Wiping his blade on his cloak, Alex moved deeper into the dungeon. The air grew heavier, the presence of the boss looming ahead. He could feel the subtle shift in energy as he approached the heart of the gate. A massive clearing opened up before him, and at its center stood the boss—a hulking beast, twice the size of the others, with thick, plated armor and a crown of jagged horns. Its red eyes locked onto Alex as it let out a deafening roar that echoed through the forest.
Alex remained unfazed. He had faced worse.
The boss charged at him, its massive claws tearing through the earth as it closed the distance in an instant. Alex sidestepped effortlessly, his blade flashing as he struck at the creature's exposed side. The boss roared in fury, swinging its claws wildly in an attempt to catch him, but Alex was too quick. He moved with ease, dodging every attack and landing precise blows to the creature's weak points.
Within minutes, the fight was over. The boss let out one final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body disintegrating into the same mist as the others. Alex stood over its remains, his sword glowing faintly in the aftermath of the battle.
Alexius let out a yawn, clearly unimpressed. "I miss the old days when bosses were actually a challenge."
Alex sheathed his sword and made his way to the dungeon core, the glowing heart of the gate that kept it stable. It floated in the center of the clearing, pulsating with a deep red light. Without hesitation, Alex raised his sword and brought it down with a single, decisive strike. The core shattered into pieces, the gate's power rapidly fading as the red glow began to dim.
As the energy of the gate dissipated, the forest around him began to blur and fade away. The portal at the entrance reappeared, signaling that the gate was now closed and the threat eliminated.
With a calm and steady pace, Alex walked out of the gate, stepping back into the cold, snowy landscape of the mountain. The wind bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. The mission was complete.
Alexius stretched lazily on his shoulder, glancing around at the quiet surroundings. "Another job well done," he remarked dryly. "Though, I must say, these lower-rank gates are starting to become tedious."
Alex didn't respond immediately. He wiped his blade clean once more and looked back at the now-dormant gate. His eyes lingered for a moment before he turned and began his descent down the mountain.
"You know it won't be this easy forever," Alexius continued, his tone more serious now. "The real threats are still out there. This is just the calm before the storm."
"I know," Alex replied quietly, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.
As he walked away from the gate, the distant sound of the wind howling through the mountains was the only noise that accompanied them. The weight of what lay ahead pressed down on him, but for now, all he could do was keep moving forward.
*****
Alex took a long sip of his hot espresso, savoring the rich, bitter flavor. The warmth of the drink was a small comfort against the cold, snowy landscape outside. His small apartment in the North was modest but cozy, a stark contrast to the harsh environment beyond its walls. He had just settled into a rare moment of peace when the sudden, jarring sound of the door being flung open interrupted his tranquility.
Hermes, in his usual carefree manner, sauntered into the room with a grin plastered across his face. His appearance was as nonchalant as ever, with his winged sandals tapping lightly on the wooden floor as he walked. The god's presence was as unexpected as it was unwelcome.
"Hey there, Alex!" Hermes exclaimed, his tone light and playful. "I've got a message from Kael for you."
Alex's initial surprise quickly shifted to wariness. He put down his espresso cup, its contents still steaming, and regarded Hermes with a guarded expression. "What are you doing here, Hermes?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. "And why the sudden visit?"
Hermes chuckled, not in the least bit perturbed by Alex's suspicion. "Oh, nothing much. Just delivering messages and causing a bit of mischief. Kael's got something he wants to discuss with you. It's important."
Before Alex could respond, Hermes snapped his fingers, and the world around them shifted dramatically. The warm, cozy interior of Alex's apartment was replaced with a barren, sun-scorched desert. The heat was oppressive, and the sand seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. Alex looked around, disoriented, and noticed the countless scorpions and monstrous desert creatures scuttling across the sand, their claws and mandibles glinting menacingly in the sunlight.
"What the—" Alex started, but Hermes cut him off with a mischievous grin.
"Surprise! We're in the middle of nowhere, just as I promised. Kael thought it'd be fun to spice things up a bit." Hermes' laughter echoed across the desert, mingling with the hiss of the scorpions.
Alex cursed silently, irritation boiling just beneath the surface. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Hermes. "You've got to be kidding me. This is how you deliver a message. What's Kael's deal?"
Hermes shrugged a gesture that only added to his flippant demeanor. "Kael didn't specify how I should deliver the message. Besides, it's not like you're in any real danger. I've got everything under control."
Despite Hermes' casual tone, Alex could see that the scorpions were not your average desert pests. They moved with a predatory grace, their eyes glowing ominously as they seemed to take an interest in the new arrivals. Alex's grip tightened around his sword, which he instinctively brought with him.
"Fine," Alex said through gritted teeth. "Let's get this over with. What does Kael want?"
Hermes' grin widened, clearly enjoying Alex's frustration. "Kael wants to talk about your progress and the recent changes in the gate ranks. He's concerned about the new developments and wants to make sure you're prepared for what's coming."
As Hermes spoke, a particularly large scorpion scuttled closer, its pincers clicking menacingly. Alex watched it warily, his focus divided between Hermes and the approaching danger.
"So, this is supposed to be some kind of test?" Alex asked, trying to keep his irritation in check. "You bring me here to a desert full of monsters just to pass on a message?"
Hermes laughed, clearly finding the situation amusing. "Not exactly. This is more of a 'location change' for dramatic effect. Kael just thought you might appreciate a change of scenery. And besides, you're always complaining about how boring things are. I thought a little excitement would be a nice touch."
Alex shook his head, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah, well, I'd rather have a boring day with a cup of coffee than deal with this. Can we just get this over with?"
