Morteze led the group down a series of winding corridors, each more ornately designed than the last.
Their journey ended at the entrance of an expansive room, its sheer size leaving the students in awe. “This… is impressive!” Damon muttered to himself but his words ended up being louder than he’d intended.
Rows upon rows of shelves lined the walls, holding an impressive array of weapons, armors, shields, and other items.
The light from glowing runes embedded in the ceiling bathed the room in a soft, magical glow, highlighting the pristine condition of the equipment.
“This,” Morteze said, spreading his arms with a flourish, “is where you gear up. Feel free to pick anything you like—it’s my gift to my baby sister’s wards.”
The students hesitated, their gazes darting between the vast collection of weapons and their guardian, Leana, who stood smirking beside her brother.
“Go on,” Leana said, waving them forward. “You heard him. Don’t hold back.”
Damon was the first to move, his eyes lighting up as he approached a shelf filled with swords.
Damon picked up one, testing its weight, then another, comparing their balance. Finally, he grinned and chose two swords—one with a gleaming silver blade and the other with a faintly blue hue.
“These,” Damon said, his excitement barely contained. “These are perfect.” He was yet to receive his custom weapon so he had to make do with what he found.
Daveon, meanwhile, gravitated toward a set of twin daggers. The blades were slightly longer than average, their edges razor-sharp and gleaming under the magical light. Despite their slender design, they felt really solid in his hands. “These will do,” he said, giving them a quick twirl to test their balance.
Anaya, on the other hand, wasn’t drawn to the weapons. Her attention was captured by a pair of intricately designed bangles on a nearby shelf. Their gold surface was etched with runes, and a faint glow emanated from them. She picked them up, sensing their protective aura immediately.
“These,” she said softly, slipping them onto her wrists. “They’re talismans, aren’t they?”
Morteze nodded, stepping closer. “Good eye. Those bangles are imbued with defensive magic. They’ll form a protective barrier when you’re in danger, but be careful—they’ll only activate a few times before needing to recharge.”
Even Leana didn’t hold back. She selected a new set of gauntlets and a sleek dagger, smirking as Morteze raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not exempt from the rules, big brother,” Leana said, holding up the items. “You said we could pick anything.”
Morteze chuckled. “Fair enough.”
As the students finalized their choices, Morteze walked around, explaining the functionality of each item.
He described the materials used in their creation, the enchantments imbued in them, and their limitations. By the time he was done, the students had a newfound appreciation for their gear.
When everyone was ready, Morteze reached into his coat and pulled out four teleportation scrolls.
Unlike the usual parchment scrolls, these were crafted from a shimmering material that seemed to shift colors as they moved.
“These are special,” Morteze said, holding one up for them to see. “They’re custom-made by my organization and linked to this place. If you use one, it will bring you back here instantly, no matter where you are. I designed them for my own use, but I’m letting you use them for this trip.”
The students accepted the scrolls gratefully, tucking them safely into their gear.
“Thank you,” Anaya said, bowing slightly.
“Yeah,” Damon added. “This gear is amazing, and the scrolls are… well, they’re incredible.”
Morteze smiled. “You’ll need them where you’re going. Just remember: these scrolls are for emergencies. Don’t waste them.”
With that, he led the group to one of the teleportation arrays in the center of the Voidcrafter’s Forte.
The circular platform was larger than the others, its runes glowing a deep red. The air around it crackled faintly with magic, and the atmosphere grew heavier as Morteze approached.
“This array will take you to the First Layer of Hell,” Morteze said, his tone turning serious. “You’ve heard what it’s like, so I don’t need to repeat myself. All I’ll say is this: stick together, follow Leana’s lead, and don’t get cocky. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” the students said in unison.
Leana smirked, stepping onto the platform with her wards. “Thanks, Morteze. We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will,” he said, activating the array. The runes flared brightly, and the platform began to hum. “Good luck. You’ll need it.”
With a final flash of light, the group vanished, leaving Morteze standing alone. He stared at the now-empty platform for a moment before shaking his head and heading back to his office.
~~~~~
The world around them blurred as they traveled through the teleportation array. A few seconds later, the blinding light faded, and the four of them found themselves standing in a desolate wasteland.
The First Layer of Hell was as unforgiving as its name suggested. The ground beneath their feet was cracked and barren, the air thick with heat that pressed down on them like a physical weight.
The sky above was a sickly red, casting an eerie red glow over the landscape. In the distance, dark shapes moved—figures too far away to identify but unmistakably hostile.
“This is it,” Leana said, her voice steady. “Welcome to the First Layer of Hell.”
The students looked around, their faces a mix of awe and apprehension.
“This is…” Damon began, trailing off as he tried to find the words.
Your next read awaits at empire
“Hell,” Daveon finished grimly, gripping his daggers tightly.
Anaya adjusted her bangles, her hands trembling slightly. “How are we supposed to survive here?”
Leana placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Remember, this is a training ground, not a death sentence. Stick close to me, follow my instructions, and use what you’ve learned along with what you’ll learn from me. This place will push you, but it will also make you stronger.”
Damon nodded, steeling himself. “Let’s do this.”
Leana smirked. “That’s the spirit. Now, stay alert. The first challenge starts now.”
As the group prepared to move, the distant figures began to draw closer, their monstrous forms becoming clearer with each passing moment. Their hellish training had officially begun.