"Hey.... He just hugged...."

"Damn... who’s this guy? How is he..."

"Fuck! Where the hell did this fucker pop out from?.."

......

Ignoring the murmuring crowd. Me and Liz held our embrace for a few more moments before we finally separated.

"Heh! Who knew my clothes would look that good on you? I guess I do have pretty good taste." I smirked as I gave her another once over.

It would seem the Kaila virus had spread to even her, as she had put on one of the many outfits I had been forced into during our last outing.

"Hehehehe... I heard you were among the examinees this time around so I asked very politely to oversee the exams.. hehehe.. I did good right?"

Something about the way she said that felt off but she was looking absolutely amazing so I just brushed it away.

"Of course you did. Hahahaha! Now I can get a free pass even if I fail. What a score." I laughed.

"Hehehehe... that’s right. With me around, your success is assured. Humph." She huffed proudly.

"Haha.. alright. You better get going before these guys kill me with their stares." I motioned to the stunned crowd around us.

"I’d like to see who dares utter a word of complaint." Her demeanor shifted at once as a murderous aura drifted through the air.

The faces of those staring at us immediately paled as they turned away.

"Humph."

"Heh! Feisty aren’t you? But. You really should go. I’m quite excited about this abyss." I persuaded her gently.

"We’ll talk later?"

"Of course. I’m not running away."

I gave her reassuring nod as I fell back, distancing myself enough for her to work.

"Hmmm? You seem pretty close to instructor Elizabeth." The voice of the dwarven woman came from beside me as she came to stand there.

"Heh! This bastard is more than just close with her. Didn’t you see the googling eyes they were giving each other?" Malachi, having pried himself out of wherever he had ended up in, appeared to my left, his words grating.

"Absolute. You’re an absolutely despicable human beng. But paku will admit it. You aren’t too bad with the ladies. Hmm hmm. This young master might have competition." The tiny fur ball was on again with his delusions.

As for Leo. That lazy chicken-cat had already fallen asleep after turning my hair into a personal nest.

"Interesting group of friends you have there." The dwarven woman remarked.

"Haa.. you’ll get used to it." I merely shook my head In resignation.

"Hahahahaha!! If one didn’t know, they’d think you yourself were normal."

"What do you mean? Of course I’m normal."

"Stop peeking at my ass when you say that and I might believe you."

"Wh are they that large? Are they heavy?"

"Bastard!!!! You don’t say things like those to a woman!!"

"I’m just genuinely curious. Cause, they look too big for someone of your...."

"I swear if you mention my height..."

"Your standing..."

"BASTARD!!!"

BOOOOMMMMM!!!!!

The ground exploded as another hammer strike was swiftly dodged.

"Damn! Your temper is just as short as you are!"

"FUCK YOU!!!"

BANG!!!

Another hammer strike saw the entire clearing tremble violently.

"Damn! Fine! You’re not short! Just cute in height!" I caved.

"Really?" The switch up was crazy, but I already had experience so..

"Really. Your height is lovely."

"Humph! It’s good that you know." She huffed. Slinging her hammer back as she crossed her arms. A proud smile on her face.

I shook my head as I turned, giving Liz a wink as I mouthed the words..

"Go ahead." Giving me a subtle nod. She began.

....

"Hello everyone!" Liz’s voice, like a magnet, drew everyone’s attention towards her.

"I am your overseer for this ascension exams." The mood switched. Turning more serious at the sound of her voice.

"I won’t say much. All will be explained once we get to your examination location. This time, your tests have been scheduled to take place within the abyss itself." That information sparked a wave of murmurs.

"Ahh.. so it wasn’t a prank. Damn! To think I’ll finally be able to step into that place." The voice of Carmen, the dwarven woman, sound from right beside me.

"Hmmm? You know of the abyss?" I asked.

"Is there any student here that doesn’t know of the abyss? What type of classes have you been attending for you not to know something so basic?"

"I have only attended three or so classes since I got admitted into Aeternum." I shrugged.

"What?"

Before she could ask anymore questions, Liz continued.

"Quiet!" She silenced the murmurs sternly.

"I know there are many of you still uncertain about the specifics. More precisely, those of you without any teachers to have given you more Information. But rest assured. All will be explained once we arrive at the gate." Her words seemed to calm the agitated ones among the students.

HUMMMMMMMM!!!!

A soft humming sound came from the skies as the shadow of a massive pure white galleon appeared overhead, a round circular platform lowering slowly.

"Everyone. Get on. It will take us a few days to arrive at the gates. No teleportation is allowed within the vicinity so we’ll have to fly there, and that is a very, very long distance away."

At her words. The crowd moved. No one daring to rush. What with the murderous look Liz was giving everyone. The message was clear.

Cause trouble and be punished.

She looked absolutely cute.

