectable.
Moments later and far from the chaos below, the last member of a party arrived at the golden pathway leading to the moon. The champion crumbled to the ground, sighing softly and taking deep breaths. He glanced over his shoulder, the mayhem below echoing like an eerie symphony in the night.
“Thank fuck, we can hear again,” he muttered, watching the judges assaulting the champions.
Several other champions lingered at the periphery of the bridge, staring at those steps away from joining them. The small skirmish had transformed into a full-blown war, neither party holding back.
“How did this happen?” an elf suddenly asked, his narrowed gaze focused on the battle.
“I don’t give a fuck, to be honest,” his companion replied nonchalantly.
The elf sighed, glancing at the indifferent beastman. “That could have been us.”
“Sucks to be them, but I’m glad we’re not there,” the beastman retorted. “I’m not losing sleep over it, so why should I bother?”
“Typical beastman,” a lizardman snorted. “You only know how to reason with those useless things between your legs.”
The beastman’s muscles tensed as he took a step forward, glaring at the lizardman. Her slit eyes met his, fingers gliding over the daggers strapped to her waist.
The elf quickly blocked his companion’s advance, while a figure in full armor stepped in front of the lizardman.
“Are you out of your mind?” the elf snapped. “We don’t know if skirmishes between groups are permitted. Are you that desperate to get us in trouble?”
The armored figure remained silent, staring at the beastman. The lizardman smirked cynically, but the beastman soon relaxed his muscles. He shook his head and retreated.
Several champions watched the potential conflict with varying levels of interest. Those hoping the duo would serve as guinea pigs to confirm their conjectures were left disappointed. However, the possibility of chaos repeating itself on the bridge plagued the minds of many.
New groups of champions reached the bridge, while others hurried toward the portal, fearing that lingering would trigger unmitigated disaster. Among the newcomers, the shadow of one champion twisted and contorted until a figure emerged from the darkness. Witnesses hurriedly retreated, and even the champion whose shadow had been hijacked was confused, noticing several champions avoiding him.
A much larger and darker shadow appeared next to Scott as his companions exited the nihilistic zone.
Terror twisted the visages of the vampires, while Zara and Slim stood petrified with fear. Ember groaned softly, defiance in her eyes as she staggered forward, while Orion laughed ecstatically, his face the epitome of lunacy.
The imprint of madness activated within the champions, gradually restoring their visages to normal. The vampires, however, remained unchanged, fear palpable in their eyes as they stared at Scott.
“Scott, how did you survive in that place for over a year?” Zara's voice was a soft murmur, her ability to hear again a faint echo compared to the harrowing experience of the nihilistic zone.
Despite their efforts, the way they looked at Scott had shifted, except for Orion. Ignoring the curious glances from his companions, Scott stepped forward, his voice steady, “We shouldn’t delay.”
The hound extermination crew quickly followed, but the vampires lingered, their eyes still wide from the ordeal. Their breathing quickened, and the hairs on their arms stood on end, cold sweat covering their backs.
Orion's voice echoed in the minds of the trio. “I understand what you’re feeling, but we don’t have the luxury of time to sort out your emotions.”
Ivona and her sisters took deep breaths, attempting to calm their nerves, but the effort only heightened their anxiety. Wordlessly, they each retrieved three blood bags from their inventory, emptying them quickly. The vampires' eyes glowed with a murderous hue as blackened veins marred their pristine skin. They took deep breaths again, and the tremors in their eyes and legs ceased.
“That’s the spirit,” Orion commented mentally, a giggle in his tone.
The trio discarded the empty blood bags and joined the rest of the group, lingering at the rear. Though they had forced themselves out of their stupor, they couldn’t bring themselves to come close to Scott.
Explosions echoed from the battle below, tremors slowly shaking the golden pathway. Champions raced with all their might toward the massive spinning portal at the end of the road, some eyeing the hundreds of judges guarding it.
Although the judges restricted no one from entry, Scott and his companions didn’t expect such leniency. They noticed two portals being guarded: a massive one with golden flashes intertwined with gray, and a smaller one with gray flashes intertwined with blackened swirls.
