Chương 11: Traps?

The interior of the elevator was packed with different mechanical elements Eric didn't expect. Most of them resembled the primary mechanisms of expensive watches on Earth. Releasing small dots of what seemed to be essence, an escapement mechanism behind Eric moved the hollow capsule upwards. As he went up, the air became damper. A thick glass wall separated Eric from the machinery and metal cables stretching into the tower above. Still, he could make out through the many guide rails surrounding the lift.

Shattered guards were patrolling areas on the first floor. All the smoke from the battle earlier was dissipating, but remained visible. Looking downwards, Eric couldn't help but think what his fate would be if he failed to open the icy gates. Who knows what's waiting on the second floor… The sudden adventure robbed him of his own life and dreams, tossing him directly into the unknown. He wasn't tired from the events here. The monsters and almost dying didn't scare him nearly as much as the future did.

After all, he was just a regular human in a place no one else had stepped foot. All the magic altered his physical capabilities and reactions, but the mental part of the journey was still untouched. This was something he would need to cultivate alone. It feels surreal. I can't comprehend this place. How does it have so many things going on? Machines, magic, invaders, creatures… Another click interrupted his thoughts, but this time it was louder than the usual ones.

The elevator slowed down but didn't stop, continuing its path upwards. Grim mentioned wars and other bad stuff happening on Earth. Let's hope he keeps his word. Even if he doesn't, what am I supposed to do about it? What happens if somewhere along the road I fail? Eric pictured the multiple ways his existence could have ended by now. Torn, crushed, killed, eaten. In fact, his life ended twice. Once because Death's taxi ran him over and a second time from the traps in the Essence Room.

Respawning was the only reason he was still here. I suppose there are no more chances outside some rooms. Where do beings go when they die? Speaking of creatures, I'll try my best to release this raven. I'd take any company, especially an intelligent, magical sidekick of The Grim Reaper himself. The elevator came to a stop with the glass case folding upwards. Unlike the first floor of Gateway, the second floor functioned as a cooling mechanism for the tower.

Eric's mother took care of all kinds of flowers, but none of them were turned into something so alien and twisted. During his encounters with the stone golems, Eric remembered how water burst from one of their resting places. On this floor, the power of running water dominated everything. The marble floor was carved with small pathways, each of them filled with moving liquid.

Eric was captivated by the beautiful design of the second floor - the stark contrast of white marble used on the ground set against the crystal clear water flowing in delicate curves. Looking forward, he saw the thinly carved channels cross each other, creating a complex labyrinth. I seriously need answers about this place. It's… hard to describe. Why is there a giant water maze in the middle of the tower and… what's that?

At the center of the labyrinth was a big, square-shaped recess, similar to a missing piece of a puzzle. Each side of the square had a separate path from which it was supplied with a steady current. Surrounding the piece were vents into which all the water was flowing, just before reaching the center. It seemed like everything was going to waste, but Eric couldn't know for sure.

Another thing that caught his attention was the two giant sprinklers supplying the water labyrinth, both of them towering over 30 feet tall. Coming closer, he saw massive broken handles, probably designed for redirecting the flow. On the other side of the room, directly facing Eric, stood three doors. The bigger one in the centre was composed of two horizontal marble slabs. On both sides were smaller entrances, leading deeper into the tower, though Eric wasn't able to see much inside. He moved closer to inspect.

"Move! I hate waiting!" a voice yelled behind the gate. Barely a moment later, the grinding sound of stone against stone echoed in the distance. Adrenaline surged into Eric's body as he heard the rumble grow louder. He had to get out of there. Someone was coming. Studying the area briefly, he saw nothing else to use as cover except the sprinkler heads. His legs trembling, Eric sprinted to the structure and tried to climb up.

Fortunately for him, the sprinklers had a hollow part at the top, just large enough for him to crouch inside. With his hiding place settled, there was time to calm down and ready his weapon, just in case. Dust and debris flew from the closed marble gate as it vibrated open. Slowly, the group of Shattered marched into the area. A man dressed as a priest led the group. From his waist up, he was covered in stab wounds, but they didn't look normal.

Etched deep into the skin, the lacerations resembled ritual markings more than battle scars. On his hip, the priest had a large keychain dangling around. Stolen novel; please report.

"If you don't hurry with the cage, I might close the door." Two Shattered guards were pulling large chains, dragging something heavy. They could move the cargo slowly and methodically. From above, Eric watched the scene unfold as a strange sense of familiarity crept over him. An ivory cage came into view, slowly moving towards the center of the room. Two more guards were pushing it from behind. The enclosure had а black cloth draped over it.

