Chapter 24: Ruler of All, Slain

At long last, we had reached the top of the mountain. Not the peak mind you but the furthest we could go on foot. The very top we all doubted was where Slain would be. It was just a tip of a large mountain, there was no area he could be at reasonably. Here, this area was flat and spacious but also seemed like there was no place he could be hiding...nor was there any special treasure lying around. 

"So...we reached the furthest we could go...what now?" Mateo asked. We looked around...nothing was here. No hidden paths or special chests...just a flat surface before the mountain went up further but to an inaccessible area. 

"Let's ask Mr. Voice." I stated. My party agreed until we realized...something was happening. 

"Does the sky look...darker?" I pointed at the sky, which was bright and clear a moment ago. Now, the sky looked akin to twilight. The various colors around us had darkened in general. 

"This seems bad." Mateo frantically looked around.

"Guys prepare yourselves!" Thalia screamed as she ran to get closer to us. We had all backed up into one another having each other's backs as best as we could. I summoned my sword, Alna's claws were ready and Mateo had his club. 

"We can handle this together!" I shouted.

"RIGHT!" the others screamed in together.

"Please...don't wait outside any longer. Come, join me in my castle." A voice pierced the air around us and left us scouring around for its source.

"Where did that come from?" I asked still rapidly looking around, my head felt like it would rip off soon at this rate. 

"Too many people for one transfer. Let's fix that. You'll be separated but don't worry. Survive long enough and come to my castle where we can have a proper chat." Exactly what we knew would happen.

"Guys...no matter what find each other!" I yelled.

"Stay strong my friends we can handle anything." Thalia said.

"Hero, you better not die on us." Mateo replied.

"Mizuki...I love you." Alna said holding my hand.

"I love you too..." with that the world shifted and I didn't need to know we were being transported...I honestly was getting tired of this happening. 

When I finally regained my sight I was clearly not on the mountain I knew anymore. This area too looked like a mountain side but broken apart in pieces that were...floating? The area around was also quite dark, this wasn't due to it being late no it was as if this area had no actual light from stars or the moon. Just pure darkness. I took off my outer suit top and looked across the abyss I was standing on...there's it was, barely visible due to the engulfing darkness. The dark castle, the one straight from my dream. Looming in the distance...

"Well I'm going to guess Slain is there." I looked around for a means to reach the castle and saw a small pathway of floating rocks. I walked over to one and pushed down using all my weight, it didn't budge. I climbed up and was standing on it, still floating as if held by invisible threads. I saw there was a good seven more straight across and figured this would be the only path to the castle. Against my better judgment and letting bravery fuel me, I jumped onto the next platform. It shifted slightly but not enough to make me lose my balance. 

"Just like a game..." I said and continued jumping to each platform. I finally reached the last one and saw there was another base I could jump to. I did just that landing on the soft moss below. I looked and the castle almost seemed to come closer to me. As if it grew legs and literally walked over to me. I bet many would make the claim that they'd enter right away but that would be an outright lie. Despite seeing the entrance, a dark open gate that had two fire torches on each side like a typical bosses final dungeon, I didn't rush in sword at the ready. Part of me wanted to find my friends first, find Alna and ensure she was okay. I knew they all could hold their own in a fight but I still worried as their leader. Even with my thoughts telling to find them first, I decided to enter into the castle...

Have you ever been inside a castle? Aside from video games and anime, I've never seen a real life castle. With the exception of some of the old Edo period Japanese castles but those didn't feel that old and most were modernized. This castle...had to be beyond a thousand years old. The carpet and rugs were filled with holes. Their once red hue had become stained with unknown substances and time. The doors ways were decrepit and falling apart. One door I passed by was literally falling off the hinges, being held in place by gravity and weight. The candles within however had been replaced recently. Their heights showed they were just lit and barely melted. Despite their weak flames, it was enough to conquer the darkness within this place. 

I continued walking for a good bit, most of the rooms were unused, dust had either caked the various furnishings within or the doors were so stuck it was neigh impossible to open them. Slain might have been a powerful being but cleaning wasn't one of his strengths. Honestly, why would someone alone need this many rooms? 

Eventually, I saw two paths in front of me, one led into a large hall of some sort, while the other path led to a stairway with yet more rooms on the landing above. Part of me figured Slain would be at the highest point but I didn't need to dwell on his location for much longer...

"Stop looking for me already and just approach hero. Bored of how long this is taking." the unknown voice from the mountain was here and it was in the large hall. I knew I was setting myself up to be defeated if I didn't follow the plan we had set, to link up before facing Slain but now it was too late...my meeting with Slain was here and he seemed as anxious as I was to meet face to face.

I entered the room, it was lit but numerous lanterns, a fireplace and several other odd fixtures. The room screamed final boss room from any typical RPG, and sitting down on a rather large throne was a man...his features weren't what I was expecting. At first glance he looked to be around my age, slender build, long brown hair and eyes that were...crimson. Despite him sitting down, I figured his height was no bigger than my own.

"Welcome hero." I didn't have to ask but I did regardless.

"Who are you?"

"Ruler of all that is Armata, Slain."