The Box: Fate
Chapter 33 — The Whispers of the High Demon
The sky over the road to Liya did not look like a normal sunset The clouds were swirling in unnatural patterns of deep crimson and bruised gold A strange heavy pressure settled over the world making the very air feel thick as if a great weight were pressing down on the continent
As the sixteen survivors cleared the last of the husk army near the bridge a sudden piercing chill ran down Kataki spine His Void Sight blindfold pulsed with a violent rhythmic silver light—a warning he had never felt before
"The resonance of the world... it's shifting Kataki whispered his voice trembling slightly Something is coming Something that makes the Architect Commanders look like children
Far to the North beyond the frozen peaks that no player had yet reached a massive pillar of black fire erupted into the heavens It didn't make a sound but every living soul in the Box felt a cold hand clutch their heart
The Demon King
The name wasn't spoken, but the realization settled into their minds like a dark truth A power was awakening that would rewrite the rules of their reality The identity of this King was a mystery hidden behind a veil of ancient shadows but his arrival was now inevitable
Zanaki stood in the middle of the bridge the blue lightning from Azureus still dancing around his fingers He looked around at the devastated landscape then at the determined faces of Akira Axel Hatanaki and the others He scratched the back of his head a look of genuine confusion crossing his face
Wait a second Zanaki said, his draconic eyes blinking I just realized... I've been so focused on fusing with this dragon and blowing up husks... where exactly are we going again? Are we still just heading to Liya for snacks and a nap?
The group stopped dead in their tracks A collective sigh echoed across the stone bridge
"Are you serious" you idiot? Axel Hatanaki barked throwing his hands up in the air We've been trekking through monster-infested forests for three days and you don't even know the objective?
Zanaki you complete buffoon Murasaki added crossing her arms with an annoyed look We aren't just traveling to Liya for the scenery We are searching for the High Alchemist of the Shattered Realms
Akira stepped forward pointing his sword toward the horizon We are looking for a cure for the curse Zanaki! Kataki is wearing a blindfold that burns his soul and those black markings on his neck are getting darker every day If we don't find a way to break the Architect mark he won't survive the journey to the Demon King throne
Wait so we're on a medical mission? Zanaki asked feeling a bit embarrassed as he tucked his hands into his pockets I thought we were just on a world-saving tour
It's both you moron! Sharky Bee laughed shaking his head We need Kataki at 100% if we're going to face whatever just woke up in the North Now stop daydreaming about your dragon and keep moving
Zanaki laughed the tension of the world-shift breaking for a moment Alright alright! To Liya it is Let's find that cure before Kataki starts seeing ghosts in his sleep
Despite the lighthearted moment Kataki remained silent He looked toward the black fire in the North He knew that even a cure might not be enough for what was coming The Demon King was rising and the sixteen players were the only ones standing in his way
The journey toward the cure—and the end of the world—continued