"Your task is to choose the right person to help you find that door."
From within its coiled body, the tip of its tail rose, pointing upward. Only then did Jenkins rember to look up.
As far as he could see, the cave stretched to its limit. The ceiling was a vault of dark rock, from which hung dozens of brass-colored tal cocoons. Vents of hot air, erupting from the sea of magma below, made the chain-suspended cocoons sway constantly, looking as though they might plumt at any second.
There were well over a hundred of the spindle-shaped cocoons, but Jenkins was in no mood to take an exact count.
"The rules are simple, Savior. You have three chances. You will choose three tal cocoons and persuade the beings within to enter the magma and find the gate that leads out of here for you."
The human-faced chanical snake watched Jenkins, its forked tongue flicking in and out. The tip of its tail quivered slightly, a motion reminiscent of a rattlesnake.
"I can assure you, there is a living being inside every cocoon. They are all capable of moving through the magma. Whether or not they will agree to help you, however, that is entirely up to you."
"So, all I have to do is find the door?"
Jenkins asked.
"Yes, just find the door..."
Before it could finish, Jenkins leaped from the large rock, plunging downward. In a typical Mysterious Realm, following the rules was the key to survival. But in a realm created by the Difference Engine, following the rules was the fastest way to die.
Ice Solidification.
As he fell, an aura of intense cold radiated from his body. By the ti he neared the surface of the magma, he had transford into a cascade of falling white frost.
The frost slamd into the magma. The stark contrast of temperatures sent a cloud of white steam billowing upward, so thick that even the human-faced snake, peering down from above, couldn't see what was happening below.
"Oh, how impulsive~"
The snake flicked its tongue and coiled back, a strange smile plastered on its face. It waited only a few seconds before, just as it expected, Jenkins ca flying back up as if for his life, perched atop a high stool.
Behind him, a massive black hand surged from the depths of the magma and seized the outcropping of rock. As the hand retreated, it tore away a third of the stone platform. Only then did Jenkins manage to land.
"You're far too impulsive. I didn't have a chance to tell you. There are maddened archdemons living in the magma. Only the creatures from the cocoons can move through it without drawing their attacks."
By now, Jenkins had pieced together the basics of this Mysterious Realm. First, this place had likely been torn from a larger dinsion—so kind of molten hell—to form this spatial fragnt. Second, according to the requirents of the Reverser of Fate ritual, this realm most likely corresponded to his [Twin Demons] ability.
But if this was truly about reversing fate, he would have to defy the destiny tied to the [Twin Demons]. How he was supposed to accomplish that, he had no idea.
He had already used his [Ice Solidification] ability. While it hadn't allowed him to enter the magma, it had at least cooled a patch on the surface, creating a small platform of hardened rock where one could stand. The attempt wasn't a total failure—at least, it didn't seem so now.
"Now then, choose a cocoon... or, you could always take another dive into the magma."
The human-faced snake said.
Jenkins snorted. His gaze swept upward, and he pointed to the cocoon hanging directly above their rock platform.
"I'll take that one."
The grinding sound of chains echoed from high above as the chosen cocoon was lowered on its brass links. It landed on the rock with a heavy thud. Thankfully, it was a relatively "soft landing"; otherwise, Jenkins feared the entire platform under his feet might shatter and plunge into the lava.
When the human-faced snake made no move to open it, Jenkins summoned his sword and split the cocoon's shell with a single, sharp blow. A thick, black smog imdiately billowed out. Jenkins recognized the acrid stench at once—it was the unique "aroma" of Nolan, a sll born from the city's countless polluting factories.
He covered his nose and retreated a step. Erging from the black smog was a gaunt, middle-aged man. He was bare-chested, wore a miner's helt, and clutched a pickaxe in his left hand. Patches of black soot sared his torso. He wore ragged black trousers, the cuffs frayed and torn, with several patches that were themselves stained with gri.
The man crawled from the cocoon, looking as if he were on the verge of death. Jenkins imdiately stepped forward to check his condition.
He was only a breath away from death, yet sohow, he couldn't seem to cross that final threshold. Jenkins suspected the Mysterious Realm had locked his vital signs in place, leaving him perpetually dangling on the precipice of oblivion.
"Wait, he's not alive... is this a spirit?"
"Help... save ."
A hoarse voice pleaded with Jenkins. The miner spoke the common tongue of the Fidektri Kingdom in the 18th Epoch, but his accent wasn't from the western Nolan region. It sounded more like that of soone from the northern mountains.
"Who are you? Do you rember how you got here?"
He helped the miner sit up, letting him lean back against the sundered halves of the tal cocoon.
"I rember."
The miner nodded weakly.
"There was a cave-in. We all died. My soul just... drifted. Then I ended up here. I was caught by... sothing terrible. It put in this cocoon. Yes, oh, a demon! It was a demon!"
His voice rose to a sudden shriek and he tried to push himself upright, but the effort drained him. He collapsed back into a heap, his body wracked with tremors—a clear display of absolute terror.
"A soul captured by a demon after death..."
Jenkins mused, then asked:
"Forgive my asking, but which god do you worship?"
The miner didn't answer. He shot Jenkins a fearful glance before shrinking into himself and lowering his head.
Thanks to his acquaintance with Viscount Augustus, Jenkins was familiar with the "normal procedure" for mortal souls after death. Barring a few rare exceptions, the core essence of a soul would pass into the realm of the Ancient God of Death to continue its journey, while the majority of its spiritual substance remained in the material world.
This miner, however, was a complete soul. Jenkins figured the faith he was too afraid to na must be problematic—the worship of so malevolent god or another unsavory entity. That would explain why a demon had been able to snatch his soul after death.
"I think I understand. Now, do you have the ability to travel through the magma?"
"Yes, but it will burn my soul... Sir, I beg you..."
He reached out pleadingly, trying to grab Jenkins's leg, but Jenkins took a subtle step back. His eyes flickered to the human-faced chanical snake. It was still wearing that sa terrible smile.
"So, does this an I've found soone who can help find the gate?"
"You could have him try. He claims he has the ability. How would I know if he is telling the truth or a lie?"
The human-faced snake placed a heavy emphasis on the word "lie," and Jenkins had a strong feeling it was being sarcastic.
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