บท 33: Back in Black
Planet Earth, the big blue marble. Different from the one Duraeus grew up on. This was significantly more hostile. A different Earth for one. The same modern tech– to an extent. The difference of being a different Earth on a different universe is but the tip of the iceberg. For one… this world deals with a war. One unknown to the naked eye. This war was between the sovereigns and emissaries. A bleak and nonsensical war. One created by the very same master that created both factions: The Absolute Being. Both sides grew tired, a senseless war on technical brothers. The Sovereigns were created for destruction. The destruction of worlds was their purpose of creation by The Absolute Being. The Emissaries, the ones to maintain existence. They were created to keep the existence of such worlds. Both creation and destruction, manifested into being by The Absolute Being– they pleaded for the war to end only to fall on deaf ears… and entertained eyes.
The Emissaries later realized the folly of pleaing. They plead to end the Sovereigns… or at least give them the ability to end them themselves. Still, they in the end saw the root of all their troubles: The Absolute Being. They rebelled, attacking their creator. But one such Emissary chose to stand up against the rebels and defend his creator. The Emissaries changed their title– from envoys… to Rulers. But as mentioned, one stood against what was once his allies.
His name is Ashborn. He was an Emissary, a special one– but his abilities as an Emissary ain't up to par against his former allies. His death, though, made him realize a darker power within– one The Absolute Being kept from him as well as the others. Such timing… he was too late– by the time the second round came for him and the Rulers… this creator was already reduced to atoms.
The Sovereigns– now called Monarchs– were at war with the Rulers. Along with them was the newly resurrected Ashborn. Now wielding a darker power, he was a force alone. Some could say he was a solo player. But alas, as he grew in power, it wasn't totally one sided. The Rulers had already captured the King of Giants; the Monarch of the Beginning if we're going off his different name. Ashborn's involvement was helpful, but as he battled and grew in power, his allies and enemies were seeing a bigger target that's growing with no limits. He was betrayed by two Monarchs later down the road, the Rulers offered peace with only him. Living to fight another day, Ashborn took the offer and went into hiding to grow.
Other events happened here and there. The infighting between Ashborn and the Monarchs gave the Rulers enough lead to severely cripple the Monarchs. So… now… the Monarch of Destruction pulled the forces of the others to regrow their forces.
That leads to the current situation. With hopes of a place to recuperate, the Monarchs ultimately found Earth. The Rulers didn't take kindly to their movements and wrought havoc along the planet's surface– both supernatural and human casualties were abundant. The Rulers still being held by their creational purpose, they used the Cup of Reincarnation to rewind time to a decade past. Humanity is weak. As a rectification of such weakness, the Rulers lent them their powers to certain humans– creating the first Hunters to walk the Earth.
But as the Rulers were spreading magical energy all around through Hunters in hopes to reducing the casualty of humanity from genocide to only a massecre, the Monarchs weren't sitting on their asses twiddling their thumbs.
Unbeknownst to them, a variable has occurred.
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Gates, that's what humanity has taken into calling them. These gates were portals to another dimension– or simply Dungeons. Abandoned buildings, deserts, oceans, a battlefield, a forest, they can lead to where one would least expect them to lead. If not taken care of in due time, they lead to a dungeon break. That event leads to havoc, whatever is inside them dungeons essentially get yard time like that of those in prison. As one can imagine, they need to be dealt quickly.
Hidden, one such Gate exists. Abandoned, the building it resides hasn't seen the infectional touch of a human being. The Gate itself was recently arisen from thin air. In blue it swirled, like a ball of potential energy. A school of sorts, the Gate resides in the middle of the court yard. The walls chipped, painting tarnished, bulletin boards have seen better days, vines crawled all around from the years it's been left desolate. The building was all in one with some detachments like sheds to hold PE equipment. Four stories high– not counting the basement floor. Writing was hard to read at best, but the stroke marks left suggest an asian text of sorts. The courtyard was overgrown– weeds everywhere. The track nowhere to be seen as greenery took over years ago. The reason for such abandonment is lost to most, the memory of such a place is conveniently lost to all. But, that doesn't stop others from making new memories of it–
"Da Kyubok, hurry up!" A man calls out to another.
"I'm right behind you, Pak Baek-Hyeon," the man named Da Kyubok responded in exasperated breathing.
–even if the memory turns out to be a lost nightmare…
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A duo named Da Kyubok and Pak Baek-Hyeon hiked up the mountain for a while. They started early– five o'clock exactly! Took them about an hour to reach their destination. Kyubok was the one that suggested this. Recently, he found a gate at an abandoned school. He found no records of it, no witnesses, no word– as if he were the only one knowledgeable. But that doesn't matter, what matters is the content inside the lost property: the gate. With his greenhorn eyes, he didn't think it would be any tougher than E rank. For normal Gates, E rank is the lowest– which translates to the easiest; while the highest is S. He was a newly founded C rank Hunter, a grade above the Gate's estimated rank– evaluated by him.
