Chapter 76: The Challenge of the Heavens
The wind gently caressed the highest treetops of the hill.
The trees swayed softly while the grasslands bent under the breeze. From that elevated position, the enormous valley remained completely exposed.
They remained in an almost ritualistic silence.
The eight men stayed lying in the grass, hiding even the slightest movement.
From their privileged position they observed and determined their next steps.
They imitated predators that had learned to wait for hours for a single opportunity.
Abyss kept his eyes fixed on the gigantic construction. His voice was barely a murmur.
"When the sun’s rays descend and illuminate the highest part of the ruin... its doors will open."
The sound blended with the wind.
The others listened without responding.
From their reactions, it was evident that they could endure those difficulties with ease. They had turned patience into a habit.
Gabriel, on the other hand, was beginning to feel the moisture seeping through his clothes. The damp earth slowly stuck to his arms as he tried to imitate them.
He even hid his breathing.
Of all those present, he was the one who least wanted his position to be revealed. He preferred to maintain prudence in the unknown terrain.
They are much more professional than they appear... Maybe with them we have a great opportunity, he thought in silence.
His gaze slowly descended toward the numerous groups gathered around the ruin. His concern did not come from fear itself, but from another throbbing sensation.
It was his instinct calling out.
Each of those entourages transmitted discipline, leaving behind the past improvised groups.
They carried weapons that gleamed with exceptional sharpness and armors that cost fortunes in gold coins.
In that tense atmosphere, they preferred to remain silent beside their leaders in an obedient manner.
Their vigilance was constant and evident.
Their eyes showed that they were all prepared to kill any obstacle.
The true predators had gathered solely because of the ruin.
The balance was so fragile that a single mistake would be enough to break it. Then he focused his gaze again on the figure he knew very well.
Francis.
The thief continued walking nervously among a small group of men.
His nervousness was evident, with absurd clarity.
Gabriel could almost imagine his thoughts.
But another question emerged, standing out above all others.
How had he ended up there?
It did not seem like his own decision.
Knowing Francis, he probably would have preferred to hide in any dumpster rather than voluntarily approach such a place.
His presence managed to rekindle his intrigue about his secrets.
He shifted his attention again.
As he observed more carefully, new details began to reveal themselves. One of the groups was composed of completely shaved men.
They wore dark robes adorned with religious symbols. Each one held a heavy iron staff.
Their figures were not very different from statues, without speaking or gesturing.
A second group contrasted completely.
Many barely wore leather garments on their torsos. Their bodies were covered in scars and strange tattoos.
Some laughed carefree while sharpening their weapons. Transmitting an almost obsessive brutality.
But even among all of them, certain figures stood out.
One was a tall man with golden hair, his armor shining under the gray light of the sky. His hand remained on the hilt of his sword, conveying a degree of authority difficult to fake.
But there was also a strange figure that stood out. Dressed in a simple gray robe, he sat cross-legged on the ground.
His eyes remained closed the entire time, but a foolish smile grew on his face.
Yet even so, he apparently remained completely focused. With a slight energy surrounding him.
A voice arose beside Gabriel.
"We have old acquaintances. Those unpleasant monks from the Church of Rhodes and the despicable Fallen of Prometheus."
It was the same man who had joked inside the carriage earlier.
An amused smile was drawn on his face.
"What a pie... It seems to have attracted a lot of interest."
Abyss did not even take his eyes off the ruin.
"There are still others missing. This is just beginning." His response was calm.
The man beside Gabriel let out a contained laugh.
"Hey, Jester... remember well. Those bitter bald guys are the monks... and those unpleasant half-naked men represent Prometheus’s homoerotic confession." He said, pointing discreetly toward the different groups.
Several laughs escaped immediately among those present. Even one of them had to cover his mouth.
Gabriel simply memorized the information.
The joke was unimportant. Instead, the names played their own role.
To survive, he needed to know the strengths and weaknesses of his enemies.
***
Time began to advance slowly. The shadows changed position almost imperceptibly.
New groups continued arriving from different paths. But none initiated confrontations.
Everyone maintained a prudent distance. Falling into a balanced state of peace.
