Chapter 10: Clash of the Floors
Ardian gathered his thoughts, forming a concise theory of the haunting. As they ascended to the upper floors, he spoke calmly, so Rendy could focus.
Ardian's theory:
The building's original owner had made a pact with an astral entity—a powerful one. But the pact was broken. Likely within these very walls. That betrayal left a spiritual curse lingering here.
Years later, a group of reckless youths performed a summoning ritual using an incomplete sigil. Instead of calling the intended being, they tore open a portal—letting unstable entities flood in. Ever since, the spiritual atmosphere grew hostile.
Now, the building had become a battlefield. Creatures split the territory between the lower and upper floors. According to Suitomo, he wasn't one of the portal-born. He was local. Enslaved. Subjugated.
He'd claimed the first two floors but couldn't even touch those above.
The top floor? Most likely ruled by a direct underling of "Him." The one that has associated with symbols of sigil in that broken ritual. A high-rank demon.
Conclusion: Ardian and Rendy were walking into a warzone. The entities upstairs weren't just strong—they were cruel. If they exhausted themselves before reversing the sigil, they were as good as dead. That's why Suitomo offered help. But only if they agreed to leave immediately after.
Rendy nodded. "Okay… makes sense."
He did not understand a damn thing.
"So the plan's still the same," Ardian continued, doing shoulder stretches. "We go up, find the sigil, reverse it, then get the hell out before midnight. The later it gets, the stronger they become."
"Now that I understand," Rendy replied confidently.
"We'll assist," said Suitomo. "Sutri and my troops will hold their forces on the third floor. I'll go with you to the fourth."
"But… my love…" Sutri whispered anxiously.
Suitomo placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. The enemies on the fourth floor… they're far more vicious. I won't risk losing you. You and the others are my priority."
"My lord…" one of Suitomo's goblin-like followers choked back tears.
Sutri smiled faintly, then threw her arms around her husband. "Ah, My Lord… always the romantic."
Ardian looked away. "Is it just me, or are we turning into mosquito repellent for ghost couples?"
"Just explode, all of you," Rendy muttered bitterly. His single status suddenly weighed ten times heavier.
"Getting jealous over spirits in love?" teased Suitomo.
"I know, right?" giggled Sutri.
"You guys are the weird ones!" Ardian snapped.
"Agreed!" Rendy echoed, throwing up his hands.
Ardian and Rendy sighed, fists clenched in mock despair as the ghostly couple carried on their soap opera moment.
But the levity didn't last long.
A few minutes later, the group stood at the base of the staircase leading to the third floor. Suitomo and his soldiers fell into formation.
"Are you ready?" Suitomo asked, eyes burning with purpose. Ardian and Rendy nodded.
"Begin, Sutri."
She nodded back, releasing a glowing barrier that had muffled their presence. Instantly, the air grew thick. Chilling. Angry.
"Attack!" roared Suitomo, raising his mace high into the air.
With a thunderous surge, Sutri and her soldiers stormed the third floor, their battle cries echoing through the halls. Ardian, Rendy, and Suitomo followed close behind, while the rest secured their escape route.
"Straight, then right!" Suitomo barked. "The stairs to the fourth floor are through there!"
Suddenly, the building trembled. Explosions, shrieks, guttural howls filled the air. Ardian and Rendy caught their first glimpse of the enemy.
Horrific goblin-like creatures—skin like ink, long ears, jagged teeth, and twisted horns—scrambled across the walls and ceilings like feral beasts.
"Goblin," Ardian murmured.
Rendy nodded. "Fits your description."
"We're outnumbered four to one! Move fast or we're toast!" Suitomo roared, charging toward the fourth-floor stairs.
Ardian and Rendy followed, weaving through the chaos as screams and energy blasts erupted all around.
"BWAAHAHAHA! COME FORTH, YOU PATHETIC WORMS!" Suitomo's booming laugh echoed across the upper floors.
Ardian leaned in. "Ren…"
"I know. I'll guide us to the sigil," Rendy replied quickly.
"No, not just that," Ardian whispered. "He's furious. Suitomo's got a personal grudge. Don't let him burn out his energy on rage. Keep him in check, if you can."
Rendy grimaced. "I'll try…"
They burst onto the fourth floor. Rendy scanned the area, then pointed. "Two o'clock! Center of the room—that's the sigil!"
"Got it."
Darkness spilled from Ardian's shadow. It stretched and twisted into six large wolves—eyes glowing red, fur made of smoke and black fire.
Rendy summoned his own spirit. A massive white serpent, crowned with a golden crest, uncoiled from thin air. Its ruby eyes shimmered with deadly focus.
"Go!" they shouted in unison.
The serpent lunged forward, crashing through enemy ranks. But it left itself vulnerable—its side exposed.
Then the shadow wolves struck—darting from the flanks, tearing into goblins trying to flank the serpent.
Ardian ran for the sigil.
But a crash stopped him dead in his tracks.
From the ceiling, a monstrous figure dropped to the ground—shaking the entire floor with its weight.
Towering. Broad. Terrifying.
A bull's head. A man's body. Horns like blades. Golden chains across its chest. A massive axe in one hand.
"Minotaur... so you're the leader of this Goblin army" Ardian muttered.
The beast stared him down. Its voice was low, like thunder buried beneath centuries of hatred.
"Mortal child… leave. You bring only more destruction."
"Me?!" Ardian barked a laugh. "You're the one spreading curses, bull-boy!"
"It was your kind who broke the pact. I am merely retribution."
"Don't give me that holier-than-thou nonsense. You're just another thug with delusions of justice."
The Minotaur's nostrils flared. His eyes glowed red.
"Very well…"
He leaped, swinging the axe in a wild arc.
"Then perish!"
The wind shrieked as the weapon tore through air. The force alone blasted several goblins into the wall, snapping their bones with loud cracks.
Ardian dodged, barely. His coat ripped. Blood trickled from his cheek.
"Whoa! Dude, your axe's got friendly fire! You're worse than Rendy in a shooting game!"
The Minotaur didn't flinch. "You jest. You will bleed."
Ardian cracked his neck. "Big words for a cow with jewelry."
The Minotaur bellowed and charged again.
Ardian raised his hand. "Wolves! Scatter and encircle!"
His shadow beasts split into formation, circling the Minotaur. They attacked in turns, striking legs, distracting him.
But it wasn't enough.
With a roar, the Minotaur spun his axe, knocking all six wolves away with a blast of dark energy. They vanished in a puff of black mist.
The Minotaur lunged again, each footstep a tremor, each swing of his axe leaving gashes in the air. Ardian ducked low, feeling the wind tear past his ear. One more inch and his head would've flown off.
"Come on," Ardian muttered, rolling to his feet. "Focus on me, horn-head."
The Minotaur snarled. "You distract, but you are nothing."
"Exactly," Ardian spat blood onto the floor. "Nothing important. Just a human. So why are you wasting time chasing me?"
"Because I can smell your lies," the beast growled, eyes burning with red fire. "There is more to you. And I will rip it from your corpse."