The wall's collapse had left silence that felt almost too heavy.The dust curled lazily in the air,lit in dim light coming from the corridor behind them.
They all stared at the newly revealed chamber.Sana smirked,Foxen and Mahnstin confused but still cautious.
Sana: Ah finally decided to show up huh ? Shy room.
Mahnstin's eyes narrowed as he studied the space.
Mahnstin: Foxen...did you do this ?
Foxen shook his head, negating.
Foxen: No,I didn't alter anything in the wall.
Mahnstin stepped forward cautiously.
Mahnstin: Then how did it collapse ?
Sana: It doesn't matter.He might have unknowingly dismantled it.
Foxen: No,I'd know if I did.
Mahnstin: I trust him.He is never wrong about his powers.
Sana: Ohk,he is Mr.Perfect user.Now let's head in.
She stepped forward.
Foxen's stopped her by raising his hand in front of her.
Foxen: You shouldn't be careless here.Stay on guard.
Sana: Aww this man has a caring side too.How cute.
Foxen: Get serious.Mahnstin check the room.
Mahnstin closed his eyes focusing the CE,violet colour glowed beneath his eyelids as he concentrates the flow.
Mahnstin: No use,there's something in there still blocking my vision.
Foxen: Fine,let's head in.
Foxen entered the room first,his steps deliberate.CE pulsed through his hands into the walls and three lanterns on the edges glowed.
It revealed what layed inside-
A cloak hung on the wall.
Three swords and three shields rested nearly against the side.
Seven stones sat aligned in a row beside th weapons.
Mahnstin and Sana followed in, their eyes fixated on the mystery of room.
Foxen: Three swords and shields huh.Is this related to us too ?
Sana's gaze drifted towards Foxen's back.Something glowed on the back of his jacket.
Sana: Uh...Foxen did you install lights in your jacket ?
Foxen: Why would I do that ?
Sana touched the glowing spot on his jacket.
Sana: Then why is this spot glowing ?
Foxen sighed.
Foxen: Ah that ? It's the eye from the globe I blended it into my jacket.
Sana quickly withdrew her hand,disgusted.
Sana: Creepy ass,take it off.
While they spoke,Mahnstin crouched near the stones,his brows furrowed.
Mahnstin: Foxen,I think these are blocking my vision.
Foxen removed the eye from his jacket,holding it in his palm.Sana still gave it a wary side-eye as they approached Mahnstin.Foxen placed his other hand on of the stones and pushed his CE but it rejected.
Foxen: It's.....blocking my CE.
Sana: That's impossible.Nothing can block our CE.
She pressed her hand on the stone trying to mend the cracks on it but failed.Her hand tingled unpleasantly.
Sana: You are right.It's rejected us.
Mahnstin: These aren't some natural stones,they are made out of energy.
Foxen: Energy ? On what basis are you telling that ?
Mahnstin: I have been with stones my entire life so I can distinguish them.
Foxen: Okay but how is it resisting our CE if it's just other energy ?
Mahnstin: The energy in them is still as if it isn't flowing and is flowing at the same time.
Foxen: That's impossible.
Mahnstin: Exactly.But these....it's as if the energy is flowing but locked-constant.It's dangerous.
Sana: So maybe this is why we were sent here.
Foxen: Yes I think the same.We should take these to Achinos and Darsana.
By the way what's the name of the power that blessed you,Sana ?
Sana: Ayurash.And I don't recall you giving the permission to use my name.
Before Foxen could retort-the lanterns sputtered and died.
The darkness swallowed the room.
Something moved-
And a scream was heard in the darkness.
Foxen instinctively rushed to the nearest wall,reigniting the lanterns by CE wave.The room returned to light revealing-
Mahnstin staggering back and blood dripping from his shoulder.
Foxen shouted in shock.
Foxen: what!!!!!! What happened??
Mahnstin: I.....didn't sense anything.Just an attack meant for my chest but...I was able to dodged it.
Sana was already beside him,pressing her hand on the wound.
Sana: Keep your body loose.It will heal faster.
A voice,deep and almost amused,spoke from the shadows:
Oh...a healer,this will be troublesome now.
From beside the hanging cloak something began to rise.At first it was just a silhouette-like shadows sliding upward forming a man.The air chilled,the lantern lights bending away from him.
His face was hidden swallowed in abyss.
Without a word he reached for the cloak.The shadows clung to him even as he wore the it.
Foxen stepped forward,but in a blink of an eye,the man vanished and reappeared behind him.
A sharp crack.Foxen collapsed to one knee.The pain lancing through his leg-his knee dislocated.
The man stood behind him,calm but his left hand hanged limp-his shoulder clearly dislocated.He smiled and spoke:
You are not bad.
Foxen smirked even in the pain.
Foxen: Don't think you are the only one that can make fast blows.
The man laughed.
Ah..this will be interesting.Don't disappoint me kid.
End of chapter 12.