The hidden chamber felt… alive.
Not with movement.
But with presence.
---
Ancient symbols covered the walls, glowing faintly in shifting patterns—like a language no human was meant to understand.
At the center of the room stood a massive circular structure.
A gate.
---
Dark.
Silent.
Dormant.
---
"…This is it?" Rex muttered, walking closer.
"…Doesn't look that impressive."
---
The moment he stepped within a few meters—
The air pulsed.
---
BOOM
---
A pressure wave pushed him back instantly.
---
"…Okay—never mind," he groaned, rubbing his chest.
"…I take that back."
---
Elara stepped forward carefully, her eyes analyzing every detail.
"…This isn't just a portal…"
She whispered.
"…It's sealed."
---
Aldric nodded.
"…Correct."
---
He walked past them.
His hand raised toward the gate.
---
"…This is an ancient inter-realm gateway."
"…It connects this world to others."
---
Zephyr's gaze sharpened.
"…And you want us to go through that?"
---
Aldric didn't answer immediately.
---
Instead—
He placed his hand on the gate.
---
The symbols flared to life.
---
Blue light surged across its surface.
---
Then—
---
[Access Denied]
---
The words appeared midair.
---
Rex blinked.
"…Wait… even you can't open it?"
---
Aldric stepped back slowly.
---
"…Not anymore."
---
Silence.
---
Elara frowned.
"…Then how do we use it?"
---
Aldric turned toward Zephyr.
---
"…It responds to blood."
---
Zephyr's eyes narrowed.
"…You mean—"
---
"…Dragon blood."
---
The room went still.
---
Rex looked between them.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
---
Elara didn't speak.
But her gaze shifted to Zephyr.
---
"…Try it."
---
Zephyr stepped forward slowly.
---
Each step felt heavier.
---
As if the gate itself was reacting to him.
---
The closer he got—
The stronger the pull became.
---
His chest burned.
---
The dragon mark began to glow.
---
"…It's reacting…" he muttered.
---
Aldric's voice came calmly.
"…Place your hand on it."
---
Zephyr hesitated for a second.
---
Then—
He stepped forward.
---
And touched the gate.
---
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
---
Then—
---
CRACK
---
The entire chamber shook.
---
The symbols exploded with light.
---
The gate roared to life.
---
Blue flames surged across its surface.
---
A deep, ancient voice echoed faintly—
Not in the room—
But inside Zephyr's mind.
---
"…Heir…"
---
His eyes widened.
---
"…You again…"
---
The dragon's voice.
---
"…The path is open…"
---
The gate began to spin.
---
Energy spiraled violently.
---
Wind howled inside the chamber.
---
Rex grabbed onto a pillar.
"…THIS IS NORMAL, RIGHT?!"
---
Elara stood her ground.
Her eyes locked on the gate.
---
"…No…"
---
Aldric smiled faintly.
---
"…This is just the beginning."
---
The gate stabilized.
---
Its center turned black.
---
Not darkness—
---
But something deeper.
---
A void.
---
"…Where does it lead?" Zephyr asked.
---
Aldric's expression turned serious.
---
"…The Spirit Realm."
---
Silence.
---
Rex blinked.
"…That sounds… not safe."
---
Elara crossed her arms.
"…Spirits are unpredictable."
"…Some are harmless…"
"…Others…"
---
She paused.
---
"…Can kill without warning."
---
Zephyr stared at the gate.
---
"…Good."
---
Rex looked at him like he was insane.
"…Good?!"
---
Zephyr stepped closer.
---
"…If I'm going to survive what's coming…"
---
His eyes hardened.
---
"…I need power."
---
Elara watched him quietly.
---
Then stepped beside him.
---
"…Then I'm coming too."
---
Rex sighed.
"…Of course you are."
---
He cracked his neck.
---
"…Guess I don't have a choice."
---
Aldric looked at all three of them.
---
"…Listen carefully."
---
His voice became heavier.
---
"…Time flows differently in the Spirit Realm."
"…You may be gone for hours…"
"…Or days…"
"…Or longer."
---
Rex frowned.
"…That's reassuring."
---
Aldric ignored him.
---
"…And one more thing."
---
His gaze sharpened.
---
"…Not everything there follows logic."
---
Elara nodded.
"…Illusions… mind attacks…"
---
"…And worse," Aldric added.
---
Silence filled the room.
---
Zephyr took a deep breath.
---
"…Then let's go."
---
Without hesitation—
He stepped forward.
---
Into the gate.
---
The moment his body touched the void—
---
Everything disappeared.
---
Sound.
Light.
Gravity.
---
Gone.
---
Then—
---
BOOM
---
He landed.
---
Hard.
---
On solid ground.
---
"…Tch…"
---
Zephyr slowly stood up.
---
And froze.
---
The world around him—
Was completely different.
---
The sky—
Glowed purple.
---
The air—
Shimmered like water.
---
Floating islands drifted above him.
---
Strange creatures moved in the distance.
---
Everything felt… unreal.
---
Elara appeared beside him.
Landing gracefully.
---
"…So this is the Spirit Realm…"
---
Rex dropped behind them.
"…Okay yeah—this place is definitely cursed."
---
Zephyr looked around.
---
Then—
The system appeared again.
---
[New Realm Detected: Spirit Realm]
[Restrictions Applied]
[System Stability: 72%]
---
His eyes narrowed.
---
"…Restrictions…?"
---
Before he could react—
---
A voice echoed.
---
Soft.
Whispering.
---
"…You shouldn't be here…"
---
All three turned instantly.
---
A figure stood in the distance.
---
A girl.
---
Floating slightly above the ground.
---
Long white hair.
Glowing eyes.
---
Not human.
---
A spirit.
---
She looked directly at Zephyr.
---
"…You carry something dangerous…"
---
Silence.
---
Then—
She raised her hand.
---
"…Leave…"
---
The air twisted violently.
---
"…Or be erased."
---
Zephyr stepped forward.
---
His eyes calm.
---
"…Then I guess we're starting already."
---
The energy around him surged.
---
Because in this world—
---
There were no rules to protect him.
---
Only power—
---
And survival.