We followed Guthethya's lead as the man walked ahead, the path seeming almost never-ending. The surroundings slowly changed as we delved deeper, the stone walls covered with vines were replaced by rusted metal, while the floor transitioned into grated plating.
At the end of the hallway, a door came into view. There was a small window on its upper half, and through it, light spilled out, illuminating the dark corridor.
That's weird. Isn't this a medieval world? I've never seen structures like these in fantasy. Is it a steampunk world? That can't be…
My reaction was shared by the others as well, with Torren letting out a sharp whistle, clearly impressed by what he saw. Even Guthethya's sharp gaze softened ever so slightly as she ran her hand across the wall.
Mira also seemed curious, every small detail catching her attention, even nudging me once just to point at a part of the wall that wasn't completely rusted. I smiled and nodded along, though in reality, I couldn't care less.
Torren then spoke, directed towards the mysterious man. "Oi. Mind explaining to us where you're leading us and who you are?"
Glancing at Guthethya, he continued. "And you, Guya. How come you're just following him without a word? That's unlike you."
"I'll have to agree." Mira chimed in, her tone flat and accusing. "Allowing a stranger to guide us without explanation is hardly an appropriate treatment for my Master. I demand answers."
Guthethya threw a glance at us, her sharp gaze boring straight through our souls. "He's not an enemy."
That response did little to gain Mira's trust, but Torren seemed to accept it with a shrug. "That's not much of an answer, but fine, I'll play along. For now."
The man arrived in front of the door, his steps slowing and coming to a halt, grabbing the handle of the door and pulling it open. I tilted to look past Guthethya, and what I saw made my eyes widen in surprise.
Beyond that door was a chamber unlike anything I'd expected to find under a palace. The first thing that struck me was the light. Not the torchlight, but a glow radiating from crystal lanterns set into the walls.
Pipes of brass and iron crisscrossed overhead, hissing faintly, while the floor beneath was lined with grated walkways. The air smelled faintly metallic, like old blood and rust.
Dozens of robed figures moved around the place, similar masks covering their faces. Some were carrying scrolls, others slabs of metal with etched symbols, and a few worked on strange machines that whirred and clanked softly. Like the man who had guided us, their skin had the same unusual purple hue.
The sight was so out of place that I momentarily blanked, trying to reconcile the earlier fantasy feel with this steampunk reality.
Guthethya's eyes flicked toward the strange lanterns lining the wall, her mouth tightening as if she'd bitten something sour.
"The Order hoards relics from past heroes," she muttered, low enough that only we could hear. "Every odd contraption in here is scavenged or bought."
That explained why the place looked like a temple and a machine hall at the same time. With enough stuff from Earth, it's only natural they'd be able to recreate some of it.
The man with the cage-mask stepped inside confidently, his voice clear despite the noise.
"You are in no danger here. This is one of the sanctuaries of the Crimson Sun Order, sworn protectors of Ucliatism's true flame. By Her Majesty's command, we provide sanctum for the hero. And you," his gaze fixed on me, firm and unyeilding. "Your presence here is no coincidence. You are a gift from Ucliat himself, and as such, you will be afforded every safeguard while the beast above is dealt with."
I laughed softly under my breath, my hand going to the back of my head. "Thanks."
Torren let out a low whistle, his grin returning as he scratched his chin with one of his lower hands. "Well, ain't this a nest of surprises. Guess that explains why the Queen sent us down here instead of stickin' us with the palace guard."
Guthethya finally spoke, her voice low but steady. "The Crimson Sun… I should have guessed."
She looked at me briefly, then back at the masked man, her voice steady and unyielding. "Do not worry, Hero. They are your greatest ally in this country. Whatever their reputation, they are not our enemies."
The sound of metal clanking on the ground rang out loudly across the giant chamber, all of our heads snapping to the source of the sound. One of the masked people had dropped a wench that they were using on a machine, their jaws dropped at the sight of us. Or more specifically, me.
"I-It's the hero!" he called out, causing a few others nearby to raise their heads in curiosity.
I shrunk back, taking an unconscious step towards Mira as I felt more eyes on me. Soon enough, we were immediately swarmed by a small crowd of masked men and women, all in awe of my presence. A few even had their hands clasped, muttering fervent prayers under their breaths.
Guthethya's hand twitched toward her weapon by instinct before she stopped herself. If she fought here, it'd be all of them against her.
