The Challenge of the Masters

⊱⊰ 46: No Way Out ⊱⊰

The screams and cries kept echoing in the background as the team shakily stood up.

"Fellow companions," said Garoh, "prepare yourselves for a possible battle."

Arisa took a deep breath, noticing that she was trembling. Her heart wouldn't stop pounding against her chest, spreading feelings that only made her freeze on her spot. She never thought she would be this scared to fight Taurus again.

"Everyone," said Vincent, his tone worried. "We have to go."

Garoh stopped Vincent before he could take another step.

"You can't just go there," he said. "Taurus might be there and for sure he won't hesitate to kill you."

Vincent gazed at him, his eyes watering. "But the others. He'll kill the others."

Hearing the despair on Vincent's voice, Arisa couldn't help but feel down.

"We'll try to help," said Garoh with a soothing voice. "Ellanie wanted to ask that favor after all. You stay hidden and help the others that succeed escaping from him. Just don't attempt to interfere."

"But—"

Garoh interrupted Vincent with a stare. For a short minute, Vincent hesitated before he nodded.

"Thank you," said Garoh.

Thelma approached Garoh. "So what's the plan?"

Arisa noticed a slight nervousness on Thelma's tone.

"We'll have to use our disguise for a bit." Garoh shoved his hand in his pocket. "Taurus cannot see us, otherwise he'll accomplish his objective. I'll summon eucalyptus wood to release the scent that will allow me to manipulate hallucination, that is if he's not wearing his armor. We can succeed saving the citizens if we use our powers carefully while we are in our disguise."

"Even though we'll be at a disadvantage because of the rune," said Kazuya, grabbing his pen from his pocket. "Your plan is logical. Your strategies are impressive, Garoh."

Arisa agreed with Kazuya, remembering how well Garoh lead the team back in the Forbidden Lands. He really was a young prince with a promising future.

"Well," said Thelma, "I've been disguised since we set foot in this world. I'm ready when you are."

Arisa gazed at Thelma, realizing that she only missed the glasses that changed her eye color. Despite that, she thought that Thelma's hair extensions still made her look different.

"Okay," said Garoh.

As soon as Arisa saw the boys focusing on drawing the rune on their left hand, Arisa quickly opened her shoulder bag and grabbed her pen. When she drew the rune on her right hand, she noticed that she still was trembling.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. When she finished drawing the rune, she quickly concentrated her element in it. She didn't take long to feel the heaviness in her body, confirming that she had succeeded using the rune.

"Remember to stay hidden," said Garoh to Vincent. "If you find someone you know crossing paths with you, don't hesitate to help them."

Vincent nodded. "Be careful."

The team nodded before they followed Garoh's lead. As they walked on their path back to the spacious cave, Arisa could hear her heart thumping despite the echoing cries invading her ears. Her palms sweated and she still couldn't stop trembling.

Even though she had crossed paths with dangerous Guardians like Gemini, Scorpio, Virgo, and Leo, she couldn't help but be scared. She wondered if the reason she feared Taurus the most was that she witnessed him killing her friends in the Forbidden Lands.