Chương 30: What's the time?

The heat in the protective spell became almost unbearable. Despite that, Eric wasn't sweating profusely anymore and felt more comfortable inside. He looked around and saw Ash sitting on the floor. The raven had moved to the concrete and observed both him and Kayle.

"Tell me more about that bow. I want all the details," Eric said.

"Before doing that, I have to give you something. It's more important in the long run." Kayle traced a circular sigil through the air with her fingers. A small burning portal opened up, and an amulet fell to the ground. Three empty sockets sat in its center where gemstones should have been.

"Come on, pick it up. It's for you," Kayle said. Interacting with the amulet made Eric shiver. He felt an immense presence, as if this item belonged to someone powerful. Something ancient had noticed him, though he was unable to prove it. This doesn't feel like it belongs to Grim. He doesn't have this aura of… revenge. Holding the item in his hands triggered the information window Eric was eager to see. /———————————————\ New item discovered!

Airon's Amulet Description: Long forgotten, this item belonged to the fallen angel Airon. He lost the amulet in his interdimensional judgement. After his exile, he vowed to purge everyone who had opposed him. The Shattered are still searching for this amulet and will do whatever it takes to bring it back to their master. This item has a three-part structure. Complete all requirements, and you will ascend into Airon's plane. Equipping this item will signal to other factions that you will take Airon's place.

Each requirement that you complete will give bonus attributes depending on your current stats and abilities. Requirements: 3 soul gems. Bonuses: You're less susceptible to illusions. Faction: Shattered. \——————————————/ Eric looked at the amulet and thought about all the implications that could happen if he decided to use it. Right then and there, he knew that to stop the onslaught of the Shattered in Purgatory, he would have to wear the amulet.

All of his senses screamed at him that it wielded immense power, something he also desired himself. With everything going on, I don't really have a way to get back. I'm here and I know my goal. Perhaps this amulet is just a step in the right direction. If this thing helps me punch Airon in the face someday, I'll wear it. As Eric put on the amulet, he saw Kayle wince while keeping the fire spell. Her eyes closed shut, as if struck by an invisible arrow. She stumbled forward, but regained her footing after a second.

Eric rushed to help.

"What's going on? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think," Kayle said. The protective spell drained her energy, and she tried her best to keep it working. Sweat rolled down her forehead as the barrier flickered. Taking a deep breath, Kayle stretched her hands to the side and ignited the air near herself. Her eyes glowed with red and yellow colors. Her robe ignited and burned with slight cracks. She turned around to Eric and smiled.

"Don't worry about me. I have some tricks up my sleeve."

"I'll trust you on this one," Eric said. He didn't really believe what the young woman said, but he felt time was running out.

"Do you know something about that bow you mentioned?"

"It belonged to the librarian. When the Shattered arrived, they found and sent him to Hell. Let's say I was responsible for his accommodation, to put it lightly," Kayle said. Eric saw that the cultist kept something to herself. She didn't want to tell him everything, but he pressed on.

"Where is he now?" he said in an even tone. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Kayle looked him right in the eyes.

"That's the interesting part. He's just outside the spell, currently held down by the group of conjurers." Eric looked to the side and tried to hide his feelings. A small spark of anger and betrayal ignited in him. Why didn't she tell me earlier? I thought that was a regular demon.

"I need to locate the bow. If my theory about the glass sky is correct, we could ascend the tower," Eric said." The library can guide you there. Remember, almost everything here is not what it seems. Look at the ground and the bookshelves if you want to move forward. Watch the pattern." A small opening emerged on the far side of the protective bubble.

"That's your chance to get away from here if you don't want to become demon lunch." Kayle said. The reaper disciple motioned to the exit, but just before casting Camouflage, he turned back toward the young woman. Her eyes were back to their normal green color.

"What are you going to do here?"

"I'll figure it out. Fortunately, I've infiltrated the Shattered, so I have some freedom. We'll meet again, be sure of that. Your weak ass won't survive here without my help," Kayle grinned. The raven perched on Eric's shoulder hopped down and walked toward the opening.

"Ash!" Eric watched his companion and smiled.

"You're lucky Ash interrupted my comeback speech. It would've been epic." The reaped disciple camouflaged and ran to the exit. Ash leaped onto his shoulder and vanished with him. They moved away from the demon ritual, teleporting several times until it was barely visible. Eric was curious to see how the situation would unfold. While teleporting, he thought that if things went wrong back there, he would lose one of his few allies in the realm. Kayle dismissed the protective spell.

She returned to the conjurers and guards while holding an old tome. Flipping through its pages, she motioned to one of the guards.

