As the group walked toward the island, they occasionally spotted a dragon flying overhead. At first, some of them were startled, but over time, they got used to it.
Darui walked beside Tarkus. Tarkus initiated a conversation.
"Darui, I have something to confess..." After a brief pause, he looked into Darui's eyes and said, "I didn't expect you to have this much courage. Honestly, I saw you as a waste of time."
Hearing Tarkus open up like that, even though Darui wasn't the original, it affected him a little.
Seeing the silence stretch, Tarkus continued, "But after watching your performance today, I see you in a different light. I'll have to rethink my view of you."
Tarkus did his best not to hurt his son's feelings—despite having a heart of stone, he still knew he was a father.
Now Darui spoke, "Thanks for giving me another chance. I'll try my best to grow."
Darui took advantage of the moment, planning to blame his future changes on this tragic day.
Looking down, he thought, But before anything else… I need to get out of here alive.
Tarkus simply nodded and kept walking in silence.
Darui started thinking.
I wish I knew more about this body… I had a present father and mother in my past life. But this warmth from being acknowledged… it's something new.
Shaking his head and brushing aside those sentimental thoughts, he started wondering what he should do in this situation.
What now? I'll try my best not to offend anyone…
While Darui was deep in thought, staring at the ground, an archer was watching him.
Breaking the silence, the archer asked with concern,
"Are you alright, young master?"
Hearing a familiar voice, and no longer feeling so anxious, Darui realized it was a woman—the same archer who had once saved him.
"Hm? Ah, yes, I'm fine. And you can call me Darui."
"I'm sorry, but that would be disrespectful of me."
"I wouldn't mind at all. Honestly, I'm very grateful for your help." Darui gave a faint smile.
The archer blushed slightly under her hood, but quickly composed herself.
"Very well, if you insist, I shall call you Sir Darui," she said, sounding somewhat convinced.
"Sir Darui? That makes me feel old. Just call me Darui."
Hearing their conversation up ahead, Tarkus couldn't help but smile lightly at the situation.
Replying to Darui's insistence, the archer finally said, a bit awkwardly,
"T-Then… Darui."
"Yes! Much better. So, what's your name?"
"Amelia."
"Nice to meet you, Amelia," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Amelia shook his hand and replied, "Likewise, Darui."
Watching their interaction, the rest of the group began chatting among themselves, while Tarkus stayed silent through the journey.
The conversations carried on, with moments of silence in between, until they reached a point where the sun was blocked by the island. They were now inside a dark forest.
Soon, three dragons descended and landed in front of them. Some instinctively drew their swords, but sheathed them again once the dragons lowered their wings.
"Looks like they want us to ride them," Tarkus said with confidence in his voice.
Dividing into three groups—two with six people and one with five—they mounted the dragons.
Once everyone was on, the dragons took off.
Startled by the situation, Darui thought,
What the hell is this? I thought I'd fall, but this feels way more stable than I imagined. Is it magic?
While only Darui seemed capable of thinking straight and Tarkus remained calm, the rest were too overwhelmed to react the entire flight.
They arrived at a massive tower where the dragons landed. As they dismounted, they were greeted by a being in black-and-white armor, with a hood adorned at the base and six white feathers on each side.
The being introduced itself in a half-mechanical voice, due to its lack of a head. "Welcome, visitors. I am Twilight, captain of the First Division. I will be your guide for this short visit."
Tarkus stepped forward. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tarkus Lantches, leader of this group."
"Nice to meet you, Tarkus," Twilight said, extending a hand.
Tarkus shook it firmly and replied, "Likewise, Twilight."
Releasing his hand, Twilight continued, "Follow me. We'll teleport to the location."
Twilight walked ahead. Some still stunned by the existence of an intelligent, headless being, took a while to follow.
One floor down the tower, a strange altar with a magic circle appeared.
Twilight stepped onto it and waited for everyone to join him.
"First, we'll teleport to the base of the tower. From there, a portal will take us to the entrance of the throne hall—our destination."
With those words, Twilight activated the circle, and everyone was teleported into a circular chamber, where they were met with a colossal entrance carved into the wall.
"The portal is just outside. Let's go."
He led them, and they followed while looking around the vast chamber filled with tables and a few scale-covered soldiers eating. The soldiers gave a curious glance but lost interest quickly.
Exiting through the giant tower doors, they saw a portal that seemed to devour space itself, creating constant distortions around it.
Twilight stepped toward it and said, "There's no need to be afraid. The portal is safe."
Some still skeptical, closed their eyes and stepped through. Tarkus and Darui crossed without hesitation and found themselves in front of a massive, ornate double door.
