The young crew stepped into the mirror world and headed to the operations room within their base, where, as usual, they requested a mission from Liam.
—Alright, Liam. What missions do you have available?—Asked the young man, leaning back in his chair.
—This is the currently available mission, Secondary Administrator—Instantly, a screen materialized on the table, displaying the mission details:
[Mission: Sanctuary of Gloom
Details: Within the ancient Sanctuary of Gloom lies a special artifact requiring retrieval. The sanctuary only permits two visitors per entry.
Difficulty: Apprentice Reward: 10 points]
—Hmmm, sounds like a pretty standard mission, except for that last restriction. What do you guys think?—the young man inquired.
—Well, it's an Apprentice-rank mission, so even with just two people, it should be doable. I'd say we go for it, plus, 10 points is solid compensation,—the scientist remarked.
—I vote we go too!
—I also think we should go—Surprisingly, Kaze spoke up to voice his stance.
—I agree we should go, but we need to decide which two of us will take this mission—Said the boy with the beret, grabbing everyone's attention—Like I was saying, I think Shoun and I should go.
—Why?—questioned the scientist.
—First, Shoun is our strongest member, he should always be the first choice. The question is who accompanies him. Everyone would be a good pick, but I'm nominating myself because the sanctuary is called the "Sanctuary of Gloom," which suggests it'll be full of shadows, my specialty.
—That makes sense. I approve!
—Fine by me!—After Sein agreed, Kaze nodded to show his support. Shoun just shrugged.
—No objections here. I'd probably have to go either way. Liam, we're taking the mission.
—As you wish, Secondary Administrator—Instantly, a flood of information filled their minds, clearly revealing the location of the Sanctuary of Gloom.
—Well, it's quite far... I think we should head out now, Shoun—Suggested the boy with the beret, to which Shoun agreed without objection.
—Can we go hunt some vestiges while we wait?!
—Sure thing, Sein—The remaining three members planned their hunt. Shoun didn't hear much more as he was already leaving the base with Deuz, summoning his Clover Bracelet and attaching it to his wrist.
—Hmm, this is more comfortable than it looks.
—Most artifacts feel comfortable to their wielders one way or another. This one doesn't seem different—Deuz commented calmly, not summoning his own bracelet since he was already wearing it.
—Except that damned Iron Fang... I miss my poor Iron Serpent more every day—His not-so-new artifact had been a real challenge to master, not just because of the countless training hours and the pain it caused, but also its peculiar effect that often ended up hurting Shoun himself.
—At least it made you improve faster.
—I suppose so. By the way, don't you need any artifacts? I mean I understand why Robin and Sein don't, but what about you?
—My shadows are more than enough for most situations. For instance, I'll never need a healing artifact if I never get hit.
—Hmm, now that I think about it, I can hardly remember you ever taking a hit.
—I take pride in making sure that doesn't happen—Without another word, they continued walking until Deuz unexpectedly asked—Is there any particular reason you never told us you're gay?
—Wha—where did that come from?
—Walking in silence would be boring. Besides, I knew if I didn't steer the conversation, we'd end up talking about our mutual disdain for authorities—When the boy with the beret said this, Shoun realized his companion was right.
—Well... I guess you're not wrong. About your question, there's no real reason. I just don't bring it up much. Even though I like men, I'm not particularly interested in a relationship. And before all of you came along, Sein was my only friend... so he was the only one who knew. I assume he's the one who eventually told Robin.
—Heh. I can't imagine you telling Sein about that.
—That happened because one day he brought a...certain type of magazine, and when he noticed I had no interest in the models, the only thing he could think to say was "What's wrong with you, Shoun? Are you a fag?"
—Haha! He kinda guessed it, then.
—Looking back, it's funny now, but at the time I had to hit him to make him stop being so intolerant.
—I imagine he reconsidered quickly.
—Of course. Sein's naturally kind, saying things like that just came from ignorance and lack of exposure.
—It's surprising that even now there are people so ignorant they reject what's different.
—Tell me about it. I guess I've had it easier than most... I don't know much, but I do know Robin's had a hard time just for being themself.
—People don't like change or things that disrupt the status quo. From what I understand, before the Codex and vestiges appeared, that issue was making huge progress. Though of course it stopped being a priority when those monsters invaded our world—The young man just nodded at the boy with the beret's opinion. Before they realized it, they had reached their destination.
Before them stood a structure completely unlike New Caven's aesthetic, a building made of marble combined with some type of wood unknown to either of them. On its facade was a large symbol depicting the moon eclipsing the sun.
