Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Thirty-Five ⚜ Evolution

They reached the inner caves minutes after Corvan recounted what happened in his continent. There, the demonic energy was at its strongest. Aside from the chaotic rippling, there was a thick feel of death.

The rocky floors had become damp, but as they went on, water splashed on their shoes. They stopped at the mouth of the central cavern and tuned in on the sound of drops on water ahead. Corvan's aureole flew forward and lit up the center of the cave, showing the murky lake below. Thick mist floated on the surface, giving it an eerie feel.

"We had to take turns searching through this cave," said Rowe. "The demonic energy was too thick to be bearable for some. We had to leave the cave within an hour from entering or it would overwhelm us otherwise."

"This place is so suspicious. You didn't get attacked at all when you came in?"

"We had to take down a few demons. Some were powerful, but we haven't seen any sentient beings just yet."

"Demons are divided into tiers, but the ones you saw probably aren't farther than high."

"What?" Tamara gazed at Valeriana inquiringly.

Valeriana realized they weren't too aware of the demon-established tiers they set up for their own hierarchy. She debated whether or not she would continue to elaborate on it. However, she would prefer it in a more proper place.

"Did a Celestial Knight come over just yet?" she asked, deciding to change the topic.

"I did not call for one." Rowe shook his head. "After all, Celestial Knights are meant to handle high-stress missions. Unfortunately, for this place, what's done is done. I have taken a few Celestes with me and the Spirit Brigade, so any demons in this place have been thoroughly disposed of."

Valeriana looked around for a few moments.

"Hurry and do the purification thing!" Tamara impatiently urged.

"What are you even so excited about?" The fifth-ranker frowned. "You've already seen it twice."

"I can't get enough of it though. Although it's really nice to see, it's kind of funny too. Like, sprout some flower from a ball then sprout some more!" she exclaimed with a chuckle. "I'm going to dub you as Valeriana, mother of valerianas."

Valeriana gave Tamara the eye. "Think of a better name!"

"It is your name, doofus. Why are you dissing yourself?"

Her frown got worse.

"You picked up so much vocabulary from the movies we watched. Shut it, blabberhead."

Tamara gasped. "You just insulted me!"

"Well, hi, captain obvious! Where'd you been?"

Rowe chuckled whereas Charles stepped in between the two ladies and stopped their bickering. Corvan had to massage the crease that was deepening further on his forehead. Valeriana had never clashed with Tamara before. This should be the first.

"Alright, stop it, you two," said Charles. "We do have better things to do."

"Valeriana . . ." Rowe began.

"Remember what we came here for," Corvan told the two of them.                                    

Valeriana handed over Tiger to Tamara. Although the cat and the third-ranker didn't get along very well, they had reached a consensus not cause much trouble for the sake of Valeriana. The current fifth-ranker, after reassuring herself that Tiger was in good hands, took out the white jade sphere and faced the lake. She took a couple of steps forward, eyeing the aureole that floated in the middle of the wide cave.