The following morning dawned crisp and clear over Loknezt Lake. The tension from the previous day, however, hadn't dissipated. A priority message hawk had arrived from Aerion overnight, carrying the requested topographical maps and geological surveys of the region, including detailed charts of the known subterranean waterways beneath the lakebed, confirming Jacobs's hypothesis. Now, gathered near the water's edge under the watchful eyes of anxious villagers kept at a distance, Squad 18 focused on refining their plan.
Jacobs spread the large, crackling map across a flat boulder. "Alright," he began, tracing a finger along a complex series of lines depicting the underwater cave system. "Command confirms a major conduit running southeast from beneath the deepest part of the lake, eventually connecting, through various passages, back towards the southern ocean currents. This must be how our friend arrived." He tapped a specific point marked near the center of the lake map. "And according to the survey, the primary entrance to that conduit is here, roughly fifty meters below the surface."
He looked up, meeting their eyes. "Sophia's idea remains our best option: persuade the Dino Serpent back into that cave system using the Scroll of Vortex Creation Command expedited along with the maps." He produced a thick, sealed scroll case. "Rank 4 magic. Potent enough to generate a powerful, localized whirlpool centered on the cave mouth. It won't kill the beast, but the suction should be strong enough to pull it back into the subterranean waterway."
"The challenge," Daniel stated, adjusting his spectacles as he studied the map, "remains the execution. Operating effectively at a depth of fifty meters presents significant difficulties, even with enchantments. And luring a creature of near Rank 4 power directly towards the vortex location…"
"Precisely," Jacobs agreed. "The core problem is bait. We need something to draw the Serpent towards the cave mouth, keep its attention focused there while the vortex activates, and ensure the bait itself isn't sucked into the conduit along with our target."
"Couldn't we just… tether some large animal near the cave mouth?" Lumos suggested hesitantly. "A cow, maybe? Use it as live bait?"
Sophia shook her head immediately. "Unlikely to be effective, Lumos. Dino Serpents, despite their primal appearance, possess considerable cunning. It ignored simple livestock on the shore; it likely wouldn't be tempted by helpless prey tethered conveniently. It's more probable," she added, her gaze flickering towards Henry, "that it would perceive us - beings radiating aether, potential threats - as the more significant targets or lures. Using simple bait might not draw its attention away from the individuals setting the trap."
"So, the bait needs to actively provoke it," Henry concluded, understanding dawning. "Draw its aggression, lead it on a chase directly towards the target zone."
A heavy silence fell as the implication settled. Someone would have to intentionally draw the ire of the massive predator in its own element.
Daniel spoke again, breaking the tension. "There's still the issue of extracting the bait from the vortex's pull radius once the Serpent is engaged. The scroll generates immense suction." He tapped the map. "We'd need to get the bait clear by at least three meters before the vortex fully forms around the cave mouth." He paused, then offered a solution. "I have an Airbolt spell. It generates significant concussive force. If timed correctly, even underwater, I could potentially use it to launch the bait clear of the vortex's immediate influence the moment the Serpent enters the target zone."
"And I can enhance the Airbolt's propulsion," Sophia added quickly. "A Blessing of Strength, focused on Daniel's spell matrix, should provide the extra thrust needed to guarantee escape distance, even against the vortex's initial pull."
The key roles crystallized: One person to act as bait, luring the enraged Dino Serpent towards the cave mouth fifty meters below. Sophia, the strongest mage amongst them besides Jacobs - who was too vital as overall command and potential heavy support, would descend near the cave mouth to activate the powerful Rank 4 Vortex Scroll. Daniel would position himself nearby to cast the enhanced Airbolt at the critical moment, propelling the bait to safety. Jacobs, Lumos, Melly, and Torsan would provide surface support, watch for any unexpected developments, and be ready for emergency extraction if possible.
The most dangerous role, the one requiring speed, agility, resilience, and the ability to actively provoke a near Rank 4 monster in deep water, remained unassigned.
"I'll do it," Henry stated quietly, his voice calm, resolute.
"Henry, no!" Sophia reacted instantly, whirling to face him, fear flaring in her amber eyes. "It's too dangerous! There has to be another way!"
"There isn't, Sophia, and you know it," Henry replied gently but firmly, meeting her gaze. He laid out the logic, cold and unavoidable. "The Captain is Rank 3, far too strong; even with Daniel's enhanced Airbolt, launching him clear would be impossible. Melly and Torsan," he glanced at the younger members, "lack the combat experience and raw power needed to survive provoking the beast long enough. Your role activating the Rank 4 scroll is irreplaceable, as is Daniel's for the extraction spell. Lumos," he looked at the big warrior, "is powerful, but lacks the necessary agility for evasion in water." He turned back to Sophia, his expression softening slightly. "That leaves me. I'm fast, I'm resilient," - unnaturally so, went unsaid - "and I'm expendable compared to the mission's key magical components."
