458 Illusion and Directional Disorientation, An Ambush Destroyed in a Short Momen (1/2)
Day ▊▊ - ▊▊:▊▊ ▊▊ - Trade Area, Stone Fortress, Eastern Mountain
Because of Pefile's outburst, they decided to go on an area clear of people to talk.
There, Mei, Spera, and Amihan learned the reason.
Things were still all fine when everyone separated at first since the places where everyone had gone to were in the close vicinity. Karlene and Alana were looking at ethnic looking accessories in one stall, and others could do the same without trouble.
However, when Mei and those that came with her went to a place that did not have a stall or trader at all. More than that, some sort of power seemed to be at hand as Edzel and Pearl got separated from them for some unknown reason. When the way was cleared out, the two could not find Mei and the others they were trying to follow.
Pefile also lost sight of them, even though he was keeping his eyes at everyone. Furthermore, aside from Mei and the others missing, he did not feel anything strange. As if everything remained natural. And it was too natural that it was suspicious.
Mei, Amihan, and Spera felt their backs cold. No wonder Pefile seemed panicked. They suddenly vanished from their sight, with no sign at all. It was strange, though, as they were staying in one place all this time. Furthermore, they could see all of the other people in the trade area passing by.
”Now that we mentioned it, it's really unusual.”
Mei said with a solemn expression.
”What is it, Mistress?”
Spera asked.
”Remember? When we are talking to the old man, the other people are not paying attention to us even though we garner their attention where ever we go. Like now.”
Mei said as she glanced at the Spirit Races passing by that were looking at them.
”That's true, isn't it?”
”Yeah...”
Both Spera and Amihan agreed.
The strangest thing, none was able to sense anything unusual in the way they disappeared and reappeared. As Pefile had said, everything felt too natural to the point of being suspicious.
Seeing the three discussing things, Pefile looked exasperated.
”Sir Pefile. You should calm down.” Morana tried to appease him. ”We will investigate what had happened just now. I suggest that everyone should return early and stay inside the fortress until things are affirmed.”
”Hah...” Pefile sighed. ”Alright, we should return.”
”Pefile, you should really calm down.” Karlene followed up. ”Something might have happened, but everyone is okay in the end.”
Not only Karlene, but others also felt the same. Mei, Spera, and Amihan also did not feel any danger from that old man. Furthermore, the old man traded good stuff to them. Mei knew that Mark would be happy to see these things when he returned.
And because of this, instead of calming down, Pefile became even more exasperated.
Hearing those words made Morana and the guards frown. Counting down on how long their fortress would last? That should be a joke.
However...
”Ah...”
That was the only word that Karlene could reply with. Not only her, almost everyone in their group, even the little girls, had realized the severity of the situation.
Those reactions made Morana and the guards feel like Pefile was not joking at all. Still, from their beliefs, this fortress was impenetrable. Thus, they could not fathom why this group felt that this place would not last long at all.
With those emotions, they finally decided to leave the trade area and return. This place would still be here tomorrow, after all. They could visit it again tomorrow with Mark.
Also, the situation that happened just now would surely reach Mark. Mei would tell him, it was the same for Amihan and Pefile. The existence of the old man would surely interest him.
But still...
Just who was that old man?
That question came over and over in their minds, but none of them could not find any answer.
As they returned, they passed through the same area where they saw the old man and saw nothing.
***
Unbeknownst to them, the old man saw them pass by. After all, he never left in the place. He was sitting there, waiting...
Waiting for those interesting people with the destiny to see him. Nevertheless, there were times that they would find him because...
...They were not bound to the destiny of this plane at all.
While seeing their backs, the old man noticed something and smiled.
”I wonder if they will be able to get over this new trial.”
The old man sighed. It was true that not everyone was good. And now, those blessed girls would face an annoying impediment.
***
Everyone walked towards the fortress and walked at the path beside a moat near the walls.
All of them were quite absentminded because of what had happened. Morana and the guards were the same as they tried to think of what could cause the fall of their fortress if Mei and the others were harmed.
But then...
”Is it just me, or we are taking too long?”
Mei suddenly voiced out.
None of them noticed, they already traversed a distance more than twice than what they should have to return to the gates of the fortress.
Mei's question snapped everyone out. It was as if everyone was in a trance. This made her frown. She looked to the direction that they were going and then, behind. Both ways looked the same.
”Are we... Lost?”
Pearl voiced out as she saw the same thing as Mei when looking around. Everyone was the same. They looked shocked while scanning the surroundings in high alert.
Without a doubt, they all entered some sort of trance that disabled them from sensing their surroundings and impede their sense of direction.
The situation was a dangerous one. Everyone immediately gathered around with their backs facing another's. The guards also surrounded everyone to ensure their protection.
”Should we wear our clothes inside out?”
Karlene suggested. It was not hard to tell what was happening.
If not that they accidentally entered a place under a Tikbalang's magic, a Tikabalang must be targetting them on purpose.
Moreover, whoever did this, it was a powerful one. None of them felt anything after all until Mei spoke.
However, taking off their clothes, especially that the majority of them were females, seemed inappropriate.
”It's fine, we don't have to,” Mei replied with a serious expression.
She then smiled. A mesmerizingly smile, even though that smile told that whatever or whoever the enemy was, this illusion was nothing.
”Crimson.”
Mei called out.