I Can See Evolution Paths

A faint metallic clicking continued through the facility. Arthur looked upward. A small crack appeared across the ceiling.

Arthur’s expression changed. "Everyone, move!"

Ice suddenly broke loose. A rain of enormous ice shards crashed downward. Arthur immediately swung Dusk upward.

Boom!

The spear’s attack destroyed several shards before they could reach the group, the remaining pieces smashing against the ground.

Eden flew backward. "That was close!"

Star immediately curled against Arthur’s chest, its little body trembling from the impact.

Arthur looked down. "You’re okay."

Star gave a small wiggle but remained pressed against him.

Luna looked upward nervously. "The ceiling is breaking."

Athena examined the cracks. "Not just the ceiling." She pointed toward the walls. More ancient mechanisms were beginning to move. "The entire passage is reacting."

Sun looked around. "Reacting to what?"

Athena’s expression became serious. "Us, perhaps."

Sun stared at her. "That’s worse."

Arthur smiled faintly. "Then let’s keep moving."

They rushed deeper into the facility. The ancient mechanisms began activating one after another. Ice spikes fell from above. Sections of the floor suddenly collapsed. Frozen water burst from damaged channels.

A large stone structure fell across the passage. Kong immediately ran toward it. "Move!" He punched the obstruction. Boom! The stone broke apart.

Sun whistled. "You really like solving problems with your fists."

Kong looked at him. "Works."

Sun paused. "...I can’t argue with that."

Another section of the ceiling suddenly gave way, sending a mass of stone and ice crashing toward them. Vedas immediately stepped forward and planted his spear against the ground. "Stay behind me."

A barrier formed in front of the group, catching the first wave of falling debris before it could reach them.

The impact made the barrier tremble violently.

Mithra looked toward Vedas. "Vedas, hold it!"

"I will, so keep moving!"

It took only five seconds before the others moved past, then Vedas dropped the barrier and they kept moving. All while ignoring the crashing of debris behind them.

As they ran, Athy noticed the symbols carved into the walls and slowed slightly. "Athena."

Athena looked over. "What?"

Athy pointed toward the carvings. "Those symbols are changing."

Athena immediately looked toward the carvings. The ancient markings were glowing faintly as the mechanisms activated, but something about their pattern caught her attention. Athy flew closer for a better look.

Athena studied them while continuing forward. "Not exactly."

Athy tilted her head. "Then what are they doing?"

Athena watched as another symbol illuminated farther down the wall. "They’re activating."

Athy asked, "So the mountain is turning itself on?"

"It seems that way," Athena said.

Athy’s golden eyes followed the glowing symbols. "But why now?"

Athena looked toward Arthur for a moment before turning back to the wall. "I don’t know."

Another ancient symbol illuminated.

Athy frowned. "Could it be because we’re here?"

Athena’s expression became thoughtful. "That’s what I’m beginning to suspect."

Athy looked at Arthur again. "That doesn’t sound good."

Athena gave a faint smile. "It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad."

"What’s the difference?"

"We don’t know what it’s reacting to yet."

Athy considered that for a moment. "I suppose that’s true."

Athena glanced at her. "Keep watching the walls. If anything changes again, tell me."

Athy nodded. "I will."

The passage suddenly began collapsing behind them.

Arthur looked back. "Keep going!"

Everyone accelerated.

Another ice pillar fell. Arthur destroyed it. Another collapsed. Vedas destroyed it. Then an entire section of the corridor began falling, and they both used Magic Burst, and the explosion tore open a path.

Mithra rushed through first. "Everyone!"

They all leaped through. The passage collapsed behind them.

Everyone breathed heavily.

Sun dropped against the wall. "I hate this mountain."

Arthur laughed. Mithra looked at Melo. "You okay?"

Melo’s five tails swayed. "I’m fine."

Luna slowly climbed off her. "Thank you."

Melo gently nudged Luna with her head. "Stay close."

Luna smiled.

They continued deeper, and the panic of the collapsing passage slowly gave way to something quieter, more cautious, as they realized they’d finally outrun the mountain’s traps. Eventually the passage opened into an enormous chamber. At the far end stood a massive ancient door, its surface covered in overlapping seals. Some resembled the elemental symbols from the Five Gates. Others were completely unfamiliar.

Athena slowly walked forward. "This isn’t merely a door."

Arthur looked at her. "What is it?"

She studied the seals. "A seal."

Athy flew closer. "There’s another layer underneath."

Athena looked up. Athy pointed toward the upper portion. "See those lines?"

Athena narrowed her eyes. "You’re right."

Athy smiled. "My eyes aren’t only useful for flying."

Athena gave her a small smile. "I never said they were."

Arthur looked at the enormous structure. "Someone really didn’t want people opening this."

Luna suddenly stopped.

Arthur noticed the change in her expression. "What is it?"

