The dust from Liam's earthen barrage settled, revealing the cracked walls of the cave chamber. The air was thick with tension, and the faint glow of residual elemental energy lingered like a fading echo.
Liam knelt on the ground, his breath ragged, his body drained from the exertion of his most powerful attack. Lia coiled protectively around him, her iridescent scales shimmering faintly in the dim light. Her piercing eyes scanned the chamber, her instincts still betraying her, unable to pinpoint the elusive shadow that had toyed with them.
From the narrow passage in the far north, a figure emerged—small, frail, and seemingly unthreatening. Axel, the paralysed boy Liam had been sent to kill, stepped into the chamber. His movements were slow and deliberate, his face pale but resolute. There was no fear in his eyes, only a quiet determination that belied his physical weakness.
Liam's eyes narrowed as he struggled to rise, his voice hoarse but laced with frustration. "You… you're the one who's been causing all this trouble? A kid?"
Axel didn't respond immediately. His gaze shifted between Liam and Lia, taking in their weary but formidable presence. He knew he was outmatched in raw power, but he also knew something they didn't—that this cave was no ordinary place. Before their arrival, he had set up the stage in a way that would aid him and hinder them.
Lia hissed, her voice echoing in Liam's mind. 'Be careful, Liam. This boy… there's something strange about him.'
'He is not even an Elementalist, but he already seems sure about his victory (Lia was very perceptive regarding the emotions of anything alive). Moreover, there is a veil of mystery surrounding him; there is chaos amongst the elements near him,' said Lia.
'Liam, there was a reason why I was hesitant to display my power in the lower realm. As soon as I reveal my powers, forces that you and I cannot escape from will be alerted, and we will be chased to the end of the world. But it seems our hands will soon be tied in the matter.'
'But if it really comes to that, then I want you to use that gemstone that I gave you. That will buy us enough time, and we will be sent to a safe place. I know you might have many questions, but you need to trust me just this once—no questions asked. I have a bad feeling regarding this boy, and you know I am rarely wrong,' explained Lia.
Liam clenched his fists. Seeing Lia so worried, he was frustrated beyond measure. In his frustration boiling over, he asked, "Who are you? And what do you want?"
Axel finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not your enemy. But I can't say the same for you. I don't know who you are, but you seem to be aware of my presence in this cave. You were expecting me to be here, I guess, but not me standing right."
A flicker of shock passed through Liam's face, and that was enough for Axel to know that he was right.
"So, will you tell me why you are after my life? And what is your relation with that snake of a butler that we have at our house named Silas?" asked Axel in a slightly provocative tone.
Lia was clearly offended by Axel's remark, but she waited for Liam to recover from essence depletion (a phenomenon of backlash that occurs when the Elemental essence of an Elementalist is overused in a short period of time).
Lia instructed Liam to engage Axel for the time being so that Liam could recover quickly. As she believed, when Liam recovers some of his elemental essence, killing Axel would be a piece of cake.
"Some years back, we were approached and hired by the group that calls itself The Crimsons. We don't know much about the butler that you spoke of, but if he is involved in you being here, then one way or another, he is associated with The Crimsons as well."
"One thing that baffles me is how a paralysed boy is suddenly healthy. And who was the shadowy figure that was helping you? Was it just a trick of some kind, or is that person nearby?" asked Liam.
Liam was 80% sure that the shadow was some sort of illusion or trick, as only that would explain why Lia was tricked by the shadow many times over. But he still needed to know how Axel pulled all that off while keeping The Crimsons completely in the dark regarding his abilities.
Axel smiled, hearing Liam's question. He knew Liam was somehow buying time, but he was fine with it.
"Well, you are right in guessing that I kept everyone in the dark regarding my capabilities, more or less. And that shadow that you saw was my skill, you see. I knew it could not harm you much, so I just used it to divert your attention for the most part."
"And I also used the least amount of elemental essence required in doing so. The first reason is that I do not have much essence to begin with, and the second is because of your friend around your neck. Something tells me that your friend is very sensitive to certain energies, am I right? I don't know what and how that works, but it works, right? Hehe."
"There was only some guesswork on my part, but it worked. You need to take your chances and back yourself. Don't you agree?" said Axel with a smirk.
"You are acting as if you have already won. Do you think Lia could not kill you right now?" said Liam while pointing towards his snake.
"Oh, but I don't think that your friend would have time for me when it's too busy saving you, don't you think?" replied Axel.
Liam's eyes flickered with doubt, but he quickly shook it off. "You think I'll believe you? I have already bought enough time. Within seconds, I will be back on my feet, and you will be dead," said Liam, angry at the 9-year-old boy toying with him.
Axel replied with confidence brimming in his voice, "Well, you see, the shadow and the light were not the only two things that were part of my plan."