"That's weird, why isn't the Gate checked out?"
Felicia the receptionist was scanning the holograph that displayed the gates available for use.The gate that the Nocturns were assigned to wasn't checked out for some reason.
Suddenly an Ascender that worked in the Monolith approached her.
"Excuse me, Miss Felicia, I was told I'd be escorting the Nocturns today. I've been waiting for an
hour, but I haven't seen them yet. Was there an issue?"
"What?!"
Felicia was confused. She was sure the Nocturns had already entered the gate.
"Don't be ridiculous, the Nocturns were already escorted to their assigned Gate. Are you saying
you didn't escort them?"
"Not that I remember, Miss."
Suddenly, Felicia realized there was a Gate that was recently checked out.
She instantly went back to scan the holograph, checking the history of the recently checked
Gates.
'No, no… this can't be.'
When she found out which gate was closed, cold sweat beaded from her forehead.
Fourth Star Abyss Gate.
"Fuck this is crazy, they couldn't have entered this gate, right?
Felicia anxiously shifted her gaze towards the Ascender."You! It really wasn't you who escorted them? You really didn't see the Nocturns?"
"Yes Miss, I've been waiting in my post the whole time."
"Fuck… then who could it be… who could be so bold enough to mess with a Nocturn?"
One of the Ascenders who passed by overheard the conversation and approached the two.
"Miss Felicia, are you looking for the Nocturns? I've seen them actually. They were escorted
towards the Gate Hall by the intern."
"Intern? What was his name?"
"I think it was… Julian?"
"Julian, huh? But here's the thing… we had no new interns."
The Ascender's eyes shot wide.
"That can't be, he introduced himself to us just this morning."
"Fuck, a spy must've infiltrated."
"A spy? Then that means… the Nocturns are currently in danger?"
"Yes, this is an emergency. Please stop upcoming Gate operations for the time being. I need to
contact the Head."
"Understood, Miss Felicia."
"Once word of this gets out, it will become controversial, you hear me? Due to our negligence,
there's a huge chance the Nocturns might die… fuck. The spy just had to mess with the Nocturn
Family."
Felicia was shuddering in fear. Afraid of what the Nocturns might do once they find out.
***
The trio continued to fend off the onslaught of Abysmal, they made it to the third wave, and they
could feel their bodies starting to wear down from fatigue.
"Fuck, this isn't normal at all. 55 Abysmal in the third wave? That's usually on the fifth wave."
"Yeah, I take back what I said. There's definitely something wrong with this Gate."
Camilla removed her sword that was stuck inside an Abysmal as she agreed with Satoshi's
statement.
"Haa… I don't know how long until I can keep this up."
Satoshi was panting heavily. Despite wearing an armor, minor wounds were already visible,
"Just two waves left Satoshi. Stop complaining."
"Fine."
Satoshi could only agree with Shin, who seemed to stay unbothered by the mysterious amount
of Abysmals.
He had way too much stamina for some reason.'Noct, what's wrong with this gate?'
[Shin, it took awhile, but I've finally recognized the pattern of this Gate.]
'What do you mean?'
[Get out of here along with your Family, this isn't a First Star Gate, it's a Fourth Star. Someone
set this up, Shin.]
'Fuck… are you serious?'
[I'm positive, now hurry and look for a way to get out before you reach the fifth wave.]
'What's wrong with the Fifth Wave?'
[That's when the real Abysmals residing here reveal themselves… Demons.]
'...'
[Plus, it doesn't stop at the fifth wave.]
'Don't tell me…'
[It goes up to the tenth wave. By then, over 2,000 Demons will appear.]
Shin clenched his teeth as he started to panic.
His hunch was correct, this gate really wasn't the normal gate they'd partake in.
Gathering his thoughts, he stood up and turned towards the two siblings.***
"Everyone, forget about fighting the Abysmals. We have to escape this Gate."
"What are you talking about, Shin?"
Camila was puzzled by Shin's sudden urgency. She had never seen him this assertive before.
"Listen to me, and don't freak out, okay?"
The two siblings nodded, their expressions serious.
"This gate, it's a Fourth Star Don't ask me how I know, I just found out myself. What's important
is that we get out of here as soon as possible."
The two's eyes shot wide open in surprise at Shin's sudden revelation.
"Fuck… why is this happening. I understand, but how are we supposed to escape?"
Camilla could only accept.
She knew that if she panicked, then things wouldn't end well. Not even Shin was strong enough
to protect them in a Fourth Star Gate
"I'll distract them while you two make a break for the Exit Portal. I should be able to buy enough
time for you two to safely make it."
"No way! Absolutely not!"Camilla retorted, she couldn't accept Shin's proposal.
"She's right, Shin. Don't tell us you're planning on sacrificing yourself?"
Satoshi chimed in, sharing the same thoughts as his sister.
There was no way they would let Shin risk his life for their sake. They were family after all.
"Of course, I'll be in front of you two all the way, so please just trust me."
"Shin, promise me you won't sacrifice yourself."
Shin seemed to ponder, as if he was reluctant in answering.
It made sense. After all, he couldn't guarantee to protect both Camilla and Satoshi.
So how would he be able to guarantee his own safety?
'Shin, just promise me please.'
Camilla thought inwardly. Praying to the Gods that they'd somehow make it out of this mess
alive.
"I promise, so please agree with my plan."
"Okay, we trust you, Shin."
"We'll follow your lead, Brother."
***
"Thank you."
When he glanced at Camilla's pleading gaze, Shin felt his chest weigh down.
He had made her a promise he might not be able to keep.
'But I have to try, it's all or nothing.'
"KURRRUUUUK!"
The Abysmals were audible from a distance.
The fourth wave was starting, the difficulty would increase exponentially.
Shin knew this, which made him relieved that he efficiently took out the Abysmals in the
previous waves, conserving his stamina.
Though there were ten waves in this gate, for them, this would be the last.
If they proceeded, and made it to the fifth, there were no more guarantees, no more promises to
be made.
They would undoubtedly die.
"KURRUUK!"
Over 120 Abysmals had become visible to the trio.
Fatigued and mentally stressed, they had no choice but face the inevitable onslaught."Guys, it's time, brace yourselves."
The two nodded at Shin's assertiveness.
With his sword clenched in his hand, Shin bolted from his position. The two following closely
behind him.
Slash! Splurt!
Abysmal after Abysmal continued to fall under Shin's relentless attacks.
The two following closely behind Shin cleared the Abysmals trying to latch on their side. As Shin
continued to clear a path.
The Exit Portal was far in the distance. But it wasn't impossible to reach.
This was a strategy that Gate Raiders would use when they needed to make a hasty retreat.
A strategy with 1% chance of success.
It was reckless, but there was no other way.