Accidentally Grim

Chapter XIX: Blood on the ground

Old man: "Join you? What do you mean to join you down there?"

Sentry: "Step in the platform, Akkhideus."

Old man: "Everything looks strange. Why can't we jump? This Nebralisk will protect me, right?"

Sentry: "This platform is safe."

Old man: "Looks like you could fall off."

The sentry's wolf-like face seemed irritated.

Old man: "Sure, why not. Give me a second."

The old man made his way to the platform and found that it is still too wide for the both of them to fall off.

Old man: "Come on, let's go!"

The platform moved slowly at first and then it picked up its pace while encircling the narrow column of stairs.

Old man: "How is this even possible? Ha ha ha! We are floating with this rock."

The platform continued with its speed and came next to the hollow surface. It made a wheezing sound after going inside the opening between the boulders. The old man thought he have seen everything in his lifetime but seeing the levels upon levels of people falling in the lava that flowed upwards alienated him further from this world.

Old man: "Stop! I can't take it anymore."

He covered his eyes and ears with both his hands and felt sorry for everyone there. It took a long while before the pit ran out of people from all of its sides.

The sentry continued to move the platform further down until it reached the bottom.

Another sentry was waiting for them when they arrived.

Second sentry: "Please step aside"

The old man jumped out off the platform and his black-gray trainer shoes were not soiled when he landed. Much of the ground where he stood seemed to have a generous deposit of pure ash. He spewed some of the cinders and much to the dismay of the anubus.

A third sentry came up to him next while the two guards on the platform rose back up.

Upti-Neb: Akkhideus, you are expected. I am your guide from here on. Please follow."

The old man wiped his face with the palm of his hand. His ceremonial robe of scarlet and black colors matched the view of the place this time.

A sculptured opening that is tall and wide existed in the middle of nowhere. A pinkish hue covered most of what was inside the gap and it looked like a place from another world. The rocks around the crevice also looked artificial but what also made it interesting was how is it even possible to have its own atmosphere.

Upti-Neb: "Your trial begins. Please step inside."

Old man: "Is this another portal? I can see what's on the other end."

The old man was waiting for an answer when he didn't notice a seven-footer standing up from a hidden corner.

Ouris: "Yes, like a portal. Go on, walk inside."

The old man saw the towering bald creature.

Upti-Neb: "You too Ourus, you are meant to step inside."

Ouris revealed a four-footed animal he found with him; a ram with two very longhorns. The presence of the animal remained a mystery but it soon showed its purpose.

Ouris pat the animal's head first before holding its horn. The beast seemed to have grown accustomed to the petting and it wiggled its head to break free from the giant's hold. It then wandered straight to the gap and the pink rays prevented the ram to go through.