The man who had guided us here stepped forward between us and the crowd, clapping his hands together. The murmur of the crowd ceased in an instant, their attention turning to him.
"My brothers and sisters! Today, our Creator has once again blessed us with a hero, a beacon of hope in these dark times. Yet even now, there are those who would dare to bring him harm, who would strike at OUR hero. As we speak, an intruder has breached the royal palace and even wounded him. But our hero has not fallen! Still, danger lingers, for this enemy may have allies lurking in the shadows. It is our sacred duty to safeguard him, to stand vigilant and unwavering, for the protection of the hero lies in our hands!"
The crowd erupted into gasps, whispers, and murmured prayers, bowing heads and clasping hands in reverence. Some fell to their knees in awe, while others raised their arms as if to shield me from unseen threats.
A few masked figures exchanged hurried glances, nodding to one another as though silently vowing to uphold the sacred duty the man had just proclaimed. The room buzzed with a tense excitement, every gaze fixed on me, and for a moment I could feel the weight of their faith pressing down like a living force.
Kuger's voice took on a ceremonial weight as he continued. "A hero's body is not his own. It is a vessel, a promise to the world. Through it, strength and salvation are carried into future generations." He glanced back at me, eyes unreadable. "You will understand soon enough."
How long do I have to deal with this crap?
Torren let out a small snort of amusement. "They sure are…intense. But they don't seem like bad people. Probably."
A sudden movement from Mira caught my attention, her fists clenched tightly, her body trembling. "I-Is something wrong, Mira?" I asked, slightly concerned at her agitation.
"How…how dare they be more loyal to you than I?"
"Huh?"
She looked up at me, her normally flat expression replaced with unyielding resolve, and thrust a finger at my face, making me jump back a step. "Master! Just you wait, I'll make them seem… uh, unfaithful compared to me!"
"Oh…uh, right. That's…good?" I mumbled, completely unsure what she meant.
However, her deadpan gaze remained locked onto me, unwavering. "How do I do that though?"
"Why are you asking me?"
A gentle hand on my shoulder startled me, glancing back to see the familiar, towering figure of Torren.
"Hey kid, they're saying that they want to show us around. Hell, they're even being generous to us for being the "protectors" of the hero and all." He let out a bark of laughter, his strong hand slapping my shoulder playfully. It took me all my strength to not stumble from the impact.
The man with the caged mask introduced himself as Kuger, apparently a highly respected person within the Crimson Sun. During the tour, he explained a bit about their religion, their history, and the different factions within, all while pointing out important parts of this place.
The chamber seemed to be some sort of workshop, which Kuger explained was filled with inventions inspired by the knowledge left behind by past heroes. Most of it leaned heavily on Japanese culture, which wasn't all that surprising considering most of the heroes were from Japan.
Apparently, they had already made plenty of non-fuel driven vehicles, like bicycles and even a levitating skateboard powered by mana. He also gave us a glimpse of what he claimed would one day become a mana-driven carriage. It wasn't nearly as efficient as a modern car, but for this world, it was still a huge step forward.
We walked through another hallway, its walls lined with doors leading into separate workshops.
"Each room could be called a kind of research hall," Kuger explained, gesturing to each room as we passed them. "They range from blacksmithing to biological studies, all dedicated to replicating the technology of our heroes' homeland. With these tools, we shall aid the future heroes when the Doomsday comes."
From time to time, he opened a door, letting us peek inside. The contents varied greatly, but a few stood out:
A printing press powered on an enchanted crystal and steam, spitting out neat rows of text. Repeating crossbows in many variations, some purely mechanical, others with mana-charged components. Explosive talisman tags which could turn most things into explosives with enough mana imbued into it.
And lastly, a fricking elevator! It wasn't sleek or smooth, more like a small wooden box, but it got the job done.
"Only three can fit at a time," Kuger explained smoothly. "I'll personally escort the hero and his aide. Our brethren will guide the rest of you."
Guthethya and Torren exchanged wary glances but nodded, falling in step behind one of the masked acolytes. I offered them a quick thanks before we parted ways, watching as they disappeared down another corridor.
Stepping inside, the platform gave a faint shudder before closing the door and beginning its slow descent. To me, it wasn't anything special, but for a "primitive" world like this, it was insane how well they'd managed to mimic Earth's technology.
Mana seemed to be a valid substitute for most things. Kuger explained how it was abundant and easy to use, even if it usually ended up being less efficient.
