Chapter 20: Chapter 20 – Sacrifice

“Where’s Astrid?” Hama asked. Berringer put his hand on Hama’s shoulder.

“No. No!” Hama yelled. Although he didn’t have feelings for her, she was a friend who adventured with him for decades.

“How could you let this happen!” Hama tried to attack Theseus, but Berringer held him back.

“It’s not his fault.” Berringer said, grunting to hold back his friend.

“It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.” Alvaro broke down even further and sniveled on the ground. Hama stopped. Why did he instinctively blame Theseus?

“I’m sorry Lydia, I’m sorry.” Alvaro kept sobbing non-stop.

“What in the world did that Goddess do to you?” Lydia held the crying Alvaro. Normally, Alvaro was shy about their relationship and was only occasionally outwardly affectionate, but whatever transpired in the Heavenly Trial broke him. Looking at Theseus, he was also in a terrible state.

The three not involved in the trial deduced Astrid’s death, but the two survivors couldn’t properly speak. Berringer tried questioning Theseus, to no avail.

“Come on say something!” Berringer even slapped Theseus to snap him out of it, but he kept staring blankly into the distance.

“We aren’t getting anywhere; let’s just set up camp for the night. When they’ve calmed down, we can figure out what that perverted Goddess did to them.” Hama convinced the impatient Berringer.

Hama was the second smartest member of their party. He properly figured out what happened at first glance. That Goddess made Alvaro do something sexual that he didn’t want to while Theseus was in shock due to Astrid’s death. How and what the Goddess did to Astrid and Alvaro respectively were separate issues he couldn’t figure out on his own.

Both survivors of the trial were clearly traumatized, and Hama himself was unsure if this was the right call. Facing the Shade beasts could’ve led to similar casualties, but the mental damage might’ve been minimal.

After Berringer and Hama set up their camp, Lydia led Alvaro into their tent, where Lydia could hold Alvaro in peace while Hama carried Theseus to their campfire. The night went by, and finally, Theseus snapped out of his shock and stared at the two.

“I’m sorry.” Theseus apologized to Hama and Berringer, who were dozing off around the campfire. The planet they were on, Ryko, had two binary stars, but the night on Heaven was different from the day cycle below.

Below, there was little concept of a true day and night because of the planet’s tidally locked nature, but here in Heaven, it was as if the laws of nature were different. Night lasted five hours, and the lasted twenty hours. The short night gave Theseus time to think.

“Huh?” Berringer shook awake. The navigator finally spoke!

“It’s my fault she died. We should’ve never climbed the fourth floor.”

“Shut up bastard. It’s all our fault we didn’t listen to you.” Berringer grunted out.

“Berringer is right. We underestimated you because of your aura realm and submissive personality, but Alvaro chose you for a reason. In the beginning, you were a burden, but now that times are tough, we need your strategic mind to survive.” Hama agreed with Berringer.

“None of your opinions would’ve changed if we hadn’t climbed this floor…” Theseus depressingly said. It didn’t matter if they respected him now or not. She was gone.

“Don’t beat yourself up too much. We have to move forwards, not just for Astrid but for Ju Long as well.” Berringer stated with determination. Ju Long was Berringer’s best friend, and he also died. All this while, he blamed himself.

“If we can’t finish this floor, their sacrifices are for nothing. There’s no reason to dwell on what ifs until we get out of this mess.” Berringer smacked Theseus on the back. As the main perpetrator of Theseus’s bullying in the past, it was a strange scene to both Theseus and Hama. The death of Ju Long had dramatically changed Berringer’s perspective and personality.

“If you’re comfortable, please tell us what happened.” Hama asked Theseus.

“The Goddess did who knows what to Alvaro, and she killed Astrid with one attack.” Theseus stated plainly. Hama already knew this, but Berringer was shaken to his core.

“Heavenly Trials are this messed up?” Berringer muttered. The Five Floors of Heaven were open world but fixed in their layout. A party could choose their own path, but sometimes, occurrences like Shade beasts appearing forced parties into inconvenient Heavenly Trials off of their preset paths. All paths led to the floor boss, but each party’s journey would be slightly different, even if a skilled navigator like Theseus was in the party.

Even with Theseus, who chose the best path up Heaven while considering each individual party member’s strengths and weaknesses, he couldn’t foresee everything.

Alvaro left the tent at the same time, still clearly upset. Now, he had collected himself and addressed the trio coldly.

“I will not be discussing what transpired in the Heavenly Trial. Do not ask. I will not even tell Lydia. What happened there was because of my incompetence. I apologize for convincing you all into joining this mess. Regardless, let us continue up Heaven. Theseus, have you figured out where that bitch left us?”

“Yes, the exit to her trial put us past the Shade beasts and then some. We have made great progress, but I don’t recommend we face another trial unless we are faced with a similar hard choice.”

“I agree, Theseus. The progress made through Heavenly Trials are too risky. Lead the way.” Alvaro said coldly. There was something about Alvaro that changed. Everyone could see it. All at once, Alvaro’s careless actions caught up to him. Two party members were dead, and he personally faced something he would never share with anyone.

Moving on, the party arrived at their next problem weeks after.

“What in Heaven’s name is that?” Berringer gasped.

A giant blocked their path. Giants were thought to be extinct, and half-giants with thin bloodlines were all that remained. Returning from his scouting, Berringer reported the giant sighting.

“Can we beat that giant?” Alvaro asked.

“It’s at the D Rank Royalty Realm. It’s possible, but we would have to go all out.” Berringer explained.

“Theseus, what do you advise?” Alvaro asked as he pondered.

