Master Of Astral Summoner
Chapter 49: A plan

Chapter 49: A plan

Hearing Nalira’s words, Shaan stopped chewing for a while. Judging from the serious look on Nalira’s face when she said it, she must have known something about the Doppleshade’s presence. But what? What does Nalira want to say?

"Uhmm... I don’t understand what you’re saying at all, Lira?" Chelsie scratched her head.

"You should have heard about the rumors that spread among our mentors back in the training days, right?"

"Rumors? What rumor are-" Chelsie immediately snapped her fingers. "Wait, do you mean that some dark creatures suddenly became strong when our mentors were doing their duties?"

Nalira nodded her head slowly. " Yes, that’s right. I think that... that’s also related to the appearances of the Doppleshade in this portal," she explained. "I’ve heard information that Doppleshade is a creature of darkness that tends to be around strong creatures of darkness. Therefore, Doppleshade should appear at the full moon gate portal because there the creatures of darkness are much stronger than the ones we are fighting."

’Yes, Nalira’s words sound reasonable.

"Oh my gosh, so in other words... the increase in strength in the creatures of darkness, as our mentor said, was what indirectly attracted Doppleshade here?"

"I think so, Chelsie," Nalira said. "That’s why, after we defeated the creature that caused Noctis’ portal to open, we were supposed to return to the human world."

"But instead, we got stuck here and...." Chelsie’s voice weakened. "But why? Why is everything like this? What caused the dark creatures to suddenly grow so much stronger?"

"My guess? Someone might’ve done this on purpose... probably for a specific reason."

"Oh my God, this is... this is insane. Who could come up with such a crazy idea?"

Nalira shrugged her shoulders. "No idea... I honestly don’t know. I haven’t found any clues about that. But one thing’s clear, as long as we’re in the dark realm... we have to stay vigilant. We have no clue how strong the dark creatures we’ll face might be."

Nalira’s theory sent chills down Shaan’s spine. Her words made perfect sense, and Mr. Maximus had warned him about this once before. Damn. They needed to figure out a plan if they wanted to survive this place.

"Uhm... so... so what’s our plan now?"

"Twilight sanctum," said Shaan. "We have to find the twilight sanctum like our mentor and Miss Khaya said, remember?"

"...Right. That’s the only way we can do it now."

"Uhmm... yes. What you two said is true. Twilight sanctum is a safe place, and at least if we can get there, we can get protection, and of course, we can return to the human world."

"Everything you said is true, Chelsie." Shaan stroked his chin. "However, there is one other problem. I don’t see any signs of the Twilight Sanctum here at all. What about you guys?"

"No, I don’t. I don’t see it either." Chelsie shook her head. "Lira?

"Same, I didn’t see it either because it’s pouring outside and there’s absolutely nothing to see," Nalira uttered. " Perhaps... we should wait until tomorrow. Let’s hope the rain stops tomorrow and we can find the whereabouts of the Twilight Sanctum."

"Yes, I agree." Chelsie stretched her arms up. We should rest now. We’ve drained a lot of energy, and we need to recover our strength."

"I agree, but first, we should block the cave entrance, at least for now. Some dark creatures might come while we’re resting, right?" Shaan stood up and looked around. "But then, what do you think we can use to temporarily seal the cave entrance?"

Without saying a word, Nalira stood up and walked towards the cave mouth. She seemed to draw something on the ground, then spoke in a strange language—one that didn’t sound like any human language. Strange... what was Nalira doing?

"Lira, what are you doing?"

"Done." Nalira stood up and glanced at Chelsie. "I... I just cast a simple protection spell. This spell creates a temporary illusion, so the dark creatures won’t be able to find us."

"Interesting." Shaan stroked his chin. "I have no idea that there is such a spell at all."

"...I learned it when I was a child. It’s been passed down through my family for generations."

"Alright then, I guess we’re safe now." Chelsie smiled. "Time for us to get some rest."

***

The roar of heavy rain, combined with the sudden crack of thunder, jolted Shaan awake. The sound was so loud that he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It felt like the thunder had struck just outside the cave—too close for comfort—and it might hit this cave at any moment.

I wonder if Chelsie and Nalira woke up too after that thunderclap?’

Shaan slowly took a breath, trying to regulate his heart rate first. He then woke up and directed his gaze. Chelsie was still fast asleep, lying peacefully near the campfire that continued to burn softly. She didn’t seem bothered at all and had chosen to sleep through the storm. Amazing—how could she sleep so soundly?

Then, he turned his gaze toward where Nalira should have been—right beside Chelsie—but strangely, he couldn’t see her anywhere. He rubbed his eyes several times, thinking maybe he had missed her somehow.

’Weird... where’s Nalira?’ Shaan stood up slowly. ’She must be around here somewhere. I just need to look for her.’

Shaan walked around the cave and finally found Nalira in the corner. She was sitting, hugging her legs tightly and backing away from the campfire in the cave. Her whole body trembled, and every time thunder roared outside, her hands instinctively clutched her arms tighter.

’Nalira, what’s wrong with her? Maybe, I’ll try to ask her.’

He slowly walked over and gently tapped her shoulder. Nalira noticed the touch and slowly turned her head. The moment their eyes met, Shaan froze.

"Nalira, what’s wrong with you? Why does your face... look so pale?"

".... Thunder. I don’t like-"

Another thunderclap struck, loud and sudden. Nalira instantly curled into herself again. Her body kept trembling, and she refused to look at Shaan. Honestly, Shaan still didn’t expect that a strong and decisive figure like Nalira still had some fear in her.