Way of the Knights

---

"Ooh, you broke through? Nice!" This was the first words of Logan when they all met up after resting at the checkpoint for  week. 

Raven simply nodded in acknowledgement, however inwardly he was relieved. At least his breakthrough didn't get him in trouble. 

"Still, it's somewhat difficult to believe that you're only at the Saint Knight Realm." Henry mentioned. 

"That's true." Theo nodded in agreement. "With all of the things you can do, you'd easily pass as an Empyrean ranked powerhouse, yet in truth you're still on the Saint Knight Realm. Thinking about what you can do once you become a true Empyrean Ranked powerhouse is pretty scary you know?"

"How about we just become thankful that he's an ally, yeah?" Charles interjected after seeing Raven getting a bit overwhelmed with the praises. "Anyways, we ought to continue with our journey. As much as resting feels good, we can't forget about our goal here."

"That is also true." Theo nodded in agreement. "I've made sufficient preparations. How about you guys?"

The replied, saying that they too made sufficient preparations as well. With that in mind, they went ahead and walked out of the checkpoint. Before they left, the made sure to bid farewell to the Guardian and return the piece of paper that he gave them when they arrived before. 

That piece of paper was some sort of a permit/certificate. Basically, it's the proof that they gained the right to enter the checkpoint and stay here. Before they continue on with their journey, they are required to return it back to the Guardian. 

As they were leaving, Raven could still feel that the Guardian was paying close attention to him. Just like before, he didn't sense any ill intent so he just let it pass. 

Right before they exited however, he heard a sound transmission which was only sent to him alone. 

'You'll understand why, when time comes.' 

This words sounded very cryptic. Raven didn't understand it at all, he only felt a strong sense of foreboding creeping through his spine. Although he wanted to ask the giant what he meant by telling him that, they were unfortunately out of the checkpoint and it's gates already disappeared before his very eyes. 

The checkpoints could only be used by the hikers once, so they best make it count. Once they leave, it will magically disappear and only the next checkpoint will be visible to them. 

That being said, even if Raven had the chance to ask what the Guardian meant, he would most likely get nothing out of the attempt. If the Guardian wanted him to know, then wouldn't it be easier for him to tell him now instead? Since it didn't even bother explaining things to Raven, then it's quite obvious that it's not yet the time for Raven to know. 

It's as simple as that...

Now that the team existed the checkpoint, it is time for them to resume their journey. Just like before, Raven's still on the supportive role. 

Thanks to his breakthrough, Raven could sense the influence of the Spacetime Laws better. He could tell that they're in a different Mount Olympus yet again since the climate changed. 

Before they entered the 1st Checkpoint, the climate was stormy. Now, it's back to being sunny all around. Guessing by the flourishing vegetation around them, it must've been Spring here. 

This made their journey relatively smooth and relaxing, it's as if they were regular hikers really. 

---

Time swiftly passed just like this, and the team eventually cleared one trial after another. 

Sufficed to say, that the War Gods gaining the Slaughter Domain is akin to giving a Tiger a pair of wings. The rate of which they came out severely exhausted and heavily injured lessened, allowing them to recovery quickly and save a bit of time. 

Raven remained on the supporting duty, looking after his teammates after clearing some trials. There are times when they'll spend a long time clearing a trial because they got unlucky, but there are also rare times where they do get lucky and clear the trials because it was easy. It really depends on luck. 

Still, whether it rained or shine, the team persist on their journey towards the peak. Time and time again they were left thanking the heavens that they brought Raven with them. Without his aid, the War Gods wouldn't have made it this far. 

Raven was just too damn reliable. With him around, the troublesome and ever-changing climates around them was practically rendered useless to stop their advance. They don't know how he does it but he sure makes it extremely easy. Not even once did they have to worry about the climate at all since Raven got them covered. 

Aside from that, the food he makes aren't just extremely delicious but also incredibly nourishing. At this point, the amount of food they ate was greater compared to the total amount of meals they have prior to the climb. 

With his food, they didn't need to spend a long amount time sitting down in meditation whilst recovering their energy. Just by clearing a few plates worth of Raven's food and not only would their stomachs be full, their energies would recover and even their injuries will clear up. 

All that's left for them to do is to sleep and allow the food they ate to be digested naturally, once they wake they'll feel refreshed and ready to take on the challenges along the way. 

Simply put, Raven was godsend on this trip. He's the backbone of this team. Without him, the War Gods would've given up during the first few trials.

As for Raven, even though he didn't get much action. His days still remained rather occupied and fulfilling. 

By now, it is guaranteed that the War Gods would take at least three days before they exit a trial, and that's considering that they got an easy one. That gives Raven enough time to at least enter seclusion inside the Crown Space, which is thankfully not conflicting with the mysterious arrangement of Mount Olympus.

He made some decent progress but he's mostly just fortifying his foundations since he just experienced a recent breakthrough. He didn't seclude as much, only enough to integrate with some insights and make sure that he's not biting off more than what he can chew. 

On most days however, he remained on Mount Olympus and perceived Spacetime Laws. Whenever the War Gods are out, he'll attend to them and continue their journey, rinse and repeat.

Just like this whole year passed with them clearing one trial after another and encountering checkpoints. By now, they are resting within the 6th checkpoint, which is also the furthest they were able to go. 

Speaking of checkpoints, Raven discovered that not all of them were gigantic. In fact, it was only the 1st checkpoint they went into that fits that bill. The following ones were all regularly sized, still big but not overly supersized. Thanks to that, they didn't have to trouble themselves spending a ton of their strength just to open up the gates. 

Additionally, the Guardian of the other checkpoints were unlike the first one they encountered. None of them paid real attention to them, only providing the minimum interaction with the people who comes and leaves their place. 

As they moved closer and closer to the peak and they discovered checkpoints and rested in them, they managed to meet some of the hikers as well. Raven wasn't that all surprised to see them all battered up and mentally exhausted. 

Their faces looked as if they were mourning somebody's death, when asked, their voices were quiet, some were even straight up not responding. It was pretty clear that they were thoroughly shaken up and doubting if they should still continue with the climb. 

Once again, Raven didn't find this surprising. Even the War Gods weren't surprised. After all, not all of them were lucky enough to have Raven by their side, aiding them with the journey. 

Unlike their team, these people not only needed to face the trials and clear them, they also have to deal with the ever-changing climate around them. All of which, could severely break down one's mental fortitude, making them hopeless and despairing at the difficulty of this challenge. 

It wouldn't surprise them if some of these people decided to return back to the sect and no longer have any hopes of reaching the peak. Such an experience can be traumatizing. Some of them might not even step foot onto the mountain ever again. 

Needless to say, whatever they decided upon was none of the team's business. They only needed to pay attention to themselves. 

Right now, they might've been able to reach 6th checkpoint but that doesn't mean they could get complacent. The War Gods managed to reach this stage before without Raven's help through sheer luck. Reaching it this time around means that their hike is just beginning. The real troublesome part comes after they exited this place since that'd be the uncharted territory for them. 

This time, they decided to rest for a whole month.. If they can't even reach the 7th checkpoint with Raven's help, then it's either they're incompetent or reaching the peak is just straight up impossible. 

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