Click.
The platform came into motion, slowly lowering from the top of the slope to the dark depths.
The fortress Keepers were seven - Zoran, Lurra, and Georg at the head, the other four standing on the sides. Even for a novice like Kain, it was easy to distinguish the difference between their and Zoran's aura.
Because of Zoran's lack of interest in what was going on, so many of the youths appeared to be as well. Sylvia and Josh jumped into the last wagon.
"The Nest? What is that, anyway?" Kain whispered, examining his dagger.
Morbia glanced at him. Though they both had active Rune Brand, unlike Kain, she was trained, it was obvious. From what Kain had seen, she had been through something more serious than someone like Sylvia.
"It's the consequences and possibilities when Rift opened up too long."
"Hmm?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Look, you know that Rift has several stages. The second is the Portal. In this stage, the Rift becomes stable, gradually growing, with monsters, land, and energy - everything. But, what happens if you limit the growth of the Rift but don't destroy the portal at the same time?"
"What?"
"Instead of a wild jungle, you get a hunting ground. It's not a farm, the Nests retain the danger because it's the land of the Astral Dimension in our world. The Nest is an artificially created stage by the Rune Society. The Rift can't expand, but no one is destroying it."
Kain looked down. "And, the Nest always remains in this state?"
"Well, almost. In fact, the moment a Rift moves into the Nest stage, the portal disappears. That means the area doesn't grow, no new monsters appear, but the portal is gone."
"I see, it's impossible to destroy the Nest unless you burn every square meter."
Morbia's corners of her lips went upward. "Yeah, but the Arcane Scripture never just gives up. The runes never give up. Every once in a while, the Rift returns to the Nest with a powerful wave of energy, trying to expand its influence. These moments are called the Surges.
"The Surges are the most important events in the life of any Nest. It's like shaking a nearly dead hive, getting everyone inside moving, and even making something new appear."
Kain nodded. "I got it. New monsters, territory growth if there's no supervision, and maybe resources, right?"
"Hah, almost," Morbia smirked. "Artifacts and even Soul Stones can appear during Surges. High risk - high reward activity."
"And..." Kain's eyes traveled to Lurra's back, remembering her words. "Considering that we're heading out just today, one of these Surges is about to happen in Faint Chasm, right?"
"Yeah."
After all, expeditions had to have meaning and limitations. If Keepers were to go to the Nest every day, they would quickly deplete it, leaving behind an empty land even without power. In such cases, the Surges happened, but the next one would be the last.
If a Nest was drained to its limits, the next Surge would use its power to close forever - depriving Keepers of the ability to return time after time on expeditions.
"You seem unusually excited. Are you that eager to see that Surge?" Kain turned to her.
"Well..." Morbia stretched out. "Expeditions happen from time to time, but not always because of the soon-to-be Surge. It's a good chance to get something worthwhile if the opportunity presents itself."
Kain stared ahead.
'Even she has wishes, right? She got the mark and I... Is it because we both have an active Rune Brand, or is it because of our origins?'
Crackle.
After five long minutes, the platform finally reached the bottom.
"Alright, we're almost there. Follow someone. One newbie, one Keeper," Zoran said as he turned to Morbia. "You're with me."
Kain shrugged and walked over to Lurra. It didn't matter much to him who his 'protector' was.
Their cautious footsteps led them to the dividing line where the cold, flat surface collided with the dark earth - the beginning of the Faint Chasm.
Dark columns connecting down and up like cords swept along the expanse, soaring stones enveloped the columns with a bright light emerged from the midst of the columns. The short grass swayed, shadows occasionally passing through, hiding behind the dark rubble, out of sight of the vibrant crystals slowly growing throughout the Faint Chasm.
"Most of the monsters here are the Grim Seekers, there are stronger ones, the Grim Reapers and the Grim Hunters. But... The ones you really need to fear are them..." Lurra bit her lip, raising her hand uncertainly.
At the same moment, the light chamber trembled as a silhouette emerged from the column. Its gray, shuddering body, composed of shattered chunks of energy, drifted through the air toward the column opposite, disappearing in its light.
Lurra gulped. "It's a Stray Specter. All the monsters of the Faint Chasm are at Tarnished Rank, but the Stray Specters have a Hollow Core. They are the Tarnished Hollows, and the only one among us who can defeat them is Mr. Zoran."
"Yeah, something like that." Zoran waved his hand nonchalantly. "They're harmless. Just keep out of their way and they won't even pay attention to you."
Sylvia glanced around, half frightened, half burning with anticipation.
"What are we supposed to do?"
"The same thing we always do on an expedition - explore. The Nests are constantly changing, especially after Surges, yet their essence remains. Find resources - gather them. Find monsters - kill them. Today you can. Just don't get caught in a dark cage!"
Then, he turned to Georg, he became Sylvia's protector.
"What's the time frame? How long until the next Surge?"
Georg's eyes lowered to the clock. "Forty minutes. It would be best if we gathered at this spot in half an hour."
"Good!" Zoran exclaimed as he headed forward in a wide stride.
The rest of the Keepers nodded to their apprentices and moved further into the depths of the Faint Chasm. They knew where they had to go and how the expeditions went.
Lurra and Kain were no exception. They got the far eastern part.
"So..."
Kain glanced around, there was nothing but pillars and bright crystals that were more for lighting than anything of value.
"What exactly are we going to do? Honestly, I was expecting something else."
"Hah, to have monsters surrounding you and treasure lying around?"
Something like that.
Lurra smirked. "This isn't an arena, and not all astral creatures are soulless monsters ready to tear you apart just for bloodlust. Many of them will attack only if they realize you've found something of actual worth..."
Suddenly, Lurra's eyes narrowed.
The fruit of light and shadow was hanging from a crooked branch, the round fruit beating slowly like a heart without making a sound.
Kain raised his head as his expression changed.
"Well... Looks like we're at that point."
The hidden frame of a thin but tall creature peeked out from the dark veil. A horned white mask concealed two red lights, two more crimson horns above, martial and branched with sharp tips. Cold vapor escaped with every breath, while a heavy hoof stomped sparsely on the ground.
Lurra turned sharply, bouncing backward. Her hand was already on the hilt of her sword.
"Shit, we're out of luck."
Yeah, Kain wasn't surprised by that.
The Grim Hunter was looking right at him, the strongest monster at the Faint Chasm after the Stray Specters.