Luna stared at the enormous sealed door. Her fingers slowly curled into a fist. "One of them is here."

Everyone turned toward her.

Arthur’s expression became serious. "Who?"

Luna hesitated before answering. "The second brother." She looked toward the door. "Rokkaku."

Vedas frowned. "Then he came here?"

Luna nodded slowly. "He should have." Her voice became quieter. "If my grandfather’s stories were true, this place should be connected to the people who came here before."

Arthur looked toward the sealed door. "Then he might already be ahead of us."

Luna’s expression tightened. "That’s what I’m afraid of."

Arthur approached the door while Athena immediately warned him. "Be careful."

Arthur nodded before placing his hand against one of the seals. The entire door suddenly illuminated.

Boom!

A magical barrier erupted across the entrance, and Arthur’s arm was thrown backward. Star jumped in surprise.

Eden immediately flew toward Arthur. "Arthur!"

Arthur steadied himself. "I’m fine."

Star quickly climbed against his shoulder. Arthur patted it. "I’m fine."

Star continued trembling. Eden looked at it. "Star doesn’t believe you."

Arthur laughed. "Apparently not."

Athena stepped closer to the barrier, carefully examining the overlapping formations. "Don’t attack it yet."

Arthur looked at her. "Why?"

"Because I want to understand what we’re dealing with first."

Athy flew around the barrier, her golden eyes following the faint lines of magic. "There are several layers."

Athena looked up. "How many?"

Athy counted silently for a moment. "Five."

Athena’s expression changed slightly. "You’re right." She pointed toward the center of the formation. "They’re stacked on top of one another. Each layer is supporting the next."

Athy looked impressed. "So breaking one won’t be enough."

"No. If one formation fails, the others will continue protecting the door."

Arthur looked at the enormous barrier. "That’s excessive."

Athena shook her head. "It’s deliberate." She studied the seals a moment longer. "As expected, that man Rokkaku is just as troubling as Jakō."

The group became quiet, the weight of that comparison settling over them before anyone spoke again.

Luna looked toward the darkness behind the door.

Arthur looked toward Vedas, then toward the enormous barrier covering the ancient door. "Think we can break it?"

Vedas tightened his grip around his spear, his eyes fixed on the countless seals covering the barrier. "There’s only one way to find out."

Arthur smiled.

The two of them activated King Aura at the same time.

A powerful golden aura erupted around their bodies, spreading through the chamber as the pressure of their authority gathered around their weapons. Golden light wrapped around their spears, growing brighter until the tips seemed to contain condensed mana.

Then Arthur’s figure suddenly split apart. One became two. Two became three. Within moments, several identical figures stood beside him, each holding a spear surrounded by the same golden aura.

Vedas glanced toward the clones. "You’re using that again?"

Arthur grinned. "Why wouldn’t I?"

Before Vedas could answer, Arthur and his clones rushed forward alongside him. Their movements synchronized as though they were a single force. Every spear drew backward. Mana surged. Then all of them struck.

[Magic Burst]

The attacks exploded forward simultaneously. Golden energy slammed into the magical barrier.

BOOM!

The entire chamber shook. The ancient walls trembled as a tremendous shockwave spread through the passage, sending snow and dust cascading from the ceiling. The barrier bent inward beneath the combined force, its surface rippling violently as though it might collapse.

But it held.

Instead of breaking, the force spread across its surface and was drawn into the surrounding seals. The golden light disappeared into the ancient formations. Arthur’s clones were forced backward, their feet carving long trails through the snow. Vedas slid several meters before stopping himself with his spear.

He looked at the barrier. "It’s strong."

Arthur stared at the faintly glowing seals. Then he smiled. "Then we’ll hit it harder."

Vedas let out a sigh. "I knew you’d say that."

Sun immediately stepped forward, raising his staff. "Then let’s help out!"

Kong’s eyes lit up. "Break!"

Sun laughed. "Exactly."

The two rushed forward together. Crimson energy erupted around them as Sun activated Buff, his body surging with increased power while Kong’s muscles expanded beneath the force of his own strengthening ability.

Kong reached the barrier first. His fist pulled backward. At the same moment, Sun swung his staff.

[Nova Burst]

Kong’s fist and Sun’s staff struck the barrier together. The impact released a tremendous burst of explosive force.

BOOM!

The barrier shook violently. This time, the ancient formation couldn’t completely disperse the attack. Cracks appeared across its surface. One. Then another. Then dozens more.

The surrounding seals flickered as the damage spread from one section of the barrier to another.

Athena’s eyes widened. "It’s weakening!" She immediately looked toward Athy. "Athy!"

"I know!"

Athy’s golden eyes flashed. Light began gathering around her body, becoming brighter and brighter until her entire form seemed to become a small sun within the ancient chamber.

At the same time, Athena raised her shield. Golden light surged across her armor as Flame Aegis activated, the power of the Relic responding to her command.