As a new recruit, he wanted to dive in. With him was Pak Baek-Hyeon, a longtime friend and a fellow Hunter. He was a veteran C rank in the field and has been a Hunter for about a year. But he has made a rookie mistake. Greed in his eyes, here to make a quick buck. E rank Gates– E rank in general are barely stronger than normal Humans; with the two being C ranks (even though one is a newbie), his mind was egotistical in thinking only two of them can easily deal with the boss inside. Such activities are usually done in a group… unless you're S rank… or a certain individual that has yet to receive their awakening.
The forest covered the entire foreground, the high school was in shambles– a perfect place for the climax of a horror film. The two finally entered the vicinity, all dirtied up for the trail was unkempt.
Kyubok looked at the building, curiosity sparkled a glint of interest in his black eyes.
"Pak, shall we explore before we enter the dungeon? It's just behind this school."
Pak entertained the thought, "No, we're here to get you experience and my paycheck. Even if it's a measly E rank…"
Da shrugged and led the charge with Pak right on his tail. They entered the school, skimmed through what they could, and exited to the closest door leading to the courtyard. It's to be expected: desolate by time, nothing looked as it should as it once was… if even such a time existed for this place.
"There!" Da pointed at the obvious large blue portal.
Pak took a moment to admire it, or to prepare himself. E rank or not, one risks their life if entering one of these Gates– no matter how weak the enemies are expected to be.
Da takes a deep breath, nervous for this is his first time. No word was said as action spoke for them. Pak took the first step; Da soon followed as he took the example led by his friend.
Inside, they were created by a darkness like no other. Da and Pak had their eyes adjusted, yet there was no aspect of light for their eyes to adjust to. Being experienced, Pak retrieved his backpack he was carrying and retrieved a torch. The darkness didn't make it easy, much less retrieving it later.
"Bro… I can't see," Da complained as his heart raced. He had on him a simple short sword and wore basic leather armor. His hands manage to draw the sword from its scabbard. Though his wielding of it leaves improvement to be desired.
"Hold on."
Pak stumbled getting a lighter of sorts from his pact. Both of them weren't magic users, especially any kind versatile enough to be casting any light source.
—Click!
"There!" Pak Exclaimed.
The click of a lighter brought forth light. Not a tiny ember, the spark ignited the surroundings, like a light source of any kind was the catalyst to light the room.
"Wow… looks promising." Commented Pak.
A row of torches revealed the entire area as they lit on their own. The room was gothic in design, pillars held up the ceiling. Dark gray walls etched within the material of elaboration or embroidery of dragons.
Da spots the drawings of dragons along the walls, "That don't look too promising."
Pak returned the torch and lighter back on his backpack, "Remember: E rank Gate. Nothing here is stronger than the both of us. Just keep a cool head and be aware of your surroundings. Do that and you'll keep your head."
Da nods in understanding and takes a deep breath. He gave a thumbs up as a sign he was good to go.
"Good… well," Pak looks around, "I only see one door."
Forward, they marched. Pak, now with his spear drawn, took the vanguard while Da was acting melee support. The door Pak mentioned was large, enough to fit a large being… maybe even a Primarch close to Vulkan's size. As they neared it, no attacks or traps hindered their advancement. Pak had a nervous sweat down his back, fortunately he was good with a poker face. Something about not being interfered with brings a sudden chill of something more menacing: the unknown.
At the base of the large door, the entrance began to open. They didn't even touch it. A stone door, it grated on the ceiling and the ground as heavy grinding echoed. The floor shook; the first cracks as it opened released a primal aura– both felt it.
"Pak… maybe we should turn back" Da's voice trembled. His fear showed in broad daylight.
"E rank, Da, E Rank…" even Pak had a hard time convincing himself.
It took time, but the two pushed forward, guarding at their highest.
They entered the room. Pak being the vanguard took the first step in. Another set of torches lit up. They had black fire like the ones in the previous room. Black fire within at the core of the flames, white outlines danced the dance of death. The room was circular, large like that of an arena. Empty, at least no inanimate or animate beings were present. More etches of dragons followed the walls. The dragons, both full bodied and humanoid, all looked at the center of the wall– just across from the door on the other end of the room. There, a drawing of a woman sitting on a chair of guns. The dragons… on a second glance, they were humanoids of sorts. They wore heavy armor not like that of their world. They all kneeled to the woman sitting on the throne. She herself had a dress finished with a hood. Her mouth and below being the only visible parts of her face. She held a smile, gentle– a contrast to the malicious intent of each etched being on the walls.
"What do you think this is?" Da yelled from across the room.
They've split up to scan the room. Pak on the right, Da on the left if one were to look from the doorway. They already spent minutes finding clues to continue this dungeon.
"Hell if I know," Pak responded back, his eyes not leaving the beautiful illustration of the woman.
"Maybe we should've reported this?"
Pak doesn't respond, entranced by the woman on the wall. Da makes his way to his friend to see what's up. He calls to him, insults him, touches him, whatever Da did to get his attention– no results. Da then decides to follow Pak's gaze. Da met the woman on the wall. He glimpsed at it from afar, but now that he's closer. He feels… at ease. Also, an urge.
