By the time we finished discussing random subjects, the tents were finished being set up. Elania allowed us to use the lake as a source of fresh water. The crystal clear water had an abundant mix of fish and colorful aquatic creatures. It felt too clear if that was possible. Almost like someone put in pool cleaner and regulated the pH balance daily.

“Are we planning to spend the night here?” Alexa asked as I continued staring into the water.

“Uh..., might as well take the rest while we can.” I turned my attention to her, not really sure what to do from here. “I don’t think we can go back to Ethan empty-handed.” I asked for her opinion on the matter.

“To be upfront, master. Ethan didn’t sound like the type of person that would let us go free, to begin with.” I turned to look at Alexa speak but my mind was utterly distracted about figuring out a solution.

“Why do you say that?”

“There’s too much risk involved with hiding you any longer than necessary. He won’t want to oppose and attract the attention of the nobles and reforcers.” I understood where she was coming from, essentially we’re all expendable.

“So it doesn’t matter if we successfully deliver the Aurisavem.” She nodded along with my conclusion, waiting for a plan. “Then, our only option is to create a situation where no one can get rid of us. By gaining more power and in the worst-case scenario, we run for it.” I stared back over at the lake thinking about how Balthazar’s ruins would most likely become a valuable hideout in the near future.

“Once we’re finished here, our next stop is the ruins. We can use it as a backup plan if it comes to that.” Ending the conversation there, I turned to Elania for some help with directions.

“Do you know about the ruins within this mountain range, the one that belongs to Balthazar? If so, do you know the best way to get there from here?”

“Hmm, a ruin in our home that we don’t know about? That’s strange.” Elania gave a hold a minute vibe as she questioned the mole about it.

“Interesting, he’s mentioned a large section that was undiggable. It's been memorized and avoided within his division and seems large enough to be the ruins you speak of.”

“Great would you-?”

“Entering that area caused instant death for several creatures. He does not recommend it.” Elania cut my thought off.

“I didn’t know it had that kind of protection.” The more I thought, it made sense with it being able to remain hidden at the bottom of a mountain for so long.

“We happened to be able to enter the ruins by accident during that large battle from before with the hunters. By accident, I mean falling to our deaths down a large chasm that ripped open from an explosion.” I talked about the entrance that we happened to stumble upon and before I could even continue asking for a helping escort, she had already offered to provide her help. The mole beside her was up for digging us a path, so long as it would remove us from here.

“There’s one catch though, you side with us when the time comes.” She wanted my allegiance to protecting beast kind. Not that I had a problem since beasts have proven to be more understanding than most encounters I’ve had with other people. Even with that, there seemed to be a hidden message behind her words.

“Sure, you have my word. I’ll protect beasts as the situation presents itself. Will that work?” Everything depended on the situation and no one was going to obtain that kind of loyalty from me that easily.

“It's a start. Thank you, Volatis. As a gift, this will offer safe passage for you and your associates.” A strange yellow shine grew on several through our group. Targeted were those closest to me. Alexa who was closest, then Eris and Tessa that stopped talking near one of the tents. The yellow aura finally stopped enveloping people after surrounding Rhea, Nathan, and Selka.

“I’ve infused part of my mana into the seven of you. This will allow our kind to differentiate between ally and foe.” The blessing finished with the formation of some unknown symbol forming and disappearing above our foreheads.

Out of everyone, I noticed both Nathan and Tessa becoming startled from what I guessed, was the strange aura and telepathic message that reached each of us at the same time. Quite some feat as a stared back up at Elania, only to get a return glance. How much further could she surprise me with her powers? She even knew who to grant the blessing to out of the whole group.

This wasn’t just mere surface thoughts she gathered from everyone. There was definitely more to her power than she let on. “One last question before we go on our way. You mentioned eleven heavenly beasts, are there any still alive?” The way she said it in past tense as if they didn’t exist anymore when linking it to the Aurisavem, made it seem like they ceased to exist.

“Most of them have vanished a very long time ago. Any word of them are now rumors. Either they have died, went into hiding, or simply don’t wish to be found.” A crazy thought for the target with the name of heavenly attached to their title to be killed or forced into hiding. That meant the existence of an entity more dangerous than those labeled as so-called gods.

“Who could endanger them to such an extent?”

“Your kind, ...humans.” The lull of sadness from her words got across. Part of me yearned to comfort her but these weren’t my emotions. I shook my head from another side effect of her powers.

I couldn’t find anything to respond with and stayed silent. That meant that the nobles had something to do with it, an existence so daunting it was difficult to fathom at my current level.

“Don’t dwell on it too much. Just know that Ethan is dangerous and you should do best not to anger him.” There she went with eavesdropping into our minds.

“That’s somewhat rude to read our minds like that but I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Don’t make it so easy then!” Elania bellowed a sassy growl with enough force to feel the unsettling vibrations as I turned away.

I wondered if the short break was long enough for everyone. Somewhat of a waste to set up tents only to pack them right back up.