Chapter 367: The escape

"I'm afraid I won't be able to mask the teleportation fluctuations," Sidus admitted as we walked toward the cave's exit.

I shook my head, a determined smile on my face, "Doesn't matter. As you all pointed out, it's a risk we're all willing to take," I replied with a casual shrug.

Breta's eyebrows knitted in a frown, her tone tinged with sarcasm, "Still not over my little speech, are you?"

"Not in the slightest," I retorted with a mock huff, which earned me an eye roll from Breta.

"Rest assured, brother! We're getting out of this shitty place," Ynos chimed in, his voice carrying genuine determination.

"Do you have a specific destination in mind for the teleportation?" Sidus inquired.

I nodded, my reply carrying a hint of secrecy, "Yeah, I've got one..." My thoughts drifted to the floating island, where the grand teleportation gate stood, guarded by an army of dragons and the majestic silver eastern dragon.

Breta shot me a glance but refrained from saying anything, while Ynos's eyes lit up in excitement as he spoke, "Great! Then let us get to it!"

I nodded and turned to Sidus before I spoke, "Open it."

Sidus wordlessly conjured yet another spell to envelop us, gently retracting the one that shrouded our temporary shelter. The desolate valley stretched out before us, and we stepped out hesitantly into the open. Forming a loose formation, I stood at the center, flanked by Sidus and Ynos on my right, while Breta took her place on my left.

"Alright, let's do this. Remember, we only have a limited window," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, the weight of the situation pressing on my mind.

With a deliberate breath, I motioned for my companions to draw closer. Sidus and Ynos shuffled nearer, aligning themselves with my claw, while Breta positioned herself close to my back. Ignoring the subtle tension that had risen, I delved deep into the recesses of my soul space, stirring the cosmic mana that resided within the essence of my dragon statue. The transformation began, my body expanding, and two additional heads emerged from my shoulders. The surges of cosmic energy pulsed, the once-concealed fluctuations now harder for Sidus to mask. Sure enough, his concealment spell eventually faltered, dissolving in response to the potent cosmic forces.

The moment Sidus's masking spell faltered, the atmosphere erupted into chaos. A cacophony of deafening roars reverberated from all directions, announcing our presence to the lurking threats that had remained concealed. The very planet seemed to shudder under the weight of their collective aggression.

From the shadows of the desolate landscape, the myriad hidden beings emerged, drawn by the unmistakable aura of three dragons and a formidable Goddess. It was an unintentional proclamation of our intrusion, a call to arms that could not go unanswered.

Sidus's unease manifested in the form of a swirling dark spell, coiled around his claws like a protective serpent. Ynos, seemingly invigorated by the impending confrontation, bore a savage grin that hinted at the impending clash, his tongue flickering over his teeth in anticipation. Breta, as composed as ever, adopted a defensive stance, her fingers tracing subtle patterns along the surface of her spear, the weapon she held ready with practiced confidence. Our readiness and resolve now pitted against the encroaching danger.

Undeterred by the mounting threats, I refused to waste a single moment. My transformation completed, I tapped into the abundant cosmic mana coursing through my veins, and our surroundings, the wellspring of power resonating within me. With unwavering focus, the vivid image of my intended destination materialized in my mind, a beacon guiding my teleporation.

Without pause, I gathered Sidus and Ynos protectively within the grasp of my powerful claws. Breta's swift movements showcased her battle-honed instincts as she seamlessly leaped onto my back, fingers gripping my scales with an iron resolve. Her divine spear vanished into the void, a concealed guardian ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. The weight of my companions settled around me, a united force ready to take the plunge into the unknown.

Summoning a final profound inhalation, we embarked on our perilous journey. A sinuous strand of cosmic mana cascaded from the distant stars, cocooning us in its ethereal mantle. Our very beings seemed to elongate and stretch, transcending the confines of our known reality. The vibrancy of colors dulled as we hurtled through the enigmatic fabric of space, suspended in a state of suspended animation.

Amidst this tumultuous transition, my foremost concern was for my fellow travelers. My grasp on Sidus and Ynos tightened, an unyielding promise to safeguard them through this cosmic upheaval. Breta, ever the resolute warrior, needed no assistance, her grip upon my back unyielding, her tenacity mirroring the stark determination etched upon her countenance.

The transition flowed seamlessly this time, depositing us within the boundless obscurity of the cosmic void. My eyes blinked in rapid succession, sweeping our surroundings with eager anticipation, but the expected destination remained elusive.

"Fuck," I cursed under my breath, frustration threading through my words. A quick glance toward my comrades, and I relayed the situation with a determined resolve, "Hold on, we still haven't arrived yet."

"Just go damn it! No need to say anything!" Breta's voice, laden with impatience, echoed from my back, her tone an urgent reminder that action superseded words.

Instinctively, I extended my consciousness toward the cosmic wellspring, summoning another thread to weave our escape. But in that fleeting moment, a tremor ran through Sidus, his emotions transmuting into raw horror. Panic gripped me as I desperately sought the source of his distress.

'Damn it! Is it that bastard? Did he find us already?' My mind raced, the urgency of the situation propelling me into swift action. Activating the teleportation, I propelled us away from that uncertain realm, my fear fueling the leap through space.

****

Moments after their abrupt departure, a humanoid Shade darted to the very spot they had vanished from, his malevolent gaze sweeping the surroundings. Sinister energy emanated from his form as a twisted smile curled upon his lips, accompanied by a chilling chuckle that reverberated through the air. "Well, well, well. Two pillars of existence, and a Goddess, straying so far away from home. How exciting."

In an instant, the fabric of space seemed to bend as three shadowy entities materialized beside him. The middle-aged-looking shade, fixed his gaze upon the newcomers, his silent scrutiny betraying his thoughts. After a few contemplative moments, he finally shook his head, his voice dripping with an air of finality, "No, your interference would be in vain."

Restlessness rippled through the shadowy figures beside him, their forms shifting uneasily, an evident difference of opinion amongst them. The humanoid shade's fingers curled in the air, conjuring a void of unsettling darkness that eagerly consumed one of the dissenting shadows, its presence vanishing with an unsettling hush. The remaining two entities seemed to quell their objections, their unease now subdued.

"Any other objections?" the leader's tone was firm, his dominance unquestionable. The entities' movements stilled, and their silence signified their compliance. With a calculated glance toward the horizon, the leader's lips moved in an almost inaudible whisper, "Those little ones belong to me..."