Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

Chapter 824: Lost Void; Frightening ’Other Side’

—

“My name is Cedric,” he started. “Who are you? Where am I? And what’s going on around here?”

The man smiled, looking pleased, before muttering, “Finally, someone who has manners.”

“My name is Gabriel. This place is what we call the ’Limitless Continent,’ located at the ’Lost ’Void’—somewhere very far from the five known Chaos Realms of the Primitive Universe.”

He then gestured at the stonehenge around them and continued, “This is the Archaic Stonehenge.”

Then he pointed above and said, “And those are the stairways that lead to the ’Origin Heavens.’ You’d learn more about them later.”

“As for what’s happening here, well…these people around us? They used to be like you. They were once marked by the fragments of the Unstable Heavenly Domain and were called here to test their mettle.”

“Though most of them got trapped inside the Unstable Heavenly Domain fragments first, before they were marked. They all thought that this was a way out, but not really.”

“Unlike you, though, they failed the screening and could only stay here for the remainder of the time.”

’Limitless Continent, Lost Void, Archaic Stonehenge, Origin Heavens, fragment of the Unstable Heavenly Domain…’ Cedric repeated inwardly.

Only one of these locations was familiar to him, and it’s the last one, the Unstable Heavenly Domain…and Gabriel called it a fragment.

“What’s the purpose of keeping everybody here? Actually…what’s the point of all of this? Why attract people at all?”

“Good question!” Gabriel lit up. “Well, it’s out of control. See, none of us knew how long this place has existed.”

“We just know that it’s old. Like, very old. Predating the human race and even the Horde.” Gabriel’s eyes twinkled as he spoke. “Yes, I know of The Horde. No, I didn’t hear it from others; I fought them myself. I was once a Space Marine, just so you know.”

“Anyway…”

“Like I was saying, this place—the Limitless Continent, the Lost Void, the Archaic Stonehenge, and the Origin Heavens…all of it has been here before.”

“We don’t know who made them or why they were made. What we know is that it’s connected to the fragments of the Unstable Heavenly Domain and that it periodically chooses people, calling them here to take part in the trials of the Archaic Stone Henge.”

“The people it chooses are formidable geniuses or desperate ones. If they pass the trials of the Archaic Stonehenge, like you did, they can ascend the stairway to the Origin Heavens. If they can’t, well…they’re trapped here.”

“Trapped? Forever?”

“Kind of, yes,” Gabriel admitted with a shrug. “I mean, there should be a way to free all of them, but so far, we don’t know how just yet. Good news is, they can’t die.”

“Then, why didn’t I see any of them until I stepped into this Stonehenge?”

“That’s because they’re bound to the Stonehenge now,” Gabriel answered. “They can’t die unless the Stonehenge were to be destroyed. Mind you, the Stonehenge is nigh-indestructable…at least as far as we know. We’ve tried to destroy it so many times by now, but we failed.”

“I guess you can say that these people had been claimed by the Stonehenge. It’s the price of their failure to clear the screening.”

“Wait, if the Stonehenge claims them, then why did you tell me that if I failed the screening, the least that could happen is me forgetting about all of this?” Cedric asked in confusion.

“Because that’s what would really happen to you,” Gabriel solemnly replied. “The Stonehenge will claim you. You’d stop existing in a ’normal way.’”

“The Archaic Stone Henge isn’t just a screening trial. It’s also a marker and door to parallel realities—something that pins both, if you will.”

“If it claims you, you will be taken to the parallel reality of the Limitless Continent, the ’Other Side,’ as we call it.”

“There, the Limitless Continent isn’t as barren and lifeless as you see here. It’s teeming with life and activity.”

“The people you see here wouldn’t even count as a percent of its total population, and there aren’t just humans over there. Humans aren’t the only ones who’ve been trapped inside the fragments of the Unstable Heavenly Domain, after all.”

