Way of the Knights

----

"Young Lord…"

Raven was currently reading some text when he suddenly heard Kyrie calling him, he turned around and saw her approaching with a somewhat of a serious expression. 

"What's the matter?" He asked. 

"The Grand Elder issued a mission." Kyrie replied much to Raven's surprise. 

Raven stood up from his seat and faced her, he then asked: "Tell me more."

"The details of the mission is contained in this scroll." Kyrie said while passing down the scroll to him. 

Raven received it and unfolded the scroll. He then read it's contents and saw what the mission is about. 

[Mission: Reinforcement

Issue by: Grand Elder Zeus to 9th Chosen

Details: Go to Asphodel, 9th. Bring your Battle Maid with you and search for the Broken Floor. Look for the forces that are stationed there, their Leader is woman named Anastacia. Help them install the seal and make sure to minimize the casualties. Your rewards will depend on your effectiveness in battle.]

Raven read the mission multiple times just to make sure that he didn't read it wrong. He then sighed and kept the scroll with him. Looking at Kyrie he said:

"You and me will go to Asphodel as reinforcements. Let's meet outside in ten minutes." Raven declared. Kyrie respectfully bowed and exited his room. 

When she left, Raven released another sigh. This mission came a bit unexpected, thankfully he didn't have any plans for today or else he'll have to adjust his schedule. 

'I came here no longer than two months ago. So far I've done nothing aside from reading and training on my own. Kyrie still hasn't introduced me to the army. That's fine I guess. Anyways, this mission is a bit unexpected but it's fine. I'm getting bored here anyway.'

'I wonder what kind of rewards I'll can receive from the Grand Elder…' 

As Raven thought to himself, his actions didn't cease. He had been checking his supplies in order to make sure that he's properly covered for this mission. He had to double check everything since today, he's not visiting Tartarus but Asphodel. 

Asphodel is a place that lies just above Tartarus. While Tartarus could he considered as a rather independent world by itself, it shares connection with Asphodel as the latter sits directly on top of it. 

From the records that he had seen, Asphodel is a large plane which could accurately be dubbed as 'Hell'. The temperature within Asphodel remains at an all time high, one wrong move and anyone would be reduced to mere cinders in that place. 

Asphodel is filled with different kinds of Evil Flames, it's earth was incredibly hot that any footwear will melt in practically seconds, it's rivers are flowing magma and similar to Tartarus, no signs of life aside from Devils exists in there. 

In Tartarus there are only ten floors of the Devil Emperor's Pagoda, Asphodel on the other hand contains 40 floors. Which is why there are more devils roaming around this place. 

Asphodel is the place where Inner Disciples hunt, however unlike Tartarus, Inner Disciples aren't stationed at all times. Inner Disciples lived in a separate world which is infinitesimally better. 

The atmosphere within Tartarus is vile and filled with evil but it's still within an acceptable range. In fact, staying there is a form of a test for Outer Disciples. As for Asphodel, not only that the environment is very unforgiving, it is also a place heavily infested by Devils which makes it unsafe even for Inner Disciples to live. 

The reason why it is so is because of the existence of the 'Broken Floor'. 

The 'Broken Floor' means exactly how it sounds - a Broken Floor in the Devil Emperor's Pagoda. 

Once upon a time, the 'Seven Deadly Sins' as well as two of the 'Four Horsemen of Apocalypse' clashed with the War Gods. It was a deadly battle which caused the 11th floor to be broken. Ever since then, the Devils that manifests within the 11th floor of the Devil Emperor's Pagoda were able to roam free on the flaming lands of Asphodel. Additionally, it also enables some Devils in the Upper Floors to descend in Asphodel, making the place even deadlier than it originally is. 

For many years, countless of attempts were made in order to fix this floor but to no avail. The Broken Floor could only be patched but it cannot be repaired. 

It is for this very reason that 'Eruptions' doesn't occur on Asphodel. The Devils on the Upper Floors could just repeatedly descend using the Broken Floor so as to not over populate their respective floors. 

According to the news he received, the Grand Elder mobilized some forces to prevent the Devil's from Peak Floors from descending - which were as deadly, if not more, than the Centurion Lancer. This is in order to make sure that the Lower Floors won't be broken and the Outer Disciples will remain safe. 

They were supposed to stay there for some weeks but it seems that it was extended. 

Raven had some opinions about this matter but he didn't think too much as it's useless anyway. He just released a long sigh and placed on a serious expression as he stepped out of his room to go to Asphodel. 

***

In order to arrive at Asphodel, Kyrie and Raven has to descend on the separate world where the Inner Disciples live. 

Compared to Tartarus, this place is definitely much better. In fact, this is no different from Paradise compared to Tartarus. Just like his own Pocket Dimension, this world is filled with life. It has day and night, trees, living creatures, rivers, mountains, and so on. 

The Inner Disciples could freely choose where to live, there's also countless of facilities in here which could assist them in training. What's more is that, this place is connected to the Divine Realm itself. Which means that if Inner Disciples wanted to file for a Vacation, they could return home from here. 

The portal which leads to Asphodel is located in the middle of this world. It is a large transmission gate which is capable of handling multiple transfers at once. 

As Kyrie and Raven arrived here, they remained rather low-profiled. This is due to Raven's request as he didn't want to attract any unnecessary trouble. Raven was wearing a hood which conceals his features and a mask as well. As for Kyrie, she's quietly trailing him while using her own ways to remain rather unseen. 

The two isn't in a hurry. Raven wanted to use this time to familiarize himself to this world. 

According to what he knew, this place is called 'Greece'. As for why its called like that, Raven had no idea. 

Raven wasn't actively mingling with people here, nevertheless wherever he went, the Inner Disciples would greet him politely. At first he thought that his disguise were useless but that wasn't the case at all. This is just the way how the Inner Disciples get along. 

Everyone around here consider each other as comrades. Some people hiding their facial features aren't rare here, some people just like to remain low-profiled like what he's doing right now. Greeting each other is a sign of respect and acknowledgement. 

'This is nice…' Raven thought to himself as he continued on his way. 'Camaraderie is really obvious here, which makes perfect sense considering the kind of evil everyone has to face. Everyone is fighting against a common enemy therefore the situation remained rather 'clean'. Without it though…I don't even want to think about it.'

He shook his head and thought about something else. His attention then went towards the facilities meant for the Inner Disciples and he was impressed yet again. 

'Compared to Tartarus, this place offers more opportunities to earn more Merit Points. If I'm not wrong, then  there should be some people who didn't even have to kill devils just to earn huge amounts of Merit Points.'

Raven's guesses were more or less on point. There are indeed some people who didn't have to kill Devils in Asphodel just to earn Merit Points. However, there is a rule for every Inner Disciple which forces them to participate in a patrol every two years in order to keep their status. If they meet the quota, then they'll be allowed to continue their methods in earning Merit Points, otherwise they'll be faced with some serious consequences. 

The facilities here are numerous and unique in its own way, which could satisfy everyone's quirks and desires. There are facilities which could satisfy those who want to hone their skills, expand their business, give them enlightenment, conduct experiments and so on.

Wherever he went, he could see the Inner Disciples moving and doing something, creating a very motivating atmosphere. Raven sighed and was once again impressed and inspired. 

Eventually, his feet took him to his destination which is the center of this world. 

The huge Transmission Gate was now visible to him.. Staring at it and committing it's image to his mind, he released a deep breath and continued making his way towards Asphodel in order to complete the first mission that was given to him.