Way of the Knights

---

"...have you made up your mind about this?"

"Yes, the arrangements I had for the sect were already in progress." Raven nodded and replied, "There's no reason for me to stagnate here. The daily matters are going to be handled by my Avatars and my assistant."

"I see..." The Sect Master nodded. "You've worked hard. Thanks to you, the sect is safe and secured. Since you decided to go, then I shall not hold you back. By the end of the day, I'll open up the passage to the Celestial Ascension Platform to you." 

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Raven replied. 

It has been a month since the Temple incident. Raven had long recovered since then and been slacking off since he could afford to. His little vacation was quite intentional since he already planned to ascend the Celestial Ascension Platform as early as he could. 

He has been freed fro, his duties. All of his arrangements are set and ready. As for his daily affairs, he has his Avatars tending it for him. 

He originally planned on fortifying the seal to floors 80 and above but Raven decided against it. He wasn't nearly strong enough to directly oppose the Devil Emperor just yet. Going near his domain is a bad idea so he decided to postpone it up until he exits the platform. No matter how much time he'd need to do that, that is...

Since there's nothing that's keeping him busy anymore, staying any longer would just stagnate his progress, therefore he decided to take the trials of the Celestial Ascension Platform. Of course, the idea of going out of the sect and searching for his wife and friends but the current situation prevents him from doing that. It can't be helped so he could only do this...

"Although I'm sure that you've done some research about this, I'd still like to tell you that the Celestial Ascension Platform poses risks. You survival isn't completely guaranteed in there so you must be careful. You must know when to advance and when to retreat. Don't be in a hurry. We need you to return alive and well, do you understand?" 

"Yes, Senior Brother. I understand." Raven replied solemnly to the Sect Master.

Just like what the Sect Master said, Raven made ample research about the Celestial Ascension Platform, he referenced the records and asked those who completed the trial about their experiences in there. This gave Raven some expectations but he didn't dare to be certain. The only way for him to know is to experience it himself. 

The Sect Master is also right about risks inside the platform. When he asked Levi, Paolo, Julia, Celestine and Jessamine, all of them told him that they encountered numerous life or death situations in there. As they go up higher, it becomes more dangerous so they reminded him to be careful. 

That being said, Raven was ready. He's neither confident nor nervous. He's just calm. He's ready to face the dangers and won't hesitate to retreat if the situation calls for it. Raven understood that since he became the Heir to the Sect Master's position and the Ancestral Divine Crown, his life no longer belongs to only himself. He has to survive for the sake of his loved-ones and those relying on to him. 

---

"Be careful, you hear me?" Henry patted Raven's shoulders with a solemn look on his face. 

Him, along with the other War Gods, were gathered to the Storm Dweller's Peak to see Raven off. Henry was feeling a little bit surreal right now. 

How long has it been since he brought this guy to the sect? Four? Or maybe five years? He can't remember anymore but that doesn't matter. If someone were to tell him that one day, Raven would overtake him, he'd probably call that person insane. Well, it did happen but Henry felt nothing but absolute respect for this kid. 

He saw Raven gave it his all, not even once did he compromised when it comes to his contributions to the Sect. He worked harder than anybody else, pushing himself to the point of collapsing even. Everything that Raven achieved right now are the fruits of his labor and he deserved every single one of them. 

"Don't worry, I'm not as reckless as you guys are." Raven chuckled as he patted Henry's back. 

"We'll be catching up soon, so don't get ahead of yourself." Logan said a snarky comment but in truth, he's proud of Raven. 

"Mn, I'll be waiting." Raven grabbed on to one of Logan's many arms. "Though we might not actually see each other inside."

"Good luck dude. Be careful." Theo said as he shook Raven's arms. 

"You better catch-up as well, stop slacking off. You're relieved of your Fire Keeper duties already." Raven firmly grasped Theo's arm, he then moved on to Charles. 

"Stay strong. You better be an Empyrean once you come out of there." Charles smiled as they bumped fists. 

"I'll try my best." Raven replied. 

He then took a step back and looked at his comrades. The other War Gods and his assistants are there to send him off as well. He walked towards Kyrie and said: "I'll leave the matters to you. Don't worry, my Avatars are there. All of them are connected to me, if something comes-up, don't hesitate to inform me." 

Kyrie nodded and bit her lips to prevent herself from being emotional. Raven then went towards the Sect Master and the Grand Elder who's guarding the entrance to the Celestial Ascension Platform. 

"I'm off, Senior Brother, Grand Elder." Raven bowed to them. 

"Be careful, brat." The Grand Elder nodded. 

"You must return to us alive, alright?" The Sect Master demanded. 

"I will." Raven nodded and put on a solemn expression. 

He stopped hesitating and walked towards the spatial portal that will lead him to the Celestial Ascension Platform. He didn't look back and disappeared from their vision. 

As soon as Raven disappeared, the Sect Master and the Grand Elder closed-off the portal. Everyone was dispersed quietly but their hearts are determined. 

With that, silence returned to the Storm Dweller's Peak. 

---

Raven travelled for quite sometime within the spatial passage. He wasn't sure how much time actually passed but it should've taken him at least two to three days before he managed to catch glimpse of the other side. 

It didn't take long before Raven exited the spatial passage. As soon as he landed on the ground, the passage disappeared behind him. 

Raven took a good look of his surroundings. He somehow ended-up in the lush forest filled with traces of Life Laws. The air was sweet and fresh, similar to the air within the Cultivation Eden. 

The trip to arrive in this place was very reminiscent of the first time he arrived at the Divine Realm. Just like now, he also arrived at a bountiful forest at the Blue Marble Planet.

Raven decided to move along. Following the clearing that seems to have been created for him, and probably others who came here. As he followed the path, he came across dense shrubs filled with numerous berries. He also saw some hare, squirrels, fawns, and a lot of butterflies on his way. 

The path lead him to a dense bush covering the path forward, Raven gently pushed it aside and stepped onto the other side, only to see a tall obelisk that could seemingly pierce the sky. He looked down and saw that there is a person standing beside the obelisk and was looking intently at him. 

The man was an Elder wearing a set of black robes. Despite his old appearance, there is a wizened look on his face and his aura was concealed perfectly. He stood tall like a spear pointed at the heavens. His left cheek is also filled with Runic Tattoos as well.

Raven felt estranged but he decided to keep moving forward. When he arrived closer to the person standing beside the obelisk, he clasped his hands and greeted him. 

"Greetings, Fellow Knight. My name is Vendrick Valorheart."

"I've heard about you, Knight Vendrick - Heir of Chronos. Would you be more comfortable if I call you Raven?" The man smiled and returned the greeting. 

"Yes, of course Elder. May I know your name?" He asked. 

"This old man has lived for a long time that I can't recall my actual birth name." The old man smiled in a carefree manner, "Just call me Elder Gary, I guess." 

"Understood, Elder Gary." Raven nodded. 

"You came here to challenge the Celestial Ascension Platform, no?" Elder Gary asked. 

"Yes, Elder. I came here to test my luck." 

Elder Gary didn't reply. Instead he procured a stone steele from nowhere and handed it over to Raven. He then said: "That stone steele will serve as your identification plate. Smear a drop of your blood on to it in order to bind it to you." 

Raven nodded and did as he was asked. He nicked a small wound on his finger and smeared his blood on the Stone Steele. As soon as he did that, the stone steele transformed, releasing a flash of light. 

When the transformation ended, the stone steele now displayed information that wasn't there before...

[Vendrick 'Raven' Valorheart] - 0th Floor.