Chapter 39: Ch 39: Escape

Chapter 39: Ch 39: Escape Adrian lifted the hastily made mana shield from over his body. Glancing at it, he saw holes and cracks running down the entire shield. He dismissed it as he held on to the cave wall and stood up. Steadying his shaky legs, he looked up at the now visible moonlight through the massive hole where the cave’s roof had once been. Then he looked downwards, right at the middle of the space. A crystal crown shone brightly, its newly formed essence glistening within it. Thin threads were now attached to each and every tip of the crown. These threads pulsed with an unseen energy within them, moving up and down in a staccato manner. The promise for power, for strength lay on the ground awaiting its new owner. Adrian looked at it in pure satisfaction. The power node was done without any major problems or issues. Now all he had to do was wait and watch as the prey picked up the bait. His eyes once again looked up as he released a light chuckle. The blast that occurred from the excess power in the crystal had blown everything above it. Adrian was sure that hadn’t he crouched at a corner with a mana shield on top of him, he would be meatpaste by now. He leaned on the wall and closed his eyes. Such deep, ancient mana flowed around him released from the depths of the mountains after what might have been millenials. It would be a waste to let go of this opportunity. He took a slow intake of breath as the mana naturally flowed into his body. He used it to increase his own strength. Bone density. Checked. Muscle protein synthesis. Checked. Efficient energy production. Checked. Neuromuscular transmission, hormonal balance. Checked. Checked. He felt his levels increasing. Not too much but enough to make some difference. His eyes snapped open. Crossing his arms on his chest, he looked above. ’They are finally here, huh.’ From outside came the sound of several feet thumping on the ground and approaching the blasted cave. The blast was a major incident in itself. Adrian imagined the soldiers probably thinking it as a sign of intrusion on ducal territory. "Surround the perimeter. Squad 2, check the area. Restrain any intruder by all means." "Sir...look at that! Smoke signals are being used down there." Adrian smiled knowingly. ’Luna must have been bored playing around. Have to compensate her for that.’ He slided along the walls, droplets of damp water dripping down on his clothes and the stale, musty and slightly mildly smell of the rough surface hit his nostrils like a wave of nausea. He wrinkled his nose and turned his back to the wall. "It smells like my socks...yuck." He was now safe in the darkness as he stood still. The soldiers have already covered the entire perimeter of the cave. They peeked inside and were instantly astonished by the blue crystal crown that emanated rich waves of power. "Is that...a Power Node?" Someone from the circle whispered loud enough to reach Adrian. "Looks like one, lad." Another replied from across the circle. "So what do we do now, Captain?" The question made all necks turned toward someone just ok the edge. Adrian squinted his eyes and found the fat sillhoute of the captain of the company of soldiers. He was standing, his wrists on his hips as he posed over the crouched soldiers. "Nobody wants a node you fools. It would be a waste to let it go like that. But don’t you guys worry, I shall take it." Adrian felt his shoulders stiffen. Did he really have to interfere and stop these men from taking it away? Even though he wasn’t a biased man, but looking at the big tummy Adrian made the conclusion that the man was lazy. Utterly lazy. And lazy people liked less work but more results. Just like this power node would provide him. "Go in and bring it out." Two of the guards saluted their captain and started climbing down to follow the instructions. [What the hell Adrian? Why did you have to remain in that pit when you had the chance to escape before the arrived?] An angry voice drummed in his ears, full of irritation and reprimanding him. "Calm down a minute please." He whispered in the lowest of sound he could manage. [What do you mean calm? Do you see them coming down...you can’t fight all of them. For now, it’s impossible for you. I don’t even know why you had to create such a sophisticated plan to come here all the way and create a Node just to gamble on the slight probability that the Prince may hear about it. Heck, after that explosion leave the Prince if the guards or the local lords hadn’t collected the node, I would have fainted from the idiocy of the people.] If...if there was a custom made option of peeling away your ears,Adrian would have gladly chosen it. Being deaf was far better than Evelyn’s rant which didn’t seem to end anytime soon. [...Why do you have to always risk your own life to secure victory? What about me--] Her voice was suddenly cut off as a humungous growl tore the night sky. What followed was the flapping of wings and a monstrous blast of fire that lightened up the entire dark sky. In that slight moment of illumination, Adrian saw a monstrous jaw that opened up to release the fire. It’s rippling scales bobbed at its throat as the the wave of flaming fires stopped. The dragon descended. Up on it sat an Imperial Knight of the kingdom. The blue-coloured imperial colours adorned the cloak flowing down his back as his gaze pierced the soldiers below him. Each and every soldier saluted the knight in their haste, including the captain leading them. The two men almost at the bottom hesitated, clearly caught between their orders and intimidation. The knight bellowed out. "Stop whatever was being done here. On royal orders from His Majesty Pierre Evenstar, the Crown Prince of the Evenstar Kingdom, this is to be sealed until his arrival." Then in a condescending voice, he commanded his inferiors. "Step back. Now!" Down below, Adrian’s eyes crinkled in a triumphant joy. ’Well done, Penny...’ [Umm I take back my words...though that doesn’t negate the fact that the chances of this happening was too less to gamble your life on it.] "Say whatever you will...this battle is now under my control." Saying that, he closed his eyes. He disappeared.