The group walked farther and farther from the post, although slowly.
They soon found a fork in the road and took that one that they think is what would lead them to that lush area, but when they were out of the guard's line of sight, a magic circle immediately appeared at their feet and teleported them back to the lush forest.
And as the scenery change, the group can now see Estela's group came into view, their faces impassive as Alex's group arrived.
Estela scanned the group and shortly after she finished scanning, she frowned, "One isn't coming?" she asked.
Alex and the others looked down and nodded.
"Well no worries, you can still get the job done without her, but it would be more difficult," Nile said.
Alex and the others just kept looking at the ground, Estela's group seemingly noticed the hope in their eyes and decided to wait a little longer.
Alex noticed that they are willing to wait and nodded in acknowledgment and said to the other that they should wait a little longer in case Leslie changed her mind.
An hour quickly passed by, but for Alex and the others, it felt like days has come and gone.
When it looks like Leslie isn't coming, "Looks like she's not coming after all," Estela said, "Well we cant wait forever here, 2 days has already passed in Phantasia."
Estela nodded at Nile who snapped his fingers and far from the lush forest, the magic circle is permanently deactivated.
She then took out what looks like a crystal ball with a glowing core, changing from color to color, "This is called an elemental ball, and despite the name, it doesn't cast spells, instead it reads one's mana and which element are they most compatible with," Estela explained, "Now I won't disclose too many information, because learning about Phantasia is what making this adventure fun."
Although feeling dejected they aren't complete, the others nodded as Estela continued her explanation, "Now each of you will take turns touching this crystal ball to know which of you we will pass down the knowledge of your respective spirit."
Ethan stepped forward, "You would get the same abilities as we do, except for one," as he said so, he looked at Zach who just ignored him, "So, any questions?" Ethan asked.
The others just shake their heads and Ethan made an earth stand and Estela placed the crystal ball on it, "Now that everything is set, place your hand on top of the ball and we'll determine who's who."
The others nodded, obviously Alex is out of the picture so they each looked at each and they agreed that Kristin would go first because she's their leader and so she stepped forward and placed her hands on the ball.
As soon as she did so, she felt something enter her body and immediately leave and go back to the ball.
The crystal ball then displayed 4 colors rotating each other; orange, yellow, blue, and green. Ethan then stepped forward and placed his hand on top of Kristin's, causing her to slightly blush.
Ethan then said a few words in hypnotic fashion, "Kristin Felines, as one of those chosen by the spirits of Phantasia, do you agree to risk your life in an unknown quest, that might cause you your life and might never return to your home world."
Kristin hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Yes, I do." And as soon as she agreed, light the same as those displayed in the crystal ball, leave Ethan's body, traveled through his arm and into the ball, before traveling through Kristin's arm and stopping at her chest before fading away.
... ...