" The Towering Worlds : Hell's Chalice. ™"
A Story written By @mohhdude.
(Be warned, there will be references from other series in this book!!)
Alternative Names -
"TTW : HC.™"
"Protocol — Hell's Chalice. ™"
"End of Earth, Beginning of Hell. ™"
Chapter VIII:
"The Approach."
Act II:
Sasaki and Aleksandr.
"This is greed: desire to speak all, and listen to none."
— Democritus.
.
.
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…Prior to Gudo Nomasaki's capture…
SEVERAL DAYS AGO,
[ SNOWFIELD OUTSKIRTS OF LEDYANOY ]
The fields were that of ravenous beasts; each time Gudo stepped closer to the Ledyanoian City, a bridge entering inside of it was visible. Gudo was pressured to go back, as his footprints dragged with the blizzards.
Auroras were visible in the distance, as the blizzard suddenly cleared. A person donned in the armor of a knight held a large spear in their hand, and a shield in the other.
Gudo extended his arm outwards, his hand reaching for his gun, the bayonets on the gun were covered in snow. The knight slammed the bottom of the spear onto the bridge, the emblem of the Roundtable of Caelum was on the Knight's chest piece.
"Sir, state thou purpose of entry!" The Knight yelled, their voice echoed as far as the ear could hear. Gudo gripped the handle of his gun, he was sent here by Árgos to collect info on Queen Alexia.
"I'm here to speak with her majesty, Alexia Zerkalo!" Gudo shouted back at the Knight. The Knight grew suspicious, they couldn't see it properly but it seemed that Gudo was reaching for something, the Knight slammed the bottom of their spear on the bridge again, as pikes of the same spear quickly burst out of the ground all around Gudo.
"Thou art the Son of the Infamous Kaori, the words spoken from your mouth cannot be trusted nor can I be fooled, Blasphemer of the Paradoxes!" The Knight shouted, Gudo gripped the handle of his guns, taking both of them out as he infused mana within them, he jumped up, aiming his guns down and blasts the floor, launching himself up in the air.
"Is that what they call us?!" Gudo aims the guns at the Knight, and The Knight aims their spear at Gudo's neck. "Tell me your name, Roundtable Dog." Gudo had venom seeping in his voice, his eyes half-lidded as he angled his face to the side to match the crosshairs of his guns.
"I am Volan Sokolov, of the twelve knights of the Roundtable of Caelum! I shall and will bring thee to her majesty of Ledyanoy!" Volan exclaimed, his spear glowed brightly, obscuring and blinding Gudo's vision. Gudo quickly leapt back, the blizzards were active once again by Alexia's magic.
Volan leapt forwards as his eyes glowed through the slits in his helmet for his eyesight, he thrusts his spear forwards to directly pierce through Gudo, Gudo flipped his gun into reverse grip and utilized the bayonet to slide through the piercing blow, sparks flew as the two leapt back.
Each time they clashed, red and blue sparks were seen flying across the fields, the red plume on the helmet of Volan fluttered at a high speed, Gudo shot, parried, and dodged. Not able to find a single opening to catch Volan off guard, it was clear to Gudo that Volan was no rookie. An experienced knight.
Volan stabbed the spear into the ground whilst Gudo dodged an attack, this time a spear was lodged through his thigh and trapped him in place, essentially harpooning Gudo to a fixed position. Volan swung the blunt side of his spear to stun Gudo.
"Speak, why art thou seeking an audience with her Majesty?" Volan pointed a spear at Gudo's neck, Gudo's arms were limp from the sudden bash in his temple, Volan cuts Gudo's palms in order for Gudo to feel pain whilst wielding his guns, sizzling were heard from the palms as Gudo grunted in pain. "Speak and I shall show mercy to thee."
… Gudo didn't speak, only glared at Volan. Volan sighed and once again used the blunt side of his spear to knock Gudo unconscious, and take him into Ledyanoy. Gudo's guns were confiscated in the process, and he was thrown into Ledynoian prison.
