Entering The Crack

Five Days Later – Song Clan Manor Garden

The garden buzzed with quiet energy as the elite team gathered in small groups. Tension laced the air, but so did camaraderie—a mutual recognition that every individual here had earned their place.

The siblings stood together, armed, focused, and ready.

Viktor Wind approached, chain wrapped casually around his waist, a faint smile on his lips.

"It's good fortune that the three of you are coming with us. Always reassuring to have strong allies."

Dragaris Ygling joined him, nodding in agreement.

"With you three, I feel safer. We're heading straight into enemy territory."

Before any response could be given, Penelope's voice cut through the conversation, clear and authoritative.

"As you all know, our objective is to infiltrate Teide Volcano and liberate the Magma Race from slavery. Once freed, they'll aid us in damaging the Volcanic Alliance from within."

She paused, allowing her words to settle.

"Each clan in the Alliance has Semi-Elemental Realm experts. They can't cross the Bi-Elemental Barrier, but they'll be stationed nearby. If things go wrong, we retreat immediately."

Thomas Beowulf stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the group of thirty.

"Some of you may have side missions from your clans. That's fine—but not until we complete the primary task. Until then, we move and act as a single unit."

"We leave at dusk. Follow me."

The group marched through thinning forest until they reached the edge of a vast clearing.

There, shimmering faintly in the moonlight, was the Bi-Elemental Barrier. Its translucent green surface pulsed with energy. A single hairline crack ran through it—just enough to hint at instability.

Nearby stood a military camp, bristling with tension. Warriors from all twenty Windy Mountain clans moved with grim purpose, sharpening weapons, reviewing formations, and preparing for battle.

Thomas raised a hand.

"We camp here. The crack will widen tonight. Once the armies engage, we'll use the distraction to slip through unnoticed."

Penelope stepped forward, drawing a storage artifact shaped like a silver pouch. From within, she pulled out a set of clothing—rough and dark, styled after the warriors of the Volcanic Domain.

"Disguise yourselves. We need to blend in. And rest while you can. Once we cross, there'll be no breaks."

The group dressed in silence, the tension deepening as night fell and anticipation grew.

Hours passed in silence.

Suddenly, a deep tearing sound echoed through the air. The crack in the barrier pulsed, expanding inch by inch.

Ilargia's eyes narrowed.

"It's happening. The war will begin within five hours."

Asier sat cross-legged, entering a meditative state.

Nika remained standing, arms crossed, unfazed.

"Let it come. We do the job. If fortune favors us, we take whatever else we can."

Ilargia nodded slowly.

"Let's rest while we still can."

Three hours later, a deafening explosion shattered the quiet. The sky lit up in red and orange. Shouts, roars, and the clash of metal filled the air.

"Formation! Now!" a commander roared.

The siblings rushed to the rendezvous point. Penelope was already at the front of the group, eyes gleaming with focus.

"We'll approach the crack from the left. Thomas—initiate the Ghostly Formation."

Thomas raised a spectral artifact shaped like a ghostly flame.

"Activate!"

In a blink, the thirty elite cultivators shimmered out of sight. Their bodies became shadows—insubstantial, weightless, invisible to both friend and foe.

Through the chaos of war, they slipped like ghosts toward the ever-widening crack.

On the battlefield, the Volcanic Domain's forces were monstrous. Their warriors stood over two meters tall, clad in beast pelts, bodies adorned with tribal tattoos, wielding brutal weapons effortlessly. Each fought multiple enemies with savage grace.

"Don't look," Penelope whispered through their comms. "Just move."

It took twenty tense minutes to breach the border.

On the other side stood a formidable encampment, smaller than the Windy Mountains army but composed of hardened veterans. Their postures were relaxed but alert—the poise of those who'd known war their entire lives.

Thomas shook his head, whispering:

"They're not holding back. This is the strongest army they've ever fielded."

Penelope responded immediately.

"Irrelevant. Our mission is elsewhere. The Teide Volcano lies east. We move—quietly."

Once far enough from the camp, Thomas dismissed the formation. The shadows faded, and their figures returned to solid form.

Penelope faced the group, her tone serious.

"It'll take two days to reach Teide Volcano. From now on, stay sharp. Stay silent. And stay alive."