The night sky had turned a brilliant red right over the forest. The animal population was nowhere to be seen but the rustling voice of the grass could be heard over the footsteps inside the first.
But Angela noticed nothing of that as she followed behind Aurora and her group. She had taken a significant risk in deciding to follow these outlanders but she wanted to go to the ruins.
No one in her village wanted to have anything to do with that sacred land and to uncover its secrets. They were always afraid of that place but not Angela. She had always found herself fascinated with those ancient spaces.
But the lack of manpower meant that Angela could not go there herself. She needed support from the people around her if she wanted to go even deeper.
So that was why here she was right now, trying her best to follow after Aurora and her group. These people were powerful and they would be able to make Angela’s dream come true.
And maybe then she would be able to make sense of the dream she had been having forever.
Angela looked out toward the group but she did not notice someone missing. She was too deep in her delusions that the footsteps behind her caused Angela to jump high in the air and fall on her ass.
“Hey kid, did I surprise you?”
It was the lady with white hair and amber eyes that was looking at Angela. She had a satisfied smile on her face at seeing Angela’s surprised expression.
“I w-was not following your group. We just happened to go the same way. Yeah, that’s it. We just happened to be going the same way.”
Angela tried to clarify her actions before they caused her any more problems. She did not want to be taken as a stalker.
The rules of her village did not deal with stalkers like her kindly and who knew how much more brutal the regulations of these outsiders were.
Angela had heard stories of people dying for less when it came to these outsiders.
“I see. So you were a stalker, huh? I should have seen it coming when you interrupted us back then.”
“I am not a stalker.”
Angela yelled, only to stop before she said anything even more. Pissing off someone who had your life in their hands was never a good idea.
She expected the white-haired female to be angry at her and to hurt Angela but nothing of sort happened.
Instead of looking angry, that white-haired female who was said to be a reincarnation of their king just smiled kindly. It should have been a reassuring smile but it terrified Angela a little.
Everyone said that their king looked like a gentle person who could not harm a fly. His smile was said to have been the most calming thing one had ever seen.
But Angela could not relate to their experience. If their king looked anything like this person in front of her, then the people must have been too terrified to speak anything against the king.
“A-Are you going to kill me?”
Angela finally asked, wanting to know what would happen to her. She could see a lot of bad ways for her life to end but she was not sure which one would come true.
And the smiling face looking back at Angela was not reassuring. Those eyes had murder in them.
“Don’t worry kid. You look like a smart kid who knows what she needs to do. So surely a smart kid like you would know better than to open their mouth and speak about what happened here back home.”
Angela quickly nodded her head to show that she understood. Whatever happened here, she would never open her mouth to tell it to anyone else.
That maniac smile finally eased from the white-haired female’s face before it was replaced by a gentle smile.
“You are a good kid. And that’s why I will give you an option. You see, a smart kid like you who knows the way to the ancient ruins can be of use to us. And if you agree to lead us then we will protect you in return. What do you say?”
Angela was taken aback by the suddenness of this offer. She had just been able to warp her head around the fact that she would not die. This offer was far too sudden for her.
But still, this was exactly what Angela had wanted to happen. Things could not have gone better even if Angela had tried.
“So, what do you say kid? Would you like to help us out?”
Angela blinked her eyes a few times to make sure that this was not a dream. The illusion in front of her did not fade away which indicated that this was not a dream. This was happening for real.
Angela had too many questions she wanted to be answered. She wanted to know why it had been her who had to be chosen and why she had gotten so lucky.
But no words came out of her mouth when she tried to ask all that. She was too afraid to ask the wrong question and have her chance stolen away.
“I want to help you. Please give me a chance to help you out.”
In the end, Angela knew that it all did not matter. Even if she got to know the reason she was being helped, it would not change the fact that Angela was going to accept this decision.
Ava had a wide smile on her face once she heard those words. The child had agreed to help them out without much fuss so that took care of one thing at least.
“Ah, right. Before we go back I should tell you what you need to know and our names. Make sure you remember the signals I am about to show you.”
_______________________
“Looks like Ava is done with her work. Now, we should start with our work as well. Have you mapped out the place yet?”
Aurora turned toward Rita that was working away on her system. She had learned how to map terrains recently and was busy adjusting the settings.
Quince was also working on learning how to use the system and how to operate it. Aurora had caved in and ended up giving him one as well. It would be better for their communication as well.
“Enough about Ava. Look at what I found while looking around. It is a secret passage.”
Rita called the rest of the group over as she pointed out the place in her system. It was a small opening that looked very well-defined.
Unlike the natural caves, this one looked man-made and that was enough of a red flag to mark it as a possible entrance to these ruins.
“Hoh. I can tell that there is something hidden behind it but the map does not show a way to get to it. Do you think we have a safe way there?” Quince asked as he looked at the map as well.
“That’s why we need Angela with us. She would be able to tell us if there is a hidden passage to get into that place or not.”
Frankly speaking, this was the reason a local person was necessary to get into the ruins. The hidden passages could be seen on the map but the way there could only be shown with the local blood.
“Aurora, we are back. The kid agreed to help us so let’s put her to good use.”
Ava returned with Angela as well. Aurora expected the kid to look uncomfortable but the excitement was a welcoming sight to see.
“I am here to help you all out. I hope I will not hold you back.”
Angela looked back at the group with sparkling eyes. Aurora did not think much of it as she brought the kid into the fold.
Most groups would have some concerns about bringing a kid with them but Aurora did not have one. And it was because she was confident in her powers.
This might have been the middle floor of the abyss but Aurora could feel her powers growing every day. The more time she was spending in the abyss, the more powerful Aurora was getting.
“Anyway Angela, can you show us the way to this opening? It would be a big help if you could.”
Aurora pointed the place out on the map. She was eager to know how much help a local could be to her.
“Ah, this place? I know how to get there. It looks complicated but it is easy to get there. I can take you with me.”
Angela was confident in her ability to lead them and Aurora was assured of their success.
The only thing they needed to do was to get into the ruins. The rest would be easy for their group’s might.
“Angela, let’s go. You don’t know how big of a help you are being.”
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