-----
After climbing countless stairs and crossing a floor paved with white bone tiles, they finally arrived at a vast arena built within the remains of a colossal Bone Beast. The arena and its seating were entirely crafted from the creature’s white bones, shaped and assembled by masterful Bone Crafters.
A large audience had already gathered. Hundreds of Undead of various shapes and sizes filled the stands—so unlike anything Elayne had ever seen. There were black trees with legs and dangling fruits that resembled red eyes, blue-skinned goblins with white horns, and demon-like beings with six arms, their skin either crimson or cobalt, their golden eyes sharp and piercing.
These beings bore no resemblance to typical undead. They weren’t skeletal, decaying, or ghostly. This was another truth Norman had once shared with her: these were mbers of the "Nine Noble Races of the Netherworld."
While common Undead like Ghosts, Zombies, and Skeletons were the most widespread, the Nine Noble Races were the true powers of the Netherworld. They had established kingdoms, empires, and nations, each ruled by their own bloodlines. These beings existed between life and death—technically alive, yet capable of surviving in the Netherworld by adapting their biology to absorb Ghostly Energy and Nether.
They reminded Elayne of the Mushrooms and Moss she had once befriended.
Norman had only known of four noble races, but Sailor had told her about the others. The Nine Noble Races of the Netherworld were:
The Blue Ghostly Goblin RaceThe White Ghost RaceThe Withering Tree RaceThe Rakshasa RaceThe Asura RaceThe Jiangshi RaceThe Vampire RaceThe Ghoul RaceAnd the noblest of them all, the Nether Dragon Race
So of these races treated all mbers equally, while others were divided by castes or bloodlines. The Nether Dragon Race, for instance, had splintered into over five distinct families, each descending from their Great Ancestor.
There were likely other intelligent races as well, but these nine controlled most of the Netherworld’s territory and were constantly vying for resources and dominance.
The Demon King of Death must have arrived in this chaotic realm and, through sheer power, established himself as a new force to be reckoned with. His presence had stirred the other races, who now viewed him as a threat.
To Elayne’s surprise, Thanatos had managed the Netherworld with unexpected grace. He was now regarded as a powerful and just ruler—at least by so—who sought unity among the Undead and dread of conquering the Living World, a dream shared by many races trapped in the Netherworld.
"Here we are..." the soldier said.
Elayne and her group were led into a small chamber beneath the public seating. A large tallic gate stood before them, currently closed. It was made of iron bars, allowing them to see into the arena beyond.
Inside, a group of Undead Soldiers were locked in brutal combat with monstrous Nether Beasts—and being utterly annihilated. The opening battle was clearly for entertainnt; none of the soldiers were expected to survive. In the end, only one creature remained: a massive, bat-like quadruped that devoured the souls of the fallen.
Suddenly, four ghosts composed of black and dark blue lightning descended. They unleashed a strange technique, binding the beast in Yin Lightning Chains and dragging it away as it shrieked in fury.
Elayne could hear its voice.
"It hurts...! I did everything you asked! Why won’t you let go?! How much more must I suffer... Kill ...! Kill !"
Despite its monstrous appearance, its voice was articulate and filled with anguish. Yet no one else seed to hear it.
"I see you’ve grown a stronger soul."
A familiar voice cut through the air.
Elayne turned sharply. Behind her stood a tall skeleton wreathed in red and blue flas, clad in heavy, spiked dark-blue armor. In his right hand, he held black chains connected to the collar of a three-headed, dog-like Nether Beast that snarled at them.
It was him.
The bastard who had tornted her and Mark since their arrival.
Commander Blazer.
"I don’t know how you managed it without soul pills, but it doesn’t matter," he sneered. "You’re all going to die today, your souls devoured by my magnum opus. So get ready."
He gestured to the beast. "This? She’s my new pet. A gift from the Black General of White Bone City, for raising such a powerful soldier that even the Nobles took notice."
"...Blazer," Elayne said coldly.
"Oh? You know my na? How adorable," he chuckled, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "I can’t wait to watch you burn. You remind of everything weak about being alive. The sooner you’re gone, the better. Co, my beast. Let’s leave these fools behind and enjoy so crystallized souls. I’m starving."
The three-headed dog appeared obedient, but Elayne could hear its true thoughts.
"I’m hungry...!"
"You eat all the soul crystals and leave us scraps!"
"I want to eat you, bastard! One day, I will!"
All three heads loathed Blazer. They were starving—and furious.
Elayne couldn’t help herself. She giggled.
No, she burst out laughing.
"Pfff... Hahaha!"
Blazer turned, puzzled. "Oh? Have you finally lost your mind?"
"No, not at all," Elayne replied, her grin wicked. "It’s just... you look absolutely ridiculous riding that three-headed mutt. Hahaha!"
"...Hah?"
Blazer drew a blazing sword and pointed it at her, but stopped himself. He couldn’t kill her yet. He had promised the crowd a grand spectacle.
"You’ll see what’s waiting for you soon enough. Let’s see who’s laughing then."
He turned and walked away, unaware that Elayne had accomplished sothing while distracting him.
Behind the dog and its armored handler, a small patch of moss and mushrooms had taken root.
Sailor noticed it imdiately. Elayne had done sothing—sothing she hadn’t told anyone about. And sothing about her had changed. Her deanor was different. Sharper. More calculating.
Ten years of ditation had altered her mind.
She had beco cunning.
"What’s wrong, Sailor?" Elayne asked, her eyes still shadowed with sorrow. "Let’s enjoy the gas while we wait for our turn."
She turned her gaze to the arena, where warriors and beasts clashed in brutal combat. Sotis the warriors triumphed. Other tis, they were torn apart.
Sailor glanced at the floor.
Moss.
Then, near the arena seats—mushrooms. Small, sprouting, and unmistakably alive.
"What? Is this her doing?"
He couldn’t be sure. How could anyone make plants grow instantly, especially in the Netherworld?
If it wasn’t her... then who?
As he pondered, the gates creaked open, and two guards approached.
-----
User Comments
0 comments from readers