His rationality kicked in. This couldn't be. The gauntlet was forged by Hephaestus himself. Eitr-forged iron could not be destroyed so pathetically. There was no way some ugly oracle with a rope in the middle of nowhere could control it—
"They say the creators of the Heavenly Tower specially built this gate. And due to that, no one has ever completed this gate. Not even those of the Golden Generation. The will of the Heavenly Tower wishes for only the chosen. Whatever treasure is inside may be useful to our mutually agreed contract."
He raised up one hand and fueled it with his Qi. It did nothing. His gauntlets continued to melt, revealing more and more of Borda's devilish grin. He didn't understand. His other hand, tightly holding the rope, loosened up. In one swift move, his world rushed at him and he was standing upright again. The blindfolded woman was right in front of him, licking her lips. His chest ached.
