Book 6: Chapter 57: Mystery Unsolved

Book 6: Chapter 57: Mystery Unsolved

Sen so very badly wanted to ask the monk a mountain of questions, but he realized that it was ultimately a distraction. As interested as he was, and as much as he might want to come back and visit once those long-lost inhabitants came back, talking about it with the monk now would simply delay their return. Given that he had no idea how long it had been since they entered the ruins, he realized there was a question that should have been asked long since.

Brother Khu, how long has it been for everyone outside of the barrier since we came into the ruins?

The old monk frowned and offered a helpless shrug. I cannot say with any certainty.Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

You dont know? asked Misty Peak, sounding wholly unconvinced.

I did not construct the barrier. I know what it does, in general terms, but I cannot explain it in detail, said the monk, before he weighed the look on Misty Peaks face and continued. You use a storage treasure, correct?

Yes, said Misty Peak.

How much do you know about how it functions? Can you explain it in detail?

A look of grudging acceptance appeared on the fox womans face. I think I see your point. But I want to go back to the whole people are coming back here thing.

No, said Sen, earning a dirty look from the fox. Im just as curious as you are but that sounds like the kind of conversation that could take days. Given that we dont know how long its been outside, how much longer do you want to stay in here? We could walk out there and discover its been decades. Was there anyone you care about that you left in not great circumstances? People who might think you abandoned them? Even if you dont have anyone like that, I do. So, you can stay and ask all the questions you like, but Im leaving as soon as Brother Khu points me toward the best way to leave.

Sen could see the frustration on Misty Peaks face. He understood it and even shared it, but he wasnt willing to stay in the ruins with the passage of time so uncertain. It might have only been a few days or weeks outside. If he found out that was the case, he might feel bad that he rushed everyone out but not nearly as bad as he would feel if he found out theyd been stuck inside for years. He cringed to imagine what kind of disaster it would have caused if he simply vanished for that long. His teachers might literally be picking up pieces of the kingdom and shaking them to see if he fell out. Or, they might think that he met his end in some deserted corner of the kingdom and mourned his loss. They would be happy to discover that he wasnt dead and might even just write the whole thing off as a cultivator misadventure with a happy ending.

He didnt think Falling Leaf would respond with nearly so much calm. Given everything that shed done for him over the years, he expected that she would take it personally. Shed understand that he got caught in a place where time moved differently. She might even forgive him for it, eventually, maybe. When he tried to imagine what that first conversation would be like, though, Sen shuddered. It would be ugly. When he realized it might be an unavoidable conversation no matter what he did, that prompted another shiver of anticipatory dread. The transformed spider moved a little in Sens peripheral vision. Sen felt like an ass. Hed left the transformed spider out of the conversation entirely. He turned away from the baleful stare of Misty Peak to address Glimmer of Night.

Youll have to decide for yourself whether you want to leave now or stay and ask questions.

The spider took a long moment to respond. These are human concerns. Ill warn my kind that humans will return here. Beyond that, I have no interest.

That was easier than expected, thought Sen. He turned back to Brother Khu, doing everything in his power to not actually look at Misty Peak as he did.

Is there a trick to leaving? Some special path we need to follow to avoid the mandala?

Who could possibly be so important that youd give up finding out about all of that to get back to them?

A madwoman, said Sen. The kind would very likely hold it against me until the end of time if I took any longer than absolutely necessary to get back.

Youre rushing out of here because youve got some overly sensitive lover waiting for you?

Sen snorted. Careful now. Your envy is showing, but I didnt mean a lover. I also wasnt exaggerating. I meant an actual madwoman. She just happens to be my teacher at the moment. Im already expecting to mountain of misery for taking as long as I have.

Misty Peak didnt seem to know quite what to do with that information and fell silent. As they drew near to where Sen planned to exit the ruins, he pulled the beast core hed linked to the second formation out of his storage ring. He stared down at it and felt their odds of survival drop precipitously. Misty Peak seemed to pick up on his sudden change in mood.

Whats wrong? she asked.

I cant trigger the other formation, he said, showing them the beast core. I was going to use this but the link is broken.

Misty Peak and Glimmer of Night both eyed the beast core.

How was it broken? asked the fox woman.

Its not like it was made by the gods. It probably happened when the mandala took me wherever it took me. I didnt design it to work across different planes of existence. It was iffy just taking across the barrier.

So, what do we do? asked Misty Peak.

Well, given that were probably going to have to fight that horde on the way out, I suggest we eat a meal.

The fox gave him an incredulous look. Eat? You want to eat? At a time like this?

Glimmer of Night came to Sens rescue.

No reason to die hungry, observed the spider.