Our current location was a rugged landscape of dirt and large rocks. A massive cliff face stood to our immediate left, but the right was covered in a desert landscape that stretched out for kilometers. Unlike the soft dunes of the Endless Desert, this was a craggy surface covered in pebbles and cracks. The dried-out earth looked like broken skin. There was literally nothing here, so what was causing this rumbling?
When I couldn’t see anything, I activated Spiritual Perception again and extended my range for as far as it could go. It was only after I’d done this that I realized the kind of danger we were in.
“Fay,” I said calmly. “I’m going to need you to get as far from here as possible.”
“What? Why?” Fay looked at me with suspicion in her eyes, clearly knowing something was wrong. I sighed. She knew me too well now.
“Something big is heading straight for us,” I said. “It’s far more powerful than anything we’ve faced up to this point.”
“Something big…?” She trailed off and pondered that for a moment, but then, as if the fire suddenly turned on inside her head, her eyes widened. “You mean—?!”
“Yes.” I gave her a grave nod. “There’s an A-Rank Demon Beast coming.” I scratched my chin. “We won’t be able to outrun this creature, which means there’s no choice left but to fight. Still, as much as you’ve improved, you’re still no match for a Demon Beast of this caliber. Please get somewhere safe.”
Fay hesitated as she stared at me with an imploring gaze burning behind her emerald eyes. “But… what about you?”
While I didn’t know if I could truly defeat an A-Rank Demon Beast as I was, I presented Fay with a confident front that I already knew she’d see right through. “Don’t worry. I’m not the type of person who would willingly fight a losing battle. If the situation becomes too dicey, I’ll lead it away from you and then make my own escape.”
Fay didn’t look like she believed me, but the rumbling was getting louder. We were out of time.
Fay took two swift steps forward, leaned up, and pressed her lips to mine. She tasted of sweat and blood. The kiss only lasted for a second, then she leaned back down and stared at me with hard eyes that contrasted with her soft blush.
“Don’t die on me.”
“I won’t.”
My words might have been an empty promise, but it was one I planned on doing my best to keep.
Fay quickly ran back the way we’d come. I wasn’t worried about her getting attacked by Demon Beasts anymore. If this area was the territory of an A-Rank Demon Beast, then not even the strange frenzy they had been whipped into would convince them to invade this area.
Just as I let this thought disappear from my mind, the Demon Beast I’d been feeling shake the ground and sensing through Spiritual Perception arrived from around the cliff face. Massive legs bigger than even the thickest tree I’d ever seen slammed into the ground, causing cracks to spread around its gigantic feet. With each step it took, it swung its rock-like arms, which were covered in dense and powerful muscles. It stood on two legs like a human. However, its face was nothing like a human’s. A massive jaw covered in spikes moved as the creature opened its mouth to reveal numerous sharp and jagged teeth. This thing seemed to have a hard layer of red rocks covering its head, from which a pair of curved horns jutted out, each one easily two times bigger than I was tall. More spikes stuck out of its back. They were even larger and more deadly in appearance than the horns on its front.
As I gazed into the yellow eyes of this creature that was large enough to tower over the mountain upon which the Imperial Royal Palace sat, I could not stop my throat from going dry. This creature was indeed an A-Rank Demon Beast.
Giant Rock Golem.
Chapter 6
Demon Beast Mountain Range - Part VI
“Are these the ruins?” Catalyna asked no one in particular.
Kari answered her anyway. “Whether they are the ruins on your map or not, I couldn’t say, but they are definitely ancient ruins from before the Catastrophe.”
She walked underneath an archway, a massive slab of stone with runes and motifs etched onto its surface. The archway was being held up by statues of creatures that seemed somehow larger than life. This might have had something to do with their size. The statues were five or six times larger than an adult human, after all, but there was more to it than that. Kari couldn’t explain it as she touched the stone statue on her left, feeling the smoothness of granite, but these beings that looked almost human seemed to be anything but.
