Epics of Noche 2, DeathTech

EON CH 48

THE ABYSS.

 1774, NOVEMBER 28th, MONDAY 7:11 am.

Noche was led past the iron-wrought doors and dragged into a large room. It was about a hundred feet high with a dark-gray checkerboard design on ceiling and floor; about every twenty feet apart was a marble column that connected the two surfaces.

Water splashed underfoot as the group trekked through the remains of Noche's Dead Light Cannon, which flooded the previous room. Aside from the way they came, where a smooth wall continued out of sight, this room went as far as the eye could see before vanishing into infinite darkness.

"D-Does anyone else get the sensation of that infinite hallway, or the elevator shaft that never ended?" Noche whispered. "This place feels unnatural... Like it goes on forever."

"It should. Despite all my protest, you made the decision to come back here," Boots said. "No one should feel comfortable in their tomb."

Noche stared as Boots walked past her and approached Raven. With both being at least six and a half feet tall, Raven taller by two inches, neither had to lower their heads when the orange-haired boy leaned over to mutter something.

"Why did you destroy the anglerfish soldier?" he asked.

"It tried to kill Noche – Edward wanted her alive," Raven said.

"There are a dozen different ways you could have prevented it from doing so. The main one being ordering it to stand down," he continued. "You didn't have to erase it from existence just to obey Edward's orders."

The man in the yellow raincoat paused for a second, then continued walking.

"You're right. I didn't... I erased Ang because I wanted to."

"Why?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does. I don't want Edward hurting Spark because one of his toys broke."

"He won't... Trust me."

Boots closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and held it for a handful of seconds before sighing. He lessened his pace and fell in line behind the strongest bird of death.

Heavy darkness still obscured the far-off sections of the room, but now something came into sight. A throne – one built for a giant. It was made of stone, lacked any details, and stood at least fifteen feet tall.

Raven halted the moment it came into view.

The bird of death inched his head left and right, scanning the environment. Boots narrowed his eyes and did the same. Noche scowled as the seconds passed in silence.

"What?" She snapped.

"Edward's not here," Raven muttered.

"So?"

"He was supposed to be here," he said. "He said he'd be waiting for dramatic effect."

"Raven!" Boots shouted.

The Bird of Death turned and followed the orange-haired boy's gaze. He paused, his head locked on the direction of the throne, before taking a few steps forward. Raven stopped moving once he reached the massive chair. His sight locked onto the seat.

Noche furrowed her brows and took a few steps closer – her nose crinkled as the odor hit her like a sack of bricks to the face.

Rotting meat.