The champions continued their journey in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Time stretched on, the moments blending into minutes as the signs of civilization began to emerge from the dense foliage.
Deep within the ancient jungle’s heart lay a town unlike any other. Towering trees, their canopies so dense they seemed to swallow the sky, encircled the settlement, casting an eternal twilight beneath their sprawling branches. These trees were majestic sentinels, their trunks as wide as houses, their bark etched with swirling patterns that pulsed with an almost magical glow.
Bioluminescent flowers sprinkled the shadowed streets with patches of soft, ethereal light, while a pulsating emerald aura clung to the trees like a living veil.
The town itself appeared as an organic tangle of buildings, a chaotic yet harmonious blend of architectural styles and materials. The winding, narrow streets were flanked by homes of varied construction. Some structures were hewn from the sturdy wood of jungle trees, their exteriors adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to dance in the dim light. Others stood as rugged fortresses; their blackened stone walls carved from the very land beneath them. A few buildings were an eclectic fusion of wood and stone, their contrasting textures creating a patchwork of both functionality and individuality.
Despite its odd location and purpose, the town thrummed with a strange, almost palpable sense of normalcy. Wooden bridges arched over meandering streams, connecting elevated walkways that snaked through the lower branches of the colossal trees. The air was alive with the sounds of life: distant calls of unseen creatures, the murmur of voices, and the constant hum of two massive, swirling portals—one grey and the other crimson—standing as the most striking features of this enigmatic place.
The champions gathered at the town’s edge, their eyes sweeping over the diverse range of creatures moving about with a casual ease. Some of the beings were familiar, but most were from races they had never encountered before. There were no chains, no guards—just a bustling community going about their lives, laughing, trading, and strolling in pairs.
Slim’s gaze lingered on the pulsating portals. “Where do those portals lead to?” he asked, pointing at the humming gateways.
Arseni followed Slim’s outstretched arm, a puzzled expression crossing his face. “Huh? What are you talking about?”
Slim and the rest of the hound extermination crew exchanged confused glances, taken aback by Arseni’s response.
Zara stepped forward, her brow furrowing. “What do you mean, what is he talking about?” She pointed at the two massive, swirling masses of color. “Can’t you see those gigantic portals over there?”
Her finger remained outstretched, her eyes narrowing in frustration as she emphasized the obvious.
Arseni frowned, staring at the spot the feline pointed at. No matter how hard he looked, he saw only the familiar buildings.
A soft chuckle escaped Arseni's lips, breaking the silence. "I don’t know if you guys are playing some elaborate prank on me, but I don’t mind," he said, smiling as he took a step forward. "The wardens will be arriving shortly. They'll brief you on the dos and don’ts." He pointed toward one of several thatched houses. "That’s my place. Don’t be a stranger, okay? I’ll be sure to treat you to some—" Arseni's words trailed off as a sharp ringing echoed through the town.
From the gray portal, several beings emerged, and all activity ceased as the winged creatures stepped out. Scott narrowed his gaze. Aren't these the same creatures I saw when I first fought the titan? he thought.
"Talk about timing," Arseni muttered. "You’re in luck. The wardens have arrived." He turned toward the champions, smiling. "You should meet them as soon as possible. They will assign you a house and other resources you need to make your stay comfortable." Then he turned to Scott specifically. “Remember to plead your case with them. They will hear you out,” he advised.
The skeleton waved at the group and marched forward before any of them could retort. Their attention, however, was fixed on the winged creatures slowly descending. They had humanoid forms, covered by massive, feathery wings. A flaming crown hovered a few inches above their heads while golden rings, circling their heads, obscured their eyes. The androgynous beings exuded a beauty that mortals could only ascribe to gods, yet a lingering sense of danger gripped those who stared at the seemingly harmless creatures.
The wardens, a dozen in number, broke into smaller groups of three, with one group descending toward where Scott and his companions lingered.
"They’re so beautiful," Zara muttered in a daze.
"You’re absolutely right about that…" Ember replied, her eyes filled with yearning. Slim and the vampires wore stunned expressions as they admired the otherworldly wardens. Meanwhile, a delirious gleam covered Orion’s face, the mage whispering inaudible words amidst giggles. Scott’s gaze alternated between the wardens and his companions.
What’s gotten into them? Scott wondered. The wardens were undeniably beautiful, but their behavior was baffling. He turned to the other prisoners, noting the same mesmerized expressions on their faces. Scott frowned, his gaze sharpening on the seraph-like creatures. Are they using some sort of bewitching spell?
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“We don’t use such things.” A gentle yet unfamiliar voice resonated in Scott’s mind. His expression tightened as he stared at the wardens floating a few meters above the ground.
“Do not be afraid,” the voice repeated. “We mean you no harm.”
Fear was the least of Scott’s worries. If the wardens could read minds, as they just demonstrated, it made sense why Arseni insisted that escape was impossible.
Scott’s expression remained unchanged. He glanced at his companions; their faces still entranced. He reached out mentally, but only silence answered. His avatar manifested briefly, attempting to connect with the others, but it vanished as the wardens landed lightly on the ground. Barefooted, they seemed to hover an inch or two above the earth, their approach almost ethereal. Scott watched them cautiously, preparing for any potential confrontation.
