--------///----Eclina's POV----\--------

As Mina was looking over my maps, she had a look on her face that showed she was putting some pieces of a puzzel or something like that together.

(Mina) " Hmm... I see two dead ends... Think those are hatcheries? "

(Eclina) " Think they were. I can feel the flames eating through them and the picture i'm getting is just of my flames burning everything. "

And thats what i felt. With the slime being burned away by my flames, i could get accurate pictures of what was going on and what was ahead. I could feel my flames burning away the eggs and continuing to grow as they were being fueled by the slime found on the walls and the eggs.

(Reina) " We can come back up after we find the queen and check if there are any eggs. "

(Endis) " I don't want to second that but i will. "

(Orven) " I am for this idea. "

(Ava) " That works. "

(Mina) " Then let's just make our way down and deal with the queen. "

(Eclina) " I can pick up where i left off now right? "

(Reina) " I don't think anyone is going to say no to that Eclina. "

(Eclina) " Yay! "

I couldn't help but smile at that, which made it look like the fire festival that just happened and burned a multitude of ants to death had never happened. Though despite that it did, though i wasn't worried about what kind of image that would give me. Looking at Reina with eyes full of expectation, i was looking at her ready for my pets. But then Mina took the chance she had and started petting me before Reina could. I was a little surprised since i was expecting for Reina to start petting again so when Mina did it i wasn't prepared at all.

(Mina) " Don't look at me like that. This is just karma. "

(Reina) " Ughhhh. "

(Reina) " I'll remember this. "

(Mina) " Ok miss telltale. "

(Reina) " What's that? "

(Mina) " Dunno. Who cares. "

Reina just let out a sigh as i looked up at Mina as she started scratching my ear. I still had a smile on my face though it looked like Reina wasn't exactly as happy as i was. Though it wasn't like she could do anything about it now but to take it out against any surviving ants and the queen. Mina was too busy petting me so she handed the maps over to Orven, who as she said earlier, was the most restricted in these tunnels. The fourth map was around halfway completed at this point, which seemed to make the basilisk children curious since blank parts were being filled in right infront of their eyes.

(Mina) " Let's go straight to the queen and then check everything before we leave. Orven, lead the way since you have the maps and let Rei or Endis deal with anything that survived and gets in the way. Ava, you can probably rub Eclina's back if you want. "

(Ava) " Can i? "

(Eclina) " Sure. Go ahead. "

And so she did. Ava was still a little hesitant when it came to me and i could see and feel that, but i could also feel that she was overcoming that after listening and being with me for a bit. Even though we haven't been with each other for a while, she was making efforts to try to do it. And i liked that. Though for some reason i felt a weird look in my direction so i looked for it, only to see Reina glaring at Mina in a dangerous but not in a serious manner type of glare. I put it behind me and started to walk with everyone and had started my story again and even managed to finish the meeting with Mina and Endis when we made it down to the third floor.

It was almost like the second, though my flames had already made their way through these tunnels so the slime was nowhere to be found, though the floor was very hot, almost like walking on coals. Though Mina coated our feet in cold water so we weren't worried about burning our feet. This way of using water was nice and made me want to get water as one of my elements even more. Though it was at this point that i had started talking about getting to the gates, then Reina had started filling in the parts that i didn't know after being taken to Mr.Garris. Since she was the closest to everyone involved, she was able to find out about anything i didn't know and pretty much knew everything about the issue.

While Reina was doing that, I could see the faces of Ava and Orven changing because of what they were hearing, though it didn't seem like anyone was going to go in depth and explain right now. While we were going, we came across a bunch of ant bodies and even some that were clinging onto life as hard as they could, though whenever we came across any of them, Reina went in and tore through any and all of them.

We made progress to the point that It seemed like Reina would mention the rifts soon while we also made it to the entrance to the fourth floor. But it was at this point that i heard someone that i wasn't expecting too while i was with them.

(Fenrir) " Eclina, i can tell you're busy so i'll make this quick. How long do you think it would take for you to get to the Infernal isles from where you are? And respond with your thoughts. "

(Eclina) " What? Umm... Maybe a week if we push it and don't spend time here... Two if we left soon. Why? "

If we really wanted, and if i completly disregarded Espirals safety, we could get there in three days at the least. But i wasn't going to do that. I was going to let Espiral heal up and rest so he didn't push himself that hard for me again. Though after i said that, there was a short silence and that confused me since i had no clue about why MR.Fenrir would contact me and ask me this out of nowhere.