The predators observed each other constantly, as if their distance was only shore to shore across a river.
It was then that Gabriel recognized other newcomers.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The Despots.
They remained gathered near the periphery. Once again adopting that terrifying state of mute synchronization.
He was beginning to distinguish a greater force behind a small city like Bérsaic. The true face of the world.
Edward’s words crossed his mind fleetingly again.
But he pushed them away with determination. It was not the right moment.
He needed to fulfill his mission.
Abyss spoke again.
"We will be slow. But we will cross the field... and strike like the whip of God."
His words immediately captured the group’s attention.
No one asked for the meaning. Everyone instinctively understood the strategy.
While the others would fight desperately, they would remain in the shadows. When the chaos finally began to settle, that would be when they would attack with greater vehemence.
One of the men broke the silence.
"Will more people really come?"
Abyss slowly raised his hand.
Measuring the position of the sun with his fingers, he responded:
"No. Or not many more. Bérsaic has few powers capable of disputing such an opportunity."
His eyes continued calculating the light carefully.
No one uttered another word.
***
The sky began to change slowly. The thick clouds moved with slowness and then it happened.
A single ray of sunlight pierced the clouds. It descended from above and illuminated exactly the highest point of the gigantic construction.
For a moment everything remained the same. But quickly the earth began to tremble. A deep rumble was born beneath the surface.
Dust accumulated for a long time fell from the enormous columns. The old vines began to detach.
Large fragments of stone rolled down the stairs.
The ruin seemed to awaken from its lethargy. The gigantic front doors vibrated.
They slowly began to open with a deafening sound.
As if a mountain were resentful enough to move.
Then all apparent peace disappeared.
"NOW!!" Someone shouted.
The groups ended up advancing simultaneously. The first ones ran directly toward the entrance.
Pushes, insults, and orders.
Chaos was born in barely a few seconds.
Then the first death appeared. A man fell pierced by a knife, his blood splashing on the stairs.
But the original aggressor quickly died, falling under the retaliation of another man.
The calm that had been preserved until that moment finally exploded. Chaos spread.
There were different exchanges of swords and even arrows flew.
Some talented users used magic to counterattack.
Screams became common.
The enormous access became a true battlefield. Each organization protected only its own.
The improvised alliances dissolved from one moment to the next.
Gabriel observed everything from the hill.
He did not need to intervene in that bloody battle.
Abyss also gave no order. He remained lying down the entire time.
The fight continued.
For several minutes blood flowed without control. But little by little, the groups began to finally cross the entrance.
The survivors left the corpses behind. Their priority remained the interior.
After a few seconds the atmosphere finally fell silent. Only corpses and fresh blood remained.
The enormous doors rose before them. Like the true gates of the underworld.
Abyss sounded relaxed for the first time.
"It’s our turn."
The eight descended immediately. They moved quickly, like shadows waiting for the final judgment to commit all kinds of atrocities.
But they discovered they were not the only ones.
From different corners, other small groups began to appear that had also waited hidden.
Wolves.
They had all allowed others to do the bloodiest work.
The Black Beetles had never been the only patient hunters.
They quickly crossed the enormous threshold. None of them tried to stop uselessly, in a tacit agreement.
When they crossed, they discovered that the interior was totally different from what they had imagined. Inside there were no hallways or conventional forms.
Before them extended an immense clearing. The ceiling remained so high that it was barely distinguishable.
Successive columns surrounded the immense site.
The place was completely empty except for them.
Apparently there were no enemies, traps, or monsters in that place. But before they could explore, a vibration spread.
Different runes began to light up. Complex lines appeared on the ground and then on the walls.
Covering the enormous columns and filling the place with bright colors.
A solemn voice began to spread from all directions. It was ancient and majestic.
As if it had remained waiting for centuries to pronounce those words again.
______________
You have accepted to join the Challenge of the Heavens!
Good luck, player.
It will now be your responsibility to overcome the different challenges and trials.
If you die... it was by your own hands.
______________
The message resonated in Gabriel’s ears.
He had not managed to identify the origin of the voice, but the force it contained behind it made him reconsider several things.
Ordinary events didn’t come with spoken announcements.