Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 67: An Even Deeper Trek Tower 3 Part 22

The three boys enter the facility to see that it's pitch black.

"The emergency lights aren't even on... It's pitch black in here. I'll cast a spell to illuminate-" Riddle says and begins to do that.

But Azul says, "Wait."

And Riddle stops.

"Someone could've kept it dark in here on purpose. If we brightened the place up. It might give away our location," Azul says. "There are stronger enemies in here. I'd prefer we not put ourselves at disadvantage. I suggest we avoid conjuring a light for now."

"It would be for the best," Tanzanite says.

"All right," Riddle says.

Riddle then says, "Well, according to the manual... There should be an emergency key in a security box around here. Let's find it."

The three begin to search around for the emergency key in the security box.

Suddenly, Riddle yelps, "Whoa!"

Then Tanzanite steps on something, "Eep!"

Azul shushes them, "Shh! Lower your voices!"

"Sorry, but I think we stepped on something," Tanzanite says.

Azul then kneels to the floor, "Hm, what's this? There's some kind of liquid all over the floor."

"It's oddly slimy. We almost slipped and fell just now. If only I knew what it was..." Riddle says.

Then Riddle has an idea, "I've got it. If I just make my cape bigger with magic, and use it like a tent..." and casts his magic on the cape. "There!" and makes his cape larger.

Then Riddle says, "Azul, Tanzanite, get under my cape. The fabric's opaque enough that we should be able to use a light in here."

"Ah of course. I'll do just that then," Azul says.

"That sounds like a good idea," Tanzanite says.

Azul and Tanzanite get under Riddle's cape as he covers himself and the others with it.

"I'm going to conjure a light," Riddle says.

He then casts the spell that lights up within the cape. They soon look down to find black ink on the ground and where they're standing.

Riddle yelps, "Wh... This sticky, tar-like stuff on the floor... Is it blot?!"

"It... It looks like it," Tanzanite says, stunned.

Then Azul notices, "Look at that. There's a belt at your feet, Riddle. It has a cardholder on it, the same kind worn by the staff here."

Tanzanite picks up the belt, and it's covered in blot.

"Eww... it's all sticky," Tanzanite says in disgust.

Riddle then notices the cardholder, "And the card's gone."

Then Riddle realizes something, "Actually, where's the owner of this belt?"

The three remain silent, wondering where the owner is, and soon worry for the worst.

"We should assume a Phantom took the ID card, given the circumstances," Azul says.

"Which also means that the Phantom must have attacked the owner of the belt and swiped it," Tanzanite adds.

"And then it turned out the lights and is now waiting for us to give our position away so it can strike?" Riddle adds.

"I didn't expect any of them to be this clever," Azul says.

"It's too dark to search for the Phantom with the ID card. We should find the light switch," Riddle says.

But Azul says, "No... Let's keep looking for the enemy like this."

"Wait, what?!" Riddle questions, shocked.

"Is it really a good idea," Tanzanite adds, concerned.

But Azul says, "We'll remain in the dark and catch it unawares. It's already gotten out of its cage, and its blot is all over the floor. I was raised in the deep sea. I'm right at home in the darkness. In fact, my eyes have already adjusted. Allow me to guide us."

Riddle and Tanzanite turn their heads to each other, and they both have the same conclusion.

"...All right," Riddle says, "We'll trust you this time."

"Let's keep going then," Azul says.