Emperor's Reckoning

Heaven's Access. It was the name of the tower that was hosting the gate to a place called Heaven. The seven-layered place was a place of wonder and a dream for many cultivators.

The tall building had no stairs for one to climb nor lid for a roof but the rigidness and the dense material it was made of could stand even the ragest of wind.

The place was located on a lone island and was heavily guarded by the elders of each Great Family.  Their overbearing aura could deter even an army of hundreds.

Not just anybody could use Heaven's Access. There were prerequisites that the cultivators must obey whether they like it or not.

The two patriarchs and the matriarch from the Yuki clan were standing right in front of the tower. The entrance toward the tower was only one, through the gate that eventually led up to the center of it.

"This tower brought so many memories, don't you think so? Carius?" said Tael as he took a glance at his noble friend.

"Not a good one," said Carius as he crossed his arms.

"I'm sorry that I do not share the experience with my predecessors," said the matriarch of the Yuki clan with a bow. Her face was covered with a thick veil and only her icy enchanting eyes were on display.

"Haha, please don't mind it," said Tael as he laughed. "Welp. my grandson and my son are waiting for me, hahaha!"

The old man went onward leaving the other two leaders to stand outside.

"Did you ever go to Heaven, matriarch?" asked Carius as he put his hands behind his back.

"Yes, I did, Patriarch Carius," answered the matriarch.

Carius took a glance against her.

"Is something wrong?" asked the matriarch.

"Then you better be careful, that's all I can say."

The matriarch raised her eyebrows but Carius walked forward and left her be.

As soon as Carius was out of sight, the matriarch shook her head. "Even though he seems really strict, he does care for the Mortal World."

She let out a sigh, "But really, even bringing elders would be more of a burden than protection in that place."

She turned around before looking at the horizon. Her eyes were unblinking before she furrowed her eyebrows. Her nose suddenly twitched before her lips opened a wide gap whilst her eyes shrank.

"Acho~"

She let out a cute sneeze that almost blow her veil away.

"Ouch, that one was harder than any sneeze in my life," said the matriarch as she gently pinched her nose. "What are they talking about behind my back?"

She entered the tower whilst holding her nose.

Unlike the usual vortex, what's in front of her was an empty tower with a wide inscription on the floor. She took her steps casually before standing right in the middle of it. She closed her eyes before the place turned dim as the inscription glowed beneath her feet.

She opened her icy glance before she said, "Go."

Her body was instantly encompassed by bright light she vanished.

---

The matriarch of the Yuki clan opened her eyes. Her views reminded the same but it was a different tower. The other two patriarchs were there standing waiting for her.

"Oh? I thought that you are going to see your grandson?" asked the matriarch.

Tael didn't answer as well as Carius, the two of them didn't even turn around. Their expressions made her furrow her eyebrows. She approached them both near the entrance before the view made her eyes turn sharp.

Grotesque of horror was present. Ten dead people were lying on the ground with their blood dyeing the ground red. Their body was dismembered and some of them had their body frozen.

"What in the world..." muttered the matriarch.

"We are being trapped," said Tael as his eyes turned as sharp as the blade he carried.

(Trapped?!) thought the matriarch, "For what?"

"We don't know, but that man is probably the one behind this," said Carius as he crossed his arms.

A middle-aged man was walking between the dead people as ten soldiers followed behind him. He had a slim figure and an overbearing aura. The smirk on his face was condescending and his dark short hair was matte.

"Clearly, that you know what this means, considering your status," said the middle-aged man with a wicked laugh.

"Who are you?" asked the matriarch coldly.

"My name is Hezar, at least you will remember that name for now," said the middle-aged man.

(That name doesn't ring a bell) thought Carius.

"Do you know who did this?" asked Tael.

"Hm? Hahaha, what are you talking about? You know who did this," said Hezar with a condescending smirk.

"Young man, I suggest you keep your hands clean," said Tael as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.

(Don't do it! Tael!) said Carius through mana transmission.

Tael raised both of his eyebrows before he replied (But Carius! They are framing us!).

(I know, but if you attack him now, you would endanger those who followed you!) replied Carius.

(Gh!) Tael let go of his hand from the hilt.

"I don't know what you were thinking, but at least you realized your situation," said Hezar as he grinned before he continued, "You three follow us, don't try anything funny."

Carius let out a snort before he walked forward. He was the most cool-headed one of the three.

Tael closed his eyes before taking a deep breath then followed behind his friend.

The matriarch furrowed her eyebrows. It seems that they were suddenly plunged into a bigger mess. (Hezar... what does he... no... what does that one controlling him want from us?).

(Porealus) thought Carius.

(Zet) thought Tael.

(Ivy) Thought the matriarch.

(Please be safe!) thought the three of them as they followed Hezar.

---

Inside a room where Zet was lying asleep in a not-so-savvy inn. His father was looking at the sky through the windows.

"This is weird, father should have come at any moment now, the pre-preliminaries are tomorrow."