Mount Gigas was another place my creators inhabited. This facility was designed as a control point for the epicenter of this event. Many tools were designed there, but only a few remain. The one you are looking for is a prototype.

Scale the mountain. Reach the facility. Once you have a chance to end this,

-Ghiri

“No.”

”But-“

”Absolutely not.”

”Why no-“

”Because I said so.”

”And who said we have to listen to you?” Enix turned to look at &#+$. While he and >&@#$%< were arguing, &#+$ had packed three bags of food and tools.

”The weird four-armed magical metal thing that told me to go alone.”

”Right, and why’s that?”

”I have to scale Mount Gigas.”

”The mountain? The tall, jagged, and desolate place? The one underneath the hole in the sky?” >&@#$%< scoffed.

”That’s the one.” Enix ignored >&@#$%<’s attitude. “There’s a tool there that can help stop those monsters from flooding into this land.”

“And you trust the person who told you this?” &#+$ asked.

”I do.”

“Sorry, the same one who beat you?” >&@#$%< was growing more frustrated. “Did he hit you in the head especially hard this time? How can you trust him?”

”Do we have any other choice?”

”Yes, stay here and fortify what we have.”

“>&@#$%<, you and I both know that won’t last. We need a solution, not a bandage.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

”What makes you think you are the only one who has to go and get that solution?”

”You’ve seen what I can handle!”

”I’ve seen you get your arm ripped off, get nearly cut in half, and then buried alive, and that’s not counting the time you tripped-“ >&@#$%< jabbed at Enix’s chest roughly “and fell off a cliff! By accident!”

“Exactly!” Enix brushed >&@#$%<’s hand away. “And I’ve survived those! How many arms have you regrown? Can you walk away from a high fall?”

”He’s got us there.” &#+$ murmured, but >&@#$%< just glared at her.

“So you’re fine with letting him go alone?”

”First, we couldn’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. Second, we shouldn’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. Third, he’s the best person to find this weapon he’s talking about. It is a weapon, right?”

Enix nodded. “Something like that. It can help close the portals that these creatures are coming through.”

”All the more reason it shouldn’t be left to just one person, let alone a kid.”

“Look, I get that you think it's important. It is, which is why I need to go alone.”

”That doesn’t make sense.”

”It does when I have to worry about keeping two other people alive.” Enix snapped, trying not to wince as he said those words.

“Hey!” &#+$ slapped Enix’s arm, glaring at him.

“I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. You two are brilliant fighters. You can outplay me in seven out of ten sparring matches. But this isn’t just a fight. It’s a dangerous road filled with dangerous fights and monsters.” Enix looked down, ashamed to meet their eyes. “I don’t even know if I’ll be coming back.”

Enix wasn’t expecting the blow, despite him seeing the butt of the spear rise and shoot forward, smacking him in the center of his forehead. He yelped, grabbing at the spear only for it to be wrenched away. >&@#$%< swung his spear around and down low, attempting to trip Enix. The boy backstepped but >&@#$%< pushed harder, jabbing at Enix’s gut this time.

Enix fell on his rear and before he could react >&@#$%< twirled the spear until the tip aimed at Enix’s face.

“Want to try ten more matches, or is this enough?” >&@#$%<’s face was stony.

“You’re not listening to me.”

“Neither are you. You need our help.”

Enix didn’t respond, instead grabbing the spear tip. >&@#$%< tried to yank it out of the boy’s grasp, but Enix’s skin was already stone. He stood back up and twisted his hand, breaking the spear point off.

“Do I?” Enix tossed the point away, leaning down to grab one of the bags and walk off. >&@#$%< shouted at him, intending to say something, but &#+$ stopped him, whispering something to >&@#$%< that Enix couldn’t hear. As he walked he kicked at the ground. Ingot rose from its tunneling and trotted alongside the boy as he began his journey. Enix tried to ignore the pang in his chest as he walked away.

He had to convince them they couldn’t help. Ghiri had warned him that should anyone else take this journey, they wouldn’t survive.

He wished they could help. He knew they could. The risk, however, made it too great.