After the quick briefing, similar to what we did yesterday, we split up and continued training with Fatima's clones. I don't know about Ember and Fang, but I felt that the intensity of the training got amped.
The intensity of the training was so high that we didn't even have time to eat lunch. When I was about to pass out from both hunger and fatigue, Fatima decided to end the training for the day.
At the usual gathering spot, Ember and Fang were already lying flat on the floor, unconscious. Despite their attire, which was pretty much plain clothes, getting so battered it was full of holes, there's not a single trace of injury left in their bodies.
Although I was hungry, I decided to postpone it and just lay down to sleep.
I woke up, probably in the middle of the night (?), and saw that both Ember and Fang were still asleep. However, Fatima was nowhere to be found.
"Where did she go?"
I thought as I peered all around. While doing so, I noticed a strange stream of energy flying from the direction of the dome toward one of the passages. It was not of a single element but rather a chaotic mix of everything.
"That is..."
Curious, I followed the trail and entered the passage. The path seemed familiar as if I had passed it once before. When I reached a large opening, I finally noticed why.
"This is the waterfall area?"
In the distance, I could see the short waterfall. However, something is different from before.
"Why is there a bridge? And why is the water split to both sides? Did Moses pass nearby?"
I couldn't help but joke around. Seeing that the water above and around the golden bridge maintained an almost vertical flow, I couldn't help but gape in wonder.
The energy that I was following actually went toward the other end of the bridge and into the space behind the waterfalls. I quickly realized that there was a hidden area behind it, as is most common in stories.
"... Let's take a look."
Although my senses are telling me not to approach the area, my curiosity needs to be fulfilled first. I carefully walked over the gold bridge while watching out for the wall of water on both sides, afraid that it would suddenly return to normal.
As I got closer to the waterfalls, I noticed two flows of energy. One was a bit murky and sluggish, entering the space behind the waterfalls. The other was bright and energetic, leaving the said space and dispersing as quickly as it could.
"Hnn~... Ah~... Hah..."
As the distance to the waterfalls got closer, aside from the sound of rushing water, I could hear faint moaning sounds.
'This voice... Fatima?'
I passed behind the waterfalls and was surprised at the scene in front of me.
Fatima was leaning on a small pedestal with a black orb floating above it. She was sitting down on the cold and moist cave floor. Her eyes were glazed and unfocused, her thighs clamped tightly to each other as her right hand was stuck in between. The back of her left hand was over her mouth, in an attempt to hold back her moans.
Her right hand was squirming slightly as a steamy breath came out of her mouth. Even though her clothes weren't disheveled, she exuded an extremely erotic aura.
"Wait, something's wrong!"
In my eyes, the murky energy that gathered in the room was slowly absorbed by her body. Then, in return, her body releases highly energetic and pure elemental energy.
"Is Fatima using her own body to purify the energy in this whole sealed space?!"
As proof of my guess, I could see the veins on Fatima's neck slowly having a dark-greenish color. Although, rather than pain, it was more like she was getting stimulated by the dirty energy entering her body.
*crack*
While I was spacing out, I stepped on a piece of brittle limestone and it broke under my weight. The sound wasn't loud, but it was clearly heard in this silent location.
"... Will?"
Fatima, who slightly regained her focus, called my name. Although I wasn't technically hiding, I still felt guilty for seeing something that I shouldn't have. Still, I maintained a friendly smile as I waved to her.
"Hey, fancy meeting you here. Talk about coincidence."
She blinked her unfocused eyes several times before she bowed her head with a frown.
"Did you see?"
Before I even ask "what" she was talking about, I quickly nodded my head in confirmation. Seeing my quick reply, although her frown remained, she just sighed as she stood up with difficulty.
I'll just ignore the sticky-looking thread of something that stretched as she stood up.
"I think with your smarts, you already guessed what I was doing, right?"
She asked while she was attempting to tidy up her slightly disheveled hair.
"Energy purification, I believe."
I could still see the faint traces of the dark-green veins on her neck, although it was rapidly dimming and returning to their normal color. Hearing my answer, Fatima showed a faint smile before nodding her head.
"Correct. This, here, is actually the core of this whole space."
Fatima pointed at the black orb floating atop the pedestal behind her.
"It was the one that was supposed to purify the energy in this place... However, after a long time of purification, it became corrupted from the impure energy and ended up getting sealed."
She tried to touch the orb only for her hand to be repelled by violent sparks.
"Now, it's like this. To maintain the seal, I needed to use my own body to purify the energy in its stead."
Hearing her explain, I sort of guessed that the "purification" process had an adverse effect on her body. One which includes the earlier symptoms where she entered an "excited" state.
"Can't you fix the core?"
I asked her offhandedly as I approached. However, she shook her head in denial.
"I can't. I can't even touch it."
"Is that so..."
I tried reaching my hand and, as I was expecting to experience the repelling force, my hand ended up embedded inside the orb.
"... What the hell?"
I was surprised by this. Fatima, on the other hand, had her mouth gaping at the scene.
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