The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER THIRTY - I BELIEVE IN YOU

Lucas, Theodore, and Olivia kept on their path. Theodore noticed that Lucas kept looking behind them almost every few seconds. “They are gone. There’s no need to worry really,” Theodore said in an effort to comfort Lucas.

“No, it’s not that. I think someone was following them.”

“Those guys? And they didn’t notice? That’s very unlikely,” Olivia said.

“I guess you are right.”

“I know I am. The girl is even a beast type. A prodigy at that. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

For some reason, even though their argument was logical, Lucas still wasn’t feeling at ease. Should he have at least told them what he thought? Maybe he would feel a lot better. Or was he just overthinking? “Guys, I want to propose something. But hear me out first before you say anything,” Lucas said.

“Okay.”

***

Kiro took out the map they had retrieved to confirm Jovak’s location as well as to know how many Risers they would be dealing with. He chuckled. Karenia and Victor weren’t exactly sure why. “What is it?” Karenia asked.

“It’s funny how I can’t see any of the Rangers on the map. I don’t know whether it’s not showing them because of their power levels or maybe because they are not registered in the Mesh; which I think is the most plausible situation, or maybe they are just so good at stealth that the map can’t read them. One of them is a beast type after all. Well, every type has their way of using stealth, so I can’t deduce anything from it.”

Karenia put her hand on his shoulder. “Relax, you’re overthinking things. We have what we’re looking for. In a matter of moments, we’d catch up to them. Azulon, I hope you are ready?” Azulon nodded. In a few hours or less, they would finally catch up with Jovak and put an end to the stupid game he started. The rest of the walk was quiet. They had already prepared their plan beforehand. All that was left was for them to hope it all played out well.

From a distance, Karenia spotted Theodore and his team approaching them. They moved with urgency in an attempt to catch up. Kiro signaled for his team to wait for them to catch up with them and hear what they had for them.

“We want to fight alongside you. At least for this battle with Jovak,” Theodore said. Kiro and his team weren’t sure how to respond. Sure they would welcome the help, but it was surprising that anyone would volunteer to help them under such odds. The last thing they wanted was to sound like ingrates.

“You do remember what lies ahead of us, right?” Karenia asked. They could have forgotten about the looming death cloud that hung over their heads. Anyone that wanted to join them had better come with an umbrella.

“We know you could use the help really,” Olivia said.

Before anyone else could say a word in an attempt to prove or question one’s motive for commitment, Kiro stretched his hand out to them. “Thanks a lot. Your help is greatly needed.”

***

A moment before Theodore and his team caught up with Kiro’s team. “Guys, I want to propose something. But hear me out first before you say anything,” Lucas said.

“What is it?” Theodore asked. It was quite rare for Lucas to ask them anything. In fact, they were the ones always filled with questions because of the strange words he uttered sometimes. So this time, they were all ears.

“I want us to fight with them. I don’t think they will do very well on their own.”

“Forgive me for saying this, but we may just get in their way. They are extremely powerful as they are. We may not be able to he---” Theodore said.

“I’m sure we can be of help somehow. We don’t need to do too much. We just need to listen to how we can help them carry out their plans. I’m sure they have a plan already. We don’t need to change it. We’ll just help them run it smoother.”

No one argued further about it. Although they were not so keen on dying or sacrificing their lives for anyone, they all agreed that Kiro’s team could use the help.

***

“It’s nothing serious really. We just want to help you out. But we also don’t want to be out on the frontlines either.”

“I understand.”

“If you have some job for us that we could do without revealing ourselves, we are up for it.”

Kiro grinned upon hearing that. “I just might have one or two,” he said.

***

The Beast Ranger walked through a temple that existed in the subsections of the Mesh. The information he received from Kiro and his team was too delicate to be ignored. If there was a presence of an unregistered sage temple, it could cause a lot of unrest. And worse, this one had all eight statues. He didn’t have to worry too much about Kiro and his team. He could get to them in an instant if he needed to. A message rang in his head. It was Noah, the test administrator. “Revik, leave what you’re doing at the moment, the Phantom’s team is about to clash with the Necromancer’s,” he said.

“They turned on their feed?” Revik asked.

“No, there’s a team with them. I need you there in case the Ranger decides to act. The test will be ending soon. They may decide to take advantage of the chaos the battle will cause. I need you to ensure that if they lose, it was entirely due to a Riser’s influence and not a Ranger.”

“Got it, boss. I guess I’ll continue with the investigation later.” He stared a bit longer at what should have been the entrance to the sage temple according to what Kiro described. But there was absolutely nothing. After a moment, he left. But the temple never left. It was right there, hidden in plain sight. Revik couldn’t see it or access it, but Kiro and his team could. In a way, you could say that the temple always existed, but it only decided to reveal itself to Kiro. Revik was still completely unaware of this. And so was everyone else. But one thing was sure; the temple wasn’t a place for everyone.