CHAPTER 3

At the border between Alsa and Alikh there was a great gate that filtered the persons leaving and entering the country. Two men were wearing commoner cloths while covering their faces with a hood.

“Let’s go my prince” said the older of the two “this is the last checkpoint before we get to Alsa"

“Stop with the prince thing Mujin. It only serves to make me angrier…” said the prince

“You will always be my prince…we will get your throne back please worry not.”

The younger man grumbled under his breath but didn’t comment back.

“Halt!” said one of the guards. That was surveying the exit.

“Remove your hoods so that we can see your faces.” Ordered the guard.

The old man then said

“We are just travelers let us pass please.”

“I said remove your hoods. This is the last time I will ask.” Said the guard while placing his hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword.

The old man then sighed and brought his right arm forward.

He then ignited it with a blue flame that soon began to sap the life of all that were present in the area.

“I-it’s the former arch mage of the king! It’s the traitors!” said the guard but right before the others could do anything most of them fell to their knees.

“Sigh…if this was all it took to bring down the guards that are supposed to protect our kingdom then I fear for it greatly…”

“It matters not Mujin” said the prince “this is no longer our home…”

The two men moved forward ignoring the unconscious guards and went toward Alsa.

“But Mujin, are you really sure of this? The last time I was in the presence of Ryouka Gaz I didn’t leave a favorable impression…”

“I don’t know my price, but this is the last hope we have…considering the friendship that Gaz-sama and your father had I believe that he will hear out what you have to say…despite the unfortunate incident of that time…we only have him to help…”

“Why not go to Astora then? They would be more than welcoming…” said the prince.

“No, you may think so but most nobles and high statue personnel would gladly give you to the organization or the current usurper for their own benefit or the favors they would get…although the queen may be against it…the king cannot do so. As for Gaz-sama he holds great power in the country of Alsa and none would dare disobey him. While the King of Astora will be forced to please his people if any of them know that he has you in his presence…”

“Damn politics…forcing us to get help from the ones we want the least of help from.”

“Yes. This is how it should be my price. Let us just go we have a long way ahead of us.” Said the old man and they continued walking

***

What a strange person…so strong yet he shows kindness…he took care of me while I was in my worst condition…even saved me multiple times now…

He never asked for anything…even gave me one of his potions… I woke up the moment the drops of that potion were poured down my mouth but still feigned unconsciousness…trying to prey an information out of him but he didn’t speak so I had to wake up.

I was startled the moment I saw the condition I was in…I thought he did something to me but…after understanding that it was for my own benefit I didn’t have the courage to say anything to him…he even saved me from that golem…

But now…after many hours he had not moved a muscle. He is weakened but still shows none of it.

How can someone be this strong…the strongest person I had ever known…no…there was also ‘him’…he was strong…very strong. I think they would have made good friends…

I need to clear this tower…not many floors left just five and we could be set free. I will have to ask him to come with me…to see Alsa. Once I am out I will be sure to do everything in my power to make my promise to the principal true. I will get the clan head position…and soon my promise to myself will be fulfilled.

Arvion-san then stood up

He then wrote.

“I am good to go”

I can’t seem to understand why he is unable to speak…he clearly did so toward my spirit but I didn’t understand what he was saying…there is probably something prohibiting him from doing so…even more, his mask…why does he have to cover his face…probably some sort of disfiguration he wants to hide…well it matters not, only power speak in our world. And if we took it to heart, He has a lot to say.

I then said

“Let’s go.”

As soon as I did so I willed the ice dome to shatter and the lion was now released. But even before I could do anything to it Arvion-san had already struck at it, it died instantly.

“Challengers! Another round will soon begin. Prepare yourselves.”

Once he said so, the flames where monsters come from soon emerged, only this time they were too numerous.

The platform we were standing on began to expand in order to accommodate all of them.

The ceiling disappeared and the platform began to slowly rise upwards.

This startled me as I almost fell, but I soon regained my balance while Arvion-san didn’t even flinch.

The creatures this time were the ones I didn’t want to meet again…the reptiles of that volcanic area.

