Chapter 32 - 32: Miscalculations

It is a cold, starless night. In contrast to the busy, crowded streets of Bordertown, the night is eerily quiet. Everyone in town has retired for the day.

Meanwhile, from the hidden corners of this city, the midnight black market exists. It's a place where unusual goods, sketchy characters, and questionable transactions take place.

A Black-hooded newcomer carefully treads these treacherous streets. He moves discreetly around the premises to accomplish his given task.

He entered a secluded bar as he waits for someone. The bartender quickly gave him a clear liquor. It is clear as water yet sweet and smooth as he savors its taste.

Not long, a couple has finally approached him. They were wearing a dark grey cloak and ordered the same drink as his.

One of the men tapped his finger on the counter, while the other does the same. The black-hooded robed man carefully observes them.

A hidden message is encoded unto each tap they made. He listens while carefully deciphers it.

Tap, tap, tap tap...

Tap tap, tap tap...

Tap tap tap, tap...

Not long, he paid for his drink and left the bar as he heads to an isolated dark alley. His handsome face remains stoic as usual.

"Oh, you are new... No. An actual person!" someone exclaimed from the shadows.

He turned around and saw a young, pretty girl disguised as a boy. She is half his height with unique amber, green eyes.

"I came to pass a message..." he spoke.

"I can't believe she sent someone this time. She usually sends a holographic imagery spell..." one commented.

"Hush, Fugue! The Young Miss is just cautious. You know the situation..." the girl said as she slaps his shoulder.

"Yeah, Yeah... Anyway, I am Fugue, and this is my twin, Canon. You are...?" The medium built young man introduced.

He shows a jade coin as his proof of identity. It has an exquisite raccoon-like image indicating he is from the Tanuki clan.

"Di'Anon." he responded as he shows a prism flower-shaped crystal pendant.

Little Eu ordered him to meet the twins to inform them of the current situation. She wanted to update the Divine Lord about the issues without involving herself too much. They are his informant.

Di'Anon told them about their agreement with the witch, Gwyddien, and the stolen mirror he wishes to retrieve. They are quite surprised to learn the Shadows is also active in other Realms.

"What can this mirror do?" Canon curiously asked.

"It's the Gateway of Realms..." he discloses.

The twins looked at each other as they can't hide their surprise. Like everyone else, they never knew it actually existed until that day.

"That is troublesome. I never thought those mindless creatures actually knew what they are doing! This indeed needs some more attention." Fugue responded.

"I agree. We need to uncover more information regarding this matter..." Canon quickly agreed with him.

They thought that the Divine Lord might have some insights if they disclose this information. It's a well-hidden Artifact. How did the perpetrator know about it?

They continue to exchange information as Di'Anon only provided what he was ordered to disclose. There are still matters that she needs to clarify.

Meanwhile, in the supposed to be the abandoned City of Themis, the Shadows gather continuing their operation. Unlike other nights, they seem to prepare for someone's arrival.

They have tightly secured the premises while destroying every scout spirit spell that comes in proximity to them. They are very cautious, hoping not to leak their movements to anyone.

These mindless beasts act thoroughly and organized. They might look like savages, but one can't deny these creatures is following a deliberate plan.

Who is leading them? What is its purpose?

The Holy Guardian Lord Turtle is bearing witness to the events in Themis. Due to the unfortunate turn of events, he was stranded in this city for two hundred years.

The array formation has protected him and helped him recuperate in this abandoned city. As much as he wanted to leave and escape, he is greatly outnumbered.

He decided to wait for a window of opportunity. Unfortunately, it never came since they are closely monitoring him.

He can only sigh as he sees the weakened formation crumble. Another force and this spell will inevitably fall, and those shadows will easily overwhelm him.

Even in full strength, he doubts that he could protect himself. So, how much more on his weakened state?

'They are coming…' the Holy Guardian Turtle mumbled.

Meanwhile, in one of the huge halls, they gather around as they use the Gateway of Realms. They are casting an enchantment to activate the Ancient Artifact.

Not long, two figures emerge from the Magic Mirror. All stopped as they quickly bow down to their presence.

"Thank you, my loyal subjects. I am truly grateful. " the taller man spoke, breaking his silence.

The cloaked man's attention was drawn in a corner and saw a faint figure lingering around. His lips curve up into a sinister smile as he recognizes her.

