Chapter 19: Into the Supreme Dungeon

Chapter 19: Into the Supreme Dungeon

The day had finally arrived for Elysia and her team to enter the Supreme Dungeon. They stood at the entrance, a formidable gateway of ancient stone, ready to embark on their daunting quest. Hours of preparation had led to this moment, they had honed their skills and perfected their strategies, knowing the challenges that awaited them within.

Elysia took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the entrance. The bustling activity of adventurers coming and going from the Supreme Dungeon filled the air around them.

"Alright, everyone. This is it. Let's stay focused and work together. We can do this."

The team nodded in unison, their determination palpable. With Elysia leading the way, they crossed the threshold into the Supreme Dungeon.

As they entered the Floor 0 of the dungeon, a strange sensation washed over them. The air inside was thick with magical energy, yet the bright illumination of the safe zone allowed them to see their surroundings clearly. Elysia felt Vaelrith's reassuring presence at her side, his fur brushing against her leg as they moved forward.

Around them, other adventurers were utilizing the Space Stations positioned every ten floors within the dungeon. These stations were intricate hubs of teleportation magic, adorned with ancient runes and pulsating crystals that emitted a soft, ethereal glow. Groups of adventurers shimmered in and out, teleporting to higher floors as they navigated the dungeon's increasingly treacherous levels.

Suddenly, without warning, Vaelrith let out a startled yelp and vanished in a flash of light.

"Vaelrith!" Elysia cried out, her heart racing. She looked around frantically, but there was no sign of him. She attempted to summon him back, but there was no response. It was as if he had been abruptly cut off from her.

"Elysia, what happened?" Aric asked, his sword drawn and ready.

"Vaelrith... he's gone," Elysia said, her voice trembling. "I can't sense him or summon him. It's like he's disappeared."

"We should return to the academy and report this to the teachers," Lyra suggested, her voice steady yet concerned.

The team swiftly made their way back, Elysia's mind racing with worry. They headed straight to the faculty office to seek assistance.

Professor Elara looked up as they entered, her expression turning serious when she saw the look on Elysia's face. "What happened?"

"Vaelrith... he's gone," Elysia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "He disappeared as soon as we entered the dungeon, and I can't sense him or summon him."

Professor Elara's brow furrowed. "That's unusual. The dungeon is known for its unpredictable magic, but this is the first time I've heard of something like this happening. But don't worry, we'll do everything we can to find him."

As the teachers began discussing potential solutions and examining their records for similar incidents, Vaelrith found himself in a completely unfamiliar place. The surroundings were serene and ethereal, bathed in a soft, golden light. The ground beneath him felt as light as a cloud, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

Before him stood a figure of immense presence and grace, a deity radiating power and wisdom. This was Eldoria, the goddess who watched over this world.

"Welcome, Vaelrith," Eldoria said in a calm, melodic voice. "Or should I say, Eric. I have summoned you here to discuss an important matter."

Vaelrith, now in his humanoid form, looked up at Eldoria, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of trepidation.

Eldoria smiled gently. "Before we discuss further, let me show you something."

With a wave of her hand, the serene landscape around them shifted and transformed. The golden light intensified, and Eric found himself looking down upon the vast continent of Valoria. He saw familiar landscapes, the rolling hills where he had once roamed as Vaelrith, the bustling cities where he had forged friendships with Elysia and the others, and the tranquil forests where he had felt a sense of peace.

"Valoria," Eldoria said softly. "A land of beauty and harmony, where life flourishes under the protection of the gods."

Eric gazed upon the familiar sights with a mixture of nostalgia and warmth. "It's... it's breathtaking," he murmured, overwhelmed by the memories flooding back to him.

"Now," Eldoria continued, her tone somber as the scenery shifted once more, "I must show you another part of this world."

The golden light dimmed, replaced by a darker, more ominous aura. Eric watched as the image zoomed in on the continent of Nefaria. The once vibrant land now lay in ruins, consumed by chaos and darkness. Fires burned unchecked, and battles raged across the landscape. The inhabitants struggled under the oppressive rule of the demon race, their lives marked by suffering and despair.

