Chapter 727 - 671: The Dark Maze (1)

"Do you want to continue?"

Arthur asked the beaming Bora, whose condition was by far the worst of the bunch. He consumed the pills he was given and getting treated by Life Energy, he was still mentally exhausted, even after the passing of an hour. Still, the tanned youth was acting all energetic and his excitement from passing the Fifth Trial had not gone down yet.

"Yes, teacher!"

He gave an enthusiastic response and looked at the remaining members of the team; Rosea, Ho Qing, and Ardor. They had come a long way and their bond deepened considerably over the course of the five trials. It's too late to give up or blame himself over the complications that they had gone through, all he could do right now is persevere and hope they make it.

"Good."

Arthur patted his shoulders and after giving a couple of words of encouragement, he returned to the VIP BOX. The Sixth Trial was nigh and all the participants returned to the square-shaped platform at the center of the plateau, all of them looking much better and ready to continue.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I hope you're enjoying this glorious competition and are ready for the upcoming Trial, which I don't doubt will impress you and entertain you as much as its predecessors."

The Pigolo host bowed toward the loudly cheering crowd then took out Arthur's device, soon teleporting the thirteen participants to the next stage, which was also a separate and small world created by the parasite.

"S-sir… I really don't think it's a good idea."

A beautiful female elder belonging to the Dark Blaze Sect stepped closer to the Patriarch, Rasnod, and, while stuttering, muttered her honest thoughts. They've been in the city for a while now and the hopes of causing any kind of disturbance were unlikely. The Black Dragon Formation looming over their heads was more than enough to obliterate them into nothingness if it's activated, and it as hell would if Rasnod tries something.

Even while thinking optimistically, they really had no chance of getting out of here alive were they to launch a pre-emptive attack, it would lead to nothing but death.

The woman, Jenny Dark Blaze, Holand's aunt, and Rasnod's little sister, was skeptical and nervous. Her older brother, the Patriarch of the team, was getting more and more restless and it won't be surprising to see him flare up and start his suicidal and rash plan. Even she, his sister, didn't know why he's so obsessed with Cristina and Bora, hellbent on capturing them both and bringing them back to the sect.

Sure, they broke the rules and deserted, taking with them high-graded Artefacts, nonetheless, it's not worth the trouble of getting them back, especially if it means making an enemy out of the MoonStar Sect and Isadore Malfront, both of which have numerous experts, including Overgods, under them.

"Stop nagging! I haven't done a thing!"

Rasnod was red-faced and breathing loudly, he hissed at Jenny and shoved her hand away. When she tried to convince him again, the Grand Elder sighed and pulled her back, silently shaking his head.

This old man, who was always dressed strangely and was more than eccentric, was a powerful cultivator and has been the Grand Elder of the sect for three generations. He's over ten thousand years in age and is currently stuck at the middle stages of the Exalted God Realm. He's undoubtedly powerful but he's also wise, wise enough to know that there will be nothing good coming out of the foolish plan concocted by Rasnod. However, much to Jenny's surprise and confusion, the Grand Elder, Edward Jonathan Dark Blaze, tagged along and never objected to anything the Patriarch said.

…

"Elder, look… it's her."

The woman accompanying Cardinal Patrick shifted her gaze to the third VIP box, her eyes resting on a golden-haired woman.

The Cardinal, a balding but muscular old man wearing a white robe with three red lines on it, slightly tilted his head and stared at Delia. Not only did she betray the Holy Dominion but she also convinced her sister to come with her, which enraged many of the Priests and the devout believers. While Delia may not have been an important member, her sister played a big role and her absence is unmistakeably noticed.

"Leave them alone." He solemnly said, soon returning his gaze to the large screen. The Holy Church Team, though not ranking in the first place, was still faring well. They were affected by the absurd quantity of Dark Magic looming in the environment, thus consequently weakened. Nevertheless, they performed admirably and none of them was disqualified, fortunately. Furthermore, neither Arthur nor Lucy were showing any hostility toward the Dominion's envoy, which is also a good thing, considering the two parties' bloody past.

"Elder, about the Kang Clan." The woman hesitated for a couple of breaths as she snuck glances at the parasite.

"Elder Nord seemed to have departed. Maybe we can use this to ou-"

"Stop talking, Melissa."

"But-"

"Don't think! Just watch." He gave her a chilling glare, causing her to tightly close her lips and lower her head.

"We are here to watch. Anything that happens has nothing to do with us. Don't forget that our mission is to ensure the safety of Leo and Veia."

"Yes, Elder."

***

"Come on! I don't want to go back there! Ughh!"

Edward Ortberg, like a child, was throwing a tantrum. He kept stomping his foot on the boat's deck and pacing around, restless and annoyed.

"Shut your gob! We should be the one complaining!"

Midolf was as frustrated as the serial killer. He spat on the ground and piercingly gazed at Edward.

"Don't be like that! We used to be cellmates! You'll protect me, right? Right?"

Midolf snorted but did not reply, his twin, however, nodded at the mortal and reassured him.

"Master tasked us to take you there and try to uncover the truth. It'll take us a while to arrive so better save your energy and rest."

"But I hate that desert! Last time I was there, I was almost killed by those giant hands!"

Edward turned to look behind him, his grumbling instantly replaced by a wide smile.

"Miss! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that you're also tagging along!"

Sonia appearing from inside, wearing a long azure robe. She was stone-faced, calmly cleaning her glasses and looking at the ever-changing plains. They took Arthur's fastest Spirit Boat and were heading back to the Ramel Kingdom. Sonia, surprisingly, volunteered to go, saying that she's not that busy and since Arthur and Lucy were there, she can be at east.

The mission wasn't that hard, they were to go to the desert and inspect that ungodly pit in which Shen Shen and Zaarae jumped into. It was highly unlikely that the little girl would come back, however, the Parasite Empress is another thing. Arthur could use Zaarae's help in the fight against the angels.

****

"Focus… focus on me!"

Gutcha yelled with a hoarse and deafening voice, making all the participants turn their attention to him.

"As you can see, this is a very simple maze. The goal is simple, find this."

He opened his palm and revealed a hovering fist-sized orange blob of light.

"This is considered a point. There are twelve of them."

"That's it?"

Cosima frowned and suspiciously looked at the grinning host.

"More or less. The Sixth Trial is a bonus one, meant to further decrease the number of participants. Good luck!"

He cheerfully waved his hand and vanished right after, leaving the confused youngsters standing there. The maze was made of thick twisting black vines, forming walls that were no less than thirty feet high.

Even without being told, all of them knew that flying is not possible. Still, one of the Imoogi attempted to fly or at least jump above the wall of vines only to immediately plummet from above and viciously crash onto the ground.

There was an eerie silence for a whole minute, in which they warily looked at each other, waiting for someone to take the first step and enter the maze. There were more than ten entrances, but it was hard to see where they led as darkness covered the air and the corners.

A burst of blinding white light rose above the duo from the Holy Church Team. The boy and girl didn't waste any time, dashing inside the maze and disappearing into the looming blackness. Not even a few seconds later, the sound of fighting could be heard from inside of the maze, further alerting those who stood still.