Of course, they didn’t appear completely human. The thickness of their arms, legs, and chest were slightly distorted, as though she was looking through an unclear glass window, giving rise to the sense that these statues were depicting beings of massive size and proportions.
“So few documents exist that tell us what these ruins were used for,” Kari continued in a soft voice. “There was one biography I read about the Explorer King Olaf I Trggvason, who proposed the theory that these ruins are actually temples built in service to long-forgotten gods. Looking at this now, I can see why he would say such a thing. These creatures really do seem god-like.”
“Who cares about that?” said Marko with an annoyed grunt. “We can’t afford to stand around here all day! Let’s get inside and hide until those Demon Beasts calm down and leave.”
“Do not be rude, Marko!” Catalyna snapped.
“I’m not being rude,” Marko replied back. “I’m being honest. We can’t afford to stand around here. There’s no telling when the Demon Beasts will find us.”
“Don’t snap at this princess’s big sister!” Lin yelled at Marko as she drew herself up on her tail, allowing her to reach such a height that it caused her to tower over everyone there. She crossed her arms and glared down at the man.
Marko paled as Lin glared down at him like he was worth less than the dirt she slithered on. While she didn’t really seem very intimidating to Kari, she knew Marko was infatuated with Lin. Upsetting her was definitely not something he wanted to do.
“Marko is correct,” Kari suddenly said, diffusing the tension. “We really do not have the time to spend indulging in my desire to study more. Let’s head further into the ruins.”
As she spoke, the others agreed. Lin reluctantly backed down, but not before she tossed Marko a hateful look that made him flinch away as though he’d been slapped across the face. Catalyna began directing the rest of their ragtag group while Kari and Lin wandered past the archway and stepped further into the area surrounding the ruins.
The archway was basically like an entrance. After stepping through it, they were introduced to a massive space that seemed like it had been a garden at some point, but the trees, plants, and weeds had completely overrun everything. Gigantic stone walls remained upright even after thousands of years, covered in vines. If Kari had to guess, she’d say this place was similar to a courtyard—a giant courtyard that put the ones at the Imperial Royal Palace to shame. Built into the mountain as it was, surrounded by trees and walls several times larger than what she was used to, the only way into this area was through the archway they had just walked underneath.
“So these are ruins,” Lin murmured with her arms crossed. “They look different than the ones in the Endless Desert.”
“There are ruins in the Endless Desert?” asked Kari.
“But of course.” Lin nodded several times. “There are several that this princess knows of. The Lamia’s home village is also built around ancient ruins.”
“I would like to visit your home someday.” Kari smiled softly.
Lin returned her smile with one that seemed uncertain. “This princess does not know if that is the best idea.”
“Why not?”
“Lamia and humans do not get along in the Endless Desert,” Lin admitted reluctantly. “This princess’s people have been at war with the humans for longer than even this princess’s mother has been alive. She does not know why.”
“But you don’t hate h
umans,” Kari pointed out. “Surely there is a chance for our people to make peace.”
“Maybe… but this princess has always been considered odd,” Lin said. When Kari just gave her a confused stare, she smiled in a somewhat self-deprecating manner. “This princess has always been fascinated by humans and would often sneak away from her home to watch human villages from afar.” Her smile turned into a frown. “It was actually because she got careless when she was slipping out of the village that she ended up being attacked. Her guards sacrificed their lives so she could escape, but it was really her fault. If she hadn’t gone to see a human settlement the day before, then maybe…”
A strange aura of despondency exuded from Lin’s figure; her shoulders became more and more slouched as if a great weight was pushing her down. Guilt. Kari was sure that Lin was feeling guilty over what happened to her guards. Her friend and future sister was filled with self-recriminations over a mistake she’d made years ago.
“Lin, come here.”
Kari spread her arms wide, and Lin didn’t hesitate to slither into her embrace. She wrapped her arms tightly around the Lamia girl.
