Merely The Beginning

Black feathers rained down upon the hellish vibe that surrounded June. Bloodcurdling screams echoed from all around, and an ear-piercing screech that escaped the Deathbird's otherworldly chords assailed his mind.

It was hard to bear all of it at once.

It was too difficult to hear the sound of flesh tearing and people dying… begging to live as they breathed their last breath. It was clearly agonizing for the dying, but gut-wrenching for the living who cowered in fear of being next.

Nowhere was safe.

'Crap!'

A Deathbird flew past June as he barely managed to avoid it.

They were out in the open, drifting on a small boat that led them toward one path, and one path only. At the end of that path, there was the long-awaited Rift, but to June, that mattered very little.

With everything going on, the Rift seemed rather moot. His life was what he had to prioritize right now.

In fact, he was paranoid of being snatched away like the girl had been, his gaze wandering around.

He noticed a few were diving into the repugnant depths of the dark waters, avoiding the Deathbirds altogether. Only, whenever they dove in, June never saw them come out.

Which was why he remained where he was.

"We're all gonna die! Please, Gods, someone, Supreme Agler, please!!"

The guy beside him who luckily still remained, began begging, crying as he prayed to be saved. It was pointless to do so, though. At least, that's how June felt.

But surprisingly, the guy's prayers were soon answered when a powerful voice resounded through the chaos, yelling:

"Cover the rear, you four go across and make sure those vile things do not get close to the path of the river. I will handle the frontlines myself, understand?!"

With widened eyes, June took a look.

There, on one side of the single river where the endless land stood covered in red moss, he spotted Supreme Agler and the Ashen Knights splitting into formation.

'Why are they so late…'

That was his first thought.

She had told them not to worry… yet, so many lives had already been lost. Something had been amiss since before they ventured into the Breach as well, which June suspected had to do with their belated arrival.

Nevertheless, they were here.

Four Ashen Knights split toward the rear where June was, while four others jumped across to the other side, their spears viciously cutting through any Deathbird that came their way.

A few people who had lost hope suddenly regained it, yelling in exhilaration.

As that happened, Supreme Agler summoned her own spear that seemed impossible for a regular mortal to wield, let alone carry.

She then jumped into the river path, just next to the distant Rift where a large raft capable of holding her appeared.

It had likely been summoned by her Retainer who was hidden somewhere close.

"Everybody, down!"

Without hesitation, she proceeded to slice the air in one swift motion. Listening to her, June promptly ducked low.

Her singular motion soon created a slashing wind that extended past her, all the way down the river path where the Deathbirds were soaring.

In shock, June blinked, and in the next moment the Deathbirds were no more.

Their flesh came raining down alongside the now torn jet-black feathers, plopping into the water.

It wasn't over, though. There were still more flying in from the distance, waves, in fact.

'Crap…'

He looked back over to Supreme Agler who stood with an angry look on her face. He didn't know why, but she was fuming.

A second later, she yelled:

"No, forget the plan! I want all to stick close to the Challengers!! Leave the rest to me!!"

The Ashen Knights immediately retreated, placing themselves closer to the river path where they could better guard those who were still alive.

Deathbirds were closing in on all directions.

The south consisted of one huge wave, while the north, west, and east consisted of a few dozen.

'What is she…'

June's eyes widened as he watched Supreme Agler athletically leap into the air, soaring high and far enough to intercept the oncoming Deathbirds.

In a flash, she swung her spear again, and this time the wind billowed with her power, sending a tsunami-like cut to meet the flesh of the Deathbirds.

In an instant, the wave dissipated into a shower of blood.

'Strong…'

No, this probably wasn't even a quarter of her strength. 

She hadn't used her Element, nor any Techniques — not even any abilities from what June perceived. As far as he could tell, she had only used the single spear that was grasped tightly in her hand — likely a Relic for someone of her esteemed stature.

Other than that, it was her raw skill as well as indomitable strength that had just been displayed, which was frightening to say the least.

As she landed back onto the thick ebony raft, which somehow withstood her muscular weight, small waves of dirty water showered the nearby Challengers — both corpses and the living, before she announced:

"Guide these Challengers to the gate of the Rift, I will kill the remaining waves."

With that, she dove back onto the land and began heading toward the new oncoming wave from the east. 

Meanwhile, the Ashen Knights made sure to watch over them, slaying a few Deathbirds on each side that appeared every few minutes, just as she advised.

All while June remained seated, hunched low.

He thought he was as good as dead… but the Ashen Knights as well as Supreme Agler were making the Deathbirds seem harmless.

June took a look at the guy next to him, who still appeared a bit shocked. He was likely in such a state due to what happened to the girl.

Unfortunately, it was unavoidable; she should've been more alert of her surroundings.

Perhaps if she hadn't remained standing she could've lived… who knows. If June was being honest, her death had also affected him, even if it was a little.

He had seen Dusk die before, and that was heavy — especially since June was the cause of it. But dying to a mindless creature which simply wanted to tear you apart was different.

It felt different.

He sighed and let himself relax for a few seconds.

Then, he took a look behind him where the Breach he had come from remained. The path was cluttered with splintered ebony wood, blood, feathers, and several bodies.

Those that were alive, meanwhile, were checking up on others, worried for their wounds. 

Though the horrific event came to an end rather quickly, it left an everlasting mark on those who remained. Some had lost friends, others a trusted comrade, while the rest remained scarred by the memories.

What's worse… they'd have to enter the Trial in such a state.

Putting it all behind him, June's boat soon arrived at the Rift. It was smaller than the Breach, but oozed with an ominous strength.

Without any words exchanged between the Ashen Knights or the busy Supreme Agler, June entered the Rift that pierced through the fabric of reality like a pocket of another existence.

[Preparing Paths…]

[Commencing Trial One…]

[Trial One Commenced… Welcome To The Infinite Purgatory.]