Of course, I had to open my eyes every minute or so to be sure that nothing had visually changed. But it was in the middle of my third cast of Mana Manipulation that a muffled sound threw me off my meditation.

Then a stronger thump rocked the walldoor, flinching me a step back as it took a beat off my chest as well.

Something had come alive beyond.

I was already on my heels, any second and I'd take flight. But seeing how the door was with some resistance, looking as if what was pushing it carried great burden, I risked it once again and pushed it back. Sure, I could run for the lit hall beyond, cast a spell and tackle whatever broke through that could've caught up to me, but that offered no solace better than closing this door with hope I'd be able to stop it. The hall only has two doors.

Both ends were end.

So I convinced myself and backed that with action. My feet stomped hard at the floor—planted, not an ounce of hesitation present as my feet skidded against the floor from another bang. Luckily, my soles didn't burn with pain upon that. Not yet. So I pushed harder.

Still, I wished it was enough, that what was behind this cold and heavy door would lose interest to something it couldn't open, and I have to make sure that whatever was making the sound wouldn't come through. Not now. My face warped in pain as the strength got harder, ringing to my very bones. Even then, I persisted.

But could I really stop it? I had hoped. Yet this herculean strength I was burdening proved it could overpower my thin arms. It was heavy, forceful, and had the strength comparable to five bucketfuls of rock I've once ferried. And what could that do?

Blast the door open.

I would have attempted to run before that occurred. But I didn't know that would've happened easily within the span of seconds, like a lightning bolt streaking across the sky. Too late to realize what had happened. And even if I did, my mind was focused barring the door, even as much as I doubted I could.

I rolled back and fell backwards. Even then, I wasn't without options, that left me one thing I had intended for such occasion. Mana was almost injected to coalesce a blue fire when I was stumped at what I saw. Appendages. Yet not of those I wanted ashed.

"There's fire!"

"Lit torches, lit torches, lit torches, lit torches. Fuck. Finally!"

"Get inside and take the torc—throw that damned cloth away, Hendrik! Help hold the door closed!"

Voices. People.

I was still on the ground from the impact, and was ready to roll over and run towards the lit hall, yet I remained momentarily surprised by the hollow voices that was cold to my ears. A familiar sound, yet different as if it was an echo. And the faint yet glowing figures that fell and jumped showed that I wasn't alone in this place.

But were they really like me? Suspicion was a good company in this type of place, so I maneuvered myself to turn around. Saving my spell when I had gained ground from them and confirmed their identities. Not illusions but people.

Yet that didn't happen. My face scrunched as it met the ground. Clenching my teeth to not utter the pain, I stood up wobbling then fell back on the wall. Disoriented. For a moment.

I still had time to run or cast a spell for this blunder. However, unlike how I fell to my side, the people that broke in rolled over and quickly sprung for the door. And that finesse meant I didn't have the time to run before another person took ahold of my arms. A fading face directly zoomed into vision. Sans teeth, his grin was savage enough that I kicked the crotch of the old bald man faster than any solution I could have thought.

My brothers said it would massively hurt. And I remembered it did.

But nothing happened except for that grin to part open in amusement even more, showing the void of the codger's mouth from lines of absent teeth. The grip of his wrinkled hands never left me before I was yanked towards the door.

"Go help fend the door, lass." No warning was present in the man's voice. That, I noticed. But there was also no room for my refusal to be heard. The voice was of command, different than that of any man or mages that had ever yelled orders at me. It needed not be done, but at the price of something else. And I trusted my thought, so I conceded as the old man also went beside me.

And I was glad that I did.

"Brace!"

Shivers traveled down my back as million taps reverberated beyond the door.

Scuttling.

And those scuttles almost eclipsed the strength of the dozen hands and buckled arms holding the door steady when they jumped and rammed the door.

"Brace! Get the torches here now, Resha!"

We all pushed together again, and I gave it every spurt I could put out. Never faltering. With every recoil, I only got more determined.

Yet they were too. They came with greater force.

"Brace! Get ready and throw all the torches at them as much as you can!"

I didn't know what mere torches could do, unlit one at that. And I almost wanted to leave them all behind when the man barking orders implied that the door will be opened. But a blink and I found my surroundings filled with light.

