Deafening silence reverberated through the streets, accompanied only by the monotonous buzzing of the fluorescent streetlights. “Finally,” Thmaz muttered, lifting his head toward the rebelling champions. Ready to continue his speech, he halted mid-sentence, his sharp eyes fixed on a figure.
Strange. Why didn't I notice him earlier? The canine pondered; his gaze locked onto a human donning an alluring yet intimidating mask.
“Sir, that's him,” Oxxi whispered from the side.
“Oh,” Thmaz stared intently at Scott, but the eldritch knight remained focused on the whirling wisps, now taking a definite form. Unlike Scott, Zara concentrated on the tattooed canine leader. Despite her outward calm, a deep-seated rage, as overwhelming as the ocean, burned within her eyes. However, Thmaz spared only a cursory glance for the feline and Slim.
Thmaz took measured but powerful strides toward Scott's position, a thin smile parting his lips. Scott shifted his focus away from the wisps, his dispassionate eyes lingering on the approaching canine.
“How fascinating. I couldn't detect your presence earlier,” Thmaz stopped a few feet away from the masked knight. “I guess it's fitting that someone like you is responsible for this mess.”
“Someone like me? What's that supposed to mean?” Scott asked.
“You look like a human but lack the aura or scent of one. Even ghouls and ghosts have more of a presence than you. Almost like an abomination with no origins,” Thmaz said, taking another step forward.
“One can easily discern your intentions from the way you've been staring at the administrative building,” Thmaz continued with a smile. “I'll applaud your intentions. Although your aspirations are delusional, it’s without a doubt an ambitious one. Unfortunately, you're only leading these people to their deaths. I guess that's the price they'll pay for their stupidity.”
Scott chuckled softly, shaking his head. Throughout the conversation with the canine, he remained the only champion focused on the hero of Nuta.
“What's so funny?” Thmaz asked with a smile, unable to hide the derision in his eyes.
“My father used to say there were two kinds of people: the sheep and the wolf,” Scott said, reigning in his laughter. “The sheep know nothing about the world around them, seeking only to live according to their predetermined fate. They never challenge anything and strive to conform. The wolf, on the other hand, is quite special. They know how much uncertainty and injustice plague society. They don't wait; they fight, take, and sometimes snatch. Anything to live according to their will.”
“So, let me guess, you guys are supposed to be the wolves, and us the sheep, right?” Thmaz chuckled, the derision in his eyes undisguised.
“It doesn't matter whether you're the sheep or the wolf; I wouldn't care either way,” Scott remarked with an unseen smile. The eldritch knight halted a few feet away from Thmaz, locking gazes with the canine. “What does matter, though, is the fact that, just like you, we have absolutely no intention of conforming to whatever deluded sense of propriety and devotion you have for all this,” Scott continued, his gaze sweeping across the empty streets.
“You can remain here if you wish. I honestly wouldn't give two fucks about it. But you have absolutely no right whatsoever to tell us what we can and can't do.” Scott took another step forward. This time, however, so did the other champions. “Midnight is almost upon us. We have both made our decisions; there's really nothing left to say. I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm glad you came all the way here to find us. It saves us a whole lot of trouble.”
The canine party on the other side of the street reacted to the march of the champions, quickly rushing toward Thmaz's side. The tattooed canine, unlike before, remained calm as he observed the approaching group. His smile had disappeared, replaced by a somewhat stern visage.
What did he mean by that? Could it really have something to do with Varkham? Thmaz pondered, recalling the conversation he had with Oxxi a couple of days prior.
“Sir, what should we do?” Oxxi whispered. “Although we have regained access to our inventories and abilities once more, the laws haven't been suspended yet.”
“I know that. That's even more reason there's nothing to worry about. The moment they exude even an ounce of hostility towards us, Lord Hanzazeelem would show them no mercy.” Thmaz's face lit up at the prospect of the rebels digging their own proverbial graves.
“It's almost midnight anyways; we just need to wait. They'll soon realize how foolish they were for trying to challenge Lord Hanzazeelem,” Thmaz said.
Oxxi's tensed brows relaxed for a moment, but his eyes remained focused on the approaching champions. An obvious sense of unease lingered in the mind of the champion.
