Jack stood outside the hospital. On the empty streets. It was a rare day. The streets were never empty in utopia. People were scared. Of him. Of Jack. Desmond did as much as he could to hide Jack's identity from the public. So now people were afraid of a random guy. Coming along and beating S-Ranks to near death. He held the key to the dungeon in front of him. He was unsure of what to do with it. For some reason, his strength had fell back to around high B-Rank level. His strength had exponentially boosted against Desmond. Perhaps it was his anger. But that would be even weirder. As Jack stuck the key out into the air. He could feel mana condensing in the air around him. And a mini gate appeared in front of him. He stepped inside. Letting it envelop him.
Jack was wearing a sweatshirt and pants. He was unprepared for the sudden blast of heat that came when he entered the gate. His shoes coming into contact with rough flatland, the ground was dyed yellow like sand yet solid. Surrounding him. Were swords, each one unique in design. Some elegant, some monstrous, and some bland. Seemingly an infinite number. Stretching across the infinite landscape. Darkness's Bane glowed, and he heard that rough voice again. The dragon.
"Boy. Be careful, I feel the presence of one of my brethren. He is imprisoned as well. And if he is where you are. Then his warden will follow. Beware. Do not underestimate the man you come across. You are nowhere near close to challenging him."
The sword stopped glowing. And Jack was unable to respond to the dragon. That's when he saw what seemed to be a person in the distance. It was odd. The person had no mana. He must be dead. But, he could feel an aura exuding from the armor as he approached. He adjusted his gaze a bit. There was nobody inhabiting the armor. It seemed to have been animated, he approached the armor. Before hearing a voice. A deep voice. Coming from the armor.
"So you've come. You, are you the king? The king of all man?."
The armor stood. And seemed to point its gaze towards Jack.
"No…no you're not him. At least not yet."
"What do you mean? Who are you?"
"My name does not matter, child. I am a test you are not yet ready for. I am yet but a fleeting dream. But I will give it to you nonetheless. I am Hawthorne. My surname does not matter. I am the warden of Titanus. The embodiment of earth."
"Titanus?"
"Yes. A creature of pure destruction. Judging by that blade. I can assume you've already met one of the three. A great dragon. He must have great trust in you. Because a being as weak as you wouldn't even be able to lay your pitiful finger on a beast like that without being squashed by its pressure. Although. That would make you my enemy. But you already were. The one who will destroy everything. I hope you will become something different. But that time has not yet come. And you are not yet ready. So be gone, from my domain."
"Wait— what are you talking abo—!"
Jack was cut off by the earth shifting beneath him and a gap opening in it. He fell down deep into the land. The orange and yellow ground changing into black stone walls lined with golden patterns. As he hit the floor. He took no damage. He stood up. Finding himself in a dark hallway. The path lit by lone torches.
[New quest: Clear the lords dungeon. Rewards: To be calculated.]