082 RuneXKey

"Nen runes?" Silver asked.

"Yes, there are special Nen characters that create different set of effects when combined. From the looks of it, the whole pyramid is covered by a defensive rune."  Lara answered.

"There is such a thing?" Both Silver and Grylls asked in unison.

"Yup, encountered a few of them myself. They are neat if you know how to create one. Unfortunately, I am not one of those who knows how."

Feeling excited, Silver used Gyo and his scarlet eyes on his eyes and looked at the Pyramid. Unfortunately for him, he can't see anything out of the ordinary.

Seeing what Silver is doing, Lara can't help but comment. "You might as well give up. If it was easy to be a Nen Rune user, I would have been one already."

Silver didn't relent and used Sharingan to see. However he was left disappointed to observe nothing out of the ordinary as well.

The group settled at the top of the pyramid were a sacrificial shrine made up of stone and some visible Nen runes. Silver tried to peer unto the secrets with his eyes but still unable to do so.

Grylls and Silver sat on the side as they observe Lara investigate the shrine.

On the middle of the Shrine, a hole that resembles a key hole can be seen. Lara tried to pick it with her lock picking tools but found out, there are no moving parts. That puzzled her greatly. She then remembered a certain key they got from a shipwreck more than a month ago.

"Ughhh... Should have gotten the key when I first had the chance."

Without further thing to do they waited for the second group to come and took a meal.

"They are here." Said Silver opening his closed eyes. "And Nellie is with them." He added with coldness in his eyes.

Putting two and two together, there is a high chance it was Nellie who activated the trap earlier.

A moment later, they saw the second group come in to their view. And lo and behold, Nellie is with them with her attire in a mess as if she had an accident.

"Don't tell me she is the one who did that earlier!?" Grylls gritted her teeth in anger.

"Don't accuse her just yet, we have no proof in hand it was her. And don't mention anything about the poison. We are here to welcome just another addition to the exploration group." Lara warned them.

"Smile and wave boys, smile and wave." Lara added as she lead the three smiling and waving at the second group as if welcoming a friend.

~~~~

20 minutes later, the other group reached the foot of the pyramid.

"I can feel slight disappointment from Marco in seeing us. Excitement from Bradford, nothing as usual from Slade and the same cold and ill intent from Nellie. Somehow, I think it is mainly directed to you. Did you steal her boyfriend or something?" Murmured Silver to Lara.

"Hey, I did no such thing." Lara shake her head.

"What are you guys talking about again?" Grylls asked the two.

"Nothing of importance. Remember, don't give any indication that we know someone is sabotaging the group." -Lara.

"All right then. Keep your secrets." Grylls smiled disappointedly.

~~~~~~

"Welcome everybo-, what happened to you, big sis Nellie?" Silver asked with his Oscar-level performance.

"An airship came to attack our ship out of a sudden. Jack and his crew risked their lives to lead me to an emergency bay with some supplies. Luckily, there is a boat in it which I used to follow you. While I was lost in the tunnel I came across Marco's group so I tagged along." Nellie explained in detail.

"How about the others? Did you left them behind?" Worriedly asked Lara.

"I don't know. I immediately escaped into the cave after I was given the chance." Nellie answered while looking dejected. "I'm sorry, I could not help the others."

"Wow! You must be really lucky big sis, you might be blessed by the goddess of luck herself!" Complimented Silver with genuine expression and shining eyes. However he knew she is lying from his heartbeat.

"It is good to see you alive, I thought you died back there." Grylls hugged Bradford.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Bradford looked at Grylls questioningly. He didn't know what happened but he felt a sudden sting on his shoulder.

"You were here first, find anything?" Marco asked Lara.

"There are no entrances inside the pyramid, but there is a keyhole big enough for the Seraph in that sacrificial shrine." Lara pointed to the stone shrine.

"Marco's eyes beemed with greed and longing and wanted to immediately head there but was stopped by Slade's firm grip on his arms.

"Not yet, we just arrived. We need to rest and recover before we try anything funny." Slade remarked.

"You are right. I was just excited. Let's stop for a while." Marco relented.

~~~~~

"Anyone up for a snack? I can prepare as some quick meal." Nellie enthusiastically raised.

"Awwww... You were a step too late. We just had our meal while waiting for you guys. I would have love to eat your meal big sis Nellie." Came in Silver with his cute and subtle rejection.

Nellie looked at the area and indeed, signs of eating can be seen. Wrappers and utensils yet to be placed in a trash bag. After all they are explorers not litterers.

"It's okay, I'll prepare us some meal later little Sil." Nellie said as he approached Silver to pat his head.

"What was that!?" Silver stepped to the side and looked at the cave in the far corner of the cave cavity.

"What is it?" Lara asked as everyone look at the direction Silver is currently looking at.

"I saw mutliple shadows moving in those caves." Silver narrowed his eyes. "We might not really be alone like big sis Nellie said."

That alerted Marco and Slade.

"Break time is over. Let's pack up and go." Marco said hurriedly.

Nellie narrowed her eyes, no one knows what she is thinking.

Silver however can feel doubt and suspicion from her beating heart. 'So Nellie is not working for Marco like Slade. Bradford is similar to Grylls and are here solely for the expedition... That means, captain Jack and his crew are most probably dead. After all, dead men tell no tales.'