Abyssal Bastion

Arthur, once more following the scent of fear of Methenalis, the God of Darkness, is soon on his way toward the Abyssal Mountains. One of the most dangerous regions in this world, at least known to the civilized races. 

Already an hour into his journey after leaving the city, with it not even being able to be seen behind him, his steps are quick, as if he is teleporting with each step. But his gaze remains firm and his heart unwavering as his smile shows him relishing in the hunt for his prey. A prey to satisfy his vengeance. 

Two hours in, he passes another city. This time ignoring it, and the people within, not even knowing a terrifying monster, were just outside their doorstep. 

Three hours in, a unique city in the center of a frozen appears in his view. But this one he also ignores, as the mountains are still not in his gaze. So his steps continue forward without stopping. He merely gives the city a cursory look before moving beyond it. 

Four hours later, he stops by a river to sleep for the night as the sun falls below the horizon, encapsulating the world around him in a light darkness. 

And although Arthur is simply sleeping peacefully on the ground without any protection whatsoever, nothing dares to attack him or even come within a dozen miles of his being. Even the fish in the river are feigning death to escape him. His aura is enough to deter even the bravest of beasts in the region from even moving. 

This became the quietest night this region has ever experienced since the birth of the world, as nothing moves nor chirps. Just silence and stillness. 

The next morning Arthur stands up and simply just keeps moving forward after deftly catching a fish in his hands that was feigning death, and he eats it raw as he continues to move forward undisturbed. This repeats for three days before the tallest mountains he has ever seen before appear before his eyes. 

These mountains, each and every single one of them piercing the sky, the tips unseen as the clouds hide them. And even Arthur, who is usually unfazed by the cold, begins to feel a deep chill in his bones as he gets closer. 

The wind begins to pick up, as snow starts to dot the lands. Freezing winds ransack the lands as Arthur closes in on the mountains. But still, he moves forward, as his prey is along this path. 

Soon enough, a city appears in his sights. But not just any city, a fortress. Its walls towering a hundred feet high, encased in heavy stone and brickwork. Fortified by magic runes and guarded by strong soldiers. 

Arthur comes to a stop just outside the city walls, where the gatehouse stands closed and fortified, while two guardsmen look over the portcullis down at the sudden arrival of Arthur. 

"Halt! Who goes there? State your purpose?" The guard on the left yells out from over the walls as the other disappears from sight to notify others. 

"I am going into the Abyssal Mountains. I wish to enter the city before beginning my journey." Arthur states plainly. 

"Oh. Just another fool desiring death. But what is with this aura? He feels dangerous like a wild beast waiting to be unleashed. Better wait for the Captain." The guard mutters although Arthur hears it all. 

"Just wait a moment for my Captain to come, and he will decide whether to let you in or not." The guard yells back over the wall. 

Arthur acquiesces as he is not in a hurry this time and is interested in this bastion, that is said to hold some of the strongest people in this region. So he stands there calmly, awaiting for this so-called Captain to arrive, wondering if he will have to slap someone to death here too. 

Luckily for this fortress city, the Captain soon arrived without having Arthur wait for too long, his face appearing over the portcullis. 

"You feel dangerous. Do you wish any harm upon this city or the people within its walls?" The Captain asks, yet at the same time, a yellowish murky glow encapsulates the man's body as he speaks. 

This intrigues Arthur as he has never seen anything like this, not knowing that this is magic. 

"No." Arthur states simply, as he really does not unless someone provokes him. He is just curious about the so-called strongest within, and then he will continue on his way. 

The Captain raises an eyebrow and waits a moment as if waiting for some kind of confirmation, and then he nods as if getting the answer he wanted. 

"Alright, you may enter. No shenanigans, though, as we will be watching and waiting for anything suspicious or dangerous. Open the gate!" The Captain states to Arthur before turning to his guards and yelling for them to open the gate. 

And then it rises, slowly but surely. A small creaky sound rang out as it rose, causing snow to fall off it as it rises up from the ground. 

Arthur nods to the guards before he steps into the city in one fell swoop and a quickness that catches the guards off-guard. A hush of surprise fell over them as they saw him disappear and reappear within the city before the gate even completely rose up. 

"Looks like a true monster has arrived. Just what we needed in this city of mini monsters." The Captain mutters with a light sigh and a shake of the head, seeing Arthur's quick movements. 

After all, unlike most cities, the basic guards here are equal to B-ranked individuals, while the Captains are equal to A-ranked, and the Commander is a certified S-rank. So they are very capable, but this city has many S-ranked people here to either try their hand at the Abyss or help guard the city against the beast waves. 

"Well, either way, welcome to the Abyssal Bastion. Civilizations only Northern defense against the monstrosities beyond." The Captain whispers into the wind towards Arthur, not expecting him to hear him, but nonetheless says it.