Chapter 53: Closer to the truth
Following Norm’s suggestion, everyone made their way over to the large group of Awakened gathered at the foot of the huge rock formation.
The closer they got, the clearer the mood in the air became.
Tense. Oppressive. There was an overwhelming amount of frustration and anxiety going about.
Far more people were gathered than Rohan first thought from the top of that ridge. Or perhaps even more Awakened had arrived in the time his group made their way over, but there weren’t just dozens; rather, close to a hundred Awakened were spread out in loose circles and little cliques, all keeping a cautious distance both from each other and the rock formation ahead.
It was easy to distinguish who entered the gate in groups and who formed loosely tied together groups after finding out about the mysterious happenings over the past few days.
Some sat on boulders or against dead tree trunks to conserve their stamina, some kept their weapons drawn and eyes trained on the entrance, occasionally flicking their attention to the other Awakened around them. While a larger group near the front near the entrance to the place were arguing in hushed but heated tones.
Not a single person there looked relaxed, victorious or even like they were about to charge in. This rudimentary encampment looked more like a rest stop than a gathering of Awakened to solve a major problem they all faced.
That alone confirmed their suspicions more than anything else.
"They really are stuck..." Liam muttered.
Norm’s expression soured.
The rock formation itself looked even stranger up close.
From afar, it had just seemed like a giant natural structure of stacked black stones and jagged spires. Now, however, it was obvious that it wasn’t natural at all.
In fact, it wasn’t made of rock like everyone thought but a different material. Clearly much more robust than the other rock formations they came across, or someone would have attempted to dig through it already.
Upon closer inspection, the outer layers were all covered in tiny little spikes identical to the ones launched by the Spike Beasts. Portions of the formation had melted and reformed into smooth, sloping surfaces, while other sections jutted out sharp enough to skewer a person on. Aesthetics alone, this place practically screamed that it was the lair of the boss of this gate.
At the centre lay a dark, cave-like entrance wide enough for several people to pass through side by side.
Or at least, it had once been open.
Now a thick translucent layer of materials stretched over the entrance like a membrane, shimmering faintly under the colourful aurora in the night sky above.
Rohan’s eyes narrowed.
’So this is it. If this place doesn’t give us some clues on what’s happening in this gate, we’ll never find any.’
"Another group," someone nearby muttered as Rohan’s team approached.
A few nearby Awakened glanced over, then away again once they registered that Norm’s group included injured members. Most seemed too preoccupied with the formation to care much about newcomers.
Elane’s gaze moved constantly, taking in faces, weapons, and body language.
"They all look pissed off," she whispered.
"Wouldn’t you be?"
Rohan replied to her quietly.
They had all come this far for the same reason. The centre of the gate. The Elite. The salvation that lay waiting on the other side once they took care of it.
Only to find themselves halted outside like beggars at a locked door.
Norm stepped forward and addressed the group of older looking Awakened who seemed to be at the centre of the discussion.
"What’s the situation?"
A broad shouldered man with a scar running down the side of his neck looked over at them. His armour was battered, and one of his gauntlets was missing entirely.
"A little late to the party, aren’t you?" He said flatly.
Norm didn’t answer, grunting as he jerked his chin toward the injured members behind him. That was enough of an answer.
The man moved on quickly and turned his gaze over to the sealed entrance.
"Nobody’s getting through that. We’ve tried brute force, coordinated strikes, and ranged bombardment. We even have a few people here with strength-type genes make a few attempts. But so far nothing’s worked."
One of Norm’s group stepped forward.
"And the Elite? How can we be sure if it’s even in there?"
The scarred man’s expression didn’t even shift to the new voice.
"This is its lair. If the Elite isn’t in there, then this gate would have long closed already."
The young man who asked that question shrunk back after that, not wanting to utter another word and bring even more embarrassment to himself. It was common knowledge that gates collapsed once the boss was taken down, so the mere fact he’d even questioned that made him look like a buffoon.
"Are you sure you’ve tried everything?" Norm asked.
"If you can think it, we’ve tried it. Though you’re welcome to give it a go yourself. It’s practically become a right of passage for every newcomer at this point."
The scarred man wasn’t going to push things any further, already having enough of talking to Norm. He walked away and sat down in an unoccupied corner, closing his eyes to meditate in silence by himself.
Norm turned back to face Rohan and the others.
"Well, I’m not going to give up until I’ve exhausted all options."
Rohan walked over to his side with a nod. With nothing better to do in this situation, he thought he may as well give breaking through the membrane blocking the entrance a try rather than standing around idly doing nothing like the others.
Elane joined them after half a second of deliberation on her own. She was of the same mind as Rohan. Remaining passive in this situation just felt wrong.
The other five stayed behind and watched as Rohan, Elane and Norm approached the thick, translucent membrane layered over the entrance.
"Looks like another group of newcomers are giving it a try."
"I’ll bet 1 crystal on them giving up after one try."
"Put 2 down for me."
Chatter started to filter around them as more and more people turned their gazes to watch the new arrivals embarrass themselves just like everyone else had before them.