"Hey! Pretty boy! Let’s move. What are standing around there for?" Carmen shoved me forward as she made her way towards the lowered platform.

My eyes couldn’t help lowering to the suspicious sway in her hips and the jiggling masses of flesh behind her.

"Damn! That’s one hot dwarf."

"Sometimes I wonder if you have a sex demon bloodline. All you ever do is think about women."

"I don’t want to hear anything from a lazy ass, single to the bone, chicken-cat."

"Oyy!!! Who the fuck are you calling single?"

"Heh! If the shoes fit. Wear it. Though I doubt chicken-cats wear shoes."

"Danteeee!!"

.....

.....

inside of the galleon was surprisingly spacious. Wide corridors connected rows of cabins, training rooms, lounges and storage halls, all illuminated by softly glowing crystals set into the walls. Beneath my feet, the floor gave off a faint rhythmic hum, reminding everyone that this entire fortress was flying through the skies.

It wasn’t lavish. It was practical. Every corner had been built for long journeys rather than comfort.

I wasn’t too bothered with looking around. My excitement for the upcoming abyss too great to want anything else other than getting there as fast as possible.

So. I sat down cross legged. Not bothering with any form of decorum as Malachi sauntered off to wherever it is his monkey head had decided to wander off too.

Closing my eyes. My breathing steadied. My mind delved deep.

I was trying to see if I could use the chance to increase my mastery of some of my laws, but..

Step.

Step.

Step.

The soft sounds of approaching footsteps made that all but wishful thinking.

I opened my eyes slowly as I smiled.

"You know. If you keep doing this. The others might start spreading rumors."

"Humph!" Ignoring my teasing words. Liz plopped down into my laps. Forcing me to adjust my seated posture as she made herself comfortable.

Crossing her arms she huffed and turned away.

"Now... what did I do to deserve the silent treatment from such a beautiful woman?"

...

...

Silence.

My eyebrow rose in confusion. This was the first time a complement had failed to budge her.

"Seems I really did something this time." I wrapped my arms around her waist. Pulling her close.

"Tell me, beautiful. What did this caveman do to incur your ire.."

....

....

"Pfft... stop... stop... hehehehehehe... stop!!" She burst into a giggling fit as I began tickling her furiously.

"Are you going to talk now?"

"Hehehehehe... stop!! Dante... hehehehehe... fine.. fine..."

"Heh! I win." I smirked shamelessly.

"Haa.. Haa... you.. rogue.. why did you do that?"

"Because you weren’t talking." I shrugged.

"Humph! Of course I don’t want to talk to you."

"But you’re sitting in my lap."

"This and that are different."

"Alright. Fine. Why don’t you want to talk to me?"

"Because you’re a liar. Humph."

"Liar? Me? Now that’s just slander." I quickly retorted.

"Is it? You promised me a while ago that you’d take me out for dinner. Yet till now.. nothing. Not a word. Humph. Liar." Her words stunned me for a moment before..

"Pffft.... Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!" I laughed.

BANG!

"Urgh..." a punch to my gut shut me up.

"Don’t laugh!"

"Kuh... Kuh.. fine.. heh! So that’s why you’re upset?"

"Humph!"

"Alright. How about this. Once I return from the abyss, I’ll take you on that date. Just me and you, nobody else."

"Why should I believe you? You already said so before."

"Don’t worry. This time, I promise. You can lock me up if I don’t do it."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart."

"Alright then. Deal." She smiled. A radiant expression that lit up the entire place.

"Beautiful.."

"Beau.. beautiful... beautiful... heheheheheheheh.. I’m beautiful..." watching her become the cute mumbling mess I was more acquainted with. I laughed even more.

...

...

Three days later..

Three days passed in peaceful silence.

For most of the journey, I remained immersed in meditation while Liz quietly occupied they lap, occasionally reading, occasionally staring out at the endless sea of clouds.

"Hmmm?" Liz’s thoughtful hum snapped me out of my meditative state.

"Liz? What happened." I asked.

"Oh! Dante. You’re awake."

"Yea. What’s up?" I placed my head on her shoulder, nuzzling her nape.

"Mmph... sto.. stop that."

"Nope!"

"Ro.. rogue.."

"Yes. I am. Now tell me what’s happening."

"It’s the Abyss." My eyes snapped open.

A grin slowly spread across my face.

"Finally..."

I raised my head. Finally taking a look around. Precisely at the floor to ceiling display that had experienced a drastic change in environment.

"The gates... we’ve finally arrived..."

...

...

"... Welcome to the Gates of the abyss."

**********

Tr33_Notes: Not going to lie. This Chapter is one of those that didn’t come out as I wanted it. I’m not proud of it. So I can only promise to make the other Chapters better.

Anyways...

***********

Thanks for reading..