Chapter 83
"I came here because I wanted to make sure I did all that I could and there is still much we can do to prevent the worst case scenario." Rook said.
"I'm ready to go down there too." Epel spoke up.
"Then I say we strike while the iron's hot. Let is be off to Tartarus." Vil said leading the group out of the room.
"Whoa, wait just hold on." The Head Technician called out as they reached the door.
"Do you need something else?" Vil asked as the group turned around.
"At least take these with you." The Head technician insisted as he handed Vil a few items.
"What have we here? ID cards? A map of HQ, some transceivers and three key chains?" Vil asked as he held each item up.
"You can't use the building's internal comm system right now, but the analog wireless transceivers don't require an internet connection or signal repeater. You should be able to communicate with them as long as there's not much obstructing the signal. Those key chains are actually activation keys for our last report high powered anti phantoms weaponry." The Head Technician explained.
"Come again?" Vil asked raising an eyebrow.
"Tartarus is an enormous underground containment facility comprised of three towers the more dangerous Phantoms are kept in the lower sectors closer to the bottom and the most dangerous ones are the three titans in sector 12 on the lowest level those are the original Phantoms the ones said to have been sealed here since the Age of Gods." The Technician continued.
The group gasped in surprised.
"There's a hanger on sector 6 of each tower, and each hanger holds one thunder spear. Those are the weapons the Jupiter family forebear supposedly used to seal the Titans. Those activation keys will allow you to take the spears out of the hangers Tower 1 hold the Phantom of Stone the Earth Titan. Tower 2 holds the Phantom of Ice the Crystal Titan Tower3 holds the Phantom of Fire the Magma Titan." The Technician explained as he ticked them off on his fingers. "No mage could take on a titan without a special weapon no matter how exceptional they were insert the activation key and the navi system will tell you how to use them. We have no choice but to entrust them to you I'm so sorry we're not able to do more."
You hardly need to feel responsible we're choosing to venture into Tartarus after all it seems I was the one who incited Ortho's actions. We'll gratefully accept the Thunder Spears. "Vil said as he headed off the items to others in the group.
"The spears can fire extremely powerful blasts of magic lighting, but they require time to recharge after each use. Now that the island is on emergency power you won't find many places to charge their technomantic energy in Tartarus just remember you have to charge them again after you use them. We'll do everything we can to support you and please be safe." The Technician said.
"Now then according to the staff Tartarus has three towers I think we should split up into three teams we must save what little time we have to mitigate the risk of complete loss." Vil said once the group was out in the hallway.
"We'll have to go through all three anyway or else me might miss Grim." Epel pointed out.
"Very true as for teams since we're both juniors and Housewardens I believe it would be best for Leona and I to lead separate teams. I'll take Tower One and Leona can take Tower Two that leaves Tower 3." Vil suggested.
"I'll lead the 3rd team. I've been Housewarden the second longest after Leona." Riddle volunteered boldly.
"Very well, I trust you have no objections Azul?" Vil asked looking over to him.
"None at all, Riddle has far better grades than me in both the classroom and in the field." Azul said holding his hands up in surrender.
"Epel and Odette and I shall go with Vil, battles are all about team work and it's easier to support someone you've spend more time with. It'll be easier for us to safeguard Odette as well." Rook pointed out.
"I'll try not to slow you down." Odette mumbled under her breath.
"That leaves Azul and Jamil, we just learned about our magical properties and performance in detail from those exams so I think Jamil and I should team up with the leaders whose magic is most compatible with ours." Azul said.
"Hmph, snakes and octopuses are both schemers that use others as a shield when push comes to shove I don't care who comes with me Just pick someone." Leona grumbled.
"Then I'll join Riddle in Tower Three Leona's desiccating signature spell would be a poor fit with a merman." Azul decided.
"Alright then I'm with you Leona I look forward to working with you." Jamil said.
"Then let's get rolling Just keep this in mind the first to reach the Underworld gate gets to beat up Radish Spout without anyone there to stop them how's that for motivation Just sit tight and you can go back to school in the morning my foot, I don't appreciate getting dragged into this mess." Leona growled.
"The prospect if getting to smack Idia is a rather inspired incentive Leona." Vil chuckled.
'It really is.' Odette thought with a smirk.
"This isn't a drill people we need to stay sharp at all times." Riddle reminded them.
Meanwhile down at the Gate to the Underworld Idia and Ortho were watching the group.
"Idia the NRC students are heading to Tartarus they REALLY want to stop our plan." Ortho pointed out.
"Ugh, those troublemakers always get in the way, it never fails." Idia lamented.
"Ahaha, check it out, looks like they're splitting into three teams to clear Tartarus that's cool it's just like the NRC quest game we talked about." Ortho giggled.
"It's gonna tale more time to melt all the ice in Tartarus and unlock the gate to Underworld. Ortho go play with them some." Idia ordered.
