[B3]Chapter 180: Swallowed by the Vortex

As they approached the construction site, the clanging of metal resonated in their ears. Numerous white-robed figures were locked in combat with Canorian soldiers, each soldier struggling to fend off the surprisingly formidable foes; often, it took two to three Canorians to counter just one adversary. These white-robed figures effortlessly pushed the soldiers aside.

Gildor observed the fray but remained singularly focused. He rushed towards the cave, bounding down the steps two at a time, descending further into the darkness. Liliana, her figure bathed in a golden glow that lit their path, followed closely behind. Despite the chaos, Gildor seemed impervious to the dangers surrounding them.

They navigated through the narrow, tunnel-like path until they neared the entrance of a broader chamber.

About twenty meters away, a single white-robed figure dispatched a soldier with a vicious slash, then kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling beside the bodies of other fallen comrades. The scene was gruesome, with several dead soldiers scattered at the entrance.

Upon noticing Gildor and others nearing the entrance, the figure cursed out loud, "Damn it…" and dashed into the chamber.

“You evil monster…” Gildor bellowed, fury and despair flickering in his voice as he took in the sight of his brutally slain men. "How dare you!" he roared, his anguish turning to rage. Gildor clenched his teeth and charged towards the chamber's entrance in pursuit of the white figure.

Inside, the white-robed man stood defiantly in the center, the glowing green orb known as the Thornwood Wardstone clasped in his hand. "Hahaha… you’re a bit late, old man… now all your people’s fate lies in my hand," he taunted.

"Return that Wardstone if you want your head intact," Gildor demanded in enrage voice.

Seven light blue rings materialized on his left wrist, and suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted, enveloping them in an intense chill.

Liliana and Theo, standing just behind Gildor at the entrance, felt the sharp drop in temperature. Theo especially found the sudden cold suffocating.

Noticing Theo's discomfort, Liliana extended the golden hue surrounding her, enveloping him in its warmth. The oppressive cold pressure eased around him, allowing him to breathe more easily. Theo looked at her, a silent question in his gaze, but Liliana’s eyes remained fixed intently on the menacing figure in the chamber.

As if oblivious to their presence, the man in the chamber clutched the glowing green orb closely, caressing it gently against his cheek, his eyes closed as if under a spell.

“Oh, so this green orb has a name,” he mused aloud, a smirk playing on his lips. “But why would I return it when it’s the key to dismantling those formidable barriers that have kept the demon race at bay?”

Gildor's patience snapped. “Do you truly believe I will let you leave this place unscathed?” In response, hundreds of ice icicles crystallized in the air around him, their sharp points aimed directly at the white-robed man, filling the room with a chilling mist.

Despite the deadly threat, the white-robed man merely shook his head. “You’re truly a fool. Even at the risk of my own life, I will not let you reclaim this Wardstone.” Thunder crackled around him, and with a burst of energy, he shot like a missile into the swirling vortex, vanishing from sight.

Gildor’s expression darkened with frustration, and he surged forward towards the vortex, intent on pursuit. But just as he neared the swirling gateway, a strong, firm hand gripped him, halting his advance.

“Senior, that’s the Deathwhisper Gateway,” Theo warned.

The realization of the peril hit Gildor hard, and he collapsed to his knees, his resolve crumbling as he faced the dire implications of the situation.

“If only I had been here earlier, I could have prevented him from reaching this area…” Gildor lamented with regret.

Theo stayed beside the older man, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder to steady him, while Gildor continued to voice his frustrations and fears.

Liliana spoke up as she stared intently at the swirling vortex. "Someone may have leaked the intel about the Thornwood Wardstone," she said firmly.

Theo and Gildor turned to her, taking in her serious expression and focused stance.

"Who could dare betray us like this?" Gildor questioned, his eyes blazing with dangerous anger, as if he was ready to tear the answer from whoever was responsible.

