Unsealing the manhole in the middle of the road, Cassie, Nat, and Gatsby jumped inside the hole with their hazmat suit. I soon joined them as I saluted to Sergeant A'tynn, wishing us luck. Landing on both feet, I led the team inside the sewers, flashing our flashlights around us. "Stick together and watch your steps," I advised them.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd0ybagmoS
"So, what are we here for again?" Nat asked, in a puzzled voice. I rolled my eyes and sighed. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZohRk2bkht
"In case you weren't paying attention, the Sarge told us to check any signs of contamination from the water tanks."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iB4UZAz9A
"Right, of course," he let a chuckle, scratching the back of his hazmat suit. "I forgot about that."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdY5atHdok
"Oh Nat, always thinking with your dick," Gatsby joked, pointing his flashlights towards the rusty pipes. Cassie burst out in laughter, causing Nat to punch her shoulders. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4equa8skq
"Ouch!" she rubbed her left shoulder, punching him back.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFnKUxeFww
"Hey guys," I tried to grab their attention. "Maybe less talk, more work, yeah?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEER8xnN6P
"You heard her," Cassie gestured to them with her head. Nat scoffed at me, mockingly. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD2YdT2p4i
"Since when are you in charge, meatbag?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBlwPD41kx
"Do you have a better plan, dickhead?" my lips curved into a sarcastic smile, making him stutter. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2IDiLhjKx
"Well, we could check the water tanks just to check whether the water's contaminated."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa56OcwjNza
"That's what I thought."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYJDrhoGAG
We continued to explore the rest of the dark sewers, with the water flowing beside us and the soft squeak of the rats could be heard echoing inside, making me tighten my lips. I never thought the sewer would be this disgusting. I thought it wouldn't be so bad judging from what I've read in the library. I guess I was wrong after all. But then again, it's quite an adventure so far.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqvYJKYvER
Cassie examined the pipes and felt the rust on her fingertips. "The pipe is rusty," she pointed out. "Maybe that could've been responsible for the hallucinations."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXROgY0TPR
I shook my head. "Impossible. Form what I read in the library, there is no way rusty water could cause you to see things that aren't there."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSWPLWoVEI
"We'll have to see about that."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3gQqdL3K7
Arrived at the tanks half an hour later, we climbed up from the hole and showed our identification to the workers and started our business. Their boss, Rafe, led us inside the marble-tiled room and gave his approval to us to inspect the water levels and the cleanliness of the water. Through the scanners, there were no signs of contamination in the water tanks.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSELZZqcYTC
That's weird. How can there not be a single speck of dirt inside the tanks? I checked the barometer on the tanks just to make sure and saw the red needle pointing at the green sign. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMSJ4sf7Ia
"The water's all clean," I told the others as I walked out of the room. "The barometer says that its water is in good condition and there are no traces of contamination right now."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GP3naBoIN
"I don't understand," Gatsby's brows furrowed. "If the water's so clean, then why are the people experiencing fits and hallucinations right now?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaD3o7lV6S
I could only exhale as I found myself tongue-tied. To be honest, I don't even know the answer to that question right now. Why are the people of Ionis screaming? What caused the hysteria? And most importantly, how do we stop it?552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MU5daj4Hk
As we head back to the surface of Ionis an hour later, we stripped off the hazmat suit, which reeked of sewage water and rat urine. We headed back to our room and washed ourselves up, putting on a new tunic.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYU33jP2Gu
We then rushed to the briefing room just below our quarters and got into our position, saluting to the Sarge. "Team 1 have just inspected the water tanks, sir."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiivq5swCfr
Sergeant A'tynn saluted back as he wanted a report from the team leader, which is me, of course. "The results are the same as what Dr Moira stated," I told him. "No contamination."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5hWRWU3BM
He groaned in frustration as he rubbed his temples with his fingers. "People have been screaming and hurting themselves in this village for days. There has to be an answer for all of this "552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBIqdcB2Vz
Nat bobbed his head as we stood there, trying to come up with a solution. "Maybe it's black magic," he shrugged. "I mean if the water table and the food and their blood samples aren't contaminated, maybe someone is playing tricks on them."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIHcQOHBuD
"You could be right," I spoke, stunned by his answer. "There must be some evil magic user who's causing the hysteria in Ionis."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUcNTjbuW7
The Sarge stroked his chin and tilted his head upwards for a moment, before giving him a nod. "You could be right, Nat. Someone is playing tricks on those innocent people."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NfVoENDAA
"Permission to visit the shaman to get our answers?" I raised my hands.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC7N6kFwZI
"Permission granted, Bugsy. Now ready your horses."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGQz6YbI3o
The four of us saluted him as we marched out of the briefing room and gathered the rest of the Knights of Moon, all saddled up.