After everyone passed through and the portal closed behind them, Twilight said,
"Now that everyone is here, I'll take my leave. Welcome once more."
He placed a hand over his chest and gave a small bow before turning to a side hallway—and vanished seconds later.
Seeing this, Tarkus muttered to himself,
"And now? What do we do?"
Just then, a loud metallic noise echoed as something hit the floor.
Startled, some members panicked while others raised their guard.
Tarkus stayed at the front, alert, hearing another sound—closer to the door.
After three more loud bangs, the doors began to open.
Slowly, revealed eight towering figures in the distance.
As they stepped forward along a purple carpet, passing massive white pillars adorned with spiral carvings, them entered.
Once everyone was inside, another loud bang echoed—the door had shut.
Everyone turned around and saw two massive suits of armor closing the heavy doors.
Some were stunned, unsure if what they were seeing was even real. A few mages looked visibly shaken.
Tarkus spoke calmly, trying to ground them, "Let's keep going."
As they continued walking, more suits of armor stood along the walls. Even Tarkus seemed a little shaken.
Getting closer to the figures, everyone froze at what they saw.
Darui, now in full panic, thought,
We're really here now. It's all or nothing… Shit, this is way more terrifying than I imagined. Look at the size of those things.
In the center, a being fully dressed in white sat on a throne, face covered by a cloth, glaring at them with frantic blue orbs.
To its right, standing slightly forward like a spokesperson, was a six-winged black angel, staring with piercing red eyes.
Farther to the right stood three more figures, each with intense gazes:
First, a shark-like woman with hollow dark blue eyes, holding a "small plush toy."
Second, someone all present recognized—Iris.
Third, a holy-looking elf with black hair and clear blue eyes.
To the left:
Fourth, a six-winged white angel, hiding her face with the small wings on her head.
Fifth, a seductive succubus with red hair and green eyes.
Sixth, a half-cat girl wearing little clothing for mobility, with brown eyes and black hair.
Everyone in the group swallowed hard under those stares.
Darui recognized every single one of them—including the being on the throne.
The silence was broken by Azathoth.
"Step forward."
Hearing that beautiful yet threatening voice, they obeyed.
As they got closer, she spoke again.
"Kneel."
They all did so—even if unwillingly, something compelled them to follow the voice.
"Now, I ask you. What is it you seek in your expedition to this island?"
Tarkus, now sweating slightly, answered, "We were just curious about the rumor of a floating island."
She didn't respond to Tarkus. Instead, she turned to Khan and asked,
"What do you think, my creator?"
Khan, until then unmoving, shifted his gaze toward the angel and responded in a deep voice.
"Interesting."
Turning back to the group: "Was that truly all?"
He questioned them, and silence filled the room.
Luxian, watching, curled her lips and raised a hand to clap.
Seeing this, Darui could only think,
We're screwed.
Before anyone died, Khan raised his left hand to stop her.
"There's no need. Maybe they're just nervous."
"My apologies," said Luxian, lowering her hand.
"So, there was nothing more. I see."
The blue orb faded, and only Darui understood the meaning.
He's thinking… I better say something.
Raising his arm, Darui spoke up.
"I would like to answer that question—if I may."
Hearing his voice, Iris smiled with interest, while his father and companions looked at him in confusion.
Alright… if I remember right, he's struggling with the money issue. I can use that to survive this.
"I allow it. Go on," Khan said coldly.
"We'd like to establish trade with the island." He threw it out there—and silence returned.
Khan, feeling foolish, turned his eyes red and spoke harshly.
"Is that serious? You came here for business? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
His words made Darui freeze.
"I-I…"
Khan sighed, his cold blue eyes returning.
"Haaah… I'll forgive that lie for now."
Noticing Khan's irritation, someone reacted—and it was someone Darui never wanted to provoke.
A massive shadow rose behind a small girl with cold eyes.
"Gurath, I already forgave them. No need to act," Khan said, barely turning his gaze to her.
The shadow vanished, and the room returned to normal.
"I hope I won't need to be interrupted again," Khan said sternly, and everyone nodded.
"Alright, back to the matter. I hope you answer honestly. Was it truly just curiosity?" he asked, resting his right hand on the side of his face.
"Yes, that was all," said Tarkus this time, while Darui stood with a blank expression—and of course, Iris found it amusing.
"I see. We mean no harm… but we're no saints either. I enjoy my peace, so try to understand..."
After a short pause, Khan said something no one expected.
"Would you like to stay on the island for a while and decide for yourselves whether we are enemies—or allies?"