Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 55: Storm of Hearts, Part Eleven

Lianna, Enverna, and Mel followed the group of players, their steps echoing softly in the eerie stillness. The entrance yawned wide, a gateway into the unknown.

As they ventured deeper, the temperature dropped, and a chill settled in the air. The path inside the cave meandered, its twists and turns creating a labyrinthine descent. The soft glow of enchanted crystals embedded in the cavern walls provided a feeble illumination, casting elongated shadows that danced with each step.

Lianna felt a subtle unease, a whisper of danger that resonated in the cavern’s depths. The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth, and the distant echoes of water droplets splashing against unseen surfaces reverberated through the narrow passages.

"Lianna, is there nothing we should be concerned about?" Enverna whispered to her.

The crimson-haired girl knew what she was getting at, of course.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Lianna’s eyes lingered on the other members of the group. "They’re strong but they all have basic classes, spells, and techniques. Hell, a lot of them don’t even have Instincts."

Enverna visibly relaxed.

[Well, if we get betrayed or anything, it’s probably not going to have anything to do with a Constellation.]

The cave’s architecture evolved, revealing glimpses of weathered stone carvings and remnants of a forgotten era. The walls bore witness to the passage of time, adorned with faded symbols and intricate patterns, hinting at a civilization long lost to history.

"Hazel," Kyle, the Shields of Saren representative for this expedition, called out to another player. "We’ll stop here for a moment. You scout ahead."

She went to do that but Lianna tilted her head, approaching Sylver and asking:

"Is it really safe to have her go out on her own like that?"

Sylver did a double-take. She looked so puzzled it nearly made Lianna giggle, were it not for her slightly insulting gaze.

"That player is a Scout class. This is her role."

"Oh... It is?"

As a fellow Scout-class player, Lianna was awfully concerned about that. Sensing that Lianna was still confused, Sylver added:

"Are you a Scout?"

[Saw right through me, huh?]

"Yes."

"I see. Hm, how do I put this...? A Scout does not normally participate actively in combat. Therefore, we have to squeeze some value out of you from somewhere else, right?"

"I guess so."

"Putting your lives in danger like this, it’s merely your own version of taking on a Fiend head-on."

Up ahead, Lianna watched as Hazel used {Reconnaisance}, as Lianna could tell by the mana that she spent in her Status, and then gained the confidence to walk up further, half-crouching.

"Just goes to show, there is no such thing as an easy job as a player."

"Not unless you’re part of Search and Rescue." A girl that was listening in, as the group stopped to rest while the Scout inspected the area, spoke up.

There was a cacophony of laughs at Lianna, Enverna, and Mel’s expense.

Sylver walked up to that woman.

"I do wonder if you will keep that same attitude if or when you find yourself missing an arm or a leg that a Fiend ripped off, and your only chance of survival hinges on the possibility that a member of Search and Rescue will find and save you. If that does happen, perhaps all we can do is hope that the Search and Rescue member sent to help you doesn’t agree with your position, right?"

The laughter died off. A deep silence took its place.

The Scout-class player came back.

"What did you see?" Kyle asked. The others all stopped what they were doing to look up at her, a sense of anticipation hovering in the air.

"Nothing. The architecture looks a little Garriden-like. Maybe this was some sort of lord’s fortress? Anyway, yeah, there’s nothing I can see with my abilities, at least."

"Understood. Everyone, let’s keep going."

Lianna was taken aback.

[That’s it? No "thank you" at all? I mean, what if there had been a Fiend and she’d just gotten herself killed?] As everyone else just calmly went ahead, Lianna sighed. [I guess it’s just not that big a deal.]

Sylver approached the girl, then.

"Might I ask, how many missions have you been on?"

Slightly caught off-guard, Lianna scratched her head nervously.

"Um... None."

"None?" Sylver stopped to look at her, as they walked behind the group. "Haven’t you been part of the Watchful for a while?"

"How do you know?"

"Cynthia told me."

[Oh, right.]

"Um, well... Yeah," Lianna responded. "Things have been a little hectic, though. You know, with uhm... Everything that happened. We have fought a few Fiends, though!" Lianna made sure to add. "So, it’s not like we haven’t seen any danger."

"That’s good, but you three are members of Search and Rescue. I stood up for you because I know the value your ilk brings to the table. That said, if all you do is go out and hunt Fiends instead of going on actual missions, maybe you should have just joined the Search and Destroy division instead."

