Now, what I don't understand is how this is a test of loyalty. If it's just an endurance test, to see if I'll instantly die picking up a sword, then what's loyal about that? Unless there's some kind of power of friendship in this world, and the higher the bond is between myself and the people with me, the stronger my endurance and defense against the sword will be.
Because if that's the case, who knows. I might actually die.
It isn't a prospect that thrills me with joy, but this supposed SSSS rank actually having magic powered by friendship wouldn't even surprise me at this point.
"Don't worry, Master. If anything ever requires friendship, my infinite friendship for you will definitely be more than enough!"
...Great. I'm pretty sure that means there really is friendship magic in this damn world. Incredible,.
I sigh and shake my head, pushing all that aside for the moment. "I'm ready."
The queen nods and gestures for me to step outside. The elves follow me, and they take up positions on either side of the garden, lining the stone walls like it's stone bleachers at some kind of sporting event. Which really...just gives me gladiator vibes. The profession, not the movie. I never finished the movie.
I step forward, and the moment I cross the threshold of the garden, surrounded as it is by knee-high fences, the sword begins to glow. It's not burning, or anything, but it's definitely glowing.
...Ominous. I'm not intimidated, but it's quite showy for a sword. But if I can take it and remain standing, then that's a good start. So I approach the pedestal, and the elves all watch me with a mix of awe and horror. It's like they know I'm about to do something amazing. Amazingly stupid.
"Master, please don't!"
No, no, no. I don't need you chiming in right now. The sword is literally right in front of me. It's a matter of just reaching out and taking it. There's no way for me to fail.
I grip the handle and yank the sword free from the pedestal.
Instantly, the world goes dark.
I glimpse, for the barest moment, black flames.
....Am I really dead already?
"Answer: You're not dead, Master!"
...Right.
The darkness fades and clears, solidifying around me into....a forest. But not the one I just came from. This one is shrouded in dusk, with thick fog hanging low to the ground and twisting branches overhead.
The sword is still in my hand. The handle is cold, and it's glowing a faint red color, as if it's heated by the presence of my own soul or something. It's a strange feeling.
I grip it tightly, and scan the area. The other four are nowhere in sight.
"Master, your friends are not here."
...I was getting to that conclusion. Which makes me question yet again: what does this have anything to do with loyalty?
I guess it's a test of patience, or perseverance, or...something.
But it's not really testing my loyalty.
I take a breath and push aside those thoughts. Now's not the time. I'm not burnt to a crisp. So the test is clearly not a pain endurance test.
If my experience has led me right...this is some kind of...mental plane or illusion. I just have to find my way out of here.
"Answer: This is a trial created by the Demon King's blade. You've been pulled to the land of souls."
...Great. A trial within a trial. I survive the fire by navigating the spooky mind forest.
This is ridiculous.
But it's a real challenge, potentially, and that's what I want. So I grip the sword tighter and start walking.
The ground beneath my feet is slick. Like it's rained recently enough to leave the ground wet and muddy, but without any puddles. The fog is so thick I can't see anything but vague shadows in it, but it's all at the edge of my vision. As if it's creeping towards me, waiting for a moment to lunge out and grab me.
I keep the sword in my hand and focus on moving forward. I can't hear anything, except a faint rustling sound that comes and goes. It sounds like someone moving through the trees, but not with any real direction or purpose.
As I move, I can't help but notice the shadows in the fog are following my movements.
They look vaguely elf shaped.
But. Something about them. Every time I look at them. Everything in me tenses. They don't feel like elves.
I try to ignore them. They're not attacking.
They're not attacking.
I just need to keep moving.
I don't know where. But standing still feels very ill-advised.
The shadows begin to close in on me, and I can feel a prickle on the back of my neck. My grip on the sword tightens.
There's a sound.
It's a hissing, like steam.
I whirl, and the shadow lunges for me.
It slashes across the spot I definitely had been standing moments ago, but my last minute twist dodges most of its swipe.
Most of it.
It's a glancing blow, but the pain that rips through my shoulder and down my arm is still agonizing. It's not fatal, but it's deep, and the shock of it stuns me for a moment.
Mostly because...I haven't felt pain since I got here.
"What the - hell?"
The shadow creature hisses, and a second one leaps at me.
I swing the sword in a wild arc, and the blade slices through both of them. The shadows melt away, leaving behind only a slight smudge in the air, like a dark smear on the ground.
...They're one-hits.
But far more important than those, it's the lingering pain in my shoulder. I hiss and raise my free hand up to touch the...injury?
That's blood on my fingers.
"Caution, Master! On the Soul Plane, many of your blessings, such as Absolute Defense, have no effect! The creatures of darkness target your soul, not your body."
So...in this world - this plane...
I have a real chance of death?
"Answer: If you take too much damage in this plane, your soul may collapse."
Well.
I can't help the grin that curls across my lips.
This is just the kind of thing I'm living for.
It's a hell of a lot better than some kind of friendship magic test.
Like some kind of tide, the fog recedes again, taking with it its little attackers and opening up the path for me to continue.
I move forward, the pain in my shoulder throbbing with each step.
Can't say I enjoy the pain. But the thrill of the challenge is making that less of a concern right now.
I could just stay in place and see how many shadows are in that fog but...
It's not like there isn't a surplus of it. I'm sure it'll make another attack eventually, and given injuries and death are an actual factor this time, it's worth using this time wisely.
Like...
To figure out what I'm supposed to be doing here.
"Answer: You must collect the scattered souls of your friends and bring them to the door to light to escape, Master!"
The...
Hell?
What kind of janky search quest is that?
I glance back and see the shadow creatures slowly advancing on me again.
...So this is a survival horror section, huh.
Well. It's not the first time.
I take a deep breath and push forward, searching the shadows and fog for any sign of the others.
My shoulder still aches.
It's distracting, and a bit concerning, but not enough to slow me down.
There. Ahead of me.
Elara.
She's walking through the fog ahead of me as if she's in a daze.
I rush forward and grab her shoulder, turning her around.
Her eyes widen when she sees me.
Then her face twists and explodes into a shadow hand that rakes out toward my face.
I dodge back and swing the sword at her.
It slices clean through her chest, and the shadow shatters into mist.
I stumble back, breathing hard.
What.
The.
Hell.
"Caution, Master! The shadow fae will take the forms of your friends. You must be cautious not to be fooled!"
...I'd comment on her only telling me that now, but I don't want her to get any ideas.
I keep moving, and the fog continues to lift. I can see the sky above, and a distant door.
As I move towards it, a familiar voice calls out. "Ryo!"
Kael.
He's leaning against a tree, watching me.
But his eyes.
They're dull and lifeless.
And as I approach, the ground splits open and a shadow version of him leaps up and rushes me.
Yep. Not getting me twice.
I spin to the right, bringing the glowing sword up and slicing down through his torso.
He shatters.
Two down. But at least I know there's a visual distinction from the shadow creatures.
Another voice calls out to me as I walk. Feminine.
"Ryo~!"
It's from...above? I turn my head to see Meera. She's sitting in a tree, swinging her legs.
"What a funny place we are...! The Soul Realm."
Her tone is almost singsong. It's a bit creepy.
"Are you...really Meera?"
She looks down at her own hand and squints at it. "Am I? I think I am. Let me test..."
She pinches her arm. Yelps, and falls, screaming from the tree.
...That's definitely her.