Chapter 270: Going In

Chapter 270: Going InApollo’s expression sharpened, his interest clearly piqued. "Unimaginable horrors, you say? Go on."

Morrak hesitated, licking his dry lips as he struggled to put his thoughts into words. "The Ancient Flame Archive... It’s not just a vault of knowledge or treasures. It’s sentient and alive. A sentient trial ground created by the Black Flame Sovereign himself. Those who enter are subjected to tests of strength, will, and understanding of the Flame Laws. But..."

He shuddered. "If the Archive deems you unworthy, it doesn’t just kill you. It erases your existence. No soul, no memory, nothing left behind."

Apollo remained calm, though his fingers twitched slightly at the weight of the revelation. "And those who succeed? What happens to them?"

Morrak’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of fear and awe. "Those few who emerge alive are reborn. They gain the Flame Sovereign’s recognition, a part of his power, and access to his legacy. They’re seen as chosen ones, often rising to rival the Flame Lords themselves. But..." He gave Apollo a long, searching look. "No one in the last ten thousand years has succeeded once."

"Oh, ten thousand years, hah," then second is it. "Let’s have a look at the Ancient Flame Archive." He smiled and looked at Morrak, who was confused.

’Didn’t he hear what I just said? Going to the archive is a death wish,’ he thought.

He wasn’t anxious for Apollo’s safety, but because his life was in Apollo’s hands. If something happened to him he didn’t know, would he survive or not?

Apollo smiled as he noticed the Morrak’s expression, "It’s just ten thousand years; it isn’t much. I should be able to do it."

He said with confidence that he didn’t have much of an option, and he also believed in himself.

Morrak groaned, rubbing his temples as if Apollo’s words were giving him a headache. "You are insane," he muttered under his breath. "Ten thousand years of failure, and you think you’re the exception? Do you have any idea what kind of monsters have died in that place? Beings with strength and wisdom far beyond what either of us can comprehend."

Apollo chuckled, his calm demeanour unwavering. "And yet, none of them were me. Let’s not dwell on the past, Morrak. Lead me to the archive."

He stared at Apollo, a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration flashing in his eyes. "Fine," he sighed, throwing his hands in the air. "But when you’re gone, I should be able to remain alive, right... right?"

"Ah... No."

"Fuck!" Morrak shivered at the blunt honesty of Apollo’s words but could only nod, as he had no choice and resigned himself to his fate. "Follow me, then. The entrance to the Archive is in the central region of the city."

"Although the central region is more guarded and not everyone can go there, expect the only place where everyone can go."

"Let me guess: it’s the Ancient Flame Archive." He said calmly.

"Yes, it is the only place and the greatest treasure and opportunity given to all by the great sovereign." Morrak nodded.

He then led him through the city’s labyrinthine streets and through a small transfer portal before they arrived at their destination.

The moment they landed just outside the gate of the central region, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thicker and heavier with the raw, ancient energy of the flames that seemed to pulse in sync with the city itself. Even he felt the pressure bearing down on him, a constant reminder of the realm’s overwhelming power.

As they approached the grand entrance to the central region, Morrak stopped and turned to Apollo. "This is it. Beyond this gate lies the heart of the city, the central region. But it’s also where the most powerful beings dwell. You’ll find the Ancient Flame Archive there."

He observed the towering gates ahead, their semi-metallic surface etched with glowing, fiery runes that seemed to shift and writhe like living flames.

Both of them then calmly entered through the gates, and nobody stopped them, which frankly was a surprise, but then again, this is the home of the strongest beings in this dimension. Even if somebody tries to do something, they will be evaporated instantly as the central region is protected by the sovereign aura itself.

They crossed it, and after moving for some time, quickly arrived near their destination, as they were able to see the large burning building covered in flames and ancient runes filled with ancient aura and power. The entire area was quite empty, as although this burning Flame Archive had extreme treasure and opportunity, you needed to be alive to get it.

And after seeing failure after failure in the last ten thousand years, it was naturally normal for people to lose interest in it.

Apollo stood still for a moment, staring at the Ancient Flame Archive in awe. The building was unlike anything he had ever seen. Flames roared endlessly along its surface, yet they didn’t spread outward or burn the ground around it.

The ancient runes etched across its walls pulsed with a rhythm, like the heartbeat of an eternal flame, exuding an aura of timeless power.

Morrak, standing beside him, muttered nervously, "This is it. The Ancient Flame Archive."

He said nothing, taking a confident step forward. The ground beneath his feet seemed to vibrate faintly, the sovereign aura of the place brushing against his senses.

"It’s quieter than I expected," he remarked as they neared the Archive’s entrance, his gaze sweeping over the desolate surroundings. The lack of activity was eerie, given the Archive’s legendary reputation. "I guess repeated failure does scare people off after a while."

Morrak chuckled nervously. "You think? Only the desperate or insane come here now." He paused, glancing at him. "Which one are you?"

He smiled. "Neither. I’m the one who will succeed."

After this, his attention was fixed on the grand entrance to the Archive. The flames covering the doorway parted slightly, revealing an inner chamber glowing with intense light. The air around the entrance shimmered with power, and he could feel the weight of the dangers ahead pressing on his shoulders.

Morrak hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "This is as far as I go," he said, stepping back. "You’re on your own from here. Just... try not to get yourself killed. If you do, I’m probably done for too."

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Alright, Ancient Flame Archive," he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of determination and excitement. "Let’s see what you’ve got."

With that, he stepped through the flaming doorway, the searing heat wrapping around him like a second skin. As he disappeared into the glowing chamber, Morrak stood frozen in place, watching the entrance close behind him. He only hoped some miracle would happen and Apollo would survive. Then, could he also remain alive?

The moment he stepped inside, he felt an intense heat, and for a moment, he felt he was going to be burned alive, but in a fraction of a second, the burning sensation disappeared, and the flames around him seemed to stop hurting him.

He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as the intense heat dissipated. The flames that had threatened to consume him now flickered harmlessly around his body, as though they recognized him—or at least tolerated his presence.

The air inside the Ancient Flame Archive was dense, almost suffocating, but it carried a strange vitality as if every breath he took filled him with boundless energy and a daunting sense of responsibility.

From inside, the space within the archive was different, as he had asked a few things about it. According to Morrak, what they see and experience inside the Ancient Flame Archive differs from person to person, so no one can tell what they will experience.

He seemed to appear in some vast chamber stretching infinitely in all directions. The walls were made of shifting fire, their colours fluctuating between deep crimson, molten gold, and a pale, ethereal white. Ancient runes floated lazily in the air, each one filled faintly with power.

As Apollo moved further in, the floor beneath his feet seemed to form from molten obsidian, solidifying with every step.

This place..." He muttered, his voice echoing faintly. "Is weird."

Ahead, a towering pedestal of black stone emerged from the fiery expanse, its surface carved with intricate patterns that glowed faintly.

Suspended above the pedestal was a sphere of pure golden flame, burning brighter and fiercer than anything he had ever seen. It radiated a presence so overwhelming that Apollo instinctively halted, his instincts warning him of its danger.

He looked at the golden flames with interest, but as he reached close enough, the golden flames seemed to flicker, making him alert. And he took a cautious step forward, the obsidian floor beneath his feet crackling faintly with each movement.

Buzz buzz...

Boom!!!!

The golden flames suddenly seemed to agitate and explode. The explosion was large as waves of never-ending golden flame seemed to envelop him entirely in an instant.