The three entered the gate without much delay. Adrian and Dustan felt like they passed through something like water. The next thing they saw made Dustan's jaw drop as it is truly supernatural.
They are now in something like a different place because the place they were in disappeared behind them. Dustan tries to wrap his head around it but the science that he held in high regard cannot explain what he is experiencing now.
It is not just the setting that changed but also Kumi's form as she now had fox ears and nine tails behind her. She just smiled at the two they seemed to be captivated by her beauty. Even Adrian or rather Lugh has to admit that she looks beautiful but still not as beautiful as him.
Kumi's kimono also changed from a black colored one to a white and pink aesthetic with cloud or mist designs. She then stopped before a long flight of stairs and explained the situation to the both of them.
"Dear guests, we have arrived at the destination. From here on out, you will have to walk up by yourselves. The individual you are looking for would be at the top of the stairs. I have done my job as the guide, are you all satisfied?" Kumi asked as it is the standard procedure.
"Yes. Thank you for your help." Adrian stated.
"If that is the case then I shall be on my way." Kumi stated as she vanished into thin air.
"How are we going to return without her help?" Dustan asked.
"The door is still here. We could just exit through it. I hope." Adrian replied.
Dustan no longer had the energy to argue as it might be plausible. They will cross that bridge when they get there. The two decided to go up and ask the king of hell first. They should finish their task since they are already there.
After about ten minutes of walking up the stairs, the two realized that the stairs seemed endless. They continued going up for about half an hour.
"We are not getting anywhere." Dustan stated.
"I can see that. We are in something called a 'Spell Formation'." Adrian stated which made Dustan look at him.
"How do you know that? Are you sure?" Dustan asked.
"Let us just say that it is not my first time to encounter something like this." Adrian replied but Dustan is not buying his explanation, so he gave an example.
"You know of the stories of people getting lost in the woods?" Adrian asked Dustan.
"Yes, but it is just a case of them hallucinating due to wild herbs or exhaustion." Dustan replied with a plausible and logical explanation.
"You are right. Majority of the cases are like what you said but the unexplainable ones are linked to Spell Formations. We have many in our country because there are numerous mystical mountains and places in it. It is used to ward unwanted travelers in their territories." Adrian explained.
"If am understanding correctly then we are still considered as unwanted travelers. Any idea how we become invited guests?" Dustan asked.
"We request to have an audience with you." Adrian stated but he secretly released the aura of the Lightbringer.
The illusion that the Spell Formation is inducing finally lifted itself. The two then saw themselves in front of an old Japanese home. A nervous looking man in his forties then greeted the two of them.
"Greetings, L…" The nervous looking man is about to finish his sentence, but Adrian sent a sharp glare at him.
"Greetings. I am the fortune teller that those who need but do not want. How may I assist the visitors to my home today?" The man stated as he collected himself.
The man before them is wearing a shabby kimono unbefitting someone of his stature. The two already knew that the man before them is a king of hell. Adrian is smiling since Enma-o did not reveal his identity, but he really did not need to do that because Dustan fainted on the spot upon seeing the latter.
"It seems that your partner has fainted, your Eminence." Enma-o stated as he pointed to Dustan.
"Did you not turn off your godly aura. You do know that people that stare at gods for the first time would faint if they saw their true form. Also, what is this shtick about being a fortune teller? You are not disregarding your real job, are you?" Adrian asked with a calm temperament as he brought Dustan towards the house.
"Let me help you with that, your Eminence. I am not slacking off as I only come here whenever I need to unwind or in my free time." Enma-o replied.
"Since when did rulers of hell have free time? I better not find out that you are slacking off from your subordinates if they come to find me." Adrian stated with resolve.
"You say we need to do our duty, yet you already abandoned your post a millennia ago." Enma-o whispered to himself.
"What did you just say?" Adrian asked as he thinks he heard something that made him scratch his ears.
"Nothing. I just thought that you seem rather weak, your Eminence. I did not feel your aura at the entrance and thought that you were just a passerby." Enma-o stated with a smile as they laid Dustan down.
"I have yet to fully remaster my skills, but it would be easy with my greatness. If I train for a week then I would be back to my peak." Adrian stated with a mix of a bluff.
In fact, Adrian's powers are volatile until now and even he thinks that something is wrong with him. He could only deduce that something happened when he got caught up in an accident with his parents back then. He could tell that it would take at least a year to be back to at least half his peak strength.