Hailian Continent, February 4, 4068 A.D.

At the Forest of Space’s Entrance

As Elena was about to retort on Brad’s presumptuous joke, a stony figure emerged at the forest’s entrance - laughing, cackling in an evil way. Waves of gusts blasted through the clearing as it flapped its wings, slicing the trees in half. It landed before them with a soft ‘thud’, creating a small crater beneath its feet. The entity was ancient and demonic - it was a magical gargoyle!

One of the things that she was interested in was the existence of the magical creatures, and as her mom said, they were almost related to catastrophes and were commonly used by God to relay an edict to their followers or enemies. This was one of the reasons that led her to become a Seer apprentice. So naturally, she would become ecstatic when she sees a magical creature. Oh mom, how I wished you were still with us.

Despite being lonely, Elena knew this was not the time to reminisce about such things because of the gargoyle’s presence. She couldn’t help but gape at the imposing creature that was blocking their path. The gargoyle was 4 feet tall and it had bat-like wings, extending over a meter in length. The bluish obsidian skin glittered under the moonlight as its eyes sparkled like stars in the night. Even though the place was dimly illuminated, she could still see its purple aura emanating from its body.

Clasping both its sharp claws together, the gargoyle sneered, revealing its jagged fangs. “I repeat. You can’t pass here.”

Elena was flabbergasted; she did expect that someone’s going to stop them at this point, but not a gargoyle. Alarmed, she looked at her father and saw him clenching his fists as he stood firmly. “Dad, what should we do? What should we do?!”

"Let me do all the talking, after all, I’m eloquent when it comes to pleasantries." Meldy moved forward and faced the monster with a seemingly impassive demeanor. "This place is not restricted. What gave you the right to stop us from entering the Forest of Space, huh?"

"Weak man has no right to ask questions.” The gargoyle grinned, sneering malevolently. “Well, since you're going to die anyway, I'd tell you one thing. I stand here in front of you by the command of the King of Hailian Kingdom."

Meldy knitted his brows in a furrow. Never in his wildest dreams would he guessed that their enemies' assaults were endorsed by a powerful entity: the king of the Grandulas! Grandulas are mythical creatures that lived on the western part of the Hailian Continent, ruled by the Great Monarch, a half-dragon. Meldy’s face was solemn, and asked, "Cunt, may I know why is your king doing all these things?"

The gargoyle let out a cold snort, tilting his head slightly. It flapped its wings and puffed his chest, creating gusts of winds that shook the nearby trees. "Such a respectful bastard, hee hee. Very well, you know what His Majesty wants. Give me the key."

Elena was perturbed when she heard its response. Looking at them, Meldy was wide-eyed while Brad was confused at his Dad’s troubled expression. They unsheathed their weapons as if preparing themselves for a fight.

What key? Elena was wondering about the strange conversation when she noticed Meldy moving his lips, as if chanting something. Does Dad know what key the gargoyle was talking about? Wait, is he referring to little Melk?

"What if I say I won't give you the key, you cunt? I am a holy mage of Elesius, the God of the Celestials, you Grandulas can't hurt me. Even you wouldn't dare to disobey God's edict, you idiotic slab!" Meldy retorted in a straightforward manner.

"Don't worry, I am aware of such law. However, I have many things up my sleeve. I don't need to do this dirty work with my...beautiful hands,” the gargoyle replied in a singsong voice, as if not minding Meldy’s curses, pausing for a moment, and said, “and if I have to do something, then my God would also protect me. Besides, you alone is safe from me, but what about your children? You can't just keep the heirlooms to yourself. Now, the key?”

Is it referring to the Key of the Ancients? Elena thought. Amongst the Rechione Clan, a legend was passed down from generation to generation. Since the time of creation, the God of the Celestials entrusted their ancestors to guard the Key of the Ancients against harm. Anyone who acquired the enigmatic key would inherit all the secrets that were hidden inside: powerful magics and techniques, rare artifacts, and treasures. But the most important of them all was the existence of the Immortal Stones: a mortal's ticket to becoming a God!

A low grunt escaped from Brad’s lips, his face flustered as if frustrated from his inadequacy to resolve the matter.

"Elena, support us with your holy spells, this cunt needs a beating." Meldy flicked his fingers and a white staff appeared. “Everyone, if I raise my staff, we will attack with a Three-Man Formation of the Fire Realm. Don’t worry about baby Melk, I’ll put him inside an isolation ward"

Elena predicted that a battle was imminent, and she knew they needed all their trump cards to win the battle. The king knew their secret - the key of the Ancient! But who has the key? Rather, is he referring to my brother? She felt a foreboding in her heart, knowing that Meldy, even though his mana was recovered, his body was still exhausted and not yet ready to engage in a fight.

“Upon my signal, we attack.”

Everyone nodded in agreement as Brad put the baby on the crib Meldy produced from his spatial ring. By casting a spell, Meldy isolated the baby from the incoming battle.

The gargoyle refused to move despite seeing its enemies' actions. It stood like a statue, as if amused by their actions. It acted as if it was confident in handling any of their attacks.

Elena immediately took out a scroll from her pocket and threw it in the air. Forming hand seals, she pointed at the parchment and cried "Strength of the Abyss!" Streams of white light flashed across the vicinity as it swiveled around her. The light then floated towards Meldy and Brad, enveloping them completely. They could feel their strength increased, and their vigor and mana essence multiplied.

They ran into different directions as they surrounded the gargoyle ten meters away from each other, forming a triangular array. They did elementary seals and their swords radiated. Without moving, they slashed their swords against the gargoyle, producing a red blast of laser!

BOOM!

