Outworld: Awakening

Hundreds of meters away from the magma filled chasm which comprised the Valar Pits, tens of Awakened gathered in a grassy field, staring at a swirling portal. Unlike the Goblin's Lair which sent the dungeon raiders back to the initial point of entry, the Valar Pits sent Awakened miles away.

Those gathered at the exit point were usually guild members of those venturing into the Valar Pits, and a few merchants hoping to buy off the loot of some ignorant Awakened. Such a gathering attracted thieves disguised as guild members. They usually targeted parties from smaller guilds and merchants who got a good deal from dumb Awakened.

Awakened, male and female alike, chatted with each other as they stared at the colorless portal floating in midair. With several merchants present, some purchased food and drinks while others sang and danced. They weren't expecting the return of their guild members yet, since only a few hours had gone by since they counterparts ventured to the Valar Pits.

Among the guilds gathered, only one didn't interact with the others. They gathered themselves behind their leader while nonchalantly staring at the swirling portal. One of the biggest guilds in Targarth, coupled with Varidan's backing, members of Stormlight could afford to behave haughty in the gathering.

"Cotis, we'll leave once they arrive. I can already see some shady characters gathered here."

The leader of the Stormlight party glanced at an average height man with bland facial features. Cotis, on the other hand, diverted his attention to the behind of a female Awakened.

'This idiot. Remain calm, Aydan… Remain calm. Once we escort them back to the guild, I can finally leave this wretched place. I can't wait to get back to Gido.'

Aydan couldn't hide his disgust as he stared at Cotis.

As if he could sense Aydan's intentions, Cotis suddenly turned his head while smiling at Aydan.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Aydan? Did I do something wrong?"

Cotis rubbed the side of his ears as he stared at Aydan. He felt uncomfortable whenever any man stared at him.

"How long would it take for them to retrieve the item?" Aydan asked.

"Don't worry. It shouldn't take them too long. They know the Valar Pits better than anybody from our branch. The three of them should be able to bring back at least thirty swamp vipers," Cotis declared.

Aydan nodded while slowly stroking his goatee.

"How long does it usually take to get that?" Aydan asked.

"Well… It depends. If everything goes according to plan, and I'm sure it will, it shouldn't take more than three hours," Cotis said.

"What if it doesn't go according to plan? What will—?"

"Aydan, relax. Those three are the very best in our branch. If I remember correctly, they used to be big shots in Gido. You know how hard it's raiding the Valar Pits. Everyone is competing for the same resources, and the monsters there are tougher than the other dungeons. Give or take, they should arrive in five hours max."

Cotis's smile brightened as he stared at Aydan.

'Five hours more, and I will leave this god damn forsaken place… just five hours more.'

Aydan casually nodded before shifting his attention towards the portal.

Cotis gaze also wandered, unfortunately, he couldn't find the beauty from earlier.

* * *

Two hours later.

"What the f.u.c.k is Fluke and the others doing?! How long does it take to pick up Cameri Flowers!"

The surrounding Awakened turned their attention to the burly man who hissed and puffed.

The bustling atmosphere had reduced significantly, with several of the guilds wandering why their members hadn't returned. Not all of them intended to hunt the baccarras or the swamp vipers. Some were only interested in some rare herbs or crystals found at the outer regions of the dungeon.

'The Awakened from the smaller guilds should have returned… This is strange,' Cotis thought.

Most of the Awakened had the same thought in mind.

With each passing minute, the atmosphere further tensed. Some were confident something had gone wrong at the Valar Pits. Just then, a series of chimes echoed from the spots some guilds gathered.

'A transmission crystal? What's going on?'

Aydan's gaze shifted between the different guilds who spoke to a glowing blue crystal. His party had one too, that it didn't ring made him slightly anxious, especially when he could see the shifting emotions on the faces of the others.

A few seconds later, several guilds turned around to leave the grassy field. Their actions surprised those who hadn't received a transmission.

"Wait! What happened? Why are you leaving?" Cotis said.

His outstretched arms blocked the part of a five-man party.

"Who the hell do you—"

One of the party members almost lashed out on Cotis, however, the leader quickly stopped him.

"Oh, it's you Cotis. Why are you stopping us? We aren't trying to pick a fight with Stormlight."

"Alpus, I know. However, if you don't tell me why you're leaving, I can make things difficult for you," Cotis retorted.

'This f.u.c.k.i.n.g twat! One day your guild will get what's coming for it…'

Alpus countenance darkened. Even without Varidan's backing, his guild couldn't offend Stormlight.

