Level-Up Apocalypse: Surviving With The Assimilation System
Chapter 151: To The Storm

Another tremor came, this time bringing them much closer to the rain of sediment from the reversed sky above.

"It's getting more frequent," Charlotte remarked.

"Yeah," Finn said. "Time is of the essence."

Even so, it didn't seem wise to simply barge on into the keep of the ludicrously powerful ruler of the First Order–that would be certain death, they were all well aware of that fact.

"This is it, isn't it? We're really going to confront that monster–shit," Jasper said, hardly sounding to believe it himself as the knight gazed up at the imposing structure ahead.

"Finn, you met him before so I'll trust you…Do you believe we can do it? Will we be able to win against him?" Charlotte genuinely asked, staring at the assassin with her sapphire gaze.

While looking upon the towering castle, Finn nodded, answering with a degree of confidence that almost seemed unreasonable considering the circumstances, "We can. Our chances are a lot better than you think–maybe even fifty-fifty."

"Seriously? How's that? You said that your system recognized the Storm King as a level one-hundred threat, right? That's double our highest here," Jasper reasoned.

While it was a good point, Finn answered by reaching under his coat, retrieving what instilled him with the hope that he had. He pulled out a sable, diamond-shaped object that was connected by an opulent sphere placed in the middle.

"This is our secret to victory," Finn admitted.

"Wait, that thing–when did you get that?" Jasper asked.

"Is that a Convergence Call? Hold on–you have one?" Charlotte blinked a few times while asking.

"Right before we entered the First Order. I had enough money to spare, so I grabbed it in the event we were ever in an impossible situation," Finn explained, tucking the object back beneath his coat. "I almost used it against Fafnir, but…Mangus acted first. But, it's because of what he did that we might just stand a chance today."

Revealing the item he so preciously held onto until this day noticeably changed the reluctance his companions held into confidence. What perhaps felt like nothing more than a fraction of a single percent now felt real–it was possible.

"It could work…It might," Charlotte began to accept it with a nod.

"There's no guarantee anybody will come. Even if some do, it might not even be enough. Something like this, well, mate–it's a shot in the dark, isn't it?" Jasper reasoned.

"You're right. There's a chance that really nobody will come. Still, it's the only thing we have right now, so all we can do now is just trust that people will come," Finn answered.

Amidst their discussion, a rumble came–though it was distinctly different, instead originating from the barrier up ahead. The opulent gates began to open on their own, dismissing the protective magic shielding the entrance to the castle.

"It's opening for us…?" Jasper watched.

"An invitation," Finn surmised. "--I think the Storm King wants to put an end to this as well."

The opened gate was a welcome change from diving into the foul sewers, leading him to pass the gates into a more illustrious walkway. Steps of pale, moonlit stone led towards the front entrance, neighbored by hedges carefully trimmed in the likeness of knights and heroes.

Between the trimmed bushes were statues carved of gold and implanted with amethyst gems; some of gallant warriors, others of divine maidens.

All of it was fittingly grand for the palace, though none more than the gilded door that awaited at the end of the path. A serene shine coated the doorway, like that of sunlight strained through glass.

"Alright, ready–?" Finn asked, standing in front of the illustrious doors as he held his hand towards it, glancing side-to-side at his companions.

A quick nod from the two brought him to push his hand against the door, only needing a light amount of force before it began to part for them. Like the breath of an angel, a warm wind left through the opened entrance, brushing by his ears like a gentle hymn.

An illustrious lobby awaited; of moonstone chiseled to perfection, stabilized by pillars protruding of heroes carved into monuments.

Finn passed through the entrance, immediately feeling the brisk air outside overcome by the interior; it was toasty with a refreshing sensation that made his skin feel as though moisturized by lotion and his body aided by plentiful rest.

"Feel that? The air, it's…rejuvenating," Jasper remarked as he stepped inside.

It was true enough; Finn felt it firsthand as the air he breathed in, coating his skin, acted like an all-in-one remedy.

"This place isn't normal–it's divine," Finn stated, having no other words to describe what he felt standing in that opulent room.

