Kuro stood silent for a moment, as if carefully choosing his next words. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, weighty with uncertainty.
"How do I prove that?" he asked, locking eyes with Rulet.
Rulet didn't answer him right away. Instead, his gaze shifted to Artoria. "You're an elf. What made you come to Duril? Why do you put so much faith in this man—especially after seeing his eyes?"
Artoria lifted her chin. Her body was tense, but her eyes didn't waver. "I trust him. More than I trust you." Her voice cut clean through the air. "He didn't ask for those eyes. He was thrown into this world—lost, confused, carrying something he never chose."
Rulet turned back to Kuro. His face hardened.
"Will you betray us?" he asked, voice cold enough to bite.
Arthur stepped forward; his hands clenched into fists. Anger surged behind his calm exterior. "If we were going to betray you," he growled, his voice low and fierce, "you'd all be dead already."
Rulet stepped in close, the tension between them crackling like lightning. "And what makes you think you can kill us?"
Before it could spiral further, Kuro raised his hand and stepped between them. His voice was steady, but his eyes carried exhaustion.
"Stop."
"We won't cause trouble. If we do... you're free to deal with us however you see fit."
There was a long silence. Then Rulet backed off. Everyone seemed to let out a collective breath.
"If you betray us," Rulet said slowly, turning his gaze back to Kuro, "I won't hesitate—not for a second."
There were no more words. A silent agreement passed among them, and the group set out for the city. Dian and Erik stayed behind; their faces grim as they watched the others vanish into the shadows of Duril.
"First," Kuro muttered as they walked, "we need new clothes."
They followed Rulet through a maze of cramped alleys until they stepped into a massive, bustling street. Shops lined both sides, glowing with polished signs and vibrant displays. Laughter, music, and the scent of expensive food filled the air.
Kuro's eyes narrowed. Something is off...
These people look happy. Too happy. He glanced around. Duril is poor—what is this place?
Rulet noticed his gaze and answered, bitterness heavy in his voice. "This is the Upper Ring—the district for those who serve Varnok. They eat to hearts content, while others starve."
He stopped in front of a dusty, closed shop and knocked three times.
A gruff voice from the other side replied, "How can I help you, sir?"
Rulet leaned in, barely audible. "Cheap grains."
A lock clicked. The door opened.
Inside stood a frail, silver-haired man dressed in a tidy vest and rolled sleeves. His eyes sparkled, despite his age.
"Come in," he said gently.
They followed him into the dim interior, and then down a narrow staircase into the basement. The air was musty, thick with dust and memory.
The old man switched on a row of soft yellow lights, illuminating rows of ancient fabric and old tools. He turned to Kuro with an appraising eye.
"So, this gentleman needs refinement," he mused.
He crossed the room, opened a closet, and carefully pulled out a set of elegant clothing—dark and finely tailored.
Kuro tried the outfit on. It fit perfectly.
He stared at the mirror, surprised. "How did you know my size?"
The old man chuckled. "It's a gift—I can assess things at a glance. Sizes, needs, intentions. Everything leaves a mark."
Arthur stepped forward. The old man's eyes lit up. "What a magnificent build..." He turned back to the closet and retrieved another suit—slightly more regal, with a high collar and silver trim.
Arthur wore it well. But when it came to the coat, he hesitated. Instead, he picked up his old one—worn, torn, stained with time—and slid it over his shoulders.
The old man watched him carefully. "That coat," he said softly, "it carries memories, doesn't it?"
Arthur didn't answer. He just looked down, lost in thought.
Rulet glanced at them both. "Now that you're ready, shall we go?"
Kuro nodded, then paused. "Wait—the payment…"
The old man raised a hand, eyes kind. "No payment. Rulet's brother once saved my life. You're his friends. That's more than enough."
Kuro bowed deeply; voice soft. "Thank you."
They left the store and headed toward the edge of the city. Behind a curtain of tangled overgrowth, a crumbling statue stood—torn by time and weather, but still upright. Rulet brushed aside some vines and revealed a hidden stone door between the statue's legs.
"This is the entrance," he said gravely. "It leads below Duril. I don't know what waits down there."
He looked to the others.
"Do you wish to continue?"
Kuro and Arthur exchanged glances. Kuro swallowed hard.
"Yes."
Rulet nodded, he reached for a rusted switch and pulled.
CRRK...
The door rumbled open.
Darkness greeted them.
Kuro entered first, his footfalls echoing against the ancient stone. Arthur and Artoria followed. Then Rulet. Then Lilia.
As soon as the fifth person crossed the threshold—
BOOM.
The earth shuddered. The door slammed shut behind them like the lid of a coffin.
Outside, John cursed and yanked at the switch. "Damn thing's broken!"
Shira slammed on the stone; voice sharp. "Boss! Boss, can you hear me?!"
Inside, the tunnel came alive.
Torches burst to life along the walls, bathing the corridor in flickering gold. Shadows danced on the ancient carvings etched into the stone.
Kuro stepped closer to the wall; eyes drawn to an image: a giant vulture split down the middle by a woman cloaked in light.
Another tremor rumbled through the earth.
Wind howled from deep within the tunnel.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "There's air. Another exit?"
"Or a trap," Kuro murmured.
"Let's keep moving," he added, and the group pressed forward.
They pressed onward. The tunnel seemed to stretch for miles, the pressure in the air growing heavier with every step.
At last, it opened into a dome—wide, echoing, ancient. The ceiling soared above them like the inside of a temple. At the center stood a stone altar, its surface covered in glowing runes. Floating directly above it, a second altar hovered midair.
Kuro stepped forward, eyes scanning every detail. Four doors stood in each cardinal direction—sealed, silent.
Then a voice echoed through the dome.
"Welcome, travellers."
Everyone froze.
The voice came again, now sharper.
"Do you seek Eclipsera?"
Arthur raised his voice. "Who are you?! Show yourself!"
Silence followed. Then, the voice darkened.
"The Eclipsera reveals itself only to those whose hearts are untainted. The greedy... shall perish."
A low hum rose from the floor. Everyone felt a weight of some unseen force over their bodies, some kind of energy hummed from the floor through their bones,
"Prove thy selves." The voice echoed strong,
A low hum rose from the floor—subtle at first, like a whisper caught in still air. Within seconds, the ground began to vibrate, a pulse climbing through the stone and into their bones.
Everyone froze.
A crushing pressure settled over them, heavy and invisible, as if the air itself had turned to lead.
Kuro staggered, his foot slipping back. "What… is this force?" he gasped.
Rulet dropped to one knee, sweat lining his brow.
"Kagaki," he panted. "Only a few possess it."
The weight deepened. Muscles trembled. Even Arthur grits his teeth, fists clenched, trying to resist the invisible storm. Artoria clung to Kuro, her body shaking. Lilia braced herself against the wall, wide-eyed and breathless.
A force that reached deeper than flesh, straight into the soul.
Then, suddenly, it vanished.
The pressure lifted. The hum died. Silence fell again—thick, uneasy.
Everyone stood still, panting as if they'd survived a storm.
The light dimmed. The voice came again,
"Those who fail... shall never leave these ruins alive."
Click.
Clank.
Groooaaan.
The four sealed doors began to open—one by one.
Darkness loomed behind each.