Chapter 99

LEO'S POV

"General! We've found something!"

The echo of a soldier's shout comes through the foggy surrounding. I follow the sound and rush over with my group, hoping to find an end to the expedition.

"What is it?" I asked as I fought through the fog.

I reached the group as they were all staring at a wall. At first, I was left wondering what was so special. But I only realised when I approached it for further inspection.

The wall broke up into two separate parts. A long and straight gap ran down from top to bottom. It was no ordinary crack either. It looked almost man-made.

"This doesn't seem ordinary, does it?" The same soldier spoke out.

"It doesn't," I scratched my chin. "Good catch,"

I walked closer to it to get a better look. More and more soldiers gathered around, trying to figure out what we have stumbled upon.

We had been searching around the mountain for the entire day. The sun had begun setting and we had to find shelter quickly. Either find shelter or find answers.

I put my hand forward and touch the crack. Nothing was out of the ordinary. It felt like a crack in the stone. But it was unnatural.

I take my sword out and poke inside the hole. Just as I thought, it was hollow inside.

"This must be a door," I turned around and announced.

"What should we do?" A soldier spoke out, covered in snow and shivering.

"There are two options," I said while holding out two fingers. "We can try and separate the two, or we can break through,"

Everyone began to ponder and discuss between themselves. I watched as the group came up with an answer.

"Take it apart," One of the soldiers said with determined eyes.

"Very well, get to work,"

The plan was to take the two walls apart. It's strange to find some kind of doorway–especially one that has no way to enter, other than breaking it or using force.

Two hooks were tied with a rope to them. I doubt this will be enough to take the mighty walls apart.

"Fit it in and take positions,"

"Yes sir!" They answered back in unison.

"On three, one… two… three!"

Everyone began to pull on the ropes as hard as they could. It was part of training to increase grip and overall strength, but there's no way we can do it.

They all grunted and screeched in pain as their feets dug into the snow. No progress was made. The wall did not even budge.

Just as I thought this was useless, I noticed a slight movement. A glimmer of hope breaks out as one part moves.

"It moved!" I exclaimed. "C'mon! We can do it!"

With greater motivation in their hearts, they gave it all they could. They all pushed themselves into overdrive to take it apart.

Another movement, a rumble could be heard. It fired up everyone as more progress was being done.

Just then, something clicked in my head. If this is similar to a door…

"Halt!" I shouted. "This won't work anymore!"

Everyone let go of the rope at once. Some fell to the ground in exhaustion and began breathing heavily.

"This won't work at all," I shook my head. "We took it the wrong way,"

"Then what should we do?" One soldier asked, trying to catch his breath.

"This is a door, not a wall," I explained. "We need to pull it open,"

As I answered the question, they were again back on their feet, ready to take apart the door.

Everyone changed position and hooked it properly, hoping to take it apart this time.

"Alright! Pull it open!" I commanded as they took positions beside me.

Men grunted and shouted once again, pulling with all their might. Once again their feet dug into the ground but all the work was worth its weight.

It began to come apart as soon as we tried to pull it apart. Both of the doors together. It slowly began to reveal the entrance to a dark abyss.

The doors were opened and what awaited behind it was darkness. Though the team would agree that it is much better than the cold fog outside.

A fiery passion for adventure was set ablaze as soon as the entrance opened. It was as if I was being called by the darkness that just opened up.

Without realising it, I started taking the first steps towards the entrance. It called me from within, the mysterious aura and the intimidating darkness within.

I set one foot inside the cave and could already feel the difference. A damp and humid temperature within. Compare that to the harsh, cold weather outside. It was blissful.

To fix my problem of darkness, I created a flame on my hand. It lit up a sustainable amount of the entrance. But I could tell something was hiding deeper inside.

"Stay alert," I told the soldiers who were entering behind me. "There is definitely danger within. Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary,"

The soldiers grabbed onto the hilt of their swords–on guard and ready to slash at anything that comes close.

