They made their way to the cafeteria, and found their friends gathered around a large table, laughing and talking animatedly. They greeted Lila and Ron warmly, and the group fell into easy conversation. They all came with different news to share.
Mark started. "You guys wouldn't believe what Christine and I encountered, we had to fight a demon unexpectedly.
"Same experience here, Lila spoke up. Seems the rumors were true."
"At least we didn't get to fight a demon" Isabel said happily.
"We have a lot to tell you guys" Shane says. From what we found, it seems the demons in Crestville come straight from hell."
"What do you mean Shane" Mark asks worried. You know the story of how the demons came into the earth right? So how is this possible.
Isabel speaks in a dramatic tone "the ancient tales says that there was a certain settlement unknown. They always had war with another large settlement close to them. The first settlement wanted to win the war so badly and they resulted to the use of dark magic from hell. Summoning demons to fight the war for them. The demons successfully wiped out the next settlement. After that, they couldn't send they demons back to hell and it became very difficult for them to control the demons. They were wiped out too leaving the demons to run freely that was when the quove was established. Granted power by the heavens through the ancient symbols.
"That story is for kids" Shane tells her.
"But it's true" Mark says.
Well, from our calculations, Shane continued. Crestville has a place where demons come out from.
"You mean a portal or something" Mark asks.
"Yes" Shane replies him hastily.
"Guys are you thinking what I'm thinking" Lila says. I think Crestville was the settlement that summoned the demons.
Everyone looks at her, their eyes showing agreement.
"I hate to say this, but you are right little miss Lila" Shane says.
"I'm not little" Lila exclaims grinning.
"We'll have to find out, Mark says. It seems that is the only solution.
"So what's the next plan" Isabel asks.
"Well, the next step is to gather more information," Mark said, his brow furrowed in thought. "We need to find out as much as we can about Crestville and the portal. Where is it located? How does it work? And most importantly, how can we close it?. We still have to move in twos like we did today.
Our calculations showed that the portal is in the woods. Now all we have to do is separate through the woods and find it. It is a very difficult mission. It could take days to find the portal. I have already sent word to the director." He continued .
After their intense meeting and discussion about the mission, they all decided it was time to retire to their hotel rooms for some much-needed rest. They had a long and challenging day ahead, and they needed to be well-prepared for the mission in the woods the next day.
As they walked back to their respective rooms, the weariness from their earlier activities weighed heavily on them. The hotel lobby welcomed them with its warm lighting and comfortable furnishings. They exchanged a tired smile, knowing that a good night's sleep was essential for their upcoming adventure.
Mark spoke first, breaking the silence. "We'll need to be up early tomorrow to start our search. The sooner we find that portal, the better."
The rest of the team nodded in agreement. "Agreed they chorused. I'll make sure we have everything we need packed and ready to go. We can't afford to miss any details." Mark says.
They said their goodnights and headed to their respective rooms, each lost in their thoughts about the mission and the mysteries that awaited them in the woods. Sleep was a welcome respite, but it also brought them closer to the challenges and uncertainties of the days ahead.
Lila's exhaustion momentarily gave way to a sense of awe as she stepped into the spacious hotel room. The luxurious decor and the inviting king-sized bed seemed like a world away from the mission's challenges. She couldn't help but appreciate the comfort that awaited her after a long day of planning and anticipation.
As she ran her fingers over the soft bedding, her mind briefly wandered to the cost of such accommodations. Then, she reminded herself that their mission was not a personal endeavor. The institute had spared no expense to ensure their comfort and readiness. The significance of their task was far greater than any material considerations. With a deep sigh, Lila moved further into the room. Her backpack sat on the chair, containing all the equipment and supplies they'd need for their mission. She knew she had to prepare for the next day, reviewing maps and gathering gear. But for now, she allowed herself to indulge in the luxury of the moment, a brief respite before they ventured into the unknown once again.
Lila eventually tore her gaze away from the inviting room and the plush surroundings. The weariness from the day's activities had caught up with her, and she knew it was time to get a good night's sleep before the mission.
With a sense of determination, she unpacked her backpack, laying out the maps and equipment on the room's desk. She reviewed the mission plan over and over again ensuring she was mentally prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. She wanted to be prepared no matter what.
As she climbed into the comfortable bed, she felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be part of something larger than herself. With the mission on her mind, she slowly closed her eyes, knowing that tomorrow would bring new adventures and, hopefully, answers to the mysteries they sought to uncover. Sleep soon overcame her, carrying her into the realm of dreams, where the mission and its secrets awaited.