Five masked figures jumped at the empty ground in front of the boulder as soon as the group disappeared.
The first thing they did was secure their surroundings, ensuring that they couldn't spied on. The darkness helped them cover their tracks.
"As we suspected," Hestia said from behind her flowery mask. "The gathering is in an alternate dimension."
"It should be a high-grade dimension. I can't sense it all," Adgar said gruffly from behind his bird-like mask.
"I can sense the seeds I slipped into Hex's robes. But there is no way I can activate them," Hestia said with a shrug.
"We will need a Knight adept in the Space Domain," another figure with an iron mask spoke.
"I agree," Hestia said with a chuckle, turning towards the figure at the front.
The figure was the only one wearing a mask with no discernable features, like a puppet made of wax.
"Can…y-you sense them?" She asked, sounding hesitant for a brief moment. Her eyes flickered strangely as she watched him.
The puppet-like figure approached the boulder and put his arm on it. He stood still, sensing something.
"I can," the person replied. "It will take me ten minutes to break it apart."
"In that case, let's wait. If they don't return by dawn, we can break through." The iron-masked figure spoke.
"I agree with Ivran," Hestia said after pondering for a while.
Neither the figure with a boar-shaped mask nor the cat-shaped masked person had any objection.
"I hope they don't need us to help them," Hestia prayed silently.
…
As soon as the light faded, Hex started to observe his surroundings.
The boulder and the familiar hillside scenery were gone. Together with everyone else, he found himself in a grand hall, with white walls, golden pillars, and a high ceiling, decorated with many murals.
Most people were whimpering softly. Hex could see fear and shock written on their faces.
"An alternate space," Althea said, barely audible, as she leaned close to him.
Her wide eyes and tightening of her hands on Hex's arms made it look like she too was scared. But Hex knew her better than others.
'She is calm and cautious, her eyes are shining as if she is roaring to enter a battle,' Hex felt exasperation and amused at the same time, seeing her usual interest in fighting.
Hex leaned in and whispered, "Can we escape?"
Althea shook her head. "Not without outside help."
Hex nodded in understanding. He remained calm knowing he couldn't escape.
'First, let's see what they are planning. I will trust the Knights to save us if we don't make it out.'
Having experienced many near-death situations, Hex felt his fear of death diminishes. It didn't mean he would die voluntarily but it didn't bother him too much.
And despite betrayals, he learned to trust a few people.
They didn't move and didn't mingle with others. This was so they weren't easily discovered.
After a while, Hex saw a group of people climb up to the raised platform at the front of the hall. All wore white with golden fringes and most had their hood up.
Herman was one of the few who didn't put his hood up. With a warm smile, he stood in front of the crowd.
"Everyone, we welcome you all to the Divine Resident. This is one of the many houses of our Lord. Here we let you know more about our Lord and His powers."
Although Herman spoke normally, his voice reached each person inside the hall. Hex believed that the design of the alternate dimension had something to do with it.
"Although our Lord's stories are never-ending, I want to begin by explaining who we are and why joining us is humanity's best chance for survival."
Hex perked his ears up. He saw a lot of people starting to pay attention to Herman, their fear being replaced by interest. But he couldn't blame them. He too was curious.
"The Divine Lord is the last God of this world," Herman said, spreading his arms wide open to the sky.
Hex narrowed his eyes. He had heard about Gods but they were supposed to have disappeared. The reaction of the crowd was lukewarm at best. Herman didn't seem to mind. He smiled and continued.
"Gods were beings created together with the earth and the heavens. They ruled and governed both. But at some point the Heavens became sentient. It created laws and passed judgment. It helped evil forces to kill the Gods, forcing them to descend on earth."
Like others, Hex too felt drawn by Herman's words. He didn't feel reverence but hearing some of the world's secrets filled him with more questions.
"You might be wondering why it matters. Why would you choose a God above the Heavens," Herman asked, his expression becoming serious.
"The reason is simple. It's having freedom!" Herman emphasized the last word, eliciting murmurs from the crowd.
"The Heavens is rigid. It doesn't allow for change nor will it allow anything to escape its grasp. It has a path chosen for everyone and straying from it will lead to its judgment. If you are lucky, you will have some mishaps, if unlucky, you will be dead. Like your loved ones currently."
The murmurs in the hall intensified. Herman remained silent, probably to let the people get more agitated.
"Why does he accuse the Heavens of it? Aren't they killing people left and right?" Hex asked, whispering in Althea's ear. He could smell her fragrance but his mind was too disturbed to notice it.
"I think they only killed a few. The others will killed due to events they have put in motion."
Althea's reply seemed plausible. They were angering a predator to the point it started to kill indiscriminately.
'What a vile bunch,' Hex gritted his teeth, trying to contain his anger. But a part of him couldn't help but curse the Heavens too. Was it too blind to fall for such simple schemes?
Right then, Herman spoke once again.
"I know you guys are filled with doubt and confusion. Let me call a newly-turned-brother of us to help you understand. Just like many of you, he too lost someone dear to him."
He turned toward the group behind him and waved a person to step forward.
"Please come forward, brother."
The person walked steadily to the front and lowered his hood. Everyone froze, seeing the middle-aged person's face.
Hex narrowed his eyes.
'I should have expected him. I really saw Sloan that day.'
Herman chuckled happily.
"I guess I don't have to introduce this brother of ours, right? After all, for many years he has been the captain of your town guard."