441 Exploring Gnaway (1/2)
Thankfully, the sand storm had passed by the time they woke up the next morning. Zero was the most eager to explore the ruins and told them that he made a deal with the owner guarding the fallen city of Gnaway.
”That sounds oddly similar to a country in the old world,” Truen mused. ”Is this really a coincidence?”
Zero shrugged. ”There are too many coincidences in the world, let's not let it ruin the adventure. I'm actually curious about the kind of trials he prepared for us. It must be fun. Do you think we have to disarm puzzle traps? I read all about it last night in the mindscape. Raiding tombs sound like fun, especially in the desert.”
Nobody knew what to say as Zero led the way. Raiding tombs was an act of disrespect to the dead. How could Zero possibly think it is fun? Also, who in their right mind would think of disarming traps in the same manner as solving a brain teaser puzzle? What exactly has Zero been reading? Jermine hated to say this but she felt very afraid following behind such a reckless party leader. In comparison, she would rather work under Truen who planned to murder her if she stepped out of line. Zero was the kind of leader who would lead his party with confidence right to their deaths without even realising it. Jermine was very afraid but she had nowhere to run in this vast desert.
Reluctantly, the mole beast girl mounted the sand walker with Bob behind her. They made their way to the huge sand dune covering most of Gnaway and were on guard against any sudden attacks.
”What do you sense? This should be close enough for you to have an idea of what's underground,” Truen asked Jermine who was simply too amazed to speak. It took a while for her to remember how to speak common language.
”Huge magic,” she told the archer. ”This place has a living creature inside, I cannot find a location but I can feel it. They control the ruins with their magic. Too many places, I cannot see everything. The land beneath the sand is bigger than the top.”
With Jermine's help and Bob's flight ability, the duo scouted the area through the air while Zero and Truen waited at the perimeter, trying to dispel the magic barrier surrounding the ruins peeking out of the sand dune.
”We found it!” Bob announced after flying around with the girl for fifteen minutes. ”The entrance is a little further from here but if you manage to disarm the spell, Jermine can dig us a passage through. The sand walkers can come along too.”
Truen looked at Zero. ”What do you want to do?”
The doctor took a look at the spell barrier. Destroying this by force might cause the entire structure to collapse. The man he made a deal with said that there would be trials awaiting him. Zero decided to create a temporary shelter at the perimeter of the ruins.
”Let the sand walkers rest for now,” he told the small party. ”I'm going to contact our guide and ask for directions.”
”Hello, Zero. We meet again.”
”Hello, sir. My friends and I are here for the trial. There is a little problem, we cannot find the right entrance. While I can dispel the barrier, I don't think you want me doing that just yet. Could you please let us know how to enter the city to begin the trial?”