Denizens of the Labyrinth

After the payments were secured and carefully stored, Jazmel and the group stepped out of the Grand Lyceum into the bustling evening air. The faint hum of the city's nightlife filled the streets, a blend of merchants calling out deals and the chatter of those revelling after the auction's excitement.

Colin turned to the group, a sly grin on his face. "Well, my friends, I must part ways here. The merchant quarter calls there are still more treasures I need to gather. You know how it is."

Jazmel clasped Colin's shoulder firmly. "Take care, Colin. Safe travels, and don't let anyone swindle you."

Colin laughed, a low, confident sound. "Me? Never. You lot take care of yourselves as well." With a final wave, he disappeared into the crowd, heading toward the merchant quarter.

Jazmel then turned to Melle. "What about you? What's your plan now?"

Melle adjusted the strap of her satchel, which was already brimming with ledgers and lists. "I'm heading to the market," she said. "The stronghold's stores need replenishing, and this city has everything we could want. I'll be here for a while, gathering supplies."

Nodding thoughtfully, Jazmel gestured to the retainers who had accompanied them. "Stay with Melle," he instructed. "Make sure she's safe and help her with anything she needs."

The retainers saluted crisply, falling into step beside Melle. She smiled, grateful for the added security. "Thanks, Jazmel. I'll meet you back at the stronghold later."

With their goodbyes said, Jazmel, Sadé, Charme, and Baek turned toward the direction of their accommodations. The city streets gradually grew quieter as they moved away from the market and deeper into the residential quarters. The flicker of lanterns illuminated their path, casting long shadows behind them.

Baek walked with his usual calm demeanour, while Sadé and Charme talked quietly about the auction's highlights. Jazmel, though silent, carried a satisfied air. The evening had been fruitful, and as they made their way back, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose for what lay ahead.

As Jazmel, Sadé, Charme, and Baek made their way toward the grand city gates, the hum of the day's events still lingered in the air. The path was quieter now, though the occasional passerby still moved about, shadows stretching long under the warm light of lanterns. Jazmel's keen eyes scanned the surroundings, and he couldn't help but notice a few familiar faces from the auction mingling in the city's flow.

The witch who had purchased the grimoire was among them, standing at the edge of an alleyway with a cat-like grace. Her crescent moon eyes caught his once again, and with a sly smile, she gave him a playful wink before disappearing into the shadows as though she were never there.

Further along, the bear of a man who had won the Barbarian Sword was strolling leisurely down the street. Ardan, Jazmel remembered the name. The man carried the enormous weapon strapped to his back, its massive blade wrapped carefully, though it still gave off an intimidating aura. He nodded to Jazmel in passing, his expression one of respect and silent acknowledgment.

Then there was the lady from the Nightbound faction, a subtle but powerful presence. She moved with the elegance of a shadow, her crimson eyes flicking toward Jazmel briefly before she vanished into the throng of people as if she were a wisp of smoke carried by the breeze.

Baek, walking slightly behind Jazmel, nudged him lightly and gestured toward a young man leaning casually against a stone pillar near the gates. The man stood out; his figure lean but radiating strength. His hair was an ashen silver, cut short and slightly tousled, and his piercing steel-blue eyes seemed to cut through the crowd as though searching for something or someone. His armour was a mix of deep obsidian hues accented by streaks of crimson, and a black-and-red spear rested lightly on his shoulder. Even from a distance, the weapon exuded a dangerous, almost sentient energy.

"That's him," Baek murmured quietly, his voice low and measured. "The one who bought Grimmfang."

The young man must have sensed their gaze because he turned his head, meeting Jazmel's eyes directly. A faint smirk played at his lips, and he gave a single nod in acknowledgment before pushing off the pillar and striding away, disappearing into the growing shadows of the gate.

Jazmel watched him go, the encounter leaving him thoughtful. "Interesting crowd we've drawn tonight," he muttered.

Sadé chuckled softly. "Let's hope they stay interesting and don't turn into problems."

With that, the group pressed onward, passing through the gates, and leaving the city behind as the stars began to light up the night sky above.

As Jazmel led his group toward the gate, he noticed something remarkable something that had not been there the last time they departed. Instead of the simple portal that typically marked their passage, there now stood an enormous emerald-green torii gate.

