Arrival of the keys ( chapter 26)

The first light of dawn pierced through the frost-rimmed windows of the castle, casting fractured patterns of gold upon the ancient stone walls. Winter's breath lingered in the air, crisp and biting, weaving a subtle stillness into the morning. Yet within one particular chamber, warmth stirred—not from the hearth but from the figure lying on the modest bed, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.

Rudra opened his eyes, their dark depths void of emotion as the haze of restless dreams gave way to the sharp clarity of reality. Slowly, he sat up, the movement devoid of the effort it had cost him days before. The crushing weight that had once threatened to suffocate him with every step had lessened. The remnants of that burden still clung faintly to his body, but it was no longer the chain that had once bound him to weakness.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, his bare feet met the icy surface of the stone floor, sending a fleeting chill through his limbs. He flexed his fingers experimentally. The faint resistance he felt confirmed it: the weight-training bands, invisible yet suffocating, had done their work, carving out strength in his very bones.

A knock at the door disrupted his introspection.

"Come in," he called, his tone steady and emotionless, as though it were a mere reflex rather than an invitation.

The door creaked open to reveal Ray, whose radiant smile lit the dim chamber like a torch. His attire, a blend of fine fabrics and royal embellishments, spoke of his noble standing, though the grin plastered on his face was entirely unbecoming of royalty.

"Good morning, miracle boy," Ray teased, strolling in with exaggerated flair. He carried a neatly folded bundle of clothes—a sleek black tunic and silver-trimmed trousers—balancing it precariously on one finger like a juggler about to perform. "Master Edhir sent these. Says you're ready to see more than the training grounds."

"More?" Rudra asked, blinking slowly, his calm tone a contrast to the chaos Ray brought into the room.

"Yep, More. You know, where the real fun happens," Ray quipped. He tossed the clothes onto a chair but miscalculated, sending the bundle tumbling to the floor. "Oops. Well, you've got it from here," he added cheerfully, completely unbothered.

Rudra stared at the fallen clothes, then back at Ray. "You're worse than useless."

Ray placed a hand on his chest, feigning a dramatic gasp. "And here I thought we were bonding."

Without further ado, Ray turned on his heel and exited, whistling a jaunty tune.

Once dressed, Rudra stepped out into the morning chill. The training grounds stretched before him, the mist from previous days having lifted to reveal a vast expanse bordered by imposing mountains. At the center stood Master Edhir, his presence commanding as usual, with tendrils of black fog coiling lazily around him.

Ray was already there, leaning against a wooden post, looking effortlessly charming as he caught the sunlight on his golden hair. Rudra narrowed his eyes slightly at the scene.

"Why do you always look like you're posing for a painting?" Rudra asked, his deadpan voice cutting through the crisp air.

Ray glanced at him, smirking. "It's a gift. You should try it sometime, though I'm not sure anyone's ready for your charm."

Rudra rolled his eyes, muttering, "I'll leave the 'charm' to you, poser."

Master Edhir beckoned Rudra closer, his stern gaze softening ever so slightly. As Rudra approached, the older man patted his head—an act that felt entirely out of place for someone so stoic.

"You look... promising," Edhir said, his tone carrying a rare note of approval.

Suddenly, Rudra's expression shifted. He froze, swatting at his head as if trying to rid himself of an invisible pest. "Did you just pat me? Like a dog?"

Ray burst out laughing, doubling over and clutching his stomach. "Oh, that was priceless. Miracle boy, reduced to a puppy!"

Rudra shot him a cold glare. "Laugh it up. I'll trip you in the mud later."

Edhir raised an eyebrow but said i just removed the gravity on you try to move now stepping back as Rudra tested his strength. Taking a cautious step forward, Rudra's body surged with newfound lightness. On his second step, he broke into a sprint, moving so fast that he nearly overshot his path—and tripped.

"Whoa!" Rudra skidded to a stop, barely avoiding crashing into Ray. Straightening himself, he brushed invisible dust from his tunic, then glanced around with a calm facade. "That didn't happen," he said flatly.