“Which portal are we choosing?” Slim asked suddenly.
“The big one,” Scott, Zara, Orion, and Ember said in unison.
The smaller portal exuded an ominous aura that none of them wanted to explore.
“I had the same thought,” Slim said. “So, what’s the plan? Are we going to force our way…” His words were cut off by a cataclysmic explosion that shook the pathway. A few champions stumbled while others staggered, but no one fell. At that moment, the stationary judges simultaneously turned toward Scott and his companions, as if silently announcing their responsibility for the chaos.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Several champions distanced themselves from the hound extermination crew and the vampires, sensing that this group might be the cause of the mayhem.
Scott stepped forward, indifferent to the probing gazes. On his tenth step, however, he paused, narrowing his eyes at the larger portal. Orion and Ember stopped a few paces behind, while Slim, Zara, and the vampires lingered at the rear.
“You guys feel it too, right?” Orion asked mentally, his eyes fixed on the faint but eerie sparks emanating from the portal.
“Something is coming,” Ember said, her demeanor turning serious. “And whatever it is, it’s bad news.”
“This is the same feeling I had when we met that blade maniac in the hidden path,” Slim noted, slowly uncuffing his ornate handcuffs while unbuttoning his inner shirt.
Zara glared intensely at the swirling portal; bloodlust evident in her eyes. Like the brawler, Scott and the vampires remained silent, each staring at the swirling gateway with varying levels of apprehension.
Other champions had also noticed the changes to the portal, and no one dared to approach it. Moreover, the judges had blocked the path leading to the portal.
“What the fuck is going on this time?” an orc grumbled, snorting as he turned from side to side.
“Who oversees this layer? Why are you stopping us from leaving?” a priest demanded, turning side to side, searching for any sign of an authoritative figure. However, none appeared.
Instead, the judges took several steps forward, forcing the champions to retreat.
A lesser god candidate is requesting permission to descend!
The same system notification appeared in front of all the champions on the bridge, and an eerie silence enveloped them. Some stared in disbelief while others watched the swirling portal with utter terror etched on their faces. For many, this was the first time they’d received or seen such a message. They couldn’t imagine why such a being would want to descend to the layer.
“There’s no way they’d grant someone like that permission to come here, right?” an anxious sprite muttered, distancing herself further from the portal.
“It wasn’t that long since the administrator banned people from going to lower floors. There’s no way the administrator approves this,” a champion declared confidently.
Several champions shared the same confidence. Although most didn’t know the reason for the ban, they believed there was no way the administrator would lift it so soon.
The administrator is considering rejecting the proposal…
The champion who had spoken earlier burst into laughter. “See?” he declared proudly.
The expressions of some champions eased, and they collectively let out a sigh of relief. However, Scott and his group, along with a few other champions, continued to stare at the portal with a hint of anxiety in their eyes.
The administrator has approved the request!
Stunned silence consumed the champions, and a screeching echo emanated from the portal. A massive golden foot followed. Cracks lined the pathway as soon as the foot landed, and more champions retreated, terror twisting their faces as they readied themselves for battle.
Seconds piled up, and the owner of the massive foot revealed itself. A colossus towering over thirty feet stood proud; it had hundreds of hands like a bodhisattva, and its body was akin to polished gold. The multi-eyed entity, with no mouth or nose, wore a shimmering golden toga held together at the shoulder by a golden brooch.
The judges of light prostrated on the ground as soon as the colossus emerged. "The son of light descends! May our paths forever be illuminated!" they declared in unison.
One after the other, the judges stood up, returning to their previous positions. The lesser god candidate, however, shifted to the side, careful not to obstruct the portal, which had regained its calm.
"Please proceed!" a booming voice echoed, resonating through space.
Instantly, everyone knew it belonged to the lesser god candidate. Despite the invitation, no one moved. Fear and uncertainty held them in place, unsure of the consequences of their actions.
"Buddy, how fucked are we?" Slim's voice cut through the tense silence on the party channel.
"We can't beat that thing," Scott declared bluntly, his eyes fixed on the golden behemoth. The sheer magnitude of their opponent dwarfed any challenge they had faced before.
