Chapter 3: The Guardian of the Crystal Gate
As Volt and his companions moved away from the shore, they delved deeper into the heart of the misty forest. The trees were so tall they blotted out the sky, their roots twisting like snakes across the forest floor. Luna, now walking ahead of them like a captive guide, looked toward the path leading to the Elven capital with visible dread.
"This air reeks of 'Poisoned Magic'," Volt said coldly, touching the bark of an ancient tree. The moment his skin made contact, the vibrant green leaves instantly withered and turned to black ash. Sai kept a firm grip on his sword, sensing hundreds of eyes watching them from the shadows.
Aki, struggling to pull his boots out of the thick mud, grumbled loudly, "If this is sacred land, I'd much prefer hell! At least your shoes stay clean in the pits of fire."
Suddenly, they arrived before a massive crystal gate embedded between two millennial trees. Standing there was an old man with a long white beard, clutching a golden staff. He was the High Priest of the Elves, one of the most loyal servants of the "Fake Gods."
"Demon King!" the Priest bellowed, his voice echoing through the woods. "You have no authority here. This gate only opens for those with the blessing of the Gods."
Volt took a step forward, his red eyes glowing with lethal intensity within the mist. "The Gods? They are nothing but thieves who have imprisoned this world in a magical cage. I didn't come here to ask for blessings... I came to shatter the cage."
Volt's right hand became engulfed in a swirling aura of violet and black energy—the power of "Absolute Destruction" granted by his unique Bundle system. He slammed his palm against the crystal gate, and in an instant, the barrier that the Elves considered indestructible shattered like fragile glass.