Chapter 69: Marcus and Cynthia (3)
They both moved, slow and cautious, the water around their boots rippling in expanding rings. Each step disturbed the surface tension just slightly—but the scent in the air was growing stronger now. That coppery, iron tang. Blood. And it was fresh.
"We’re getting nearer," Marcus murmured, voice low, his eyes flicking ahead with focused precision. "That much is clear."
They advanced carefully through the subterranean lake, the only sounds being the quiet slosh of water and the distant, unearthly drip of moisture from the crystal-studded ceiling. Every ripple they made could be a warning bell to whatever monstrosity lurked ahead.
Cynthia trailed a few meters behind, as usual. Her role was clear—rear guard and retreat anchor. If things went wrong, she’d be the fallback point. The lifeline.
"What do we do if we can’t beat it?" she asked quietly, tension edging her voice. Her eyes scanned the murky depths and the glittering cave around them. "We’re surrounded by water. Not exactly ideal terrain."
Marcus chuckled under his breath, glancing back briefly with a glint in his eye. "You have any earth runes?"
Cynthia nodded slowly. "Yeah. Enough to move... maybe a boulder or two. Why?"
"Then we should be fine." He gave her a confident smirk, offering no explanation, only trust in his own plan.
Cynthia exhaled through her nose, uncertain. Her grip tightened on her wand. She didn’t understand how earth magic would help in the middle of a flooded cave, but... Marcus was Marcus. The strongest between them. If he was calm, she had to believe he had a way out.
"Stop," Marcus whispered suddenly.
He raised a finger to his lips, eyes narrowing, his entire posture going still. Cynthia followed his gaze—and froze.