Socrates chooses not to fight even if he has the capacity because he wants to conserve his energy for a greater cause other than dueling.
Thomas on the other hand was speaking the truth. He can still feel the fatigue over his body from his past journey.
Noon came and preparations are still going. They set a time allowance for them to rest and for Raj and Thomas to check on the girls.
"I mean, we can fight them versus the hundred, right?" Raj asked. Feeling already tensed for his upcoming fight.
"We can, even if we can, we do not know if we are still allowed to use our Quanta when facing the hundred. And if we use our Quanta facing a hundred and they have wielders too then it will be too difficult for us."
"Even if we don't use and they don't use their number is just too large. And besides, we do not know if the old man will be giving us the runes when facing the hundred."
"He only said he would give the rune when facing one-on-one and defeating his chosen warrior."
"They will also end up with major casualties, right?" With the strange and wandering look of Raj.
"Yes, and we are avoiding casualties at the very least."
"Although, I know we can manage to handle them even if they have their numbers it might just take some time. And the whole area will also be part of our battlefield."
Socrates was confident enough indeed, but he avoided casualties at all costs.
Two warriors were standing in the middle open space of the jungle. More warriors are also surrounding them. People have gathered all over the place to witness the duel.
Thomas looked above the trees and around him.
"The girls are showing up." Thomas' body waves while his eyes are fluttering with hearts.
He then signaled Raj and gave him a thumbs up.
When Raj looked around, he suddenly became excited. As his ears were smoking with confidence.
The battle had begun. Raj and the son of elder Marco began to spar. Crowds were both cheering and booing. Screams are all over the place.
Thomas went to the old man Marco and asked some questions. Grabbing the scroll that he got from the ruins from his pockets.
The old man looked and focused on the scroll. Thomas even waved it in the air and the old man followed.
"Why do you have that, my boy?"
"Oh? This? I got it from the ruins."
"So, it means that this fight was unnecessary?" The old man said with his warbly voice crankily.
Both of them looked at each other with a blank space. Then later broke the awkward disposition with fake smiles. Then fake laughs followed on.
"If you have this, my boy, then the pledge of honesty is not anymore necessary."
"If you have such solid evidence why show it up late."
Again. Both of them looked at each other with a blank space. Then later broke the awkward disposition with fake smiles. Then fake laughs followed on.
"You see we do these duels, and the battle of a hundred warriors to see if an individual is speaking of the truth. If he wins regardless even if he is lying, then we accept it as the truth and if the opposite happens it also happens."
Both laughed.
"Don't worry I will leave the scroll here afterwards. I just need some clarification about what this poem says."
Both of them had an awkward conversation. Both are guilty of having Raj and his son fight.
"I'll just explain it directly with my words."
The feeling of the environment started to get intense as Thomas was trying to visualize in his mind what had happened years ago.
"It means that the passage is hidden and locked like what I said earlier. This chest contains the power to start a new world or to destroy an existing one. The goals of creatures that came from the chest have no other goals but to destroy and cause havoc among the worlds. The last part. It simply says that do not try to open it because the impossible will happen. But if it will be opened then you need to close it using your Quanta's core."
People are still cheering.
Thomas then relayed the information he just learned to Socrates.
Old man Marco started to feel that the battle was taking longer. When he is about to stop the battle and declare it as a draw. As it was already no longer needed. Raj managed to win the duel, as he stood up.
People were awe in and disappointed and others were cheering with excitement. The clan rewarded them with the rune for their protection. As they were about to leave.
"The battle was not needed," Socrates said. Then explaining briefly what the old man said.
Both stared in awkward gazes ignoring Raj as they were about to leave. Hiding in each other's back while pushing each other.
People were delighted. People waved and greeted their goodbyes. The ladies left them with hugs and kisses.
The three of them were blushing, as they were entertained by the ladies.
Thomas and Raj floated again with their souls left their bodies. "Oppai Daisuke." While saliva was falling from their mouth unconsciously.
"The old man reminded me. To be sure that no one else aside from us or trusted people should be able to pass through the gate."
"But they can still open it, even if we hold them long."
"I know, I know but be sensible Raj. If we managed to go in first, then that would buy us more time to locate the exact location of the chest."
"True." Socrates agrees.
"…and besides, it's not like when we enter that hidden gate somewhere, the chest will just pop up in front of us."
Socrates also gave them the reminders. "The mark that is present on the rune also matches what it is there in the ruins said the old man. He said to never open the chest and…"
"If ever you acquire it you can bring it here, we Boholanos have a better place for that ancient treasure. It is not something the world to understand and witness."
"He said that?"
"Yup. He said that."
The moment they arrived at Thomas' house. Everyone was stunned. Their jaws dropped eyes fixed at one point. Even dropped the things they had with them unconsciously. But there was something odd. Raj has a different reaction. There was a feeling that cannot be explained. Tears were flowing from his eyes. A sense of joy was felt.
Raj ran towards her grandma to embrace her. His arms were wide open and a strong grip of longingness. There was no solid of the encompassing. surroundings. Lights are blazing wherever like one of those scenes when you feel and experience paradise. It was a complete snapshot of joy.
It was a total moment of bliss.
All was broken when her grandmother spoke her first words to them. She poked Raj, and Raj continued to hug her.
"Why are you so late?".
Tears ruptured in her grandmother's eyes.
At the specific second, she felt a similar way. The sensation of heaven proceeds. The two of them were put in complete joy. Individuals around them were put in genuine serenity while being glad for him.
Her grandmother cannot recognize the place around her or even the place. At the point when she woke up who helped her to be taken out from the cylinder tube was Thomas' cousin. A doctor specialist who encouraged him to fix her.
"I've already explained some of the details to him, my dear cousin."
