Chapter 45: Moonlight Break

The ceiling began to melt down, a cluster of it crashing into the floor.

The altar had been shattered into pieces, and the fluid inside of it had remained in its condition perfectly, flying in the air.

As, finally, the pillars gave up completely, letting everything fall into true darkness.

Feeling the weight of the entire ground press down on him, his barrier held strong.

Still, he would’ve liked to escape; it was just that everything around him was rubble and dirt melted together.

He was the only survivor, but to his luck, after the destruction of the runes, their spell disappeared.

So he just had to get out of here, moving his fingers. The ground started shaking as it split up around him.

Even when only moving on the ground, he felt tired; his mana still seemed to have been drained by the altar.

Stepping forward, he quickly found the spiral up; to his luck, it was still standing, barely touched by the explosion.

Whatever this ritual was, it surely wasn’t planned to go this way; to him, it seemed even like something different.

It felt more like a prison, as something wasn’t meant to escape, and if it tried, the person saving them would be here forever too.

Stepping forward, the remains of the skeleton had nearly completely disappeared, only a bunch of white dust remaining.

The runes’ magic probably reached it even up to her; she destroyed them while trying to trap him.

But if it was a prison, why were there five, and he also didn’t sense anything other than the fluid that could be counted as alive?

Shaking off his thoughts, he had reached the exit; climbing out of it, he instantly noticed the entire floor having moved dramatically.

The crater was big enough for anyone to find the entrance, but that wasn’t his worry; the entrance meant nothing, and the altar was already gone.

He just couldn’t get caught being here, but he knew he already had.

"Lucy, why are you here?" He asked in the air as a dozen meters away she turned herself visible.

"I should ask you the same thing, Steven?" Her tone was harsh as she stared at where he came from.

"I don’t think that is your base spot there." She added, keeping her distance.

"Spying on me again? Don’t you have better things to do?" While already turning away from her.

But she followed him, not letting him get away easily. "Whatever was down there should stay there; I heard rumors from Ms. Trellen about..."

But he cut her off. "I got my reasons, and I won’t share them with you."

"That is why I need you here; I will destroy the rest of them." His voice was flat and impatient.

"What are you talking about, Steven? Why are you doing all this?" She grabbed his jacket, trying to pull him back.

Steven wanted to take a step forward but only now lightly felt the presence of a mark from the fingers.

He couldn’t be seen with anyone else; instead, he turned around and grabbed her by the shoulder, pressing her against one of the trees.

She let out a loud gasp, but he had already moved his hand in front of her mouth, silencing her.

He could feel the mark moving, which meant it was probably placed on some summoning or monster around them.

Lucy stared at him, her eyes wide open, but she didn’t resist; it was almost more like she leaned into it.

"Steven... I am not... ready." She tried to speak, but he only pressed her stronger, making her twitch.

As whatever was patrolling the region didn’t seem to have heard them, with its mana slowly fading into the distance.

Letting go of Lucy, she nearly fell to her knees, staring at him confused.

"What were you talking about?" He asked casually, offering his hand to help her up.

But she only stared at him, her face glowing red, and with a sudden swing did she move his hand away.

"Nothing I... I..." she stuttered, trying to move herself up but just falling down. "I need to go," she suddenly stated.

While she was trying to scramble to her legs, she didn’t even look him in the eyes as he pulled back his hand, giving her space to move.

Finally rising, she hurried away from him. "Wait, let me explain about the altar; I might need your help..." But she was already running.

"No, no, no, just do whatever you want; I don’t care." While she disappeared in the distance.

Steven just stood there confused. "What was that?" He asked himself, unsure what to think.

Had he done something wrong? Or did she already find out about his plans and not see a use in talking to him anymore?

But her sudden cold departure only makes it harder for him; he needed someone strong to take care of the aftermath.

Something big will most likely happen after he takes care of all five altars, and he probably won’t be able to fight it as a member of the Fingers.

"I guess Elizabeth will have to do it instead." He didn’t like having to rely on the demoness, but she would be the only one close by if something happened.

If only Eden, with his sharp mind, or Lumiel, with his impulsive behavior, were in the event.

They for sure would try to take care of it until help arrives.

Realizing he had been standing in the wild for a while now and with the moon slowly moving down the night sky.

He made his way back to his camp; the path back was quiet. The corpse of the monster had already disappeared, probably eaten by something bigger.

He ascended the cliff quickly, but before even reaching the top, he could feel Merency’s mana raging.

She was still awake, but he couldn’t change that.

Entering the cave, he expected her to question him.

But she just continues acting asleep.

Which only worried him more.