"Can we sneak in?" Zara's voice trembled with unease. The memory of the nihilistic zone filled her with terror, yet she couldn't think of another viable method.
"It's too late for that," Ember interjected before Scott could respond. "Everything, down to the tiniest particle, is already within his vision. We don’t want to provoke him, especially since he has permission to be here."
Orion suddenly chuckled, his defiant expression belying his words. "It seems we are royally fucked then."
Despite his grim declaration, the mage's eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and madness, a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation.
Meanwhile, the other champions debated amongst themselves the reason for the lesser god candidate’s presence, but none could come to a valid conclusion.
Moments later, Scott and his companions marched forward, their resolve hardening with each step. The vampires, however, hung back, seeing no reason to put themselves in harm’s way. The hound extermination crew became the center of attention, their eccentricity standing out as they focused on the portal ahead. Just a few meters from their goal, the judges blocked the swirling gateway.
Scott and his companions paused. "I thought you said we can proceed?" the voidweaver muttered, glaring at the gigantic lesser god candidate.
"You can," the lesser god candidate replied. "But not through there," it added, pointing towards a smaller portal. "You're to use that."
Scott and his companions followed the direction of the outstretched hand, frowns deepening as they saw the indicated portal.
"What if we say no?" Scott challenged, stepping forward defiantly.
Shock rippled through the gathered champions, their faces betraying a mix of confusion and intrigue. Murmurs filled the air, but no one stepped forward to intervene.
“You and your companions can choose not to enter, but you lack the qualifications to pass through the light gate,” the lesser god candidate announced, its voice resonating with authority. “You have flouted the rules, and you must suffer the consequences.” It turned its gaze to Scott, its numerous hands forming an intricate seal.
“If you dare disregard my warnings, I shall punish you as the son of light,” it declared. A massive golden wheel materialized behind the lesser god candidate, spinning slowly at first.
Several champions dropped to their knees, the judges following suit. Scott and his companions, however, stood firm. A swirling darkness spread beneath their feet, absorbing the oppressive force. They glared at the lesser god candidate, unwilling to retreat but cautious of the spinning wheel’s potential.
“What if we go back down and follow the due process?” Oana, the vampire, asked, her voice strained as she struggled to lift her head.
“Your sins are grave. Starting from the beginning would not erase what you’ve done,” the lesser god candidate replied, its finger pointing at the portal. “Your only path to penance lies through there.”
“You have ten minutes to decide,” it suddenly declared. The golden wheel vanished, and with it, the oppressive pressure. Champions who had fallen regained their footing.
“The rest of you, please proceed,” the lesser god candidate ordered, stepping aside. The judges resumed their positions, and most champions hesitated. A few brave souls stepped forward, disappearing behind the portal. Their resolve seemed to reinvigorate the hesitant ones, who soon followed.
Meanwhile, the hound extermination crew huddled, their minds racing against the ticking clock.
“No clever scheme or trickery will work,” Ember stated firmly. “Based on his words, the Order of Light likely controls the next phase of the labyrinth.”
“The odds are stacked against us this time,” Orion chuckled, removing his glasses and rubbing his temples. “Like she said, whatever we conjure up won’t work against that bad boy.”
“So, our only option is to go through that portal,” Zara muttered, her eyes fixed on the ominous portal just a few feet away.
“Mr. Lesser God Candidate,” a voice called out, drawing everyone's attention.
The lesser god candidate turned toward the speaker, a human champion who stepped forward, hand lingering on the hilt of his sword. “Where does the other portal lead? Since there are two, it’s only fair you tell us what lies behind both.”
“I do not have to tell you anything,” the lesser god candidate stated matter-of-factly. “You’re only permitted to go through the general gateway. Even if you desired to go through the alternate path, I won’t permit it,” it declared, its eyes scanning the area. “Please proceed.”
Scott stepped forward suddenly, his voice echoing through the tense air. “Is there anything else that we can do?”
“Yes,” the lesser god candidate replied, its tone unwavering.
A hint of expectation clouded the eyes of the group as the towering being continued, “Your transgressions will be forgiven if you agree to return to the starter cities. Since you have already made it this far, I’m sure you can do it all over again.”
