"What did you do!?"
Rant Valo shouted at Floriana Sabina who suddenly threw Veia back into the hole.
"Her body would explode if she was kept in here longer!"
Floriana Sabina's face was grim as she explained. She felt the changes that happened inside Veia's body. It was as if her blood suddenly changed owners.
Her blood would explode out of her body if she was kept in here longer. Whatever it is that was calling for Veia, it wanted her to enter the hole.
Rant Valo was at a loss for words when he heard what she said. If it was true then what she did was the correct action, but somehow, it pained Rant Valo when he saw her pleading for his help.
The cold atmosphere quickly disappeared as if nothing happened. The hole in the ground silently sealed itself.
"What the…"
Rant Valo watched in stupefaction as the hole closed just like a wound.
"We better save Veia!"
Rant Valo shouted at Floriana Sabina. Veia's life and death status are unknown and it is better if they make a move now. Otherwise, they might arrive too late.
"Calm down, Disciple!"
Seeing the panicked look in Rant Valo's face, Floriana Sabina decided to calm him down first. They wouldn't be able to save Veia if they were hasty. They would only be prone to making mistakes.
"How can I calm down!? Did you see the fear in her face earlier!?"
Rant Valo snapped at Floriana Sabina. He was aware that Floriana Sabina has arguments with Veia but that shouldn't be a reason for her to stop him so she could dilly-dally.
"Do you know where that hole leads to?"
Floriana Sabina asked the out of control Rant Valo. He clearly saw the ground close itself earlier so it would be impossible to dig downwards since the ground seems to be under a Magic Circle.
"I- I do not…"
Rant Valo finally realized the crux of the matter. He was powerless. To dig a hole like that would only be wasting time.
"Wait, Veia said that she felt something call for her inside. The only thing around here that she is related to is inside the cave!"
A sudden spark of insight appeared in Rant Valo's head. He could still clearly remember Veia saying that she felt something calling for her. It may be due to her origins as a half-vampire, half-succubus hybrid demon.
"Smart Disciple!"
Floriana Sabina was impressed at Rant Valo's deduction skills. He was unlike the Rant Valo that she knew that is always stupid. She pouted when she realized that it may be because Veia is in danger that he was being smart.
"No time to lose!"
Rant Valo ran towards the waterfall and entered the small crevice into the cave. Floriana Sabina ran after him and they both entered the cave together.
A few minutes later, they reached the spot where they stopped last time.
"The barrier is gone!"
Floriana Sabina exclaimed when they reached the room with the 11 chained skeletons.
"Really!?"
Joy took Rant Valo's face as the thought of a hope of saving Veia appeared. If the barrier disappeared then it should be related to what happened outside earlier.
"Careful, Disciple. This time, I'll go first."
Floriana Sabina stopped Rant Valo when she saw him sprint towards the entrance. It was a flight of stairs leading downwards. The path ahead was dark. It was as if they were staring into the abyss when they looked into it.
"O-ooh"
Rant Valo was taken aback by Floriana Sabina taking the lead. He thought that she hated Veia, but it doesn't seem to be the case.
"I-it's not like I'm doing this to protect you or anything!"
Floriana Sabina blushed in embarrassment when she saw the way Rant Valo looked at her.
"Thank you, Master."
Rant Valo didn't have the energy to argue with her so he just expressed his gratitude to her. Although it was a short time together, he already cared for Veia so her help was very appreciated.
Floriana Sabina raised her right hand and pushed forward. A bunch of white flames suddenly appeared and flew ahead. The white flames stopped at predetermined distances to light up the way forward.
"Wow…"
Rant Valo was amazed at the power displayed by Floriana Sabina. He was reminded again that she was actually a high stage cultivator.
"What are you looking at? I thought you wanted to save Veia?"
Floriana Sabina ran downwards and reminded Rant Valo.
"Right."
Rant Valo nodded his head and followed her downwards.
"I will only do this once, Disciple. Then I would be even with that demon!"
Floriana Sabina suddenly said when they were running down. Rant Valo raised his head and looked at her confused. He quickly looked downwards to pay attention to his footsteps. Unless he wants to go down the 'shortcut' way by rolling downwards.
Floriana Sabina suddenly floated and she waved her hand towards Rant Valo. Rant Valo felt his body grow weightless again as he was taken by her into the air.
Now with flight, Floriana Sabina boosted herself and Rant Valo and flew deeper. Running down the stairs only wastes more time so Floriana Sabina decided to fly instead.
"Whoaaa!"
Rant Valo felt the scenery blur backwards as he sped up. It only lasted for a few seconds before they reached the end.
There was a large dome and a scarlet red light was glowing in the center.
"A-AHHHHH!!"
Veia can be seen lying down as she struggled. Her blood leaked from a wound on her wrist and her blood glowed with a blood-red light.
"Veia!"
Rant Valo quickly noticed Veia's situation. Floriana Sabina was frowning at the scene. She can discern what was happening from the way this was setup. It was a blood sacrifice! A very strong one, even.
"Let's go, Master!"
Rant Valo urged Floriana Sabina. He was anxious to save Veia. He can clearly feel the pain Veia was feeling right now as it was transmitted into his ears from her screams.
"Wait, Disciple. Something is wrong…."
Floriana Sabina murmured as she stared at the scene with squinted eyes.