"The party we sent to Valar Pits told us an abnormality occurred before the dive. We—"

"What?! What kind of abnormality? Hurry. Tell me."

Alpus gaze shifted towards Ayden.

'Who the f.u.c.k is this now?' Alpus mused.

Although Alpus didn't know Ayden's identity, that Cotis didn't react to Ayden's shout only meant that he had a higher ranking, hence he couldn't afford to piss off Ayden.

"The lava in the volcano erupted multiple times, and each time it erupted, it slayed several people. They also said the portal had disappeared," Alpus explained.

Cotis and Ayden's visage darkened, and so did that of the Awakened eavesdropping on the conversation.

'Does that mean the people we sent are…'

Ayden swallowed a mouthful of saliva as his thoughts wandered.

"Are you sure the lava killed everyone that made the dive?"

Alpus flinched as he heard Ayden's voice.

"N-No… not everyone. Some people made it through. However, majority of those who planned to raid the dungeon have abandoned their mission. They're all at the base of the volcano. That's all I know."

Without wasting for Ayden's retort, Alpus and his men hurried away. They didn't want to be vessels for Ayden to unleash his anger.

'Some made it through… could our people be among them?'

"Cotis, try to contact—"

"Already did. I can't get a response," Cotis interjected.

'That means they're among those who entered the dungeon, or…'

Everyone who heard Alpus words earlier had the same thought in mind.

"Cotis, send a report to the headquarters. Tell them to send someone over to the Valar Pits. Hopefully, our men are among those who made it into the dungeon. Healers, prepare to heal them once they arrive," Ayden declared.

The leaders of the other parties also doled out similar orders. Although the report had stated the lava had claimed the lives of some Awakened, none of them wanted to believe it was theirs. The merchants and some thieves also remained. Since the dungeon behaved abnormally, they believed those who would return were bound to get something good.

"Huh? The portal is closing!"

Instinctively, everyone turned their attention towards the portal.

'It's shrinking… what the hell is happening?' Ayden mused as he stared at the portal.

None of the guilds knew what to do. Unlike other portals, a strange barrier prevented them from entering the shrinking barrier.

Gradually, the portal shrunk until it disappeared before the eyes of the Awakened. The grassy field had turned silent like a graveyard. No one could understand what they had just witnessed.

"Aydan… umm… what do we do now?"

Aydan ignored Cotis's words. He neither knew what to say nor do. He just continued to stare at the spot where the portal once hovered.

"Aydan, pull yourself toge—"

"Have you contacted the headquarters?" Ayden interjected.

"Not yet. I was—"

"Contact them now. This is no longer something I can preside over. Leave nothing out, okay?" Aydan still widened eyes fell on Cotis.

Saying nothing, Cotis nodded, before hurrying to retrieve their transmission crystal.

With the portal closing, some merchants and guilds who had a faint hope for the survival of their members hastily retreated. They had to confirm the situation of things at the Valar Pits. Those whose members had descended the volcano couldn't help but sigh in relief. Deaths of Awakened was not uncommon in dungeons, but unforeseen situations like this, was one no Awakened liked to experience.

A few minutes later, the number of Awakened remaining had significantly reduced.

'What's taking Cotis so long? The headquarters should have given a response by now… Oh. There he is.'

Ayden's brows furrowed as he stared at Cotis darkened visage.

"What did they say?" Ayden ask, he couldn't hide his anxiousness.

"The guild leader has dispatched Johnathan and some of the guild's elite to the Valar Pits. He also said we should remain in position. In case, the portal opens once again. He said Johnathan's party would contact us if they find anything," Cotis whispered.

'Why did this have to happen today? I don't want to waste anymore time in this place…'

"What about me? Did the guild leader say anything about me?" Ayden asked.

'Even at this moment, this bastard is still thinking of running to Gido. Hasn't he figured out being here means they have demoted him?'

Cotis had an undiscernable gleam in his eyes as he slowly shook his head.

"Damn it! What kind of shitty luck is this?"

Ayden didn't bother with the glances thrown towards his direction. He truly hated the fact that he had to remain in Valar.

"This is nonsense. There is no way the portal would—"

"Ayden… look," Cotis interjected.

'Huh? What's got him so rattled?'

Ayden could see the fear in Cotis's quivering eyes.

Turning his head, Ayden's mouth dropped as he saw a distorting in midair.

'Is that? Wait… this is impossible.'

With each passing second, it grew larger and larger, until a portal opened. A chilling wind blew from the opened portal while a faint echo akin to howling wolves filled the area. Subconsciously, all the cultivators retreated in tandem as they stared at the portal.