The elevator shuddered and quaked as it came to a halt, the gears at the corners rolling as the door opened. But as Mira and I were about to step out, he stood in our path.
He then suddenly grabbed me by my collar, gently but firmly pushing me out of the elevator, nearly stumbling over my feet as I turned on my heels to face him.
"Master—!" Mira's voice cut off as the doors slammed shut in her face. He yanked the lever beside them, and with a resounding bang, the lock sealed her inside. She banged her fists against it, each impact muffled. The surface seemed to ripple with every hit, a faint but translucent cover stretching across the whole elevator.
A barrier.
The man spoke, his voice calm and even. "Hero. I apologize, but from here on, you'll have to accompany me alone. The path ahead must remain undisturbed."
Mira kept pounding on the door, or whatever was covering it, her mouth moving but her voice silent. Kuger's gaze flicked to her, narrowing slightly in annoyance. He slammed a fist against the elevator door, making the whole thing shudder, and then… fall.
"Mira!" I shouted before I even realized it, then instantly killed the word in my throat. Even now I was worrying if I'd just sounded weird… desperate, maybe.
Turning my gaze to Kuger, I took a few steps back, considering running. Then again, I had no idea what he was capable of. I wasn't athletic, nor did I have much stamina. And while he didn't seem particularly fit either, there was still a chance he could catch up.
Still, unlike last time, I had to at least try. I had seen the Tenebrim's skill with my own eyes, how he'd slaughtered those guards with ease. But now, I had a slightly better chance. I sprinted off, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste, aiming for whichever path would take me farthest from him.
"Hero." His voice rang out, loud and sharp, with the slightest edge of frustration. "It's futile to run. This is my sanctum, my territory, my home."
I slowed slightly as the path split, colliding with a wall but pushing off just in time, sprinting down the left corridor. Then, just as I neared what looked like a staircase, a door slammed open in front of me. I lunged sideways into the wall to avoid it, but it still grazed my back.
"Naturally, it is theirs too."
A masked acolyte stepped out, holding a coiled rope. "Hero, why resist? We're not going to hurt you."
The gullible part of me almost believed him. The rational part, however, reminded me that anyone brandishing a rope while saying that probably didn't have good intentions. I turned to flee again, carefully avoiding the paths of swinging doors, only to crash into something solid yet oddly soft.
Snapping my head up, I found myself staring at yet another masked man who's presence had been nonexistent. Before I could back away, he grabbed my arm firmly, and all hope of escape vanished.
"Hero, we do not wish to use force. We simply want to protect you. Please, do not resist."
More figures emerged from other rooms, flanking me from each side. There was no place to run, no way to escape. My fate was in their hands, or at least so I thought. Until I remembered I wasn't in a normal world anymore.
The memories flooded back: the chamber with the ancient construct, my hand pressed against it as knowledge of my abilities was forced into my mind. Skills and Spells. My Skills and Spells.
The Dismantle Skill, letting me break any small item I touched, limited to three times a day. And then the Reflex Skill, which I had unconsciously been using to dodge those doors.
Right now, it seemed to respond only to those whose presence I could sense, considering how I've been able to avoid so many sudden 'attacks'.
If I got caught, I could use the Dismantle Skill to break free and escape, but that was too risky. A spell might work too, though I remembered Marcel's warning about abstaining from using any Spells while recovering.
I paused, heart still pounding in my chest as I checked my options. Every escape route was blocked, every path flanked. Using the Dismantle Skill and Reflex Skill risked more than freedom as it could provoke unnecessary confrontation, so that was a no-go as well.
I exhaled slowly, letting my shoulders drop. I'd surrender for now, but check for an opportunity to escape. Hopefully, Guthethya, Torren and Mira remained safe. Safe enough to save me, that is.
"Alright," I said, raising my hands slightly, careful not to make any sudden movements. "I give up. I'll come with you quietly."
Kuger's eyes flicked over me, unamused but not surprised. "Wise choice. You understand that this… treatment is for your own good."
Two robed figures moved in, binding my wrists firmly with the coiled rope, just enough to prevent me from escaping without hurting me.
"You alone can help us with what must be done," Kuger continued, his voice calm. "And you would refuse if asked politely. This slight roughness ensures cooperation without harm. Understand?"
I nodded, more curious than afraid. My mind raced, not with thoughts of escape, but of how badly I'd fail if I tried. I pushed those aside, knowing that there was no point dwelling on worst-case scenarios.
