Saga of Atlantis

"I took a moment to look at them before I replied, pointing downwards, "...She is here, just below us."

...This is the place that I saw in the game.

"But she isn't alone," I added, looking down, my voice turning serious as I knew I couldn't take it lightly.

"Someone at Ascension Level is guarding her body."

Both Nadya's and Elysia's faces hardened at my words.

I could clearly see concern in their eyes—for both their mother and for me.

"Hey, Neil," Elysia said, her obsidian eyes boring into me. "Are you sure you can win against it?"

"That dude who's at ascension level?" I asked, tilting my head.

"He's a whole rank higher than you," she replied, nodding hesitantly. "...That isn't someone you can take on—."

"Do you need our help?" Nadya cut in as she walked forward. "Or do you want us to stay out of it?"

"No, you can—."

"Neil." She said, her voice serious. "Don't try to sugarcoat your words."

I sighed as I rubbed my temples. "...Honestly, I would prefer if you guys stay out of the fight."

"Got it." Nadya replied with a smile, her long, voluminous pink hair bouncing as she nodded. "We'll be out of your way."

"Glad you understand," I replied as I patted her head, which made her blush a little.

My gaze shifted toward Elysia, who was biting her nails in frustration.

Her gaze met mine, and even though she wanted to say a lot of things, she held back.

"Just this once," she finally whispered with a deep sigh.

"With that settled." I announced as I stretched my body a little. "I want to make a few things clear."

...A being at ascension level.

Someone who could be considered a powerhouse in this world.

From what I remember, the one guarding Nadya's mother is in middle order.

'Someone who could be a pillar of a kingdom.'

I haven't faced many at that level, but all of them were terrifying.

Strong enough to make me feel hesitant to fight against them.

"The moment we get a hold of your mother," I said as I glanced up at the ceiling. "I am blowing up this place."

"...."

Elysia opened her mouth to rebuke but quickly dismissed whatever she wanted to say.

"Anything else?" Nadya asked, tilting her head.

"Oh, right." I smiled as I looked at her. "Forgive me if I unknowingly touch your mother inappro—."

"You aren't doing anything like that," Elysia cut in, glaring at me.

Explore new worlds at empire

I shrugged while glancing at Nadya.

...Who was deep in thought.

[...There is no way she is having second thoughts, right?]

Edda's concerned and creeped-out voice echoed in my head.

'Knowing her, yeah, pretty sure she is having second thoughts.'

[Yikes.]

'Stop it.'

"Anyway, we're going down," I announced, looking at them as I gestured for them to step back.

They obliged, giving me enough space.

I tapped on the floor with my leg, checking its toughness.

It was made of hard concrete, enough to take heavy damage.

I ramped my heel on the surface as a spear slowly started to emerge in my hand.

Draupnir.

The golden spear shone brightly as I played with it a little.

I glanced at them one last time, making sure they were out of harm's way.

"Hah."

I let out a deep breath before I tightened my grip on the spear.

Flexing my back muscles, I thrust my spear into the ground with all my strength.

And just when its tip was about to touch the floor, I let Star energy run wild within the weapon.

BOOM!!!

The floor beneath me broke with a thunderous sound.

The whole building trembled while my body fell down.

I looked up as both Nadya and Elysia followed behind me, jumping into the pitfall.

After falling for a while, I landed on the ground, and just as I did, I spread my arms.

Nadya let her body fall over mine as I caught her.

"Thank you," she chirped, grinning as I placed her down, ignoring Elysia, who fell awkwardly.

I smiled as I looked around the place.

An unfamiliar, dimly lit room greeted me.

The place seemed cold and dead, the same as what I remembered from the foggy memories of the game.

"Hm?"

But what caught my attention was a familiar feeling.

...Mana.

A thin layer of mana surrounded the place, creating a distinct atmosphere.

And finally, I looked around at the ground, which was filled with dead bodies of armed soldiers.

...Everywhere my gaze moved, I saw death.

"Neil," Elysia whispered softly, her voice thick with emotions.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I looked at her trembling body before I followed her gaze.

At the end of the long room was an uneven crystal orb.

...And inside that crystal was the body of a woman who looked exactly like a mature version of Nadya.

...Their mother.

But my gaze abruptly shifted away from her body.

I looked down.

...And there 'he' was.

Lazily sitting on the throne, clutching an old twisted book.

"Stay back," I ordered them, my voice serious as 'his' body twitched.

"N-Neil."

"Just stay back," I whispered softly, looking back at her.

She looked at me, and I could clearly see emotions in her eyes.

...She was scared.

"Take care," Elysia said as she grabbed Nadya, dragging her away from me.

With them gone, I focused back on the man who slowly stood up from his throne.

"....."

Without saying a word, I walked toward him, gripping tightly on my spear.

The man had his entire body practically stitched together including his face, marking of stitch was clearly visible on his upper body.

He wore a ragged royal attire with eyes as hollow as a bottomless pit.

He limply stepped down the stairs, barely holding himself.

"Are you still sane?" I asked as I looked at him.

"Ahh...That voice."

His twisted, broken voice echoed within the place.

"..Are you back, master?"

"...."

I abruptly stopped in my place as I heard his words.

"What?"

I asked, unable to comprehend his words.

"....I took care of everything you asked, master."

Ignoring my words, the man continued, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Then why did my kingdom perish?"

His body trembled in anger while I could only look at him in confusion.

"..."

I felt goosebumps across my entire body as his hollow eyes started to bleed.

"I followed your last wish."

The book in his hand slowly floated beside him.

Its pages turned constantly before stopping.

The whole place trembled violently.

A burning crimson flame started to engulf the entire place.

"THEN WHY DID THIS HAPPEN!?"