Serpents and wyverns began to emerge from the flames with numbers beyond my capabilities. While Arvion-san didn’t move at all.

A moment later he pulled out his sword and began to fight them.

The first that lunged at him was a very huge and long serpent similar to one I met earlier but this one was red.

He dodged the lunge and slashed at its neck decapitating it.

Another wyvern soon shot a fireball toward him but instead of dodging he jumped toward it.

I feared the worst as these things were really hot. But he miraculously emerged from the flame unharmed and surprised the wyvern with a downward cut that render it lifeless on impact.

More of them began to swarm the arena.

I began to cast spell after spell, conjuring as much as I could from the spirit world. Wolves, small dragons, and began casting shards of ice toward the still spawning creatures.

It continued on like that until I noticed something. The number of the floor changed at some point.

It seems that the higher this platform goes the closer we will get to the exit.

“Arvion-san!” I shouted. “We don’t need to defeat them to get to the fiftieth floor! We only need to survive until then!”

He probably understood me and walked back towards the center of the arena.

A moment later he released some sort of presence that shook me to the core.

I know now for a fact that back there at the cave, that terrorizing presence was his…I thought it was some sort of a monster that was behind it but it seems that it was him…

The monsters on the floor froze from terror, and could barely move a muscle while I, even though I understood that he was not trying to harm me with that presence, still felt its weight.

I now know that he was the reason why we barely met any monsters…this man is incredible…

But to be able to scare away this many monsters is beyond me. How can someone be this intimidating? And I have yet to see the limits of his power.

The number on the platform changed once more…only three floors left.

However the monsters began to wiggle out of their stupor. It seems that they are now resisting the weight of his presence…but also, he seems to be panting more…what the hell! Was he only faking recovery before!

“Arvion-san!” I said “Are you alright?!” I shouted.

He wrote

“Yes.” But seeing the fluctuations of his magic text wording. I knew he was faking it.

A moment later a snake lunged at him but I hastily raised an ice wall to shield him from the attack. However I failed to see as another serpent struck at me with a swipe of his tail.

This attack made me see my life flash in front of me as in fact the hit was so strong it sent me down the dark and deep chasm of the crucible…

I was falling…time slowed down as I was seeing the light from the platform fading from view…I had nothing but regret…regret that I never got to fulfil my promises…regret that I never got to repent for my sins…

I closed my eyes and waited for darkness to take me into its embrace

…

“Morfii Drakh!!”

I opened my eyes the moment I heard those loud words and saw him.

He jumped into the chasm after me…what an idiot! He would die too, and for what?!

However something was strange.

His appearances changed…if it was not for the mask I would have thought him to be but one of the same reptilian monsters.

His hair was now ashen colored with purple glowing strands of hair.

His skin turned pale and was filled with scales he even had claws and wings!

He reached me in no time and grabbed me before I fell even deeper. He was panting but still he caught me…he grabbed me by my hand and took me into a princess carry. And then he took flight. He flew fast and strong. I was feeling helpless, but within his caring embrace…I felt safe…

We got back to the still rising floor but what I saw left me baffled…every single one of those reptiles was dead. Every one of them was shredded and I only managed to see their corps disintegrating and disappearing into nothingness. He managed to kill all of them in such a short time and still had the time to come down and rescue me…

He carefully placed me down. And dropped to his knees unable to move a step further.

He turned around and grabbed something out of his pocket. It was a red vial…the same potion that was inside one of those boxes…

“Morfii Hshto” he said. And instantly turned back to his normal appearances…

He was tiered…too tired to do anything. I placed my hands onto his shoulder and asked him

“Hurry and drink it.”

He then shoved my hand away and turned the other side. Carefully pulling out his mask without letting me see his face.

He drank the potion and placed his mask again…

It seems to be working…his breathing steadied and his panting stopped. He placed the mask back again and turned around this time writing

“I am alright.”

I gave a sigh of relief.

And waited for the next and final floor. Only one is left and only then will we be released…now that he is back at full health…we are bound to exit. We will leave this place…only one floor left.

The floor stopped moving and the ceiling was once again covering our heads.

