The trouble Auto-one mentioned was an intersecting path. This would not have caused any concern if not for the fact that this intersection was not there before. At least, Auto-one's information said it was not there.
Diara and the rest of the Ancients wore grim expressions when they saw this, their brows furrowed in deep concern. They were similarly unaware of such an intersection in this area, their lack of knowledge adding to the growing unease.
"This... is not an illusion," Ladon confirmed.
"No," Thorn agreed with a scowl. "But there is a residual of magic fluctuation in the air."
"A path created with magic..." Ladon muttered under his breath. After mulling over it for a few seconds, he looked at the others and said, "Thorn and I will force our way in and find the real one. Stay here and keep a lookout in the meantime."
"There is no need," Kyran told them. Not waiting for them to respond, he looked at Cyneah and asked, "How is it?"
Experience the best from m|v|l|e|mp|y|r
"The one to the left is empty," Cyneah replied, her mirror-like eyes glowing as she looked at the intersection before them. "The right one had several lights lying in wait, while the one up ahead had faint glowing lights..."
"How many lights are up ahead?"
"Two..." Cyneah answered with a slight frown. "I... their lights are faint, but compared to the several ones lying in wait on the right path, they are stronger. I know it appears contradictory, but that's how I perceive their light."
Ladon and Thorn were amazed that Cyneah was able to see what was beyond the intersection. They both boast enhanced senses, but all they sensed beyond the paths ahead were fluctuations of magic.
On the other hand, Diara and the other Ancients looked at Cyneah suspiciously. Now that they knew her appearance was only a disguise and that she was not from the Dragon Clan, hearing her speak about lights made them recall something.
"You—."
"Don't say anything unrelated to the current situation," Kyran interrupted Diara before she could even form what she wanted to say.
Immediately, Diara clammed up. She had no choice because, even though Kyran's expression remained indifferent when he spoke, his words were obviously a threat. She did not want to be electrocuted again, so she took his words seriously.
Nonetheless, she and the Ancients already had suspicions about Cyneah's identity, and they found it ironic, even bordering tragic, now that they knew her relationship with Kyran.
Ladon and Thorn also noticed what Kyran did and realized there was more to Cyneah than what they were told. They did not care much about the circumstances that made Lady Ames bring along several people from the Lower Realm to the Higher Realm. But the more they learn about them, the more they discover how much trouble they brought with them.
"The ones at the right, are the lights similar to Diara and the others?" Kyran asked Cyneah as if they did not get interrupted.
Cyneah looked toward the right path, and her frown deepened.
"I... can't say for sure. They appeared different, but... they also felt familiar."
"The seventh floor's challenge mainly focuses on Array and Smithing," one of the Ancients explained. "Those lights... they are what others would refer to one's soul, am I correct?" he added, looking at Cyneah with narrowed eyes.
"We have enough people on our side," Kyran did not try to deny Ladon's words. "Let's deal with them once and for all."
"Ladon and I can take the middle path," Thorn volunteered.
"You'd be most suited to go to the left," Kyran, on the other hand, did not agree.
Thorn scowled. He was about to buttheads with the latter when Ladon placed a hand before him to stop him.
"What now?" Thorn growled at Ladon.
Ignoring Thorn, Ladon looked at Kyran and asked, "Why do you think that?"
"We don't know much about the left side. While having Diara and her group check that path, I don't want them out of my sight— for security reasons," Kyran replied, looking toward the Ancients briefly before turning his attention back to the others. "Besides, you guys can force your way out of any situation using Draconic magic.
I'm guessing the left path is empty because there is an active Dimension right there that Neah could not see."
Ladon narrowed his eyes. He did consider that and believed Kyran could deal with it better than them, given how easily he destroyed Diara's Dimension earlier.
Before he could voice his thoughts, however, Kyran said with a slight smile, "Hear me out for a bit..."
*
Thorn wore a dissatisfied expression as he and Ladon proceeded to the left path.
"I can't believe you bought that guy's nonsense," he grumbled.
"It is not nonsense, and you know it," Ladon replied with a sigh. "I know you dislike him because he came on too strong, but that in itself proves that he is a descendant of Lady Ames."
"..."
"In any case," Ladon continued with a slight smile, "Let's finish this and join them as soon as possible."
As he said this, an oppressive aura erupted a few meters up ahead.
FOOOM!
The Dimension, which was actively serving as their enemy's barrier, expanded as if wanting to envelop Ladon and Thorn within.
Meanwhile, Auto-one, Diara, and the rest of the Ancients were the ones sent to the right path.
Finally, Kyran led the way to the middle path, along with Aki and Cyneah.