"1"
"2"
"3!!!"
All the children in the castle started to count loudly after Xinhua
While Fenry, Hunji, Jeon and Dahlia started running away towards the castle
When they were around the distance to almost not hear the counting, Jeon stayed back since he has good hearing
"Start banging the hammer together to create loud noise if the time is almost over. Bang it three times altogether to warn us" Fenry said immediately to Jeon
Jeon nods as the others run away
Leaving him behind
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{ After about 20 minutes }
They all finally arrived at the castle
Dahlia couldn't make out how the castle looked like
Now... she is up close
She can make it out
The castle was painted in rich purple
The windows all are red...
It was built in a weird kind of way... as if it were twirling... and it's shape was weird...
It was a surprise that it was holding on for so long as they all stand
But what caught more in the eyes, is the giant glowing crystal floating atop
It was glowing dimly with the purpulish light
It was as if it is the energy source holding the castle in place
But Dahlia quickly snapped herself out and followed Fenry and Hunji inside the castle
"Hunji, you stay here to keep guard and to let us know when you hear the warning" Fenry patted Hunji's shoulder lightly
Before Fenry could leave with Dahlia
Hunji punches lightly behind Fenry's back
Fenry looked over as his eye widened slightly
"Don't be a sacrificial lamb again... unless you really wanna be dead meat by me" Hunji huffed as he gave Fenry a warning look, yet had a hint of affection in them
Fenry only stared at Hunji for a while...
Before he chuckled, "Yes, I will remember that. Thanks for the reminder" he said
Finally he and Dahlia left inside the castle
Inside the castle was clean
The carpets were all blue... as blue flames guided their paths
Like outside the castle walls, inside was purple too... but had many faint blackish kinds of patterns in it
As if the patterns were alive
But it is not the castle walls... red windows... patterns that disturbed her...
What disturbed her is the whispers she keeps on hearing, ever since she stepped inside the castle
{{" You are going the right way... go left "}} The whispers repeated
And Fenry guided Dahlia on left side of the castle, going the way the whisperers is telling before Fenry takes them
"Uhm... can you hear them...?" Dahlia asked hesitantly to Fenry
Fenry looked over at Dahlia as he raised an eyebrow at her "Hear what?"
Dahlia only lets out a long sigh
"It's nothing... let's just go..." Dahlia replied
Fenry just looks at Dahlia for a moment before looking forward again
Dahlia didn't know what to feel anymore towards the whispers
The whisperers were guiding her... it was soothing and enchanting...
But... this not what disturbed her...
It was why it was helping her?
It had no reason to...
Fenry noticed Dahlia being dazed as he narrowed his eyes slightly
"We are close... and don't ponder on anything that might waste our time... every second is precious to us" Fenry said to Dahlia which snapped her out
"The book's chains are in the library on third floor, when we go there. We will split up" Fenry began as he look ahead again
"I will take the left, you take the right part to search" he finished
"Right... I shouldn't pay much mind to those whispers..." Dahlia thought as she ignored the whisperers
She only looks forward without saying anything
"But..." Dahlia thought again
She was gripping her headpiece tightly
Fenry noticed out of the corner of his eye, then looked back forward again
"I know you're nervous... but... don't be-" "I am not nervous about that..." Dahlia cut Fenry in the middle of his sentence
"Perdon?" Fenry fully looked over at Dahlia
"... Your part of this world... that means you can't come with us... but... what if there is a way to turn you into part of our world again?" Dahlia asked as she looked back at Fenry with a worried look
Fenry froze slightly, taken aback by Dahlia
But he quickly brushed it off, he instead grabbed Dahlia by her arm. Clearly helping her run faster
"Focus on the mission..." Fenry changed the subject quickly
He knew well that there wasn't any time to ponder the possibilities nor get sentimental
When they don't have much time
Meanwhile, Dahlia doesn't say anything and ran with him to the library
When they arrived to the library, Fenry left to the left side of the library to search
"Don't waste time, we have to search for the book quickly and leave" he reminded her again before leaving
Dahlia only stares, as Fenry left to search
She gripped the bag she is holding before letting out a long sigh and left too
The library was large as it had many stairs leading it to the upper floor
It was nothing compared to the royal library, where it was known to have more books
It had books arranged well... sure
But the shelves looked so old that it was a surprise they were holding up so many books
The floor creaked as Dahlia walked
But even with all this... it was surprisingly... clean...
