The truth was that if things were as simple as just battling a Lower Skeleton Warrior, Ryu wouldn't have an issue with it. It was just that something about this world was needling at his mind. There was something deeper here, something far more sinister, that he wasn't able to grasp quite yet.
Though Ryu loved idea of throwing himself into danger, that didn't mean that he would do so recklessly. No, it was more accurate to say that this was already the danger.
At this very moment, there was already a guillotine primed and ready to drop. It hovered above his head, waiting for him to produce his neck for it.
Whatever this place was, whatever it had been designed for, whatever goal it had in mind… It didn't have the best interests of any of these youths at the forefront.
Sarriel shot forward, he katana leaving a glistening light in its path as it sliced across. Her movements were fast and measured. It seemed that the time it took for them to travel here wasn't weighing on her as much as it seemed.
Maybe deep inside, Ryu knew that this matter was deeper than just being worried about a danger he didn't understand. Fundamentally, he felt as though he was being led by the nose at the moment, and it was a kind of humiliating feeling that he loathed.
This Nether Realm he had stepped into, was definitely a plan that had been brewing for a long while. And, if Ryu was correct, the impetus these people needed to kickstart this plan was provided by none other than himself.
If he hadn't crossed into the Immortal Realms with his Heavenly Pupils in the Moon World, there would have never been such a large shift of Fate, and ultimately… maybe all of this wouldn't be happening so soon.
Ironically, Ryu felt that even this concept of 'soon' wasn't correct. Soon implied a time frame and allowed for a series of cause and effect. Most importantly, it allowed for the fundamental laws of Karma to thrive.
The issue was… Ryu couldn't see the threads of Karma in this place. It was as though everything had been wiped to a blank slate.
Several exchanges later, Sarriel finally managed to take down the Lower Skeleton Warrior. Her breathing was slightly labored, and her cheeks along with the tips of her long ears reddened along with her fatigue.
She stumbled slightly, but it was then she felt a strong arm clasp her waist.
"Ah…!" Sarriel looked up to find that Ryu had caught her.
She panicked slightly, but she soon felt a cool qi sooth her body.
Sarriel blushed deeply, her body involuntarily leaning toward Ryu. He smelt so good.
"Nemesis, carry her. We're going."
"~Nie!" Nemesis made a facial expression that looked to be like a smile as Ryu helped Sarriel up.
Niel sighed and shook his head, following as the Gates opened and the drawbridge dropped. In his eyes, it looked like Sarriel and Ryu were getting closer and closer, he really was a third wheel. Though, at this point, he didn't dare to remove himself from their group. This situation was simply too odd.
Sarriel grasped Ryu's hand with both of hers as she sat on Nemesis' back, apparently scared to fall off. Well, it was either that or she didn't want to let go of Ryu. Either way, she refused to.
The truth was that Ryu was only treating Sarriel so well because he had already promised to do so. Well, that and wasn't it always nice to have something beautiful to look at? Plus, she was also a powerful aid.
Since Sarriel had told Ryu about Ailsa's seal, he already had the obligation to help her during this trial as he had promised. He was a man of his word, after all.
Niel was reading too much into their relationship. Though… It was hard not to when Ryu seemed to eat her alive with his gaze and Sarriel's only response was to blush profusely.
The trio and Nemesis crossed the bridge to enter the castle. But, unlike the unorganized outer city, there seemed to be a strong lineup waiting just for them.
Sarriel looked up with a slightly worried expression.
The journey here had already taken a lot out of her. After that battle, she felt like she was already nearing the end of her rope. Even compared to Niel, her situation was much worse.
As a Fey, much of Sarriel's strength came from the nature around her. But, she had yet to adapt to the Nether Realm and was still apprehensive about using its qi to empower herself despite the fact it was Yin based just like her lineage.
This led to a situation where she was really walking a tight rope, forcing her to expend more energy than she otherwise would. If Ryu needed her to act again, she really wasn't sure if she could.
But, it was then that an imposing aura exuded from Ryu's body. The air of a Monarch spread out in all directions, causing the expressions of the youths that had been surrounding them to go stiff.
Sarriel looked toward Ryu in surprise. She really didn't understand what he was doing. Wasn't he trying to hide him? Why was he suddenly trying to be so bold now?
For the first time in her life, Sarriel was truly at a loss.
"I don't care who your leaders or what hierarchy you've had until now. Anyone who would like to challenge me, feel free to step forward now. Don't complain in the future that I didn't give you a chance."
Niel's expression changed, his eyes almost beginning to brim with unshed tears. Why couldn't this Ryu ever do anything normally?
The youths were stunned by Ryu's words. Someone who didn't even dare to take the drawbridge challenge was actually looking down on them all like this?
Many of them couldn't understand the words Ryu spoke. But, they were all Mental Realm masters and Ryu purposely laced his word with his intention. Not a single one of them couldn't understand his words of provocation.
He disdained them all.
At that moment, a young man with hair arranged with brightly colored feathers stepped forward. No, it wasn't arranged. Rather, the elaborate feathers were his hair!
His multi-colored eyes sparkled with rage as he stepped forward.
"If you'd like to die, I'll fulfill that wish!"
His voice caused the air to vibrate wildly, his vocal cords causing ripples of qi to spread out as though a stone had been tossed into a calm lake.