The Elementals | Book 1. The Cliffs of Immensi

Chapter 20

"There it is." A satisfied smile lit up Omar's face.

"I don't see it." Andrea shook her head.

"What are you talking about? It's right there." Omar pointed meaningfully in front of them.

Andrea looked at Omar, a little concerned. "Um... there's nothing there. No. Thing."

"Nope, there's definitely something there."

"Maybe your 'sixth sense' isn't working properly."

Concord squinted at the forest in front of them. "It looks like just more forest... but Omar might be right. He is not misled by his eyes." Concord carefully clambered down from the tree. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he knew the truth.

"It's there, all right."

"What do you mean it's there? There's nothing over there! I can see it!" As soon as Andrea said it she realized how absurd her statement sounded.

"But remember, Andrea," Cascade told her, "Sephtis creates illusions. I bet that there's no forest there. Just a base."

Andrea nodded slowly. She was starting to understand.

"Omar can see it because of his sixth sense and his super-hearing. Concord can see it because he can tell there's just one large object with people moving around it, and not a bunch of still trees, just by feeling the ground."

"Yeah, I get it now."

"Well, hurry!" Emanai told them. "I don't want to stay 'ere too long! If ya'll don't come back quickly, I'm gonna... well, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. But hurry back!"

"We will." Cascade leapt off the tree and used a vine to swing to the ground. Omar simply jumped.

"Come on." Concord ran forward. He suddenly disappeared.

Andrea gasped. "That's pretty cool, actually." She ran forward and jumped through the invisible barrier. The others followed.

In front of them stood the base, looming in the failing light. It had taken them what felt like an eternity to get to the base, having to deal with several monsters and other things of the sort.

The base was made out of sharp wooden poles and sticks. It was large and looked relatively stable. There were many open walkways where people were pacing about. The only area with a roof was in the center. It was reasonable to assume that Sephtis stayed there.

"So... how are we going to do this? Got any complex plans for us?" Andrea asked Cascade once they were hidden safely behind a bush.

"Hmm. Well, I was thinking about just... rushing in there and burning it down."

"So you want me to do all the work?"
"Kind of. However, it does sound as if these people aren't exactly big supporters of Sephtis. I think that if we give them a chance to escape, they'll take it. Only light the place on fire to scare them away and to trap Sephtis. I'll track Sephtis down and try to capture him. Omar and Concord, make sure that if there is anybody actually loyal to Sephtis then they're not a danger to us. If anybody attacks us or you, then attack them back. Though try not to kill them."

"I like this plan. It's not too complicated."

"Less complicated plans are less likely to go wrong."

"You've said that before."

"It was worth repeating."

Andrea nodded in agreement. "It probably is."

"Does everybody know what we're doing?"

"Yup."

"Yeah."