The environment suddenly changed as it became narrower. The light reflected outside continues to diminish slowly as they approach the deeper part of the ruins. The lights were slowly replaced by torches and lamps bought by the expedition team. Huge machinery is also in their way as they pass along.
Chris, Ken, Peolo, Paulo, and Lee tagged along with Axel as they went inside.
There were parts of the ruins where brilliant gems could be found that had not been looted. Lee picked some while he juggled it with one hand as they all headed inside.
They are approaching the stairs that head towards the underground.
Strawberry and the others had made a stop to Stella, Shield, and Ferra's spot.
They are all hiding above the ceiling. It was dusty and the air was arid. You can feel the torrid heat coming from the desert above. There is an irrigation system inside and the place was rich in resources before it became a desert.
"Stop. Keep quiet."
They are lying low and keeping their heads down as they examine the guards below. They are already seeing the stairs that head underground to the west. They need to be careful this time as sensors are marked all over the place.
As they were about to jump, they heard a group of people murmuring and chatting. Immediately they backed off. Stella, Shield, and Ferra remained in position.
Thomas who already jumped down immediately hopped back to the opposite side of the ceiling where he hopped out from. He was sticking out like a lizard and was holding tight as he reinforced his grip with his hands.
They saw Axel and the team of researchers take the stairs underground towards the west where the rune and the anomalous barrier were located.
Socrates whispers to Strawberry.
"You didn't tell us that it was underground."
Strawberry was startled almost creating a noise, loosening her hold on one of the rock beams that supports the ceiling. Strawberry's sudden grip on the ceiling walls created a domino effect that would cause a rock from the old ruins to break from its walls.
A small rock rolled towards Chris, Ken, and the twins. Ken picked up the small rock and tried to look where it came from. He looked above and he saw a solid sandstone that was supporting the ceiling. All of them were hiding above concealing their presence. As they become nervous, they almost expose themselves. Nevertheless, Ken tossed the rock he picked behind his back and continued to walk with the group. Thomas' cape blends with the sandstones as he manages to disguise himself as one.
When the situation eased Strawberry erupted and faced Socrates with a mad face.
"It doesn't make sense. We are here in the underground ruins, and within the underground, there is another underground."
Whispered Strawberry hysterically.
Socrates ponders and looks above. "Uhhm… well…"
Stella asked Strawberry. "Is that where you are going commander?"
"Yes." While she remains vigilant around her surroundings.
"No one comes down there. Usually, this is the only last stop where we guard and put our watch."
"So, you've also haven't been there?" Asked Strawberry while she grabs Stella's head pushing it next to hers.
Meanwhile, Shield is in a position where she can clearly see Strawberry's curve and smell her up close. He was literally beneath her and stepping on him. He was delighted with the situation he was in. Everyone looks at him with a mad face except Socrates.
"We also hear loud noises from there, maybe some explosions underground from time to time," Shield said while speaking heavily, catching his breath while carrying Strawberry's weight.
"We need to hurry."
"You need to, usually the number of people increases after one person comes down there," Stella said while blushing as her head was still held by Strawberry.
"That's already a number. Seven people with white coats, their leader, and five people in uniform suits. What else are we waiting for."
Strawberry signaled Socrates telling him to come down first pointing downwards.
Their positions became more tighter as guards were passing down below.
"Who has the rune?" Said Strawberry. Thomas looked with question then he realized.
"Oh yes, she knew about it."
"I have it." Showing it to them under his cape.
They waited for a moment to find the exact timing. They cut down three watcher guards who were strolling together and traded their garbs. They choked them taking care of them, they know when it will awaken it will attempt to struggle and escape.
"Faster. Take this. How about you Socrates?"
"Here. Take this. I have mine."
They then left these guards in Stella, Shield, and Ferra's hands.
Strawberry, Socrates, and Raj cough. As they walk casually together.
"How about me?" Thomas questions while grappling with the ceiling.
A single guard was passing by approaching Strawberry, Raj, and Socrates.
"Hello there guys." Putting its arms around Socrates and Raj.
"Aren't you gonna introduce me to your sexy friend here?" His eyes scanned Strawberry already wearing a Regulus suit from head to toe.
Thomas let go of his hold from the ceiling falling under this guy's knocking him out. He quickly changed his clothes.
"Okay, we are set."