Hermes nodded, his playful demeanor fading slightly. "Sure thing. Kael wants you to be aware that the changes in the gate ranks are significant. The stronger aliens are becoming more common, and the gate difficulties are shifting faster than anticipated. He needs you to stay alert and be ready for any situation."
As Hermes spoke, Alex kept a wary eye on the scorpions, which were now gathering in a loose circle around them. Their hissing grew louder, and the ground seemed to vibrate with their movements.
"Got it," Alex said, his voice steady despite the mounting tension. "Anything else I should know?"
Hermes shrugged. "Not much else. Just remember, Kael's watching, and he's relying on you to handle whatever comes next. Don't let him down."
Without another word, Hermes snapped his fingers again. The desert, along with the scorpions and the oppressive heat, vanished in an instant. Alex found himself back in his apartment, the familiar warmth of the espresso cup still in his hand.
He exhaled deeply, trying to calm his racing heart. The desert and its dangers had been a brief but unsettling reminder of how unpredictable things could get. He looked at the cup of espresso, now cold, and took a deep breath.
"Well," Alex muttered to himself, "that was certainly something."
He sat down heavily, trying to shake off the lingering tension. Hermes' visit might have been irritating, but the message was clear: things were changing, and he needed to be ready for whatever came next.
*****
Alex's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself lying on a simple bed in a dimly lit chamber. The surroundings were unfamiliar—decorative Mesopotamian motifs adorned the walls, and ancient symbols were etched into the stone floor. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with a sense of age-old authority. He sat up, blinking against the faint light, and immediately noticed a figure looming over him.
The god before him was strikingly unusual—a massive scorpion-headed being with a humanoid body, the Aqrabuamelu from Mesopotamian mythology. Its eyes, fierce and unyielding, surveyed Alex with an air of unimpressed authority. The creature's pincers clacked ominously as it regarded Alex with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.
"You," the Aqrabuamelu rumbled, its voice resonating like gravel grinding together, "why have you entered my district and slaughtered my scorpions?"
Alex stared at the god, momentarily disoriented. His mind raced, trying to piece together the situation. The last thing he remembered was Hermes' flippant message and the chaotic desert scene. The connection between Hermes' antics and the current predicament was starting to become clear.
"I didn't come here intentionally," Alex said, his voice steadying despite the bizarre situation. "Hermes brought me here, and I had no idea it was your domain."
The Aqrabuamelu eyes narrowed, clearly not pleased with the answer. "Hermes, that mischief-maker. He's always causing trouble. Your presence here has disrupted the balance in my district, and I am not pleased."
Alex sighed inwardly. He had hoped to avoid more complications, but it seemed Hermes' trickery had landed him in yet another mess. He rubbed his temples, trying to think of a way to defuse the situation.
"What do you want from me?" Alex asked, trying to sound as calm as possible. "How can I make this right?"
The Aqrabuamelu's expression softened slightly, but its demeanor remained stern. "I will consider forgiving you for the damages if you address a matter of concern. There is a gate near the border of my domain that is causing disturbances. I do not wish for conflicts between the Central Gods and the Eastern realms. Since you are affiliated with Western deities, it is fitting that you handle this issue."
Alex's eyes widened at the mention of the gate. It was evident that the situation was far from over. The last thing he needed was to add more to his already complicated life, but he knew better than to argue with a deity, especially one as formidable as the Aqrabuamelu.
"Alright," Alex said, with a resigned tone. "I'll deal with the gate. Just tell me where it is and what I need to do."
The Aqrabuamelu nodded, a hint of satisfaction in its eyes. "The gate is located near the border of my domain, hidden within the ruins of an ancient temple. It has been a source of unrest and is attracting unwanted attention. Handle it discreetly and ensure it does not escalate any further."
Before Alex could ask more questions, the Aqrabuamelu's form began to fade, its presence slowly dissipating into the ether. "I expect this matter to be resolved promptly," the god's voice echoed as it disappeared. "And remember, do not let Hermes' games lead you astray again."
With that, the chamber was empty, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. He sat on the bed, feeling the weight of the god's expectations pressing down on him. Hermes had managed to get him entangled in yet another difficult situation, and now he had to clean up the mess. The thought of dealing with a gate at the border, especially one in such a chaotic location, was daunting.
As the last echoes of the Aqrabuamelu's voice faded away, Alex's frustration boiled over. He clenched his fists, cursing Hermes under his breath. The trickster god had a knack for causing trouble and then leaving others to pick up the pieces.
"Damn Hermes," Alex muttered angrily. "Always making things more complicated than they need to be."
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. The urgency of the situation required focus and clarity. There was no use dwelling on Hermes' mischief; he had to take action. Alex resolved to head to the ancient temple and address the gate issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.
With his mind set on the task ahead, Alex rose from the bed and began preparing for the journey. He gathered his gear, checking his weapons and supplies with practiced efficiency. The task before him was not just a matter of personal inconvenience but a responsibility that affected the balance between realms.
As he made his way out of the chamber, Alex glanced at the surroundings one last time. The Mesopotamian-themed room was a stark contrast to the snowy landscapes he was accustomed to. Despite the discomfort of the situation, he couldn't help but appreciate the intricate design of the ancient artifacts and symbols.
Stepping into the vast, sunlit desert beyond, Alex took a deep breath and adjusted his resolve. The path to the ancient temple would be arduous, but he had faced challenges before and emerged victorious. This time would be no different. With a final curse directed at Hermes, he set off towards the ruins, determined to resolve the issue with the gate and restore some semblance of order.