"You there! I need an ink totem here. Now!" The guard glanced at her before sprouting a pair of wings and flying away.

"Rrrrrrr… you… filthy scum." The demon's burning eyes locked onto Kayle. The demon's mouth opened, and a black tar-like substance dripped out. It hissed before pulling the chains holding him down.

"That smell! You reek of him!"

"Don't you enjoy the new bindings I gave you? Let's reinforce them a little." Red fiery chains burst from Kayle's arms. They wrapped around the demon, and she pulled them tight. The demon looked at the young cultist and laughed.

"Perfect!" Pillars of black matter erupted underneath the five conjurers and impaled them on the spot. Their bodies dissolved into the air, and their armor disintegrated. The demon stood up and seized the chains that were pulling him down. With one swing, it tossed the guards aside. One crushing slam later, and the guards were no more. Black matter filled the chains, and they melted into the hellspawn's body. Kayle clenched her fists and rose into the air.

"Stand down, Carrion. We don't have to do this." Whipping the ground with the chains, the demon let out a deafening scream.

"Your commands mean nothing to me! Where is he?" its piercing voice reverberated in the library. Kayle's eyes changed once again. Three red orbs spawned and circled around her waist. She was ready for battle.

"I know what you want, and I can't let you do it. We're here for the Shattered. You'll get your revenge after we finish with them," Kayle said. Another scream filled the air.

"Liar!" Eric heard everything. He stood at a safe distance and couldn't believe his eyes. She's got more going on than I expected. If the librarian became that demon, why would he want revenge? Why would he hunt me? There's something I don't know, and it's not pretty. The raven pecked Eric's head, snapping him out of his thoughts. Flapping into the air, it landed atop a nearby circular bookshelf. It wanted to attract Eric's attention.

"I'm watching. Just be quiet," he said. Ash hopped to the top shelf and knocked several books free.

"What are you doing?!" Eric jumped and tried to catch them, but they disappeared in his hands. Looking back, the last shelf was intact, as if nothing had fallen from it seconds ago.

"Do it again," he said. This time Ash knocked over even more of the old tomes. All of them fell down, but vanished before reaching the ground. The books reappeared. Eric wanted to grab the wooden construct, but his hand passed through it. His amulet buzzed every time he tried to touch the shelves.

"Is that what Kayle meant? The shelves and everything… are they real? What's actually holding this place together?" Ash shook its head.

"Now what? I think we should…" A horn echoed in the library. In the distance, a squad of three gryphon riders approached, with another squad of conjurers close behind.

"Over there! Riders, chain him now!" one of the conjurers shouted. He wore green robes, though Eric couldn't make out any other details. The horned demon whipped its black chains through the air. It roared toward the sky, startling the approaching soldiers.

"Your blood shall boil!" Kayle opened a portal and stepped out behind the Shattered squad. She summoned several red spheres that circled around the gryphon riders. All three of them erupted into flames, and their gryphons surged forward, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

"By the name of our master and savior, I cleanse you! Unholy ancient evil!" The gryphon riders attacked the demon while the conjurer in the green robe continued the chant. Kayle signaled the remaining sorcerers to combine their power with hers. Empowered by their essence, she charged at the demon, but one sweep of its black chains hurled her to the side. The fight continued in the air as a set of spikes erupted from the ground and shot upward.

They pierced the gryphons, and they fell to the ground with their riders. Black pillars burst from the ground and impaled what was left from the crash seconds ago. Only the squad of conjurers remained. Eric watched from afar, but his heart trembled with each torrent of spikes the demon delivered. It dove with lightning speed and smashed into the cultists, grabbing the one with the green robe with its hands.

"Desecration!" Moments later, the chanting sorcerer was torn in half. The demon snapped its head to the side and looked in Eric's direction. Its hellish voice echoed in his head. Its burning eyes locked onto him.

"You cannot hide from me, Tormentor. Give in to temptation." A volley of fireballs slammed into the demon, distracting it and severing the telepathic connection it had.

"Run! Now!" she shouted. Eric didn't need a second warning. He turned around and sprinted with full force. The only thought in his mind was to escape. It didn't matter where; he just had to go as far away as possible. Ash followed right beside him. Both of them dashed through the bookshelves. A moment later and Eric slammed right into one. I thought these weren't real! Why did that hurt? Before he could recover, another System notification materialized.

/———————————\ You are entering Time Keeper's Clocktower Warning: This area has severe time dilation. Warning: Your stats are not suitable for this area. Proceed? YES | NO \———————————/ Eric pressed the glowing YES button before he had even finished reading the warnings.