"You came to welcome me back. I am flattered..." He teased.

He started approaching that white, faint figure, but a flash of light blinded them all. Its presence quickly vanishes as his sinister smile remains.

"I'm going to find you, Emilia... You can't escape me this time..." he murmurs.

Meanwhile, in Mystic Spirit, Eu has awakened from her nightmare. She could feel the ominous aura swirling around Themis.

She is catching her breath and drenched in sweat. The chilling sensation lingers on her nerves.

Are they too late? She closed her eyes and saw something has changed.

She can only clench her hands on her failure, but she can still amend the situation. Tomorrow, everything will commence as planned. She can't give up and let everyone down.

It's tremendously cold the next day. Little Eu can still feel her nerves freezing in fear while the weather continues to intensify them.

Despite this, she remained calm as she plans the countermeasure. She looks at her companions as she decided not to involve them. It will just make matters worse and complicated.

She orders them to head back first to Limes Temple. Everyone reluctantly complies.

They didn't want to leave, but she insists she needs to do something alone. Instead, she assigns tasks for them as they parted ways.

She met up with the Holy Guardians next and gave Freya's team tons of reminders. She didn't forewarn them about her vision to avoid scaring them off.

They have to concentrate rescuing the Holy Guardian and retrieve the Magic Mirror. They shouldn't think anything else other than their goals.

At nightfall, she meets up with her mentor, hoping to seek his assistance. Much to her surprise, Master Luc is patiently waiting at their rendezvous.

That night Master Luc came early.

"Greetings, Master Luc. I have committed a grave sin. I needed your help to amend my mistakes." Eu is teary-eyed as she discloses.

Her voice is quivering and shaking as she spoke. She never committed such a mistake before, and she doesn't want to endanger their lives.

"Yes, I know. Let's go, Little one. Say no more. Let's save your friends." he quickly responded.

He wrapped her with his cloak, and they disappear into the night.

Themis is indeed a well-laid trap. The Holy Guardians were never the target of this malicious entity.

Though destroying everything that is potentially a threat is on his itinerary. He does intend to spare no one, including rivals.

Meanwhile, Freya's operation went smoothly as planned. In fact, it went too perfectly.

It was too easy. It shouldn't suppose to be that easy. Freya's training was harsher than that.

"Be extra careful. He is here..." The Holy Guardian Black Turtle informs them.

That gave them chills as he heard them say that. Did Little Eu betray them? Did she send them there to be annihilated?

"Is this a trap? Did she…" Rean can't even finish her words.

"No. I don't believe Little Eu betrayed us. Let's discuss it later. If what he said was true, we have to hasten our pace and leave..." Jin coldly said.

It is not the time to waver and lose their convictions. They have to escape the premises before someone discovers their presence.

He thought Eu might have known that he was coming. Still, she is also aware of the importance of this operation.

This mission is, indeed, without risks. She never wanted them to waver and lose their resolve.

He believes in her that she will never betray them. They have to follow the plan at all costs.

Gwyddien asked Lord Turtle if he knew about the Magic Mirror. He nods his head as he told him what he knew.

He can't hide his enthusiasm as he learns its whereabouts. Base on the situation, the Shadow guards are lax. Did they finally abandon the place?

They made a little detour to retrieve the Magic Mirror. They don't want to entrust that they will not summon a much more dreadful creature than their Master.

Unfortunately, they can't cast a spell to make this Magic Mirror shrink. The Themis Formation is restricting their spells, so they decided to carry the six feet mirror out of the city.

That has hugely taken a toll on their time, but surprisingly, nobody bothered to stop them. They can only assume that someone is waiting for them on the exit.

It can't be that easy. It's not supposed to be easy.

Expectedly, the Shadows have surrounded them. Their Master sits on top of the city gates patiently waiting for them to arrive.

They haven't met him before. Still, finally be able to see the perpetrator made them wonder, who is this man?

"It's quite a reunion. Did you enjoy playing the game 'rescue your friend'? Did you miss me?"

"YOU!?" Freya shouted.

They can't mistake this man. He was the one who betrayed everyone.

Freya grits her teeth in anger and dug her fingers deep into her palms. She always thought he was a victim of circ.u.mstances. How come she didn't find him suspicious before?

Gwyddien quickly cast a spell temporarily breaking the Themis restrictions. She taught him the spell as a countermeasure and giving them access to their full potentials.