This is Andrew, Thomas' cousin who specializes in cardiology and ophthalmology. He also is an expert veterinarian and is currently studying at the university for another degree. He does his research on Quanta observation and Quantum physics.
"This is the guy you were talking about earlier. The one who punctured your vital organs."
Her grandmother suddenly changes her emotions.
"This? Him?"
Grabbing a chair just nearby her. Hitting Thomas in the head several times while he crouches.
"How dare you try to kill me! And you are also trying to steal the keepsake of my son! Huh?"
She continues to beat her while Thomas accepts the hits guilty of what he has done.
Thomas then bowed down to her and apologized.
"I am sorry madam. I did not mean to scare you at that time. I am only doing it for the safety of many."
His cousin and Raj tried to stop her grandmother from beating out the shit of Thomas while continuing to explain the events that had happened while she was in a coma.
"Oh. So that's it? You still saved me?"
"I don't know if I'll be thankful or what. Now that I see my grandson, I am happy to hear that he is safe and sound."
"When my son left me his keeps sake, he reminded me to immediately run for my life or attack first when somebody asked about the chest or him."
"I was left with no choice but to engage in combat. I fear that he will also separate me from my grandson."
"I know what my son is doing is not safe for him or us. That is why I chose to live in the province unknown to everyone."
The evening is quickly drawing closer. They talked and examined things and occasions together.
They held a gathering and got ready for their subsequent stages for their return in Cube, Kampiig desert while having their supper. Thomas drew a guide. Socrates and Raj called attention to territories and circles the spots they may have to look out for in case of the Regulus gathering.
Raj's grandmother has nothing to do that much, she only aids Thomas' cousin prepare the dinner table and bringing out the food.
"Old man also said to never provoke the guardians inside."
Quickly on the following day, they traveled back to Cube capital. In contrast to their approach to Bohol, they did not ride any boat that they made themselves for their movement, it would cost them days and it would inconvenience them that much if Axel's powers were the first to break the boundary inside the vestiges. Thomas' cousin arranged for their journey. This time they took public transportation with a boat which would save them days of travelling.
"I'm already done with the preparations and we are good to go."
Andrew bid his farewell and said his good luck. With them are Socrates, Thomas, Raj, and Milazza (Raj's grandmother). They managed to blend in with the crowd and there was no single act of suspicion.
"Bye, everyone, and my dear cousin. Be careful on your journey."
Hours had passed and they already arrived at their destination. They separate ways for a while. Raj went immediately to Chara Venatici's headquarters to report to Strawberry.
"Let us separate from here guys. I need to report to Strawberry and the organization."
Raj hugs and kisses her grandmother's cheeks before he leaves.
"Don't worry grandma they will take care of you."
Her grandma jabbed him saying. "I might be old, but I am still well, and healthy. Take care of yourself, my grandson."
Thomas and Milazza went together with Socrates to his crib. From there they met Pierce. Pierce arranged rooms for them.
"Excuse me Raj's grandmother here is your room."
Showing her the way while Milazza slowly follows him.
She thanks Pierce awkwardly with a smile.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Please feel at home."
Milazza appreciates her room out of delight. "Well, this is not bad for an ugly-looking exterior outside."
In comparison to their previous home, the space and amenities are on par with Socrates' services and equipment he had at home.
Socrates immediately called out to Thomas. He also gave instructions to Pierce to stay on guard while they were away.
Her grandmother was listening while they were talking outside her room. Keeping herself silent.
"Pierce, please stay here and take care of her. We will be approaching immediately after Raj is done following things up in their headquarters. I did say some things to Strawberry, not all."
"We will be retrieving the Pandora's chest and hopefully we can retrieve it without engaging in combat, but I doubt it."
Milazza was about to show herself and butt in the conversation. But she retreated after she heard the next conversations.
"If things will go worse and will not be according to plan. Just pray that I can contact you immediately. But I'll leave the instructions here. I will assure the protection of the kids."
Socrates said while tapping on Thomas' head.
"The rune is here, we already contacted some of the people inside Chara Venatici to make use of their resources. We are scanning all the significant columns, walls, everything we can find to have the resemblance of this rune mark."
"It will be long but in case something bad happens you know where to bury me. Beside my squad." Socrates said bluffing.
Milazza cannot get a hold of her emotions and crossed in their conversation.
"What do you mean bury?"
"What about my grandson!?"
Socrates approached her light.
"Mrs. Milazza, I assure you, you need not worry about the kids. I will protect them even if it costs my life. Besides, a lot of things had already happened. Raj is already a strong man now. He can fight and he has the abilities. He already showed you some of the things he could do, right? Back in Bohol when did you first meet? He can do more than that. More than you can imagine. But of course, I am still way more, better than them."
Socrates laughed confidently after he finished his sentence.
"That is true Mrs. Raj's grandmother, I have experienced you fight hand-to-hand, right now I can say I can beat you without relying on my Quanta's power. Even Raj can beat me. So, set aside your worries."
Thomas also said next after Socrates.
"But you said, you do not know what you will be facing when you enter the place. How can you be so sure?"
With a worried look on her face.
"We are told what we are gonna be facing, but we are not sure until we see them with our own eyes."
"That's right Mr. Socrates, does the Regulus group have any idea about the information we have right now?"
Socrates also pondered and took a step away from them.
"I don't think so, if they do, they would be more cautious about their actions."
"What if one of them managed to enter with us and we broke the rules old man said. Like provoking the guardians."
"It doesn't matter anymore. If one of them managed to enter with us, then like what I told you in the plan. One of us will then hold that individual. With the guardians… we do not know what we are talking about yet. If there are guardians both outside the box guarding it, and inside the box trapped. Then, we should have the chest in our hands to prevent more casualties."
…
The call came from Raj, it was finally time to meet and the time that they had been preparing for finally came into realization.