"You can find that out on your own and also ensure that the borders are well protected until the Wardstone has been retrieved," Liliana instructed with a tone of authority, keeping her eyes on the vortex.

"But how can we retrieve the Wardstone?" Gildor looked puzzled.

Without a word, Liliana answered him through her actions, her figure swiftly racing towards the vortex.

It took a moment for Theo to grasp her intention, and as he did, panic took over. "Liliana, noooo… that’s a death ground…" he yelled, his voice filled with dread.

As Liliana’s figure began to blur into the vortex, she paused and turned to look back at Theo in puzzlement.

In that instant, he used [Blink] and appeared right behind her, reaching out to grab her hand in a last-ditch effort to pull her back. But it was too late; the vortex's pull was too strong, and they were both swallowed by the swirling gateway.

Gildor stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the duo vanish into the Deathwhisper Gate. The urge to follow was strong, but he held himself back. He knew that if there was a way to return, they would find it. If not, he would have to prepare for even greater threats than just the demon race. The emperor would surely hold him responsible if anything happened to his beloved daughter.

Clutching his fists, Gildor slammed his hand against the ground in frustration and helplessness.

When he stepped outside the cave, he saw that the attackers in white robes were gone. The area was now quiet, with soldiers helping their wounded comrades.

Gildor's heart felt like a stone sinking in a sea of doubt as he stood at the crossroads of his decision. The safety of his people, the fate of the Wardstone, and the uncertain return of the princess—all hung in a precarious balance, threatening to tip at any moment and plunge them into a darkness from which they might never escape.

***

Theo groaned as he hit the ground, but his grip remained firm around the person he was holding. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was her fiery scarlet gaze fixed on him, a swirl of fury and unanswered questions lurking within. Not exactly the welcome he was hoping for.

Without a word, he released the princess. Liliana huffed as she rolled away, standing up with her usual grace. Theo followed suit, brushing the dirt off his clothes, trying his best to appear unfazed by the whole ordeal.

The field of grass they now stood in was peaceful and serene—nothing like the chaotic and foreboding landscape the Deathwhisper Gate had been described as. Theo’s eyes scanned their surroundings, while Liliana, with her cold composure, did the same.

“Why did you follow me into the Deathwhisper Gate?” she demanded, her tone sharp enough to slice through stone.

“Because we’re a team?” Theo offered, scratching the back of his head. He realized quickly that his answer wasn’t winning him any points.

She paused, then her piercing eyes locked onto his again. “Why did you call me by name?” Her voice was quiet but carried an edge, daring him to give the wrong answer.

Theo hesitated for a moment before shrugging. “What, should I have called you ‘Senior Sister’? Or maybe ‘Your Royal Frostiness’? You know, just to keep things formal.”

Liliana rubbed her forehead—a gesture Theo recognized all too well, one he often made when frustrated. The irony wasn’t lost on him.

She then exhaled deeply, the sound laced with exasperation. “You’re terrible at lying. It’s obvious you have some ulterior motive.” Her voice was cold, cutting through the air as she turned on her heel and started walking towards the eastern horizon, where the sun cast a soft orange glow over the field.

“Oh, come on,” Theo shot back, trying to sound indignant but failing miserably. “What ulterior motive could I possibly have? It’s not like I’m secretly harboring feelings for you or anything. Nope, not at all. Totally here for… professional reasons.”

Liliana halted in her tracks, slowly turning to glare at him, her brows furrowing in frustration. Theo’s heart raced, though he kept his expression neutral.

She appeared to be debating whether it was worth responding to his nonsense. After a long moment, she shook her head, brushing off whatever thoughts troubled her, and broke into a sprint toward the east.

Theo watched her go, silently cursing his inability to keep things simple.

“Great job, Theo,” he muttered under his breath. “Keep this up, and she’ll have you banished to the nearest death ground.”

Still, despite everything, he couldn’t help but find the whole situation a bit amusing. With a resigned sigh, he jogged after her.