Ray smirked. "No, no, of course not. You're a picture of grace."

"I'll throw a rock at you next time."

Before Ray could reply, Master Edhir's voice cut through the banter. "Enough. We leave now. The gateway awaits, and we cannot afford delays."As they reached their

Rudra stood rooted in place, his normally stoic expression betrayed by the faintest flicker of awe. Before him loomed the gateway to the World of Keys, a marvel that seemed to straddle the line between the natural and the divine. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—or imagined.

The gateway stood high in the air with the shape resembling a colossal heart. Its surface was an intricate tapestry of ancient stone entwined with gnarled roots, as though nature itself had sculpted this masterpiece. Deep cracks etched across the structure glowed with veins of liquid gold, each pulse radiating an otherworldly energy that resonated in the very air. The golden light ebbed and flowed like a heartbeat, casting ethereal shadows across the clearing.

Encircling the gateway was a crown of dark, twisted branches, their jagged forms almost sentient in their movements. They swayed gently, not with the breeze, but as though they were alive—guardians standing vigil over the sacred relic. Above, the air shimmered with a faint, unnatural light, a haze of teal mist painting the surrounding trees in silhouettes that appeared both haunting and serene.

Through the glowing fissures that carved the gateway, another realm could just barely be glimpsed—a tantalizing hint of something vast and unknowable.

For a long moment, Rudra said nothing. He simply stood there, his dark eyes reflecting the golden glow of the gateway. The overwhelming beauty of the scene momentarily broke through his usual detachment, leaving him silent and still.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady, though tinged with uncharacteristic wonder. "Is this... what you were talking about? The gateway to the World of Keys?"

Beside him, Ray crossed his arms, a soft smile playing on his lips. His usual teasing demeanor gave way to something quieter, more thoughtful. "Yeah, that's it," he said softly. "Beautiful, isn't it? Every time I see it, I still can't believe my eyes."

Rudra nodded slowly, as he agrees on that part

"Maybe," Rudra deadpanned, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

As they reached the bustling crowd near the gateway, Rudra noticed the whispers and stares directed their way. Ray, of course, thrived on the attention, waving at the onlookers like royalty greeting his subjects.

Rudra and Ray made their way through the dense crowd, weaving past a sea of anxious faces. Thousands had gathered for the fabled Ceremony of Keys, their collective murmurs filling the air like a swarm of buzzing bees. The sheer scale of the gathering was enough to make even the stoic Rudra pause. He stopped mid-stride, staring at the sheer number of people, a rare flicker of surprise on his otherwise emotionless face.

"Hey, Rudra!" Ray called from a few steps ahead, snapping him out of his daze. "What are you doing just standing there? Father's calling us."

"I wasn't standing," Rudra replied flatly. "I was... analyzing the strategic positioning of the crowd."

Ray snorted, shaking his head as he tugged Rudra forward. "Sure you were, miracle boy. Next time, try analyzing while walking."

As they pushed past the crowd, they finally reached King Drayen, who stood near the gateway with an intense, contemplative expression. His regal robes fluttered lightly in the wind as he turned to them, his gaze softening slightly.

"Be safe," the king said simply, his voice carrying a genuine concern that struck a stark contrast to the grandeur of his position.

Before Rudra could respond with his usual indifferent tone, a loud, commanding voice boomed across the clearing.

"In a few moments, the gates will open!" announced a royal guard, his deep voice cutting through the hum of the crowd. "All who are here for the Ceremony of Keys, assemble into your groups!"

The murmur of excitement immediately died down, replaced by the shuffle of thousands moving into orderly formations. A hush fell over the area, broken only by the rustling of feet and the occasional whispers.

The anticipation was palpable, and Rudra, despite his usually unshakable demeanor, couldn't help but feel a faint sense of curiosity. He glanced at Ray, who was staring at the gateway with his usual bright grin.