Right at the mausoleum's entrance stood two wretches. Both had humanoid forms with gaunt, greenish-toned skin, draped in tattered black cloth. Visible patches of their skin crackled with interference irritating, but nothing compared to the discomfort of Kaze's face.
—Looks like our peaceful trip ends here—Remarked the boy with the beret as his shadows coalesced into his signature daggers. Shoun summoned Iron Fang and took position.
—Let's finish this quick. Who knows what might be hiding around here—They launched forward simultaneously, overwhelming their foes. The vestige facing Deuz tried to disorient him, but the boy with the beret used his ability to appear behind the creature, driving both daggers into it instantly. Shoun faced no greater challenge, he simply charged at his wretch, whose inferior speed left it bisected before it could react.
[You have slain the "Priest of Perdition" a wretch]
—Priest, huh? Do you think this structure belongs to the Ancient civilization or the Ashen City inhabitants?—The young man asked while sheathing Iron Fang.
—Who knows? If more vestiges lurk here, the Codex entries might tell us—Without further words, they entered the mysterious Mausoleum of Gloom together. The interior was dimly lit by frosted ceiling crystals, just enough to see, yet leaving everything shrouded in perpetual shadow. Even so, Deuz remained clearly visible to Shoun.
The hallway was lined with abandoned furniture and mirrors, like everything in the mirror world, alongside paintings depicting familiar landscapes. Several portraits of what might have been people hung among them, though slashed beyond recognition.
—Wonder what this building was used for?
—Those vestiges were priests... Maybe a church?—Deuz replied uncertainly.
—I don't see any religious symbols beyond that moon eclipsing the sun. Even those vestiges didn't have that engraving on their "clothes."—Unable to discern more, they pressed forward. Rounding a corner, they found several rooms with more furniture and paintings, except one large chamber. Inside, six vestiges gathered: five Priests of Perdition and one unknown type. This new vestige wore black robes like the priests, but better preserved, with a hood draped over a skeletal head. The stranger chanted an unfamiliar prayer while the kneeling priests surrounded it.
—Tch. I'll handle that thing and two others. Take the rest.
—Got it.—Both stepped into the room, triggering the vestiges' immediate attention. They turned in unison, babbling nonsensical noise. The hooded vestige intensified its chant, casting a gray filter over the room. The youths' movements slowed abruptly.
Seizing the advantage, the priests lunged. Overwhelmed by the sudden assault, the pair could only defend and retreat.
The priests raked their razor-sharp claws across Shoun's skin. Even at his enhanced peak, he couldn't properly counter every attack, for some reason, most priests focused solely on him. Noticing this, Deuz channeled spiritual energy. Thanks to the perpetual gloom, dozens of shadowy tendrils erupted from the chamber floor, shoving the priests aside. Meanwhile, the special vestige, left defenseless mid-chant, was pummeled by a rapid barrage of Deuz's shadows, instantly dispelling the movement-impairing filter.
—Now, Shoun!—Without hesitation, the young man blasted forward with a Balance Voltage Impulse, reaching the robed vestige in seconds and decapitating it with Iron Fang in one fluid motion.
[You have slain the "Eclipse Bishop", a wretch]
—Phew... That could've gotten messy if the priests were stronger. Let's wrap this up—With the bishop's spell gone, the remaining vestiges posed no threat, being obliterated within seconds.
—We need to be more careful. No telling how many more of those things lurk here. How're your wounds?
—Just scratches.—The young man funneled electricity into his Clover Bracelet. The vestige-induced gashes closed rapidly, though the process drained a surprising amount of power relative to the injuries' severity.—(Hmm... This thing's lousy at healing. Even Kaze's green amulet worked better. Guess it makes sense—this was built for a different purpose, and it's not like I'll ever run low on electricity...)—He mused briefly before his companion called him back.
—Shoun, come look at this!—The young man approached where Deuz stood, the spot previously occupied by the bishop. Before them lay an altar bathed in an unnatural white light, atop which rested a book slightly worn by time.
—So that thing wasn't part of the vestige after all. Let's skim through it. If we find anything, we can even rub it in Robin's face—Shoun stepped forward and opened the book. Its pages were filled with words indecipherable to the apprentices, their meanings utterly lost on them. After flipping through countless pages, they reached the final one, where, curiously, a small passage stood perfectly legible. It read:
In that moment, day and night ceased to be. All was swallowed by eternal gloom, an endless eclipse. Humanity was dragged toward a bitter end, their bodies dissolved into shadows, their creations doomed to worship the crown of perdition.