Unlike before, half of the new portal was colorless while the other half glowed yellow. Common knowledge for Awakened stated that only rank C dungeons had yellow portals. That the portal in front of them had something similar to a rank C dungeon, left them terrified.

'The dungeon is evolving… This is bad news,' Aydan mused.

He finally understood the reason for the anomaly reported by Alpus's men. That a rank D dungeon was evolving was bad news for all the guilds in Targarth, because it meant their insignificant nation would soon see an influx of Awakened from stronger guilds.

"C-Cotis… L-Let—"

"I-I'm on it, A-Ayden."

They couldn't dilly-dally one such information. They had to inform their headquarters of the impeding changes to Targarth's guild hierarchy.

Just then, two individuals emerged from the portal. Although the duo had no significant injuries, they oozed like a sewer and a blue substance dyed their tattered robes. Their sudden entry stunned the already astonished Awakened.

"This smell is familiar… wait, it couldn't be…" Cotis muttered as he stared at the duo.

"There is no mistaking it. That's the smell associated with the blood of black spiders, and high quality ones at that," Ayden added. He too couldn't mask his incredulity.

Billy and Reggie who had just emerged from the portal ignored the gazes of the others as they laughed cheerfully while hugging each other. Before entering the dungeon, they had intentions of hunting the bagrall rats.

While chasing the rats through the intertwining caves, they stumbled into the nest of the black spiders. Dread gripped their hearts at that moment. Just as they were about to run away, the stench associated with the spider's blood filled their nose. Unable to suppress their curiosity, the duo wandered towards the source of the smell. Only to find tens of black spiders corpses littering the ground. Greed and excitement quickly replaced their initial fear. Wasting no time, they hurried to gather the blood of the slain creatures. They hadn't expected to encounter such a windfall.

"We're gonna be rich, Reggie. I told you—"

"Shush, Billy. We don't want anyone to know what we found. Play it cool," Riggie whispered while using his hand to cover Billy's mouth.

The duo giggled while rising to their feet. Just then, an elderly voice reached them, "You two, stay where you are."

Reggie and Billy tensed as they saw an old man clad in white mage's robes walking towards their direction.

"Who the hell are you old man? What you want with us?" Billy asked as he reached for his sword.

Reggie also reach for his sword. They would never allow some old man to rob them.

"I have no interest in whatever you found in the dungeon. Tell me one thing, what happened to the people from Raventhorn?"

"Huh? How would we know that? Don't—"

Reggie stopped Billy before he said something he would regret. Although the man before them looked like any other old man, Reggie's heart thumped wildly as he stared into the man's half-opened eyes.

"We ain't know nothing, sir," Reggie said.

"Did you see them enter the portal?"

"Yes, sir. If you don't mind sir, we'll like to get the hell outta here. We smell like sally's leftovers."

Reggie and Billy giggle, just as they were about to move, the outstretched left arm of the old man blocked them.

"Look here old timer, if you ain't…" Billy's words trialed off as he saw the listless eyes of the old man.

Fear gripped the hearts of the duo as a third eye appeared on the forehead of the old man.

"W-We saw—"

Before Reggie could finish his statement, another group emerged from the portal.

Cotis and Ayden's eyes brightened as they stared at the new arrivals. Wasting no time, they hurried to meet the party. Just before they could reach them, the old man towered over the bodies of the quartet laying on the floor.

"Excuse me, my name is Angus. Did you see anyone from Raventhorn in the dungeon?"

Hendrix raised his head to meet Angus's, before saying, "We didn't meet them in the dungeon. They entered before us, they should arrive later since they targeted the baccarra's den."

Turning his head to the side, Hendrix's gaze landed on Amara, Mavis and Fien. Only then did this expression relax. He was glad they were out of the Valar Pits, especially after everything they had experienced in the dungeon.

"Excuse me… Students from Varidan Academy."

Instinctively, members of Hendrix's party turned towards Aydan and Cotis running towards their direction. For a moment, they wondered who they were, only when they saw that they wore trenchcoats did their countenance soften.

"My name is Ayden, and this is Cotis. We are from—"

"You're from Stormlight I know. I'm sorry, but we are not in the best mood or shape to talk right now. What exactly do you want?" Hendrix interjected.

"I understand. Please, did you perhaps see any of our members during…" Ayden's words trialed off as he saw Hendrix shaking his head.

Cotis and Ayden's countenance darkened. Although Hendrix's words didn't mean his party had died, they couldn't stop themselves from thinking of the worst.

Hendrix didn't pay the duo any mind as he assisted Amara and Fien up to their feet. At that same moment, his eyes shifted between the various groups in the distance.