…
PRESENT DAY - [ AL'ADQAS LIBRARY ]
Taiyō looked to the skies, the giant crimson beam from Babel still remained even after a day or two, it won't be long until the skies take a darker, redder color from its blue sky. Taiyō's hands were behind his back, the wind was more intense than ever, and it was cloudy in Al'Adqas for the first time in a hundred years.
Aurum, Victor, and Rien were resting, Azaad was tending to their wounds, Victor was glancing away from the two. A Kanónas Envoy reached the steps of Al'Adqas's royal castle, "Majesty of Al'Adqas, I come from the Kingdom of Kanónas to hand a message to you written by Lord Adonis."
Taiyō nodded his head, gesturing to the envoy to speak of the message to him. "Carry on, Azaad, bring this one water." Azaad nodded his head, walking away from the now tended three to fetch the envoy some water.
The envoy looked at the scroll, and handed it to Taiyō instead. "His Majesty of Kanónas wanted you to read it in secret, sir." Taiyō nodded in understanding, taking the scroll from the envoy's hands. The envoy sat down with a sigh of relief, and Azaad handed the envoy water.
Taiyō walked to his own room, and sat on his throne, his hands slowly and gently remove the wax seal that represented the eye of Aria, opening it and reading the following:
…
Dear Majesty of One of the Five Nations,
You have been summoned to Kanónas's Royal Court and discuss the matter of the Awakening of the Demon of Heresy, this is an urgent matter and must be addressed immediately, absence will result in blame falling onto one of the rulers if a nation burns in a fire.
The bells toll louder than ever, we must act now or else our nations and people will be in danger from this monstrosity approaching us, bring any sort of help that can help against the threat or threats related to said threat.
— Sincerely, Adonis Vasiliás Sotíras.
…Taiyō called for Azaad, Azaad was at the doorframe of Taiyō's room. "Yes, my lord?" Taiyō glanced at Azaad, his eyes then glancing back at the scroll in his hands. "I need you to be in charge of the castle again."
"National Matters, my lord?" Taiyō nodded his head to Azaad's question, and Azaad understands the predicament Taiyō is in. "Very well. I'll be sure to keep watch of the castle." Azaad nodded his head in congruence with Taiyō's request.
"I trust that you will, Azaad. Just tell the three that I'm leaving for a little bit to solve matters in another country." Azaad once again nodded his head. "Goodbye for now, m'lord." Azaad smiles and waves at Taiyō, as Taiyō waves back and forms a golden portal to the Royal Courtroom of Kanónas.
…
[ PRESENT DAY - ROYAL COURTROOM OF KANÓNAS ]
It was a rainy day for the nation. Alexia Zerkalo of Ledyanoy, Ame Kazakiri of Tsūkikami, Reich Reinhar of Ironia, Taiyō Pevubri of Al'Adqas, and of course, Adonis V. Sotíras of Kanónas were all in one room.
Silence overtook the place of sound, all of them were thinking of something to halt the threat of Mikhail Rygielski, Alexia was holding a shackle in her hands. "Ahem, since nobody is speaking, I shall present a piece of evidence that will help with the threats ahead."
All eyes of the rulers except Alexia were on her, Alexia pulled the chain of the shackles forwards, with a familiar face with blue hair pulled forward to the eyes of the rulers. Taiyō immediately recognized the face, it was Gudo.
"Majesty of Ledyanoy, you bring a wanted criminal to the eyes of the Rulers?" Ame asked, Alexia nodded her head in confidence. "Yes, I believe that this specific variable can be a solution to our current equation. In which, he can bring us to the location of the Paradox base."
Gudo looked roughed up, like he was beaten up prior to the presentation of this choice, Adonis nodded his head. "A favorable choice at this time, but we must discuss the matter with the General, Maximus."
"I thought Sir Maximus was off-country?" Reich said to Adonis, Adonis, yet again, nodded his head. Holding out his hand and waiting as if a bird will land on it. "Yes, but not his familiar." An owl landed on Adonis's arm, the owl spoke. "'Tis an honor to meet all of you, Majesties of respected countries. This is Sir Maximus speaking."
