Chapter 164: Attack 5

They decided to follow through with the plan the moment everyone memorised it. Like planned before Lia would be on her own but there will be enough corpses for her to use her power on. And as no one knew of Lia's identity the surprise element was their advantage.

The other upside was that at the moment, there were no vengeful ghosts roaming around they had to take care of because Min all sent them to the Mortal World. So it was one less worry.

If Xavi and the others successfully managed to keep the private army busy and Lia managed to sneak in, they could probably aid her but at the moment, it didn't look like they could gain the upper hand.

There were five captains in the private army but they all had their own squad and soldiers to control, while Xaxi, Mika, Susa, Nana and Noel had to be on their own fighting against them.

But it wasn't a fight to death but rather just distracting them long enough so Lia could slip through. In other words, they didn't even need to fight them. Ideally, they could lure them away and play hide and seek. As long as the private army caught a glimpse of the hidden families, they would let hell loose just to find them, they were unbending when it came to this.

And they would take advantage of that.

"They aren't properly actively searching for us because they know that we'll be coming for them," Xavi concluded.

"Then how are we gonna go about it?" Noel scratched the back of his head.

"Better not reckless," Mika glared at both Noel and Lia knowing how they would act rashly without thinking.

Lia felt a sweat drop running down the back of her head. Thinking back, it was really as Mika said. But right now, there was no time to waste thinking about the past. Time was pressed and the situation was severe.

Everyone could feel it. Despite being cut off from the outside world at the moment in this abandoned building, the intense smell of death seeped in and the grip of the grim reaper choked them by their necks, slowly tightening its finger around them.

It was a hellish feeling and suffocating but they all swallowed this look of doom down and prepared to make sure they could escape the vicious fangs of all the underworld beings chasing after them.

Xavi pointed at a drawing of the first and second layer in the capital.

"We're here," once again Xavi pinpointed their location and told them what their next steps were going to be, "As you can see the distance between here and the palace isn't far but the plaza in front of the palace is swarmed with ghosts. Also, several walls have been built, walls as in points to break through where the captains are."

Lia instantly thought back on how she met Timo, "Then the captains are stationed around the first layer?" Lia quickly caught on.

"Yes, as far as we know," Xavi drew five points in the first layer, "They're around here."

"Seems right," Lia mumbled, "I've met Timo around here," she pointed at the place where she had been watching the palace before Timo stopped her.

"You did?" Susa checked Lia's body, "I'm fine, my wounds have healed. We fought for a bit before I escaped."

"The best way is to charge through this point without trying to alarm the others," Xavi pointed at the point closest to them. The captain guarding this point was Leo.

A tight knot formed in Lia's heart. The person she wanted to meet the least was Leo and now they had to face him first.

"Lia, of course, you won't bother with fighting, you'll slip through with the others," as Xavi stated this, it only made Lia more anxious. This was the reality now. They were only protecting and shielding her while they took the harm to get her safe and soundly to the palace.

"Lia did you hear?" all eyes turned to her, Lia quickly shook those nagging thoughts away and nodded, "Alright, we should do as Xavi said."

"Good," Xavi folded his map and stood up, "Let's head out."

"Immediately?" Lia was shocked to hear that. She sized them up, they seemed to have rested for a while but their torn clothes, messy hair and dirt on their skins, showed they've been through a fierce battle.

"We don't have time to spare," Xavi said but Lia refused, "There is enough until tomorrow, you should rest."

"No," Xavi once again rejected, "If you've fought the commander, he's bound to find out, that's why let's go as quickly to surprise them."

Seeing everyone determined, Lia couldn't reject. After discussing for a bit more, Noel went out first to scout the area. Only when he came back, they headed out one after another one following the path towards the secret passage to the palace, the one Lia discovered when she ran after Elder Z.

However, to use this passage, it was required for them to go around. First through the ruins of Elder Z's mansion, as the tunnel was on the opposite side they were.

Silence hung heavy in the air. There were no noises and from the first layer, nothing was transferred over. They were currently in the south-west of the second layer needing to walk to the south-east in order to get to the Z family's residence.

The buildings were all intact but abandoned and the streets were clean yet deserted. High in the sky, the dark clouds flew, while the sun already abandoned them. A march as quiet and cautious as possible was ignited through this place filled with nothing but ominous ruptures.

The six of them didn't say anything as they were suspicious that everywhere ears were present. Although they should be assured this place was void of any soldiers exerting cautiousness was still more reasonable.

Lia slightly fiddled with her ring as her gaze wandered around. Her senses told her that Timo was after her but wouldn't make a move. It was obvious Lia wanted to save Zero, so he didn't need to waste any more energy.

As their feet carried them closer towards the Z mansion, they kept close to the border to the third layer, avoiding getting closer to the core while taking the risk of a detour.

Gradually reaching the third layer, sounds of sobs and whispers flew to their ears. Some immortals were still lingering in the capital, mourning their dead loved one, unable to bear leaving their homes.

Approximately two minutes later, Xavi held his hand up while Mika did the same. Only for a second. Then blue and red-robed men came pouring out of the buildings to follow them.

Lia immediately recognised these were Xavi's and Mika's men yet the little number of them was sad on the eyes. There were only about 20 left and they scattered a bit to avoid walking in a mass.

Lia's eyes focused on the front. This right now was real. They were about to fight Min. The battle, the revenge she has craved for more than 10,000 years. It was about to begin.

And this realisation tore an anxious tremor in Lia's heart. Unknowingly her hands started to shake but Susa put hers over Lia's and smiled encouragingly.

And Lia was reminded that it wasn't her who had to go through the biggest ordeal but them, her allies. Her friends. Even family would fit.

Lia squeezed Susa's hand back. For a while, they silently walked towards the Z mansion. From the Z mansion, they would need to go up north to reach the passage.

As they arrived at the ruins of what was once the Z family's mansion, Lia pointed to the right telling them the direction she vaguely remembered.

But before they turned their feet, Noel held an arm out and his finger to his mouth. Everyone stared at him perking up their ears.

They could hear it. They could sense it. But they couldn't see it.

Hiding in the ruins-

In an instant, a light blue small circle flew out of Noel's hand and hit the broken parts of the mansion. Then a loud explosion followed.

As soon as Noel's power collided and the impact formed waves, as the splinters of wood and stones flew to them, Lia grabbed Xavi and jumped back, while Nana took Susa and spread her wings.

The sound crashing faded and a hot-blooded, almost crazed laughter appeared amidst the ruins.

Followed by a tall and robust male climbing on top of a wall and grinning stared them down, "Yo, guy who can control deads. We meet again. I see you got a new power, huh?"