Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

As predicted, the demons they encountered only grew stronger. After felling four demons apiece, Gareth convened their two groups to continue the hunt more safely.

Many of their team members opposed this at first, but all complaints stopped once they found their first casualties of the shrine descent. A group of three heroes, all with ruby bones, had been killed before they even knew what hit them. It took them a prolonged battle to locate the armored monstrosity lurking in the sewers and avenge their slain companions.

Thanks to Gareth's potent vision and vision-sharing ability, Sorin and company were distinctly aware of how few elites remained. Not because of the lacking number of elites, as they were quite concentrated in the center of the city, but because other teams were closing in on all sides.

"One of the teams left a runic perimeter on the left," warned Daphne as they approached the ring of corruption outlining the core region."

"Um, there's some weird magical device flying just beside us," said Lawrence. "It seems to be invisible in most cases?"

"There's also a few human scouts keeping an eye on us," said Gareth, pointing out three locations on their group map. "This delve is no longer a simple hunt."

"I don't see why we'd need to worry," said Stephan. "We already have five cores apiece. I doubt every other team will be so lucky."

"I think that's exactly why we need to be careful," said Sorin, sensing aggression mixed with something else from the ones spying upon their group. "I'm going to keep Lorimer tucked away in my pocket so we can keep a portion of our power hidden."

"That's not a bad idea," said Gareth. "Let's try to keep our abilities hidden as much as possible."

In the end, a runic shield stopped their advance. The shield, formed of millions of runes, abruptly cut off the corruption from the core, leaving only the tiny remnant they'd experienced so far leaking out. Beyond it writhed hundreds of horrors. Each of these creatures was an elite of the same caliber as the strongest they'd fought to date.

It was behind these demons that they finally witnessed the true horror of the catacombs: a towering mass of tentacles coiling around a stout, cylindrical body. Its eyes were stitched shut using the same golden runes that floated throughout the shield. It was clear to everyone that breaking the shield would unseal the dreadful creature.

"Some of the more important teams have begun gathering," said Gareth. "I can lead us there, but someone else should take charge."

All looks turned to Stephan, but the beast-shift warrior shook his head. "I might be the team leader, but I'm ultimately a foreigner here. Sorin, you take charge."

"Me?" said Sorin. "I don't think that's a good idea. If I talk, they'll think our team represents the Kepler Clan."

"I'm pretty they've already assumed that," said Daphne. "Besides, doesn't your clan have some sort of relationship with half the core teams?"

"If you mean bad relations, then yes," said Sorin.

"Stephan and Daphne are right, Sorin," said Gareth. "You're the most suitable representative. Just… control your temper, will you?"

"It's not that bad," grumbled Sorin.

Having decided their plan of attack, they flew over to where Melinoë's team had stopped just outside the shield. The Pollen and Hargrave Clans were already there, as was another powerful team that seemed to enjoy equal standing with them.

Knowing that it might be presumptuous on his part, Sorin had their team approach them instead of holding back like the other teams. His actions provoked an immediate reaction from the Hargrave Clan.

"You have a lot of gall, coming here when most other teams linger outside the perimeter," said their leader, a mage in his mid-twenties who reeked of poison. "You're not worthy, Sorin Abberjay Kepler. Your place is with the rest of the rabble, not with us decision-makers."

"Charles," Sorin greeted the leader of the Hargrave Clan's team. "It's been five years since we last spoke. How's your aging grandfather holding on? Is he still a foot in the grave, as always?" Like the Kepler Clan, the Hargrave Clan had a demigod, but this demigod was injured, making their position tenuous at best.

"He's holding out better than your late parents," snapped Charles. "What's it like being part of a clan that's barely holding itself together?"

Sorin, who had only recently found an outlet for his inner violence, smiled and answered his provocation. "So not well, then? I can't think of any other reason someone like you would bark so hard."

"If the Kepler Clan's representative can't speak here, the Hargrave Clan can't either," the leader of the Pollen Clan cut in. "Sorin," he greeted with a nod.

"Michael," answered Sorin. They'd met briefly at a social event six years prior. "You mentioned something about an upcoming inheritance trial last time we met. Judging by your bearing, the trial must have gone better than planned."

"I'm afraid I must join Charles in questioning his team's qualifications," said a young man with long blond hair. "As their representative, you have partially sealed bronze bones. As for the rest of your teammates, three have ruby bones, and two have sapphire bones. Though most of their meridians are fully unblocked, I'm afraid they don't quite meet the mark."

Sorin had never met this individual, but judging by the insignia on his clothes, he was from the White Tower Group, an influential faction in Olympia. And judging by his aura and the way he spoke; he was a light mage. In addition to purification magic and direct damage magic, they had an affinity for detection and vision spells of all kinds, which explained his ability to precisely evaluate his teammates.

"Only two of your teammates have bronze bones, and one of them has emerald bones," Sorin replied in kind. "Moreover, you clearly suffer from a congenital condition that has cursed you with a short life and an inability to… perform in some respects. When you suffer from chills that wake you in the middle of the night, have you considered inhaling blue lavender vapors to alleviate the symptoms, or have they already lost their potency just as you have?"

The man's eyes narrowed. "Given how many enemies you already have, it seems inadvisable to make more."

"And given that you're not native to Delphi, I'd advise mixing into our local politics," Sorin replied. "Besides, weren't we just having a friendly conversation? I can't think of any other reason you'd so rudely scan my companions. Also, you seem to have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don't know yours."

The mage's eye twitched, but he ultimately answered Sorin: "Bast Phillips. I believe one of your teammates might be a cousin of mine."

