To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 180: Separated

The black mist that enveloped them turned into solid darkness.

Within that solid darkness, light somehow emerged from their bodies. Light them up in the dark. Provides views on their front for one meter.

"What is happening?!" 

Xian Ling got so worried as she embraces Sara in her right arm .

"All of you, stay close to each other!"

Arlene pulled Skadi over and they stay close to the other two girls. 

Meanwhile, the three men in other side, each other turned their backs and prepared their weapons.

"Skadi, do you know what happens when we first time past the Floor Two's Pit?"

"I can't recall. All I remember is the Legends told us, when we past the Pit, we have to close our eyes and focus only on our thoughts."

"Yeah but, the commandment in these years is, we will fall asleep when we pass through that void."

Floor 2 Abyss Pit is different than in the Floor 1. 

Floor 2 Abyss Pit is so dark, like an empty space. But the old generation of Hunters called it; the Void.

Nobody knows what's inside the Void except Floor 2's first expedition team and the Saints. At that moment, the eight of them - with Ars who did not seem to come out of the carriage, were in that Void.

"But how did this room get here?"

Arlene didn't understand at all. They are clueless at what is going on.

"Miss Arlene, what really happened?!"

They had been in that darkness long enough. Xian Ling couldn't hold back her courage.

"Did this dark fog is the part of enemy attack?!"

Lian can't think of any other possibility.

It's all dark. Nothing happened. So that Sara hears something from behind.

"Is someone there?"

Sara naturally wanted to turn around when she heard someone is talking to her.

"NO!"

However, Arlene in an instant stopped her and hold her head. 

"All of you! Face this way!"

Arlene's command contains meaning; 'if you don't do it, you will die!'. So they did what she told them to do.

"Miss, what happ "

"Stop talking."

Arlene knows what's going on. But she couldn't tell the truth.

"Don't move. Just focus on your thought. Close your eyes. Don't listen to them."

~

~

~

'Do you know where is my son?'

A woman's voice asked as she walks past them.

'Why is all this happening to us?' 'I want to go home.' 'Mommy.' 'Where are you, honey?'

There were many voices walking past them. Sounds that give off a cold aura when they enter the ears.

Their ears were like they had been pricked by thorns. The aura of the people walking over made them all shiver.

'What now?' 'We have to run.' 'There are so many monsters.' 'We are dead.'

'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 'Why?' 

~

"Hold on a little longer. It will end."

Arlene tried hard to comfort the two girls in her arms. Especially the little lady.

Skadi was still standing strong without having to cover her ears. Well, she still had to close her eyes though.

The three young men closed their eyes and didn't want to listen to the terrifying sounds around. They endure all of it by holding hands.

'Why we got slaughtered?' 'Where did we go wrong?'

All the voices still didn't disappear even though they had tried their best to resist.

Until finally their courage runs out and they can't hold back anymore.

'Do you know where is my daughter?'

"NO-!"

~

Boom.

A huge explosion that appeared from behind startled them. Instantly brought their focus back.

After Sara had lost her previous control, Arlen made sure that she was holding onto the young lady tightly.

After the explosion just now, Arlene felt that she no longer heard the whispers of the Void. The surrounding air was also warmer than before.

"You can open your eyes now."

She could hear Skadi clearly. It seemed Skadi had opened her eyes. Arlene still has a bit of fear. But slowly opened her eyes and found a bright place that wasn't Mild Yellow Dessert.

At that time they were in an outside hallway of a certain royal palace.

On reflex, Xian Ling and Sara also opened their eyes.

They moved places to a safe place somewhere.

Feeling safe, Sara was able to breathe calmly, and she got passed out suddenly.

"Sara!"

Xian Ling caught Sara before the young lady fell.

"Sara, are you okay?"

Xian Ling was very worried about her friend's condition. Especially after they went through such dire situation before.

"Don't worry. She just fainted," said Skadi casually. 

Skadi was the strongest person to hold back in the previous situation. When a strong warrior like her said that, naturally, Xian Ling was angry because Skadi seemed to underestimate Sara's condition.

"How do you know she just fainted?! She is the only Priest in our party." 

They will all be in a lot of trouble. The Priest's existence was to heal injured party members. If there are party members whose safety must be prioritized, answer number 1 is the Priest.

"If something happened to her..."

"It's okay. I'm a Priest too."

Xian Ling seemed to have just heard the results of an exam that was hard for her to believe.

"Silver Sky Staff is in my hands for no trivial reason."

Due to her Vanguard Knight-like appearance and strength, Xian Ling forgot that Skadi was wielding the Silver Sky Staff. The only Seven Color Weapon that was not used to attack.

"Can you carry her?"

Arlene stretched out her hand to pick up Sara. Since Xian Ling was a caster, she didn't have much point on strength, so she give her partner to Arlene.

Arlene princess carries Sara. 

"Skadi, don't tell me this place is..."

"North Coast Palace."

____________

Abyssal Terra / Floor 2

Northwest Region / North Coast Palace 

The palace is located on the cliffs of the north coast. Peak accessible location in the northwest region. 

Status: Not yet conquered

____________

Mild Yellow Dessert / Dawn

"Xian Ling!"

"Sara!"

Two of their party members disappeared.

"Miss Arlene! Lady Skadi!"

Likewise, with their two seniors.

Their four members disappeared at the same time as the dark mist disappeared.

The time has also moved to morning.

"Sara-!"

"Shut your mouth."

Someone suddenly told them to shut. Someone who just got out of the carriage.

"Ars."

The man previously had been casually silent in the carriage. Whereas those outside were feeling horror from the dark mist.

But at that time he came out after all the things passed and the time had moved to morning.

"We are in the middle of the desert. As far as your eye could see, there is only dirt and sand. Where do you think those four women are if there's nowhere to be hidden?"

His words were true. They were still in the middle of the Mild Yellow Desert. Even if their four female members disappeared, just calling them would be fruitless.

"Then, what do we do?" asked Bradley. "They just disappeared after the dark fog disappeared. Were they swallowed up by the dark mist?"

That is possible. Moreover, Arlene said earlier, not to be provoked by the horrifying whispers.

The thought of that gave the three of them goosebumps.

"No."

However, Ars rejected the idea.

"They were indeed almost got swallowed up by the Void just now. But I moved them somewhere to prevent that to happen."

"Moved them?" asked Bradley, curious.

Ars did not answer that question. He walked to the carriage coachman's seat, replacing Arlene.

"Get on your horse. Let's go."

Because Arlene wasn't with them anymore. Ars get out to take over. It took them by surprise.

Without waiting for the three of them, Ars whipped up the carriage horse to start walking. He left first.

Bradley and Richard approach Lian, awaiting orders.

"What do we do, Lian?"

Ars is in fact the main control of the party, as well as their client. But the situation has changed drastically. They have lost two of their main members. It was hard for Lian to face that.

However, he didn't want to stand up like that for long.

"Let's stick to our travel."

That way, they got on their respective horses and walked to protect the carriage.

_

_

_

Two days ago before departing to north / 

"Ars, stop!"

Arlene stops Ars, who is testing Lian.

At that request, Ars put back his sword. He turned around and leaving standing still Lian.

"Well."

Before he really left, he had something to say to them.

"If you really want to waste your life. You can come along. But don't blame me if any of you die. Because I'm also not sure I can make it out alive on this expedition."

What a rational word. The plan make sure aware of their lives. When he doesn't want to stop and wants to go all out.