Eugenes' friend was the oldest and he was supposed to carry the mantle of the family and it broke him that he failed to see his father one last time.
Even without exchanging words, at least see him and maybe pray.
Eugene was feeling the same way now.
Eugene pushed that thought away as he looked at his uncle and thanked him.
"I will go and decumbent myself. I can't escape that!" Eugene said dejectedly.
But then he looked at the uncle and asked with a soft voice.
"What is really happening?"
"It's complicated. To you it might look like many days have passed but to us it was just a day. What I know was that the war was fake, it served as a diversion. Your mother was caught in a crossfire but she survived"
"As the only child in the land, I deserve to meet her. Since Marium and Aaron have went for their challenge!"
Eugene said, due to the lion in him he was becoming angry already.
"You need to trust us in this!" The man said.
Eugene failed to contain his snort as he turned and walked away.
Ar Land is a medium land that stretched for hundreds of kilometers but the main cities were around the Enigmatic Gateway.
From Eugene's family house to the Gateway was about 10 kilometers, his family were privileged to stay there because of Aaron.
His exceptional talent made the Family Head transfer them from another city to this very close to the Gateway.
In this part of the main city, there are no crafted vehicles, only beasts and humans and riding beats wasn't even allowed.
The further from the Main City the more sophisticated the machine and technology are.
Gateway was situated on an elevated ground of about 900 feet and the land stretched for 3 kilometers.
Making anyone going there to climb well stone craft stairs.
On the elevated ground situated three Great Buildings.
Keepers House, Watcher House and Command Centre.
Keepers House tabulated statistics regarding citizens, refuges, and tourists in relation to their beasts and their ability. They also focused on Challengers and their Tiers.
It's mandatory to go there after they return and submit himself.
Watchers House as the name implied, they watch. They seem to know things happening at far places which others can't. They also maintain the ancient murals and ruins of the Ar Land.
The Gatekeeper was a Watcher too.
Central Command tackle the day today activities of the Ar Land. Every Family that has a role has a representative in it. It's where politics dance around.
The Houses were situated at the extreme part of the elevated ground, the one he will pass now was Central Command, he needed to pass the Gateway to reach Keepers House.
Eugene appeared angry about what happened but his mind was racing. He really doesn't want to be a laughing stock. He has been to the challenge and yet came back with no perks.
He will end up being like Hollowed Eyes, an anomaly under scrutiny.
He behaved as if he was going toward the Keepers House before he acted as if he was curious about the Gateway and walked toward it.
No matter what one was feeling, Gateway created an awe in their heart. It was massive, the frame was robust, filled with runes and symbols that glow from time to time.
At the center was rippling of the mysterious water called Diyam and it was this water that took them to various realms and more.
If one stares at the gateway, they will feel as if the whole structure was trying to squeeze itself inside one's mind.
People, including High Tier ones will feel dizzy and if they persist, they will faint.
No one can stare at it forever without dizziness, that includes the Ascendents.
Eugene walked toward its structure frame. It was 20 feet wide, filled with mesmerizing mysterious symbols and runes. Each one takes the mind to the realm of the unknown.
Within the land radius of 1km of the Gateway, at the very front, were many posts, people camping for various reasons.
Some were waiting for their loved ones, some were studying the Gateway runes, some were working there, observing and making sure one wasn't camping for the sake of camping.
Gatekeeper was standing at the front of the Gateway, watching everyone with an indifferent gaze. He wore a tight body suit with a flowing robe on top.
His features were sharp enough to deter any misbehavior. His hair, jet black and eyes seemed capable of peering into the soul.
He was tall, 8 feet long with broad shoulders, his muscles have been refined with one of the best martial arts Ar Land has to offer.
Gatekeeper is one of the strongest Dominators in Ar Land, even people that were Higher Tier than him were wary of facing him.
He turned and sharply stared at Eugene. The boy trembled but kept his focus on the Gateway until he touched the left frame structure, his hand feeling the minor runes that were smaller than his fingers.
There were some runes that are smaller than insects and those that are even microscopic.
The touch gave a strange sensation that was hard to describe, but as some of the professors describe it, the runes felt like knowledge.
Warriors said it felt like power. Smart people said it felt like a plan and scheme.
Crafters and scientists said it felt like ideas and refining of old ideas. For very old people, they say it felt like wisdom and hope.
The runes gave different feelings to different people and if they searched enough, there's a chance of enlightenment on one's path.
Eugene felt only strangeness, with all intent and purpose, as far as he could see he hadn't registered with the Gateway.
It's as if the Gateway didn't acknowledge his venture into that dark realm.
Because no matter how he glares at the moon, he won't get the dance of the runes that will tell him about himself and his beast.
He hadn't expected this but it was logical, because the rule was, the moment a Challenger went to another realm, one needed to look at the moon there that would link them with the Gateway.
Whatever happens there can be reached here.
Eugene wasn't even able to see with his eyes, let alone see the sky. Not to mention, the sky is devoid of all stars and the moon. So there wasn't anything that could link him.
Eugene's attention moved to symbols on the gateway. They are large as the smallest was the size of a baby's hand.
They did glow but didn't radiate anything but gave an aesthetic feeling.
That is what most think but, the truth was that runes are ancient Letters with power and they have meaning but the Symbols are patterns with power that are free to use.
Among the runes there is a rune that allows one to shoot Diyam at speed of sound but the symbols are dormant power ready to be tapped by the talented and lucky.
Even Aaron explored them and he said, they are far more amazing and can be anything one needs. If they have the right understanding.
Eugene moved toward the opening where the mysterious water was. It was far more amazing than the symbols and runes.
'The frame with all its awesomeness was barely 10% of the great Diyam itself!' Eugene forgot his worries as he stared at the rippling water.
Now, the gaze of the Gatekeeper was negligible but Eugene looked at the man and said, "Greetings elder."
The man's gaze didn't change before Eugene asked a question.
"Those with no eyes, did they have a connection with the Gateway? Do they get the dancing runes!"
"Yes" , his deep voice appeared to Eugene.
The boy took a deep breath as he stretched his hand and touched the Mysterious Water.
It felt like water as it is one but the viscosity was so high that he could only make ripples but his hand wasn't entering inside.
This was because he didn't wish to go to the next challenge but the moment he wanted, his hand would go inside with no problems like plunging hand in water.
"You are different." The deep voice appeared again, "when you came out, your spirit scent wasn't like Miracle Lion but like a different Beast that is new to our world"
"Gatekeepers are said to be trustworthy individuals and fair to all!" Eugene muttered under breath but he knew the man heard him.
"Silent Treader. Beast from an unknown realm with very useful natures and unique aspecto that I have never seen before!" Eugene said.
There was silence, the gaze of the Gatekeeper softened and asked with his deep voice, "What realm is that?"
Eugene didn't want to tell him but he felt he needed someone to know the truth. His house was in mayhem, he didn't want to talk to them.
His brother wasn't around, he would have pestered the man to help. His sister, even with a grumpy attitude, was extremely intelligent as she was a former bookworm.
Even if they don't know anything, they are family, and family shares secrets. But now, he was stuck with that woman, that won't even let him see his mother.
"Blind Sanctity!" he muttered as he wished to enter a Challenge and immediately his hand plunged in and he was sucked in.
The Gatekeeper was dazzled.