No creepy bugs... no dust... no unordinary things
The library seemed... like their world's...
Which was surprising compared to the many unordinary things they all have experienced in this world
But Dahlia didn't paid much mind and kept looking through the books one by one
"What does the book look like" Dahlia asked out loudly so that Fenry can hear her question
Fenry was on the other side as he looked through the books
"I don't know the appearance since I saw it from far away, plus... it was too dark out... but I can say for sure that it has chains attached to it... that is all" Fenry answered back
"Eugh... but there are too many books that has chains attached here!!!" Dahlia said as she found around 10 books that had chains attached to it
Fenry froze up hearing her
"Wait- what?!" He was stunned until he too found many books in chains too
"How is this possible?... There were supposed to be only one of them to chained... not so many..." He mumbled as sweat formed on his forehead
Dahlia heard him
"Can't we just rub it on all off them?" She asked
"NO!!! That is dangerous!!! Touching any book except the one I mentioned is dangerous to touch!!! All of them have corrupt energy that any normal person can't handle! Especially people from our world!!!" Fenry exclaimed
"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Dahlia ruffled her hair as she looked at the books back again with narrowed eyes
"I DON'T KNOW!!! LET ME THINK!!!" Fenry yelled out as he gritted his teeth, trying to be calm
Dahlia groaned as she look away, trying to think of something too
"What should I do? How can I find out the level?" She thought internally
She knew well that they don't have much time left
She looked at the books she found
Staring at them with a pondering look
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{{"The book on left without the chain is the one"}}
Suddenly the whisperers again said that to her
Dahlia froze up as she gasped
She bite her lower lip
Her hands trembled slightly...
Finally... couldn't handle the whisperers
"W-Who is there!?!?! Show yourself!!!" She yelled out startling Fenry
"What is wrong?! Is everything okay there?!" Fenry yelled back at Dahlia
"I well- I-" Dahlia suddenly froze in mid sentence
"No... I can't tell him... what if it's just me hallucinating caused by my turmoil?" She thought internally
Cause after she yelled out at the whisperers...
The whispering had completely stopped...
Dahlia shook her head slightly
"It's nothing..." She answered out loud
"Ok... anyways about finding the book... how about we retreat for now to come with another plan-" "No!... I... I found the book... let's go..." Dahlia said suddenly
"Wait- what? You found the book?! How-" Fenry asked as his eyes widened slightly before Hunji's yell was heard downstairs
"HURRY UP QUICKLY!!! WE ONLY HAVE 10 MINUTES BEFORE EVERYONE WAKES UP!!!"
"What- WE HAVE TO RUN!!!" Fenry yelled out as he quickly made a run
Dahlia hesitated in taking the book
But looking back again, she didn't had much time
She immediately takes the book and made a run
Both Fenry and Dahlia ran together out of the library to downstairs
"COME QUICKLY, YOU TWO" Hunji yelled again as he was prepared in place, just at the exit door
Ready to run as well. after the two safely exited the castle with him
Finally when the two arrived, Hunji also followed them
The three ran to where Jeon is
"KEEP RUNNING!!! DON'T LOOK BACK NOR STOP!!!" Fenry ordered
Dahlia took a quick glance at the moon again
The white moon was slowly turning back to red again
The three quickened their pace more
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The three saw Jeon coming into view
He stood ready for the run
"Come on... quickly... we only have 3 minutes..." Jeon mumbled
His body was still but slight tremors were seen, if looked more closely
Sweats were glistening on his forehead, neck and arms
When they reached Jeon, he too ran along with them
The four were panting a lot
More sweat already formed on their body
Some sweat even falling on ground
Their legs hurt as if their bones were broken off
Beneath their foot's skin hurt... as the skin was stretched painfully cause of running for so long without any rest
But none dared to stop, even for a second
Cause they knew one thing
If one of them stopped... for even for a little...
They would not just put themselves at danger...
