Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 34: Troubles and Collapsing Ceilings

3RD POV

    Ronan: - This way! Come on!

The trio had been running for a while. Ronan was at the front, guiding them through the tunnels, while Lyra and Airos followed from behind. Thanks to the wolf-boy's keen sense of smell, navigating through the underground was much easier. After they jumped from a small height, they arrived at the end of the road, which was blocked by debris. Ronan could now clearly visualize the scents. It was just as he had originally anticipated. There were multiple people on the other side of this wall. But....they were unwell.

    Ronan: - We're here.

    Airos: - I'll handle this.

He moved to the front, hands raised, prepared to blast the wall to oblivion.

    Ronan: - Be careful. There are people on the other side.

    Airos: - Yeah yeah, I got this.

Meanwhile minutes earlier....

The pinkish glow shimmered across the surface of the crystal ball, warping and bubbling before solidifying into a clear image. A serene forest took shape, soft moss, tall trees, shafts of golden light breaking through the canopy. Birds chirped. Somewhere in the distance, a brook gurgled with what sounded like exaggerated peacefulness. Selin narrowed her eyes. A figure appeared amid the trees, sitting cross-legged on a mossy patch. Young. Cyan hair. Blue armor etched with faint green markings. He looked relaxed and almost too polished. He bowed his head politely.

    Magic warrior: - You must be...the Captain of the Dark Butterflies. Selin Arcta. To what do I owe the pleasure?

    Selin: - What is your name, warrior?

    Rohil: - Rohil, Ma'am. Third unit, of the Colorful Beasts.

Behind the illusion, the criminals tensed, glancing at each other with growing unease. Why would a captain from another squad reach out to them here? And from Silas' crystal ball no less? The cloaked wind mages shared glances, while Scorlu narrowed his eyes, continuing to control the magic warrior.

    Rohil: - Is this another checkup? Like we stated before, the perimeter is secured.

A pause. Selin didn't answer, but her eyes flitted across the illusory grass, noting that parts of it didn't move when the wind passed. Not to mention....she could see the mountain peak from far away where the capital was. However, the sun shouldn't be raised so high at that hour.

    Selin: - Rohil....I've been trying to contact my team. They were supposed to arrive at your perimeter earlier this morning.

Sharp inhales were heard from many. Some criminals felt cold sweat coating their bodies. Scorlu was about to make the magic warrior deny meeting them, in order to throw any suspicion away from them. Unfortunately, Selin's next words backed him to a corner even more.

    Selin: - The last time they contacted me was when they were about to land. Which means they successfully arrived at your perimeter, is that correct?

Across from Selin, Silas finally looked up at her in confusion, after what she said. Didn't she say that from the moment they left the base, they had not contacted her? He was about to voice his confusion, only to be stopped by Selin's raised hand, making him shut up. The controlled mage, unaware of the exchange that transpired between the two captains outside the crystal ball's view, stiffly nodded.

    Rohil: - Yes, ma'am. We assisted them briefly. They were in fine condition and moved onward.

Selin tilted her head.