Sylver’s intense gaze was felt by Lianna, Enverna, and Mel equally, despite her having a literal blindfold on.

[To be honest, I can’t say she’s wrong. We probably should be taking actual missions soon.]

Of course, the looming threat of the world’s end was a decent reason to focus on other things and would continue to take Lianna’s focus, but she did feel that going on a few actual missions could help prepare her mentally for the prospect of having to save others...

... When things inevitably got worse, per the events The Lover described.

For now, though, the group advanced cautiously through the winding cavern, the soft glow of ancient, enchanted crystals embedded into the walls guiding their way.

Lianna, Mel, and Enverna trailed behind, their eyes wide with wonder as the subterranean world unfolded before them.

The air thickened with the scent of damp earth, and the distant echoes of their footsteps created a rhythmic symphony in the vast, hidden expanse. As they turned a particularly sharp corner, the group stumbled upon a colossal cavern, far grander than any they had encountered so far. The ceiling stretched high overhead, its surface adorned with clusters of shimmering crystals that reflected the ambient light, creating a mesmerizing celestial display.

At the cavern’s center stood the very location the group of players were here to see. Kaeln, a fortress of forgotten splendor.

"Remember, everyone. This is just an exploration mission," Kyle called out. "If you can help it, do your best not to break anything, not to engage any monsters or Fiends that might be down here, and, hell, just don’t touch anything at all, really."

Its towering walls were hewn from the very rock of the cavern, seamlessly merging with the natural formations. A massive gate, intricately carved with odd symbols, stood slightly ajar, inviting the explorers into its mysteries.

The group halted in collective awe, their eyes darting between the fortress and the expansive cavern.

Even the most seasoned players among them seemed taken aback by the unexpected grandeur of the hidden stronghold.

Lianna, Enverna, and Mel exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring a shared sense of disbelief. It was as if they had stumbled upon a secret world, an uncharted realm waiting to be explored.

"Hazel," Kyle called out once more. "Head inside, see if there’s anything waiting around the corners. Mind your footing, these places usually have at least a few random traps here and there."

"Got it."

Just like before, the Scout was about to go forward.

One person, however, spoke up.

"Hold on a moment," Sylver said. "Let us join you."

She then gently took hold of Lianna’s left wrist and pulled her toward the other Scout.

"W-What!?"

"Aren’t you here to learn?" Sylver whispered to her. "You’re too lacking in experience. No wonder Cynthia wanted you to come, you don’t know anything. You need to squeeze as much value out of this as you can."

"Sylver-" Kyle began to protest, but the mage cut him off.

"Hazel will still take the lead. I’ll use {Muffle} to make sure we don’t get her killed somehow. Calm down. I just want Lianna to see what her job is like."

Kyle still looked like he had some reservations, but if his silence was any indication, he was allowing this.

There was one problem, though.

"Then," Lianna pulled her wrist away, "let them come with us."

[No way I’m leaving Envy and Mel back here with a bunch of strangers who may or may not still hate our guts, even after the allegations were dropped. Fuck that.]

Sylver titled her head.

"Five people is a bit..."

As she looked into Lianna’s eyes, though, she gave a subtle, understanding nod.

"Fine," she whispered, so quiet only Lianna heard her.

The sorceress suddenly gestured for Mel and Enverna to approach, cutting through the atmosphere with a regal assurance that held the other players in check.

"Kyle, I’ll cast {Muffle} on all of us. If we do end up alerting a few Fiends, I should be able to get everyone out safely." Ironically, given that she was the only person there who wasn’t part of a guild, her voice carried a weight of authority, asserting that this was not just a request but a decision she’d already made.

She regarded each member of the group with a piercing gaze, almost challenging them to speak against her.

Hazel looked like she hated this idea, but she too didn’t say anything. Sylver did as she indicated, casting that spell on all of them. Lianna stomped on the ground, then, finding that her footsteps made no sounds at all.

"So... Why didn’t you cast this for her before?" Lianna asked Sylver, but Hazel herself answered.

"It’s not good to get used to this sort of crutch, because you won’t always have a sorceress with you who can cast the spell. This situation is an exception, though, because..." She gestured at the four of them with an evident lack of confidence. "You know."

"Right."

And with that, the five of them proceeded forward.