“Once again, there is another Heavenly Trial we could face instead, but the trial this time has to do with music. I don’t think we have the necessary tools to face a music-based trial. Berringer’s analysis is correct.” Theseus analyzed.

“Hmm, I am a decent flute player though…” Alvaro contemplated. Inside his storage ring, Alvaro had a flute he occasionally played at campfire.

“However, if that’s your objective analysis, we will face the giant.” Alvaro decided.

Getting into positions, the party expertly set up traps and prepared to fight the giant. Theseus was the bait. Since they no longer had a tank, they had to get creative.

“Hey you, giant, come and take a piece of this!” Theseus tried to taunt the giant, and Berringer facepalmed from his hiding place. What kind of trash talk was that?

The giant didn’t understand Theseus and came at him. Entangled in Berringer’s silk traps, the giant briefly fell off balance but broke free from the tripwire.

“Gramph!” The giant roared.

From the sides, Hama and Alvaro attacked with miscellaneous skills.

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“Skill: Earth Pillar!” Hama used the ground as his weapon.

“Skill: Air Blast!” Alvaro sent a slashing gust of wind at the giant, creating a small cut on its side.

“Skill: Party Speed Enhancement.” Theseus called out as he rushed to the sidelines.

Skills were furiously ignited as Lydia and Theseus stacked party enhancement skills onto the main fighters. Berringer used a bow from the shadows to stealthily poison the giant.

“Skill: Poison Arrows.” He whispered, sending a volley of projectiles at the giant.

The assault was impressive, but without Astrid, their damage output was greatly weakened.

Slamming its club downwards, the giant attacked Hama and Alvaro. Because Ju Long was no longer there, there was no tank, and the best these two could do was dodge.

It wasn’t enough.

“Alvaro, watch out!” Hama yelled out and pushed Alvaro away. Struck by the club, Hama’s body was limply tossed across the ground.

“No!” Alvaro yelled.

“Skill: Party Leader’s Revenge!” Alvaro screamed, and his aura surged to the F Rank Royalty Realm.

“What is he doing?” Lydia was shocked. What kind of skill was that?

“He’s using an Authority Skill. That idiot!” Theseus cursed to himself. Alvaro created it on the fly.

Now briefly an equal to the giant, Alvaro roared and clashed with the giant. Soon, Berringer’s poison took its effect, and the giant fell to the floor, dead.

Alvaro panted and was clearly injured form using the dangerous self-made skill.

“You idiot, what are you doing?” Lydia cried and held Alvaro closely.

“I had to.. defeat…”

“Shut up.” Lydia squeezed Alvaro closer, who couldn’t move.

“Oh my gods, this…” Berringer checked on Hama’s condition; his body was mangled by the giant. It was miraculous he was still alive.

“Bring Theseus over.” Hama coughed out. Theseus rushed over with Lydia, who frantically casted healing magic.

“Theseus, I’m going to die. I can feel it. Lydia, it’s okay. Really.” Hama looked at Lydia weakly who stared to cry. Berringer turned around and cursed his inability. A tear came down Hama’s face.

“Theseus, promise me. Promise me you’ll bring them home.” Hama smiled.

“I promise. On my life.” Theseus clutched his hand tightly.

“Ah, I know why I freaked out at you after the Heavenly Trial. I blamed you because I thought you could’ve done something. Same reason I called you over now. Alvaro is strong headed and confident, but you are smart.”

“You, you saved Alvaro.” Theseus cried out. Everyone saw Hama give his life for Alvaro.

“Alvaro makes his own radical skills and does what he can for the party. You’re the same way. Whatever plan you have, don’t give up. Unless you and Alvaro work together, the rest will die.

Facing Shade beasts or the Goddess, it didn’t matter. People would’ve died no matter what path we took. Same with the path we took just now. Don’t doubt yourself. I hope to see you, in the next life.” Hama said and breathed his last breath.

Berringer smashed his hand against a nearby tree, smashing it to pieces. Lydia looked at Theseus disdainfully.

“Why didn’t you stop us back then? You knew how hard-” Lydia shook in anger but was cut off.

“Stop.” Alvaro said from the ground a short distance away.

“We can’t change the past. It’s not his fault. It’s mine.” Alvaro scolded Lydia, but he started to  cry. Alvaro couldn’t stop crying, and Lydia joined him.

“You heard Hama, Theseus. Don’t doubt yourself. Move forward, and we’ll get through this, together.” Berringer spoke up and had a look of determination and sadness in his eyes.

***

Theseus awoke from his nightmare in tears. He punched his pillow in anger. Leo watched him with sad eyes.

“Were you dreaming about the dungeon, Heaven?” Leo asked.

“Yes…” Theseus whispered in their crevice. Over their time in the countryside, Theseus told Leo all about the traumatic experience climbing Heaven had on him and his party. In this moment, Theseus looked as weak as he did three years ago in that crevice.

“It wasn’t all your fault you know. Everyone in that party made mistakes. Take it from me, an outsider.” Leo said solemnly. Rarely was Leo serious, but he had to comfort his friend.

“I… I know.” Theseus brushed a tear from his eye and hugged Leo, who was now at his bedside.

“Do you? Well, it doesn’t matter now. You have a new party. You have me, Gemini, Elder Gerald, and Oceanus.

I even think Alvaro, Lydia, and Berringer survived. They’re living in retirement in Agate right now, living peaceful lives, and maybe, one day, we can find your dead friends down here too.” Leo said and rubbed his face against Theseus’s.

“Thanks Leo.” Theseus hugged the giant leopard tighter, like a teddy bear.

“Today, let’s build our new home even better than yesterday.” Theseus smiled weakly. If his old party members ever died and came to Oceanus, they would be proud.

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