'I guess news of what happened at the vents has made its way to their ears… Oh. That reminds me.'

"How many people has left the dungeon? Has another Varidan student returned?" Hendrix asked.

Cotis and Ayden snapped back to reality. Saying nothing, they tilted their heads towards Reggie and Billy who made their way towards the city in the distance.

'Huh? Just the two of them? Does that mean he's still inside?'

Hendrix figured Adam would have already exited the dungeon, he didn't expect his group to arrive before him.

"Hendrix, should we wait here or in the city?" Fien asked.

"Let's wait in the city. You guys need to rest," Hendrix said as he patted Fein. He then turned his attention towards Cotis and Ayden, "Take this transmission crystal. Let me know if you see another student from Varidan. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you in the search for your comrades," Hendrix added.

"Let's leave—"

Hendrix felt a slight tug at the side of his robe.

Turning his head, he realized Amara, Fien and Mavis all had looks of disbelief on their faces. Following their line of sight, Hendrix gaze landed on the portal.

'Yellow?! My god… the dungeon is evolving,' Hendrix thought.

Although none of them said anything, they thanked their lucky stars they had left the dungeon. They couldn't even imagine what it would be like to raid a rank C dungeon.

"Guys, let's leave."

No one expresses dissatisfaction to Hendrix words. With hurried steps, they joined Reggie and Billy in the long walk to the city.

* * *

Four hours had gone by since Hendrix's group departed, dusk had set over Valar, and over half of the portal had turned yellow. However, since Hendrix's party, no one had emerged from the dungeon.

"Cotis, any word from Johnathan's team?"

"No. It's still the same. They can't get anywhere near the volcano. I think it won't change, at least, not until the dungeon finishes evolving," Cotis retorted.

"Do you think our people are still alive?" Aydan asked.

Cotis said nothing as he lowered his head.

"If those country bumpkins could survive, definitely our people should make it too." Cotis declared as he drew closer to Ayden.

"Don't forget the people from Raventhorn are still inside. And, there is another Varidan student there. I think… no. I'm certain our boys will come back," Cotis whispered as he tapped Ayden's left shoulder.

The duo said nothing further. In silence, they continued to stare at the rapidly changing portal.

One hour later, the countenance of all the Awakened had turned gloomy. Despite the various means of illumination in the field, the bright yellow portal swirling in midair overshadowed them all.

"It has finished evolving. The Valar Pits is now a rank C dungeon. Can they survive that?" A young man said.

Despite muttering to himself, his voice reached the ears of those who remained. Truly, none of them had any faith in their counterparts surviving a rank C dungeon.

"Ayden, the headquarters have sent their orders—"

"What is it?" Ayden asked.

"We are to retreat. The leader has announced a grand meeting. When we return to the guild, I will explain the details," Cotis whispered.

The other members of Stormlight had already gathered themselves.

Apart from the Angus and his companions from Raventhorn, the other guilds prepared to leave the field.

"Let's go—"

Before Ayden could finish his statement, a loud thud reached his ears. In tandem, everyone turned their attention towards the portal. At that moment, their gaze fell on the body of a young man with ink black hair. His clothes were torn beyond rags, and he held a broken short sword in his right hand.

That another person had emerged from the dungeon left the stunned, as with the case the previous returnees, Angus approached the writhing young man first.

"Hello, young man. Did you perhaps see the people from Raventhorn in the dungeon?"

[Potential Source of Danger Detected!]

Adam raised his head to meet Angus's, as he said, "I-I didn't see them in the dungeon. They told everyone to stay clear of the baccarra's den, so… they should be there. I'm sorry old man, I don't have time to talk. I have to get out of here. Everything has gone to hell in the dungeon."

Without waiting for Angus to retort, Adam scampered towards the distance while mumbling incoherent words.

Angus's gaze followed Adam until he could no longer see him. Just then, one of his companions walked towards him.

"Sir Angus, does that—"

"Yes. Gallien has failed his mission. Gather everyone. We are returning to Dratol," Angus interjected.

"No problem, Sir. By the way, we have gotten the black spider blood viles from those two. Should we send someone after the new arrival?"

"Don't. Something seems odd about that kid. I couldn't see anything about him," Angus said.

'Sir Angus's blessing didn't work on him? Who the hell is that kid. Could it be because of a treasure?'

"Gather everyone, Morris. I will give you only one advice, don't let your greedy push you to a quick death."

Morris's brows creased as he stared at Angus making his way towards the city.

'I guess today is that brat's lucky day.'