Getting kidnapped like this is a new experience, after all. Not necessarily a good one, but useful in a way. Yeah, I'll think of it like that.
Kuger picked up a strap of white cloth, stepping toward me, his intent clear. "Hero, please remove your glasses. One of our men will carry them for you, if you'd like."
I obeyed, my vision blurring as soon as the lenses left my face, my eyes stinging faintly from the light. Instead of handing them over though, I slipped them into the larger zippered pocket on my thigh, the kind cargo pants are actually useful for, and zipped it shut. Like hell I'd trust them with my most important asset here.
"It's fine, I'll keep it."
I stood still as he circled behind me, the cloth brushing my face before tightening around my eyes. He tied it firmly at the back of my head, and everything went black.
What followed were a few minutes of walking, with Kuger spouting nonsense I only half-listened to, something about sanctity, lineage, and duty. His tone was calm, almost gentle, but there was something beneath it. Something stubborn and determined.
Hands guided me forward whenever I walked too slow, never rough, yet never allowing me to choose my own pace either. My shoulder brushed stone, cloth, and then something cool and smooth as they steered me along.
The air changed, first cool and metallic, then warmer with the faint smell of incense. Certainly not the atmosphere of the cell I was expecting to be shoved into. Seems like I truly was important to them, despite the treatment.
Finally, the hands slowed me to a stop. The sounds of clothes rustling and footsteps echoed, a heavy silence settling across the room, only broken by the voice of Kuger.
"Hero, this is not a prison. It is a sanctum prepared for you, and only you. You will be safe here, and honored."
A faint creak reached my ears, followed by the gentle rattle of fabric being pulled aside. A curtain, perhaps? But what use would a curtain have when we're underground?
Someone tugged me forward again, and this time the ground felt different under my boots, softer and muffled, like a rug instead of stone. I felt the hands leave my body, the scent of incense stronger now.
As they guided me deeper into the chamber, a few of the masked men stole long glances in my direction, too focused. Their eyes weren't filled with the same awe I'd gotten used to. No, it was expectant, like they were already imagining something I hadn't been told about.
I forced myself to ignore it, but the unease didn't leave me even as Kuger opened his mouth.
"This place has been consecrated for generations of our Order," Kuger said, his voice steady and reverent. "And now, for you. Here, no blade can touch you, no poison can reach you. Only the will of Ucliat shall lay claim to your flesh."
He let the words hang before stepping closer, lowering his voice just enough that it brushed against my ear.
"You will soon understand why you were chosen. The hero's blood must not only defend the world, but seed it."
A shiver crept down my spine at his words, my mind flickering with lewd interpretations.
That… sounds creepy. Are they seriously going to try something like that? Ugh. I'd really rather not do that with men.
"We'll now remove your bindings," Kuger continued, his tone smooth but unyielding. His hands tightened on my wrists, untying the restraints with deliberate care. "Please, do not attempt to flee. Otherwise, we will be forced to act."
"I won't," I replied, trying to sound casual, even forcing a soft chuckle. "Not like I could escape anyway, with so many of you standing around."
The cloth slipped away, and I blinked against the sudden glow of lantern crystals above, rubbing my now-free wrists. My vision blurred for a moment as I grabbed my glasses to put them back on, before setting my gaze on the figure before me.
The chamber around me was nothing like the halls I'd been walking through. Large, red curtains draped the walls, and the air was thick with the sharp, sweet bite of incense. A broad rug stretched out beneath my feet, and crystals were set into iron fixtures on the walls.
I set my gaze on the figure before me, eyes widening as they landed not on a masked man, but on a woman. She was tall and composed, with a sort of presence that made the robed acolytes look almost small in comparison. And from the pointy ears poking out of her long, silver hair, she was unmistakably an elf.
As our eyes met, my dark ones locking onto her deep-blue ones, what I saw wasn't the same reverent or unyielding gaze as Kuger's. Instead, she seemed almost… tired, as if the unease of my current circumstance was shared by her.
This was getting shadier and shadier, and I hadn't come up with a single plan yet. With how things were going, I certainly wasn't going to make it out of here. But from what Kuger said earlier, it wasn't hard to piece things together—especially not with my mind constantly in the gutter.
And now, as I stood there surrounded by the masked freaks and this mysterious woman, my fate had once again become uncertain.
Where the hell is Night and Mira when I need them!?