Entering The First Tunnel

Breakfast was over, and now it was time to head out. Tomoe transformed into his beast form, a large white fox with three tails, and was forced to carry all our baggage. However, I did promise the fox that I would tell him what had happened last night when we were alone.

Thus, the Kitsune had become our traveling pet, and we were off on our way. As we walked out of the entrance of the Old Chapel, I looked behind to see if there was anything I had forgotten. When I did so, I found that the entire entry was gone, and I was looking at a tree.

"Not to worry, the Old Chapel hasn't vanished from us. It's changed positions to preserve the secrecy of our Headquarters and home. So long as you've one of the Founders with you, you will always be able to find your way back to the Old Chapel," assured Raiyen.

That fact only confuses me more about how I could have met Minwoo last night and had drinks with him when he wasn't a Founder of the Arks. Once we reached the tunnel's entrance, which was a well that looked like it came out of a fairytale book, we headed down.

I stayed silent for most of the traveling since I was still swelling in my thoughts and scanning the area for enemies. Though it wasn't the best place, the tunnels looked well-kept and didn't look too ruined or had a foul smell. There were torches all around as well.

I placed a hand on the walls, asking Vania to analyze the material and if it was easily destructible. Luckily, it was typical rock walls without any hint of Magecraft being used. Again, though, I shouldn't get hopes too high when we reach the enemy territory.

Tomoe, Raiyen, and Bryan talked about the recent reports around the Five Domains while Duncan and I stayed quiet. I could feel Duncan's Elemental Aura fluctuating ever so slightly, but it didn't pose too much problem. I wonder what other Missions are happening now...

To my surprise, Duncan pulled me out of my daydream to ask me about the Mission. And if we were going to have lunch very soon because his stomach would commit war crimes if he didn't have a sandwich soon.

We stopped, unloaded the baggage off Tomoe, and allowed the poor fox to turn into his human form. The poor guy instantly laid down on his back while we set up our lunch. Duncan was right. Today's lunch was club sandwiches.

"I'm looking forward to seeing your powers in action again, Lizzie. You will be using the Orginal Spell on the beast of the storm, right?" asked Bryan, sounding very excited.

"That's correct. The chant might be the longest, but there's a reason for having so long. I'm hoping that it will be enough to quell the beast but not kill it," I explained, taking a bite of the heavenly sandwich.

Of all the foods that I had seen, the club sandwich was my favorite during my time as a service crew. I could never turn it down, even if I had a bad day.

"Not killing the thing? I thought you didn't have a problem with killing when you first asked us to be on board with this Mission..." asked Raiyen.

"People and beasts are two very different things if you've got a good pair of eyes. In my vision, beasts can be tamed and conditioned to do our bidding. It would be a shame if I allowed a legendary beast of folklore to die from such a sad scenario."

"I will use my Original Spell to engage it within the ocean's depths, where it has always belonged. But, of course, it would be better for the beast since it is a water-dwelling serpent. But you guys can't wait for me to trap the beast since it would destroy our cover."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"When the spell emerges from my fingertips, and I have finished the chant, I'd need everyone to head to the next tunnel's entrance and enter it before I take the beast away. Then, once the storm clears, we would be a beacon to the enemy's sights."

"Thus, I need you guys to use the cover of the battle to continue with the journey. When I'm done, I'll join you. But if I don't join back by five Tocks, proceed on with the Mission without me," I explained, finishing my lunch.

"Shouldn't we stop the Mission once that happens? It doesn't make sense if our leader dies halfway through the Mission... And we continue to fight and go after FB like it was nothing? I don't think I'm on board with that idea..." quizzed Duncan, slowly chewing on his food.