All of them did the same as I did, creating a flame on the palm of their hands. Everyone looked in awe at the surroundings. It was a perfectly cut entrance that led deep inside the mountain.

"General, you need to see this!" A soldier called out.

"What is it?" I turned and asked.

He pointed at the wall, directing my attention from him. High up near the ceiling, I could make out strange drawings carved into the wall. They were not drawn with paint, but carved.

My mind could only make out one sensible answer. This must be the work of a past civilization.

But to be this high up… it's strange.

The drawing closely resembled figures. A group of figures. They held onto what I assume are spears. An animal was also drawn but it was poorly drawn.

"Huh… This is quite mysterious," I muttered to myself. "Let's continue, we might find answers,"

"General, is there a chance we can stay in this cave?" A soldier asked with a weary voice.

"Perhaps, yes," I answered. "This place seems safe,"

Upon hearing my answer, everyone's tired faces lit up with smiles. As if they were filled with energy from my words. They were ready to tackle this mystery for a while longer.

We continued along the straight and abnormally large cave. There seemed to be no ending to it but I had a feeling there must be a dead end somewhere.

As we continued through, more and more carvings became visible. It seemed like a story, but it was either poorly written or poorly drawn. Either way, the carvings were too confusing for all of us.

All the signs indicated to an ancient civilization. A civilization that hadn't grown past the age of stone. There were many ways to tell that this civilization was far behind us, especially with our recent breakthroughs.

My eyes slowly became fixated in front of me. I was too curious about the dark that we entered. As soon as we entered the dark, it would become light and we could see.

I began ignoring any more of the drawings that popped up high on the wall. They were just a jumbled story that wouldn't give much answers.

In the corner of my eye, I spot a yellow-ish white object. My eyes widened as I spotted it. It was an object that I hadn't thought would be in there.

An ancient carcass. Larger than my own body. I couldn't have missed this even if I tried to avoid it. This is the biggest carcass I had seen. No animal came close to it, not even mammoths.

We halted as soon as I spotted the carcass. Everyone became wary, quickly tightening their grips around the hilt.

"Investigate the carcass," I said while walking closer.

A few men had stepped out of the line and followed behind me. It was ancient and yet no spiderwebs were found. Not a big surprise as we had not seen a single insect in here either.

The bones were still hard. Though it had aged a lot, causing it to become much weaker. It was still hard considering how old it may be.

The carcass was missing a skull, only a ribcage was found. A few clutter of bones lay around but no one could make out what this animal was.

It was too big to be a bear and too small to be a mammoth. What kind of creature was this? Not only that, to have the carcass just stay here so casually…

"Let's stop here for today," I turned and announced. "We will continue to investigate this for the time being,"

The soldiers all sigh a breath of relief, hearing that we would walk no more. They drop their rucksacks on the walls and take out the camping equipment.

I do the same, leaving mine near the carcass. I wished to be close to it, hoping to find answers to it.

"Mark the area we will call our new camp," I commanded. "Create the camp within the area, outside will be a danger zone,"

"As you command General," the Majority of the soldiers answer together.

Everyone begins their work at once. Making tents to sleep in and a fire to light the area. Though we already have shelter, a cold breeze blew inside the cave from the entrance, making it somewhat difficult.

I watched as my men began to create a lively camp that we would call home for the night. The light that came to us from the entrance slowly began to dim as the sun set.

The weather outside must've become worse since we entered. It's only four o'clock and yet darkness has fallen outside.

In a matter of twenty minutes, we turned the empty cave into our own. A fire was lit in the middle to keep us warm and give us light. Everyone gathered around and warmed up from the cold weather.

"Great job today," I congratulated everyone. "Cook up some food and rest for today. We will go deeper tomorrow,"

The once disciplined soldiers had now broken into triumph and mellow smiles. Digging into their rucksacks for food and drinks. We were given a week's worth of food, but perhaps it was a bit too much.

