Aile and Hazel picked a middle position on the line to enter the tomb. Seeing the blood and gore on the faces of the two, no one questioned them for taking those positions. The amount of 'blood' on them was enough to have dealt with many opponents. Such heroes could not be interrogated or humiliated in public, even if they stood in the leading position, they deserved it. The groups moved into the cave's entrance, and soon Aile heard that it will open only at sunset and people can enter it only in groups of 4.
What surprised Aile was that this entrance was set to open only once a month and the time for that being today. If he arrived later, then his chance of obtaining anything would only happen after one month. Who knows what kinds of reinforcement the White clan can receive by then. Therefore today would be the last time anyone apart from the White Clan would step into the tomb.
Quickly the sunset approached, and the royal side sent the first group of 4. Then the solo cultivators sent two groups of 4 one after the other. Finally the original finders of the tomb the White Clan sent their people last. They had to accept such humiliation as their group was the weakest not expecting others to barge in. If they were aware, they could have called many people to come here and keep them safe to deal with these pests. They still had some cunning gleams on their face nonetheless, as they eyed everyone from time to time. This did not go unnoticed by Aile.
Just before entering the swirl that has appeared in front of the tomb's entrance, Aile extended his hand and held onto Hazel's. With a pulling force similar to gravity or falling from a cliff, they were pulled into the tomb. Hazel, by his side, held him into her embrace and placed her body under his to cushion the fall. Seeing how she was willing to give her life for his even though she was not happy by the previous action made him want to kiss her, and he did.
After that, he whispered, "This is just an entrance to the larger space in the bowel of the mountain. We are not falling, and no one will be hurt." While Aile was sure of what he said, nonetheless he switched his position with Hazel so that he would be the cushion for her, this earned him another kiss.
Not long after their speed slowed down until it seemed like they were floating. Hazel chuckled and said, "look!"
Aile turned around only to see the ground a few centimetres away. He reached it with his hand, and as soon as he touched the ground, the force that made him float disappeared and Hazel yelped, and she fell on him.
"Who are you two?" said one of the two other people from the royal side that came to the tomb with them. Their team of four being the only people at this location.
Aile looked at himself and Hazel and figured out the problem, the entrance has somehow removed their disguise and made them look fresh without any wounds. Quickly coming up with an idea to deal with the current predicament, Aile shouted, "Who are you two?
Did you also come from the formation?
Why are you wearing the royal group's attire?
Tell me something, only the royal side knows that proves your identity before I fight you."
All sorts of things happen in closed spaces created by the past generation of cultivators. People looking different and friends being portrayed as enemies has happened in many demonic inheritance grounds, interfering with people's senses. So Aile was just creating enough doubt on their mind to take advantage of them. Not to mention his monologue of questions already led their mind to the path and mentality Aile wanted.
While pointing the sword, he had stolen from the two original owners (the knocked-out members sleeping in the forest) of the armours. He was portraying the righteous target persona's of the royal group, he held the sword towards the other two people with righteous indignation.
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"Wait," shouted one of the two royal team member.
Aile shifted his gaze to him and asked, "What?"
"Do we look foreign to you?"
Aile nodded.
"I can explain, I think this is a demonic formation. It makes the teams inside look different, forcing us to fight with each other, I have read about this from the royal library."
Aile nodded but showed a reluctant expression and then said, "You sound different too, you better tell me something only we know. Say how many did we lose in the battle just outside?"
By questioning their identity, their appearance and the way they sounded, while keeping his guard up, made the other two royal group members more at ease. This allowed them to make a connection, recognizing another person on the same boat as them. But one thing was for sure trusting the other team of two was not going to be easy.
This was not a permanent solution for Aile, if they met another group, the farce could end.
Now the question was, was it worth keeping them alive so they can become meat shields if there is a danger in the tomb or to kill them and prevent possible problems from arising.
After all, they say that escaping a lunar wolf in the forest only requires you to be faster than the slowest member of the team.
Keeping them alive gave them an advantage of possible sacrifices in case of a problem in the tomb and the disadvantage that could result in more enemies. If they met another group of royals without a change in their appearance.
The other option would be no benefits and no risks by killing them here. Doing so will not give them the reward of meat shields or the danger of being backstabbed by babbling weaklings.
While Aile was contemplating, he remembered another factor. Hazel was next to him, he had already pushed her and made her think that he is a slaughtering machine without emotions before. He could not bear to see her distant nature again, so he decided to not kill them. If they become his enemy, 4 or 6 weaklings will not make much of a difference.
Swish
Hazel disappeared and hit them both in the head.
Thud
Thud
They fell down.
Hazel arrived close to Aile and said, "I am not a child, I understand that harsh decisions need to be taken. Do not put yourself in a difficult situation because of me... if you are injured... it will hurt me more. I just want your support and care... like before, if we have to kill..."
Knowing her character, Aile understood that she will not be supportive of his action resulting in many deaths. But she will not stop him either.
She was clearly hinting of receiving hugs and kisses as compensation if his actions are unsatisfactory to her. Of course, Aile knew that she was saying this to make Aile be at ease and not be held back by her. At the same time, Aile could not help but wonder if she really had the intention of stopping him or was she encouraging him to destroy. So that he can get rewarded with hugs and kisses.
Aile shook his head, he does not need a reason to kiss and hug her, as to prove to himself he indulged. He embraced, caressed, pecked and kissed her for a few seconds as they were truly getting to know each other.
Aile smiled, knowing Hazel understood him so well and his eyes were full of infatuation when he looked at her again.
The beautiful expressions of passion on her face,
The smile that made her and his face brightened up every time,
The hugs that made his anxiety disappear,
And the sweet kisses tasting better then honey are things that he does not want to lose. This made his resolve to find a cure for Hazel and Sara even more.
While holding her tighter in his embrace and making a vow to never let her go, he suddenly felt a chill behind him.
He looked back and saw an illusionary figure above the two people. Its height was around 1.3 meter, and it had the general outline of a person. Currently, it had two of its hands in the body of the two people knocked out. Its body started to pulsate and gained an appearance by absorbing something from them. The two knocked out people's bodies started to mummify.
The two people died, and their bodies turn to dust. The only proof of their existence was an ash-like substance that remained in the shape of two bodies.
The illusory figure started to appear more pronounced and distinct.
She was small with a beautiful blue dress, a cute smile and round face, with big curious eyes. Had the two of them not seen her absorb the two people, then Hazel would have encouraged Aile to help this poor soul.
Hazel was holding onto Aile, and he was in front of her shielding her and holding her for support.