MM - Chapter 47 - DARKNESS

Darkness swallowed the mystic land. It swept over Raine, plunging him into the vastness of a cosmos without stars. Only the skulls on the ground around him and the cave near the top of the mountain provided any semblance of realism in a universe without sound or color.

He bounded to his feet and snatched them up, leaving one in each hand to guide his way. Remembering the tiny hole in the platform, the logical part of his brain told him to run toward the gateway. Surely the scythe was his key to leave.

Raine couldn't bring himself to do it. If he returned to Zoarra without all three idols, she would likely demand the weapon, or enact some even worse penalty. If that was the case, he may as well die trying because he'd end up with nothing for his efforts anyways.

Leaning forward, he pumped Discipline into every step, madly sprinting to reach the edge of the crater. The air was rapidly thinning, making his lungs burn with effort. The sky, or what was left of it, pulled at his weight with each step. He ignored it all, his focus entirely dedicated to avoiding any fissures that barred his path.

He jumped over one, only for his eyes to snap open when another began to form right beneath him. The burnt ground stretched and twisted as though a giant's fist grabbed a chunk of reality and pulled it through a tube. Raine’s Discipline bottomed out when he Lunged midair. He flew over the second rift, hitting the ground running.

More and more fractures appeared around him, some blocking his way, others any path of retreat. He sprinted between two that were close enough they tore at his skin, threatening to consume him in suffocating darkness. Every step was agony. [-20, -20, -20] He pressed on, making it through the encirclement with less than fifty health.

The edge of the crater was near, and far beyond it, a cave promising riches and glory if he would only keep going.

I do not raise my fists wishing for an easy death! I do not turn from danger. I fear, but I do not relent!

Raine crooned a phrase from his favorite novel as he combined a sidestep and shuffle, blasting around a fresh hole. Just before the edge of the crater, he reached the previously weakened part of space to find the ground chock full of impenetrable darkness. Already, it would be impossible to cross.

He looked up, still able to see the mountain and cave, which meant the way was clear. Shaking his head and repeating the line again, he ate a Stremph Berry for the Potency and Discipline, then bent his knees. He Leaped straight up, and with gravity sundered, he flew high into the air.

With a swift motion, he stored the two skulls and withdrew his drifter.

[Gromglenn Premium Skydrifter - Marvelous Gold: Activate outside of combat to glide from a high elevation. Premium version is equipped with textile obfuscation, sound canceling, wind harnessing, and enhanced durability. Creator is not responsible for device failures that result in prolonged screaming before sudden death. (Durability 143/200)]

The device harnessed what little wind remained to pull him in the direction of the mountain. When his Discipline regenerated to ten, he stored the drifter and Lunged straight up, only to re-activate the device once more. Normally, such a strategy would be laughable, but with little to no gravity, it worked just fine. 

The real issue was speed.. He wasn't getting anywhere fast. A minute later, he had enough to Lunge forward. He alternated between altitude and speed, his goal widened before him. A tremendous cracking resounded through the land. It was followed by a whooshing of displaced air as though the world itself had been whisked away.

His drifter harnessed the displaced air and he shot forward far too quickly to dodge any of the rifts that began forming around him. The sky was no longer immune.

Much of the mountain was gone as Raine reached the cave and gravity slammed into him. Not one rift polluted the cavern as he was landed amidst Lustrous Blue radiance. It was a large space that looked like a king's private den, decorated with ancient plaques, banners, and finery. Much of it was withered by time, but his keen eyes knew every piece to be a treasure to the right bidder.

Unfortunately, there wasn't time. The fact the cave was free of rifts gave him the slightest hope that the gateway would be too, if he hurried.

Dashing toward the back of the cave, his fingers brushed across the lids of five Lustrous Blue chests. Since there were no enemies around, he could either remain in contact to immediately open it after five seconds, or be the last to touch it within fifteen to claim it as his personal property, allowing him to store the entire chest in his inventory.

Continuing by them while the seconds ticked away, he reached a display case with a full set of leather armor. His hands blurred as he stored each piece, then the four items on a shelf inside an open armoire. 

Lunge maxed out his speed and he dragged his tingling fingers across the surface of a weapons rack, storing the pristine armaments as well. He reached the back of the cave where an idol rested atop a familiar pedestal. it disappeared into the black hole of his inventory along with the rest.

Immediately, the cave shook hard enough to throw him into the air. A slab of stone slammed down from a hidden release in the ceiling, closing the exit. A skull mounted on one of the walls clacked, cackling at Raine's arrogance.

Its eyes glowed, their light a rainbow of hues that formed a king's image where they struck the carpeted floor. Then, surprisingly, the image spoke, “Thief, beggar, or descendant; I care not your origins, only that you are worthy. If you came to this place with honor and dignity, then my questions three you will answer with ease. Will you take my test, would-be monarch, or join me in eternal rest.”

“I'll answer!” Raine snapped, the usual politeness When speaking to an NPC nowhere to be found.

“A wise choice. Now, my first query: Grief and misery are but one side of a coin, what is the other?”

Raine didn't dare utter a curse or even sigh loudly at the seemingly impossible riddle. He was far from without hope, as the answer could only have something to do with what he'd experienced inside the mystic land. He forced his pounding heart to settle, and set aside his impatience to quickly review and catalog everything he'd seen.