The gate towered high into the heavens, its curved crossbeam gleaming with an almost ethereal radiance as it caught the moonlight. Each pillar was carved from what looked like a single massive jade stone, the surface smooth yet intricate, etched with ancient sigils that shimmered faintly as though alive with power. The base of the gate was anchored by ornate stone foundations, each inscribed with the likenesses of mythical creatures dragons, phoenixes, and Qilin that seemed ready to spring to life at a moment's notice.

Above the crossbeam, a golden plaque was suspended, bearing bold, flowing script in an ancient language that Jazmel could barely recognize. The script seemed to shift and flicker like fireflies, making it difficult to pin down what it truly said.

The air around the gate was thick with energy, a weighty presence that demanded respect. The space just beneath the arch seemed to shimmer, creating the faint image of a starry void a reminder that beyond this gate lay realms unknown and perilous.

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Even the surroundings had changed to match the gate's grandeur. Ornamental lanterns on high posts flanked the path leading up to it, their flames flickering a soothing emerald glow. At the foot of the torii gate, two massive stone statues of fox spirits stood sentinel, their piercing eyes carved from gemstones that gleamed with an inner light.

Jazmel paused in his steps, his keen senses tingling. He glanced back at his companions, who had also stopped to marvel at the sight.

"This isn't just a portal," Sadé said, her voice hushed in awe. "This is a monument to power."

Charme nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the intricate details. "Whoever crafted this wasn't just building a gateway they were building a legacy."

Baek folded his arms, his usual calm expression giving way to one of thoughtful respect. "A torii gate like this? It's not just for passage. It's a challenge and a promise."

Jazmel took a deep breath, his fingers brushing the hilt of Yoru No Tsubasa at his side. "Then let's meet it head-on."

With those words, they stepped forward, their silhouettes framed against the dazzling glow of the emerald-green torii gate, ready to embrace whatever lay beyond.

As they stepped through the magnificent emerald-green torii gate, Jazmel couldn't help but reflect on the weight of its grandeur and what it symbolized. The days ahead felt poised on the knife's edge, their fates bound to the trials they would face. Red days, filled with struggle and sacrifice, loomed on the horizon. Red fates, a tapestry woven with threads of blood and destiny, awaited their unravelling. And now, as he crossed the threshold, the gate itself would prove to be a harbinger of red peril.

Behind him, the others followed silently Sadé, her tails flicking in anticipation; Charme, her stance resolute; Baek, calm and watchful. Among the shadows of the torii's glow came the figures from the auction: the witch with crescent-moon eyes, the bear-like Ardan, and the young man who had claimed Grimmfang. Their presence hung like a storm cloud, unspoken tension brewing between strangers bound by shared curiosity and ambition.

The transition was not smooth.

Jazmel's senses screamed as the once-luminous green light of the gate suddenly shifted, darkening into a blood-red hue. It wasn't gradual like ink spilled into water; the emerald glow was swallowed whole. The transformation was visceral, almost alive. The sigils on the torii flared like open wounds, casting jagged shadows that danced like desperate, clawing hands.

"Red gates…" Jazmel whispered, his voice nearly drowned by a sudden low hum that grew into a thunderous roar.

A lurching sensation gripped him. It was as if the ground beneath his feet had dissolved, his body weightless yet unbearably heavy. His stomach twisted violently, and he groaned, feeling as though he had been plunged into a stormy sea.

Sadé stumbled beside him, clutching at her stomach. "I hate this," she growled through clenched teeth, her usual grace stripped away. Her tails, usually sleek and controlled, flared out in wild disarray.

The portal turned on them, spiralling into a whirlpool of crimson light that seemed to churn and twist their very beings. Vertigo hit Jazmel like a hammer; up and down became meaningless as his sense of direction spiralled out of control. His pulse thundered in his ears, drowning out the cries of his companions.

The red vortex pulled them under, spinning them faster and faster. Time stretched and distorted, moments feeling like hours and seconds all at once. It was chaos incarnate, the gate's power stripping them of balance and throwing them into its bloody maw.

And then, with a forceful jolt, the gate spat them out.

Jazmel tumbled forward, hitting the ground hard. He gasped for air, his limbs trembling as he struggled to regain his bearings. Around him, the others lay scattered, similarly disoriented. The world they had entered was stark and alien a barren wasteland bathed in a crimson glow. The sky above was a swirling mass of red clouds, pierced by flashes of jagged lightning that illuminated the desolation below.

Sadé groaned, rising to her knees with visible effort. "This is worse than the Beast Tides."

