A Little Trip (2)

NATHAN

I found the entrance after surveying the area. I opened it, revealing a set of stairs that led down. I turned to look at my companions and all of them had similar looks, even Winifred. None of them wanted to go down there.

"Lord Silver, are you certain that it is safe to go there?"

"If you're so worried, Lady Freya, then I shall descend first. You can return to the carriage if you are not interested in going in. The same goes for all of you. I intended this to be a lesson but we can always find other decorated tombs."

"Wait, you're really going down there?"

"I have made up my mind."

I looked at Winifred and she looked like she was considering it. Eventually, she stepped forward and extended her hand to me.

"You won't let anything happen to me. Let's go down together."

I really hadn't heard any sweeter words than those she uttered. I took her into my arms and started my descent before anyone could protest. A few minutes, I hear the sounds of their steps following.

Really, all I needed was her.

Once I reached the bottom, I waited for them to join me. Normally, one would have to go through several traps and disorienting paths to get to where I was trapped. It was designed that way so nobody would dig up her body and bury her properly. Poor thing.

Once they joined me, I created a path in the wall that took us straight to the center of the Tomb and walked through it first as well.

"If you linger, it will close."

That made them walk faster. They complained about it being dark and musty when they should've been thankful that they made it with all their limbs intact. The visitors over the last hundred years hadn't been so lucky. It was a mystery how the one that freed me made it in.

"Here we are."

"Wow. I've never seen anything like this. It's even more detailed than the first Emperor's tomb my father took me to," Freya commented, staring at the wall.

Why wouldn't it be detailed? It was the site of a very complicated ritual that was still active till this day. It was that same ritual that kept my soul trapped in the body until I was accidentally released by that human.

"I can hear a soft hum," Winifred quietly said. Everyone stopped to listen. It wasn't really a hum. It was the sound of her heartbeat. The whole tomb was a contained mana palace that generated mana and recycled it through her body, making her heart still beat. It was the center of the entire formation.

"I feel very…lightheaded," Lady Freya said, collapsing in Bishop Matthew's hands. She was still conscious but she couldn't stand. The formation was pulling her soul. It could do so for her because she was a female. It couldn't work for Winifred because her soul was too large to be pulled.

"Lady Freya! Are you alright?!"

"It was a terrible idea bringing her down here. That body has no soul. It sucks any soul that comes down there, particularly female souls. I thought she would be safe because she had no magic but I miscalculated."

"YOU MISCALCULATED?!"

"Calm yourself, Bishop. The one who's most at danger here is you."

I walked up to the body and waved my hand over her heart. I drew out all the mana in her body and in the tomb, topping my mana storage. The mana here was too rich to waste and I wasn't going to leave it be the second time. As for the entire formation, I had no need for it. If it collapsed, it wasn't my business.

"I feel…quite better now."

He pulled her up. Thankfully, it hasn't taken a part of her soul yet. It would be troublesome to lose the only other chaos mana user in the world. I needed her.

"What's that?" Winifred suddenly said, pointing at a wall. She couldn't see so she wouldn't know if anything was there or not.

"Winifred, there's nothing there," Darryl said. He, however, clung to her.

"Really? Then why do I see…a beast?"

My eyes widened. The beast wasn't supposed to be inside the tomb at all. But…the formation was the only thing keeping it out. We had to get out of there, quick!

"Bishop Matthew, I need to know, do you trust me?!"

"Of course I don't!"

"Well, I'm about to save your damn life so decide in the next few minutes before that thing gets in. Do you trust me?!"

"Fine!"

I created a portal, tearing through space. It was unstable but I could get them all through, if they were willing. If they were not, I could lose them forever within the gap of space.

I had to physically drag them through time as most of them were unconscious throughout our travel. I say most of them because Winifred was wide awake, staring as I dragged the others through space. Soon, I didn't have to drag them as all she did was wave her hand and we were all traveling together. I didn't think it was Winifred anymore. But I called her name just to make sure.

"Winifred?"

"Nathan. I didn't think I would see you in this form anymore," she said, smiling. Her voice echoed like it was coming from all directions. It didn't make sense because there were no echoes in space.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Winifred you know, just…a little older."

"You don't look any different."

"And this was not how you looked several centuries ago but you don't see me complaining, do you?"

"Touché. So, you're just able to travel through space and time? And so easily as well."

"Easy, huh? Well, you'll find out in time so I'll leave you to it. Oh, this might change the future drastically but I think I would risk it. Do not, under any circumstances, appear before the emperor privately."

"You know that's impossible, right?"

"You always say there's a way around everything. I'm giving you advice in return, teacher. Also, you'll be reaching the other side soon. Take my advice at the risk of my future."

"Okay. Wait, what do you mean by several centuries ago?!"

She smiled and waved. There was a bright flash of light and we were suddenly on the other side. The portal worked as we landed next to the carriage but I was left with more questions than answers. One question prevailed above the others.

What exactly is she?

"Lord Silver? Is that you? What happened?"

"We ran into some trouble so we had to take another way out. Help me carry them into the carriage. We need to leave as quickly as possible."

The head knight was useful, helping me with them. We soon loaded them into the carriage and started moving. I was uncertain the beast would make it out but I didn't want to take any chances. As long as we were not it's target, I didn't care much for it. I had already gotten what I wanted.

FERDINAND

"Your proposal sounds interesting but it isn't practical. Dismantling the Empire now who's only breed more problems. It needs to be a gradual process. Telling people your history will succeed in diving you and a divided Empire is difficult to rule."

"I know. It's just one of the many wishes I have. I want my father's throne but by my birthright, it is almost impossible. I am truthfully becoming desperate."

"Desperation shouldn't push you into doing what you cannot afford to do. If it is an alternative you need, why don't you use the pantheon?"

I resisted the urge to smile. The pantheon was the real reason I came all the way here.

"The pantheon is hard to enter and only the first born son of the Emperor can gain easy access into the pantheon. But, if I could gain access under another god…"

"I see. That was your true intention. But you realize that having being baptized under Oriel, you belong to her. If you wanted to form a temporary alliance with another god, not only would it be incredibly hard, even if you manage to win, your reign as Emperor wouldn't be smooth. The jealousy of Oriel surpasses any other god I know."

"My journey has never been smooth. Like I said, I'm desperate."

"Desperation is very valuable to gods. The pantheon is very difficult but desperation won't help you there. Do you still wish to participate?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well. I will craft the medallion. All you need to do once you obtain it is drop your blood on it to activate it. The pantheon is only open once every six months. If you cannot leave before time is up, it'll take you two years to return. I need to explain to you that it is important to keep all your body parts intact in the pantheon because it is the same inside as it is outside."

"I understand, your majesty. Thank you for granting me this opportunity. I won't let you down."