Slim, Zara, and Ember’s expressions darkened. “Are you fucking with us right now?” Slim roared, his anger and irritation palpable.
“There is no way anyone who has made it this far would be willing to return to the starting point,” Orion giggled manically.
“I only speak truths,” the lesser god candidate declared, its voice clear and impartial. “You will only gain penance by choosing either of the two.”
Illena and Oana stepped forward. “Is it fair to punish—” The lesser god candidate raised several of its hands, and the vampires lost their ability to speak. “The rules are set. Ignorance is not an excuse. What’s fair or not doesn’t matter to me. I will enforce the law,” it declared, taking a step forward.
Flaming rods materialized in each of its hands one after the other, and the temperature in the area rose sharply. “Your allocated time is almost up. Now choose.”
“We’ll go to the starting point,” the vampires declared simultaneously, but the lesser god candidate ignored them. Instead, it focused on Zara, awaiting her decision.
The brawler met the champion’s scrutinizing gaze. “We’ll go through the portal,” she declared.
“Move then,” the lesser god candidate commanded.
The vampires tried to speak again, but their bodies moved against their will, just like the hound extermination crew, except Scott. He locked eyes with the gigantic champion, a strained tension brewing between them. That Scott didn’t succumb to its compulsion didn’t surprise the champion one bit, and it posed a question, “Will you defy me?”
“Scott, please, don’t,” Ember pleaded mentally, unable to turn her head.
“Buddy, it’s not worth it. Don’t do anything crazy,” Slim said.
“Scott, don’t worry, whatever is in there, we’ll overcome it together. Don’t waste your energy on that statue-looking freak,” Zara said, a sense of unease lingering in her voice.
“I’m ready to unleash hell. Just say the word, and I’ll join you. Fighting that thing should be fun,” Orion said with a giggle.
Scott smiled thinly as he took a step forward. “We are weak, that’s the only reason this happened,” he declared aloud, marching toward his companions who were walking toward the ominous portal.
One by one, the champions leapt into the portal until only Scott remained. The voidweaver paused, turning towards the lesser god candidate. “We won’t always be weak. Remember that.” Without waiting for a response, he too jumped into the portal.
The flaming rods vanished, and the temperature gradually returned to normal. Suddenly, time halted, and a cloaked figure materialized beside the towering champion.
“Arcanis, isn’t it too early to be seeking payment?” the lesser god candidate asked, fixing a steely gaze on the tower trader.
“Don’t be like that,” the trader giggled, a hint of mischief in his voice. “I told you where they were, so it’s only fair you pay up. I had to bend my own ethics for this, you know.”
The lesser god candidate remained unmoved; his expression inscrutable. “You will receive your payment as promised,” he stated, his tone icy.
The tower trader sighed softly, shrugging. “Alright. I trust you,” he said, turning to leave. Then, he hesitated, glancing back. “Don’t you fear that you’re making a mistake?”
“I never make mistakes,” the lesser god candidate declared, his voice brimming with authority. “They won’t survive that place.” But the trader had already vanished, and time resumed its normal flow.
The lesser god candidate lingered for a moment, surveying the surroundings, before retreating into the portal.
On an island surrounded by an unfathomable black sea, a portal opened, ejecting ten individuals before sealing shut. Rain mixed with hail pelted down from the blackened heavens, while thunder and lightning raged across the sky. Each lightning bolt resembled a colossal dragon, and the thunder roared like a series of deafening explosions. Enormous waves surged upward, hurling the sea’s contents into the air, as howling winds sought to obliterate everything in their path.
Leviathans roamed freely within the murky depths, their serpentine forms occasionally illuminated by the lightning flashes, while colossal silhouettes loomed ominously above.
Welcome to Godsfall Island! You’re no longer subjected to Divine Healing! You’re no longer subjected to Divine Recovery! You’re no longer subjected to Perfect Recovery! You’re no longer under the protection of the Embers of Life! Your Life Seed has been covered! Death is now a possibility! You have been sentenced to 100 years in Godsfall Island!
~ End~