They followed Axel's group underground with their new disguise. They managed to blend in with the other guards that were passing by. They made it to their destination. They split themselves into two while the other two follow.
They saw huge machinery underneath.
"How did they even manage to fit these kinds of machines inside," Raj said to Thomas while pretending to be on guard.
"We'll clearly…it can be dismembered. They only assembled it here inside while bringing the parts."
They were able to communicate clearly through their earpieces. There were several more people downstairs and there were also dark cornered areas without any lamps or torches.
Socrates and Strawberry were near Axel and the others. Both of them are rolling their eyes everywhere scanning the place. Corner by corner, from ceiling to foot.
"There! I found it!"
"We need to find a proper timing. Let's wait till they return upstairs."
Axel was hot-headed at the moment as he was trying to break through the barrier. He focused his hands on the said barriers while the scientists connected some circuits through his hands. Power was charging before him. The boom came on his first try. The ruins shake causing a tremor around them to vibrate.
"You said it will work this…." Axel grabbed the neck of one of the researchers.
"… time."
The researcher was catching its breath while it struggled to break through the hands of Axel. Everyone was trembling with fear as they continued.
"Uhhmmm. Sir~ it's~ only~ the fi..first try~. There…~ are~still several trials~ left." One of the researchers explained to Axel with a trembling voice obviously out of fear.
Axel let go of the individual in his grasp.
"Okay. So, how many trials are we going to do?"
Slowly turns to them. He became bigger and bigger as the team of scientists and researchers looked at him, and they became smaller and smaller.
"…Before I blast one of you out again."
Lee approached. Placing his hands on Axel's shoulder.
"Enough of that. That is what he says. We cannot afford to lose another valuable brain in our watch again. You already blew off two. We can't think of any more alibis to say to their families."
Axel kept his cool and was disgusted. Grabbed and threw Lee's hand off him.
"Okay…Sir…". Poking Lee's head with one finger.
Trial one was done. It does not affect the barrier. Trial two proceeded. Still no effect on the barrier. Everyone is awed in disappointment while their faces are brushed with fear. They thought Axel was going to rip one out of them but somehow managed to keep his cool. He rips the wires that connect his hands. He stood up dropping his phone from the back of his pocket. But no one notices it.
"Let us pause for now." Axel needs to recharge some of his Quanta. Although he can still proceed up to three phases. He does not like to drain his energy. He always leaves enough amount for combat, destruction, and annihilation.
Everyone was leaving the room except the guards. Five troops were also still chatting. Axel went out first followed by the team of researchers with a dreadful look on their faces.
Strawberry, Raj, and Socrates knew it would be their chance. But Lee, Ken, Chris, and the twins are not yet leaving.
"Why is he so irritable these days? Why huh? What do you think Chris?" While Ken was rubbing his fist into Chris' head.
"Can you show me the crystal that you grabbed?" Asked Paulo.
"Hey! You guards aren't you going?" Peolo asked Strawberry and Socrates. But he does not recognize them. They both stayed quiet and did not answer.
"Yap! How about you?" Paulo asked while taking the stairs. Referring to Raj and Thomas. They just nodded.
"Prepare the rune." Said Raj. They clearly cannot hear him except for Thomas.
Everybody leaves the room beneath except for the disguised guards. You can still hear their steps from a distance and their chatting murmurs.
After some time it wears out slowly and the silence covers them.
"What do we do right now?" Thomas rushed to Socrates.
"I do not know. Maybe you just put them together."
"Where is it? Give me." Socrates reached out his hands while Thomas was getting it from his pocket.
"The marks are the same."
"What did the old man say about this." While they are putting them together.
Strawberry was watching them agitated as she remained on their lookout.
The place started trembling as the tremor was distributed all over the place. Everyone notices the shaking of the land. Some parts of the ruins were falling due to the trembling.
Axel looks above and then looks behind him.
He was about to grab his phone to make a call about the progress that they had made. Until he realizes he dropped it somewhere.
Socrates and everyone opened a portal that leads to another labyrinth and ruins.
"But how do we close it?" Asked Raj.
"It doesn't matter how we close it. We need to get inside first." Said Socrates while he got the feel of the portal with his hands.
"I know. I will be your watch out here. But don't expect me to hold all the enemies."
"Thank you, Strawberry we're leaving, you take care of yourself here."