"Lord Reich, I hope you have convinced young Greison to join us.", Maximus said through the owl, Reich shaked his head left and right. "No luck, Maximus. Greison is only refusing to protect his siblings at all times."
Maximus sighed, but he nodded his head, with the Owl mimicking his movements from afar. "Understandable, the boy had almost lost his brother."
"Back to the matter at hand, milords. Darius and Ria are with me as we tread through the forests of Putresc, Sora notified us after raiding a Paradox Base. So we can only assume that Gudo of Nomasaki has gone to the main base of operations of the Paradox Faction. So that is a plus for the future, now for the present…"
"I am far from Babel, and I can reach him if given time. But it will take a day for me to travel to Babel." Ame stood from her seat with a slight look of worry on her face, "By all means, Sir Maximus, a day of stalling Rygielski is no different from suicide, you all have read the Story of Heresy, and what he can do."
The courtroom stays silent for a little bit, the owl glances and turns its head to Taiyō. "Majesty of Al'Adqas, I trust you can use Astri—"
"No.", Taiyō said, cutting off Maximus immediately before he suggested the following words, his hands slammed on the table in front of him.
"Astrikí Siopí will never be used ever. Ever since she died, I have condemned the utilization of it by any and all souls." Alexia, Ame, Adonis and Reich went quiet, reminiscing about the bitter past they all had with Taiyō.
"Lord Taiyō, I apologize for bringing up your bitter past along with all of the other rulers. I really do. Is there any other solution in your mind?"
Taiyō thought in his head, then got… a rather stupid idea, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Well… there are a few ideas that come to mind. Maybe five."
…
[ SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE – AL'ADQAS CASTLE ]
Aurum and Victor were distancing from each other, silence only filled the gap between them. "...We spent four years together, Vic. How could you never tell me that you're a Royan?" Victor stayed quiet, Rien was just tending to his sword.
"I… didn't wanna tell you. Royans were terrible to Brutaci, Aurum. You know this." Victor said, as he was curled up into a ball. His ring marks around his fingers appeared, meaning he let his concealment go down.
"That isn't a reason, Victor–" Before they could continue, a portal opened below Aurum, Rien, and Victor, all of them fell in.
[ SHERIEL'S HOUSE ]
Sheri was relaxing on a chair, reading a book after working at Sidrug's blacksmithery, Kalon was sleeping on a bed, the rain was colliding with the window. Sheri felt a small tingle, goosebumps on her neck, she quickly stood up.
This feeling doesn't usually happen unless… Caelum was– Before she finished that thought, a portal opened beneath Sheri, and she fell in.
[ PRESENT ]
The three were on the floor, with Rien quickly sheathing Dawn. Victor stood up and dusted his pants, helping Aurum up, as Victor concealed his ring marks again. Sheriel fell down next to the others, Aurum looked at Sheri, so did Rien and Victor. Rien's eyes widened slightly.
"Sheri! Hey!" Sheri rubbed her head, then heard Aurum's call. "Aurum?! Victor?!" She was reasonably surprised by the sudden reunion, then looking at Rien. "And who're you??" She got a quick clue after she saw the sheathe of Dawn.
"Wa-" Taiyō cleared his throat with a loud 'ahem'. "The reunion can wait, for now, these are the combatants I would like to enroll to fight Rygielski, including Gudo Nomasaki, to stall until Maximus the Great arrives."
Sheri widened her eyes, and saw Gudo in shackles. She balled her fist tight as veins grew on her neck and forehead, but she calmed down. She only glared at Gudo, and Gudo looked away from Sheri, not having the strength to carry the guilt of leaving them on his back.
"With all due respect, Lord Taiyō, how can these five provide us? And how will Nomasaki help us without us knowing that he will betray them?" Maximus asked. Taiyō looked at the owl. "I will train them. Rygielski has travelled the rivers around Babel and soon entered the Town of Igni, where he was rumored to grow up. We will ambush him there.