Torches. Not just what flew across the opened door where some appendages slithered through, but all the unlit torches around were licked alive to ignition.

But before I could assess that or even start my escape, the undefined screeches of the spiders nailed me on the floor. A regurgitating sound I couldn't ever imagine. As if it was a cacophony of cicadas echoing their night sounds to an undefined stretch of... pain—surprisingly. High, low, deep, and sharp. It reverberated until it became an echo and silence ensued.

The spiders seemingly gone.

I should be cheering that those critters were gone, but that unworldly sound stuck like a melody that puppeteered my movements to a halt. Keeping me silenced for moments. And I was only allowed movement after I managed to do so.

The plop and sighs of relief cut my languor, a sigh and gulp of of a heavy lump coming from me too. Now you say there really are more spiders? I couldn't imagine how I'd best that if the humongous spider actually attacked me earlier. Even more so if those were the first that knocked on that door and not the exhausted people around me.

There were hundreds. No, thousands. Or maybe more. I gulped and breathed.

Calming down, I began to inspect the people that suddenly appeared, at least believing they were and not a kind of creature clothed in skin. Dimly lit skin.

And with the help of the lit torches, that's a point to doubt given they had a same appearance to mine back then. They looked faded. And seemed to make my mind see them less clearer as I focused on their entirety. Not disconcerting but odd. To my relief, they too were naked. Another point of reason establishing doubts on my suspicions.

I noticed as much with the outline of their bodies. Some were extremely well-fed, some were lean, some were amazingly muscled, and some were downright lanky just like me. But just that: outlines—never the details of their exact form. I looked down and found my whole body vivid. Looking at them not having any reaction could mean that I looked faded to their eyes as well. Probably. Still, I brushed my hair to my front and copied some of the women who had theirs in front as well. If that strands of transparent light were really hair.

I shook my head. They are hair.

Departed Human

The words finally confirmed. They were like me. And a withheld sigh softly slipped off at that.

If anything, there is one thing I found all of them shared in common. Tired. They were exhausted, not out of physical one, I knew. They weren't... sweating. Although they were short of breath, their hollow gasps as their ethereal chest heaved and their lackluster gaze beyond the walls, or fire, or their hand informed another. Especially how their posture looked languid.

9 people, I counted the second time.

A third headcount was coming, but as that was, I quickly noticed upon my inspection that one of the better-muscled man narrowed his eyes at me after spitting on the floor—which immediately disappeared upon touch. I wasn't sure, being absorbed assessing how the man's look could almost tackle me to the ground. And his outlined muscles had foretold it not a possibility. It would happen.

That didn't occur though, the old man who took ahold of me quickly interjected.

"Now, now. This isn't the time for such useless squabble and unrewarding brawls, Endar. And I somehow doubt you'd be doing the latter. Still."

The man looked at the old man as his eyes twitched in annoyance. Because he was stopped? Or because he really wouldn't tackle me? I hoped his annoyance was because the old man's statement was an insult to him. Still, the man looked a less intimidating with that. Even then, he still had his eyes narrowed back at me, looking for something he'd be satisfied about to punch or anything.

"What damning couriers happened to your brain to do that? All of us would have been gone with your actions."

His voice echoed. Not loud, not quiet, yet it sounded solid. As if demanding. The familiar voice of the man commanding the orders.

And it was a confirmation beyond the magical words. Not explicitly as it seems, it still was. They were really like me. People.

Afraid of those. And I realized where he was coming from.

I buckled at his stare for a moment then broke it as I slightly bowed. "I... I'm sorry, I—" I paused, surprised that my voice now sounded echoing too. "—didn't know. I thought some cloth came back alive or some kind of... monsters. I had to close it so it wouldn't enter. It wasn't my intention. And umm... I didn't know there were others like me here."

I bowed, holding it. Knowing that they were people too, and I was sorely mistaken, I didn't want to prolong anymore antagonism than what I had already done. Especially now that I understood the gravity of what occurred.

The man was stumped at that, at least what I positively thought at the momentary stretch of silence. Thankfully, he didn't pursue and have misconstrued assumptions from my words. Or think that I was deliberating my apologies.