"Sweet! I was afraid we wouldn't be able to game together anymore this is great and this time I'm the boss." Ortho continued to giggle but it turned sinister.
As Vil grouped enter the Emergency Stairwell at the top of Tower One the could hear moaning and the temperature dropped dramatically.
"So this is Tartarus the Phantom containment facility it's so vast and deep it's rather overwhelming." Vil commented as he looked down at the spiraling center.
"I'm feeling a cold updraft Winter back in Haverston is mighty frigid but this ain't quite the same." Epel said.
'I feel like I've felt this before but where?' Odette thought as she looked over around the stairwell, blur flaming lights ran along the dark grey wall, the only thing separating them from the open space was a thin metal railing.
"Agreed, this chill is spine tingling it elicits an instinctive shiver perhaps it's not a mere updraft but the chill of a fear that of our own mortality." Rook waxed on.
"Well, this is certainly a place where the living have no business lingering." Vil said.
'And Grim's here all alone?' Odette thought. "I can't see the bottom how far does it go?" Odette asked as she moved towards the wall.
"According to our map there should be an elevator nearby that will take us down into Taratrus, ah there's the door." Vil said as they found the elevator. He pushed the button but nothing at all happened, it didn't even light up or make a sound.
"Of course it won't budge." Vil sighed.
"They did say Ortho had control of all the electronics in this place. Maybe he's shut down the elevator to keep us from interfering with his plan?" Epel suggested.
Suddenly the elevator came to life, it appeared and the doors opened.
"The elevator door opened you know this is,…" Rook began but Vil cut him off.
"Almost certainly a trap yes, a prankster android and an elevator are a diabolical match but it is our only way forward let's just hope he doesn't shake the elevator up and down."
They get into the elevator, as soon as the doors shut behind them Ortho appeared a screen in front of them.
"Hey guys! Welcome to Tartarus Tower One the cursed containment facility." Ortho greeted.
"And there's our prankster now." Vil sighed.
"I can't believe I get to see a real life version of Night Raven Quest and it's got new characters and classes we never expected." Ortho smiled.
"Wait, what's Night Raven Quest?" Epel asked.
"This is your party's first checkpoint on your grand quest to reach the Underworld if you want to take us on you'll have to prove you're more than a match for this challenge." Ortho explained as he disappear and was replaced by the home screen of Star Rouge.
"Is this Star Rogue? Thew game you had me play during the lock down?" Vil asked.
"I'll let you into Tartarus if you beat it, now Shoot for glory among the stars and soar like a comet." Ortho cheered as a compartment opened to reveal a controller.
"He wants us to play a video game?" Odette snapped as she felt the back of neck heat up. 'Is this a joke to him?' She thought as Vil played the game but died within seconds.
"Non! We've gotten a game over." Rook gasped.
"Now hold on! That was a much higher difficulty than when I played earlier." Vil commented.
"Wow you can't even beat that level? What a casual Sorry to gate-keep but I don't let scrubs into Tartarus." Ortho giggled.
"Rrgh! The way you're trolling me, the resemblance to Idia is uncanny." Vil snarked.
"Really? It's close? Wow gosh, I take after my brother, alright I guess it'd be boring if we just ended things here. I'll give you one chance to redeem yourselves. Dropping the difficulty to beginner there. Are you ready? Go ahead and start the game." Ortho cheered.
Vil plays the level again and wins this round.
"Yeah! We got it this time." Epel cheered.
"Hm, I guess that's a passable score for a beginner. Okay this MIGHT be entertaining you may enter Tartarus If Vil Schoenheit is the tank I wonder what classes would suit Rook Hunt and Epel Felmier. Oh and Odette too. I can't wait to see how your party shakes out as you navigate the dungeon. You're about to enter a high level dungeon swarming with real monsters. I'll be waiting for you at the next stage." Ortho announced then disappeared.
The elevator begins to move down slowly and after a few minutes opens to an identical hallway.
"It looks the same." Odette complained.
"Mph! Those brothers are a pair of clowns. Just you wait Ortho. Enjoy acting like a finally boss while you can." Vil grumbled.
"I think you're insulting clowns." Odette remarked.
"So this is what Tartarus is like on the inside. The elevator stopped running looks like we'll have to take the stairs from here." Rook said as they stepped out into the stairway.
"According to the staff in the control room the Phantoms on the upper levels have already thawed so it's likely they're up and about. We may run into them at any time beware of your surroundings. "Vil informed them.
Thanks for reading and sticking around. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. From here on out it'll just the Pomefiore boys. Sorry but Groups 2 and 3 will not make a reappearance until the final show down (in about 8 chapters). This Arc is long enough. I swear this Arc is going to be near 40 chapters. (ugh) but I promise it'll be worth it. Our Diasomnia boy will of course get there their own Arc and I plan on doing the Glorious Masquerade which I'm under impressed it's Malleus centric. If it is I will make it. lol