"Have you all finished acquainting yourselves?" said Melinoë, finally approaching their gathering. "Then let's get down to business. The corruption in this place is strong, and many of the teams here won't be able to hold out for long."

"If they can't hold out, then they should leave," said Charles. "Besides, I still object to Sorin's presence. The Kepler Clan's backing would barely qualify him to participate, but from what I'm aware, they haven't officially sent a team for the Shrine Descent in decades, and no formal team was announced this year either.

"I don't represent the Kepler Clan," Sorin admitted. "But that doesn't mean my words don't hold weight. Just as Stephan's words might hold a bit of weight in the York Clan, and Astley's words might hold slight weight with the Order of Phantasia."

The introduction of two other major organizations and Bast's insinuation that Daphne was related to him was enough to give any undecided parties pause.

"I personally believe Sorin is more than qualified to attend this gathering," said Melinoë.

"Based on what?" pressed Charles.

Melinoë smirked. "I don't recall needing your approval on this matter. In case you've forgotten, the administrator placed me in charge, not you. And even if I weren't in charge, his great-grandson would take charge, not you."

"Let's just accept Sorin's presence and decide our next course of action," said Bast in agreement. "As the wielder of the Ten Thousand Poison Canon, he might prove useful in fighting a Flesh-Sanctification Demon, even if it is sealed."

Sorin looked at the horror, which had rune-covered eyes at its center. "You intend to release this monster and kill it to obtain its core?"

"Precisely," said Melinoë. "According to the Temple of Delphi's official declaration, five Cores of Corruption are required to enjoy Lord Hope's Blessing. This is also the minimum qualification to proceed to the next phase, as without his blessing, it will be impossible to withstand the corruption deeper in the catacombs.

"Only a quarter of the teams, half those present, have met this standard. The other half have already withdrawn from the trial after suffering unexpected casualties or realizing they were in over their heads.

"Even if we don't break open the seal, they will. A bloody war will be waged in the core region, and without our participation, this will result in immense casualties."

"I understand," said Sorin. "You intend to have the other teams, the ones still short on cores, clear the way to the dungeon boss. While they fight the elites, our teams will deal with the sealed three-star demon."

Melinoë nodded. "My proposal is simple: our teams will collaborate to kill our way into the center, collecting a few more cores of corruption in the process. We'll then enter the forbidden zone surrounding the horror and collaborate to slay the creature before it's fully unsealed. While my team might be able to kill the demon given enough time, the seal won't last more than fifteen or twenty minutes. Once it's fully undone, none of our teams will be able to deal with the creature."

"Though I'm not opposed to participating, I'd like to know upfront what the split is," said Charles.

"We'll split the core into five equal portions," said Melinoë.

"That's more reasonable than I expected," said Michael. "What exactly is the reason for your generosity?"

"Generosity?" said Melinoë. "Surely you jest. None of the people present in this gathering are simple. While on paper, my status exceeds everyone's; I'm sure the hidden cards everyone reveals in combat will shake things up.

"Besides, a fifth of a three-star Core of Corruption should be more than enough to enhance Hope's blessing for an individual. Getting greedy for the entire core would only decrease everyone's motivation."

Sorin frowned when he heard this. Normal cores could be split amongst his team members, but a core fragment could not. He was tempted to refuse to participate but decided that they could trade away the core fragment for additional corrupted cores to enhance the blessings of their entire team.

"Have you decided on whether or not your team wishes to participate?" Melinoë asked Sorin.

"We'll join you," Sorin confirmed.

"Excellent," said Melinoë. "I look forward to a fruitful collaboration. Now come, Bast. It'll be quicker if we join the rest of them in destroying this shield. At the rate they're going, it could take them days."

"The White Tower Group is here at Melinoë's invitation," said Michael as the two walked off. "They're the two major outsider factions, while the Pollen Clan and Hargrave Clan have formed a temporary alliance to protect Delphi's benefits. As for your team… you're, unfortunately, a mixed bag. How in Pandora did you get involved with the York Clan and the White Tower Group's power struggle anyway? Also, weren't you in exile for three years? What gave you the courage to dive back into that pit of vipers you call a clan?"

"I could tell you everything," said Sorin as Melinoë and Bast began pounding away at the barrier. "But in exchange, you'll have to tell me how your family so consistently produces God Seeds."

Michael chuckled. "The Kepler Clan's always been quite perceptive. We weren't planning on tipping our hand so early, but Melinoë's appearance forced our hand. Honestly, I'm confused. She and your clan have always been like ice and fire."

Sorin had no idea what he was talking about, but he chose not to let it show. "What is enmity in the face of mutual benefit?"

Michael nodded. "Indeed. That's why we're all here despite being at each other's throats, isn't it? I never did like Charles, but he has Delphi's best interests in mind just like I do."

"Unfortunately, I need to excuse myself," said Sorin. "As latecomers, my team still have no idea what's going on."

"It's not too late to pull back," advised Michael. "Since it's Melinoë we're talking about, there's no way this is just a straightforward battle. I'd keep my guard up if I were you."

"Noted," said Sorin.

When he walked over to their team, he was surprised to discover that they'd already guessed the topic of discussion. "Boss battle?" asked Lawrence.

"Boss battle," confirmed Sorin. Stephan and Astley groaned as they each forked over a heavy bag of gold.

"So it's our five teams against that monstrosity?" said Gareth. "I'm not worried about the rest of us, but… can you handle it, Sorin."

Sorin nodded. "This place takes a lot out of me, but I should be good for one last battle."

"Just let me know if it proves too much, and I'll pull you out," said Gareth. "And don't forget that those four teams came in knowing exactly what we were up against, while the others, including ours, came in blind."