52 Chapter 53: Mastermind (1/2)

After we scouted the desert, we flew around for a while and found nothing. We decided to walk as to not waste any more magic in case we had to fight.

Walking on the sand was rough. I could feel my feet sinking on every step, but it would be good endurance training

After half an hour of walking we encountered the first problem.

At first everything seemed normal, sand everywhere as far as we could see, then eventually we spotted a ruin. As we walked over at it, the sand Around as began to sink.

As we tried to climb out the sand began to rotate and in the middle was the mouth of a sand monster. We tried climbing out but that sound was too slippery and there was nothing we could hold on to.

I could have flown us out of it, but i got a better idea.

”Let's attack it. It's basically defenceless at this point.” I said as i cast Glacies

I formed 3 Glacieses and propelled them at its open mouth. Serena and Ariel did the same with their own spells.

The monster who was completely defenceless was hit head on by our attacks. It let out a loud shriek before dying. Once it was dead the sand stopped spinning and it was easier for us to climb back up.

”Alright, let's go back up. How's everyone holding up?” I asked as we climbed up

”*I-I'm good...” Replied Serena

”M-Me too” Replied Ariel

”Is that so,” I said

It's been around 2 hours since we've entered the desert, the heat was starting to get to them. Shortly after, we made it back up i thought of something.

”Hey, you two, come over here for a moment.”

”Huh? What is it?” Asked Serena as they came over

Once they were right next to me, they noticed

”What? It doesn't feel hot around here?” Said Serena

”H-How?” Asked Ariel

”I just mixed wind Magic with ice magic and created a frosty area around us. If you stay near me you shouldn't be affected by the heat.” I replied

”Thanks...” Said Serena as she got slightly closer

”This breeze feels nice,” Said Ariel who also got closer

You girls don't have to be that close... It should have a radius of 2 meters around me. But i guess it's fine, It'll be easier for us to help each other like this.

After a few more minutes of walking, we finally reached the ruin. It was made of stone brick which had been dyed black, almost as if it was made to stand out within this sea of yellow sand.

There was a broken down entrance, we walked inside and looked around. there was nothing special inside just stone lying everywhere.

”What do you suppose this place is?” Asked Serena

”Not sure, probably a place where monsters won't attack?” I Said

”What makes you say that?” Asked Ariel

”Well i mean, This must have been here for a long time, why haven't the monsters destroyed it yet? It's a bit strange...” I said

Ariel pointed at a staircase which led down to a basement.

”Was that always there?” I asked

”Ah, i'm not sure. I didn't notice it when we had walked in, I only noticed it now.” Ariel replied

”A spell was probably placed to keep it out of sight.” Said Serena

So like furtim...

There were footprints formed thanks to the sand lying on the stairs.

”Someone's been here, recently.” I said as i began going down the stairs

Ariel quietly followed behind with her guard up

”If someone's here why are you going!” Said Serena as she followed behind me

Once we reached the bottom, we couldn't see anything. It was too dark, so i cast Lumine. The room lighted up and once i could finally see, I felt a shiver go down my spine

We stood right on top of a magic circle. It hadn't activated so we were still doing fine. I was about to warn the two girls who hadn't noticed

Footsteps resounded as someone walked down the stairs. The person stopped once only his torso and legs were visible. We couldn't see his head.

”John... Do you think that person is friendly?” Asked Ariel

”I don't know. Hey who are you?” I asked at the person who stood there.