"Nefaria," Eldoria said, her voice heavy with sorrow. "A land torn apart by conflict and strife, where darkness holds sway and hope grows dim."

"Why are you showing me this?" Eric asked, his heart aching for the suffering he witnessed.

Eldoria's gaze softened. "Eric, I have brought you here because I believe you have the power to change the fate of this world. You have shown great courage and resilience as Eric, and now as Vaelrith, you possess even greater potential."

"But you're a god," Eric said earnestly. "Can't you intervene and save this world yourself?"

Eldoria sighed gently. " 3 centuries ago, a space crack appeared in this world, and the demon world invaded Eldoria. A great war ensued between me and the demon god, and both Eldoria and the demon world suffered grievous wounds. In the aftermath, a consensus was reached between me and the demon leaders, a pact that no god would interfere directly in the war between the races of both worlds. Each god could only bless and support their own people, but could not intervene in the wars themselves."

She continued, her voice tinged with sorrow, "If I were to intervene directly, the Demon God would also join the fray, escalating the situation beyond control. When we fought, both of us sustained severe injuries, limiting the extent of support we can provide to our respective worlds. However, the Demon God has less to worry about, as the overall strength of the demon world surpasses that of Eldoria."

"Then why hasn't the world been conquered by the demon race?" Eric asked.

"The reason the demon world surpasses Eldoria is their unity," Eldoria explained. "The demon race is united under a single ruler, the Demon God. In contrast, Eldoria is home to many different races with diverse ideologies. I could force them to unite under my will, but I choose not to. I believe in allowing the people of Eldoria the freedom to make their own choices, to live and grow on their own terms."

"But that slowly changed about 250 years ago," Eldoria continued. "A hero was born among the human race. This hero traveled the world and united its races. With the appearance of the hero, the power between the two worlds finally balanced. However that changes, when the hero reached Level 99, I offered him a choice, to become my successor, to inherit my power, and to take responsibility for protecting Eldoria. Although he would have had less experience than the Demon God, even a less experienced god would be stronger than an injured Demon God."

Eldoria's voice grew softer. "But he refused. I never considered his feelings. He resented me for bringing him to this world when he didn't even want to be a hero. All he wanted was to go back to his own world. You see, this hero was just like you, he came from another world."

Eric's eyes widened. "So, he was like me... How did he manage to unite the races then, if he didn't even want to be here?"

Eldoria sighed, a look of deep regret crossing her face. "He saw the suffering and the chaos caused by the demon invasion. Despite his resentment, he couldn't stand by and watch innocents suffer. His compassion drove him to act, to bring together the races of Eldoria to stand against a common enemy. But in the end, he still longed for his own world."

Eric was silent for a moment, processing the story. "And now you want me to take his place? To do what he couldn't?"

"Yes," Eldoria replied. "But this time, I want to give you the choice he never felt he had. You can choose to stay and help protect Eldoria, to become my successor and gain the power to make a real difference. Or you can choose to go back to your own world, if that is what you truly desire."

Eric's eyes widened as the weight of the decision pressed upon him. "What will happen if I choose to go back to my world?" he asked quietly.

Eldoria's expression grew somber. "If you choose to return, you will lose all memories of this place, of your friends, of everything you've experienced here. Your life will continue as if you had never been brought to Eldoria."

Eric's heart ached at the thought of forgetting everything. "And if I choose to stay?"

Eldoria's gaze intensified. "If you choose to stay, you will need to reach Level 99 to begin the succession process and inherit my power. But know this: if you make that choice now, the space rift that connects Eldoria to your old world will close permanently in 48 hours. After that, you will never be able to return to your original world."

Eric looked down, grappling with the enormity of the decision. "What if I choose to stay, but I fail to reach Level 99? What happens then?"

Eldoria's eyes softened with compassion. "If you choose to stay, you will be guaranteed to reach Level 99. All you need is time. But understand this, Eric. You can't approach this with doubt or hesitation. The path to succession is arduous and will test your resolve in ways you can't yet imagine. You must be committed wholeheartedly, or the challenges will only grow more formidable."