Chapter 293: Ryun

Chapter 293: Ryun

Ethereal Trip

Ryuns sense took in everyone around him, the full assault team, as they walked toward the portal leading into the Ethereal Realm. Everyone was fully geared, ready for a fight. He had read their screens, knew what they could do. He wasnt really surprised by anything; he had expected powerful people. From his part of the team, only two lacked ideals, Zacharia and Nahamassa, from the Empires only their healerGentle Touch.

But such things didnt always equate to power. Ryuns own ideal was and could be powerful, but it wasnt suited for every situation. He hoped that they would all be useful against their foe, but they knew so little. Already it was clear to Ryun that they had little information on the Dome Leader, almost nothing. The Empires people had managed to enter its lair only twice, and they didnt return for fear of their way in being discovered. They knew so little, and yet there wasnt much that they could do to change that. There was no time for it.

Their mistake was clear to Ryun. The great failing of people, the arrogance, the greed, the stupidity. The inability to accept change, to adapt and take decisive action. In the core, it had manifested as a way for them all to try and get more, more power, more territory, more wealth, to take advantage of the chaos that the deaths at the tournament brought. From what the others told him, half of them didnt even believe that the dome monsters were even a threat. The sad part was, that Ryun could understand that. If he hadnt been there, hadnt seen the monsters with his own eyes, he probably wouldve done the same.

It wasnt even hard to see how it happened. If the majority believes in something, it was far harder to change their opinion. They would follow blindly simply because it was easier. Individuals might be smart, be able to see the danger and perhaps even decided to help, but the masses? The majority? They were not, the collective of people was stupid, and ignorant.

It was the sad reality, that most people were followers. They held their idols up and followed their lead, too afraid of thinking on their own. It was sad, and it was what separated the great from the average. Most all people in this world that Ryun had any respect for were those who made their own paths. Who chose to grab power and take more.

This mission was not different at all. Yes, it was to save the world, a lofty goal, but for Ryun it was more than that. Why should it not be? It was to save his people, to protect what mattered to him. But it was also about the opportunity to leap ahead again. To be the first again. This world had robbed him of that, there was nothing left to be discovered by him, no great first titles to be gained. This was a chance to accomplish a great feat, like the one that Zacharia had. That was what made them different than the others, even now, the old and the powerful looked down on them. He saw it in their eyes. Some might have respect for the power that they held, but few understood. It was not age and it wasnt even their advancement that made them strong. Zach and Ryun had something that all of them lacked. The unbreakable will, forged in the death of a world. They didnt advance fast because they were better at learning than others in this world, or so much more talented. They gained power because they did not allow the world to break them, to shape them into the drones that most have become.

He could see it in Zach too, even though he tried to ignore it, to pretend. It was clear to Ryun that Zach didnt yet accept that there was nothing in this world that could break them. He ran and hid, trying to be a part of the world that he would never belong to. They were apart, and they would never thrive unless they carved out a piece of this infinite world for themselves. Zach feared that part of himself, the part that was capable of hunting a monster that he had no chance of defeating. The part that was willing to sacrifice lives of others for power, the part that was willing to stand at the back and watch his friends be broken before his eyes just for a chance at a single strike.

But Ryun knew that a time would come, when he would accept it. Perhaps then, they could be again what they were before.

The first few entered the portal, and the others following closely behind. Ryun was at the back of the line, behind Selia and Erdania. He watched as Eratemus and his undead crossed and then the rest until only he was left. He hesitated for a moment, he was never one to consider the odds, to pause in the face of overwhelming might. He knew the truth of this world, that no matter how much power one had, anyone could fall. With a sigh, he took a step after them.

The moment of transition made his head spin. One moment he was sensing a courtyard, a city filled with people, and in the other it was gone. The change was instant, but it took his sense a moment to recover, and then he could sense the world around him. It was different. He opened his eyes and saw a scape that looked like the city he was just in, only nothing felt real in his sense, not in the same way that it had a moment before. And he realized why. Everything was made out of the same Essence. This world was fake, a mirror image of the real one. To his eyes, everything he looked at was the same color, it was hard to discern what things were, his sense had to fill in the difference. There were traces of other Essence, but too little to change anything. There was no air, no light, everything was a thick mist of the Ethereal Essence. He couldnt see anything with clarity. For the first time in a long time, he felt blind. Without his sense, he wouldve been unable to even grasp the shapes around him.

And then, as he settled and adjusted, he felt something else. He froze in shock, and then relief.

Ryun? What is it? Selia spoke. He blinked and saw her walk back to him, sensing his emotions through the bond. Erdania looked back from a few steps behind her.

Ryun closed his eyes and reached for his perk, then frowned.

Its Ereclaw, Ryun said. Hes here.

He had known that he was alive, even though he couldnt quite explain how. He still had the perks that he gained from their contract, though one he couldnt use even when he tried. Now his Send Thought perk worked, but

I cant reach him, Ryun said.

Selia didnt say anything, she just stood near him.

The city should be mostly empty, Erik added. Most of the enemy forces are at our Wall. They had taken over the fort that we had guarding the Dome, some of the monsters that can breed others are there. The city has only a few patrols of lesser monsters, probably because the Dome Leader doesnt realize that we can reach it like this.

Ryun tilted his head, but it was Zach that asked the question.

Why not? He said.

The entire city is protected against teleportation powers. No one should be able to enter the city without getting past the fort and the monsters there, Erik responded.

How are we getting in then? Zach asked.

Erik just glanced at Anashi.

I am the only one that can, she said and Ryun understood. Her ideal, it was meant for this. No wonder they didnt have a lot of information about the city, they could only do this so often, and each time would risk detection and letting the enemy know that they could do this.

Good, Eratemus said as his griffin landed near them. This is our last chance before heading into danger, make sure that you are all ready. We find the Dome Leader and we attack, no holding back, no waiting, no talking with it. Just unleash everything that you have at it.

Agreed, Erik said.

Ryun nodded. Fights to the death did not last long in this world, and Ryun had learned that holding back could mean the end. Often, the one who used a powerful move first was the one who won, unless the other had something that could counter it.

Now, they were about to go against a foe that they knew precious little about.

Ryun, Selia, Vryull, Eratemus spoke. If the battle drags on, and the monsters arrive, we are going to need you to keep them occupied, prevent them from overwhelming us.

They nodded, they had already known that that was their role in the fight. Though, if they caught the Dome Leader alone they would strike at it first.

Everyone made last minute checks, and once all were ready Eratemus looked them over. Drink your potions.

Ryun started pulling potions out of his storage like everyone else. Ones that increased his stats, his regeneration, others that made his skin harder and heightened his senses. It took them several minutes to drink them all, and by the end of it Ryun felt himself filled with more power than he had held ever before.

Do it, Eratemus said once they were all done.

Anashi narrowed her eyes and pointed her staff in front of her, and then she used her ideal.

Clear Pathway

The world in front of them twisted, a gash appeared and then widened, changed into a round rift. Essence spilled in from the real world, and they all charged through without any hesitation. Into the city of the Dome Leader, a city of monsters.