“Don’t look back! Just run!” Marcus roared: “Whatever tools and items you’ve got left, use them! Now or never!”
It was a point understood by everyone. Gloria was in the front, throwing all her blades along with the pebbles and pieces of debris along with everything else she could find off the ground at the spirits blocking their way; Keryn remained in the middle, using what was left of her Qi to help the rest of the group to fend off the spirits that dare came close; Mick, Kevin and Tae Kuo, having noticed that having been blessed with the purple talisman created by Master Liaoran, even they could inflict small but non-negligible amount of damage to the weakened spirits, were sticking together and fighting back at the spirits tooth and nail; Marcus dashed left and right, front and back, keeping the path clear for everyone as well as eliminating any serious threats that might arise.
They fought their way to the middle section of the interior staircase facing the “forest” of dark spikes with pale empty human bodies impaled on them. The spirits followed and swarmed around the group. The bodies were screaming and crying. The entire floor covered in dark spikes was cracked into several major sections and was missing one major chunk - the chunk that fell through the ceiling below and crashed into the energy collecting array.
“Fuck off! Fuck off!” Gloria screamed, unleashing a light purple blue claw mark at a group of spirits in front of her, cutting through their bodies and turning them into ashes and cinders.
The stairs beneath their feet all began to glow at once. Golden bare footprints appeared on the stairs before them. At the same time, the spirits scattered, having been scorched by the light. This cleared the path forward for the team. The footprints proceeded up the stairs, as if an invisible person was leading the way. The team immediately followed. Out of respect and caution, none of them would go over the positions of the footsteps and the space where they were about to appear.
The golden footprints led them all the way through the dangling platforms, eventually into the interior staircase through which they came. None of the spirits dared follow them further, and were just screeching at the doorway behind them. All of the team were exhausted, yet they could not stop to take a breather or two, for the footprints did not stop. The space had much better lighting than when they went down. The walls became whiter, the floor became cleaner, and the dark spots scattered everywhere either shrank in size or straight out disappeared.
The footprints went three levels up, then turned and headed toward a wall on the right side of the door facing the giant hole. A door-shaped section of the wall glowed, and the paint on the surface started crumbling. Gloria unleashed a kick at that part of the wall without hesitation. After a loud clunk, a thick door with a thin layer of metal on the outside was knocked onto the ground, revealing a narrow tunnel behind it. It had a bare and slightly steep upward slope, but judging from the straightness of the path and the wooden beams on the walls and ceiling, this seemed to be the safest path.
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“Come on! Come on!” Marcus tried his best to encourage all the civilians to speed up from behind, hovering his hands on the backs of Mick and Tae Kuo in attempts to help them recover their stamina faster. Keryn was helping Kevin, while Gloria remained at the forefront of the group, keeping her eyes sharp to watch out for anything unexpected.
“Are you sure we want to follow it? ” Tae Kuo took a few deep breaths and swallowed: “I mean - I want to get outta here as fast as we can as well. But I’m a bit - not - certain - ”
“We’ll see. Right now this might just be the only chance we have.” Marcus shook his head: “Mick, are you hearing anything?”
“No - no - should I?” Mick’s face was covered in sweat, his eyes were bloodshot and his lips were quivering: “I - I can definitely try to listen if you’d - ”
“No, just relax. If you hear anything just let me know.” Marcus sighed internally: “Don’t stress it, okay? Your - your ability is valuable, but it comes with too much cost. Be careful and take long, deep breaths, don’t push it.”
Mick rubbed his temples and nose bridge, before nodding at Marcus: “Thank you, Marcus, I understand.”
“Thank you. But this is enough.” Kevin nodded at Keryn: “I - I want to keep watch along with you, and save your Qi, we’ll probably need it when we get outta here.”
“Okay, are you sure?” Keryn let out a long exhale: “You were panting like a - like you’re out of breath earlier.”
“I’m sure. I’m fine. Thanks again.” Kevin scratched his head: “Keep your strength, we’re gonna need it.”
“I still have some rice wine left, and the lantern.” Tae Kuo sighed: “Then I’m all out - dammit, I should have brought more stuff. But - I’ve already taken everything I have out of the city and - it’s a bitch to bring them back.”
“It’s okay.” Gloria chuckled: “I still appreciate your coming. And - I don’t have anything either - all the talismans I’ve used up already. I’m surprised we even lasted this long.”
“Just a few more steps.” Marcus said: “Just a few more steps, then we’re at the ground level, and we can leave this wretched building.”
As if sensing their weariness and out of genuine consideration, the golden footprints slowed in pace. The rest of the group were finally able to take a few breathers. For a brief moment, Marcus almost saw the faint shadow of the old master in front of them.
The walls in the tunnel grew to a much brighter state than when they first came in as they were about to exit. It was not obvious whether it was from the walls or the light coming from upper levels of the building.
“What the - ” Gloria raised her hand and stopped the team from moving forward when she was two or three steps out of the tunnel.
Marcus went up to take a look, and was flabbergasted as well.
Gray, semi transparent spirits were floating around in almost every corner of the empty hall on the other side, aimlessly and silently. Each of them had marks indicating past injuries or causes of death on them, yet none was gnarly or gruesome, for the presentation was softened by the smoke and cloud-like texture of their bodies.