"Very well, all in favor of Lord Taiyō's idea?" Maximus asked, Alexia raises her hand. So does Reich and Adonis, Ame doesn't. "Do not misunderstand, I believe in this idea of yours. But Gudo Nomasaki needs a quick spell before he is deployed, a spell that explodes him from the inside out if he is seen committing insubordination, Lord Zerkalo, if you would…"
Alexia teleports Gudo to Ame, Ame takes out a red brush, gesturing her fingers up, as the wind strips Gudo's shirt off. Gudo was obviously taken aback, as Ame turned him around and made him kneel. She drew a symbol that means "Explode" in Himen.
Ame teleports Gudo back to Alexia, with a crystal orb watching Gudo. "I will also accompany you in the form of a crystal orb. Just to confirm if you really are committing insubordination… Now-", Ame raised her hand, now in favor.
"Very well, I, Adonis Vasiliás Sotíras, hereby adjourn this meeting. Court Adjourned. Gudo Nomasaki will now be in the hands of Lord Taiyō Pevubri." Adonis leaves the room with Maximus' familiar on his shoulder, as the owl leaves and travels back to Maximus, Taiyō turns to the four, Alexia leaves without Gudo, so did Ame and Reich.
Taiyō leaves with Gudo, Sheri, Victor, Aurum, and Rien to Al'Adqas.
[ AL'ADQAS ]
Azaad was standing in front of the shining gold portal. "Welcome back, m'lord and company. The envoy was sent back to Lord Adonis like you asked." Taiyō nodded his head and walked past Azaad. "Good work, escort these five to a room, please."
Azaad nodded his head, gesturing to the five to follow him to a room. While walking down the hallway, Sheriel looked at Gudo with a venomous glare, Gudo couldn't look at her, they reached the room, as Azaad left the room.
Aurum sat on a chair, Victor leaned against the wall, Rien was looking outside the window, Gudo was standing, and so was Sheri. "...I-" Gudo was about to speak, and Sheri just punched him in his face as hard as she could, as Gudo spat out a small bit of his tooth to the side. "Sheri, listen–"
"Don't. Even." Gudo nodded at Sheri's words, Gudo walked out of the room, as Sheri watched him leave. Sheri sighed, as she looked at Rien. "Now for you, how did you get that sword? It belonged to a dear friend of mine." She pointed at Rien holding Dawn. Victor tried to ignore Rien and Sheri.
"I um… Do I..?" Rien looked at Aurum, Aurum nodded. Rien looked back at Sheri, he smiled softly at her. "...Is Kalon okay?" Sheri's eyes quickly softened, she grabbed his shirt collar, but she didn't believe it. "Who the hell told you about him?"
"I saved him from that big captain guy, right?" Rien still held that smile, Sheri's eyes were teary, she looked down, still gripping his shirt collar. "...What did we do at the time Gudo was kidnapped…?" Sheri's throat felt like it was closing, she couldn't hold it in.
"We ate fried fish and talked about Aurum's last name being Klaus." Sheri pulled Rien closer and hugged him tightly, Rien hugged Sheri back, Sheri's tears were flowing and staining his shirt. "...I-Idiot Leif…" "I missed you too, Sheri…" Rien tried to hold it in, but Leif was crying too, a lot.
Taiyō slammed the door open, Gudo was outside the room. Taiyō had Ame's crystal ball above his head. "Hello again, we meet. Dry your tears, we have to leave Al'Adqas again for Igni."
…
[ SEVERAL DISTANCES FROM IGNI… ]
Mud and Dirt sizzled in his footsteps, the sound of shackles dragging echoed across the meadows of the outskirts of Igni. His jaw hung open, his mouth could only mutter the words: "Soniya.", he marched regardless of the rain droplets evaporating around him, his heart glowed a flaming red, with fire on his back crackling unceasingly, defying the rain and refusing to be put out.
Ahriman observed Rygielski's solo-crusade from afar, his smile curved upwards in an uncanny fashion, suddenly, he heard a bell as he was teleported into a different location, in front of a long haired woman who was mute, Ahriman whistled. "Whew, what a place! Is this where you all stay?"
Árgos stood in front of Ahriman when he turned back. "Lord Ahriman, we've been expecting your arrival."
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— CHAPTER VIII, FIN.
— NEXT CHAPTER: "Sins of the Father".
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