Chapter 544 Back into the Crystal Caverns

After hearing Marcus’ full explanation on how he makes lower tiered magic spells stronger, everyone else still did not quite understand how he did it.

Of course, both James and Quillon who were pure warriors and did not use magic were the least invested and did not particularly try to grasp the intricacies of what Marcus had revealed.

On the other hand, those that did use magic were naturally interested and wanted to learn more.

Still, they had a current objective to advance, and they could always try and practice the method Marcus had learned by watching Ardea and Retharin do battle at a later time.

“Okay, is everyone secured and ready to go.” Marcus said once they had all climbed onto the platform he had woven with his iron threads.

Nodding their heads, everyone confirmed that they were good to go, and Marcus began moving the platform.

His iron threads coiled into two thick cables, shot out from the platform, and into the wall of the far side of the ravine.

Once they were properly affixed and sturdy, Marcus began reeling them in and as they began to cross over into the ravine, he sent out more cables from the other side of the platform to stabilize them.

Now they were daggling above the ravine that dropped into what appeared to be an endless abyss, suspended only by for cables made of Marcus’ iron threads..

It was honestly a terrifying sight to see as the stared down from the platform that barely had enough room for all of them to stand on.

One wrong move and any of them could go falling into the depths.

“AHHH!”

In fact, as the platform began to lurch downwards, Lyra actually let out a yelp, the fear rising up inside of her.

“You should warn us when you are going to suddenly move like that!” She shouted at Marcus, her apprehension visible in her ears that were shot fully upright and her tails that had gone stiff.

“Sorry, I did not think it would be that big of a deal. I mean you can fly, so even if you did fall you would be fine.” Marcus said, trying to explain the logic of why Lyra should not be afraid.

“Yeah, well even still, steep drops into the ground are still scary even if you would be fine. You know I am afraid of heights and being strong does not mean that frightening things are not frightening anymore.” Lyra said to Marcus.

“Okay I will warn you now then. I am about to start moving and will probably not stop until we reach the bottom, so prepare yourself.”

After saying that and giving everyone a few seconds to prepare, Marcus began lowering the platform as he extended the cables that were attached to the walls of the ravine.

Quickly they descended into the lightless expanse of the ravine, and when they reached about four hundred feet. Marcus created four more cables and bored them into the walls, before ceasing the mana flow to the others and letting them disappear.

Continuing on this way, they dropped further and further into the ravine that would eventually bottom out at the entrance to the crystal caverns they were going to explore.

Hours went by and Marcus was starting to feel the strain of controlling his spell.

It used just slightly more mana than he regenerated to sustain its existence and keeping the iron threads from unraveling was taking a toll on his mind.

He had never used a spell like this for so long, and he was beginning to be afraid that he might lose control and drop everyone.

Luckily when he was feeling that he was at is limits, the ground suddenly came into view and a sense of relief came over him.

Hastily he picked up their pace, not lowering the platform as gently and it jerked back and forth, much to Lyra’s discomfort especially.

She let out another yelp and grabbed onto Quillon who was standing in front of her for stabilization.

Soon they touched down on the ground, and the second they did Marcus dropped his spell and feel down onto his back needing a moment to rest.

He had pushed his control and mana reserves to their limit to carry them all down here, and now he was exhausted from overusing his magic.

‘Ugh it has been a while since I felt what it was like to really be tired.’ He thought as he laid on the ground.

Setting foot on the bottom of the ravine which had a slight stream of water flowing through it, everyone began looking around.

“So where are these crystal caverns that you have been talking about.” Quillon said, since all he saw were small bits of protruding crystals here and there.

“They are at bit further in, maybe around a mile or so.” James said, pointing in the direction that he had originally explored a few years ago.

“Okay I am good to go now.” Marcus said once he had recovered a bit.

Smiling, everyone thanked Marcus for getting them down there, before heading off towards the direction James had pointed.

“Ah there it is.” Lyra said spotting the first bits of crystal slightly illuminating the area.

Rushing forward she ran right up to it and squatted down, before looking at the small crack in the ravine’s wall that exposed the crystal caverns that went even deeper into the ground.

Unfortunately, this first opening was far too small for any of them to fit through expect for Marcus who could just go through the wall.

Nevertheless, they all crowded around and stared inside, including the beat companions who all had intelligence and could appreciate the glowing crystals.

Sniffing the air inside, Roxene began to growl, having picked something up.

‘There is some kind of monster down here. The smell is faint so I do not think any are nearby, but they might pose a problem latter.’ She said telepathically to everyone.

Hearing this Marcus and Mrazivý remembered the lamia that had attacked them and wondered if any more were down here.

That monster had been a formidable enemy that nearly killed Mrazivý and was strong enough to toss Marcus around even with the boost of his supreme skill.

Certainly, they were stronger now and they were in a larger more powerful group, but especially Lilia and her beast companions could be in trouble if a fight broke out.

“I suppose I should keep my life sense skill on at all times then.” Marcus said, letting everyone know that he would be keeping an eye out for all of them.

After that and when they had their fill of looking around this first area, they continued further down the valley of the ravine. Until they finally made it to an entrance large enough for them to fit through.

“I’ll lead the way from here and take you all through the areas I already explored. You all said you want to see the musical crystal room, right?” James said as he moved the front of the group.

Of course, everyone nodded their head in agreement wanting, to see this magical phenomenon.

Though for Marcus and Mrazivý it served another purpose that they planned to surprise everyone with.