"Is he dead?" Arthur asked.
"I don't think so... He's not really weak to die easily, my best bet is that he's still alive but barely conscious." Uncle Martin answered while enduring the injury he suffered.
The cave turned into a mess, all of the rocks and minerals scattered around the place were pulverized due to the amount of spells they've released. Not to mention that the path leading towards the other area are destroyed. A magnificent fight indeed, but the way they do it is too much. If the treasures are destroyed and the gems are pulverized then there's going to be decrease in the Miner's dividend.
"Here, let me heal you real quick–"
"No, don't worry about me. Go out there and heal the other soldiers instead. I'll check the surroundings first." Uncle Martin declined Arthur's help to heal him. He left Arthur with a confused yet worried expression but he didn't do anything about. He respected Martin's decision to let him go around and look.
"Okay, I'll talk to you later..." Arthur slowly revoked his offer and decided to leave the scene to help the other soldiers. He cast a wide-ranged magical barrier to provide some shield so that there won't be any trouble. It covered the whole place and after a while it dissipated into thin air.
Uncle Martin walked around for a bit until he reached Kahlil's body. He was definitely knocked out. Kahlil suffered a massive damage in his chest and torso, his arms and legs was eroded and his face is burned. But even though he has a lot of pain right now, Uncle Martin can still that he is breathing slowly and regaining his mana.
He kicked Kahlil on his belly.
"Hey... I know you're not dead. Tell me where Nile is or I'll destroy your body." Uncle Martin asked for Nile while he glared at him. His intimidation made Kahlil gasped for a little, it was truly terrifying.
"I-If you mean that brat with a blue hair, he probably crossed the other side of this cave. Worse case scenario is if he found the door leading to our hideout, he'll be instantly dead." Kahlil struggled to talk. His voice is a little bit raspy and he talk like he's about to sleep. Kahlil also shed some blood and coughed while answering Uncle Martin's question.
"What? What do you mean?" Uncle Martin exclaimed softly. His expression tells Kahlil that he is worried that something might've happened to Nile while venturing the other side of the cave.
"Well, my subordinates are guarding that place. If he enters that door, I'm pretty positive that he'll have to fight them. I don't know? Maybe he's dead already?" Kahlil mocked Uncle Martin as he answered his question. Uncle Martin raised his eyebrow as he scowled. He's irritated by the way Kahlil talk. It almost looks like his answers are just jokes.
"Tell me where that door you're talking about is or I'll blast your head off." Uncle Martin raised his left arm and a ball of water bomb appeared. He means business this time.
"Tsk! Alright I'll tell you. On the 4th level beneath this area, there's a stone bridge there that is secretly connected to the other side of the cave. It will take a while for you guys to reach that area because it's steep. It would be better if you'll take that Earth guy with you to reconstruct the bridge and get to other side safely and quickly." Kahlil explained with a serious tone. As he ended his statement, Uncle Martin stopped his charge and tried to leave but as soon as he did it,
"Wait..." Kahlil stopped him. Uncle Martin paid heed to him as he looked back.
"Just a couple of warning, that area is a little bit dangerous. You must be aware of the monster that's lurking around here, the 'Drake'. It's your choice to go there alone or bring your soldiers. But I'm not responsible if you guys were to take and fight that thing. That monster is not just something you can easily defeat." Kahlil warned him.
"I know that. Well then, thanks for the info, we'll handle you to the main guards outside this cave. We're going to capture your subordinates as well." Uncle Martin declared. He stood up to walk away from the scene while Kahlil secretly smirked. Who knows what Kahlil may be planning for this time? It would be problematic if he managed to escape but judging from the situation, it is impossible for him to escape this time.
After a while, the guards cast a chain sealing magic to Kahlil to lock him down. They tried to support his body by putting him on the carrier. At this point, he cannot do anything anymore.
"So... What did you find out?" Uncle Martin returned back as Arthur asked him.
"Well... I have a bad feeling about this. Nile is still out there, that guy said he must've been on the other side of this cave." Uncle Martin explained the situation.
"Well, it looks like we should proceed then? Nile still can't use his powers, this is bad news for all of us." Arthur followed.
"Yeah, also, there's one thing we need to consider, this isn't about just rescuing Nile and the other people."
"What is it?" Arthur asked.
"Well, there's apparently a 'Drake' on the center of this cave. I'm hoping that Nile hasn't encountered it yet. That monsters can literally obliterate a whole force if we're caught off guard. We should've bring a lot more reinforcement back then." Uncle Martin answered with a distressed expression.
"Don't worry about that, I already called the headquarters. It seems like there's going to be more magicians later on. But we shouldn't wait for them. We'll proceed after our preparation, we'll just send them our position and coordinates." Arthur calmed him down.
"I see... Let's start preparing then."
Half an hour have passed, they've managed to lock down Kahlil on a special carrier vehicle. Some of the soldiers left the cave to go back to the capital and report, while the other half stayed inside the cave to help Arthur and Martin for the preparation. They brought a lot of potions and some extra weapons in case a fight breakout.