Sophia stared at him, her lower lip trembling slightly. She knew his logic was sound, flawless even. She had likely reached the same conclusion herself during their discussion but hadn't dared voice it, desperately hoping for another solution. Now, hearing Henry volunteer, accepting the immense risk so calmly, left her unable to object further without offering a viable alternative - and none existed.
Jacobs, who had remained silent, observing the exchange, now turned his sharp gaze on Henry. "Are you absolutely certain you can handle this, Henry? Confident you can ensure your own safety throughout this operation?"
Henry offered a confident smile, aimed as much at reassuring Sophia as answering the Captain. "It's a solid plan, Captain. Like any plan, there are risks. But if everything goes smoothly, if we all execute our roles correctly, the chances of staying safe are… acceptable." He deliberately downplayed the danger, the sheer number of things that could go fatally wrong fifty meters underwater with an enraged monster.
Jacobs studied him for a long moment, weighing the risks against the necessity. "It's a good plan," he conceded finally. "But 'acceptable' chances aren't good enough when I can improve them." He made a decision. "We wait one more day. I've sent a supplementary request back to Aerion with the maps, asking for additional specific support items - high-grade protective amulets, extended duration water-breathing enchantments, maybe some specialized signaling devices suitable for depth. We'll incorporate those into the final strategy tomorrow morning. Until then, maintain watch, rest, prepare yourselves."
The meeting adjourned, leaving the squad with another day of tense waiting. During their communal evening meal near the village edge, Henry noticed Torsan sitting withdrawn, head bowed, poking listlessly at his food. The shame of inadequacy, of being relegated to surface support while others faced the deep-water danger, was clear on the young soldier's face. Henry considered saying something comforting but hesitated. As the one taking the greatest risk, offering solace might inadvertently make Torsan feel worse, highlighting his inability to contribute directly to the most dangerous phase. He hoped Jacobs or one of the others would address it. Later, he saw the Captain speaking privately with both Torsan and Melly, his tone low but encouraging. Good, Henry thought, relieved. Now for Sophia.
He found her again by the lake shore as twilight deepened, staring out at the now-dark water, the faint starlight doing little to illuminate its depths. Despite the improved plan, the wait for extra gear, her worry was a tangible presence beside him. He gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head, breathing in the faint scent of wildflowers that always seemed to cling to her hair.
"It'll be alright, Sophia," he murmured.
She leaned back against him, sighing softly. "You always say that. And you always do something reckless." Her voice was low, tinged with fatigue and fear. "Tomorrow… it's incredibly dangerous, Henry. I can't… I can't stop thinking about what could happen."
"Hey," he said softly, turning her gently in his arms to face him. "Look at me." He waited until her worried amber eyes met his. "Pinky promise," he said, holding up his little finger with mock seriousness. "I swear I will do everything possible to ensure my own safety and come back in one piece. And you promise that after this is over, you'll finally take those few days off Jacobs approved for us last month. We'll go somewhere far from here. I know a place, a small village nestled in the northern hills… I think you'd love it. It's… special." He tried to keep his tone light, teasing, hoping to distract her.
Sophia managed a weak, watery smile, reaching up to touch his bruised cheek. "Honestly, you. Facing a monster tomorrow, and all you think about are frivolous trips." She sighed again, the sound heavy with helplessness. Worrying wouldn't change his mind; arguing wouldn't stop the mission. All she could do was trust him. Trust the fragile hope that he would, once again, defy the odds. She leaned her forehead against his chest. "You've already decided, haven't you?" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Just… just promise me, Henry. Promise you'll come back to me. You reckless idiot."
Holding her close, feeling the tremor that ran through her slight frame, Henry felt the familiar weight of his unspoken vows settle upon him. Protect her. It was the promise that defined his existence, forged in the crucible of unimaginable horror ten years ago. He remembered her perspective of that time - him, the unlikely boy hero who had somehow defeated the Dark Reaper, who had saved her. But his own memory was different. She was the key. Her strange immunity, her inexplicable effect on the monster… she had been the decisive factor. He had survived, had lived these past ten years, because of her. The thought solidified his resolve. He would survive tomorrow. He had to. For her.
