Entering the clan base seemed easy enough. Once they reached the top of the wall, all they needed to do was jump down onto the platform underneath. Here, there was a large base that encircled the entire giant hole, and now Raze was starting to get an idea in terms of scale of the entire thing.
It was bigger than he even imagined. Just on the rim of the hole entrance, there could be an entire city set up; it went around that far. There were just members of the clan casually talking, and to get from one side to the other, they were using the giant chains as types of bridges.
Even on individual links, Raze could see two clan members casually talking away. It was bizarre, to say the least, the strangest thing so far that made him feel like he was in a completely different world altogether.
"Is there new security?" Raze asked.
"There is, but not on the upper floors," Dame explained. "Essentially, in this area, nearly anyone can just walk around and talk to each other. If they use one of the chain links to go to the lower floors, then someone will need to recognize you.
"As for visitors, they usually register over there, and someone will come and get them." Dame had pointed to a hole in the side of the wall, something that looked to be at least 400 meters away.
Only just could Raze see a sign above it, and he could read the words "visitors center."
"The current person that you are disguised as is only allowed on the upper levels. This area is called the spiraling descent. It's where most of the clan members sleep, as well as train."
"The staircase will only take you so far, and then you will have to use the other chain links to allow you to go further. That's where the higher-ranked individuals are. The Chains of Binding. In this area, some of the chains are hollowed out to allow people to train.
"While other parts of the chain links are even used as prisons and more. Going across the chains will lead you to an area called the Demon Ponds. It's an area filled with strange red liquid that seems to have Qi energy inside it.
"Many of the higher-ranked individuals cultivate there using the Life and Death technique, but only those at the middle stage are allowed to visit this area. Not even I am allowed to cultivate there. The rumors state if you do, you'll end up going mad."n--1n
From the description, it sounded like the area was filled with pockets of blood-filled craters. Hearing this reminded Raze a lot of the bloody woman that was haunting him and Safa.
"Finally, past that, is what you are looking for, which is the Abyssal library. It's a vast cavern that is filled with ancient scrolls along with tombs. These are where the clan's techniques are kept as well.
"Once in a while, students are granted access to the below area, so there is a way that allows you to bypass the Chains of Binding and Demon Ponds. I just have to find it. So, in the meantime, just stay here."
Dame ordered as he went away and started to run off, heading along one of the large chain links.
Looking at the area though, Raze had no intention of staying put.
"Although the library is where the skill was kept, other information leading to what the Dark Faction leader did might not just be in the library. It could be spread all over this place, and might even be hidden.
"I won't explore the forbidden areas; that will get this person's face in trouble. I will just explore the areas covering the spiraling descent." Walking down the staircase, Raze noticed that every once in a while there was a platformed-off area.
Here, there would allow one entrance into certain places. He had stumbled upon what looked like a kitchen, but he doubted there would be anything left there. If he really couldn't find anything or fancied a bit to eat, he would come back.
It did make him wonder if the chefs were also clan members and fighters here. Since this was a clan base, nearly all of those he met would be clan members, due to the location, he couldn't imagine many visitors being here either. There were no cities or towns nearby; it was as if the Clan was in the middle of a desert.
As he continued on, he soon found a carved-out cavern full of Qi energy. He could feel the power somewhat drawing him in. Another thing he noticed was how the intensity of the heat increased the further he would go down as well.
Instead of continuing down further, he decided to investigate, and was following the energy. Here he could see several hallways that split off into different areas, and there were students who were all sitting down in a meditative state.
While Raze continued to walk, he was taking a small peek into the others' rooms, trying not to disturb anyone.
"Alterian writing could be on the walls of any of these rooms, just like they were in the cave. I still have no idea what he was doing here, or whether or not the Dark Faction founder was on friendly terms with the Demonic Faction.
"Otherwise, it could be something I could ask the leader. The leader is Dame's father, but from the way he speaks about him, he isn't exactly on good terms with him either," Raze thought.
When Raze went to peek in one room, one of the young students had opened a single one of his eyes; he then looked at Raze, but Raze quickly turned away, trying not to catch any attention.
"Calum! Are you back from that secret assignment already?" The clan member called out.
Raze bit his bottom lip. Of course, there was a chance of this happening, since he carried the face of a clan member, there would be those that recognized him. As soon as he started to speak, they would immediately know what was up.
"It didn't go so well; I'm not in the best moods, just leave me alone for today." Raze waved his hand, still looking away from the man.
It was a short, simple answer that shouldn't lead to any more questions. Raze was even quite proud of himself for that one.
"I understand, don't worry about it, but we do need to get ready soon," the man said.
'Get ready, get ready for what?' Raze wanted to ask.
Right after, a loud gong was heard, and it vibrated the entire area. The floor was shaking, and another loud bang vibrated again. All of the lower-ranked clan members soon got out of their meditative state, as they started to move.
"Come on, we don't want to be late!" The clan member said. "I heard that there is a special guest coming to see us. It's the beauty of the Neverfall Clan, Rayna Narfous!"
Raze had been in the Neverfall clan for around fifteen minutes, searching maybe twenty minutes tops, and he was already about to meet one of the dreaded people that Dame wanted him to have nothing to do with.