A desert, jungle, and dead fields. A civilization left to ruins. Ancient guardians all that remain of a crumbling land. Rifts leading to the abyss. The idols!

Raine quickly read all three of their descriptions, immediately knowing the question pertained to the first idol.

[Korahn’s Idol of Indomitability: Polutan strived for peace through might of arms. His legacy was an empire without equal, built upon the suffering of millions]

If suffering of millions is the grief and misery, then the other side of that coin would be an empire without equal. Easy enough.

Raine was confident in his reply, knowing the questions likely only get harder, “Prosperity”

“Precisely. A wise monarch understands why the people are made to suffer, so their toils are not wasted. Next: What does not exist in nature, yet foolish mortals strive to bring into being?”

So these questions and answers are designed to test for a competent ruler. That helps a little.

Raine found his next clue in the jungle's idol.

[Korahn’s Idol of Steadfastness: Xar strove for balance in all things. His legacy was a people gone blind and toothless, allowing nature to take its revenge]

Balance exists in nature, so it's not that simple. It's what the balance represents to a race, a civilization that I need to figure out. They went blind and toothless from it. Something to do with being a ruler, no, to the act of ruling!

“Fairness.”

“Indeed. Fair only exists when standing behind might capable of overturning the logic of the world. Where is fair for the ant? The bird caught by the cat? Those born poor or sickly? I will tell you where!” The image slammed his foot into the floor and the cavern quaked again, “We create it with absolute power! Fairness is the privilege of the strong. May you be mighty enough to bring its light to your people without falling to ruin for daring to defy the heavens.”

During the king monologue, Raine took a chance and reached out a toe to tap the nearest chest which was sucked into his inventory with a pop of displaced air. Seeing no reaction, he quickly did the same to the others and was back before the ruler before he finished his next question.

“My final question is both test and plea: Our slaves died for it, our warriors fought for it, and our very citizens came to spurn it. It is what you, and all without it, desire most. Yet those with it know not its value.”

Raine already knew the answer before the ancient king finished speaking. He checked the last idol anyway, not about to mess up at the very end from overconfidence.

[Korahn’s Idol of Scheming: Shirin sought to silence her enemies at their root. Her home fell to ruin as its most valuable resource fell to her blade]

Raine nodded, “Freedom.”

The king smiled sadly, waving his hand, “Do not fail as we did.” Where he pointed, the wall fell away, revealing a smaller gateway than the one he'd used to enter the Mystic Land. It stood on a raised dais with a tiny slot in the stones at its base.

Raine's muscles drooped in relief and he tilted to the side, catching the exhaustion that nearly overwhelmed him. The king vanished, along with everything remaining in the cave. With unsteady steps, not quite believing it was truly over, Raine stabbed the butt of Khoran's Judgment into the slot and the portal churned to life.

***

The moment Raine stepped through the portal, he sank to his knees, unable to stand. His vision swam and his chest seized. He couldn't breath or think. He felt utterly trapped in a consciousness that wasn't his as he fell down a long tunnel through darkness that closed in from all sides.

[!CAUTION!]

[Safe brain function levels exceeded. Forced logout in ten, nine, eight…]

A gleeful voice called to him as blaring red exclamations strobed distantly in his HUD, “Well done, my pet. Well done.” Zoarra's face popped into view, dominating the center of the tunnel. She waved her hand and he saw the idols that should have been safely tucked in his inventory floating before her ugly, wrinkled face.

With a snap, they turned to dark smoke and she breathed them in through her nose, her eyes rolling back in bliss. Her voice was so distant now, like a memory of a memory, “The suffering of an entire race is truly delectable. I eagerly await our next foray, little pet. Enjoy your nap.”

The last thing he saw was her finger inching toward him from far away. She tapped his forehead. Instead of understanding, all he could think was that her skin looked much smoother than a moment ago. Then, the encroaching dark swallowed him whole.

Richtor KongRu

Kevinsbakon’s shield thumped into the huge level ten spider's face with another well-placed Bash. It shuddered, the motion sickening as its innumerable hairs quivered in response. None of them reacted to the sight, their eyes already turned toward the walls.

Kevins's spear slid free, allowing sticky innards to splash across the narrow canyon floor. The group retreated a few steps as it fell, none of them wanting to be soaked, again. Sheens of golden light cascaded around Deloralicious and Richtor while trumpets blared in their ears alone. The sound was both artistic and delightful, a portent of past and future victories.

[Level up! +5 free attribute points]

[Skill point acquired]

“We did it. We actually did it,” the disbelief in Richtor's whispered tone was mirrored in Delora's piercing gaze.

She turned her attention back to her own notifications as he allocated his attributes to Connection. His staff came to life in his hands; the grains tickled his fingers and the mysterious Celestial energy he channeled through it felt ready to burst free from his body.

He shook off the heady sensations, selected his next skill without hesitation, then returned a watchful eye to their surroundings. 

Milkdud appeared next to him, dropping from stealth, “They're almost in position. Are we ready?”

The five of them shared anxious looks packed with more than a little excitement. Richtor nodded, his voice firm but still quiet, “Yah, just hit ten and they're right on time. How about we do like the boss said and walk out of here on a road paved with their corpses?”

“Did he really say that? He's so digital!”

Richtor didn't respond, he didn't need to. After the countless life and death battles together, their teamwork was more in sync than ever. As one, they crouched, vanishing amidst the rocky terrain.