Strange Plaque

[A/N: Sorry I ain't posted in a few days, ya boy was enjoying his bed sheets a little to much. But, I'm back so I will be posting three chapters today to at least make up my lost time. Thanks for reading as always. Comment and let me know what you think about the chapter and if there is anything I can improve on.]

For a while, no one moved; everyone stood there looking at the cave anticipation for what's to come.

Orion laughed out hysterically.

I guess we will have to finish this fight later, I have treasures to get.

Orion put his axes on his back; then began to run towards the cave. His comrades jumped away from their battlefields then also charged towards the cave.

Once they gathered together, they began to speed up and speed off into the depths of the caves darkness.

"Shit! We can't allow them to get the treasures; knights form up!"

Albert gathered up with Hilda and the other knights.

"Formation alpha! Keep your eyes peeled and stay focus we don't know what's in this cave."

The knights formed up into an arrow formation, then charged into the cave.

Ryuji watching every charge into the cave got up off of the ground then walk towards the cave.

"This is gonna be interesting; we got strong fighters from different groups vying for the same thing."

Ryuji pressed his hand on his asauchi then began to run towards the cave entering inside its depths.

As Ryuji entered Leon smiles then raised his hand.

"Let's go guys we don't want to get left behind."

Leon and his group gathered up and ran into the cave.

Inside the cave Ryuji could see nothing but rocks, however his senses continued to flare up warning him of presences all around.

As he gathered cosmo towards his eyes; they began to glow green with luster.

His eyes enhanced by cosmo began to take notice of the cosmo around him. Many colors danced in the air, the whole cave began to light up as if outside in pure sunlight.

Ryuji looks around as he walks with newfound sight; in the corner of his eye he can see shapes appearing wiggling in the air.

These shapes began to become clear to Ryuji. The form of people floating in the air; turmoil, anguish, sadness written over their faces.

"Are those the souls of people who have came before?"

Ryuji walked towards a nearby soul and reached his hand out to touch it. His hand went straight through the soul; the soul turned and looked at Ryuji.

"This is creepy as hell, let's see if I can send these souls to the afterlife."

Ryuji places the pommel of his sword; on the forehead of the spirit. His cosmo connected to the soul; then opened a pathway to the afterlife pulling the soul in.

Ryuji exorcised all of the souls sending them to the afterlife.

"May you all find peace."

He bowed his head then walked forward through the cave. As he walked he came across a doorway that opens up to a large room with twelve branching paths.

Everyone that charged in at first is here looking at all the passageways.

Ryuji walks into the room looking around; sensing different types of deathly cosmo from each passageway.

In the middle of the room stands a plaque that reads; "Whosoever enters shall face death, you must understand deaths meaning, and when you have found your truth in death; find governance over life."

"Choose your path."

The plaque ended with those words, an eerie vibe can be felt just from reading the last lines. Each group can be seen huddled together discussing their options. Ryuji walk towards a pathway using his eyes to see any abnormalities in the paths.

"I can sense movement down most of these paths; however, I can't seem to sense any life energy from any path, almost as if everything down here is dead."

As he made his way around he stopped at the ninth path. Something about this path while, congested heavily with footsteps and death cosmo; called out to Ryuji. Sensing something again calling out towards him, he sat down on the ground in front of the path and began to expand his senses out towards the path.

As Ryuji observed and sensed out towards the paths, many people were observing his actions, wondering if he had found an answer.

"Whatever that kid is doing he might get himself killed or set off a trap." A knight under Albert commented.

"Do not underestimate anyone here; how someone looks does not determine their experience and strength."

"Inside this boy I can sense a great cosmo on the same level as my own; we would do well not to casually make enemies with him." Albert explains to his subordinate.

Albert observed Ryuji, a green heavy cosmo could be seen shrouding over Ryuji, like a great evil ready to strike. He shook his head then walked over towards the fifth path observing it. Hilda and the other knights followed closely behind him, watching the other groups.

Leon seeing the actions of Ryuji and Albert decided to pick a path and see what happens.

"Sitting around thinking and waiting won't get us anywhere, let's just pick a path and hope for the best."

Leon smiles at his group before walking over towards the third path. His group follows behind him not sure of his choice.

Crimson Leader Orion watches the other three groups; wondering how they decided on a path to take. He looks at the three groups then smiles for a second before turning back towards his comrades.

"Ragnar, after that boy enters that path alone follow him; if he finds anything of worth, kill him then meet us at the end."

"Got it boss, his blood will nourish my axe in the name of the Crimson Squad."

Ragnar laughs as he watches Ryuji like a predator watching it's prey. Orion and Neil walk over towards the eighth path.

Outside of the cave hidden figures can be seen appearing from the trees. Men and women alike begin to walk out from the darkness, walking up towards the cave entrance. A tall woman in dark black robes with an incredible figure walks through the group. Everyone makes way for this woman, bowing as she approaches.

A man leaves the group of people in black and walks towards the woman before kneeling on his knee.

"My lady Alethia, many groups have entered into the cave; one group is lead by Albert and Hilda of Eailnoth, next is the Crimson Squad led by Orion, and a group of people led by a man named Leon. There is also a lone man who has entered the cave alone, however, a strong warrior came to this area with him; where this man went I can not tell."

Alethia looked down at the kneeling figure then smiled.

"Good, the Silent Council has tasked us with retrieving anything we find here; don't let anything stand in your way. Also, bring me Albert and Orion's head this will put fear into their groups hearts; let the world know, no one can stand in the Silent Council's way."

"Yes my lady!" The man rose from his position and began to give orders to his troops.

After everyone had their order's they began to enter the cave slowly. Lady Alethia stood behind the group watching them with a smile on her face.