Uncle Martin placed down a large paper on the ground with a sketch. Everyone looked on it.
"Alright, according to that guy, this cave has 2 different side. We're currently in the first area which is located here near the entrance, while the other side of the cave is apparently below." Uncle Martin drew a circle and pinpointed the area they're supposed to be.
"In order for us to get there, we will descend at this area and go around this path here. Well, there's a lot of entrances and exits here so it would be hard for us to find the correct path. But don't worry about it. I have a general idea of how to get there. Now there's only one problem left..." With a slight movement. All of them felt a shivering feeling.
"The Drake. That dragon like monster who's currently inhabiting that area. On the center of this cave, there's a chance that we might encounter it. If we do, then we only have two options: It's either we will fight that thing or we'll do some distractions and snuck in to cross the stone bridge." Uncle Martin's option for the problem made the uneasy.
"But... If we fight it, there's less chance for us to beat it. And what if the distractions didn't work. That dragon is not just an ordinary monster, it can kill all of us if we're not careful." A soldier tried to dispute the options.
"About that, there's a possibility that we can win. Arthur can use his reconstruction magic spell to create a path for us in which the Drake wouldn't notice." Uncle Martin blurted out.
"Wait what!? Me!?" Arthur exclaimed so hard.
"Yeah, obviously..."
"B-But... What?"
"No Buts or Ifs, you're going to do this since you're the only Earth elemental user here." Uncle Martin glared at him.
"Hah... Ok then... fine." Arthur didn't have any choice.
"Alright, that's going to be our plan for this next expedition. No one's going to die if we follow this plan safely. My nephew's life is still on the line, I won't forgive myself if he dies in here." The mood drastically changed when Uncle Martin said those words. It's hard for him to take a guess of what's going on and he's really worried about Nile and his promise to Linda. If he mess this up, who knows what he might do?
"Let's go!" Arthur regained the mood by ending the meeting and hyping the soldiers up. He knows that Martin is currently worried and cannot take a moment to work efficiently. He switched the responsibility to help Martin by this point.
They started packing up the things they need for the expedition. An extra weapon, some potions, and mana bottle to help them if things are looking negative.
After a while, they began descending on the 3rd level of the cave using the ropes they've gathered earlier. Arthur's ability to manipulate the rock also made their mission easier.
"Hey Martin, are you sure this is the right way? It seems like we're just looping. We've seen that rock formation a while ago but now we're here again." Arthur noticed that they're going on circles. They've managed to get into the 4th level but it seems like there's not any progression after that.
"Yeah, I'm confused as well. I know that this is the way because of the path structure, but it's weird that some of the walls are blocked. Could it be the effect of the fight earlier with Kahlil?" Uncle Martin doubted their position as well.
"I don't think so, it must have something to do with the Drake. This area is too deep for the spells to reach in." Arthur answered.
"Wait a minute..." While looking around, Uncle Martin noticed something beneath ceiling.
"Look at that thing." He said while pointing towards the structure.
"Hm? What is it? It doesn't seem like something that will help us though." Arthur said.
"No, it actually is. Take a look at that structure over there and the rock formation here. Have you noticed something different? The two pillars doesn't seem to be connected to that wall over there. There's no way that this path will be closed." Uncle Martin began explaining what he noticed.
"What do you mean?" Arthur seems to be confused.
"You'll understand it, if you remove that boulder. Come on, try to destroy that rock over there." Uncle Martin ordered Arthur to remove the rock.
"Alright then, I'm trusting you. Earth Magic Skill: Rock deformation!" Arthur chanted his spell. The rock that is clogging the path to the other side instantly got destroyed.
Uncle Martin was right.
"I knew it! That path is the correct one!" Uncle Martin yelled excitedly.
"Holy crap you're actually spot on!" Arthur did the same.
"But it's weird, how did Nile managed to go in there if that boulder is in the way? I've looked around the other area as well and there's no shortcuts or any other path that leads to this particular area." Uncle Martin questioned the condition. He's skeptical about how Nile managed to cross the bridge while there's a large pillar blocking it.
"Well once we go there we might be able to find out." Arthur answered. The forces continued their movement. The cave is seemingly more quieter than usual. They dropped their body to descend in the path and entered the secret entrance.
The bridge is still intact but there's a sign of destruction on the walls.
"Hey Arthur..." Uncle Martin reached out.
"Yeah, I've noticed it as well. The walls are destroyed and it is not a normal one as well. Do you think it is because of that monster?" He asked.
"I'm not sure but I just hope it is not all about that. I want this mission to end without having to encounter that monster." Uncle Martin answered.
While they're exploring the area, a lot of footsteps can be heard on the front.
"Wait! Shh!"
"What is it?"
"Some footsteps! There's a lot of them!" Arthur stopped.
"Damn it! It must be one of those subordinates that Kahlil mentioned!" Uncle Martin said. They brought out the weapons they've prepared earlier and started doing a formation. The soldiers brought out some shields as well and they other soldiers started the incantation.
