Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

"Melinoë," Sorin muttered. Something about the name bothered him. And yet, even with his eidetic memory, he couldn't recall ever hearing it before. "You're saying that name like I should know it. And it does sound familiar, even if I can't tell why that might be."

"When you get a chance, you should discuss the name with your family's historian," said Astley. "I'm interested in what they have to say. A copy of the written history is my preferred form of remuneration for information."

"As a team member, shouldn't you be more forthcoming?" Daphne asked sharply.

"You misunderstand," said Astley. "All I know is that individuals by the name of Melinoë have been problematic for the Kepler Clan. I don't know anything about the details."

"Let's not be overly focused on her," interjected Gareth. "There are other important parties in attendance. Heroes from neighboring provinces, for one. Famous heroes that chose not to break through for years, for another."

Of special note was the team from the Pollen Clan, whom everyone gave a wide berth. They were extremely influential in Delphi, largely due to their varied and potent inheritance. According to his family's records, the Pollen Clan held no less than four divine inheritances, all stemming from the Pandoran Apollo. Two were mage inheritances that revolved around light and fire, and one was an archer's inheritance that incorporated fire into its attacks; the demigod protector of the city was said to cultivate this inheritance.

The last inheritance caused the Kepler Clan endless worry, as it was a comprehensive life magic inheritance that specialized in healing. As a result, the Pollen Clan produced many physicians, and their influence in the Medical Association was second only to the Kepler Clan's.

"That group over there is hostile to us," said Gareth, pointing at another team. "Do you have any idea who they are and why they hate you so much?"

Sorin turned his head toward a growing source of hostility among the gathered heroes. "That's the Hargrave Clan. Their hostility toward me and the Kepler Clan isn't undeserved or unexpected."

"Hargrave?" said Daphne. "You mean the famous plague mage family?"

"That's the one," confirmed Sorin.

"Why would the Hargrave Clan hate you of all people?" asked Lawrence. "You're a poison user, just like them. Or is it a power thing? It's a power thing, isn't it? Worry not—even if you don't tell me, I'll make it my business to find out."

"Now that you've identified them, that reminds me of a piece of information I dug up a while back," said Gareth. "The Hargrave Clan is your mother's old clan, isn't it?"

"They never really forgave my father for stealing their clan's genius," said Sorin. "And after what happened with my parents three and a half years ago, they naturally blamed my clan for not protecting her. I also heard one of their clan's inherited treasures was lost in the aftermath."

"So that makes three influential teams that mean you harm," said Astley, realizing for the first time how much of a trouble magnet Sorin was in Delphi. "Will this be a problem?"

"Strictly speaking, it shouldn't be," said Stephan. "Humans aren't to fight each other during the Shrine Descent. That being said, depending on the nature of the Descent, there are other ways to cause problems for teams you don't like."

"I think you're underestimating how many enemies I have," said Sorin drily. He could sense hostility in various amounts from at least half the participants in the Descent. "But hopefully, Stephan is correct, and nothing will come of it. Now quiet; it looks like something's about to happen."

A group of white-clothed cultivators trickled out from the double doors of the shrine. Thirty-six women were carrying what appeared to be a small stretcher. Atop the stretcher, a woman sat with her legs crossed. The woman was extremely attractive, lending credence to Lawrence's 'information' about Administrator Pollen's infatuation with her.

Yet what drew Sorin's attention wasn't her looks but the sheer amount of corruption contained within her body. To clarify, she was not corrupt. Instead, she seemed to be using her body and the large number of golden chains draped over her white robes as a prison for corruption.

As though sensing his gaze upon her, the individual who was undoubtedly the Chief Oracle of Delphi abruptly turned her head in Sorin's direction. Cold eyes filled with malice snapped open, and for a moment, Sorin considered fleeing for his life.

Fortunately, the moment passed; the hostility faded. Not because those madness-filled eyes regained lucidity but because the golden threads stitching the Chief Oracle's eyes, clothes, and mouth shut activated, sealing away her sight and clamping her lips down over abnormally sharp teeth.

The interaction immediately attracted unwanted attention. Sorin felt a surge of hostility from a figure seated atop the Shrine of Delphi, a bow-wielding man in plain clothes. Sorin felt his blood boil as the demigod made eye contact with him. They were intense eyes that could dispel illusions and pierce through all earthly forms of concealment. Fortunately, Sorin had the fox's amulet; the demigod's gaze failed to detect his status as a Corrupt God Seed.

The demigod's probing left just as quickly as it appeared. Sorin regained his faculties just as a member of the Chief Oracle's entourage began reading from a golden scroll.

"The Oracle has finished her preparations for the Shrine Descent," read the oracle. "As is done every decade, the seal has been opened. It falls to you, brave young heroes, to clear out the corruption threatening to engulf Delphi.

"Administrator Pollen, our provincial guardian, has confirmed the general arrangement of the catacombs. The first phase of the Shrine Descent will be conducted as Boss Hunt.

"You will now enter the catacombs where many elite demons have spawned. These elites are easily identified—their corruption is intense, and their bodies each contain a Core of Corruption.

"Those who gather five Cores of Corruption will qualify to receive Lord Hope's Blessing and will be allowed to continue to the second phase of the Descent. Rest assured that Lord Hope will grant adequate Rewards for a lesser number of cores.

"I wish you all luck. The fate of Delphi is in your hands. Your success will determine whether Delphi will continue to endure the onslaught of the Seven Evils.

After reading the scroll's contents, the Chief Oracle's attendant withdrew, and the group of oracles retreated into the temple. Once the Chief Oracle was safely back within the shrine, the demigod guardian, Administrator Pollen, raised his hand. A golden rift appeared at the center of the assembled teams.

Melinoë and her team entered the rift without any hesitation and were closely followed by the Pollen Clan's team. Next up was the Hargrave Clan's team, one of the strongest local teams. The rest trickled in order of perceived strength.

"Quite the orator, that oracle," said Lawrence with a forced laugh. "You'd almost think Delphi's been destroyed before."

"Three times," said Astley.

"Pardon?" said Lawrence.

"What Astley is saying is that Delphi has been destroyed three times in the past," said Sorin. "History is clear on this point. I have no idea why that is and why we'd keep rebuilding a city in the same cursed place, but that's how things are."

"A layered ruin like this is quite rare," Astley confirmed. "By investigating each stage, I'll be able to further refine my theories."

"I'm not opposed to digging up old history, but I think we should move," said Stephan. "If we don't go through soon, we'll look like total pushovers."

"We'll go in four groups from now," said Gareth. "That's about where I place the strength of our team."

"New skill?" asked Stephan.

"Indeed," said Gareth. "It's very useful for identifying good or bad matchups."

"Wait, we're the 20th strongest group here?" said Lawrence. "Doesn't that mean we don't stand a chance in this competition?"

"To be clear, the strength I'm evaluating is each team's superficial strength," clarified Gareth. "Our team has a significant hidden strength that a skill like mine—or those belonging to other teams—can't easily pierce."

Sorin nodded. "Your evaluation of each team isn't surprising, given the state of their bones. Every member on these 'stronger' teams has at least ruby bones if not bronze bones. As for their leaders, their bones are actually well on their way to silver."

"Wait, are you saying that I'm the one holding us back?" said Lawrence.

"I believe he meant you and Gareth," Astley chimed in. "I've got ruby bones, for the record."

"It's only a matter of time before our entire team has bronze bones," said Sorin. "No need to get tied up over such small matters."

Stephan nodded in agreement. "Hope's Blessing will only make the process easier. If we do well in the shrine Descent, it won't be out of the question for our entire team to break through to the Flesh-Sanctification Realm."