CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56 – KNIGHT FORT B56 (PART 2)

Chapter 56 – Knight Fort B56 (Part 2)

The group continued forward, drawn like moths to the monumental structure ahead of them. The closer they came, the more overwhelming it grew in size, towering above the landscape like a divine sentinel. Light radiated softly from its surface—pure, yet commanding—flooding the surroundings with a subtle pressure that weighed on their shoulders without suffocating them.

Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly as he tilted his head, examining the intricate, impossible architecture. Something about this place... it didn’t feel crafted.

’This doesn’t seem man-made. It’s too... perfect. Too complete.’ He narrowed his gaze. ’If they told me it was a divine artifact left behind by a god, I wouldn’t even question it.’

As they moved beneath its shadow, something else came into view—this time, a structure rising far off on the horizon. Someone in the group pointed.

"Hey—look there! Another building!"

All heads turned.

A strange edifice emerged from the distance, rising like a dark tooth against the cosmic backdrop of the sky. Its shape was angular and aggressive, tiered with narrowing floors that stacked upward into a sharp pinnacle. Thick, curving support beams arched into the ground like claws anchoring the structure to the very core of the realm. Dozens of large bells hung ominously from each corner—silent, still, as if frozen in time.

Its surface was pitch black, composed of stone that swallowed the light rather than reflecting it. As the group drew closer, they began to see more—hairline fractures running across the dark walls, strange glyphs etched deep into every stone, and a singular, massive door standing like a mouth, waiting to be opened.

Zane squinted, uneasy. "What a weird building... Gives me the creeps."

Still, a part of him had already pieced it together.

"Here we are," Fiora announced, her voice clear and calm as she turned to face them. "Fort B56."

She gestured toward the temple-like structure now looming directly beneath the massive gyroscope. The sight was surreal—otherworldly. A tower of dark stone beneath a celestial machine that pulsed with dimensional power. It almost looked like something out of a strange dream. Or a nightmare.

"Gulp... Are we seriously going inside... that?"

"It looks like a haunted castle."

"Why’s it all black? Is that normal?"

Their voices were hushed, laced with anxiety. None of them felt welcome here. It was as if the structure itself was aware of them... and disapproved.

Fiora turned and smiled, amused. "Isn’t it beautiful? Fort B56 is unique. Its design was inspired by a realm that lies close to this one. The knight who first constructed it was fond of that world’s architecture and recreated it here."

Zane tilted his head slightly, analyzing the design again. ’It really does resemble ancient temples back in my world. Could there be a shared history? Or maybe that realm and Earth have overlapping roots?’

Fiora continued, her tone slightly more serious. "The unease you’re feeling comes from the black stone. It’s not just decorative—it emits negative energy that affects mood and mental clarity. A natural defense system of sorts. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it."

With that, she stepped forward and placed her palm against the massive black gate. It looked like it should weigh several tons. Yet with one push, the stone doors creaked open slowly—yielding to her strength like paper against wind.

"Come in," she said without looking back. "You’ll be surprised by what lies inside."

A wall of darkness greeted them. Even with the gate wide open, no light penetrated the entryway. The interior was pitch black. A few students hesitated. Then, without a word, Lune stepped forward and walked into the shadows. She passed by Fiora without so much as flinching, her expression unreadable.

"W-Wow... Miss Lune is so brave..." Elizabeth murmured, her eyes wide.

"I’m going in," Zane said plainly.

"H-Huh? W-Wait for me, Zane!" she called out, stumbling forward to catch up.

They entered the black void together, the light behind them quickly swallowed as the stone doors closed with a dull thud. Their footsteps echoed through the hollow chamber.

"I-I can’t see anything... Zane?" Elizabeth whispered.

"Shhh..." Zane muttered, scanning the darkness. His instincts stirred, alerting him to something. There was energy in the air. Not malevolent, but not passive either. Something was watching them... or reacting to them.

Then he felt it—an almost imperceptible thrum in his chest.

He looked down.

His necklace—the Lunar Pendant—was glowing.

"Z-Zane! My necklace—it’s glowing!" Elizabeth gasped.

"Mine too..." He pulled it up, letting the faint blue light radiate outward. ’Something’s causing this reaction. But what?’

That was when he saw it.

A symbol emerged on the wall ahead, faint at first, then brighter. An ancient glyph, pulsating with blue energy, flared to life. The light grew stronger, washing over them in an overwhelming wave.

"What’s happening?!"

"Close your eyes," Zane warned, shielding his face. Even with his eyes shut, the light pierced through his lids like it was trying to reach his soul.

Then, just as suddenly, it faded.

Zane cautiously opened his eyes.

The chamber was no longer dark. Torches now lined the walls, burning with pale blue flames that bathed the space in ghostly illumination. The room, previously an abyss, now revealed smooth obsidian floors and a narrow wooden door on the far side.

He blinked. ’Was that door... there the whole time?’

"S-Should we go through?" Elizabeth asked, clutching her glowing necklace.

"Seems like it." Zane approached, curiosity guiding him. He pressed his hand against the smaller door—it opened with a soft creak.

What came next made him stop dead in his tracks.

Sunlight.

Real, warm sunlight flooded in, reflecting off the stone floor like golden silk. He raised his eyes—and his breath caught in his throat.

Beyond the door was a different world entirely.

Elizabeth bumped into him, about to speak, but the sight stole her words.

Before them lay a sprawling, open realm—one painted with lush green fields stretching toward a horizon so distant it felt infinite. Trees swayed in a gentle breeze. A sky of perfect blue loomed above them, dotted with white clouds and glowing rays of light.

And in the distance stood a city—huge, elegant, alive. Towers and spires climbed the sky like glass needles. Wide streets bustled with people, not just humans but all kinds of beings—each one strange, yet familiar in this new world.

Zane was speechless, utterly captivated. Then, he smiled. He didn’t know why he did that, but he couldn’t stop the urge.

A slow, thrilled smile crept across his face. His pulse quickened. He didn’t even try to hide the excitement in his expression. He just felt like he had seen something that totally shattered every single expectation he had.

"So this is how it’s going to be, huh?" he muttered under his breath, the thrill rushing through his veins. "Everything miraculous just feels... routine here."

"S-So beautiful..." Elizabeth whispered, awestruck. "H-How is there a place like this... In this dark realm?"

Zane stepped forward, eyes never leaving the horizon.

’If this is the beginning... then my journey is going to be far more interesting than I ever imagined.’

And with that, they took their first step into the hidden world that awaited them within Fort B56.