No Turning Back

June watched Winston approach Agler and the man standing next to her, closest to the water. 

While Agler was wearing a set of ebony armor that revealed her stomach, biceps, and a portion of her thighs, exposing her ripped abs and muscular figure — her retainer was more dignified, wearing a full set with a soft cape draping over his back.

His pale hand was sparkling as it conjured up several boats, which the Challengers took a seat in.

Soon, Agler seemed to notice Winston, who stopped a few feet in front of her, bowing his head slightly.

She seemed a bit confused at first, but she quickly recognized him, her brows lifting.

"Ah, if it isn't Winston, Conqueror Of Light. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She said, a small grin on her face.

Winston replied shortly after bringing his head back up to meet her gaze.

"The pleasure is all mine, Supreme Agler."

He spoke with a very respectful and formal tone, his voice soft.

For a few passing seconds, they gazed into each others eyes, before Winston said:

"I simply have a question, if you do not mind."

If June didn't know any better, their short exchange seemed to carry a deeper meaning, as though their eyes were speaking volumes but their words remained stuck to their tongues.

"Of course, however, I must ask… did the branch send you?"

Agler slightly shifted, still grinning.

"No, actually, I've accompanied a Challenger here. A boy."

He answered honestly, not mentioning June's name. 

Not that she would know who June was anyway.

"Ah, I see. If he is accompanied by you, perhaps he is someone I've heard of. What is this boy's name?"

June's brows furrowed from hearing her words.

'How would she have heard of me?'

Winston answered both her and June's question, replying:

"Actually, Supreme Agler, he is not from one of the three Ascending Academies, nor is he bound to me by blood. Rather, he is just a boy."

Ascending Academy..? 

'That's a thing? Since when?'

Hearing Winston's words, Agler somewhat scanned the crowd of Challengers, hoping to spot June who tried not to flinch from her gaze.

As she did, several others looked around too.

Now he regretted coming up to the front.

"Anyway, Supreme Agler, I was wondering… the Rift, is it—"

Unexpectedly, Winston was cut short as Supreme Agler interrupted, answering:

"Yes."

With only one word, she dismissed Winston.

"Time is of the essence, so please…"

She gestured for him to step aside, her grin growing wider.

If June was clueless to it before, now he definitely knew something was amiss.

Meanwhile, Winston seemed to have figured out that something.

He looked like he wanted to speak, and Agler's eyes almost begged for him to do so; however, he didn't. Instead, he balled his hands into fists and took a few steps to the side, stepping onto the stone platform just across from the stationed knights.

From where June was, he could see Winston biting down on his jaw.

'What is it..?'

Obviously, her answer had made something evidently clear — so clear, in fact, that Winston seemed to crack.

Whatever it was, it wasn't good.

"Now, please, find a boat… and leave the rest to us. May your Ascension be of success."

With that, she turned around and somehow vanished into thin air. Soon after, the Retainer followed, dissolving into specks of ash. 

After him, the rest of the stationed knights did the same, leaving the Challengers with several ebony wooden boats to choose from.

[Your soul is bound to the Ark, yearning for its solace.]

'Shutup…'

He sighed, turning to Winston who looked back at him. He looked worried, but he didn't say a word to June who stood amidst the now-moving crowd. 

With a nod, Winston assured him to go on.

'Alright…'

Returning his nod with one of his own, June gulped before finding a boat with an open third slot. 

Once seated with two others, the boat automatically started to move forward, following the pull of the Rift.

Whatever Winston was worried about, he didn't deem it necessary to share with June.

And though June was a bit worried himself, he didn't pay it any more attention, casting it aside.

***

It didn't take long for them to move past the underpass, and once they did, June was met with an enthralling yet fearful sight, his jaw agape.

Apart from the hundreds of other Challengers sitting on the self-moving boats around him as well as with him, drifting toward one direction, a large — otherworldly Breach swirled in the distance, sucking the water in slowly as it rippled and danced through the fabric of reality.

Its ethereal light was shining through the space — like a heavenly light, illuminating the cavern and creating a vivid reflection of everything on the surface of the lake.

It was definitely different from a regular Breach. Matter of fact, it wasn't even comparable. 

Not only was this Breach bigger, but it felt different as well… as though it weighed down on the world.

Mainly because inside the Breach was a tethered Rift, which also meant it was controlled and relatively safer.

However, June couldn't help but wonder what a Rift on its own would look like…

As June struggled to comprehend the existence of such a cosmical creation, a few voices sounded around him.

"Heavenly Father, please, protect me from the darkness…"

"I'm gonna d-die… aren't I…"

"This is really happening, oh god, it really is!"

"Ha, bring it on!"

"Are we pissin' our pants yet!?"

Most revealed their fear of the Ark, while a few audacious mortals invited it, basking under the sight before them and directly challenging the Trial.

Some were even standing at the forefront of their boats, waving their weapons around in a chant as if daring whatever dwelled within the Breach to come at them.

Meanwhile, June just watched in silence. The other two seated with him were also quiet, their expressions reflecting the weight of the moment.

Surprisingly, though, June's gaze met the only girl out of the three of them, her mouth moving as she said:

"You're not from the Academy, are you… I mean, you're one of the special cases, right?"

She asked, nervously holding her hands together.

He didn't know what special cases meant, but he was also a bit confused about how she knew he wasn't a part of the Academy.

Did he stick out that much?

"O-oh, sorry… I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. Just, the Academy is a close-knit group, and we tend to remember the faces we meet."

She awkwardly tucked a loose strand of her wheat-blonde hair behind her ear, her hazel eyes wandering, not knowing where to look.

'Damn it, she's as awkward as me…'

June sighed, responding:

"Y-yeah, I'm not exactly from the Academy…"

He hadn't even known there was one until recently.