“So, what are you going to do? Attack us?” Thmaz wore a crooked smile, spreading both arms apart. “I won't stop you; go ahead and try it if you can. After all, I'm just a little sheep,” he snickered.
“Exactly,” Scott affirmed.
A tense silence enveloped the canine party as they readied themselves for the approaching champions. Contrary to their expectations, the group walked past the canines, turning toward the opened gates of the administrative buildings.
Thmaz's visage soured. “Who is the sheep now?” He said, but only silence greeted his words.
“Sir, what do we do? I don't think there's a rule forbidding anyone from raiding the administrative building,” Oxxi commented.
“I doubt there's even a need for one. It doesn't matter if they get the crystals,” Thmaz retorted.
“Huh?” Oxxi pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “Yes, even if they find the elemental shards, it is impossible for so many people to know their way around the maze.”
“Exactly. Regardless of their plans, death is the only certainty awaiting them. Let them revel in their foolhardiness. Soon, the gravity of their mistake will dawn on them. Unfortunately, death will be their sole reward. Prepare yourselves; it's almost midnight.”
Oxxi nodded somberly and retreated to the side, ensuring the rest of his companions were ready for midnight. Meanwhile, Thmaz remained in the same position, his soulless eyes fixed on the outline of the massive creatures born from the coalesced wisps.
“Wash away my hate and sins, make me pure in the path I walk, so that I can see the light. Harken to my prayers, ye who illuminates my path,” Thmaz whispered softly before exhaling deeply.
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On the other side, Scott and the other champions proceeded to the main administrative building in their numbers, disregarding the inchoate creatures nearing perfection. “Alright, everyone, we don’t have much time until the show begins. We need to move fast,” Scott's voice thundered in the minds of those present. He then turned toward a gelatinous blob wrapped around Llorva’s arm. “Fi-Fi, lead the way.”
The elemental slime contorted, freeing itself from Llorva’s arm and taking the form of a humanoid. “Follow me,” it said.
Saying nothing, it approached the entrance, forcing itself through the cracks. A click followed, and the massive doors swung open. The champions rushed in, with the elemental slime leading the way. However, Scott, Zara, and Llorva remained outside. Zara glanced at Llorva, whose arms remained fastened around Scott’s as she nestled her head on the sides of his shoulder, occasionally taking quick sniffs of his clothes.
“Are you going to be okay?” Zara asked on the party communication channel. “I've seen some enthusiastic people, but...” Zara suddenly paused, her mouth slightly agape. Llorva had taken another sniff, and this time, the elf’s ecstasy was all too obvious on her reddened face.
Sensing the brawler’s burning gaze, Llorva turned toward Zara. A brazen smile parted her lips; she winked before burying her face again in Scott’s shoulder.
“Pretend you saw nothing,” Scott said, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion and annoyance.
“I wish there was a way I could unsee that,” Zara commented with a dry smile. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.” The feline turned her attention toward the entrance as she continued, “So, what do you think? Aren’t things going a little too easy for us?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Scott replied without pause. “Don’t worry; there shouldn’t be any traps or tricks in the building. Fi-Fi should be able to lead them directly to the vault. However, I do understand your apprehension. Should things change, we need to prioritize ourselves first.”
Zara nodded; her keen eyes remained fastened to the barely illuminated hall ahead.
“Have you decided?” Scott suddenly asked. However, silence greeted his words. Zara closed her eyes, biting her lower lip. The brawler clenched her fists, resisting the urge to turn around. A moment later, she exhaled deeply, and her taut features relaxed.
“We might not have known each other for long, but I trust you and Slim with my life. I don’t know for sure what you saw, but I know those eyes of yours can see what others can’t even possibly imagine.” The feline turned toward Scott. “I’ll ask you again because I need to hear it one more time. What do you think will happen if I fight against that bastard?”
“There are no guarantees in life. However, he’s overwhelmingly stronger than you,” Scott said after a brief pause.
Zara closed her eyes once more, clenching her fists as she exhaled deeply. “It’s ironic isn’t it,” she muttered audibly. “I have dedicated my entire existence to finding and eliminating that murderer, yet it’s very likely I’ll have to flee to save my own life. Should the day I become strong enough to take his life arrive, it’s unlikely we’d ever cross paths again. Fate has its own unique humor, huh.” Zara chuckled, however, there was nothing joyous about her laughter as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Llorva’s grip around Scott loosened a bit as she stared at the cat girl. What’s going on? What are they talking about? Most of the conversation had taken place on the party channel, so the elf had no idea what caused Zara’s sudden mood swing.
