The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 37: An Ode to a Hero. (Part 1)

Chapter 37: An Ode to a Hero.

Aria Friend:

"Isn't this a normal office?" I asked as we entered the building. It wasn't far off from the city centre and being quite late in the day, empty.

"The Clan blends into its environment. This entrance is relatively new." Zen looked about as we stepped through the door. "Though it is strange that it's empty."

"They know we know about this place," Vanter nodded in agreement. "Did they break the entrance and leave?"

"It shouldn't be that easy," Zen shook her head.

I nodded, "I feel something coming from the back of the building... but I don't feel anyone else inside."

"Stay close to me," Zen lead the way as we followed behind, Vanter leading the rear and myself in the middle. It didn't take long for us to reach the back of the building and inside an unassuming office we faced a closed door. The door however emanated a strange energy I hadn't felt before.

"Strange, isn't it?" Vanter noticed my staring. "You're not super proficient with Aura so you wouldn't realise but they've basically made a Gate using Aura. When you think about it, it's kind of incredible."

"Yeah," I nodded. No wonder it felt strange. I could think of ways to do the same with mana but to twist Aura to do the same, an energy that was very much tied to the person, I was impressed.

Zen however frowned, "It is amazing however I can tell you, they didn't figure it out ethically. I fear for Ardent. If he goes against them, they'd decide to cut him open and pry what they need from there."

A shiver crossed down my spine at the thought, "We need to hurry. Can you open the door?"

"It depends if they'll let us," Zen reached forward and opened the door. A flare of energy like a wave of heat passed by us but ultimately the door revealed a simple white wall behind it. "Looks like we're doing this the hard way."

"Do you want me to try?" I asked. Due to Endi's explosion of mana, I had taken in a decent amount. While I couldn't replenish it easily, it was probably enough to blow up a building or two.

"No, it's okay, save what mana you have. Ardent told me before that it can be hard to gather." Zen placed her hand in the middle of the open door. She breathed out and a shimmer of gold light began to float like particles from her body, concentrating at her fingers. "While I did make my escape, I always knew they'd come after me. I'm not one to have a one-sided fight." Her purple eyes flared brighter and suddenly the floating energy charged towards the door wrapping around it. Zen then raised her other fist and pulling back, launched forward with the weight of her entire being. Her punch tore the space apart connecting it to the corridor beyond.

"Wow," I let out in awe. I could vaguely contemplate what she had done, and it was an entirely different to what I would have tried. To put it as brute force would be a disservice but in essence that's exactly what it was.

Zen breathed again and flexed her neck, "Let's go. They'll have noticed that." With a simple step Zen passed through the shattered opening and I followed.

"Ah shit," Vanter however let out. He stood at the boundary. "Damn, I should have expected that."

"You can't enter?" I asked frowning.

"No, looks like whatever Ardent pulled he reset the dimension. It's no longer anchored. I can't enter."

Zen nodded, "Then stay here and wait for us. We won't be able to contact you once we pass further, if anything happens we'll try to get a message here."