Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

“Bloody undead.” I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Well they can’t be bloody since they’re undead… ugh!”

I planted a foot on an undead skull which effectively smashed it and its entire body went crashing to the wall.

I scanned the area and sighed in relief as I did not see nor feel anymore monsters coming my way.

I was currently in the ninth floor of the Pagoda Tower and it had been three days since I entered it. So far, all the floors I’ve passed had the setting of a tunnel, much like the dungeons in Afasia, and I had been fighting a bunch of undead creatures, mostly skeleton warriors.

It was a breeze so far, but knowing how the universe works, I was pretty sure it was only easy because it was still the first few floors.

I was standing in front of a massive stone door, the only thing separating me and the tenth floor. I pushed it open and was surprised to see Zhong Kui.

According to what I learned, Zhong Kui was known as the King of Ghosts and a deity that vanquished, and punished ghosts and demons back in his universe.

-I still don’t get how he’s the king of ghosts and then he hunts them.

The deity, well former deity, was a tall man who wielded twin swords and loved the color black too much. His clothes were all in that color and even his face was covered by a black mask. I could only see his dark brown eyes from his entire get up and that was about it.

-So he’s the first one who’ll give me a task.

“Welcome Nyxtriel. I was debating whether or not you’d arrive soon. They’re quite noisy outside.” he commented and rose from where he was seated. “They’re still placing bets on how many days you’d conquer the tower and if you’ll succeed or not.”

“There’s a difference?” I questioned but he only returned it with a chuckle. “How long have I been in here? By my count it’s three days.”

“Time is different inside the tower.” he said. “A day outside is a week inside, so don’t worry. You’re long ways from the earliest day you’re supposed to get outside, which is a week.”

“That doesn’t really make me feel any better. So, what is your task for me?”

“It’s simple…” he motioned to the side and I saw a pair of glowing red orbs. It shifted and was suddenly getting closer. From the shadows emerged a skull face, and as it got closer to the light, I could see it was a lich, an elder lich. “Your task is to defeat this one. No time limit, just defeat it. If you end up dying or surrendering, well you already know how you’ll end up, but if you succeed, I’ll give you passage to the upper floors and meet the next one who’ll give you a task.”

“That’s how it usually goes, but how about a deal between us?” he tilted his head and asked me what I meant. “Once I succeed, you’ll take off your mask and show me what you look like.”

“I don’t think I should-“

“I was told you’re covering your face because you’re ugly, but covering it up and refusing to let others see it even when they volunteered just shows you’re a coward.”

Yeah, I developed quite the mouth in my five years Avalon Isles.

“Are you seriously talking like that to me? I am the King of Ghosts! I-“

“Back in your world. But here in Afasia you’re just another outer god who chose freedom and a new life.” I sighed. “We have been friends’ way back when you first arrived in Afasia, and not even once have I seen your face. Are you ugly? So what? Is your face disfigured? I don’t care. Real friends don’t turn away just because of a horrible appearance.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I think I do. Therefore, once I defeat the elder lich, you’ll take that blasted mask off and show me the face of my friend.”

He did not reply, nor make a sound, but the elder lich did start attacking me.

-I’ll take that as a yes then.

Now a lich is usually an undead proficient in magic and curses. It is usually a hassle dealing with them because of that. But I was facing an elder lich, which is more dangerous and more powerful than a regular lich. Usually elder lich are dungeon bosses in C-Rank to A-Rank dungeons. I had faced quite a few ones before and they had always been tricky.

I evaded a lightning strike from the elder lich and then reinforced myself with my energy, creating a thin yet strong shield clinging to my skin like second skin, as well as enhancing my movements. I wielded my twin swords with ease, alternating the two in my attacks and then landing a kick once in a while.

I learned a new trick while training in Avalon Isles: making my swords move and attack independently by encasing it with energy I manipulate from a distance with my mind.

While the elder lich was busy with my swords, I took the chance of lunging at it with my hand coated in concentrated fox fire in the shape of a short blade. I went straight to the elder lich core located in its chest cavity. I heard a crack and the elder lich was then nothing but a pile of bones in the floor.

I heard a clap and Zhong Kui emerged from the shadows. Well I couldn’t exactly tell what his expression was especially with his mask. So, to satisfy my own demands and curiosity, I did something really stupid.

I attacked the outer god with nothing but my swords as back up.

-Athena is so not going to approve of this action.

Zhong Kui had quick reflexes, and senses, as expected of someone who hunted ghosts and demons on a daily basis.

-I should’ve had him as a trainer.

We exchanged blows for a good ten minutes before I was able to deliver a blow on his abdomen using the extra boost of one of my tails. He skidded a few meters away from me, clutching his abdomen once he did stop.

“That’s a new look. You remind me of those foxes Inari has at her disposal.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his words, well the name most especially. My first ancestor was also called Inari, but before I could even lash out, I remembered the outer gods had a fox goddess as well, someone from the Japanese Shinto gods.

Unfortunately, she did not join those who evacuated in Afasia and perished with their universe. Just like many others.

“Why do you want to see my face? It will only disgust you.”

“I want to see the face of my friend. And on that note, I will decide for myself whether I’ll be disgusted or not.”

He sighed in defeat. I walked closer and only stopped on my tracks when he took off the black cloth that had been hiding his face.

Zhong Kui wasn’t ugly or disgusting per se. He was more like someone with a common face with light brown spots on his face as well as a pretty big nose. Other than that, there was nothing disgusting about him.

“How does it feel to see for yourself?”

“Annoyed, most definitely. Seriously, you’re afraid to show your freckles and big nose? That’s it?”

He looked stunned. His face had this look of amusement but then he started chuckling which made me raise an eyebrow.

“Back where I come from, as well as the era, it was a big deal. They say I have a deformation in my face. Have you seen my brethren? No one has a big nose like mine.”

“Please. In Afasia, we won’t judge you for that. At least I won’t.” I gave him a smile. “So, did I pass?”

He just chuckled in amusement again and stood up rather wobbly. “Yes. Yes you did. Quite excellently too.”

I mentally celebrated at that.

“It was nice to see you again Nyxtriel. It’s been years.”

“Yeah.”

“You can proceed to the eleventh floor whenever you like.” he paused and shook my hand “Also, I’m pretty sure this is not allowed but be careful when you get to the twentieth floor. And uh, don’t worry about your qilin, I’ll look after her during your absence.”

“Thanks. I should probably go.”

I turned my back and head to the open doorway that appeared out of nowhere.

-Floor eleven, here I come.

****

A/N:

I apologize about last week.