Chapter 34: Chapter 34
They traveled in groups for hours. Sebastian is in the front, leading the troops. Like the plan, Alekxia and her group are outside Academia, guarding it against any harm. Sebastian said it would create panic if they were seen in public; it is better to not expose themselves in front of the students. They're protecting Academia in the dark, securing the safety of everybody.
Dust signaled them to stop, and it's what they did. Even if it's already dark, Cassandra could still see the signboard with 'Restricted Area' written. They're still in the vicinity of the Academia's island, but this part was restricted to students. She even asked for the reason why but they weren't able to provide an answer. It is said that it was restricted because it's dangerous to roam around in the island's unseen parts. It's the most significant island, and even the staff couldn't monitor all of it. Cassandra transformed back to her human form and got dressed.
"What happened?" Cassandra asked. Dust looked at her and shrugged his shoulder in response.
"I don't know. Still got no response coming from Dreige," Dust answered.
"Do you think something happened to them?" Cassandra nervously asked. She doesn't know why, but when they left Academia, she really uneasy. She has this ominous feeling that something terrible will be about to happen to them.
"I got a response from Dreige. They already found the enemy's hideout. Let's move," Dust said. He looked around and signaled. They began following him until they arrived, where Sebastian and the rest of the group were.
"That's it," Sebastian said and pointed to a cave. "This the place that Keith's informant describes," he added. Cassandra looked at the cave. It was surrounded by trolls – like they were guarding the entrance to the cave.
"I've counted thirty of them, Sebastian," Timothy said.
"Dreige, commence the plan," Sebastian said with authority. Dreige nodded his head and gave a signal once again. Dreige and his team went down and silently killed five of the trolls, but then they were discovered.
"Fuck!" Cassandra cursed under her breath.
"Sebastian," Timothy said, seeing Dreige fighting the trolls. Sebastian stood up.
"Let's go slay some villains," Sebastian said with a smile. The crowd cheered, and they went down. The trolls roared, and thus the war began. Cassandra held Sebastian's hand and stared at him.
"Be safe," they both said at the same time.
Cassandra's bones were cracking and changing. Her fur started to come out. She fully transformed into her wolf form and landed on the ground, attacking the troll in the process. She bit its leg and tore his flesh. The troll yelled in pain and waved his ax in the air. Cassandra whimpered when it touches her body. She was thrown into the ground. Even if she's getting dizzy, she quickly got up on her feet and snarled at the troll. She found a knife coming from their side and promptly bite it. Cassandra rushed to the troll. It was about to whirl his ax again, but Cassandra transformed back to her human form mid-air and plunged the knife deep into its head. She pushed him, and while panting heavily, she looked around her. They were successful in eliminating the trolls with no casualties on their side.
"Sebastian! You have to see this!" Dust shouted. Cassandra stared at him. They went inside the cave together while they stayed outside. After a few minutes, Dust, Dreige, and Sebastian got out. None of them spoke about what they saw inside.
"Blood?" Cassandra said. She saw how he looked confused. "Fuck," Dust muttered.
"What the hell happened there?" Abegail asked.
"They're not here! No Ikrur inside the cave. This is a fucking trap!" Dreige shouted. Cassandra felt her knees weakened. This is the ominous feeling she had.
Suddenly, a clap filled the forest. They all looked at the person clapping coming from above. And there, they saw Ikrur, standing while looking at them.
"You really are fools. You got deceived by the fake information we made," Ikrur said while laughing. Cassandra took a step back and balled her hands into a fist. "Wasted thirty of my trolls for this not-oh-so-entertaining show," he tsk-ed.
"Now, watch! Because today you will all die," Ikrur said while smiling evilly. After these, burning arrows went flying in their direction. Cassandra got it now. Ikrur was ahead of them. He already saw it and used their plan to lure them. They've been playing in the palm of his hands all along.