Dark clouds loomed over the group of four as they pressed forward, their journey stretching past two exhausting hours. They alternated between walking and jogging—though for Vance, it felt more like a full-blown gallop. Currently his, frail skin was covered by clearly oversized garnments that he had received from Astre. They hung loosely, but were quite comfortable. Stopping briefly, he gave himself a moment to catch hus breath as the trio gradually slowed down, before coming to a complete stop.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his legs ached, and yet, to his growing irritation, the others barely seemed winded. Much less tired.
"How close are we?" Vance managed between breaths.
"We're almost there," came the halfhearted assurance from Balgur.
The pace remained relentless, guided by their navigator, Astre, who moved with an effortless grace that suggested he knew the terrain as intimately as one knows the back of their own hand.
The landscape had been eerily silent. Not once had they encountered any of the creatures Balgur, the group's unofficial hunter, had so frequently spoken of hunting.
Vance was beginning to wonder whether those "beasts" were even real when Balgur's stern voice cut through the quiet stillness of there journey.
"There."
Vance forced his sluggish legs to move faster, closing the distance between himself and the others. As he caught up, his eyes locked on the landmark ahead.
Before them stretched a vast clearing layered with dark, almost obsidian-colored rocks. Sparse shrubs, resembling twisted strands of wheat, wove through cracks in the stone, their frail bodies swaying slightly in the cool wind. At the far end stood a towering mountain, its jagged face shadowed beneath the dim sky. Embedded in the face of the mountain was an entrance as dark as midnight.
"A mountain?" he asked, eyebrows furrowed as he took in the cave.
"Yes," Balgur replied, patting his pants before smiling. "It's further inside."
Vance exhaled sharply before slightly nodding.He had little choice but to follow. His hand had already been chosen, the best he could do was try to go with the flow. Hoping the waves weren't too much for his boat.
As they stepped into the darkness, the temperature dropped. The cavern walls appeared as if they were closeing in around them—jagged and rough, their uneven surfaces casting strange shadows as the group navigated the tunnel with the help of a unique looking stick Balgur held.it's luminous warmth paving the way.
They continued further inward as each step echoed, swallowed almost immediately by the oppressive silence.
Vance stayed close to the others, every sense alert. Though he was certain, if anything were to happen. His hightened senses would most likely help the least.
Minutes passed before they finally emerged into a larger chamber. Overshadowed by countless stalactites, and a ground just as overpopulated—as critters constantly shuffled around the darkest corners of the cave.
Located at the center of the chamber sat a structure unlike anything Vance had ever laid eyes on. A raised podium of smooth, light-blue metal pulsed faintly with an eerie glow. On top of this podium was no ordinary construct. It was a door, or at least that's the shape it took.
Its frame was lined with veins of pulsating energy, twisting like living filigree across its surface, as if some unseen hand had etched them with deliberate artistry. Careful, and precisely. At the center swirled an expanse of deep, endless blue, churning and shifting as if alive.
It gave the distinct impression of being welcome. Dared. Invited forward, while whispering silent warnings of its insidious nature.
Vance's pupil traced its shifting depths. His breath caught. How beautiful.
"Vance, let's go," Astre's energetic voice cut through the heavy air, pulling him from his thoughts. "Be prepared. This ride isn't the most pleasant for normies."
Vance exhaled, nodding slowly. His heart pounded as he ascended the stairs.
A few feet ahead, Balgur had abruptly stopped, patting himself down and rummaging through the compartments of his attire. After a few seconds, he pulled out a peculiar device—a hybrid between a compass and a time-dial. Made of what Vance assumed to be glass. Located in its body was floating dots of light specs.
Vance's curiosity got the better of him. "That's…?"
"An astro-compass," Balgur said, not missing a beat. He moved to the right side of the doorframe and, after adjusting the device slightly, inserted it into a hidden slot, before twisting. The Gate's veins flared with brilliant light in response.
A low hum filled the chamber.
"Let's go."
One by one, the others stepped through the Gate at a steady interval of a few minutes. Vanishing into the swirling blue void, in formal garments that they had changed into.
"It's your turn now kiddo" Balgur muttered, standing at the side of the construct.
Vance hesitated.
His posture stiffened as he approached. His breath shallowed. However, just before he could take the final step—
"Don't vomit," Balgur's voice rang out besides him, a low chuckle following right after.
*****
Too late.
Blurrghhh.
The moment Vance landed, his stomach lurched violently. Before he could even take in his surroundings, he doubled over, expelling what remained of his last meal onto the grey, metallic floor beneath him.
A tragic event, indeed.
Seconds passed before he forced himself upright, still reeling from the nauseating sensation of transit. He took in a breath, swallowing back the lingering discomfort before finally assessing where he had been transported.
That's when he realized he had an audience.
Around him stood a semicircle of individuals, their expressions ranging from mild curiosity to poorly concealed amusement. Just his rugged 'escortees', these people were sharply dressed in dark blue khaki pants that bordered on black, paired with crisp, matching tops that gave them an unmistakably formal air.
Vance's face burned as just when he was at his height of embarrassment.
A sharp, hyena-like laugh erupted from the far side of the room.
Vance turned his head sharply toward the source, his irritation mounting when he spotted Astre at the back of the room, grinning like a mischievous fox.
Beside him stood a woman whose long blue trousers and crisp white top exuded professional authority.
"Boy, Vance, you made quite a mess, eh?" Astre jeered.
Vance wiped his mouth with the back of his sleep, exhaling sharply. How disgraceful. "I did," he admitted, "the experience was all I could have hoped for"
A soft chuckle escaped one of the observers. The woman who'd been mid-conversation with Astre moments earlier.
"Vance?" the woman beside Astre spoke at last. Her tone was neutral, but her eyes carefully assessed him. After a moment, she turned to Astre, silently requesting a confirmation of sorts.
Astre, never one to pass up a chance for flair, rubbed the back of his pale golden hair and offered his trademark smirk. His gaze briefly flicked to the mess on the floor.
"Yep, that's Him. The only non-unascended survivor from his planet. As for how he survived?" He paused, shaking his head in amusement. "Still not sure if he's bold, stupid, or just ridiculously brave."
"I see," she flashed a small smile. Stepping forward to meet Vance in the process, her measured steps carrying a quiet confidence.