“We were told you have questions regarding the length of your sentence?” The same voice echoed in Scott’s mind. He couldn’t pinpoint which of the trio spoke, but he resented their intrusion into his thoughts.
“Fret not. We can only hear thoughts related to the island or us. Anything else is hidden from our eyes,” the voice explained. “It seems you and your companions harbor thoughts of escape. You’re free to try but recognize that death will swiftly follow.”
One warden stopped inches from Scott, the heat from its burning crown palpable. The creature, towering over seven feet tall, lowered its head, seeming to stare at Scott despite its covered eyes.
“I’ll repeat myself: we were informed you have questions regarding the length of your sentence, is that correct?” The warden twisted its head from side to side, as if probing Scott’s mind for an answer. Only a whistling silence followed. The warden’s nose twitched, its head turning as if searching for something or someone. Voices filled its mind, but the one it sought remained elusive.
“Why was I given such a sentence?” Scott’s voice broke the silence, startling the warden. “I understand being punished for breaking the rules, but isn’t this a bit excessive?”
The warden’s head turned left, as if sensing Scott’s presence more than hearing his words. There was a strange emptiness within Scott’s mind, an all-consuming void that silenced all thought.
“Would you like an investigation to be carried out on your behalf?” the warden’s voice was audible, yet its lips did not move.
Scott’s companions squirmed, their eyes glazing over with ecstasy at the sound of the melodious voice. The other wardens turned toward their counterpart; surprise evident in their expressions.
“Why have you chosen to speak?” one queried mentally.
“I can’t hear his thoughts anymore,” the warden replied.
The other wardens’ heads swiveled, searching for Scott’s mind, but they found nothing—only an eerie, whistling echo like a gust of wind in an enclosed space.
“This is unprecedented,” one warden noted mentally. “Beings capable of silencing their thoughts still exists?”
“Do Nihilithians still roam the worlds?” another asked.
The warden who had first approached Scott shook its head. “He isn’t one of them, but I can’t determine what he is either.”
As the wardens communicated silently, Scott’s voice echoed again, “What would an investigation entail? Could my sentence be shortened?”
The wardens turned toward the source of Scott’s voice. “It’s possible, but not guaranteed. An official investigation will take a year to initiate and conclude. You will be informed of the results as soon as possible,” one warden declared.
Another warden spoke, its mouth unmoving, yet its voice even more melodious than the first. Ember, Zara, and the vampires crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Orion and Slim swayed, struggling against an overwhelming drowsiness.
“You ought not to be here. Those serving extended sentences like yours are meant to be in the sixth layer.”
The third warden interjected, “However, like those who came before you and those who will come after, an important decision awaits your consent.”
Scott frowned. “What decision are you talking about?”
The wardens’ wings pointed simultaneously towards the massive grey portal at the town’s center.
“Whether or not you choose to participate in the raid of worlds,” the first warden began.
“Should you choose to partake and complete ten missions, your sentence will be annulled,” the second warden explained.
“However, should you choose otherwise, you would neither remember this conversation nor be able to see the portals anymore. Please note that your decision is irreversible,” the third warden concluded.
A thought crossed Scott’s mind, and the wardens responded as if reading it. “Yes, those who chose to remain here can’t see the portal. No, we can’t tell you what lies behind the portal or what awaits you should you accept the proposal. Yes, you will have a day to make up your mind, as will your companions.”
Scott’s face darkened. His gaze shifted to his companions, who lay sprawled on the ground, muttering incoherently like drunkards. He turned his attention to the other prisoners, who stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the wardens floating several feet above the ground.
“You mentioned something about a sixth layer?” Scott asked, his eyes narrowing. “How many layers are there exactly?”
“You have no right to know that,” the first warden replied sternly. “Should you choose to serve your time, you will be confined to the sixth layer until your sentence is exhausted or you’re granted clemency by the administrator, as approved by the gods’ council.”
“If you decide against going, the rules of the island will be made known to you,” another warden declared.
Scott's gaze shifted to his unconscious companions. “Have my companions made a decision?” he asked abruptly.
“Yes,” a warden responded.
Scott nodded slowly, a weight settling in his chest. He couldn’t blame them, regardless of their choice. The thought of risking their lives for him was a heavy burden to bear.
He took a deep breath, turning his attention back to the wardens. “Ten missions, right?”
“Indeed,” the wardens answered in unison, their synchronized nods almost unnerving.
Scott's eyes lingered on his companions one last time. “I’ll accept it,” he declared firmly.
The island might appear peaceful, but he had no desire to remain there. If his sentence matched his companions', he might have considered it. But spending the rest of his life on the island, banished to who knows where, was unthinkable.
“May the gods find favor with you,” the wardens intoned together. This time, their mouths moved, adding an eerie resonance to their words.
A deafening creak filled the air as chains shot out from the gray portal, wrapping around Scott in an instant. He couldn’t move, couldn’t use his powers, couldn’t even speak. He felt a slight tug, and then, with a forceful pull, the chains dragged him into the portal.