As time pass by, the footsteps sound grew louder. They cannot see what's beyond the other side because of the large smoke and mist that is covering it. Uncle Martin and Arthur prepared.
However...
"Heeeeeeey! Help!" A shout calling out for help distracted them.
"What the?"
The smoke dissipated and three people came out of it. It was Nile, Marie and Francis.
"Nile!" Uncle Martin saw Nile. It is a surprising moment. The soldiers including Arthur ceased their formation and dropped their weapons.
"Quick go help them!"
"Yes sir!" They began running as soon as they got ordered. Francis and Marie is looking tired, Francis carried Marie all the way to the top of this area for her to save her energy and hopefull get out of here alive. Meanwhile, Uncle Martin approached Nile and embraced him.
"Nile! Are you okay? Oh I'm so glad that you're safe! I'm really sorry that It took us longer!" Uncle Martin embraced Nile even harder and he did the same to his uncle.
"Me too, uncle! I'm sorry for wandering here alone, I promise not to do it again! But nevermind that, Uncle take a look at this." Nile halted their reunion as he backed off a little to show his uncle a little surprise. He raised his left hand and ball of water appeared on it. Uncle Martin gasped as he saw it.
"Nile... without even chanting? You finally awaken your powers!" Uncle Martin exclaimed.
"Yeah! I know right? I'm so happy, Uncle." Nile smiled. Uncle Martin returned the smile as he pat Nile on his head. He's happy that Nile can now use his power.
After their little reunion, they've managed to return back to the upper floors without any problem. They also captured the two subordinates who happens to be on Kahlil's team and sealed them away using the same process as they did to Kahlil. But as soon as they reached the peak of the entrance. A cry of a monster instantly trembled their ears.
"What's that?" Arthur asked.
The cave began to shake, the rocks fell off the cliff and the extra carrier they're bringing got destroyed by the debris. The soldiers didn't wasted any time, they tried to save the other carriers and helped them bring back the other things. Francis and Marie managed to get outside of the cave and the soldiers helped them go to a safe place.
"What are you guys waiting for? Let's go!" Arthur initiated retreat as the cave is falling down.
"That roar... Could it be?" Uncle Martin speculated that the sound they heard earlier belongs to the one and only monster, The Drake.
Numerous people evacuated the area, the farmers near the cave also ran away. Some of the miners didn't waste any time as well. Large smokes emitted from the core and the ground trembling reached the upper grounds.
"This is bad! We need to get the hell out of here!" Arthur said.
While they're running away, a massive wing appeared behind the large thick smoke. And the roar grew louder. The village people heard the noice and they felt the earthquake.
"The Drake is here! We should get going!" Uncle Martin shouted. But Nile didn't seem to follow his instructions.
"What the? Nile! What are you doing?!" Uncle Martin shouted.
"There's a child over there near the scene! I'm going there to save him! You go on ahead, Uncle!" After he said that, he rushed in on the ground without hesitating.
"No wait! Nile!" Because of its quick responses, Uncle Martin didn't managed to stop Nile from doing anything reckless.
Nile boosted his body while approaching the boy who's stuck into the ground. It is only a couple of seconds left before the whole area gets deformed because of the Drake's appearance in the upper ground.
"Hey hey... It's okay shh shh, I'm going to save you..." Nile said, he managed to calm the kid but as soon as hey reached him...
"NILEEEE!"
The Drake fired its flaming breath into the ground causing a lot of destruction and burned the trees.
—
"Advanced Earth Magic Skill: Diamond wall!"
"Advanced Ice Magic Skill: 0 Degree"
Two powerful spells began to appear on the area. A diamond wall instantly grow and managed to save Nile and the kid from the flames. While the fire has been put out because of the Icy environment.
"Who's that?"
"It's Captain Lennon and Captain Lich!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Sorry, let's continue out conversation and report for later, Arthur. But first, we need to destroy that thing before it cause another catastrophe on this capital." Captain Lennon said. Nile and the kid ran back into the upper ground and Uncle Martin helped them reach the safe place. The villagers, farmers, and even workers returned back to the upper ground safely as well and they have minimized the amount of destruction.
"Now then... Let's finish this... Lich." Captain Lennon formed a stance.
"Right..." Lich responded with a confident tone. They both maintained a good form and a suitable stance while regenerating their Mana. The flow of their magic seamlessly boosted their ability and skills and magic spells. They didn't even have to wait for the cooldown to use their skills again.
"Ready?" Captain Lennon charged.
"Yeah!" Lich responded.
"Advance Earth Magic Skill: Core Deformation!"
"Advanced Ice Magic Skill: Frozen spike, 3rd level!"
Captain Lennon manipulated the ground so that the Drake wouldn't be able to move its legs or fly, while Lich cast a hundred of massive ice spikes that is circulating around the dragon.
"Go!"
Soon enough, the Ice spikes reached the dragon causing it to bleed while the rock formation squeezed its body to make it vulnerable. The dragon cried and the roar grew louder and louder until it stopped.
The Drake has been killed by Captain Lennon and Captain Lich.
The whole forces declared its victory.