243 The lost city of Aeth 3 (1/2)

”Lilly are you alive?”

”... I'm good, although my head really hurts.”

”Then we're advancing.”

Having spent the last 30 minutes waiting for Lilly to regain her consciousness after fainting due to the spirit possession, Lux was starting to become eager to move from their current location. As it was now, with only a single entrance and exit it was just as easy to defend as it was to trap anyone inside.

”Mare, what are we up against exactly?”

While Alice had tended to Lilly, Mare had examined some of the dead monsters who had managed to fall inside their room.

”About 1 and a half meters tall with stab proof scales. The main threat is their sharp claws and razor like teeth, the long tail which they use to swim could also become a problem in a brawl.”

Taking in Mare's assessment Lux still felt like something didn't quite add up, there was something wrong about these monsters that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

”... Eos, what do you think about these monsters? As an archangel that has lived for some time, you must have plenty of experience dealing with monsters. How do these compare?”

”Hmm, that's a bit of a tricky question…”

Resting her chin on her own hand Eos closed her eyes for a few moments while her wings slightly fluttered around.

”They are strange indeed. Although I know of some monsters that live in the sea, there shouldn't be any this far under the surface… And for a species that built a nest like this, they're acting awfully dumb charging at us in a blind rage.”

Voicing out her thoughts without considering the way she put them, Eos simply stated whatever came to her mind, something Lux valued in her underlings.

”Agreed, they don't really appear that smart. But all that can wait for later, for now, we need to move. New formation: I'll be spearhead with Eos while Alice acts as navigator, Lilly, and Mare will act as rear guard. Let's move before they regroup and box us in.”

”Mare get up here.”

”Mmm.”

Not able to keep looking at that Lux called Mare away from the rear guard, switching her attention to the beastkin while they slowly moved through a tunnel Lux's hand quickly found itself on top of her head.

”How are you doing?”

”... No problem.”

(Yeah no, if you continue like that you'll become a nervous wreck I won't be able to trust with a firearm.)

Deciding not to voice her complaints at Mare, Lux chose instead to quietly scoop the beastkin up in her arms, carrying her like a princess as she let her own rifle hang by its sling.

”Take a rest for a second.”

”But-”

”No but's, that's an order.”

Placing a hand once more on top of Mare's head, Lux started gently caressing her head and ears, making it so she couldn't keep up with what the monsters around them were doing.

”Even if my hearing isn't nearly as good as yours I still have plenty of experience to close that gap. Leave detecting hostiles to me for a moment and relax your mind.”

Showing a 'warm' smile which signalled that her polite suggestions were not of debate Lux continued patting Mare's head until she finally closed her eyes and started relaxing.

”That's how it is I'm afraid. Alice, while Mare rests you'll do double duty.”

”Yes Ma'am~”

Continuing onwards Mare was eventually released from Lux's clutches after she had winded down a few levels, meanwhile, the rough cave tunnels were eventually replaced with uniform square hallways, signifying that the group had made it past the monster nest into the central structure where their goal was located. Still, the area was still infested with the fish scaled, vaguely humanoid monsters.

”Well, this is slightly more like it.”

Reaching a massive hall with a series of old statues flanking them on each side and faded wall paintings depicting long lost history, Lux once more felt like she was exploring a lost city instead of a monster nest, although there were still clear signs of monsters all around them.

”These are the first angels…. And that painting over there is the story of all creation.”

As the leader of a sanctuary Eos was quite familiar with all the legends and culture of the angels, so she was understandably in awe when she saw stories and monuments of her race all around, there were even things she had never seen before.