Changes (2)

"Hey, Blake. What do you think?"

Amelia's voice cut through the air. Following her call out, others' eyes trailed towards me like a magnet. I really didn't want to get involved with the current topic so I tried to make it look like I couldn't hear Amelia through my headphones. But it wasn't enough to make her give up on getting my attention as she swayed her hand over my face. 

'Sigh...'

As soon as I removed my headphones, the rustling and chattering sounds of the forest surged into my ears. I turned towards Amelia, silently urging her to explain what she wanted from me.

"Blake, do you have any idea as to who could be the person behind this divine energy problem?"

I fell silent for a second to decide to what extent I should give my information away.

"Who knows? Probably one of the demigods."

"Are you sure about that take? Can't it be something intervening from outside the border?"

Nadia retaliated once again.

"Not really. It is practically impossible for the divine energy to be somehow sucked from outside through the barrier. So that affirms there is something wrong inside the camp borders."

"Some intruders may have forced their way in through the barrier though."

"The barrier is densely constructed utilizing an immense amount of divine energy. Even some minor gods would struggle to cross through the barrier without permission. So that also has a very low chance of happening."

They digested what I said for a while. My words seemed to convince them that all of this mess was orchestrated by traitor demigods. I needed them to locate the sphere as soon as possible to set my plans into motion. That's why I picked my words carefully to propel the plot forward.

"Blake is right. Everything falls into place. I suspect the same traitor group whom Adriel and Eleanor had fought against during the incident of flag war is behind all these."

Amelia added and then proceeded with her words.

"The problem is how they were able to pull this off."

Following Amelia's remark, no one made a comment and the discussion on the matter ended with an obscure question hanging unanswered. During the rest of the night, silence was preserved until it was time to leave the spot to the other demigods who were tasked with the second half of the night shift.

We all separated into our own cabins with slouching backs and half-closed eyes.

***

"Good morning campers!"

Chiron's commanding voice roused the half-sleeping demigods, who had only just woken up half an hour earlier. As the early morning light filtered into the amphitheater, casting long shadows across the stone seats, demigods had gathered to commence a discussion on the investigation. The goal was to uncover the cause behind the mysterious depletion of divine energy within the camp borders.

"As many of you are aware, the divine energy that flows within our borders has been diminishing."

A ripple of concern passed through the crowd, and Chiron raised a hand to quell any unrest before continuing.

"We cannot afford to remain idle while the safety of this camp is at risk. I urge each of you to lend your efforts and time to this investigation and contribute to solving this threat."

With that, Chiron opened the floor for discussion, inviting the demigods to share any insights or observations they might have regarding the divine energy depletion. The amphitheater buzzed with conversation as the campers exchanged theories and ideas.

Eventually, the discussion ended. The discussion was mostly led by the main cast who suggested an all-out examination of the field within the borders. Upon Chiron's command, everyone scattered all around the terrain within the confines of the borders, seeking any clues that might be helpful.

...

"Haaa..."

Adriel released a heavy sigh with frustration bottled up within him. Despite the passing of the afternoon and the imminent descent of the sun beneath the horizon, our hands were empty. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon us as we returned to the amphitheater, empty-handed. Chiron attempted to offer words of encouragement, congratulating us on our endeavors, yet even his typically reassuring voice held a subtle undertone of doubt.

"This is enough for today. For now, you all should rest. We will continue the investigation tomorrow."

As the other demigods dispersed from the amphitheater one by one, the once bustling crowd gradually dwindled until only the main cast remained.

Adriel grumbled with discontent, refusing to accept the fact that no significant progress had been made throughout the entire day.

"This won't do! We found nothing. The clock is ticking! We can't just simply give up now when the camp is in danger!"

Adriel expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation. Although others didn't say anything, they were all on the same page as Adriel. Seeing our group wasn't leaving, Chiron approached us.

"What happened? What are you guys waiting for?"

"Chiron, we can't stop now when the border is getting weaker and weaker every second!"

Chiron remained silent for a brief moment, his expression reflecting a deep sense of contemplation. Then, with a reassuring gesture, he placed his hand on Adriel's shoulder to console him.