He let go of his stare and didn't offer a response. And I only stood straight after noticing the man had sat down beside the wall to rest as well, taking deep breaths in.

I nodded in thanks and apology to the old man, which he only waved me off for with a familiar smile. But this time the smile the old man held looked amiable and somewhat eased up my discomfort.

With that, I bobbed some nods in apology at others too. Only towards those who spared me a look. I didn't want to disturb the others lying down in the floor or keeping their breaths steady.

Although I was further relieved, some even giving me nods with a kind smile in return, there were people that were dissatisfied too. Casting me a look of indifference and just a glimpse. And all that I could do was bow down and murmur some apology to myself, hoping it would reach their ears. I could reassure myself that I wasn't entirely at fault. Still, I bowed in apology, not delving on trying to find excuses or even that of faults. That's the headsmaid's antics, not mine.

"Aww, no. Please don't. You're probably new here so you don't know." A long-haired and slightly wrinkled woman headed my way, with arms opened wide, as if... to hug me.

I flinched at the thought, and cut her attempts as I briskly raised my hand for a handshake, which halted the lady to her tracks. Surprised or not, I was glad I wasn't hugged. I mentally winced, thinking whether I had further brought some dissatisfaction on my side.

"H-hello, umm yes, I'm Nudius," I started, my words stammering. Then I winced again inside on how bad I started, thinking whether brushing her off seemed so obvious.

The woman had to stare for a moment at my outstretched hand. Her face that looked briefly surprised warped to a smile that wasn't hinted with annoyance, to my relief. As if understanding, she accepted the handshake instead. But I was sure she had guessed my intentions. I thinned my lips as I smiled at her, the only way I could smooth out my actions.

"Miss Ignis, you can call me that." She shook my hand as she also sat down the floor like the others did. "You can sit down too. I'll help explain what's going on," she invited.

I did as I was told, opting for this impromptu gesture the lady had offered. Close enough to converse, I nudged further to her side, hoping my little gesture would be taken kindly.

"So, where does the little lady hail from to not have heard of the famous Crypt?"

The wrinkle in the woman's forehead deepened with an inquisitive brow. Then both perked up.

"No, not that. I mean, I didn't know such young lady managed to stall some grown-up men. How embarrassing."

Miss Ignis chuckled behind her hand, gathering some sharp looks. Feigning like it wasn't her intention, she neared to me with a smile and whispered, "That's why he was so annoyed, actually, so never mind him. His ego was stroked at a bad spot. He was the one kicking the strongest earlier."

Which was not a whisper at all, especially the last one. It drew another couple of looks again, but to my surprise, most were with mirth and had their lips tugged with an indiscernible smile. I had to sneak a glance to know that Mr. Endar looked annoyed at that, but never audibly uttered his dissatisfaction, just a frown. Miss Ignis chuckled again. And I felt myself un-tensing too with this gesture.

I bowed in gratitude at her, pressed my lips, and voiced my thanks as well before I shook my head. "No, ma'am. I... haven't heard of this at all. If I may, is this what death looks like? Is this momentary? I mean, do we get to void after this? Or—"

—we're alive still? I needed to ask her that—a confirmation beyond mine, but I halted my questions realizing I asked faster than intended. She waited for me to finish but I just nodded at her, finding no words.

"Oh. Well before that, you can just call me Miss Ignis, little Nudius. I feel a little old with ma'am. It would do some people dishonor for me to be called so formally as such," Miss Ignis introduced with a wave of her hand while Mr. Endar finally snorted at that. Which she only smiled back at him for, not sparing the man a sharp look or address him as she continued, "So please do. It would be lovely to have you call me that way, dear."

I acquiesced and whispered what I thought was a moniker. And I believed it was when Mr. Endar was with another snort and a hushed murmur. Or maybe it had been a different matter. But Miss Ignis couldn't be bothered to spare another look at him.

"For your questions, well... yes. This is one way how death would look like. It wasn't those scary things where you'd forget sensations and meet some kind of nice gods around. You really can't feel anything here, but look!"

