Into The Light

Chapter Thirty-Two

Harley, Barats, Harith and Nana were sitting around a table in the library of the Magic Academy. Harley was briefing them about what they would do.

"So, we're just going in to rescue Lylia, then escape?" Nana inquired. Harley nodded firmly.

"Try not to incur the wrath of any demon. Even with the four of us, there's no doubt the demons will outnumber us," Harley warned. Barats, Harith and Nana nodded solemnly.

"Alright, then go pack. We will leave early tomorrow morning," Harley instructed. "Bring only what you need." He rose from his seat. "I'll see you guys then. Have a good night's sleep. I doubt we'll get much in the Abyss."

The next morning, Harley and his team stood outside the Magic Academy. Looking at the majestic castle framed by the rising sun, Harley hoped to the heavens that the four of them would live to return. Yet his stoic face betrayed nothing. "Let's go," he beckoned to Harith, Nana and Barats, leading them out of the Academy and to the Crack of the Abyss.

"So...this is it?" Harith asked nervously as they stood on the edge of the gaping hole. Harley nodded.

"Jump in after me. I'll go first, then Barats, then Harith and finally Nana," he instructed. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't have too hard of a landing." The rest of the team nodded shakily. "It's like bungee jumping, but without a rope," Harley said as a final reassurance, and then he leapt in.

Not long afterwards, having cushioned everyone's fall, Harley and his friends set off from the same room he had first been in when he visited the Abyss. "It's kinda nice!" Nana said, impressed by the large room. Harley shrugged.

"Watch out for any guard demons. When I came, there weren't any, but you never know what Alice will do. I have no idea if she knows we're here," he cautioned. The group nodded apprehensively and began looking around.

At the same time, Alice was staring into her Blood Orb, sighing in satisfaction. Lylia approached her curiously. "What are you looking at there, my queen?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

Alice laughed. "Get Vexana for me, would you?"

When the necromancer arrived, a projection of the pink-haired Leonin was shining from the Blood Orb. "I believe your prize has arrived," Alice stated, smiling viciously.