(4) Gravedigger Tower

Nobody made any noise as Apophis opened the enormous double doors.

Each member was extremely focused. They still resented Apophis for his decision to accept the goddess's quest, but by now, they'd decided to give the fight their full effort. At this point, it was victory or death, and being angry wouldn't help them at all.

A huge, square room opened before them, one about twenty-five meters on each side and about ten meters high. Surprisingly, it appeared to be a luxurious suite like that of a mansion's owner. A set of huge windows with gold metal frames overlooked the dead, frozen wasteland outside the tower.

Complete silence filled the suite, and Ceasar was quite cautious. This was nothing like the boss encounter from the previous difficulty. In fact, at first, there was nobody to be seen among the ornate and antique furniture that filled the room.

However, as the team carefully advanced, both Apophis and Ceasar noticed a figure standing off to the side of the huge windows and staring outside with his back to the party.

Apophis moved closer and saw that it was a humanoid wearing an unfamiliar military uniform. He had his hands clasped behind his back and was observing the solar eclipse outside, which the windows showcased perfectly.

Sudden realization came to Apophis.

This was a Zetark!

╔══════════════╕ 

╟─╼BOSS NPC

║ ╰╼[Name]: Lord Enel

║ ╰╼[LvL]: 200 

║ ╰╼[Rank]: A+

╚══════════════╛

Apophis's heart sank. All the words he'd given to the party seemed foolish now. LvL 200 and Rank A+? This was too much. This boss could slaughter them all with a wave of his hand.

True, the boss wasn't a Rank S, which meant he was only a demigod, not a full god, but that was a meaningless distinction as far as Apophis's party was concerned.

The difference between Apophis's Rank E- and the boss was a power ratio of 1 to 100,000,000.

Because, of course, rank was far more important of a measure of power than even level.

Apophis summoned every drop of his courage and signaled for the group to stay back.

Then he stepped forward, stopping only a few meters from Lord Enel. Thanks to his extensive recent reading and his [ Archaeologist ] passive, he knew how to speak Zetark perfectly.

Using his knowledge of the Zetark Empire's culture, he spoke with great respect and restraint. "Good morning, Lord Enel!" He punctuated his words with a respectful bow.

Lord Enel turned around. "So it is you that I must eliminate?"

"Of course not," said Apophis. "I'm a friend of the Empire. I'm even known among my people by my title of 'Savior of the Zetark.'"

Lord Enel thought about this. "I am inclined to believe you, since you respect our customs to the letter. Nobody who did not have the trust of one of the great Pureblooded Families could know these things.

"Yet… that doesn't change the fact that I must eliminate you for the glory of the Emperor and the Empire. If you know this much about our noble Empire, then surely you are familiar with the Doctrine of Sanctity. You have stepped foot on sacred ground which no outsider may touch. Please forgive me, Savior of the Zetark."

"My Lord," Apophis retorted at once, "I regret to tell you that the Zetark Empire fell more than a thousand years ago. Only one member of your species is still alive, Princess Antanria, whom I rescued three days ago from a life support capsule. It is by her authority that I address you, and it should be considered that she is the one who stands here!"

In truth, Apophis had never heard of the "Doctrine of Sanctity." That hadn't exactly been part of the manual which had told low-ranking Zetark warriors how to address higher-caste Zetark officers. However, surely invoking the authority of the princess herself would mean something here!

Lord Enel was confused. "What date in the stellar calendar is it?"

"January 28, 7099," said Apophis. "It seems that you've been stuck here for more than a thousand years, My Lord!"

Lord Enel's expression changed several times as he tried to understand. He made a focused effort to sift through his memories.

Apophis continued speaking, seeing that something was happening in Lord Enel's mind. "We have been sent here by the goddess Varda Elentári. Your souls have been corrupted by a malevolent god, but you can return to your true self if you focus, My Lord! My allies and I are here to cleanse you, not to fight you!"

As he spoke, Apophis suddenly realized something.

The young Zetark he had saved possessed almost the same name as the goddess in the Zetark language. In their language, and particularly with the Zetark accent which Lord Enel used, "Antanria" and "Elentári" sounded nearly identical.

Was the princess simply named after the goddess, as in some real world religions? True, the Zetark tongue was an extremely complex language with a wealth of words, and each phoneme had a special meaning... but still, might there be a deeper connection between these two women?

Lord Enel put a hand to his forehead, suddenly overcome with emotional pain, as well as a physical headache. This revelation from the strange human who spoke perfect Zetark was nearly impossible to believe, but deep down, he knew that it must be true.

Just as he was about to speak, Lord Enel collapsed in agony, clutching both hands to his head!

A powerful voice resonated within the room, seeming to come from the walls themselves. "How dare you resist your master, you miserable mortal!"

After a few moments, the screaming stopped.

Lord Enel stood up slowly, his limbs lurching in a disturbing way. A blank look had come across his face.

Apophis inspected the boss again.

╔══════════════╕ 

╟─╼BOSS NPC

║ ╰╼[Name]: Lord Enel,

║ ╰╼[Title]: Puppet Lord

║ ╰╼[LvL]: 20 

║ ╰╼[Rank]: C

╚══════════════╛

Well, that was much easier to deal with!

Apophis immediately yelled to the other party members to get into fighting positions! 

They had already prepared themselves, of course. Though none of them could understand a word of the conversation, they knew a boss's transformation when they saw one!

Ceasar, in particular, gritted his teeth into a cold smile. Despite his many years of MMO experience, his instincts told him that the hardest fight of his life was about to begin.