Such an atmosphere couldn't feel further from the crumbling world just outside of its walls–a glistening utopia.

Finn was taken aback by the feeling of perfect health with each breath, as were the others before the sound of the monumental doors shutting behind them returned their focus. The sudden closure of their singular exit sparked the knight to slam his fist against the doors.

"Dammit–!" Jasper let out, banging his gauntlet against the gilded material, though not budging the mighty structure in the slightest.

"We weren't planning on leaving anyway," Finn reminded his friend.

"I know, but–" Jasper accepted.

Amidst their exchange of words, it was cut short as the echo of footsteps brought their focus to ahead to the staircase of a hundred steps that led to a sacred chamber.

"--I must beseech to you to lay down your weapons. In the time of the world's rupture, the King must focus on maintaining it."

A voice, mighty and dignified with strength and honor, spoke earnestly from the steps, descending the high-reaching path.

The words spoken formerly, yet with announced power, came from a figure dressed in exuberant armor. A towering figure, broadly built like that of Hercules himself, dressed in golden plating.Wearing a lion-faced helmet and a cape made of a grand beast's pelt; it was a sight that was familiar to the assassin.

"Hold on, that's–" Finn recognized.

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Once more, the voice of the gilded figure boomed from the middle of the heavenly steps, calling into both hands a pair of colossal blades, "--If you insist on moving forward, I shall have to take action. For the sake of the First Order."

["Sleuth Status"]

[...Assessing information about [???]...]

[BOSS Identified: "Godfrey, The Exonerated Knight of The Golden Sky"] [Level: 60]

"It's him," Finn mumbled to himself.

Jasper glanced over to him, "What? You know that gold giant?"

"I met him briefly when we first got here, but…I didn't know it would end up like this," Finn answered.

As their weapons were drawn, another rumble was felt throughout the transient world; the sky shook, even bringing the floating castle to feel the effects. Like the grains of sand running fewer in an hourglass, time was fleeting–those frequent tremors made it all too clear.

"Go on ahead, mate–get the party started," Jasper said, readying his sword and shield. "I think we can handle this golden asshole, right?"

Charlotte answered by placing her fingers on her blade, infusing it with a burst of electricity with a nod, "We don't know how much time we have. Every second may count, so…We'll catch up."

Though he was well aware of the stakes, Finn hesitated with leaving his comrades to face the radiant figure, though accepting it as he placed his trust in their strength.

"Don't take too long, then–I'm going to need you both," Finn said.

"'Course, mate," Jasper assured him.

"--Go!" Charlotte shouted.

The urgency from the spellblade was spurred from the Knight of The Golden Sky leaping from the ascending steps. Each of them were forced to spread out before Godfrey crashed down with a mighty stomp, incurring a golden wave to spread through the moonstone chamber.

"Mercy has left my considerations. The world supersedes that," Godfrey announced, raising himself as the particles of golden light fluttered like snow amidst a winter storm.

["Turn Shadow"] [2:59]

Between the words of the gallant figure, Finn dived into the shadows, slipping right between the legs of the gilded knight.

"You!--" Godfrey shouted, spinning himself around while launching his blades downward with a radiant force.

The abundance of light emitting from the unwieldy swords pressed through the shadows, bringing the assassin to feel as though he was being tugged from behind.

'What–? That golden shine–it's bringing me out?' Finn realized.

He found himself emerging from the darkness forcibly, picking himself up without looking back. In that moment, he entrusted it all to his comrades–

CLANG

Between himself and Godfrey's blades came the shield of Jasper, stopping the powerful strike dead in its tracks.

"Go, mate!" Jasper shouted.

Finn listened, not intending to ascend the countless steps as he instead quickly threw his dagger towards the summit of the regal stairs–

["Blade Warp"] [Mana: -100] [3600/4000]

He found himself facing the opulent doorway at the peak of the steps just as another tremor shook the floating keep. Approaching the enigmatic gate incurred a peculiar feeling; a sensation like that of a subtle rejection pressed against his hand as he brought it to the silver entry.

'I can feel it–this will lead me to him,' he thought.