Blazing Soul: Hopeful Spark

Chapter XI

Chapter XI

Alex stepped through the stone door and into the void, in the blink of an eye, he found himself in what appeared to be a courtyard in front of a large ancient building. "Where is this? What is that? A temple?" he thought to himself, questions that they all seemed to share.

Heidi: Oh my. I think I get it now. The Runes referred to this space a "Domain", a plot of subspace set aside to hold some sort of construct. I guess this temple is that construct.

Herrera: Subspace?

Heidi: I wish I could say more. But my guess is that it's like some sort of empty space tucked away in between dimensions or something.

Anali looked at her with a puzzled look.

Heidi: What? I like my sci-fi, ok?

The two girls laughed.

Torrez: I don't see anyone in the vicinity. The other group must already be inside. Let's get a move on.

With Officer Torrez leading the way, the Guardians began their approach of the large temple. As the climbed up a few stairs, they came up with three entrance paths. Torrez took a moment to look at each path. "Three paths, left, middle, and right. Middle one's out. Looks like it collapsed a long time ago." he thought as he approached the middle path. Torrez pulled out his phone. No signal.

Torrez: Ok, we'll split into 2 teams. Don't get too far from each other. Don't think we'll have any way to communicate. Also, I can't explain why, but I feel like I can use my abilities here no problem. Anyone else feel like it?

Everyone nodded in agreement. Alex drew one of his swords and drove into the ground and quickly pulled it back out. He looked at the cut the sword left on the floor for a few seconds; it didn't fix itself.

Alex: Yeah, looks like we can use our abilities here as if they were in the real world. Maybe it's because we're in some sort of pocket dimension?

Alex turned to Herrera, he shrugged.

Herrera: Wish I could tell you. My book hasn't shown me anything of the like. In any case, how should we split up?

Torrez looked at everyone and quickly formed the teams.

Torrez: You and me will lead the teams. Luis, Heidi, and Anali come with me. Alex, Elliot, and Richter go with Herrera. This way each team has a good spread of close- and long-range attacks available.

With that said, the teams formed up and each went down a separate path.

Within the stone building were many dimly lit hallways leading into open areas or sections with small rooms within them that appeared to be lit by sun beams, despite there being no cracks on the ceiling, or let alone a sun in this pocket space. Every now and then as Torrez's team continued exploring, they would also run into a few large open areas which would again lead into more hallways.

Anali: This is getting ridiculous. Why are there so many hallways in this damn place?

She was beginning to get frustrated with all the twists and turns of the old building.

Luis: My guys is that it's probably to get intruders lost on purpose. I remember reading that some castles were specifically built confusing to anyone that wasn't already in it.

Torrez, who was leading the way, quickly put a stop to their conversation as he came to a sudden stop. He raised his arm, keeping the rest of the team from advancing. Without saying a word, he pointed ahead of them at the end of the hallway. The hallway seemed to lead to another open area, but right near the end of the hallway stood someone completely immobile. Heidi stepped forth and began Rune Casting.