Chapter 133: Unending Knowledge

Chapter 133: Unending Knowledge

Erec stood in front of the gate that would lead to another world. His Armor now fully functional, and reinforced. At this point, about 25% of the exterior plating was reinforced with scrap, and a portion of the interior wiring had to be redone and soldered with whatever he could find.

Normally, around this point would mark the start of structural integrity issues. But thanks to VAL and its nanites, they were a long way off from that being a concern. Aside from some weaker metal alloys now on the exterior, it was still pretty near the condition he left the Kingdom in.

The most important part was that his Armor would meet Boldwick standards, and he’d beat the Knights and Pendragon’s preparations.

Right now they still rushed around pulling together the last few pieces to enable the mission.

“Not much longer...” Erec mumbled, Boldwick told them to be ready in the next couple of hours.

His eyes roamed over to the end of the tunnel; the steel rings that lined the totality of the tunnel narrowed until they blended together, ending in a solid piece of steel, welded from the walls to the back. There was a secondary ring of what seemed to be copper, and other metals, along with electrical equipment blinking and glowing, wires running off from that...

Yeah, an old-world contraption on a grand scale, Erec was sure. If it worked, the rings would light up, and open up a temporary rift right where that steel wall was.

Then, he’d step into another world.

“You nervous?” Garin asked Erec, one of his arms wrapped around Colin’s shoulder as they approached. Like him, as initiates, and those going on the mission, other then getting their gear together, there wasn’t much else to be done for the Initiates who were going. And they’d had significantly more time to sit and ponder the current situation then Erec, who’d needed to make repairs.

“Who wouldn’t be? At this point though, how many times have we faced threats that could end us? This one’s different, but still the same in a lot of ways. I’ve always been curious about what it’s like on the other side of one of these.”

There seemed to be an infinite possibility of worlds, based on the monsters they’d encountered. Yet the accounts of Knights were limited. Some made the trip for research, others by necessity, but as a general rule, they avoided crossing into another world.

“Though I don’t understand why you decided to come along, Colin,” Erec asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? If you’re so accomplished and the same age as I, even from a lesser station, it wouldn’t behoove me to reject this opportunity.” Colin answered too quickly.

“Your father refused to participate, probably on grounds of his rank, which you should have too.” Garin answered, “Listen, if you’re worried about Erec, you can just admit that. It’s why I decided to go along, though to think he’s doing it chase a girl...”

“It’s not about Enide.” Erec answered, crossing his arms. And that was true, partially. Some of it was about her, but some of it was about him. There were plenty of reasons to go, but the most important is because deep down he knew he had to. And he wouldn’t let that instinct go anymore, how much of that was a change influenced by Enide, or natural progress he couldn’t say.

The jury was still out on whether or not it’d lead to his death, but it would make life worth living. He felt sure of that.

Then he was alone. Each step required considerable force as a rush of sound flooded his ears—crackling like a log on a fire.

The world twisted in an instant from an endless steel hall to an oppressive dark corridor. VAL instantly activated the light on his helm and saw Boldwick and Robin slightly ahead.

Massive wooden shelves lined the path ahead, stretching high enough into the sky to leave sight and make it impossible to say how tall they were. Erec stepped forward, his leg heavy as he lunged; the support of his Armor caught him.

[Expect some motion sickness.] VAL cautioned. [I’ll help you keep upright until you adjust since we just flung ourselves through space. Gravity also seems off here.]

Erec took small cautious steps, his breath quickening as his head twisted to take in all he could see.

Rows upon rows of wooden shelves, more than the largest library he’d ever entered. Some of them were chained down; others had plaques written in indecipherable script. Upon them were stacks of paper, scrolls, and books shoved in; the occasional blank space and other-worldly statues dotted the landscape.

Above was a dim light. Floating candles charted their course through the maze of shelves.

Erec flinched as far above a shadow flickered from one of the shelves to another. His hand groped around for his axe as he wobbled closer to the other Knights.

Garin and Colin popped out the twisting distortion, which appeared different from this side. Instead of a wave of rainbow and light and dark, there was a mass of black in the middle of the hall. Not long after came the confused Pendragons, though Enide and Rochester seemed fine with the shift in reality.

This wasn’t what he’d expected.

When he pictured an alien world, he envisioned trees with eyeballs. Maybe purple fauna. A whole landscape of slime, or even a lush red field of flowers... Something to match the eldritch monsters he’d faced.

But this was like the world’s creepiest library, with an almost oppressive atmosphere. He couldn’t get over the feeling of being watched.

“...Do not touch anything.” Boldwick cautioned as Rochester reached a hand towards one of the nearest shelves. He yelled in surprise as his hand brushed the back of a book, only for the thing to twist around and dive at him, its binding flaring open to reveal jagged teeth as it snapped at his hand.

Enide appeared right next to it, the barrel of her las-rifle on the cover, blasting a hole through the book.

It fell to the ground, burning away.

“Dear Goddess,” Colin said. “Even the books here want to kill us?”