(Fenrir) " Then i'm sorry for doing this but you must get to the Infernal isles as soon as you can. There has been... An unforseen calamity... Which may have been caused by us... In order to keep you safe, you have to meet up with Fafnir so we can be assured no issues will come your way. "

(Eclina) " Oh... Ok... I haven't even gotten to have fun with everyone yet... "

(Fenrir) " And i am sorry. After this, and when we're sure it's safe, you can go back to wherever you are now and have your fun. "

(Eclina) " Yay! Thank you Mr.Fenrir! "

(Fenrir) " Think nothing of it Eclina. Get back to what you were doing and remember, be quick. "

After that, i couldn't hear Mr.Fenrir anymore and knew he cut the connection. Though when i looked over at everyone else, they looked confused. And thinking about it from their point of view, i must've stopped walking and looked like i was spacing out. So it wasn't surprising that they were confused. I was wondering about whether i should tell them but then i realized that it wasn't something like if i should or not, it was whether i COULD or not. So i just shook my head.

(Eclina) " I don't know if im allowed to talk about it. Sorry. "

(Mina) " It's fine. "

(Reina) " ... Hey, Eclina. Do you think it's fine to tell Ava and Orven about the... "You know whats"? "

(Eclina) " The whats? What are... OH... It's fine if you trust them. I'm close to that point anyway. "

Reina, Mina and Endis looked at each other and all nodded in what probably looked like some practiced and agreed on moment. They knew the two better then i did so if they thought they were trustworthy enough to tell them about the rifts, then they would. And that's what they did. At first Ava and Orven looked at them like they were being messed with, then came the realization... Then the panic. Though, they did manage to calm them down when we said they still had time to prepare.

But there i could tell that there was still the feeling of disappointment that they didn't tell them sooner. And some other emotions in their eyes that they would have to talk about when they were all somewhere else. Though for now, they'd have to be put off since we had just made it to the fourth floor. The map was filled in with all the tunnels and showed which ones led to a massive room at the bottom, which was obviously the queens room. So we all knew where to go.

I had gotten back to the story and was essentially about to finish up when we were swarmed by a lot of ants. It had to be said that the further down we went, the bigger the tunnels. The fourth floor tunnels were enough for Orven to use a smaller version of his golem form, as long as it was four meters or shorter then he could use it. Ava even had some space to fly, though it was more like floating a little higher. Though considering what they just heard, they weren't exactly in the best state to fight so Reina and Endis took it onto themselves to teach these ants that they were stronger.

And they did. Reina and Endis seemed accustomed to taking sides and plowing their way through whatever was in their way. So it was obvious that this was the method they used, especially in these bigger tunnels. Reina was able to use her claw weapons to send out waves of darkness and fire slashes after them while we were still at mid range and easily retracted them so she could tear through the ones that she was closer too. All Endis had to do was rush in and start decapitating the ones he fought.

They didn't need to coat ourselves either since not only were some of these were injured so they weren't a threat, and the others were individually weaker. It was just their numbers from before was what they seemed to be were worried about. It took around two minutes for Reina and Endis to clear out to fifty or so ants that came after us. After they were done, they kicked them aside and kept moving. I went back to my story and was pretty much done. Though we were still a while away from the queens chambers so there was a bit of an uncomfortable silence.

(Endis) " Soooo... I know you two are grumbling in your heads about us not telling you anything but you do realize how much we trust you to have actually let you in on this, right? And it's not like this is some small information either. You should know how much this stuff could effect everyone. "

The way he brought it up was definetly not the most subtle, but at this point the directness of it was probably the best for now. It was going to be up to what they said next. It after Endis said that, that Ava and Orven looked at each other and they seemed to be conflicted on what to say next. Though i was also a little conflicted since i was going to have to leave soon and i didn't know how i was going to explain it. I wanted to stay for a bit longer but with Mr.Fenrir urging me on, i had to go with Espiral and go to the Infernal island chain before whatever he was worried about happened.

(Orven) " ... For me, it is not that i do not understand why you held this information from us, it is the opposite... It feels as if a large weight has been put upon my shoulders and i am not exactly sure how to deal with it. "

Being the first to respond, we were all naturally listening to what he was going to say. And after hearing that, it was easy to understand where he was coming from. Keeping a secret as large as the possible destruction of the world isn't something the faint of heart can do.

(Ava) " It's different for me... I'm coping with the fact that that's real...That and you three seemed so... Normal, the whole time i've known you. I just couldn't picture a secret, especially one like this being hidden by you. "

(Endis) " That's it? "

There was another brief bit of silence after Endis said that. Though after a few seconds, Ava just nodded at that.