I blanked for a moment as she swiftly took the hand of the similarly blanked man beside her and rubbed it all over her faded chest.

"See! You get to do things without moans!"

I nodded at her, much more concerned at how the man mechanically took his hands back. Neither annoyed nor delighted, but looked... defeated. As if it was an occurrence of everyday. If I had been him, I'd surely recoil at least. I felt my nerves at that, and was in the process of edging minutely away from her.

"Umm... yes." I wondered if I must grope mine too to show her facts, but she began murmuring to herself. Thankfully.

"Hmm, how weird. They usually blush at that—ah no, can't see that now, can I? But then, she neither looked bashful or was biting her lips or had that widening eyes."

Miss Ignis was frowning, and I too did—worriedly. Had I said something that irked her? Then she took back the escaping hands and began smacking it towards her below.

"Finally!" she said at my widening eyes. I just had to. The sound it formed definitely hurt. I've never even dared do that with my sisters, or even brothers. And the way she did looked offensive and invasive. It was with how the man finally struggled free from Miss Ignis and murmured something inaudible.

"Little girl, I knew you had it in you!"

I almost doubled over from her slap on my shoulder. However, I was more surprised I had not felt pain, only noticing now. In fact, the itchiness I was bearing was also gone. As if I've returned to that semi-unfeeling state.

But as that was, I realized what was her point. Miss Ignis had that reassuring smile back, then her left hand was towards me, fingers curled except for the thumb.

Was my apprehension that obvious? I don't... think so.

Even so, I felt myself in gratitude again over her intentions, and I sent her my ok sign too. And this time, with a firm nod and a smile I tugged with relief.

"If it's temporary? Hmmm...," she steered back, thoughtful. "Some would say hopeless is the prettiest word for that. Given how hard it is to find this particular something in this dead world to catapult you back to life. Yet, that's the rarest case. If you have them Revivalist Classers take you back, it's not really hopeless. They're uncommon by too, though, but I've heard they offer charity from time to time so the possibility remains. If not then those couriers earlier would bring us our real demise.

Oh, now that I've worded it that way. The answer would be yes! To life or to death! Aight, foons!" she cheered back lifting a fist—which had been answered with half-hearted agreements—before she continued. "and for demise beyond this death, well, no one really knows. That's a question lost to time. So perhaps void might just what awaits us. Still—"

I faced her with serious face, hardly catching the details of what she said but the gist remains. And briefly, she answered the question I had not asked and summarized everything I needed answers of.

"—remember we're alive still. That hope remains."

Living. So I was correct to assume I am. And relieved I was. But from her words, I could only scour this place to find my way back to life. As for that revival word... I'm quite sure I've never heard such thing. But the extended word was a recent word I've wondered. Class. It sounded more than magic can do if it can bring life. More than what the great mages had preached about. Now, I wonder if this is the true form of death. They had not talked of this at all.

... well, not like I've heard many. Still, I had an option to live again. I nodded at her, resolved.

"Though, I must ask, little one, as to not get your hopes up. Are you perhaps from an untouched land? Ah no, damn it. Of course if she was then she probably don't know laymen's terms." she murmured that last part then continued, "I mean, wow! To really have not heard of the famed God's Crypt. Don't tell me that you don't even know the magical words of the Absolute One?"

Magical words? So someone owns it?

She chuckled as if she was speaking a meaningless statement. But when she saw the slow shake of my head, she asked again, "Really? You must have come from the untouched land, then, to have not seen either. Hmmm... or did someone fail at their epic space magic dabblings that you ended up here? Are you a hero who's been wrongly summoned?"

Miss Ignis asked with unreserved curiosity, and confusion was beginning to settle on me from words after words she had been on about.

"Umm, no? Ma'a—Miss Ignis. What I know is that there is just void that awaits us in our death. I did die by magic, ma'am—miss! But it wasn't anything like the... epic space magic. And umm... " I considered what her last words were, but the looks I was getting from the others made me feel unnerved, forgetting what it was. But I didn't show it from my expression or movement, instead, I assumed modesty with a blink and a gulp. Reining my discomfort.

"I don't really know about who God is or who Ab...sot? one is," I looked at her and she stared back at me.