As the tension built, names began to ripple through the whispers in the crowd. "Ray... Vidar... Luna…"

At the mention of Luna's name, the murmurs seemed to take on a more reverent tone. And when she finally emerged from the crowd, it was easy to see why.

Luna was like a vision from a dream. Her silver hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading in soft waves that framed her delicate, porcelain-like face. Her skin glowed faintly, as though kissed by starlight, and her eyes, a celestial mix of silver and icy blue, seemed to hold the mysteries of the cosmos within them. She moved with an effortless grace, each step as fluid and captivating as a moonlit tide.

Rudra stared for a moment, more out of curiosity than admiration. "She looks like a walking bedtime story," he muttered under his breath.

Ray heard him and burst out laughing. "You've got a way with words, Rudra. But maybe don't say that out loud."

Rudra tilted his head, confused. "Why not? It's accurate."

As if on cue, a group of girls nearby began whispering and giggling, their gazes fixed on ray . One even seemed to muster the courage to wave shyly.

"Wow, Mr. Popular," Rudra muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ray turned to him, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Speak for yourself. The girls are swooning over you. You're like a moody hero from a romance story."

"Great," Rudra said flatly. "I'll start a fan club later. Let's just get this over with."

But as they continued toward the gateway, Rudra couldn't resist a subtle glance over his shoulder, noticing a group of giggling girls pointing in his direction. He sighed

Their playful banter was cut short by a sudden shift in the air. The entire crowd fell silent, their attention snapping to the gateway. The cracks in its heart-shaped structure began to glow brighter, and faint tendrils of golden mist seeped out, coiling like living threads.

Rudra's eyes narrowed as he stared unblinking at the phenomenon. The mist twisted and danced before solidifying into small, human-like creatures no larger than 10 centimeters. They fluttered on delicate wings, their forms as varied as they were strange. Some had beast-like eyes and horns; others were wingless with luminous auras or single, piercing gazes. Each was unique, an embodiment of their mysterious nature.

"What… are those?" Rudra asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity for once.

"Keys," Ray answered, his tone quieter now. "They're here to choose their wielders."

Rudra observed them intently, his gaze calculating. "Why don't I see any stones like you mentioned?"

Ray grinned. "They only appear once a Key has chosen its owner."

Rudra hummed in understanding and continued watching as one of the Keys descended toward a random boy in the front. The crowd erupted in gasps and applause as the boy was enveloped in a faint glow. When the light faded, a small, gleaming stone rested in his palm.

"Middle rank… Larva class," someone whispered, and the crowd buzzed with amazement. Even a mid-tier Key could drastically change a person's life.

As more Keys selected their owners, the most whispered names where left unchosen Ray , Vidar and Luna , found themselves still standing, unchosen. Rudra tilted his head, his tone flat but questioning. "Why hasn't one picked you guys ?"

Ray shrugged. "Sometimes the higher-ranked Keys mark their owners from the start and They watch, wait, and observe before making their choice. It's not like i am acting cocky or anything "

Before Rudra could respond, a sudden chill enveloped the area. A dense, black fog began to swirl before him, coiling and twisting like a living shadow. The crowd backed away in fear as an oppressive aura descended, suffocating the air.

"Uh… Ray?" Rudra said, his voice as calm as ever, though his eyes flickered with intrigue. "Is this normal?"

"No," Ray muttered, his usual grin replaced by a wary frown.

The fog condensed, forming a sphere that began to spin at an impossible speed. Thousands of black rings circled its surface, making it impossible to see what lay within. The sheer pressure it exuded was enough to drive most of the crowd back—except Rudra, who stood his ground, staring at the phenomenon with unblinking curiosity.

"What's happening?" Rudra asked, tilting his head as though analyzing a puzzle.

Ray, now standing several paces back, called out, "Rudra, maybe step back—"

The black fog suddenly exploded outward, a deafening silence following as the entire ceremony seemed to hold its breath. All eyes were on Rudra...