(Endis) " Ava... Reina is the princess of an empire. I'm an A rank assassin with an S rank assassin mother. Cous is just there, and you don't think we have big secrets? "

(Mina) " Wait a second- "

(Endis) " Nope! "

(Mina) " You fu- "

I saw Mina's brow move and her eyes darted towards Endis as she put her free hand on her rapier. Endis smirked at that and ran a bit ahead of us, and i could tell that Mina was VERY tempted to chase after him. Though she just squinted her eyes and breathed out through her clenched teeth. If it weren't for my fur being as appealing as it was, she probably would've chased after him, Rapier flailing about.

(Reina) " *Ahem* Well, the man child sort of has a point. If you think about it, it would be weird if we didn't have secrets. "

Reina had taken it on herself to pick up where Endis had left off and focused on helping Ava and Orven. I could see that it was working since their eyes seemed a little more focused and clear then before. Though after we were done here, i probably wouldn't find out how this whole situation would go since i would be heading towards the isles. I couldn't think more of it though since i knew that we were only a few minutes away from the queens room. So knowing that, i didn't say anything and just kept walking with everyone until we made it there.

Reina and the other two had also been talking but i was worrying about what the reason Mr.Fenrir wanted me to go to the isles faster, was. But despite how much i thought about it, i couldn't figure it out. The part that it may have been his fault didn't make it easier to figure out either. From what i knew, Mr.Fenrir hadn't left the forest ever since he was brought back. So how could he have done something that would end up dangerous for me?

Though while i was thinking, we had ended up making it. We were infront of the queens chamer. It was a massive entrance that looked like it was being protected by bulkier warrior type ants. They were probably the queens guard. They were atleast half a meter taller then the normal warriors, had more silver sections on their body, had what seemed like ridges along the sides of their mandibles that looked better for tearing out chunks rather then slicing. Their heads were more bulky, their legs were sharper and their carapace was more firm.

And even when we were close to them, they didn't react. Though Endis got a bit too close which prompted a reaction from them. But when he ran back, they both stopped and went back to their stations. It was weird since i've never seen something like that happen, but if they were ordered not to move unless there were intruders then it would make sense.

(Mina) " We have enough space... Orven, are you in the right mind to fight? "

(Orven) " Yes ma'am. "

(Mina) " Then we'll do this how we usually do. Go for your golem form, i'll support with Ava, Reina and dumbass take your sides. Eclina, can you watch the kids? "

(Eclina) " Sure. "

(Endis) " Fuck. I'll remember that cous. "

(Reina) " Let's move it dumbass! "

(Endis) " Ugh! I hate the both of you! "

Despite his grumblings, Endis went with the party and moved after Orven with Reina on the other side. The children had slithered off of Orven by now and had come over to me, despite being afraid of me, and stayed by my side. I haven't really paid much attention to the kids but now that they were next to me, i could see the intelligence in their eyes. They shook a bit when i looked at them, but i ignored that as i checked all of them. With how i was now, i was able to tell if a beast was able to manifest properly or if they would fail. Iit was a weird instinctive feeling that i had but never really tried out since i had no reason too. But now that i did, i throughly checked them all. And thankfully, they all seemed to have the potential to awaken so i didn't have to worry.

They reached the guards, who responded to them by rushing at Orven with a screech and their mandibles out. Orven used a smaller but more compact form of his golem and blocked both of their attacks while Reina and Endis went from the sides. They both coated their weapons in darkness while Ava was flying a bit behind Orven. Mina was behind them looking at the battle and then formed water needles that she kept compressing to the point that i could feel a sense of danger coming from them.

She kept the needles in the air around her and started spinning them as she looked for a chance to catch one of the ants off guard. And the moment to do it came when Orven took one of his shands off his tower shield, formed a earth hammer with it and smashed it down against one of the guards. That guard fell to the ground, stunned and had its defenses down, which gave Mina a chance to send her needles towards the ants eyes and burrow their way through its eyes all the way to the other side of its head. That killed the ant and freed up Reina. She looked at the other ant and saw that everyone else had it handled and started running back to me as fast as she could.

Mina, who was watching the fight, saw this and tried to turn around to get over to me, though she was too slow and Reina made it back to me first. She hugged me and shot a smile at Mina who was dejectedly rubbing her eyes. The others were essentially done with the other ant and formed back up around us as they checked around and made sure there weren't any injuries. After making sure everyone was fine, the children slithered back onto Orven as we all walked up to the blocked chamber and made Orven and Endis open it up. And when they did, we walke into the queens chambers... But...

(Endis) " Holy shit... That's one ugly bitch. "