The day has finally arrived. We are taking off. I was told to wait at the Somnus Inn by Julius. He and the rest of The Barracks will apparently be arriving shortly. I was joined by Bryan and Sola in the dining hall.
“Shi?” Sola said in a questioning manner. “You think this is enough stuff? Or should I bring more?”
She opened up her little knapsack that was filled with colouring utensils and paper. I also saw Hubert stuffed inside there.
“That should be good,” I answered.
And yes. That’s right. I decided to take Sola with me. I don’t know if this is the right idea, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn her down. Plus, she is her own person, and there will be more than enough people to defend her as well.
“Sola, don’t you think you should bring more practical stuff?” Bryan laughed. “You planning on drawing a torch to light us a path or something?”
“You clearly don’t understand!” she protested. “And I already told you earlier, the only thing I’ll be doing is making soup for everyone.”
Oh yeah, there is that too. She is adamant about making soup for everyone while we’re out on this excursion. When I ask ‘with what ingredients,’ I always get some half-assed answers like: ‘You’re not getting any.’
“Sure, sure,” Bryan snorted. He was practically dying of laughter at this point. “I’m going to go do one more round check of my room. Gotta make sure I have everything before we head out.”
Sola turned to face me.
“What about you, Shi? Did you pack anything else?”
I looked at my knapsack.
“Other than the ropes, matches, torches, and some gloves I bought with Bryan yesterday, not much. This stuff should be more than enough.”
“I agree!” she cheered. “Let’s play while we wait!”
We played a match of double-O seven. I was constantly winning, so I decided to give her the victory here and there.
“Oh yeah, Sola.”
“Yeah?”
“Whose gonna run this place if you end up having to leave permanently?”
She stopped clapping her hands and tilted her head slightly.
“I hadn’t thought about that,” she giggled. “Well, it’ll work out somehow!”
That’s one way to look at it, I guess.
Bryan returned not long after with another bag in tow. I’m beginning to think he's a bit of a worry-wart with how he's constantly thinking we need to bring more things. Then again, it’s always better to be well-prepared.
Just then, the door to the dining hall opened. In came Caesar, who was joined by three other people, one of which I already knew.
“Nice to see the two of you are here,” Caesar spoke. His eyes rested on Sola. “Sorry, but who is that girl?”
She grabbed onto my shirt.
“Her name is Sola. She’s coming with us,” I blurted. “She can cook food with no ingredients. I don’t know how it works, but it’ll be useful if we get lost for an extended period of time.”
I just lied, but I don’t know what else to say. Sola has also been saying she can cook her soup even if nothing is available, so it's not too much of a reach.
“No problem,” he responded, taking a seat at the table. “Let me introduce you to my companions.”
He gestured to the first one. The women I already knew. Her hair was a short brown bob with a black sailor cap adorned on top. She wore black leggings and a white dress that reached just above her thighs. It was Dahlia.
“This is Dahlia. She has a fine memory. Anything and everything you tell her, she will remember it.”
She didn’t look too happy to greet Bryan or me, but with Sola, it was completely different. She gave her a big hug and instantly began to play games with her. Is this really the same woman??
Caesar then pointed to the other two, who were dressed in Roman army attire.
“This is Castoff, my right-hand man and aid. You may recognize him from the plaza incident.”
I honestly didn’t.
“Right, nice to meet you,” I said.
“Likewise.”
“And finally, my nephew. This is Augustus Caesar. I consider him to be my son.”
The other man took off his helmet, revealing golden locks that hung just past his chin and emerald-green eyes. He, too, extended a hand to greet me.
“Nice to meet you, Shi. My uncle has told me a lot about you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”
Caesar clapped his hands.
“Alright then, as much as I’d like to continue with the pleasantries, it’s time to get down to business. Let us head to the exit of the town and begin our expedition.”
We arrived at the town gates and were greeted by two guards. One of them perked up and smirked at us.