Because her clothing was torn in several places, Kari could feel her skin touching Lin’s, which was much colder than her own. This didn’t trouble her much. She, Fay, and Eryk had grown used to Lin’s colder temperature during the last several days—even before heading out on this journey.
This touching moment between friends was interrupted when Catalyna wandered up to them. “I hate to bother you two, but we need to begin setting up camp. Since you both have done more for us than everyone else, you don’t have to help out and can get some rest, but I figured you two wouldn’t be able to sit still and thought I’d ask if you want to give us a hand.”
Lin and Kari broke apart and turned to Catalyna.
“This princess would like to rest,” Lin admitted. “All this traveling and fighting has exhausted her. She also needs to treat her injuries.”
Catalyna nodded. “In that case, please go see Alexandria over there. She has a water affinity and specializes in healing.”
Lin thanked Catalyna before heading over to Alexandria. Kari watched her for a moment as she spoke with the brown-haired and somewhat plain-looking woman. The Lamia made several hand gestures as she spoke, and Alexandria nodded before gesturing for Lin to sit down. Kari waited until she was sure Alexandria was actually healing her before turning back to Catalyna.
“What are you grinning at?” she asked.
“Nothing really.” Catalyna shook her head, though she was still grinning. “I was just thinking about how protective you are of Lin.”
“Lin is going to become my sister in the future,” Kari answered as if the reason she was so protective was obvious. “She’ll be family, and besides, I like Lin. Despite her haughty nature, she is very kind to everyone and very naive. I just feel like I have to protect her. I’m sure Eryk feels the same way.”
“Hmph. I’m envious of her.” Catalyna glanced at Lin, crossed her arms, and then looked back at Kari. “And you’re sure I can’t join you three?”
“I won’t say it’s impossible, but honestly, I also can’t see it happening,” Kari admitted with a shrug. “Not only would you have to convince me, Lin, and Fay to let you join, but you’d have to earn Eryk’s love… and that is no small feat.”
“Well, fine. It’s not like I’m particularly enamored with your boyfriend.” Catalyna shrugged and seemed to give up. “Anyway, we don’t have any tents or even blankets anymore, so while Marko and his group try to find some food, the rest of us are traveling into the ruins to see if we can’t find a place that will be warmer than out here. Nights on mountains like this can get quite cold.”
“You’re asking me to head deeper into the ruins?!” Kari felt a jolt race through her as she leaned into Catalyna’s personal space, excitement bubbling inside of her.
The other blonde woman leaned back as she placed a hand on Kari’s shoulder and pushed her away. “That’s right. Though if you get in my personal space like this again, I’m not taking you with me.”
Realizing what she was doing, a soft heat caused Kari’s cheeks to flush as she leaned back and coughed into her hand. She’d let her enthusiasm get the better of her again. The idea of exploring ruins was something she’d always dreamed of doing ever since she was little, so she felt it was only natural that she would be excited by the prospect. That said, she knew she needed to control herself.
Control. Control. That was a lot harder than it sounded.
“S-sorry about that.” Kari smiled to mask her embarrassment.
Catalyna gave her a slightly aggrieved look, then shrugged. “Well, whatever. Anyway, let’s gather at least two more people and head inside.”
Marko had taken four people with him to hunt for food, which meant there were seven people present. Lin declined to go exploring when Kari asked if she wanted to come with them. That was disappointing, but Kari understood how exhausted the Lamia was. Truth be told, she was tired as well, but the idea of exploring unexplored ruins was simply too good for her to pass up. Of the seven people they asked, two agreed to come with them.
“I would be more than happy to accompany you into the ruins,” Finn said with a bow. He had actually volunteered himself after overhearing their conversation.
“You seem awfully enthusiastic.” Catalyna frowned at Finn.
“I merely wish to aid you,” Finn replied as he gave them a refined smile filled with boyish charm.
Catalyna narrowed her eyes. “And yet, this is the first time you have ever accompanied me on an expedition. You normally refuse whenever I have asked you before.” Her eyes briefly flickered to Kari. “I wonder if something about this expedition was enough to make you change your mind?”
