Rise of The Strongest Monarch-Chapter 87: Only Death Awaits [2]

it really is starting to feel like death is coming for us with the way it is going but I know we can find a way out of this somehow.

"A path, that’s all we need," Zeno speaks up while looking around.

A path out of here would be great if one existed but I don’t think there’s one that goes up...

"I think there’s something over there," Amelia says while pointing to the right of us.

I look to the right, thinking it was covered by zierel but I can see an opening within the wall.

"That might actually be our way out of here after all," I reply with some hope in my voice.

"Let’s go before it disappears on us!" Zeno shouts.

I give him a hand as we all begin to make our way for the hole in the wall. It appears to be a tunnel but there’s no real way for us to figure out where it leads.

But Amelia is helping me get Zeno through this while Airi watches out back, keeping an eye out for any lingering zierel.

"Hopefully this tunnel leads out somewhere," Airi says with some worry in her voice.

"I’m sure it does," I reply, trying to reassure her a bit.

"Let’s just focus on getting ahead of the army behind us," Zeno chimes in.

We continue to walk for quite some time until another open room finally appears. Inside of the room is a bunch of old equipment, but why would it be down here?

"I see the way out," Amelia speaks up while pointing towards a dim light by a ladder.

I don’t even hesitate to make my way for the ladder instead of waiting around. My main focus is getting the hell out of here before more zierel can arrive.

As I reach the ladder I take a look back towards the hole we came through.

"Help get Zeno up first," I say while pulling my sword back out.

I don’t like the thought of staying back but letting him die would haunt me. I’d rather get him out of here before I climb out myself.

I’m pretty positive we put some distance between us and then for now anyway. I really hope I’ll be able to fight armies of them one day... Not that it is a possibility.

Even light bearers couldn’t stop them so what could I possibly do?

"Light bearers are quite interesting," Celeste speaks up with a calm tone.

I’d say so, I barely know a damn thing about them. They are strong, yet I can’t seem to understand why they never pushed the zierel back.

"Fate wasn’t on their side," Celeste responds.

Fate feels like it isn’t on my side either... Then again I keep surviving situations where I should be dead. That alone makes me think the complete opposite.

Maybe fate will work in my favor when it comes to wiping out the zierel. I have hope for that at least.

"Liam you can come up now," Airi says while beginning to climb the ladder.

I turn around to see them making good progress on the climb so I begin to follow behind them.

Each time I grab another handle it feels like it wants to break on me, the ladder is definitely older than I thought. It doesn’t stop me from climbing as fast as I can.

The sound of zierel below is quite motivating so I’ll definitely keep my attention towards the top.

"Hopefully we reach something soon," Zeno says loud enough for us all to hear.

"Getting tired?" Airi teases. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"The damage might be catching up but I’ll be fine," He answers calmly.

"I’m surprised a ladder is even here," I chime in.

"Someone’s looking out for us is how I see it," Airi responds with relief in her voice.

"Exactly why we need to make sure we get out in one piece," Zeno says with a serious tone.

I don’t really know how much was truly accomplished by killing that thing in the pit since the feeling is still lingering around me. Even though we killed the hybrid, it still feels as if something is off.

It might just be the way the pit feels at all times so maybe it isn’t a problem.

Airi or Zeno would’ve said something if they thought a problem was still around for us to handle... Unless the army of zierel is causing them to think otherwise.

That would make sense right now.

After a bit more climbing we finally reach a stopping point.

Hyup.

I pull myself up to see another small room that appears to be some sort of broadcasting room. Everything is broken or without power though so it doesn’t really matter.

But a door is across the room for us to go through.

"Let’s just take a small breather," Zeno advises while leaning against the wall.

I can see blood still visibly going down his legs and a bit down his chest.

"Let me stop the bleeding for you," Amelia says softly.

She walks over and manages to use her power to stop the bleeding for the time being before we take a moment to recoup.

"Liam help me block off this ladder," Airi says with a serious tone.

I don’t even say anything and just go over to help her block everything off. We put a bunch of old crates over it so that the zierel below can’t get to us.

It probably won’t hold them for a long time but we definitely won’t be around by then.

I take a seat on the ground and look back towards my arm. The veins aren’t really going crazy like before... Maybe I’ll finally get a break from the strange pressure.

"It was risky, but you did good," Airi says with a more positive tone.

I look towards her with about of confusion.

"You mean how I helped fight against the hybrid?" I question.

"Yes. You did a good job," Airi responds with a smile.

"I just couldn’t sit around while you two do all the fighting again," I say softly.

"Sometimes it is all you can do," Airi replies while taking a seat herself.

"That might be true. I just don’t want it to be like the day my family died... I can’t go through all of that again," I say with a bit of sadness seeping through my voice.

Airi just gives me a smile as my eyes linger towards Amelia.

"You have nothing to worry about Liam," Airi assures me.

"I appreciate the reassurance," I respond.

Fighting against monsters all the time really does take a toll on your mind but I can’t help the thought of losing everyone again. It is the one constant fear that never seems to go away.

It is the very reason I left Tess behind in the first place... Yet I can’t get away from people. They are all getting close to me again and I don’t know if that’ll be a good thing or not.

Death follows me everywhere I go.

I close my eyes for a little while after that final thought disappears... Getting some sleep before we continue our journey out of this place.

It doesn’t feel like I’m asleep for very long, especially since I wake up to the sight of Amelia next to me.

"Just making sure you’re not turning into a Zierel," Amelia assures me as she stares at my arm again.

"I won’t turn into a monster. I can promise you that much," I reply with confidence.

Celeste would’ve taken over a long time ago if she really wanted to or if she could. I don’t really have to worry about her trying to do that.

She’s been on my side with everything since the moment she started speaking to me. Mostly the urge to kill is what initially brought us to talking with each other... Something I never used to think about.

"I believe you, for now," Amelia says before standing back up.

I notice that Zeno and Airi are both up like usual, they always seem to wake up before we do.

"Heading out through this door is the only real option we have," Airi speaks with a serious tone.

"Then out we go," I respond while standing up myself now.

She opens up the door and begins to lead the way, showing another tunnel through the door.

As we walk through the new tunnel I can see a small glimmer of light in the distance, almost like someone put up something. But upon reaching the end of the tunnel I see something weird.

"How is this even here?" Airi questions with a bit of confusion in her voice.

"Honestly I was wondering the same thing as you," Zeno responds with confusion in his voice as well.

I don’t really understand what’s going on right now but they know something about the strange statue in front of us. This place is making less and less sense by the second....