Chapter 200: Dark ; (Spoiler) ; Unleashed (2/2)
[Understood!] [Yes!]
Hearing their response, I swiftly turn midair, ready to make use of Vector Manipulation. To my surprise, the figures have already followed me to an extent, only to stop near some thin layer of energy that I hadn't noticed before.
”What are those things?” Krul asks while standing in a battle-ready stance.
”No idea,” I respond, ”I wasn't able to sense their presence at all before they were close enough to slash me.”
”I can hear them,” Siesta mutters, startling me a little.
”Siesta?” I question while looking at her, only to find her staring at the dark figures with a dazed expression, ”They're crying…”
Crying? What, do these things need to be saved or something?
Taking a moment to clear my head, I begin to think of our current situation before a horrendous notion appears in my head. What if these figures were people who lived in this continent before it turned into what it is now?
If that's the case, then there is a chance that it might happen to us as well, which is more than a little worrisome.
For now, the one I am most concerned about is Tiffania. Unlike the rest of us, she isn't capable of fighting, so she's in the most danger at the moment.
If only there was a way to send her away from this place… Ah, right! The Arena!
Despite the Arena being an unsafe place in and of itself, it's still better than this accursed place. All I have to do is check on Tiffania now and then to see if she's doing well.
Having resolved my mind, I turn to face Tiffa before sharing my thoughts with her.
---
”How far is this statue that you speak of?” Yuno exasperatedly asks as we walk through the dark forest.
”Not so far,” I reply, ”I believe that we're halfway there.”
Hearing my words, Yuno lets out a deep sigh before saying, ”Why is this place so empty? I want to kill something.”
Before I can comment on her way of dealing with boredom, a strange sound reaches my ears.
Alarmed, I motion for the others to stop walking before using my senses to examine our surroundings.
Finding nothing, I say, ”Keep your guards up.”
”Hey,” Krul says, ”Wha-”
Before Krul can say what's on her mind, the ground below us trembles as the dark trees around us begin to sway to the side. What's strange is that they sway in a way that forms a direct path to the statue ahead of us.
”A trap?” Yuno says with a hint of excitement in her voice.
”No…” I mutter while looking up ahead.
{The Code waves are clearer now.}
I thought so. Our mysterious friend has formed a path for us.
”Let's pick up the pace,” I say before beginning to jog forward.
With the rest of the girls following me, we soon find ourselves standing right below the gigantic statue.
”Is that…” Krul says while looking at a big white crystal that's floating between the statue's legs.
”A Code,” Yuno says in a not-so-pleasant tone.
Examining the white crystal, I find a mature woman resembling the statue curled up within it. Everything about her is similar, including the pointy ears and elven attire.
Curious, I step forward, only to be surprised by the sight of the dark grass beneath me getting taller before forming a staircase leading to the crystal.
Yeah, this is suspicious as heck. This Code could have been helping us out for this moment.
I take a moment to deliberate over the matter before concluding that it's worth it to free the Code. Despite having no idea why it's in such a state, I'm not sensing any danger or discomfort around her, so there is a high chance that I will get a new ally instead of an enemy.
Besides, including me, there are four Codes present, so it shouldn't be that hard to fight her even if she is an enemy.
Taking in a deep breath, I climb the stairs until I'm right in front of the crystal.
Then, I slowly lift my arm before placing my palm against the cold surface of the crystal.
The next moment, cracks form all over the crystal as the surrounding darkness gradually dissipates. A few seconds later, the crystal shatters, resulting in the body of the mature woman to fall.
Before I can attempt to catch her, the woman's eyes open, revealing solid green eyes full of compassion and wonder.
{Code identified: Gaia.}
No wonder. Every-
My thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the ground trembling much harder than before as the sound of numerous roars reaches my ears.
{2nd Rank Unknown detected.}
”Verethragna!” an earth-shaking voice resounds all over the place, ”You will pay!”
~~~~~
Full Title: Dark ; Gaia ; Unleashed