“Is that Caesar?” he jeered. “Heading out again, are you? With more people? Poor bastards are about to get lost in Hell.”
“Shut it,” Dahlia spat. “Can’t you see we are busy? Hurry up and open the gate, will you.”
“W-whatever,” he stammered. “I hope you lot don’t return!”
Caesar chuckled.
“Then I guess I won’t be seeing you later. Farewell.”
The gates creaked open, and we were finally out. It’s time to initiate Operation Manifestation! (Named by myself… teeheee~!)
The plan is quite simple. All seven of us will be tied together using the rope Bryan bought. I’ll be in the front using [Red Realm] to guide us in the right direction. Caesar will be in the very back to keep watch of everyone else.
Both Dahlia and Castoff have bags filled with non-expirable food. In the event that we run out before reaching a concrete destination, Sola will step in (With her imaginary food). Augustus and Bryan will act as our swords and shields, respectively, in case of any hidden dangers.
Like that, we quickly made our way through the checkered nothingness that is the ever-consuming fog. [Red Realm] was doing its job properly. Just like with the seven gates, I was led by Dark-Matter-kun.
We walked for what already began to feel like hours. Sola began to sing songs with Dahlia (didn’t expect that), and Caesar shared stories of his exploits in Rome. Compared to when I first arrived, things are much better. I’m happy to have made some decent companions.
“Well, Shi?” Caesar asked. “How is it looking?”
“Still the same,” I replied.
Unfortunately, Dark-Matter-Kun can’t speak, so he can’t tell me if we are close or not. Because of that, I was beginning to get anxious. What if there is no other realm? What if Virgil lied? What about getting back to Citadel Castrum? Can we even still do that?
My heart was beginning to pound rapidly in my chest. I completely underestimated the weight of my decision. If I don’t deliver concrete results, then my actions could potentially lead to everyone getting lost.
“Are you okay? You seem to be breathing heavily and irregularly.”
The voice caught me off. It was Augustus, the person behind me. He had whispered his words quietly.
“I’m okay,” I huffed. “Thanks for asking.”
“No problem,” he responded. “Don’t forget we are all in this together. We collectively chose to do this so the blame does not fall on you if things go astray. We all wanted to take this risk with you to see what’s out there.”
“What are you guys chatting about?” Bryan shouted. “Say it loud enough for the rest of us to hear! Are we close to something?”
“No!” Augustus laughed. “Shi just let out a fart and couldn’t stop apologizing. I’m trying to get him to realize that it won't mean anything with this foul smell out and about.”
“Ew!” The voice came from Dahlia. “I was better off before I knew that!”
“Shi… you haven’t even had any of my bean soup yet!”
That was definitely Sola…
“Wait!” I shouted. “That isn’t true at all! Don’t believe him!”
I couldn’t defend the allegation. So I gained the title of ‘fart boy’ bestowed to me by Dahlia and Sola. It didn’t help that Bryan and Augustus kept egging them on as well. Why can’t they all be more respectful like Castoff and Caesar?
Whatever!
I just want to see some progress. My mood is much better now, but I’m still reminded of how much I hate this place. We have already stopped to eat twice and are beginning to run a bit low on food. Despite that, morale continues to be high. It helps that we have Sola (and Dahlia, I guess) singing to prevent the negative thoughts from overtaking.
For the first time in a while, Dark-Matter-kun switched directions slightly. I got excited whenever this happened as it was something different from the straight path that became synonymous with this journey.
Maybe we are beginning to get closer. I really hope that is the case.
The journey has gone on now for an unknown amount of time. It was only silence that accompanied us now. If it weren’t for the subtle footsteps I heard behind me, I would honestly think I was alone.
The food is also pretty much all out too. I hope we will be okay.
Just then… Dark-Matter-kun began to run.
What?
Very quickly, I began to pick up my pace.
“Sorry, everyone, bear with me here, but something is different now.”