…The memory surfaced, sharp and distinct: the aftermath of the Dark Reaper's assault on the military camp. Standing before General Zalogr in the chaotic command tent, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the ozone stink of powerful magic discharges.
He remembered the officers arguing, despairing over the Reaper's Undead Mystic Sense, its ability to negate any attack fueled by direct aggression or killing intent. How do you fight something you couldn't truly intend to harm?
He remembered the suspicion turning towards him and Sophia, the only two inexplicable survivors. Whispers of interrogation, magical soul-scans. Sophia trembling beside him, small and terrified, having escaped one monster only to face the cold calculations of powerful men.
And he remembered his own voice, thin and reedy but unwavering, cutting through the debate: "I will help you destroy that Dark Reaper." The stunned silence. The scoffing disbelief from hardened commanders. A Rank A threat that had decimated armies, baffled demigods - and a twelve-year-old boy claimed he could stop it?
He hadn't flinched from their scorn. He had looked past them, directly at the one man whose decision mattered - General Zalogr. And he had made his desperate gamble, the only currency he possessed: "I offer my life as guarantee," he'd sworn, meeting the General's piercing gaze. "I will destroy the Dark Reaper. It won't cost you a single soldier."
He remembered the old mage beside Zalogr murmuring, "He believes it, Your Excellency. Utterly." And Zalogr's long, calculating silence, the General studying him with those sharp, assessing eyes, seeing not just a boy, but perhaps the reckless, desperate resolve he recognized from his most fanatical shock troops. Finally, the curt nod of assent: "Kid, I'll give you a chance. Prove it with your life."
He remembered the three frantic days that followed - Zalogr's engineers, working non-stop under his direction, constructing a massive, hidden dam high above the Reaper's suspected lair, preparing rafts laden with blessed weapons and volatile alchemical charges. He remembered standing at the base of the cliff below the designated cave - a narrow fissure barely large enough for them to squeeze through - holding Sophia's small, cold hand in one of his, the other clutching the pulsating 'Talisman of Aggression' designed to infuriate monsters.
Sophia, holding the smooth, dark magic stone that was the trigger for the explosives on the dam, her voice trembling: "Are you sure… we'll survive?"
His own voice, trying for confidence he didn't feel: "No. But I'm sure you will. I'll be right beside you. I'll protect you."
He remembered luring the skeletal horror, the talisman drawing its ire, its chilling scritch-scritch-scritch echoing through the woods. He remembered their desperate scramble towards the cliff, the Reaper pursuing slowly, unable to target them effectively as long as they stayed close together due to Sophia's strange nullifying effect on its Sense. Letting Sophia slip into the cave first, then squeezing in after her. The instant of separation, making him visible to the monster. The scythe flashing down, shearing stone where his head had been moments before. The Reaper shrieking in frustration, preparing to demolish the cliff face.
Sophia lunging forward, clinging to him desperately within the narrow cave. The Reaper freezing again, its red eye-lights dimming, confused by her proximity negating its target lock.
His urgent whisper: "Do it, Sophia! Now!"
Her small hand crushing the trigger stone. The deafening roar from above as the dam detonated. The world dissolving into a terrifying cascade of water, rock, blessed shrapnel, and alchemical fire, a man-made avalanche designed to crush, pulverize, and hopefully, finally, destroy the indestructible.
And later, crawling out of the flooded cave, bruised and battered but alive, to find General Zalogr standing alone at the base of the now-raging waterfall, holding aloft a blackened fragment of the Reaper's skull. The cheers of thousands of soldiers echoing through the valley, hailing Zalogr as the Hero of Zephyros.
He remembered immediately kneeling, pulling Sophia down beside him, thanking the General effusively for saving them, deliberately attributing the entire victory to Zalogr's might and wisdom. He saw the calculating understanding in Zalogr's eyes, saw the silent acknowledgment from the nearby commanders. He pleaded only to be taken to Aerion, to be allowed to serve, renouncing any claim to the glory he knew could be fatal for two powerless children to grasp.
Zalogr had agreed, granting them passage but assigning them to the lowest ranks, under his watchful eye ever since.
The memory faded, leaving behind the cool night air and the warm weight of Sophia leaning against him. He held her tighter, the promise he'd just made resonating with the weight of the one sworn ten years prior. He had navigated the deadly politics of Generals and the impossible logic of monsters once before to protect her. He would do it again tomorrow, beneath the cold, dark waters of Loknezt Lake. Failure wasn't an option. Not while she waited for him. He tilted his head, resting his cheek against her soft hair, finding a measure of peace in the simple, grounding reality of her presence beside him. The storm was coming, but for tonight, they had this.