Chapter 407 - Loose Cannon

"Lord Kresnik, we'll see you later,"Fredek said and Ivan nodded. 

"Don't worry. We will offer our lives to protect Ali," the Kres Emperor seconded and Ryuu nodded in recognition. 

Ivan and Fredek then went through the entrance without much ado and the hundred and fifty thousand soldiers with them followed. They were still on their mounts and so it didn't take a lot of time for them to go through. Soon, it was only Alinea, Ryuu, and Aurel left on the other side. 

"Take care. If it's too dangerous, don't hesitate to break the crystal,"Ryuu reminded her and she smiled. 

Alinea had a similar crystal with Stribog's energy to signal her father either when the task was finished or if they encountered great danger. In both instances, the King of Heaven would transport everyone back into the surface. It was the safety measures her father had bestowed her and her team. Yes, casualties were inevitable in this type of dangerous mission, but in the event that all of their lives would be put in jeopardy, Perun would help them. 

"I will,"Alinea answered. 

She was no longer under the control of a shadow lurker nor was she a broken soul. She no longer had suicidal tendencies and wished to be a martyr. Although she still cared for her team and friends, she would prioritize everyone's safety over heroics. 

"Also, when you're having difficulty and you feel like your resolve is weakening, remember, your friends are with you,"Ryuu said as he held her hand and touched the bejeweled bangle that Perun gave her. 

With her husband's words, Ali's gaze lowered to where her accessory was on her wrist. Her eyes softened as a sad smile formed on her lips. "I will."

"We'll be waiting for you, my love,"Ryuu said after as he lowered his head, and she welcomed his lips with hers. 

The kiss was not urgent and sweet. It lasted not a while as she still had a task to perform. 

"Go!"Ryuu said as he lifted Alinea up and placed her safely on Aurel's back. 

"See you!"Alinea said before urging Aurel to go through the other side. 

As she was the catalyst of the seal, as soon as she entered, Perun's violet seal appeared again locking them from within. This would prevent the Black God from moving around and copying Ryuu or Gin's power. 

As soon as the seal appeared, Ryuu could no longer see within. With a sigh, he released his divine powers and quickly came out of the cavern with a speed far greater than he used coming there. In no time, he was back on the surface again.

As soon as he exited the cavern, he released a powerful wave of attack that was explosive as a bomb spreading into the whole diameter of the battlefield that burned all the remaining dark elementals instantly. However, despite the flames saving everyone on their side from being burned to death, the force of the power he released was still insurmountable that the ground shook and the oppressing aura made all the mortals kneel on the ground. It was as if something very heavy pressed them down. 

When the nebulous cloud of debris and dust cleared, all soldiers were on the ground, while the harpies sat down, unmoving, not sure of what happened. All wary eyes were on Ryuu who hovered above and slowly descended as he controlled his powers until he finally returned to the ground. 

The only ones who remained unaffected was Mavara and Gin who sat on the sitting Aello's shoulder. In fact, he even looked amused. 

"Oi Kresnik, I guess you finally released all your bottled up rage inside," he commented with a laugh as Ryuu calmed his breath. 

He opened his ice-blue eyes as he looked at the startled soldiers and harpies and sighed. "Sorry," he apologized. 

The soldiers then regained their bearings and also chuckled nervously as they all stood back up. 

"They're finally there?" Gin asked as he got off the red harpy's back and walked towards Ryuu. 

"Yeah," the Koutaishidenka answered as he looked back at the mouth of the cavern. "We just have to wait."

Gin nodded as he patted Ryuu's shoulder. "They'll be fine." 

He then turned to the captains of the soldiers and signaled for them to retrieve their things. He raised his hand and opened up a portal to where they left their mounts and things so that some of the soldiers could set up camp. He also signaled for the harpies to stay on guard. Seeing as Mavara was behaving, Ryuu also let him stay with the harpy sisters. 

When the camp was set up, Ryuu and Gin stayed in the same marquee tent where they set up their temporary office. It was huge and one side was open facing the cavern. It would be easy for them to check from their seats.

None of them had been inside the cavern before. Only Perun. Ryuu drew a map and of the interior of the cavern until the second seal. He had a different task other than sending Alinea and her team safely to the next seal. It was something he just thought about but Gin had already guessed his intention so there was no need to explain things to him.

"Did you find any trace?" Gin asked and Ryuu shook his head. 

"I killed all dark elementals on the way. I covered the entire place as I moved forward. I didn't see any signs of Ozomene." Ryuu looked upset when he said this. 

That's right. One of the reasons why he changed his mind and tanked the team was to see any sign of Ozomene who was now one with Fanya. Since the mother of harpies had been broken into pieces as well and attached to many hosts, her power had fallen from what it used to be. This meant that she could pass through the second seal easily. Ryuu was planning to finish her once and for all when he encountered her on the way to the second seal. 

"Do you think she's maybe with the Black God?" Gin asked but Ryuu didn't know how to answer.

"She could be somewhere else for all we know. It's why father-in-law took Yuuka with us here in Ged. Fanya is a loose cannon…"