Baek stood more steadily, though his expression was grim. "We've been marked by this gate. It's not just a domain it's a trial."

Jazmel wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Red days, red fates," he muttered. "And now… a red gate."

In the distance, shapes began to move dark silhouettes of creatures emerging from the blood-tinted fog. Jazmel tightened his grip on Yoru No Tsubasa as the echoes of snarls and guttural growls reached their ears.

"Looks like we're not alone," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of the challenge ahead.

The others rose to their feet, preparing themselves. Whatever this domain had in store, they would face it together.

The crimson domain roared with life as Jazmel's system interface blared to life, pulling his attention to a warning message that flashed with ominous intensity.

DING!

YOU HAVE BEEN PLACED IN A RED GATE!

ERROR!

WARNING!!

BEWARE!!!

YOU ARE AMIDST A THREE-GATE MERGING! ONE OF THEM IS A RED GATE!

BEWARE! TWO GATES MERGING WITH A RED GATE CAN CAUSE A DOMAIN COLLAPSE!!

The words burned into Jazmel's mind as he stared at the screen, his expression darkening. With a resigned sigh, he scrolled through the message, the tension in his shoulders growing heavier with every passing second.

DING!

TO ADVANCE, SURVIVE THE BEAST TIDE!

TO MOVE FORWARD, DEFEAT THE DOMAIN BOSSES!

He closed the screen and glanced at the others, who had begun to collect themselves. The air was thick with a strange energy, and the faint tremors in the ground hinted at an imminent storm.

"This isn't just a Red Gate," Jazmel muttered, his voice low and filled with dread. "This is chaos."

Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them quaked violently, and a deafening roar echoed from the blood-red horizon. The Beast Tide had begun.

Sprinting for the nearest building the rushed forward, Jazmel running full gait, while Kazumi bore Sadé on her back.

As they made it into the simple structure, Jazmel realised it wasn't just their group. It was also the three others from the auction he had noticed.

The first one was the girl, the witch who had bought the grimoire. Her Mana was wretched, being this close, Jazmel could feel the bile in his throat building.

She stepped closer, her wide-brimmed black hat tilting just enough to reveal her crescent-shaped eyes irises that gleamed like purple sickles in the low light. Her hair was a cascade of deep ebony, contrasting starkly with her pale, almost porcelain skin. A dark cloak swirled around her like living shadows, its edges seemingly frayed but never torn, as if the threads defied the rules of reality. Her voice was a soft, haunting melody as she introduced herself."I am Selvara, a Master tier. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."She gave a sly wink, her crescent eyes narrowing slightly, adding a mischievous air to her already enigmatic demeanour. Sadé cleared her throat and drew a chuckle from Charme and Baek.

The man towered over everyone, his sheer bulk making him seem more beast than human. His thick arms were covered in swirling tattoos, ancient runes that glowed faintly with a primal energy. His dark beard was unkempt but clean, and his eyes burned with a fierce, untamed fire. The barbarian sword he carried across his back looked almost small compared to his massive frame, though it radiated a terrifying aura of raw power. He stomped over to Jazmel's group, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to shake the air."Ardan," he said simply, his tone as heavy as his presence. "A warrior's name for a warrior's path. You fight well if we meet again, I'll see you in battle."

He moved with a sharp confidence, his every step precise and calculated. His black leather armour hugged his wiry frame, and his raven hair was tied back, accentuating the sharp angles of his face. His dark green eyes, flecked with gold, were calm and calculating, though they burned with the determination of someone used to winning. Grimmfang was strapped across his back, the crimson-edged weapon humming softly with latent energy. The young man inclined his head slightly, his voice smooth and steady."I'm Kaelen Vyre," he said, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Remember the name, Jazmel. When the dust clears, I'll be the one standing."

Jazmel rolled his eyes, what an ego. He thought to himself.

Each introduction added weight to the journey ahead, their presence a reminder of the powerful figures who had stepped into the red gate alongside Jazmel and his group.

"Paldane, we need reconnaissance." He uttered, from his ring. Paldane leapt free and burst through a small opening. Before leaping into the sky and flying away.

"This building will not hold at all." Ardan uttered and Jazmel agreed with him.

"We need a more fortified position." Charme told them all and that was the next step of the plan.

There is a walled city to the north. Paldane uttered into his mind.

Jazmel smiled and grinned, telling the others what he heard and Baek stepped forward.

"Now we just need to make it there." And so the race was on.