Stage 2

After their talk, Ena started using her Chi Detection to find the exit. Since the illusion that was cast on them was now gone, they were easily able to reach the exit easily.

When they reached the surface, the night filled with stars was the first thing they saw.

"I didn't think it would be midnight by the time we finished everything," said Marie.

"But where are we? This isn't the city or anywhere near where we live, did we get end up somewhere else?" asked Alice.

Ena was confused about this too, she added extra steps into her plan so that they would end up on top of the town square, yet they were now somewhere completely different.

"I don't know either, we're supposed to be on top of the town square," said Ena.

"Did you make a mistake?" asked Ellie.

"Definitely not, I was being careful about where we would end up," Ena replied.

"Princess, what is that?" asked Marie.

Ena looked in the direction where Marie was pointing, two figures could be seen walking towards them as everyone became cautious.

"Who are they?" asked Alice.

"I don't know, I can't see since it's too dark," said Ena.

They all watched as the two figures started walking closer and closer. Everyone felt anxious and stressed since they were in no shape to fight.

When the moonlight shined on the two figures, everyone relaxed.

"Ivy and Edward!" Ellie called out as she started running towards them.

However, Ena stayed in her place, she was confused since Ivy and Edward were still coming to them and there was no way they arrived faster than them.

"Ellie! Wait!" Ena yelled.

It was already too late when Ena realized what was happening, the two figures of Ivy and Edward suddenly exploded as Ellie was flung back by the shockwave.

Chunks of rocks also started coming towards them as everyone went back inside the hole to take cover. But Ellie was still out in the open without anything to defend at all.

"Wait! I have to go get Ellie!" Ena said as she started running up, but a hand stopped her from going on.

"Princess! It's too dangerous to go out! Who knows what's out there?" Marie asked.

Before Ena could protest, Alice suddenly spoke up.

"I'll go instead," said Alice.

"Ha?! There's no way you're going!" Ena exclaimed.

"I'm going since they still need you here, I'm strong enough to defend myself," said Alice.

In truth, Alice only wanted to go since she didn't like the thought of Ena saving Ellie since there was a possibility something could spark between them.

Ena was about to protest again when she saw Alice's determined face, she and Marie couldn't say anything so they both let Alice go. Ena covered Alice in a layer of chi just in case anything happens, it would alert her if the layer was broken.

...

When Alice left the whole, countless pebbles were already coming at her as she started sprinting to avoid them.

Alice started looking for Ellie while she was running around, yet there was no sight of her anywhere.

Honestly, Alice didn't really care if Ellie disappeared, she had no connection with her at all. However, if Ellie disappeared, Ena would be sad and Alice hated to see her like that.

"Tsk..."

Mixed emotions were about to overflow when Alice finally spotted Ellie, she was behind a wall and several cuts could be seen on her arm.

"Ellie!" Alice called out as she ran towards Ellie.

"Alice?!" Ellie asked.

"What's so surprising?" asked Alice.

"Nothing, I just didn't expect you to be the one to come," Ellie replied.

"Whatever, are your wounds alright?' asked Alice.

"They'll heal in a bit so yes, also, did you see anyone when you were coming here?" asked Ellie.

"Other than the flying pebbles and chunks of rocks that were coming my way, I didn't see anything," said Alice.

"Multiple people are throwing those rocks at us and they're using magic to do so."

"Earth and Wind magic, the earth magic is to produce the rocks while the wind magic is used to hurl the rocks at us. Though it's scary how accurate their hurls are." Ellie continued.

Alice looked at the rocks that were on the ground, Ellie was right, the rocks were definitely made by earth magic since they had a different texture. It would be impossibly for a human to throw rocks that far so wind magic was used.

Alice was frustrated at herself for not noticing earlier, it felt like she was still leagues behind everyone.

"Don't worry about it, people like me who's experienced many battles can tell easily," said Ellie.

Alice was surprised that Ellie knew exactly what she was thinking but focused back on the situation.

"So, what do we do?" asked Alice.

"I thought you had a plan since you're the one who came to me, but I have an idea," said Ellie.

"What's the idea?" asked Alice.

"We're going to run straight at the rocks," said Ellie.

Alice wasn't sure if she heard that right and asked again, "What's the idea again?"

"As I said, we're going to run straight at the rocks without stopping," said Ellie.

"No, no, no. We're not going to do that, do you know how crazy that sounds? That's like committing suicide!" Alice protested.

"Trust me, it's going to be fine. It's not like the rocks are going to hit us if we keep dodging," said Ellie.

"Weren't you the one who said that the rocks that were hurled at us were scarily accurate?" asked Alice.

"I did, but they were only lucky, just like how they got me with the disguise," said Ellie.

"*Sigh* It's not like I have any plans in mind, let's do it then. If we somehow get caught or injured, you're the one staying behind," said Alice.

"How cruel, but I'm glad you agreed. Since my wounds are already healed, we can do this now," said Ellie.

"..."

Ena who was worried about Alice and Ellie decided to take a peek outside to ease her anxiety, however, it only made it worse when she saw Alice and Ellie running towards the rocks.

'What the hell are they doing?!'