Chapter 27: New Discoveries
As the group stepped out of Heathrow Airport, the cool London breeze welcomed them, a stark contrast to the warm Roman sun they had left behind. The city was a mix of ancient history and modernity, much like their own strange journey.
Rex stretched, cracking his neck as they walked toward the taxi area. "I don't care what anyone says. Flying in a metal box should never be a thing."
Darius grinned. "Don't worry, big guy. We'll stick to walking once we get to Stonehenge. No more planes... for now."
Azaymos, who had been quiet throughout the flight, finally spoke up as they waited for a taxi. "Before we move on, I need to explain something about the skill I gained from the artifact."
The others turned to him, listening carefully.
"This new power I absorbed... it's strong, but it has weaknesses. It's slow, and fast-moving enemies can easily dodge or block it," Azaymos began, his tone serious. "I can only use it twice a day. After that, it needs time to recharge."
Rex scratched his head. "So, what's the point of having it if it's that hard to use?"
Azaymos shook his head. "Against certain enemies—those that are harder to kill, or those who don't move much—it could be a key advantage. It's not something to rely on all the time, but in the right moment, it could turn the tide of a battle."
Nox, leaning against the wall with her usual nonchalance, raised an eyebrow. "And what about us? You said something about the bond we share."
Azaymos nodded. "Because of the bond I have with you and Rex, you two can tap into the power as well, but in a much weaker form. You'll be able to use a version of the skill, but it won't have the same potency. It might not be enough to erase enemies entirely, but it could slow them down or weaken them."
Mara, who had been listening quietly, crossed her arms. "So we have a powerful skill... but with limitations."
Azaymos agreed. "Exactly. It's something we need to use carefully."
---
After a short ride through London's bustling streets, the group found themselves heading toward the countryside, where the legendary Stonehenge awaited. The taxi driver, a middle-aged man with a thick British accent, glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
"So, off to see Stonehenge, eh?" the driver said, making small talk. "It's quite the tourist spot. People come from all over the world to see those old stones."
Nox rolled her eyes. "Yeah, just a pile of rocks," she muttered under her breath.
Rex, sitting beside her, stared out the window at the passing fields. "Still don't get how a bunch of rocks can be magical."
The driver chuckled. "You lot don't seem like the usual tourists. What brings you to London? You actors or something?"
Darius, always quick with a response, leaned forward with a grin. "You could say that. We're on a... very special mission."
The driver raised an eyebrow. "A special mission, eh? What kind of mission?"
Rex, completely serious, leaned forward. "We're looking for ancient energy to recharge a magical dagger so we can jump between worlds."
The driver burst out laughing. "Ha! That's a good one, mate. You should be a comedian."
Rex looked genuinely confused as Darius patted him on the shoulder. "Good job, Rex. You nailed it."
Nox smirked, clearly amused by the exchange. "We should just tell everyone the truth. No one will believe it anyway."
---
As the taxi driver watched the strange group in his rearview mirror, he couldn't help but think there was something off about them. Their accents were strange, their clothes even stranger. And that tall guy—Rex, was it?—looked like he belonged in a medieval film set.
Maybe they're shooting some kind of movie, the driver thought to himself. Would explain the odd comments. That bit about ancient energy was a laugh.
Still, there was something unsettling about the way they spoke. It wasn't just an act... was it?
---
When they arrived at Stonehenge, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ancient stones. The sight was awe-inspiring, even for those who had seen magical worlds. The towering stones stood silently, as if waiting for the group to unlock their secrets.
"This is it," Azaymos said quietly, feeling the faint hum of energy in the air. "There's definitely power here. We need to figure out how to access it."
Rex stared up at the stones, his earlier skepticism starting to wane. "Okay, I'll admit... it feels different."
Darius, ever the practical one, looked around for any signs of hidden runes or markings. "Let's just hope there's no puzzle involved this time. I'm not in the mood for solving ancient riddles."
Nox grinned. "Oh, come on, Darius. Where's your sense of adventure?"
As the group moved closer to the center of the stones, Azaymos raised the dagger, watching as the runes began to glow faintly once again. "It's reacting to the energy... but we'll need to be careful. This place is different from the Colosseum."
Mara, standing a few feet away, observed the flow of energy with a calm expression. "We should try to access the energy without drawing too much attention. We don't want to alert anyone."
Azaymos nodded, focusing on the dagger. "Let's see if we can recharge it fully this time."
---
End of Chapter 27