But danger everyone back in the castle too, if the ghouls sensed them
"I am growing tired..." Jeon panted heavily
"Yeah... my feet hurts..." Dahlia grunted in pain but kept on running
"Don't stop... Just... a... little more..." Fenry said between pants
"Yeah... and... after... we... reach the... castle... we... can rest... as much as we want..." Hunji groaned as he ruffled his hair while running
"Yeah... but for a limited time... that is..." Fenry added as he chuckled in between pants
"You... guys are... impossible... joking... even at this... situation..." Jeon couldn't help but laugh too
"Your... laughing..." Dahlia reminded Jeon as she was giggling
"And your... giggling..." Jeon retorts back
"Guess we all are... weirdos then..." Hunji commented as he laughed too
"Yeah... and... if we don't make it... I just wanna let you know..." Fenry looks at Hunji then at Dahlia along with Jeon
"... It was nice meeting you again... Hunji... and... Dahlia... Jeon... you both are brave kids... wish... I was just like you two... then..." Fenry closed his eyes as he stopped talking briefly
The three stared at Fenry
Hunji punched the back of Fenry's head
"What... did... I... say about.... being a… sacrificial… lamb?" Hunji knew that Fenry would intentionally stay behind if they don't arrive on the castle on time
He grabbed Fenry's collar and forcefully dragged him along
Fenry was startled
Jeon also grabbed Fenry's collar too, as Dahlia grabbed Fenry by his hand
They all were dragging Fenry along with them
Making sure he never stops running
"Not... on... our... watch..." Jeon added after Hunji bluntly
"We will make it... and... I will also... find a way... to turn... you... back to... normal" Dahlia added too
Fenry couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart
"You three-" "I can see the castle... just a little more" Hunji cut Fenry off as he carried him suddenly
Fenry, Jeon and Dahlia's eyes widened by Hunji's action
"Wait- Hunji- what are you-" Fenry was cut off again as Hunji threw Fenry towards the castle, where he landed head first on the castle floor
Both Jeon's and Dahlia's mouth were agape
Hunji grabbed the two and dragged them with him, "COME ON, SLOWPOKES!!!" he growled out
Everyone inside the castle counting were heard loudly
"5"
"4"
"3"
"2"
Both Hunji, Jeon and Dahlia jumped inside the castle
The door was closed by the two children who were assigned to guard it
The moon now turned fully red now
"1..."
All the children said together
They all panted heavily
While panting, Xinhua quickly rushed to Dahlia and hugged her tightly while crying
"You... arrived..." He hiccuped
Dahlia patted Xinhua's back, soothingly
"Yes... I arrived... in time" Dahlia said in between pants
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"It doesn't has any chains... I think you got the wrong book" Fenry said as he checked the book Dahlia brought
"Yeah... and this books... seems creepy" Xinhua commented as he took in the appearance of the book
The book had patterns that seemed to be pulsing with a faint purpulish glow
It didn't had any titles
The cover seemed like it was made of wood, as it was pitch dark
It seemed that it was a really old book, judging by it's worn out (yet strong) pages
"You sure it won't harm us in result?" Hunji asked as he looks skeptically at the book
"I guess it's dangerous to open..." Jeon mumbled
Many children were around them, clearly observing everything
"We can't be too sure" Dahlia said in response
She takes the book from Fenry, "I will see it to myself since many of you are hesitant of opening it"
But even as she said it... her hands was hesitant in opening it too... but another part of her tells her to open...
To see what hides beneath those pages
"What if your harmed?" Jeon asked as he looked at her with narrowed eyes
Dahlia looks up at Jeon
"He is not wrong tho" Hunji added
"Yeah... what if something bad happens to you?" Xinhua added as his hands seemed to tremble slightly
"Which is why, we should come up with another plan to know the level of that mana stone..." Fenry commented
"But what is the other way?" Dahlia retorts at Fenry
Fenry froze up as he didn't know what to say
It was true... what other way do they have in finding out the level?
Dahlia soon looks around as she took a deep breath before exhaling it
She looked down at the book in her hands
"... I am doing this on my own accord... so... whatever happens to me... good... or" she looked back at everyone, one by one
"Bad... I will take full responsibility of it... no one else..." she said firmly with finality
Everyone in the room were silent
Some were sweating
Some pale
Some wanting to say anything but... were hesitating
Some cowering... some trembling
But none dared to say anything
Hunji gritted his teeth as he looked away, "Fine! Do whatever you want... but... if anything happens to you... I will make sure you regret it..."
Jeon clenched his fists as he kept his eyes on ground
Fenry was just looking at the ground too but with slumped shoulders, his usual smile not present
Xinhua was on the verge of tearing up again. He wanted to say something... but... he was afraid that if he tried to speak...
He would break down instead
Dahlia without saying much, she gripped the cover tightly
Her hand trembling slightly
Fresh sweat formed on her forehead
She felt her blood running cold
But... with a second or two
She closed her eyes tightly, as if to snap herself out from her fear
And finally opened the book
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