Way of the Knights

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The group ate a simple breakfast after they woke up and resumed their journey once more. 

This time, they estimated that it'll take at least five days before they arrive at the next trail gate with their current speed. Raven simply went along with their arrangements since they are the one's who will enter the trial anyway. 

The matter about the earth-shaking secret he discovered was kept a secret. He didn't tell them because that might distract them from participating in the trials. Additionally, it's not like it was a useful information for them anyway. Sure, knowing how it works sounds pretty neat but...what of it? It's not like that's going help them in anyway with the trials. 

Additionally, only Raven could sense it and even then, he can't do anything with it since his knowledge about the concept isn't enough. Therefore he thought that it'd be wiser to remain quiet about this. He could always just tell them after this, but that'll depend on the situation really.

Travelling with a constant speed and resting in between, this is how the trip went for them. Thankfully the current climate was pretty forgiving, sunny with occasional chilled winds due to their current altitude. 

They didn't switch worlds yet so far so they have this kind of climate, making easier for them to climb. 

During their travels, they would casually talk about random things to clear up the awkwardness around them. Despite their statuses, the War Gods were pretty easy to get along with. Raven's previous dealings as well his current identity might've affected that outcome but still, this better than being civil with each other. 

Days passed by and eventually, the group arrived at a certain distance where the 2nd Trial Gate manifested. 

Judging from it's appearance, this trial gate is much larger compared to the previous one. It didn't give off much which allowed it to remain mysterious. 

And just like before, only the War Gods entered, leaving Raven alone outside to wait for them to eventually finish the trial. 

As soon as they entered, Raven immediately set up the formation and the tents so that he doesn't have to later. Taking from previous experience, it'll take some time before they come back, specially now that they're dealing with the second trial gate which was supposed to be harder compared to the last one. 

Once everything was prepared, he also prepared the food they'll eventually consume. Once he's done, he sealed it up in order to preserve it's freshness and proceeded to gain more insights about the third concept of Spacetime Laws, Parallelism. 

Raven even made use of some of his Avatars to swiftly digest and integrate with the insights he receives. He didn't want to miss out on any chances, specially now that he found a suitable place to gain these insights. 

In the middle of his meditation, Raven once again felt the spiking fluctuation, which mean the switching of the world and change to the climate. 

Unlike last time where Raven tried his best to search for the source of this fluctuations, he's much calmer right now. He didn't deliberately search for the source since he knew he won't find it anyway, and even if he does, there's no guarantee that he'll even be able to interact with it since his understanding about Spacetime Laws are too shallow. 

What he did instead, was to carefully observe the event and grasp everything that's going to happen. 

Raven focused his attention closely and felt the fluctuations coming. 

The moment he felt it sweeping through his body, Raven's focus was at it's peak. At that point, it's as if everything happened in slow motion. 

The sensation he received was quite profound, for the briefest of moment there, he felt himself travelling thought the endless expanse of worlds. He even got the feeling as if he was observing each one closely but in reality, this happened within a fraction of a second. It felt too long and too short at the same time. 

Just as when the idea that he had seen at least thousands of Mount Olympus, the scenery disappeared and he felt himself returning to the present moment. All of a sudden, he felt everything around him changing into something familiar yet also unfamiliar at the same time. 

Dark clouds suddenly loomed over him with occasional flashes of thunder. Winds were kicking up a huge clouds of dusts all over. The trees around him disappeared, replaced by wreckages and ruin. There were a smoky scent wafting through his nose and loud cackles of thunder and lightning could be heard. 

"So it's stormy area this time." Raven murmured as he saw his surroundings change. 

Despite discovering this, Raven remained impassive and instead focused on the sensations he felt earlier. To him, it didn't really matter whether it rained or shined, he's more interested at the mysterious rules placed on this place rather than the climate and surroundings changing. 

He continued meditating with rapt attention, trying to decipher the insights he received just now. Although it's quite difficult to do so, Raven persevered and kept the knowledge ready for his future foundations. 

His meditation lasted for a total of one week, only interrupted by the sudden sensation of the trial gate opening behind him. 

It took the War Gods a total of one week to clear the second trial. Much longer than what he initially expected. Nevertheless, Raven wasn't one to complain so he immediately helped them out instead. 

When he got to them, he could feel the exhaustion they felt. Even breathing was difficult for them to do. They didn't even have any energy to spare to whine about how unlucky they were with the Second Trial.

Right now, even the simplest act of walking was incredibly challenging for them to accomplish. 

None said anything, Raven went to work and sent them to the table. He unsealed the food and told them to eat despite them wanting to pass out. 

The sent of food was enough to rouse the attention of the War Gods who were nearly at the gates of death. 

Following that, was the sound of chewing, slurping and heavy breathing. 

Raven simply watched the process with a confused look. From what he observed so far, the War Gods weren't injured heavily unlike last time, they weren't as dirty either yet for some reason, they were severely more tired and battered compared to before. Which really makes him wonder what happened to them inside the trial gate. 

"God damn! Is it just me or are we truly unlucky?" Logan asked while resting after a good meal. 

Hearing his words caused the other War Gods to sigh, yet they can't really retort his words. 

"What the hell happened to you inside?" Raven can't prevent his curiosity anymore so he asked them directly. 

"Endless slaughter without rest for one and half year." Henry replied. Causing Raven to shiver from head to toe. 

"It'll be fine if we were fighting against push-overs, however we're fighting against Titans. And endless waves of them at that. If we died during the process we will simply be resurrected from the spot where we fell over and over again." Theo stated. 

"It's not like we could just let them kill us over and over again either." Charles added, "We have to fight back or else we would fail the challenge. So we were forced to battle. It was horrible." 

"Ahh, so that's why you were completely drained." Raven nodded. 

Right now, Raven couldn't tell if he would fare any better compared to if he had to take on the same challenge as well, but at least he knows where they're coming from. 

He had experienced something similar before. Back when he was fighting the remnant souls of the potential candidates for the crown. He died over and over again on those trials that he became numbed with it. 

Such a thing really takes toll on one's mentality. In a sense, Raven was luckier since he was in no rush and he had time on his side, as for the War Gods who had to fight Titans, that's even more difficult compared to fighting humans. 

"I can't go on." Logan grumbled. "I might go rest for a least three days straight, perhaps even longer. I'll just inform you when I'm good to go." 

"Don't worry. We too needed some rest." Theo nodded, "We're in no rush. We prepared for a long trip anyways. Let's take out time." 

The rest of the team agreed upon this and the War Gods returned to their tents to rest. Raven cleaned up after them since they really can't help him even if they wanted to since they're very tired. 

Faint snoring sounds could be heard within the formation, signifying that the War Gods were fast asleep. 

Raven thought for a bit before an idea struck him. He sat in front of the table with an arrangement of ingredients in front of him. Busying himself for a bit, he eventually created some incense sticks which he lit-up and placed near the tents of the resting war gods. 

"There, that should help with their recovery." Raven said after finishing his craft.. Afterwards, he returned to his own tent and tucked himself to sleep. 

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