Finn’s smile remained fixed in place. “Nothing has changed. I just thought it was finally time to expand my horizons.”
Kari wasn’t sure she liked this man. He’d been alternating between staring lustfully at her and glaring hatefully at Eryk ever since their expedition had begun, but she also didn’t have a reason to deny him right then. They were in a tight situation and couldn’t afford to create needless tension between members of their group. She sucked up her feelings for the sake of survival.
“Well, whatever.” Catalyna sighed as if giving up. “Now we just need one more person to come with us.” Finn looked like he had something to say about that, but Catalyna ignored him as she looked around before spotting a figure sitting on a rock somewhat removed from the others. “Come on.”
Kari followed the woman curiously as Catalyna walked up to the man on the rock. He was older than the rest of them, with distinguished gray hair that was slicked back and a thick beard. Dark eyes stared out from beneath a rugged face that radiated experience. He wore the leather armor of a Nevarian Spiritualist, but it was covered in dings and cracks, signs of the tumultuous battles they’d all been in. Despite this, he seemed to be in good health and was relatively calm.
“Princess Kari, Miss Catalyna… Finn, do you need my help with something?” asked the man. Something about the way he said Finn’s name struck Kari as odd. It was filled with tension. Did they have a rivalry?
“We’re going to explore the ruins in search of a place to spend the night,” Catalyna said. “Staying out here during the night, when the temperature will drop, and the potential to be attacked by Demon Beasts is high isn’t in our best interests. I would like for you to come with us, Ander.”
The person who Kari now knew as Ander stood to his feet and nodded. “I will accompany your group.” He glanced at Finn again, and this time, Kari thought she saw sparks flying between them.
Now that they had four people, Catalyna led them over to the entrance that would lead into the ruins themselves. It was a large archway about ten times taller and six times wider than a full-grown adult, marked on either side by a pair of artfully decorated towers that stood even taller than the entrance. Watchtowers? She didn’t know. Howeve
r, these odd towers had a balcony-like walkway connecting them. It seemed a strange thing to add.
Just before they entered the ruins, the entire mountain suddenly shook with a fierce and powerful force that sent nearly all of them to the ground. Two of their members screamed. Kari and Catalyna bent their knees to keep their center of gravity balanced. Even then, Kari felt the intense shaking rattle her bones.
The shaking eventually stopped. However, just when she and the others were about to resume their activities, it began again, louder and more powerful this time. It stopped, then started, then stopped, only to start once more. If Kari had to take a guess, she would say it sounded like a Titan—a legendary S-Rank Demon Beast—was smashing the ground with its fists.
“What the hell is going on here?!” demanded Catalyna.
Unfortunately, no one had an answer.
Fay had moved herself to what she deemed a safe distance from Eryk, but she hadn’t gone so far that she couldn’t see what he was up against. A chill ran down her spine as she stood on a large boulder. Her breathing had almost completely stilled. Even from this far away, the monstrosity that Eryk was squaring off with caused pressure to well up inside of her chest, like a massive weight was slowly crushing her ribcage.
While the monster was so large she could see it even from several kilometers away, Eryk was barely a speck. She couldn’t see much more than a tiny black dot. Of course, that was only when he was standing still, which he didn’t do often.
The monstrous being that Eryk was fighting roared. A powerful sound wave was unleashed from its mouth, causing the mountain near them to shake and Fay’s bones to rattle. It felt like her entire body was being shaken apart. She could only imagine how Eryk felt. He was right next to it.
Raising its hands above its head, the creature brought them down in a powerful and explosive attack that caused the ground around it to explode. But this wasn’t just an explosion of force. Large spikes of earth suddenly sprang from the ground as though trying to skewer the tiny figure darting all around it. Each spike was easily ten or so meters tall and several wide. What’s more, as the spikes grew, more spikes erupted from their surfaces, smaller but no less deadly.
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