Elemental Cats

Despite the tense situation and having to walk in poorly lit darkness, several kilometers below ground, Braxton, Hal, and Wyrie tried to lighten the mood a little. Everyone was understandably feeling anxious due to their mission and the risks involved, so their efforts were appreciated even if they weren't that successful.

The efforts to keep the mood light and at least somewhat cheery were most effective during the first half of their walk. But the further along and the closer to their destination they came, the more somber everyone became.

Toz and the others weren't needlessly overcome with anxiety. But since the mission was so dangerous and vital to the war, everyone wanted to get in the right headspace. They went over the details of the plan several times in their heads and prepared themselves mentally for whatever they might face.

Toz, Braxton, and Seich also stayed vigilant about their surroundings.

They had chosen the method of having Braxton dig a tunnel as the approach since there shouldn't be any traps or defenses. They were almost at the plane's underside, after all. Even if their enemies suspected that there might be someone capable enough to do that, there was no way they had enough resources to secure and guard the entire underbelly of the plane.

However, on the off chance that they ran into someone or were noticed and attacked, Toz and the others still kept their guards up. And the closer to their destination they were, the more likely it was for someone to notice them.

So after walking halfway to their destination, no one was intent on talking. Both because of the impending realness of the mission's danger and because of where they were. Although they were deep underground, they were still within Tribe of Death territory.

Who knew what kind of traps or demonic beasts lurked there? Maybe there was some kind of beast that liked building nests deep in the ground that Toz and the others could stumble upon if they weren't careful.

Just imagining and preparing for everything occupied everyone's mind so much that they didn't have time for needless chit-chat.

Hal was a slight exception. He had tempered nerves of steel with his age and was a little more calm and collected than the others. But he was also sensitive to their moods and knew that trying to strike up a conversation could stress them even further.

Toz would have been doing fine if it wasn't for the bad feeling he got. The mana levels in the air fluctuated between high and medium, and the mana kept moving around as if something was pulling it in different directions. And the closer they were to their destination, the worse it got.

However, he couldn't see farther than a couple of meters due to the dirt all around them. Toz could only hope that Braxton would be able to sense and detect if anything was happening or if there was anything in their path.

And so, the group of six people sent on a mission to infiltrate the Fortress of Death walked in the path Braxton made and destroyed. They walked in silence with nothing but the flickering light from Hal's lantern to entertain them, though there were also the shadows that crept along the walls and jumped around in tandem with the light. Fortunately, none of them were scared of the dark.

"Wait."

The six of them would have probably continued walking like that until they arrived if Toz hadn't stopped them.

The others looked curiously at him. Braxton even stopped expanding the hollow that was their tunnel.

"There's something here."

Toz knocked on the wall to indicate where he meant. Toz didn't know what it was on the other side. He just knew that it wasn't solid ground. It was another tunnel or opening of some sort. Since his mana vision was only slightly hindered by a thin wall of dirt, there had to be some open air on the other side.

Toz was curious about what was on the other side of the earthen wall. But he was also curious about why Braxton hadn't said anything.

Considering Braxton's attitude so far, he should have at least informed them about being so close to an irregularity in the ground unless there was nothing irregular about it. Maybe it was a natural formation of the ground, and that was why Braxton hadn't said anything.

"I'm pretty sure I heard an echo from the other side of the wall."

Toz threw out a few words to try and bait Braxton into revealing something. And since everyone looked at Braxton due to him being an earth mage and also the leader of the mission, he had to answer.

"Really? I don't sense anything. Are you sure you didn't mishear?"

Toz only smiled and winded up a punch.

"Wai-"

Before Braxton could stop him, Toz had already punched out and broken through the wall of dirt, creating a fist-sized hole.

The sound of pebbles and rocks dripping down on the ground rang out in the surprised silence, bringing everyone back to their senses.

Toz ignored the others and aligned his head so that he could peek through the hole.

"Looks like an empty hallway. There are a few torches lighting the way. But there's a thin layer of dust on the floor, so it doesn't look like it's used a lot."

Toz stepped back and let the others have a look as well.

"That was impulsive. But good find."

Seich stepped back after peeking. He had a thoughtful look on his face and held his chin.

The only one who didn't take a look was Braxton. Technically, Hal didn't either since he put his ear through the hole and closed his eyes.

"I hear something, but it's too far away to make it out."

Hal shook his head and stood up. He turned around to face the others.

Seich cleared his throat.

"We don't know where the tunnel leads. It could lead to the Fortress or somewhere else. There could also be a lot of enemies. It's too risky. I say we patch that hole up and continue as we were. Braxton?"