Before I could be dragged into any form of gossip, I slid away from the soldiers and entered my humble tent. It was much warmer inside as a dimly lit lantern kept the inside visible.

Artorius had handed me an empty diary and told me to write everything in detail. He wanted to read it and find out everything that happened during the expedition.

It also gives a clue to how we die, that is if we die. If I have a recount, Artorius will know the cause of our death if it wasn't from an animal.

I sit on the edge of my bed and rummage through my rucksack. Filled with small sacks of bread and salted meat inside. I took out my diary and pen and began to recount the day in as much detail as I could remember.

As I recounted the day, my mind pondered towards answers for the carcass of the creature. My tent was only a few meters away from it.

Never have I ever seen such a creature in my life. The skull could've given answers to what kind it was. A herbivore or a carnivore. For all I know, it might've been a herbivore.

FELIX'S POV

"Is that all you got!?" I taunted as Vincent pressured me back.

Before the sun sets, Vincent wished to have a sparring session. He had been improving well but he's stagnated for nearly two weeks now.

This time, however, he's brought his son into the fight. Killian was born with a natural ability to wield the blade better than his father. But what he does not have is experience, which his father has.

The father and son dynamic is impressive. They both complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Killian can swing but he lacks proper practice. Vincent can do both but he is still unrefined. There is still a lot to work on for him.

As the father and son continue to strike me head-on, I parry and dodge them as they give it their all.

Suddenly, Vincent stops and starts to find a way to go around me. Killian keeps me busy as his father tries to flank me.

He tries to run around my sides as Killian barrages me with all he has.

"This time I have you!" He shouts before charging in from my left.

"Do you really think I won't see that?" I mocked him, trying to throw him off. "Even a blind man can see what you're trying!"

Before he could get too close, I leapt back and had the two collide with each other. Both of their swords majestically fling out of their hands as they fall to the ground, one on top of another.

"Both of your teamwork is as dull as these training swords," I mocked the two. "Your chemistry does not mix well. You both will need to work on it if you wish to become a dynamic duo,"

Vincent helps his son stand up and pick up their swords. "It's not easy fighting someone as nimble as you," Vincent snickered while wiping away the sweat from his forehead.

"Killian, you have great potential," I turned my gaze to him. "You are already at your father's level when it comes to wielding a sword,"

"It's all thanks to the training I've received from you, Sir Felix," The young boy bows in respect.

I sheathe my sword and walk past the two, heading back inside the palace before the sun sets. It was a long day but it finally came to an end.

"I can only train you for so long before you go above even my levels," I spoke to Killian. "I can already see your future. In a year, you will become better than your own father and I,"

"You have a bright future, my son!" Vincent pridefully declared. "Soon you will be able to take on Artorius himself!"

"Do not make a mockery of your son!" I bursted out laughing. "He may be able to take on Zenith, but I doubt he can take on Artorius,"

"How so?" Vincent raised a brow. "Didn't you mention that Artorius is weaker than Zenith?"

"If it was a swords duel, Zenith could stand out before Artorius. But if magic is involved, no one has come close to Artorius,"

"It's strange… How has he mastered both sword and magic?" Killian speaks his mind aloud.

"Training," I gave a blunt answer. "He's shown promise at a young age, just like you. But King Theo didn't allow him to train in swordsmanship. Till he was allowed, he trained his magic,"

"Always utilizing his time well," Vincent voiced from the side.

"Nuff said about Artorius," I sigh and shake my head. "Let's just hope he's doing well in that cave.

It's been three days since Artorius left for the cave. A growing feeling in my chest says something is wrong, but I push it aside.

Before his sudden change, he was never such a risk-taker. He always calculated his moves. This must be another one of his calculated endeavours.

Tomorrow will be the fourth day. Days are flying by now. I just hope this pace keeps going till the week is over.