Scott, on the other hand, remained silent. I can’t imagine how powerless she must be feeling right now. However, if she decides to confront that canine, she will likely die. I didn’t expect that guy to have such a dangerous sponsor and ability. He sympathized with the cat girl, but he also knew she had to decide.
Scott turned toward the canine party; locking gazes with Thmaz who watched from afar. Hastur’s gaze activated, but the eldritch knight ignored the bulk of the stats, focusing on three key stats.
Champion Interface Basic Stats Level: 27 Sponsor: Progenitor of Light. Abilities
High-tier ability Divine Rebirth: Your devotion has reached thee who guides those seeking the light. You will be revived each time you die, regaining all your memories and abilities. Divine Fortitude: On the verge of death, the sacred light will give you the power to subdue your enemy twice over. Divine Retribution: The sacred light’s veils will brand those who have anything to do with your death. Their whereabouts shall be known to you, regardless of your own location.
Scott turned away from the smiling canine. At that same moment, Slim’s voice suddenly echoed on the party’s channel. “Guys, I can’t believe it. There are probably hundreds of millions of elemental shards here.”
“Don’t stand around gawking at it,” Zara said. “Get as many as you can and get back here.”
“I know, I know. Jeez. What do you think I’m doing?” Slim replied. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t do anything stupid, okay? Some guy keeps taking from my pile. I don’t want to lose out to him.”
Silm’s voice disappeared and the party channel became quiet once more.
“We’re really doing this, huh?” Llorva commented from the side, her eyes focused on the aberrations taking form.
“Scared?” Scott commented offhandedly, his eyes still focused on Thmaz.
“I’d be a lair if I said I wasn’t,” Llorva chuckled while rearranging her hair. “But that’s what is so exciting about it. Our blood and guts could dye the streets tonight or we could end up passing the trial while laughing at the corpses of our enemies. Where else can one find something so thrilling?” The elf wore a devilish smile as she nestled her head on Scott’s arm.
“What about you?” she muttered softly.
Scott didn’t reply, but he suddenly tightened his arm.
Llorva instinctively raised her head. Huh? What’s gotten into him?
All traces of Scott’s lackadaisical attitude had disappeared, and he exuded traces of bloodlust. Llorva instinctively released the eldritch knight’s arm, taking several steps back. Zara, too, had also noticed the sudden change.
“W-What’s wrong?” Zara asked on the party channel.
“That bastard has changed the rules. As of this moment, all laws have been suspended,” Scott said.
At that same moment, a laugh echoed from the distance, and Thmaz and his crew strutted toward the administrative buildings with murderous delight. The canine wielded a bloodied short sword, which alternated between a bloody crimson glow and a radiant silver sheen.
“Hey there. It’s me the leader of the sheep again,” Thmaz said, the tip of the sword pointed at Scott. “It shouldn’t be a problem for big and strong wolves like you, right?”
All rules and regulations have been suspended!
An ear-deafening siren reverberated, piercing the air as thousands of light rays descended from the blackened heavens. They coalesced into the image of a towering white tree; its branches seemingly capable of supporting the entire world. Tens to hundreds of millions of dazzling flowers cascaded from the massive tree, each petal lifting an ethereal mist over a section of the city. In moments, a thick fog blanketed parts of the dazzling streets, obscuring the colorful streetlights. Yet, within the mist, thousands of crimson eyes emerged from the darkness, accompanied by a series of thunderous roars that echoed across the city. Then, silence followed.
The path to Parla will be connected at midnight! The sentry guards are awakening!
Thunder echoed in the wake of the system’s messages, followed by the sudden formation of a cyclone from seemingly thin air. Simultaneously, a raging inferno spontaneously combusted, and in the blink of an eye, the city found itself split into four equal halves, each besieged by a unique elemental calamity.
Scott delved into his mask, summoning the Warhammer of the mad god. As he did, his voice resonated in the minds of thousands of champions scattered across Enchanted Heights.
“The time is upon us, and success is our only path!”
With a swift motion, the eldritch knight removed his mask, unleashing a swirling darkness that enveloped the administrative building.