“But unlike out there in the five known chaos realms, living beings coexist on the Other Side. Quite peacefully, too, if you ask me.”

“Which brings us back to the main point. And that is because you’d forget how you arrived there in the first place.”

“Like it or not, once you’re over there, your memories will be rewritten. Some parts of it will be erased; most will be modified. The Other Side doesn’t discriminate; it doesn’t care what species you’re from and how talented or strong you were.”

“You will abide by its rules. No exceptions.”

Cedric was chilled. Then he asked, “They were cheering for me earlier. They act as if they’re aware of what’s happening. If they’re not supposed to remember or know, why is that?”

“That’s because they see things differently,” Gabriel responded. “They don’t see you as a trialist that could either become one of them or way better than them.”

“In their eyes, you were just some random dude who came to an arena to fight some monsters. It doesn’t happen very often, so they’re hyped.”

“That’s what makes the Other Side scary. It can warp their perception completely, and they’re not even aware of it. They’re no different from mindless puppets now.”

“Even their supposed ’immortality’ appears to be a curse rather than a blessing. Who would exchange their sanity for eternal life? I know I won’t.” Gabriel shrugged.

Cedric looked around and truly began feeling weird and sorry for these people around him.

No wonder he felt strange looking at them. As it turns out, things are playing differently in their perception. It also made him wonder just what they’re seeing now as he talked to Gabriel.

But more importantly, he now understood why they seemed tired and exhausted. He now understands why they felt hollow. It’s because their freedom has been taken away from them completely. Even though they’re alive and they truly believed that nothing strange was going on, some part of them still knows that something’s wrong, and it shows.

However, regardless of how sorry he felt for them, Cedric’s main concern was himself first.

“So, I passed the screening. What happens now?”

“Now, you start ascending the Origin Heavens through those stairways.” Gabriel pointed above.

“Your reward for passing the screening was time. Time you spend comprehending Law Essences. A total of 10 days is given to you. You can either spend it all at once or chop it up into sessions. The decision is up to you.”

The mention of law essences made Cedric’s eyes brighten.

“I see you’re quite excited. Do you want to go now?”

“Yeah. What are my options, though?”

Gabriel didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured for him to follow him.

They rose to the air and stepped into the staircases. Then, they began walking.

Gabriel remained silent along the way. They continued climbing until they passed through the thick swirling clouds above, and once they were through, Cedric was stunned.

The scene behind the thick swirling stars was incredible. He was greeted by a vast and limitless starry expanse stretching as far as his eyes could see.

They continued climbing the stairway, which were all connected to the same thing, a massive floating continent above the clouds, somewhat reminding him of his home.

“Welcome to the Origin Heaven Continent,” Gabriel said. “This is the real gem of this entire place. An inheritance site, if you will.”

They walked right up to the gates at the end of the stairway. It opened before them, revealing a thin and see-through film of light.

“That might look like a thin and flimsy barrier, but make no mistake, that thing can easily kill Heavenly Venerates. Maybe even Primal Origin Lifeforms.”

Cedric blinked at that. He didn’t want to believe it at first, but he’s unfamiliar with this place, so he didn’t dare to rebuke it.

“Nobody stays here forever,” Gabriel stated. “At some point, this place will kick you out. And whether you’d be able to return or not depends on luck and fate.”

“However, there’s always those who think too highly of themselves. Somehow, they’re able to return here without receiving summons. They thought that they could barge in as if this place was their yard or something.”

“Well, everybody who thought that way had learned a once-in-a-lifetime lesson, one that cost them their lives.”

“This barrier doesn’t care about whatever life-saving means you’ve set up or had. If you barge in without being summoned…if you force your way in and disrespect the rules and sanctity of this place, you will die.”

“No questions asked. No mercy. No bargaining. It’s instant and certain death for you. Total erasure. One that transcends karma, fate, destiny, everything.”

“So, for your sake, don’t try it. Don’t be stupid.”

“I can’t control you. You’re a grown man. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”