Ch 10

The group of three lodged in a motel while Cael prepared his tools in his briefcase. They went to Krynn town when Zacrius proposed to ask around for anything abnormal that has happened around the town.

"Zacrius, Someone as serious as you decided to ask around? It is insulting. Following the common people around and asking around, instead of believing in us"

Cael interrupted, as he spoke he used his watch to show them numbers 2 12 14 25.

"I'm disappointed,  I will meet you both again in my room after you figured it out"

Cael left while Daphne and Zacrius are stunned but then, they began to think about what just happened.

Sophie seeing Cael leave said "Let's go back to our motel"

As soon they entered the room, Sophie said " 'Someone is following us', that's what Cael meant in his first massage. "

As someone from the Alchemy family, she has memory-type spells and quickly figured out what he meant.

Zacrius then understood why Cael suddenly has a change of attitude "So, what do we do now?"

"Let's meet him, I'm sure he has a plan"

Daphne trusted Cael's abilities more than her Fiance's. She is clever and realized that the knowledge the clock tower knows about Cael is nothing more than scraps Cael has shown.

As soon as they entered Cael's room, he said "We are in a bounded field. So, it's safe to speak openly"

Both Daphne and Zacrius are surprised to hear this, after all, they have not sensed any bounded fields which means, Cael's abilities are equivalent to first-rate magus.

Still, they don't have time to admire for a long time. Daphne asked first.

"So, how many are there following us?"

"I don't know. It's just my instinct but when I got back here. One of the members followed me. So, there is more than one, that's all I can say for now"

"If we are going to confront them anyway, why don't we do our thing? "

Zacrius didn't mind fighting with others. The same can be said from Daphne's perspective, the fact that someone is following them meant, there is something of value in that ruin.

Everyone realized this so, Zacrius proposed this.

"Ok but before that, I want to see who is following us. I have a mystic code for it"

Cael took out a mirror from his briefcase.

He began channeling his prana through it.

The surface of the mirror changed as it showed all the surroundings around the motel.

"That's a useful mystic code"  Daphne commented.

In Cael's view, this mystic code is nothing special. It's the same as remote sensing but in a supernatural way.

After using special chants, the group saw four people who looked superordinary.

"I think they are hypnotized to follow us or at least, they are devoid of free will. Each of their attires is completely different from the others. It's just a speculation but that's all I can think of now"

Daphne gave her opinion. The rest of the team agreed and decided to continue their exploration not before preparing to defend their minds using their abilities.

Cael wore an earring that had the shape of a moon before leaving the motel.

'I have not even reached the ruins yet I already used two mystic codes. The danger this time is not something I can't handle that's for sure but the rewards are worth the risk'

Cael created a mystic code called 'Cube of jambala', it's the golden Rubix cube he's been playing with before coming here.

Its main ability is diving into his fate and giving him clues that may help him in future endeavors.

That's why he has the right mystic codes that are useful for all situations he's going to face.

***

"Why are a bunch of magi here when everything is going perfectly? "

A distorted voice that is inhumane spreads across a cave.

"Did anyone get suspicious? I should activate the defense"

A tentacle appeared out of the darkness and spread across the crevices of the cave as distorted writings appeared all over the cave.

***

The Trio reached the position Zacrius has told and saw a well.

"Didn't you say It is some ruins, why are we in here?"

Daphne asked seeing the deep well that is huge.

"Haha, to be honest. I just knew the coordinates of this place. I have never been here so, I just assumed it is ruins but I can guarantee that there is a chance to encounter something useful here"

Zacrius said as there is a wide smile on his face.

"Anyway, I am just happy that we made it before the news gets out and some others raided the cave inside"

Daphne agreed "Yes, you are right. There might be really something since there are some people following us."

Cael observed the surroundings and after determining everything, he said "Let's get inside first "

The three of them climbed down the rocky stairs that are attached to the wall of the well.

When they got down, they saw three separate caves each having a unique engraving on top of them.

"I'll take the right cave," Cael said seeing the symbol on the cave.

"Alright, Daphne let's go together. After we find something, Let's explore the other cave" Zacrius proposed as he got closer to Daphne.

Daphne agreed, as an alchemist she has a weak body. She would need all the help needed when exploring unknown territory.

Cael doesn't have that problem and entered the save.

"brillo"

A light flashed above his hand lighting up the dark path.

As Cael traveled through the tunneling cave, he felt claustrophobic.

He took out the Cube of jambala and activated it.

It soon glowed before showing six symbols on each side of its face.

Left arrow, the right arrow that has been crossed, a gun, droplet, and shoes, and before he could view the last symbol. The cube lost its light.

"Shit! Did the stars change position already? "

Despite being a powerful Mystic code that can divine fate, it has its limits.

It couldn't be used when the positions of stars related to Cael change.

"It will take another 3 months for the same positions to appear again. At this rate, I can only use this cube only for four months a year. What a weakness"

He lamented before placing the cube back into his briefcase.

He took out a gun from it and loaded it. As he ventured into the tunnel, he saw the end of it.

When he got out of it, he saw a whole different world in it.

There is water everywhere yet he could breathe. The surroundings are changed into the natural landscape with spirits roaming around. 

This is different than the real world and a lot of swimming species harmoniously roaming in the air or water, but he couldn't tell exactly.

The plants floating in the air looked majestic.

He wanted to immerse in it as the world is so breathtakingly beautiful-

*Crack*

"ARGH!!!!"

Cale's mind began to experience tremendous pain as the surroundings began to crack.

When Cael saw the surroundings again, what he saw is a Grim dark space with a dark blue water pond and an even deeper cave to the right of the pond.

A dry laugh came from Cael as he shook his head.

"So, I fell for it, huh."

Cael felt cracks in his earring, it was another mystic code he crafted "Tranquil moon". A mystic code that makes the mind think rationally and can help him negate mind control-related mage craft.

"All my hard work is paying off but It pains me when they are damaged"

As much as Cael wants to sit and repair his mystic code, he's in an unknown territory and can't keep his guard down even for one second.

***

"Zacrius, catch"

Daphne shouted as she fell into the hole due to stepping on a trap. She threw a mystic code at him as she fell.

"No! Daphne!! " Zacrius shouted desperately.