“Challenger. You had proven your worth. Only one floor remains until you are granted exit. Ready yourself” said the voice

But why was he only addressing us in singular form?

The orbs of light began to dim out until their light fully disappeared. Darkness. Only darkness was our companion in this place. But the moment I turned I saw that Arvion-san’s clothes and hair were glowing.

Then soon after a purple flame was conjured from within his hand. It illuminated the floor although only slightly. It was like a beacon of hope in this world of dark.

Soon afterwards I was teetered to the bone by a wailing of some creature. A scream so loud it made me tremble to my very core.

A gust of cold wind soon passed through us making the purple flame flutter in response.

Taking a look up, I saw it.

It was a creature of dark. Wore black and gray tattered veils and cloths, they were dirty and disgusting while only its half decomposed mouth was apparent under the hood covering its head. This thing was floating and circling us but it was not alone. Another wail made me understand that there were more of these things.

They encircled us and began to screech threateningly. I shot an ice shard toward one of them just to make it stop screaming but it passed right through it…a ghost? No! A banshees. A creature of dark only told about in tales to scare children… they exist…

Arvion then used his own flame to attack the same thing but received the same result. He struck at them with his blade but it only passed through, making them feel even more confident and approached closer.

Feeling infuriated he released his overwhelming presence but the creatures did not even flinch.

I guess you cannot scare what is already dead…

One of them jumped at me latching itself with its disgusting hands onto my flesh.

I felt cold a cold I had never felt before…this was nothing like the coldness of ice…it was the coldness of death.

The creature began to scream making me shudder in fear. It began to force me to re-watch my past.

Forcing me to go through all the horrible things that I had suffered through my life. From my childhood to the time I was treated like a monster…to the day I was feeling the loneliest and finally the time I had done what I considered the greatest of sins…they made me see his face…his expressions…his words repeated…why? He said…

“I am sorry…” I began to cry repeating the words… “If only I had knew…if only I had waited…if only I didn’t act so rash…I am sorry” I said

“YAMI NO IKIMONO! KIIERO!” said the man with a voice filled with rage. And to his words the creatures screeched as if in an intolerable pain and suffering. Dying once again this time from mere words…

I was left speechless. Magic and spells not even his sword harmed them but his words just his words were enough to kill them…what is this man?

The light came back to the room and the voice spoke once again

“Challenger you cleared the fiftieth floor. Congratulations. You are one of the few humans that managed this deed. You may choose to exit and you may choose to continue and challenge yourself further. What will your choice be?” he said

I stood back up thanking the gods that that didn’t continue on any longer. Otherwise I would have probably gone mad.

“I will leave” saying these words filled me with the greatest joy. A box soon appeared that was much larger than the one back at the twenty fifth floor…

Never had I thought myself capable of exiting this place if it was not for Arvion-san’s help now I can do what needs to be done…

Yet once again I noticed the voice’s way of speech…he didn’t address us both he only addressed one…

Could this be another challenge…that only one of us could leave? No it can’t be. This will be the cruelest of things No it must not be that way!

“What do you mean by challenger? Why are you addressing us and we are two in singular form?!”

The voice then said

“Only one shall exit this floor.”

His words left me baffled as a doorway appeared behind me.

Arvion-san was next to me but he didn’t even bother turning to look at the gate…a gate that represented hope and freedom…

“Arvion-san…you should leave” I said “if it was not for you…I would never have been able to leave this place…I thank you from the bottom of my heart…but I will have to continue onwards lets meet again once I clear the seventy fifth floor” I said with a smile on my face hoping that he won’t refuse my offer.

He then turned around to face me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

I could only see his expressionless mask tilt a bit before he pushed me backwards.

Right before I could understand what happened I threw my hand forward in order to hold on to something but my hand only managed to hit his mask.

It was but a moment…but in that moment I saw it…the face of someone I never thought I would see again…

I was outside the crucible and a box appeared to my right but that was not important, not now, no.

I had to make sure that what I saw was not an illusion…no it has to be…he is dead! But I saw it! I clearly saw it…

His face…

The face of Asura. Asura Shirogami…