Athena and Athy launched forward together. Their attacks struck the already damaged section of the barrier.

BOOM!

A massive explosion of light filled the chamber. The cracks multiplied. They spread across the entire magical formation like shattered glass, racing through the layers of ancient seals.

Luna raised an arm to protect her eyes. "It’s breaking!"

Arthur looked up.

The barrier was covered in cracks. For one moment, it looked as though they had won.

Then the entire formation suddenly flashed.

Arthur’s expression changed. "Everyone—"

BOOOOOOM!

The barrier released all the force it had accumulated. A violent shockwave erupted through the chamber. Arthur and his clones were thrown backward. Vedas lost his footing and rolled across the snow. Sun was sent crashing into Kong, the two tumbling together. Athena staggered backward, catching herself before she fell. Athy was thrown high into the air, her wings spreading just in time to stop her from crashing into the wall.

Luna was knocked backward, but Arthur’s hand caught her before she hit the ground.

"Got you."

Luna looked up at him, still stunned. "Thank you..."

Arthur quickly looked back toward the barrier.

The cracks were disappearing as the ancient formation was repairing itself.

Vedas pushed himself back onto his feet. "It’s healing."

Sun groaned as he climbed off the snow. "Of course it is."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

Then Mithra appeared in front of it with Melo beside her, and Melo’s tails suddenly shot forward. Five silver streaks tore through the air. They struck the remaining cracks in the barrier at precisely the same moment.

The magical formation trembled.

Then Mithra’s sword flashed with overwhelming speed. She brought it down with all her strength.

CRACK!

The blade pierced through the weakened formation. For a fraction of a second, everything became silent.

Then the entire barrier shattered.

BOOM!

Fragments of magical light exploded outward before dissolving into the air. The countless seals covering the ancient door flashed one final time. Then they went dark, and the enormous formation disappeared completely.

The chamber fell silent.

Mithra slowly lowered her sword. Melo’s five tails curled back around her.

Sun stared at the destroyed barrier. "...We actually broke it."

Kong raised both fists. "Break!"

Vedas looked toward Arthur and laughed. "I suppose hitting it harder worked."

Arthur dusted the snow from his coat. He smiled. "I told you."

Athena looked at the empty space where the barrier had been, then toward Mithra and Melo. "That last attack was perfectly timed."

Mithra sheathed her sword. "We only had one chance before the formation repaired itself."

Melo’s tails swayed proudly. "So we made sure we didn’t waste it."

Eden immediately flew toward him. "Arthur!" She landed beside him. "Are you okay?"

Arthur slowly sat up. "I’m fine."

Star immediately bounced through the snow, climbing onto Arthur and pressing itself against his face.

Arthur laughed. "You were worried too?"

Star wiggled.

Eden smiled. "It really likes you."

Arthur gently patted Star. "I like it too."

Athena walked toward the remains. "Don’t celebrate yet."

Sun groaned. "Why not?"

Athena looked toward the enormous doorway. "Because we still have to deal with the person who placed it there... Rokkaku."

"Then..." Luna stared into the darkness behind the door. "Should we really go in?"

Arthur looked toward her. "You’re worried about Rokkaku."

She nodded. "If he’s just as strong as Jakō..." Her voice trailed off.

Arthur walked over and gently caressed her hair. "Believe in us."

Luna looked up. "But what if we meet him?"

Arthur smiled. "Then we don’t have to fight him."

She blinked. "We don’t?"

"We grab what we need and run."

"And if we can’t run?"

His expression became serious. "Then we’ll make him retreat."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Arthur answered naturally. "Make him lower his guard." He gestured toward his throat. "Then hit somewhere important."

Mithra nodded. "A precise attack to the throat could severely disrupt his breathing and combat ability."

Sun sighed. "I suppose that’s better than having no plan."

Arthur laughed. "Although rushing in blindly is usually more fun."

Sun immediately looked at him. "Shut up."

Athena’s lips twitched. "Let’s keep going."

Vedas walked toward the door. "I’ll push."

Arthur stepped beside him. "Together."

Kong moved closer. "I help."

Sun sighed. "Of course you do."

Eden flew back onto Arthur’s head. "I’m ready."

Athy took position overhead. "I’ll watch from above."

Athena adjusted her shield. "Stay alert."

Mithra stood beside Arthur. "Ready?"

Arthur nodded. "Always."

Luna took a deep breath. Star settled against Arthur’s arm, the little Slime looking toward the darkness beyond the door and giving a nervous wiggle.

Arthur gently patted it. "We’ll be careful."

The enormous door began opening. A wave of freezing air poured from the darkness. Everyone became silent.

Arthur looked inside. Nothing could be seen beyond the first few meters.

He smiled. "Let’s see what they were hiding."

The group stepped forward together, and disappeared beyond the ancient door.

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