Said urge was taking a hold on Da, his hands itching to touch the carved illustration of this mysterious woman on a throne of guns. Pak was feeling the same urge. He's been feeling it for a while since he's been looking at the carving for a while now. Finally, he reaches out; guard completely down.
"YOU DARE!"
The loud roar woke them up from their stupor. They had no time to ponder what just happened to them as they turned to see the room no longer empty– except for themselves. In the middle stood a giant: it stood at a rough guess of about 300 centimeters (about 10 ft. tall). Black armor, it resembled that of some of the armor carved on the walls, but this one had a more fantasy knight influence to it. The thing held no weapon in its hands. They had to crane their necks to see the eyes of the being. A line slanted downward made the visor of the helm. They were gold, or a really piercing and bolded shade of yellow. It looked at them with great offense.
The two stood frozen still, unable to think or do. Both ended up waiting for a bit, a response… but none came. It just stood there menacingly. Then, Pak got the courage to speak.
"It's just a statue…" he was unsure himself.
Da kept his eyes on it, his hands trembling. He barely kept a hold on his blade. Pak saw it as he looked over. Using his free hand, he grabbed a hold of Da's shoulder and shook him hard.
"WAKE THE FUCK UP!"
Pak's wake up call took Da out of his own worst thoughts. Da took his eyes off the 'statue'
–a big mistake.
—Thud–klcik!
The two spun their heads so fast, they looked like they had motion blur on. From their eyes, the 'statue' had its left foot forward. Confusion, until one of them got an idea–
"Pak… I have a dumb idea." Da blurted out as he strained his eyes to keep looking at the thing.
"Let me guess: to look away for a second to see if this thing moves when we don't look– right?"
Pak was right on target as from his peripheral vision he saw Da nodding his head carefully. Pak took a deep breath, he couldn't hide it anymore. He was scared shitless. The armor on the thing looks impenetrable. Size does matter in intimidation as he was pretty sure that thing could pick him up like a toy. Plus, the fact that that thing wasn't here and then suddenly appeared. Meaning, it was here all along, just hiding. The scary part of that knowledge was that this thing is capable of stealth with its size. But the scariest thing of all, was that it spoke. Being able to speak means that it has a significant amount of intelligence. They were at a major disadvantage.
Forget a measly paycheck, the objective now is to survive.
"Ok," Pak stupidly agreed to test a theory, "on three."
"One… two–"
"One… two–"
"THREE."
There was a flaw in their judgment. Looking away means no sightline… that's also true when they close their eyes. Plus, their judgment wasn't needed: the 'statue' could move normally.
"MOTHE–"
"WATCH YOUR PROFANITY YOU FILTH! YOU STAND BEFORE HER GREATNESS! YOU SHALL NOT UTTER SUCH BARBARIC WORDS YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"
Pak, the one about to spew 'barbaric words' wasn't able to pick up on the irony as the giant backhanded him across the room. He flew, Pak was airborn for seconds before hitting and splattering on the wall. Like a game of charades, Pak was acting out a dead mosquito as his body was a couple of inches in the wall itself. If the cracks didn't show the severity of the impact, the waterfall of crimson should. Gear, weapon, life, Pak had none of that.
"BAEK-HYEON!" Da yelled out. His eyes had an ever changing glint. From disbelief to rage, he eyed the statue like an angry puppy– not the cute part, but the helplessness of such young beings.
"DIE!" Da yelled out.
Da lunged with his blade raised. His judgment clouded, he didn't know the futility of his actions. Fortunately, the 'statue' was here to give it a lesson.
The giant winded up his pimp hand and delivered a backhand to Da. The pimp force is strong in this one. Da spew blood from the impact of the gauntlet–
—Boom!
"Ack!"
Not only was blood the issue, so was every bone in his body. All were blown to smithereens. The impact off the wall didn't help either as he bounced off instead of being a new wall decor. He landed stomach down– deleting all his air. His lungs punctured from his bones, he gasped for air. Each attempted intake was a pain like no other– adding on to his large list of things to feel from. His eyesight blurred, but the size of the giant was the only thing that centered on his eyesight.
It made its way across the room, only stopping a foot from Da's head.
"Eg…agh… phg…" Da's couldn't form a single coherent word. His vocal cords are all sorts of screwed up.
The giant looked down, face hidden behind his blackened helm, "YOUR EXISTENCE OFFENDS ME! DIE!"
With a raised leg, he brought his foot down–
—SPLAT!
Like killing a random insect that splatters all its bug juices, underneath the giant's boots was blood, guts, and tiny bit of shit. The giant shifted his legs and grinded the body into paste until satisfied.
Silence… then only he remained. It looked over at the depiction of its mother and gave it a respectful nod of the head before turning over toward the door. It watched as the door slowly closed. It looked as if everything was fine. As the door completely closes, it forms an image. It was it, holding a large sword with a large dragon wrapping itself around the giant, leaving only its upper body visible. All the drawings and carvings have been of stone. No visible colors whatsoever. But this one, the giant's eyes glowed a threatening hew of gold. The giant admired it, admired himself.
The giant was Duraeus… and he was back in black.
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