Knocking on the front door of Zilo Xemar's house, he opened it and gave us a toothless grin, letting us inside. "I see you're here to find the source of this black magic?" he spoke, in a nasal tone. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJFvw1aWbo
I gave a nod. The shaman let out a bellow as he sprinkled a purple, single strand of a patient's hair inside his cauldron, giving it a neon green glow. Chanting a spell from his tongue, the lights were cut off by itself as the windows were shut tightly and the doors all locked, trapping us inside the living room.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCBBte9qZJ
Finishing his chant, he grabbed a ladle beside him and scooped out a mixture, revealing it to be a bronze compass. "This will lead you to the source," he informed us, placing it on my palms. "But you won't get the answer you desire."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBtmV8pEOK
Sergeant A'tynn paid a couple of coins to Zilo and thanked him profusely, heading out of his house. As he climbed on his horse, he noticed I was glancing at the compass. "Do you how to use it?" he asked me.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB36seYlzd
"Yes, sir," I replied. "I've used it as a Scout numerous times."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo9htQii4f
"Excellent," he gave a slight smile towards me. "You'll be leading us the way."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgu7sWx51t
My eyes widened as I heard his statement. "Are you sure about that, sir?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxy2foGzDf
"Did I stutter?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgqIqFnWY6
"No, sir."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyRRoKyaNx
"That's what I thought."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39nIgxtTBo
I hopped onto my brown horse and looked at the red needle on the compass, pointing towards the west, which was on my left side. "This way," I ordered, as I galloped on the cobbled road, heading deep into the forest.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg9pyRFg9l
The needle then changed direction to the east as I drove on the forest floor, making me turn right. Nat caught up with me and rode beside me, turning his head towards me. "Do you even know where we're going?" Nat raised his doubts. One of these days, I feel like murdering that boy. He reminds me of Archie, only worse.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz0wSRj3aH
"I know how to read the compass," I replied, trying to stop myself from insulting him in front of the Sarge. "As per my last words to the Sarge, I learned it as a Scout."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgX5azq9Et
"You were in Scouts?" Cassie beamed. "That is so cool. How many badges did you receive?"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQWJFKU8BU
"Around 72 badges so far," I tried to recall with my fingers. "72?" Gatsby exclaimed, his eyes widened. "I only have 30 badges. That is impressive, Bugsy."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfR1M8Ecvg
"Kinda," I lifted my shoulders. "I'm planning to earn all of them before graduating from high school."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQx4SzJb3I
"Wait, you haven't gotten out of school yet?" Lani raised her eyebrows, blinking twice. I shook my head. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ19dUaYNn
"I will only graduate in two years time."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB1a0p34xn
Damn, faeries grow up really quickly. They could do everything when they turned 16. Being a faerie sounds really cool. I wish I was one.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUHW7KUffI
Shifted my focus to my compass and continued straight on the road, feeling a little cold breeze from afar. Sergeant A'tynn opened his map and studied the directions for a while, before folding it back into his breast pocket. "We'll be heading enemy territory," he announced, holding the straps of his horse. "Steer clear of your surroundings. We won't be given a warm welcome by the natives."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdBqJTBadR
"Yes, sir," I answered as we crossed the bridge to the other side of the Faerie Kingdom, which is Nick's territory. I hate this place so much and yet, I have to return just to complete our mission. Let's just get this over with before Nick found out I'm here.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOtHXwX4lE
We trotted through the icy fog that blanketed the silver forest as the skies above us turned gray, with the thick clouds blocking the ray of sun. I shivered through my armour as my teeth shattered. Why is it so cold in Arendis? The weather in Angelis isn't so bad.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3xW0XF3xA
As we passed by a small, tiki hut beside us, the compass in my hands disappeared into thin air, making me halt my horse abruptly. She neighed angrily at me as I stroked its mane, trying to calm it down. "Sorry, Mara," I apologized to her as I got down.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzGWhZWxwf
The Knights of Moon stopped their tracks as they glanced at the seemingly abandoned hut. "Looks like this is the place," the Sarge stretched his arms and neck, twirling his pistol with his hands. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsZ17NAqWI
Lani, Gatsby, and Ten stood guard outside the but as Cassie, Nat and I followed the Sarge inside, flashing our light in one hand and holding a pistol in the other. As I took a step forward, I noticed the drawing of the reversed pentagram on the floor, making my heart palpitate and my chest tightened.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LhFpOWQax
I have a bad feeling that we're walking into a trap. Unfortunately, I was right. The front door behind us was sealed by itself as the windows were locked lightly, apprehending us inside. Sweat began to pour from my forehead as the candles were lit.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeHpnElU65
I placed my flashlight aside and loaded my pistol as we were surrounded by maniacal laughter all around us. "Stay calm, cadets, especially you, Bugsy," the Sarge ordered. I gave a nod as I locked elbows with Cassie's. Taking out a bottle of clear potion from his back pocket, he poured the whole thing on the pentagram, only to burst into reddish flames.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpecwg6mUG2
"Everybody, run for your life!"552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMcpaYj3tH
Nat kicked the door open and dragged us out of the house as the hut was consumed by the huge fire. The Knights of Moon watched in horror as it was slowly crumbling down.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1mDc1Bbxb
I squinted my eyes and clenched my fist as I dashed towards the burning hut, only to find Sergeant A'tynn strutting out, unfazed. Not a single scratch was seen on his skin as he casually blew a cloud of smoke off his pistol, dusting off the ashes from his armour.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SpyAkTVOK
"Are you alright, Sarge?" Nat asked, his brows drooped. 552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUVnvKUbM0
He let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "This is nothing to what I've experienced before."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCx77IcEcX
"Looks like we've put an end to the hysteria in Ionis," Cassie smiled.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArQagEgKRK
"But we didn't even win," I pointed out. "We don't even know the culprit behind all this."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaP2kgz5MP
Sergeant A'tynn moaned as he heard horses galloping towards their direction. "Let's get outta here," he climbed on his horse. "Before Prince Nicholas's men arrived."552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdKKnav6o4
"I agree," I growled underneath my breath, as we rode back to the village of Ionis.552Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvUeg3AmuP