"I understand you, Adriel,"

Chiron replied, his voice carrying a note of empathy.

"But not everyone has the same energy and motivation as you guys."

"I get that but still..."

Chiron observed the group and let out a resigned sigh as he figured he wouldn't be able to convince them to stop.

"I see... If you really want to continue searching, go ahead. However, make sure you're back by dinner time. Just be sure to conserve some of your energy for tomorrow. We'll need it."

The group's spirits began to revive as Chiron departed for his office.

However, amidst the newfound enthusiasm, I sat on the marble seat as exhaustion washed over my body. While I had anticipated the main cast's decision to keep searching, I was lacking the same energy.

'How do these guys have this much energy? Like what rank is their stamina stat? SSS?'

"Blake, are you coming?"

I wanted to just lay on a couch but Adriel's call snapped me out of my weariness.

"We are gonna go check the forest."

"Oh- Of course, I am coming."

I replied, quickly falling into step alongside the group as we made our way towards the dense clusters of trees in the distance.

We were navigating through the forest for a while now when Nadia suddenly halted her steps, causing Eleanor to bump into her.

"Hey, why did you stop?"

She raised her hand and froze in her place, seemingly focusing on something.

"Nadia, are you okay?"

Nadia's head snapped in a certain direction, which startled Eleanor who was pinching Nadia's arm to get her back to reality.

"Can't you guys feel it?"

"What are you talking about? Am I supposed to feel something?"

Eleanor shot a questioning glance back at us. It was clear that she was questioning whether she was the only one unable to sense anything amiss. However, other's expressions reassured her that her senses were not mistaken. Something indeed was off with how Nadia was behaving.

All of a sudden, Nadia dashed off in a specific direction, leaving Eleanor bewildered.

"What?! Where are you going?!"

Eleanor called out, her voice tinged with confusion. Without waiting for an answer, Eleanor hurried after Nadia, disappearing into the thick foliage of the trees.

''Uhh... I guess that's what we are doing?"

Amelia voiced her concerns at the uneasiness of the turn of events. Despite their apprehension, she and Adriel followed Eleanor in the direction they went off.

"Come on Blake! We gotta hurry!"

As we all tracked behind Nadia, the forest grew denser around us, enveloping us in an eerie silence broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot.

As we pressed forward, the thick cluster of trees suddenly gave way, revealing a rather open terrain stretching out before us. The abrupt transition from the dense forest to the open area caught the group off guard, momentarily halting.

"Nadia! Why the hell did you run away?!"

Catching up to her, Eleanor shook Nadia urging her to explain what was happening. However, a sinister aura thickened in the air, enveloping us in its embrace, and a heavy silence descended upon the group. The group exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what lay ahead that emitted such a diabolical sentiment.

Adriel took the first bold step forward, approaching the source of the ominous aura.

"Adrile wait!"

Nadia warned Adriel not to proceed but it was in vain. Ignoring Amelia's cautionary words, Adriel continued to advance until his gaze locked onto something.

"Hey... I think you guys need to see this."

As the others followed Adirel's steps, they caught the sight of a sphere that radiated a discernible sense of dread.

"What the hell is this thing?"

Eleanor blurted out.

From the sphere emerged thick roots, snaking their way across the terrain and piercing deep into the soil below. The sphere vividly absorbed explicit threads of blue and white divine energy, creating an unsettling sight.

It was obvious that this sphere was sucking divine energy from its surrounding including our divine energy within our bodies. Our body was slowly drained of divine energy, leaving us feeling weakened and exhausted.

Everyone was left speechless at the realization that we had just found what robbed the divine energy out of the camp.

I stayed behind as I watched them observing the sphere with a mixture of shock and realization.

'I knew Nadia's inherent hunter senses were exceptional but to be able to locate the sphere from such a long distance... I guess I have underestimated her abilities.'

A wide grin crept up on my face.

The anticipation of my plans finally setting off flooded me with a rush of strange excitement. It was as if I were an impatient kid awaiting the moment to play with his toys. There was an undeniable thrill in knowing that the pieces were falling into place, and my plans were about to be set in motion.