“That’s quite alright,” I heard Caesar yell. “Everyone, let us match Shi’s pace!”
I can see it. It’s just in front of me. Some kind of structure was teeming just over the horizon.
“Is it just me… or is the fog less dense than earlier?”
“I think you’re right, Castoff!” Bryan responded. “I’m beginning to see more and more.”
“That means we are finally here!” Sola cheered.
“Yes, I think so!” I added on. “Not too much longer now, everyone!”
We are here. Dark-Matter-kun stopped in his tracks and waved goodbye, disappearing amidst the rest of the dark matter.
“What is this place?”
“Oh my goodness…”
“Shi!” Sola tugged at my shirt. “Open your eyes!”
I peered them open. My vision was crystal clear. How come I didn’t see any of this in [Red Realm]? Was it because I used it for too long? Is it not as effective with prolonged usage? Shit. I’m gonna have to figure that out.
I felt my legs buckle as I collapsed to the ground. Relief was all I was feeling.
Bryan hovered over me.
“I know we just got here, and you want to relax, Shi, but you should really take a look at that.”
I reluctantly looked up. We were in front of a cave with a single sign nailed atop the entrance that read: Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here.
“Not the greeting I was expecting,” he chuckled.
Caesar was taking a closer look at the sign with Castoff. The two walked back in our direction.
“I believe we should form a plan before entering,” he suggested. “That cryptic message leaves a sour taste.”
“Guys!” I heard Dahlia yell. “You won’t believe this.”
She was back in the direction we had come from.
“Come over here, and just try walking further than where I’m standing.”
Instantly, Sola took off towards her and ran straight into nothing. Somewhat comedically, she fell to the ground as if she had hit something.
“What the?” she cried, standing up. She placed her hands on the fog and began acting like a mime. “There is a wall here!”
Bryan rushed over, and so did I.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” he shouted. He took one fist and slammed it against the invisible barrier. “So, you’re telling me… that we have no choice but to enter that cave?”
We all turned to face it.
It was ominous.
Dangerous.
I don’t know what's beyond it, but I already know it's nothing good.
Augustus took a step forward.
“There are no demons…” he began. “There have been none in this realm whatsoever.”
“Probably because they are all in here,” Caesar sighed. “I can already assume that the people who never made it to Citadel Castrum ended up here instead.”
“To face persecution,” Castoff added.
“Yes,” Caesar agreed. “As Virgil once told me a long time ago, Limbo is the only realm of peace in the inferno. We cannot expect a field of roses to await us.”
“In other words,” Bryan grimaced. “Our curiosity has gone and undermined us.”
Silence befell us all.
“I mean,” Sola began. “If we are all too scared to enter, then can’t we just stay here?”
“And do what?” I asked. “I think we have to go inside.”
Bryan laid down his bag and began to rummage through it.
“I agree,” he puffed. “It’s not like we came unprepared. We just have to follow the adjusted scenario three.”
“Scenario three?” she asked.
“A plan,” I answered. “We considered this probability and will tackle it accordingly.”
Caesar stepped forward.
“That’s right,” he smirked, resting a hand on his sword. “There is no need to abandon hope. We represent humanity, and humanity always finds a way through perilous endeavours.”
“Shall we then?” Castoff smiled. “It’s been a while since I last used my blade. I hope I am not rusty.”
Bryan burst out into laughter.
“Surely our sparring kept you in shape!”
“Oh, it sure did help. But nothing beats the real deal.”
“Are you all going to continue stalling?” Dahlia asked. “Should the ladies go in first?”
“I will,” I took a step forward. “As the navigator, I will continue to lead us to our desired destination.”
It’s time. I’ve gotten away with going this far without seeing anything. Truth be told, I began to think this whole ‘Hell’ thing was a farce. But it isn’t. It’s finally time to face reality, but I am no longer scared. I have my companions with me and my ability to use [Red Realm]. Let's do this.
