Chapter 4 - The Gate

*Modern day: 4050 August 30

Location: Zen; City: Null; Population: XXX

"Transmigrated? Isn't that fictional?" Beatrix stated, matter-of-factly. The four friends stared at each other and shrugged.

"Is it possible that we're all just sharing one dream?" Astherielle suggested. Jaspreth pinched her by the cheek.

"Ow!" Astherielle gave Jaspreth a deathly glare.

"Okay, not a dream." Jaspreth claimed, smiling serenely towards Astherielle.

"We could debate about this all day or night long, whatever the time is, but listen." Zera warned, her face serious.

As if on cue, the ground beneath their feet shook, having them hold on to each other.

When things settled down, Jaspreth took a peek from the tower, which briefly hid them. The tower seemed to be endless. Each of them believed they came from up there before falling right where they were now standing.

Behind them, a colorful wall surrounded the vast area. Several kilometers away from their hiding place stood an enormous golden gate. Cherubim statues were on display on both sides, keeping the gate guarded.

Grecian pillars served as its posts and a wide white wall concealed whatever lay beyond the closed gates.

Blue flame erupted towards the sky, catching the attention of the four friends, who were still puzzled about what happened.

They watch it dissipate into the purplish sky which had no moon nor any stars to indicate what time it was.

"I really have no idea what happened or why we're here, nor where 'here' is exactly. But, I think that golden gate is our priority." Jaspreth voiced out, his eyes looking from Zera, then towards Beatrix and then Astherielle.

"We need to get through it." Zera concluded, catching on what Jaspreth was trying to say.

"Easy, we just need to–"

"Run!"

The four friends blinked and stared at each other. None of them had screamed that word.

Peeking altogether, they watched as a group of four others in varying odd attires like them were sparring against a gigantic beast. It resembled a grizzly bear. Its fur was matted with yellowish taint.

Bravely attacking it with a huge hammer, one of the five was keeping it busy. Another one, a female, aided him, slashing with a sword. The two danced and dodged the beast's counter attack. It lashed at them blindly.

The two others were running ahead. One was firing at the little minions that approached them in the opposite direction. The last one was stealthily attacking the minions with her dagger, slashing and chopping off the head of what appeared to be little versions of the beast chasing after them.

Yellowish liquid oozed out of the fallen bodies of the monsters.

"Whoa," Jaspreth whistled. "That's some intense battle. But on top of that, how did they take possession of those weapons?"

Ping!

[Weaponry Activated]

His face glowed as the translucent screen appeared right before him.

[Hammer of Death - Damage Points: 150 Requirement: 100 Mana Points]

[Sword of Doom - Damage Points: 300 Requirement: 200 Mana Points]

[Axe of the gods - Damage Points: 350 Requirement: 250 Mana Points]

[Guns of Terror - Damage Points: 500 Requirement: 400 Mana Points]

[Monster Daggers - Damage Points: 500 Requirement: 400 Mana Points]

A long list of other weapons was on display. However, there was a lock symbol that could be seen beside the weapons succeeding the Monster daggers.

Jaspreth immediately understood why. The Mana Points for those were beyond what he has right now.

His friends came close and inspected his screen, each of them at least squinting at one weapon in particular.

Clicking the axe, Jaspreth watched the translucent screen as it displayed his profile.

[Player Name: MasterTrickster]

[Gender: Male]

[Player level: Beginner]

[Class: Fighter]

[Affinity: Crow]

[Mana Points: 250]

[Attack Damage: 850]

[Weapon: Axe of the gods lv.1]

[HP: 200]

"Whoa. Level 1?" He whistled once again. "This means we could upgrade our weapon of choice later in the game!"

He excitedly exclaimed.

A few seconds later, the screen disappeared. Blue sparks emitted around his hands, slowly taking the shape of an axe.

Jaspreth's mouth dropped open. He swung the axe like it weighed nothing despite its massive head.

The edge looked sharp enough to cut through anything. He was careful not to swing it in front of his friends lest he accidentally cut them.

"Sweet!" He realized the three girls were frowning in his direction. "What? Don't tell me you still haven't moved past the part where we're already stuck inside a game?"

"I don't understand why you seem so happy. Jay! This is not a dream!" Zera hissed. She had to keep her voice down or she might catch some unwanted attention.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Z. Sharmaine will be coming to stay with me for the next few days. I want to get out of here as much as you all do. And in order for that to happen, we need to play the game." Jaspreth countered, his chest rising and falling.

"I mean come on. There's no other way out. I figured we might as well enjoy it, yeah?"

The three girls eyed each other. Beatrix was the first one to release a shaky breath.

"Jaspreth's right. We're already stuck here. There's no other way out but to play along with whatever trickery that brought us inside this freaking game."

"Well, for starters, I do love our get-up." Astherielle beamed, lifting the somber mood that surrounded them.

The three stared at Zera. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"Pfft. It's fine, Z. Come on, you three take your pick. The faster we make it to that golden gate, the faster we can figure out what to do next."

"I'm taking the guns." Beatrix announced, summoning the translucent screen, and instantly chose the said weapon.

"But–" Zera tried to stop her. "Your Mana Points…"

Beatrix shrugged, playing with the guns as they fell on her hands. She even made poses with them, putting the tip of one close to her lips as she blew away the imaginary smoke from firing it.

"What's the use of Mana Points if we all die?" She smiled.

Zera let out a sigh, choosing her weapon right after. A thin Samurai sword landed on her waiting palms. Intricate patterns swirled around its sheath.

"Well, that's disappointing." Astherielle grimaced, a red warning had flashed on her screen.

[Weapon already selected. Please select another]

"I wanted the guns too." She whined, pouting her lips.

"Sorry, babe. I can lend it to you if the circumstance calls for it." Beatrix winked her way, tossing and catching one gun in her hands.

Astherielle grinned and shook her head, selecting the daggers instead.

"This should do the trick."

"Oh, hell yeah! Are we all set?" Jaspreth eyed the three.

Nodding, Zera held out a fist, narrowing her eyes in fixed determination.

"No matter what happens, we'll make it out of this… strange whatever, alive. No one will get left behind.." She caught each of her friend's gazes. "Are you with me?"