The sword blasts collided with each other, creating a loud explosion. The inferno belched out smokes as it incinerated the gargoyle. The trees were burnt to a crisp while they remain unscathed because of the Ancient Blessing's protection. Smog filled the air, the place covered with a white fog tinged with gray.

"Did we do it?"

"Of course, dummy. How could it withstand our strongest attack?"

"Ha ha ha! Serves it right for going against us. It's fucking thanks to - "

The smoke dissipated, but what they saw made them gape. The gargoyle remained safe: not even a trace of burn or wound can be seen on its skin!

"Is that it? Well, I'm disappointed. Anyway, playtime's over. I need the key." The gargoyle flicked its claws as it darted a disdain glance at the trio. A big mass of air rotated before it, expanding until it became a big vortex. The gargoyle pointed at the center of the black swarm and cast, "Ancient Summoning: Big Wasp of the Abyss!"

Four wasp-like silver varmint frolicked in the air as they flapped their metal-like wings, creating a deep buzzing sound. They were 3 feet tall and its eyes bulged out like a globular pair of rubies. Its bodies were covered in scales and hairy appendages. But the most striking part of it was its stingers at the edge of its abdomen. Like a diamond, it glistened in the dark as green acid dropped on its tip.

This can't be!? It can cast ancient summoning spells? "The legendary black wasp, Vespula! Dad, we're in trouble!" Brad shouted frantically, his legs were trembling in fear. Being a Summoner apprentice, he knew the great danger that they were facing right now. As far as he knew, only the chosen guardians can cast the ancient summoning spells, particularly the followers of Nogare, God of the Grandulas. Does it mean that this gargoyle was a guardian of the Great God of the Grandulas - he wondered this as he recalled the things he had read from records.

Every spell has their own tenacity, but the most terrifying of them was ancient summoning. Conjuring primordial creatures had strict requirements. All he could summon was a carp with a disgusting wiggle skill, but this gargoyle just cast this advance summon easily with a flick of its finger. This is gonna be so troublesome, he sighed.

The Vespula hummed along as they earmarked them as their targets. Vespulas were vicious and tenacious, and its speed was unmatched among the primordial creatures. Without any forms of protection, Brad knew that they were about to be slaughtered in a matter of seconds. Seconds laters, he heard a voice exclaiming, "Cast the protective shield array!"

Elena took out 5 bluish gemstones and spread it across the ground, forming a pentagram. Wounding her fingers with a needle, she let her blood essence touched the azure sapphires. Hovering in the air, the gemstones radiated like cold blue starlight. "Shield of the Tyrant!"

Ivory lights of orbs materialized and fused around them, creating a transparent sliver of metal. Tiny fragments of ivory crystals accumulated on the surface of the metal sheet, expanding to a dome of almost 20 feet in circumference. The thin veil exudes blue vapors as it gleamed.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Vespula pounced with its poisonous stingers, smearing the white shield with a tinge of green. The dome shook endlessly, and soon enough, rifts formed. She stomped her foot and steadied her hands in the air. "Help me sustain the shield! My mana's not enough!"

Brad understood what he had to do, and saw everyone nodded in agreement. Gathering his mana essence towards the floating gems, the sapphires were getting brighter until it became brilliant. The array was eventually augmented as the rifts vanished. He knew their survival lies with the spell; Once the shield was broken, they were done for. Please, let me be in time. Hurry up!, Brad pleaded silently as he focused his concentration.

The gargoyle scowled at them as it saw the Vespulas struggling through their defense. “Hmmm, protection spells using enchanted gemstones, huh? I guess I have to help my pets a bit." It flapped its wings and glided toward the varmints.

Meldy glared at the approaching gargoyle, his face vigilant. "What the hell the cunt’s gonna do now?"

The gargoyle snatched and ate one of the Vespula, bit by bit until nothing of its body remained. Green goo dripped along its jawline as it chewed its prey nonstop. When it was done eating, the gargoyle flew over the dome-like shield and spewed out green acid, shrouding it entirely. The veil sizzled, and smolders of caustic vapors protruded the air. The shield was destroyed effortlessly, leaving them exposed once again.

"No, we can't die! Dad!" Elena shouted as she gripped her sword.

"Please, God, Elesius. Help us!" Brad looked up to the sky, praying for a miracle to happen. Even at this damning hour, he was still being religious.

It was hopeless. Brad knew they were helpless against such a powerful opponent, and only divine intervention could save them. In short, they were in great trouble.

Contemplating at their current predicament, the fight wearied them, and he was aware of their impending death if the battle prolonged. With a firm resolve, he took out a dagger relic from his robe.

"Everyone...live."

"Dad, I love you."

"Elena, take care of the family, okay. I’d haunt you if you dare to be irresponsible."

“Everyone...farewell."

“Mom, I guess, I’d be joining you now in the Afterlife!”

Brad gathered his life essence at the protruding dagger, and became weaker as the artifact consumed his vitality. Nevertheless, he showed no reluctance even if he was on the verge of death, realizing there was no way for them to live unless someone was to do drastic measures. He'd rather die than let all his loved ones perish, despite them being annoying at times. After all, they are his family, his blood and kin. "Forbidden Technique: Grim's Portal!"

Instantly, sweet memories flashed back in my mind - happy days with Dad, Mom, Eric, and Elena. Is this the infamous flashback experience when someone faces death? Will I die a virgin? Am I wrong to be so pious and trust in God Elesius? So many questions appeared in his mind.

The gargoyle greeted him with derision. It smirked as its jagged fangs sparkled in the night. Suddenly it grabbed his head, and the last words that he heard was their gasping voices.