After walking for some time, Surya finally reached the grand hall of the cave.
The hall was enormous.
Ancient pillars stretched toward the darkness above, while strange symbols glowed faintly across the walls.
At the center stood a throne.
Yash was chained before it.
Surya made an emotionless blank face.
Surya (thinking): He must be acting.This is probably part of some investigation.I should stay hidden for now.
Tigera sat comfortably on her throne.
[Tigera]: I have accepted you as my enemy, kid. It's a shame that I have to deal with someone your age.
[Yash]: Same goes for me.To deal with a useless woman who couldn't even dodge a single strike earlier.
Tigera's face twisted with rage.
She was trying very hard not to lose her composure.
Surya, who was hiding nearby, started sweating bullets.
[Surya]: That kid is a menace to society.
Tigera forced out a laugh.
[Tigera]: I like your confidence. I hope I'll earn your respect when I hand you over to Majesty Grandor.
[Yash]: Doesn't that just mean you're too incapable to deal with me yourself?
The vein on Tigera's forehead twitched.
[Surya]: That damn brat. He somehow finds a way to get under everyone's skin.
Tigera laughed again.
Though this time it sounded noticeably less natural.
[Tigera]: Very amusing. However, you're destined to die sooner or later. The place hardly matters. Do you know this cave isn't even known to Majesty Grandor? Only I, the great Tigera, know about this place.
She puffed out her chest proudly.
[Yash]: Now that you've mentioned it... What's so special about this place? Isn't it just some rotting cave?
[Surya]: This kid truly has no respect for anyone.
Tigera grinned.
[Tigera]: You're too naïve to understand.Though I can't really blame a child for being ignorant.Have you ever heard of Stone Prophecies?
[Yash]: Stone Prophecies?
Yash asked with a puzzled expression.
[Tigera]: Stone Prophecies. Prophecies sent by the gods themselves. Events that are destined to happen no matter what anyone does. Even if timelines are altered. Even if history is changed. The prophecy will still find a way to create the destined outcome. I only realized that truth a century ago.
Silence...
[Tigera]: Every living planet possesses Stone Prophecies hidden somewhere.
For the first time, both Surya and Yash listened carefully.
[Yash]: Does that mean...The paintings inside this cave are Stone Prophecies.
[Tigera]: Some have already come true. Others are still waiting for their time. Even Earth has Stone Prophecies. Though they are said to be hidden within Naga's Mouth Cave under the possession of the Immortalus Society.
Her smiled widened.
[Tigera]: Even your home planet, Greto, possesses Stone Prophecies somewhere. Isn't it fascinating?
Her eyes gleamed with obsession.
[Yash]: What do you want from me?
Yash asked calmly.
[Tigera]: What do you mea—
[Yash]: Stop pretending. I know you have no intention of handing me over to Grandor. You're planning something else entirely, aren't you?
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Then Tigera burst into laughter.
[Tigera]: My, my. Looks like I've been exposed.
She slowly rose from her throne.
[Tigera]: You're right. I have no intention of giving you to Majesty Grandor. There is something I want from you specifically.
[Yash]: What is it?
Tigera's smile widened.
[Tigera]: Oh, there are many things I originally planned to do. However, I'll keep those to myself for now. What I'm actually going to do is perform a Possessional Ritual.
[Yash]: I see.
[Tigera]: It's rather unfortunate. The rules of the ritual require me to explain everything to the sacrifice beforehand. Only then can the ritual begin.
Yash narrowed his eyes.
[Yash]: I think I understand. You're trying to summon Yera into my body, aren't you?
Tigera blinked.
Then she smiled.
[Tigera]: So you already know. That certainly saves me some effort.
The ritual's purpose was simple.
Eject Yash's soul.
Replace it with another.
The soul of Yera.
A godlike entity sealed away long ago by Shadow Lord himself.
According to the legends of the Finale War...
When Shadow Lord, his wife One Winged, and his companion Destruction God marched against the Domino Communities, Destruction God encountered an overwhelming opponent.
A being powerful enough to erase him.
That being was known as the God of Yera.
During that battle, Shadow Lord personally sealed the God of Yera away before continuing the war for another month.
No one knew how much of the story was true.
But it was one of the few fragments of ancient history that still remained.
[Tigera]: And now... I shall remove your soul from your body. I hope you don't mind.
She began walking toward Yash.
The atmosphere grew heavier with every step.
[Yash]: I think I've gathered all the useful information. She's useless now.
The moment those words left his mouth—
A figure exploded from the shadows.
Boom.
Surya appeared.
His kick sent Tigera flying across the hall.
The throne behind her shattered.
Before she could recover—
Clang.
The chains binding Yash were sliced apart.
[Surya]: Those chains seemed pretty weak for holding someone like you.
[Yash]: To be honest, I was trying very hard not to break them myself during the conversation.
Surya returned to his usual emotionless blank face.
Surya (thinking): As expected. He was acting.
Crack.
The stone floor exploded.
Tigera shot forward.
Her blade collided with Surya's sword.
Clink.
A violent shockwave echoed through the hall.
[Tigera]: Seems like this will end quickly, boys!
The temperature of the room seemed to drop.
The tension returned instantly.
No more games.
No more talking.
The battle had begun.
To be continued...