Chapter 41 – The Gatekeeper’s Toll

  Ray ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

  His lungs burned. His muscles screamed. But he didn’t slow down. He couldn’t. Behind him, the sound of snarls, shrieks, and stomping feet echoed through the tunnel.

  “Just a little more. Just hold on.”

  He dared not look back—but he could feel Alkan close behind, the sound of metal slicing through flesh ringing out now and then. Alkan wasn’t just running—he was fighting too. Every few seconds, Ray would hear a sharp grunt or a beast’s final cry.

  The Fallen weren’t attacking like before. They weren’t throwing themselves at Ray or Alkan recklessly. It was almost like they were keeping a distance, watching.

  Are they… scared? No, not scared. But cautious. They saw what happened to that monster. They know we’re not weak.

  Even if they didn’t have human thoughts, something primal held them back. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was just animal instinct. But not all of them were like that.

  The dormant ones—those creatures that barely had a mind—still came charging like wild dogs. They didn’t care about who Ray or Alkan were. They just wanted to bite, to claw, to tear.

  And that’s what made them dangerous.

  Still, they were easier to handle. Alkan cut through them with sharp, practiced moves. But Ray could tell—he was slowing down.

  “Hang in there, Alkan… Just a bit more.”

  Ray kept running, his feet slamming against the stone floor. The narrow path twisted and turned, again and again, until the stone walls suddenly gave way—and they stepped into a vast, open hall.

  Ray stumbled to a stop, eyes wide.

  The chamber was massive. Endless. No visible walls. No ceiling that he could see. Just open darkness stretching in every direction—except for the front.

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  There, standing tall and unmoving, was a giant stone door.

  Strange symbols covered it. They glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat. The sight of it filled Ray with hope—and a hint of fear.

  “This is it.”

  He turned and shouted, “We’re here! Just a few more minutes and we’re out of this hell!”

  His voice echoed through the emptiness.

  He didn’t wait for a reply. His hand went straight into his pouch and pulled out the pearl—the one he’d taken from the fallen devil. It was warm in his hand, glowing softly like it knew what was coming.

  He looked up at the gate and spotted a round groove in the center.

  Please… let this work.

  He pressed the pearl into the groove.

  The reaction was instant.

  A deep hum vibrated through the air. The symbols on the gate lit up, one after another. A ripple spread out, warping the air like waves in water. Ray stepped back, shielding his eyes from the brightness.

  Then—

  Silence.

  The gate stopped moving. The light dimmed. Everything froze.

  “No… no, come on. Don’t stop now!”

  Ray looked back. Alkan had just stepped into the hall, barely holding the swarm back with the glowing charm drawing more and more towards him. He was panting hard now, drenched in blood—some of it his own.

  Ray’s heart raced.

  Then something on the floor caught his eye.

  A faint circle, glowing with a soft blue light, had appeared in front of the door. It looked like a symbol—some kind of pattern that wasn’t there before.

  Ray stepped toward it. As soon as he got close, he felt something strange.

  A pull.

  Deep inside him, something was being drawn out—something he couldn’t see or touch.

  Then he realized—

  “My soul essence…”

  His knees buckled. It felt like part of him was being ripped away. Not just energy, but something deeper. Something personal. He tried to pull his hand back, but it was too late. The gate had latched onto him, and it wasn’t letting go.

  “Damn it!” he shouted, teeth gritted. “Take it then! Just open already!”

  The pull grew stronger. His body shook. His vision blurred. He was being drained fast—too fast.

  Then—finally—the gate moved.

  A deep groan echoed as the massive stones began to shift. A thin line of light appeared at the center, widening slowly.

  Ray gasped and dropped to one knee, completely exhausted.

  He turned his head and yelled with all the strength he had left, “Alkan! It’s opening! Get ready to run!”

  Alkan didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

  He was surrounded. His charm was flickering, drawing the frenzied hunger of the outers. But still, he fought. Still, he held the line.

  Ray clenched his fists and forced himself up. Don’t stop now. Just a little more.

  He stepped forward again, placing his hands back on the glowing circle.

  The pull returned—stronger this time. But he didn’t resist.

  “Take whatever you need… just open already.”

  The door groaned louder. The crack widened—still not enough, but close. Maybe one person could squeeze through now.

  Ray looked back again, eyes filled with worry.

  Just a little more… Just enough for us to get through. Please…