Just like General Robert told Team Leader Justin, the higher-ups commanded the searching team of Unit 125 to head West, asking them to clear the area. They told the searching team that they will send back-up to help, but as per said, they won't be at the West Area.
Each one of the searching team members got a communication device from General Robert. It's a device that will automatically cut off other devices that does not use the same source of mana, and connect to one another.
"We will be moving now," Team Leader Justin commands them to start moving.
"Yes sir!" Searching team of unit 125 starts their journey to the West. They will need to arrive at a certain area before changing their route. They start to move in position, as those who carry the tent equipment and food supply will be protected by those with mana infused weapon on their hand.
They move smoothly near the West, before Team Leader Justin commands them to stop.
"Soldiers, follow my instruction. Everyone got the devices from General Robert?" he ask as the team hold the devices in their hands.
"Yes, sir,"
"In the count of three, I need every single one of you to push the green button. Understand?" He holds out the device to show a demonstration.
"Understand, sir!" They all get ready to push the button, as they wait for the right timing.
Team Leader Justin glance at Assistant Team Leader John, making sure that everyone is ready. Assistant Team Leader John nods his head as a sign that it is now the right time.
"In 3..."
"2..."
"1.."
"Now!"
They push the green button at the same time, creating a green thread that connects each of the devices together. It's glowing to make sure that everyone can see the thread, pretty useful for someone who might get lost.
"Woah... this is... real mana energy right?" Some of them feel amazed by the sight of an actual mana energy in front of them, and not just a bit of it.
Theo stares at the thread, thinking to himself.
'This energy... where did that guy even get this?'
"Hey, Private. Don't get lost in your thoughts now, we need to move," Lieutenant Nebir nudge Theo to get him to pay attention. Theo glance at Lieutenant Nebir unconsciously before he gets back on the track.
"I know," he answers sternly.
At the moment, they can hear the sound of a machine coming closer towards their direction, as Team Leader Justin immediately command them.
"Soldiers, raise your weapons and do not move an inch! Prepare for battle!" he said as he raise his shotgun and point towards the direction. Everyone follow his command, as they take a deep breath. If it's a Mashitin or a Mashiben, they would have a higher chance of winning, but they will be doom to death if it's a Mashitilk.
Theo can hear everyone's heartbeat, as they beat faster now. They don't know what kind of machine they are facing. Theo get himself ready too, as the noise he heard from afar does not give him any good news.
The sound of machine operating is getting closer, that vibrating sound in the air. They can already see the red lines from afar, shining through the darkness. It gives them chills, that some of them can feel the color draining from their face.
Theo takes a deep breath, as this machine right here, is the same type of machine that massacre Unit 109. The massive figure, the eerie vibrating sounds, the red shining lines, it's none other than a Mashitilk. The type that haven't had a record of being defeated by the military.
They are preparing for battle, even though fear swallow them whole. The Mashitilk is getting closer, before it stops right in front of them. The size difference are terrifying.
It seems as though that the Mashitilk is scanning the area, or that's what it looks like to them. They're contemplating whether to shoot or not, but Team Leader Justin raise his hand, giving them a sign to not shoot.
Some of them are panicking a bit, as they stare at the Mashitilk, gripping the shotgun tightly to calm themselves down. Theo is glancing towards Team Leader Justin and the Mashitilk back and forth. He knows that Team Leader Justin command them to not shoot, but if the Mashitilk move even an inch closer, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger. And it seems like Lieutenant Nebir thought the same as Theo from his gesture.
Surprisingly, the Mashitilk turn its head away and head towards another area. It doesn't attack them like what it usually do. Their shotgun follows its movement, before they lower their weapons once its far away.
Team Leader Justin sigh in relief, as he does not make a bad decision this time. Now, they can catch their breaths again. That was a horrifying experience.
That's weird.. it's odd for Theo. How come it doesn't attack them? Perhaps...
Theo glance at the thread again.
'This thread must've had some sort of protection spell then... but, how did General Robert knows about this? Unless there's a trigger..' Theo thinks to himself as he knows that he should've sense some mana energy from General Robert if he was the one who casted the spell, but no, he sensed nothing.
"Everyone, let's get ready. We are heading South now," Team Leader Justin turns to look at them.
"Private William James, please lead us there," he calls for Theo, as what Theo planned. Theo moves forward as he takes out the map to the South. He will be leading this from now on.
"Let's move,"
*****
They move to the South, as they stop a few times to rest and to collect herbs or clean water. They still have time, at least for now. They don't have to rush as much. The Southern Area have a lot of different plants and trees that are unusual, almost fantasy-like. The colour of those plants are light green and pastel green.
"So the book about the Southern Area being different from the rest of the Nebalble is true, huh?" Everyone keep looking around, this was nothing more than a fairy tale for the Northern people back then. Who would've believe this kind of things could exist if they haven't seen it beforehand anyways? Perhaps the South are indeed blessed by the Spirits of Life.
They move to a certain area before Theo ask them to stop.
"We have arrive at the Meriz Forest, Team Leader Justin," Theo lower his map and turn around to face others. Team Leader Justin nods at him before he give his command.
*******
"Private William James, I shall thank you for your willingness to plan out our route. Is there anything else we need to do?" Team Leader Justin just came back from meeting the higher-ups, and received the information about Theo from Assistant Team Leader John. It's a miracle to have someone who knew about the South in their team at this crucial moment.
"It is not a big deal, Team Leader. But there is something we need if we wished to use the Meriz's Forest route," Theo answers him immediately.
"And what would that be?" Team Leader Justin is willing to search for the thing they need even if it's not available at the moment.
"We need a blindfold," Theo requests.
"A... blindfold?" Team Leader Justin is dumbfounded.
"Yes, to cover our eyes when we enter the forest," Theo answers him. He won't give any detail about it.
"...." It was hard to believe, but Team Leader Justin won't question Theo's request. The last time he did, most of Unit 125 got caught in a massacre. He is still suspicious of Theo, but he'll go along with this.
"Alright, I'll request for the blindfolds," he said almost instantly.
Theo is relief that he don't have to explain more about his choices.
*******
"Soldiers, take out your blindfolds," Team Leader Justin commands the team. None of them knows why they need it. Wouldn't it be harder to walk without looking?
"Cover your eyes with it, and make sure that you wouldn't see even a tiny bit of light, understand?" Everyone nods and wear the blindfolds to cover their eyes. They don't know what they're about to go through.
Theo, being the last one to wear the blindfold, telling them what to do first and foremost.
"Each of us is connected to the green thread, so hold onto it. And never let go even if there's a sound nearby," he said as he observe them holding the green thread.
"You already remembers the Southern map you say?" Team Leader Justin ask him to assure himself about this.
"Yes, Team Leader," Theo answers as he hold the thread, pulling it slightly to signal everyone. Team Leader Justin take a deep breath before moving forward, he will be following Theo from behind, and everyone else will be following him.
Theo leads them to the Meriz Forest, where he can see the dark coloured trees melting. He's so close to home now. He's a bit nervous, giving that he never brought anyone to walk through this poisonous forest before. He take a deep breath as he put his blindfold away. He didn't need it anyways.
He pulls the thread slowly, leading them inside the forest.