Chapter 328: The Dark Crystal (2)
Hex inspected the dark crystal. It was similar in shape and size as the one gained from the Sand Burial Monarch. It was still in his possession. When Sterling and he parted ways, Old Man Perl still hadn’t recovered.
It proved difficult to wait until they returned to the hotel so he could dive into it. But he had to wait. He didn’t want to leave his physical body unguarded amidst people he didn’t trust. The least in the presence of an Enlightened Knight who eyed him with suspicion.
The petite man who led the Guardians in cleaning up the mess in the little village glanced now and then in his direction, obviously interested in knowing how he had removed the darkness cladding the area for years.
He certainly didn’t buy Elize’s half-hearted explanation about his superior affinity with Darkness. Even Hex wouldn’t buy such an excuse. After all, in the long history of Wrixia, they didn’t lack experts of several elemental affinities.
Marve, as Elize called him, seemed to be wary about Elize too. He seemed to have taken a cautious approach and prioritized taking possession of the site and the corpses of the tramps. According to the Witchkin they had sacrificed these people to increase the density of the darkness and summon the crystal. After years of experimenting, they had discovered that death worked the best when trying to catch its attention.
After some discussion, the Guardians decided to apprehend the survivors and keep them inside the hotel, until their support teams arrived. The two main culprits, which were the leader and the vice leader, would be monitored in turns by Marve and Elize. Only they had the ability to withstand whatever powers those two had.
Hex believed he could keep both in check too. With the help of the crystal, of course. The crystal acted as a bane against them, weakening every darkness-based attack of theirs to the level he would be able to contend against. But he remained silent when they were discussing. He wished nothing more than to dive into the crystal and seek the remnant soul of the Witch.
The way back to the hotel wasn’t eventful. The city itself was still in the dark. The shift of leaves hadn’t happened yet.
On their return, Hex observed the two girls and their mother. The frail woman sat in silence. Both girls leaned on her. Jade seemed more happy about surviving and having the affection of her friend than hurt by the entire ordeal. Cyantha’s hand still held the dark mark but seemed otherwise happy too. The mother caressed both girls’ hair with a soft smile on her lips.
Hex averted his eyes. He didn’t judge the mother. Rather, it didn’t matter if he judged her. They were happy. And she wouldn’t even be around long enough to be judged. Hex suspected she would die in one or two days at the most. It didn’t make sense to disrupt a happy family over this.
The other women and girls sat in silence, each lost in their own world and thoughts. The sudden attack of the darkness and losing a few of their members seemed to have shocked them.