Zain and Raina quickly caught up to the guards chasing after Draig because of Raina's flight magic. The guards got off their mounts and bowed to Zain and Raina when they saw them landing in front of them.

"Where is Draig?" Zain asked.

One of the guards came forward and explained the whole thing.

"Young master, when you were still inside the hall, Draig came out alone. We called him but he didn't reply. He just started sprinting towards the gate of the stronghold. When he exited the stronghold, he transformed into a black dragon and flew towards what gnomes called the cursed land. We are still chasing after him." He concluded.

"All of you should go back. Return to the Gnome's stronghold and wait for us there. The other team has left out for Dukedom. They may be coming with a backup. Hopefully, we will return safely but if we don't, tell Duke Zeidan one thing. Say that 'there is a Nova' he will know what to do."

What Raina said scared all those who were present there. 'Nova' wasn't a light word. Nova represented the pinnacle of strength. Any Nova could easily flatten the whole Bane Dukedom. From the words of Raina, it looked like they were up against a Nova.

"Why are you looking at my face, go now!"

The guards quickly got up their mounts and left for the gnome's stronghold.

After the guards left, Raina quickly cast a spell on herself and Zain and flew towards the cave system.

Thanks to Raina's incredible speed, flying for a few minutes they quickly reached the cave system.

When they reached the entrance of the cave system, they saw Draig standing there in his human form without making any movement.

"Zain be careful, he might not be the same person."

Raina warned Zain when he was about to run towards Draig. But he didn't pay any heed to her warning and ran straight for Draig. Zain may pretend to be calm in front of Raina but he was really worried about Draig.

Ever since Draig was born, he was by Zain's side everyday. They grew very close to each other like real brothers. Zain really cared about Draig a lot. He felt that it was his responsibility to take care of him. When he found out that Draig was not with them, he lost all interest in the deal with gnomes or Dukedom's affair. All he wanted was for Draig to be safe.

When Zain reached Draig, he hugged him tightly.

"Why did you run away? You could have lost your way. What if someone attacked you?..."

Zain bombarded Draig with scolding. After going on for some time, he finally gave Draig a chance to speak.

"Zain, something is calling me in there."

Listening to Draig say these words Zain and Raina both let out a sigh of relief. They could tell that Draig wasn't affected by this curse. But what he said also confused them.

"What do you mean, Draig?"

"Zain, I also don't know but my heart is saying to go inside these caves. I don't know what it is but it is attracting me towards itself and I got a feeling that I should go. I feel like there is something that I need in there."

"Are you sure that you want to enter these caves? You know right that these are not safe."

"Big sister Raina, I know they are not safe but I'm strong. You don't need to worry I will go alone."

"No, you're not going alone. Me and Raina will accompany you."

"Are you sure, Zain? I am not getting a good feeling from this. You already know that the presence I sensed from this place might be a Nova or a being close to reaching that level."

"Yes, I know Raina but you know that Draig needs destruction energy to grow. And it is very likely that there is something in this cave system that could help him grow."

"Yes, but Zain it doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our lives for it. Just listen... What was that?"

Just as Raina was about finish her sentence, her expression changed.

"What happened, Raina?" Zain asked.

"Zain, there is a portal opening in these caves."

Raina's words greatly shocked Zain.

The portal opening was a common phrase for the upper echelons of the Miraz plane. This term referred to when a passage to another plane opens up in the existing plane. It could be due to natural wormholes or sometimes they were opened by invaders to raid the plane. Either way, it was taken rather seriously by powerhouses of the planes.

As portal opening could be a beginning of a large-scale invasion. So, they were dealt with before the portal could grow larger. Although they were not common, but one or two portals would pop up every year or so. The Novas of Miraz plane would deal with them before the situation escalates.

If it were to be a plane which is on a lower level than Miraz's then they would expand the portal to launch a conquest. And if the plane were to be on the same level as Miraz they would close the portal before it could grow larger. As they were already at war with five primary planes and going on a war with another would only result in their forces running thin.

Now that Zain and Raina had found this portal, it was their responsibility to do the first examination of the site and report it to the Emperor according to the rules of the Miraz plane.

"Zain, you sure know how to bring trouble. It seems we have no choice but go inside."

As much as Raina wanted to leave this place, it was not an option anymore. As a legendary mage, it was her duty to check the location if there is a sign of a portal opening and she has clearly sensed it.

"Let's go! Remember remain close to me although most of the portal openings are not much dangerous but for someone like you Zain, who has just started his training it could be fatal."

Raina made sure to warn both Zain and Draig before they set off to explore the cave system.

Most of the caves were empty with no clue about the portal. After exploring the cave system, they were left with only the deepest cave where Rishi and her friends had died.

"Zain, I am sure. This is the one."

"Yes, Draig is right. I detected very small time-space fluctuations in this cave."

"Ok, Let's go in. We will just look around the cave and see if there is actually a portal or not."

Zain and Draig followed Raina's lead into the cave. After walking for sometime they reached the end of the cave.

"Raina, what do you think?" Zain asked.

"There's a portal here. But there also Abyssal energy in here which is quite worrying."

"Why is that?"

"It is because....."

These portals acted as a gateway from one plane to another plane. So, they also emitted the essence of the plane to which they were connected. In their case, the portal was emitting Abyssal energy which made it likely that the plane on the other end of the portal is Abyss.

Abyss was a plane ruled by Demons. They were one of the most renowned planes. They were famous for their insanity and power. Abyss was also considered the worst plane to go at war with. As if one did go on war with them, they would have to face a nigh endless army of demons.

The powerhouses of Abyss were not to be taken lightly. The Lesser and Greater demon lords of Abyss acted as generals who only cared about destruction to spread. And the Demon Kings were the ones even Novas didn't want to offend.

Now if what they have found turned out to be an Abyssal portal, it would be a major crisis for the whole Miraz plane. As they were already fighting wars with five planes, throwing the Abyss plane into the mix would break the backbone of the Miraz plane.

"So, do you get it now that why is it a bad news?"

"Yes, I understand."

Zain answered after Raina explained him the whole situation. Then they started checking the cave for any clues. Even though the three of them searched everywhere but they still couldn't find any clue leading to the portal.

"Are you two sure there is something here?"

After being frustrated Zain couldn't help but ask.

"Are you doubting me?"

"Zain! I am telling the truth. There is something here which is calling for me."

Both Raina and Draig rebuked.

"Okay, let's calm down and rest for a minute to clear our minds."

Zain suggested to rest after seeing that they were not getting any leads. And just as they were about to take a break, they heard someone's voice.

"What are you little things doing here?"

A man with a cloak covering his whole body was standing inside a huge crack in the wall of the cave.