Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 740: Visitor

Chapter 740: Visitor

"Let’s go." Archibald said. "We have work to do."

"Aye captain." Hamon enthusiastically replied before taking the first step into the hall, only for Archibald grab his arm, preventing his foot from touching the ground.

"What?" Hamon asked.

Pulling him back, Archibald replied. "Not so fast."

After saying that, he took the first step, allowing his left foot to touch the ground before swiftly withdrawing it as a sharp pain surged through it.

"What happened?" Anika asked as she grabbed his arm, noticing the pained expression he had on his face.

Clicking his tongue, Archibald replied. "Don’t step on the floor, create a path above."

"But..."

"Don’t worry, as long as we are in Twilight, we can use our powers as we please." Archibald assured them.

Of course, this wasn’t born out of his own knowledge, but rather the same thing that allowed him to say the right words to open the gates into the fortress.

For werewolves, that thing was both a blessing and a curse.

Anika exchanged looks with Hamon who nodded before proceeding to exert his Will on the aether.

The next moment, Hamon transformed, taking on the form of a wolf with snow white fur and crystal blue eyes.

Stunned as she was, Anika watched as Hamon took a step forward, at the same time, causing a bridge formed out of ice to appear just above the ground level.

And so with Hamon leading the way, Archibald and Anika made their way into the hall.

At another location, Sayda continued her journey into the fortress, uninterested in anything it had to offer.

There was nothing that could hold her back and with each step she took, she grew ever closer to the final price, an item she had already begun to sense.

The energy it gave off was almost like the Lightbringer, but instead of endless light and heat, it gave off a sense of emptiness and immutable chill.

Regardless, Sayda continued on her way forward, already imagining the looks on the faces of her ’sisters’ once she returned with the Pearl.

***

Ulysses once again found himself in that twisted land where the sea was above and the cloud below, a land where strange things hidden in the clouds zipped around, leaving him largely uneasy.

The last time he was here, he had gotten the Trial that ended up turning him into what he was at this moment, a confused individual with an even more confused and twisted entity dwelling within him.

Of course, Ulysses now had a way to deal with that entity or at least, he hoped it would deal with the entity.

If not, he would keep trying.

He did not wish to give up his dreams all because of a bit of corruption.

Right now though, that was not important.

Considering he has completed the Trial, Ulysses had come for his reward and most importantly, for the next Trial.

And so, with that in mind, he made his way forward.

It didn’t take long for the Guardian to reveal himself, a glimpse of his monstrous form immediately causing Ulysses to have a migraine.

With a twisted expression on his visage, Ulysses remarked. "I’m back."

Indeed, you are and what’s more, you are still sane. This is unprecedented.

As his ears bled, Ulysses replied. "Do I pass?"

But of course, you did. You passed and what’s more, with flying colors. You truly are worthy to be my chosen one.

"What?"

Instead of a response, the tentacled entity extended one of its many appendages, causing Ulysses Gate to appear.

The Third Lock gave way to reveal a floating title, one that Ulysses somehow managed to decipher despite its odd language.

"Visitor." Ulysses muttered, subconsciously clenching his jaw as he recalled what he had to go through in the Abyss.

His breathing quickened and his palms grew sweaty, his vision turning blurry as each gruesome death flashed in his mind.

Suddenly, he grabbed the side of his head, preventing himself from thinking too deeply so as to avoid losing it.

The Abyss Wheel Guardian appeared amused watching the mortal struggle.

"So what now?"

Now, you decide. Do you wish to proceed with your next Trial?

"Yes." Ulysses said without hesitation.

Wonderful.

Pleased as he was with Ulysses’ response, the Guardian began.

Be the reason a group of at least a hundred humans lose their sanity.

Even as it sounded cruel, what with subjecting people to madness, Ulysses in that moment, felt it better than having to journey into the Abyss.

But he realized that for the Abyss Wheel, the Third Lock, otherwise known as Visitor, signified a monumental change.

The first change occurred with the first Lock, Abyssal.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ulysses replied. "Alright."

Just as the Guardian was about to send him away, Ulysses spoke up. "Wait!... I have a question.... Or rather, two."

The Guardian paused, taking the time to scrutinize the young man before ultimately replying.

Since you have done well thus far, I will allow it.

"Where is this place and more importantly, what is your name?" Ulysses asked.

No response came after, only a deafening silence.

***

Alex was seated on the eastern wall of Thespene, his gaze focused on the fog ahead, though in his eyes, there was no fog, merely an arched door with a mirrored surface at its center.

With his legs dangling on the wall, he let his thoughts wander, allowing him to deal with the anxiety running rampant within.

What he was about to do was nothing short of suicidal, but he didn’t have a choice.

If he wished to take the Pearl, wished to end what had started almost a year ago... he needed to face Sayda, otherwise, there would be no way to make progress.

Perhaps he was being dramatic, perhaps it was not that serious... but he had to do it and there was no going back on it, not now.

Just then, he heard footsteps and though he did not turn to see the person, he was acutely aware of their identity.