The air shimmered as Foxen and Mahnstin reappeared on Arcanum.
Same sky,same trees as before.But they weren't the same.
Mahnstin was still rubbing his chest where the emotional tests had settled like invisible bruises.Foxen, for once, didn't speak.His eyes were hollow as if some part of his had stayed behind in the orb.
Mahnstin: Why are you so quiet ? Nothing to point on the tentacles ??
Foxen: Let's keep moving.
Mahnstin: Ah pretty straight forward.This is good but....I miss the sarcasm.
Foxen didn't reply.His eyes scanned the horizon like a man who wasn't looking for danger but answers-something to feel real again.
They walked further.The trees shimmering-welcomed them.They both went deeper in the forest and Foxen saw something-
A ruin at the bank of small lake.
He gazed and pointed at the direction of the ruin.
Foxen: Mahnstin,look we might get our answers there.
Mahnstin saw the ruin and sensed something at its centre.A crack that glowed-the heart of the ruin.
Mahnstin: Let's head there and please don't call me by name,it feels weird coming from you out of all people.
Foxen: Let's get going.
Both of them climbed down the edge of the forest to the bank of the lake.
As both of them got close to the ruin,some one eyed small creatures emerged from the bushes and bowed in front of them.
Foxen: Why are they acting like that ?bowing to us ?
Mahnstin: Not us,they are bowing to the powers dwelling in us.
Foxen: So the tentacles' powers.
Both of them arrived at the crack-the heart of the ruin that glowed.
Foxen: Can you sense something here ?
Mahnstin closed his eyes,focused his CE to map down the crack and he saw-
A spiral staircase that led to chamber.It contained eight statues-two of which glowed.As he tried to see other areas something blocked his vision.
Mahnstin: There's chamber with eight statues and two of them are reacting to us.
Foxen: Is that all ?
Mahnstin: I tried to sense further but something obstructed my vision.
Foxen: Okay,then let's check it ourselves.
Foxen touched the heart of the ruin and surged his CE through it-cracked open the heart.The spiral staircase was visible now but sunlight just reached halfway through.
Both of them entered the opening and head downstairs.
Foxen broke a chunk of the wall-surged his CE and held up the glowing chunk.
Mahnstin: You manipulators sure are creative.
Foxen: Not my powers.Belongs to Achinos.
Mahnstin: Still you use it quite well.
Foxen: Yours is more useful in such places.
Mahnstin smiled seeing Foxen admired someone.
He focused his CE illuminating the path towards the vault of statues.Their shadows cast along the aged stone walls looked like ancient murals being rewritten with each step.At last, they reached the chamber.
The statues loomed.
Mahnstin: This is the place.
Foxen: Let's uncover some mysteries.
He pressed his palm on the wall and poured his CE.A big lantern burst to life.
Light spilled across the chamber.There were eight statues-each clad in armour.Two of them glowed.
Foxen and Mahnstin approached the glowing statues.
Foxen: Wait...is that Achinos ? That one holding a brush ?
Mahnstin: Yes...and that's Darsana-holding a book.
They looked at the other statues.
Foxen: This one has a sword probably a manipulator.
Mahnstin: And this one has herb....a healer.
Foxen: So why send us here ? To admire their history ?
Mahnstin: There should be something more to this.Let's check the wall that obstructed my vision.
They moved to the far wall.As their presence neared, two figures on the mural glowed.The mural depicted-a being at the top, eight figures right down the being and several more figures down but they were scratched out.
Foxen: Two figures glowing.Is that us ?
Mahnstin: Yes and that might be the great being at the top...the eight of tentacles and probably the scratched are the past wielders.
Foxen: Are they dead ?
Before Mahnstin could answer he sensed something.
Mahnstin: Foxen, someone is approaching the chamber.High and familiar CE. Stay on guard.
Foxen: Don't worry.Let me handle this.
Foxen channeled CE through the walls towards the walls of the chamber,converting them into latent energy bombs.
A presence entered the chamber.Foxen triggered the bombs.There was small explosion just to injure the stranger.
Mahnstin activated his vision and saw-
A injured woman who was already healing her injuries and the statue carrying the herb glowed.
Mahnstin: Foxen...we might have committed a mistake.
Both of them rushed to the chamber.
The woman stood fully healed.
The woman: Which one of you idiots set the trap ?Oh yes, a manipulator.You Foxen.
She pointed towards Foxen.
Foxen looked away acting innocent.
Mahnstin: Apologies,we thought you were a threat.
The woman: Mahnstin didn't you sense me? Didn't my CE feel familiar ?
Mahnstin: I did but we had to stay cautious.
Foxen finally dared to speak up.
Foxen: So who are you ? What do we call you ?
The woman: The name's Sana-
But you Foxen, don't you dare take my name casually.
Foxen: Understood.Miss healer.
End of chapter 10.