Shooting a quick glance, Eric saw how the recess at the center of the room fit perfectly to the base of the cage. The priest waved his hands, and a magic sigil closed the marble door behind the group. Not willing to risk being seen or detected, Eric used his camouflage. He couldn't stop staring at the priest. Unlike the other Shattered, he looked almost human. All of his enemies till now had nothing normal about them. The ritual scars on the key warden told him that something wasn't right.

"We're leaving this here. I'll dispose of the bird when I have the chance," flipping the cover off, the priest looked at the animal.

"Don't worry, my dear. I will learn all your secrets!" The raven flew forward and tried to peck him, but a flow of electricity forced it back. Guards lowered the cage into the square recess in the center. With a loud thump, the enclosure locked into place, solidifying itself in the water maze.

"Would've been nice to have brutes for this," one guard muttered. The key warden turned back and strolled towards the three doors.

"Even if we brought them, I'd make you move it, just for my own personal satisfaction! The old wretch of this realm is disrupting our work. I suppose he caused the stir on the floor below and killed the brutes." Two of the guards stepped forward.

"We deserve something for this! If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be able to move the bird here," one of them yelled at the warden and continued, "I want a share of the knowledge from the bird." Eric didn't know what to do. He couldn't take everyone at once. The human seemed more powerful than the others. After all, he had access to more areas and, supposedly, more levels. If the priest left, Eric might actually have a chance against the guards. Judging by the tension in the room, he confirmed his suspicions.

There could be a fight between them. It was the perfect moment to interrupt.

"Let's not make a mess here, shall we? I could settle the dispute for power immediately, but fortunately for you, I'm not in the mood right now…"

"Yeah, right. I don't believe a word you say!" Just as the unfortunate guard took a step forward and drew his blade, the warden shot out a wisp of white essence. The spell flew through the air, forming a circle and expanding until it finally hit the guard and obliterated him on the spot. Small yellow orbs flew to the key master.

"Any more objections?" Not a word came out from the rest of the group. All of them moved towards the three doors. The warden took the right one, just beside the marble gate. He turned back to the guards.

"Bring me the scrolls from the basement. I'll need them for the extraction." Man, this guy is quite the douche. He does look powerful, though. When I defeated one of those guards earlier, my experience orbs were bigger and brighter. Is it because he's a higher level, or the guards are just weak? Could the higher levels receive fewer orbs from killing lower level weaklings? Eric turned off his camouflage, he felt safe enough in the situation. He was deep in thought about the level and nature of experience gain.

Ash sensed him the moment he turned his camouflage off. The bird tried to break the cage, unsuccessfully. With the warden gone, the guards relaxed a bit. Even in this dimension, Eric felt the hierarchy was the same as on Earth. Walking towards the left door and leaving the area, the guards disappeared. Eric didn't know how much time he had left before they returned, but he really wanted to interact with the trapped raven. Tumbling down the sprinkler, he walked over to Ash's ivory cage.

"I'll set you free." Eric placed a hand on the sturdy bars, but the bird tried to bite him.

"I get it. If you don't believe me, you might believe this." Pulling out the Dagger Of A Thousand Souls from his inventory, Eric showed the blade to the raven. Immediately, it calmed down and moved closer. The gem in the pommel flashed, shifting from blue to green.

"Now, tell me how to set you free. Make it quick because I don't know how much time we have left." Ash looked at Eric and let out a loud shriek. The raven moved lower into the cage and stepped on the base. It tapped one claw against a faded padlock symbol.

"I think I know who had the key," Eric said and glanced toward the passage the warden had taken. He ran to the exit, but his companion's harsh croaking sound stopped him. Moving closer, he saw Ash bobbing its head up and down. It mimicked one of his old toys, like those cheap drinking-birds on Earth.

"What are you trying to tell me?" Eric crossed his arms and tried to decipher. Ash let out several caws." Listen, I don't speak bird. You either need to tell me what to do or…" Steps echoed from one exit. The guards were coming back.

"Did you get all the scrolls we need? The warden won't hesitate to blow us up." Eric had no time to waste. He ran to the other exit, spiraling down into the tower. Another set of steps presented itself while purple lights glowed on the walls. Following down the path, he felt an electric buzz with increasing intensity. Before him was a portal on the ground. It emitted smoke and sparks into the air. Eric stepped into the portal, and a notification window popped up.

/——————————————————————\ You are entering The Warden's Ring Warning: This area is not suitable for your level. Warning: This area contains high-level enemies. Proceed? YES | NO \——————————————————————/