Chapter 129

The large feline caught up with Douma and the rest of the crew who were about to go looking for him. Luckily, Chachamaru managed to get out of that mess without any severe injuries other than a bite mark or two on his arm.

"It's a good thing you got out of there," Akagi told Chachamaru who panted from the long run. "Running all the way back will only lengthen our escape and that's something we don't want happening right now."

"Are you trying to say that I'm slowing everyone down? If it weren't for me fighting that worm thing we'd be stuck here!" Chachamaru growled in anger, Douma and everybody else tried to calm him down but the fur standing upright on his skin proved that it was going to be difficult.

Clenching his fists, Chachamaru stomped towards Akagi who put up a straight face while holding his weapon. If the feline tries anything silly, he was ready for it.

"Guys now's not the time to beat each other up. If you wanna have a brawl, save it for later. The island's about to collapse!" Kurai yelled at them.

Douma heard the sound of waves nearby. Perhaps it was just his sharp hearing, the shore was most likely miles away from this part of the island. Nevertheless they couldn't just stand here and wait for a miracle to happen. Mr Fumio was probably at the base waiting for them so they had to keep moving.

Until they pass the base which was definitely not around here as Douma noticed rocks tumbling down from the mountain. He had to signal to the others to stay away from the walls of the mountain behind them.

"Come on we have to keep going. Unless you want to become mashed potato. Slasher's still out there." Without a second thought, Douma ran down the trail followed by Akagi who couldn't agree more to what the blonde had just said.

With these rocks tumbling down I don't wanna become fish food either. Who knows what's waiting for us at the shore. The feline sprinted behind Douma and Akagi who seemed too focused on getting out of this dense forest that they didn't bat an eye at the others who were struggling to get around the falling rocks.

Kurai wanted to tell them to slow down but he knew this was the only way to make sure everyone gets to the shore.

And it was just right around the corner. Douma saw the familiar belongings of Mr Fumio laid down on the forest floor.

Sitting on the very same log was Mr Fumio who looked at them with a distraught expression. He must be shocked to see that a few of their teammates didn't make it back or maybe he already knew about it somehow.

Douma decided not to put up with this calm facade that will only get the others ticked off, after all there was no time to relax. They lost several teammates and their only option now was to escape.

Those very same teammates who got lost haven't returned. If they don't show up the team will have to leave them behind.

"Get the boats ready," Mr Fumio told the group, glancing at the meteorite in Douma's possession. He felt relieved knowing that the group managed to find it despite all the troubles this mission had caused them. He never expected this exploration to be such a hassle, let alone dangerous. None of these factors ever surfaced during the investigations held all those years ago.

"Half of our crew is still missing, we'll figure something out." The man added in a raspy voice.

Nodding, the group ran to the shore which was a few blocks away. Once they saw the sand and scattered clumps of seaweed lying near the water, the group sped up towards the boats.

Akagi and Kurai turned on the engine whilst thinking about Bunta and the others who were still stranded. They weren't at the camp and Mr Fumio had no idea where they were either. He didn't mention anything about them when they got to the base.

"Good work all of you." Mr Fumio who was walking towards Douma stared at the meteorite for a while. Wondering where it could have been hiding the whole time, it took the group quite a while to find it.

When Douma was about to explain where the meteorite was, a few large rocks fell and landed on the shore, catching the group off guard while they were preparing the boats.

"We have to hurry!" Kurai yelled after starting the other boats beside him.

"Alright everybody get on-" Douma froze when he saw Bunta and Ime running from the tree line towards them. Bunta looked injured with the cuts and bruises on his knees and the blood stains on his arm.

However there was no time for questions as Bunta himself told everyone to get on the boat and start moving. Douma was certain Bunta went through some mortifying events back there, he looked terrified. The support from Ime with the poor man's arm wrapped around the other's shoulders wasn't enough to help Bunta move past those encounters.

Those who were once with them during the beginning of their mission didn't show up which meant they were gone. Only Bunta and Ime got out, just like Mr Fumio who was at a loss for words knowing what might have happened, the two of them didn't mention anything about the others.

Douma got on the boat and waited for the rest of the group to hop on aboard the boats before the falling rocks start raining down near the water. He wanted to make sure everybody was safe.

Once everyone got on the boats, all of the boats sped away from Twin Island's shore and headed back to Dice and Roll Valley. Those driving the boat didn't dare look back, it would only slow them down from the horrors emerging out of there.

Mr Fumio didn't say a word, he just sat there thinking about their comrades who didn't make it out. Their efforts will always be remembered. Atlas appreciates them, their bravery and strength will be commemorated for a long time.

The mountain on the island remained with only a small portion of its highest point falling to the ground below beside the shore. After a few seconds, the island was still standing appearing to be a little submerged in the water then before.

A strong prevalent wave moved outwards from the island towards Dice and Roll Valley. It didn't appear to be a hazard but it was a cry for concern because of the sheer force it was giving off as it got closer.