Congratulations on making me laugh for the first time in ages. You win... a new chapter!
Yes, that is right. A new chapter has been posted after a long wait. Here Maas must face up to the greatest danger he has ever encountered, which will emerge towards the end of this short chapter.
Note: No fight scene here. Wait a little longer.
Chapter 11: Praying at the altar
As the four of them walked out into the pitch black labyrinth pathway, the female companion lit a mysterious torch that burned with a furious blue flame. As she did so, others also ignited along the walls, illuminating a narrow path that lead to a spiral staircase. Without saying a word, they each ascended until they reached an even longer corridor, at the end sat two iron doors, similar to those that protected the entrance to the strange place. A chill ran through Maas? spine due to the silence, and all that he could hear was the slow footsteps of everyone around him. His feelings were clearly shown in his blackened face.
?Do you not like the quiet?? Akron asked kindly.
?No.? Maas answered simply. The lack of sound when nobody spoke made him feel completely alone. And he, like any other person, had his fears.
?I find it quite relaxing,? Akron contested. ?It makes a nice change from the uproar at the altar.?
?Uproar? In an altar? That doesn?t seem quite right.? Maas exclaimed, his voice sounding quite puzzled. At this comment, Akron simply laughed.
?You shall see what I mean,? He chuckled. Something was obviously humouring him. ?Tell me Maas, what did you think of the Dark Age??
Before Maas could answer they had arrived at the large entrance. As Akron swung the doors open Maas was almost thrown of his feet by the blast of noise that hit his ears. Thousands of mutated men, women and children were gathered together in an enormous cavern full of stalagmites and quartz. Incomparably loud music was playing and echoing of the walls with the habitants of the hidden civilization screaming along to the lyrics.
?Hot wind in Hell of pain and sorrow, now and ever onwards. We stare into the dawn of a new world.?
?What kind of place is this?? Maas asked in disbelief. ?I thought you said that this was an altar.? He questioned. Akron merely laughed once again.
?It is. But we decided that the normal customs of worship were slightly boring, so we created our own way of prayer.?
?And does this incredibly?. Amazing music have anything to do with who it is you worship??
?Not really. It just keeps everyone?s morals high.? Akron shrugged. Maas stepped into the enormous cave and observed all that was going on. It didn?t seem like anyone was praying or worshipping at all.
?And who is it that you honour with this celebration?? Maas stuttered. Akron slammed the door behind them and turned to face the others that had accompanied them since the Curer?s dungeon.
?Go and search for Captain Echizaro. Then find me and bring him with you.? He ordered before turning to Maas. ?Oh, here we worship the unknown warrior and his allies that saved the planet from total destruction over a millennia ago,? He said, pointing out one of the cavern walls. ?Over there we have a statue of the knight and those that assisted him.?
Maas strained his eyes, but amongst all the people he could not see what Akron was trying to show him.
?Saved the planet from what?? Maas asked curiously. ?From what I?ve been taught, nothing has ever threatened this world in its entire history.? He finished, now raising his voice as they entered the enormous crowd. Akron did the same.
?The Vergals. It?s not like this is the first time that they have invaded. From the information we?ve found. There were just as many Vergals in the world as humans back then. But there is no proof that any of that even existed, because the books we have read also speak of magic and strange beasts. And we all know that magic doesn?t exist. So you see, it?s hard to choose whether you want to believe or not. But, the one described in the books matched the exact appearance of the one in the statue we found here. And why would there even be a statue if that person never even existed??
?So you let them idolize someone who could be all a heap of invented fiction??
?Not even a century ago, humans believed in something called God. In 2010, the religion that followed God, Christianity, became the worldwide religion. Only a few years after, it was thrown aside by the people. All beliefs in a divine entity were forgotten in almost an instant. And as I said, the dispelling of this religion happened not even a century ago. So, if you are asking me if we let people follow a normal person, when the entire race once followed a bearded man in the sky for over 2000 years, then my answer is yes. That is exactly what we do here.?
?But?. Why?? Maas shrugged. He had obviously been defeated by Akron?s verbal contestation.
?It gives everyone here hope. If they believe that long ago the Vergal forces were defeated, then it helps them believe that it may happen again.?
?Wait, if the Vergal invasion only began a few days ago, then why is it that you have been worshipping this man since before that?
?Perhaps you didn?t hear me in the Curer?s dungeon. Vergals have been attacking people here for twenty-seven years. The only difference is that now, they have begun to appear in larger numbers.?
?I see.? Maas answered. He had run out of questions for now, so he would just follow Akron and do as he wished to see how things would turn out. At that moment, the ones that had been sent away returned with Echizaro behind them. The two shook hands before turning to Maas.
?You requested my presence?? Echizaro asked curiously.
?Yes,? Was Akron?s answer. ?Our friend here says that he feels more comfortable speaking to you. Perhaps you should be the one that takes him to see the Master, instead of me.?
?Of course,? He answered happily, taking Maas by the shoulder and leading him out of the bustling crowds of hyped up dancers. ?So Maas, how did it go?? He asked without turning around to look. Instead of answering, Maas removed his hood and grabbed Echizaro?s attention to reveal his half mutated face. His guide stopped in his tracks and sighed.
?That is a rare sight to see. I am sorry. Let us leave this place so that I may show you your room for the night. Oh, and put your hood back up. People are beginning to stare?
Maas looked around and noticed the amount of head turned towards him. But what worried him more was hoe cheerful Echizaro was acting, and how much he wanted to get to the bedroom.
?Am I not supposed to see the Master?? Maas questioned. He didn?t know exactly what was going on, but he knew that he did not like it.
?As I may or may not have said before, he is not present at this moment in time. But come on, let?s hurry up and leave this loud place for somewhere quieter. You need you rest.?
Maas followed him out of the altar into another hallway. The moment Echizaro shut the incredible doors behind them the fear of being alone struck Maas once again. He would have to stay with the suspicious captain for now. He then continued speaking.
?My room is not far from here. You can come in if you want, for a drink, a bite to eat, or perhaps something else.? He offered simply, turning to wait for his decision. Maas stopped and merely stared at Echizaro. Was it normal to want to go to a bedroom so much?
?Maybe you should just show me my room and leave me.? Maas suggested with a hopeful look in his eyes.?
?No, no,? Echizaro contested rapidly. ?We absolutely have to go to my room. I have something I would like to show you, and I think you would like to see.?
Now Maas really didn?t want to go with him. But without a guide he wouldn?t be able to find his way anywhere. And he would be completely alone in the darkness.
?Very well,? He answered with a false politeness. ?But I can?t spend too long with you because to be honest, I?m shattered.?
?Oh really? Because so am I. I need to get to bed.? Echizaro said whilst smiling at Maas as they both walked side by side down the labyrinth passage. Both of them were quite close together and Maas did not feel comfortable. They made their way up sets and sets of spiral stairways until finally they reached a small wooden door. Placing his hand on the knob, Echizaro turned it firmly and opened it slightly.
?Well, here we are. Come on. Let?s go in.?
I know it's short. No moaning or complaining.
Now.... comments. Remember them.
And, what will Maas do? Will the inevitable happen and will something strange happen in his guide's room? The suspense is too much. Find out in the next chapter, which won't take so long to post.