(Part 11)

"Only if it turns out to be the case. However, I doubt that it might turn out that way. Would we head back empty handed then?" Seraph asked.

"We don't even know about that. He is full of surprises after all." Cassiel replied. 

Searching the surroundings Poseidon comprehended a difference in the height of their positions. Walking ahead he crouched on the farthest part of the ground where they stood. Looking down a smiled escaped his lips. "Every one…" he called out, "Look, here's the point. We are right on track."

The rest of them looking down saw another route coming out of a tunnel. "Huh?! We were standing on a cave all along?" Cassiel asked surprised.

"A tunnel to be more precise." Poseidon stated.

Kenzo smirking folded the map. Patting Poseidon's head he jumped down, "Good job Poseidon." 

Poseidon gleaming nodded as Helios too smiled.

Xavier stepping down looked at the tunnel commenting "Unbelievable… to think there would really be an underground passage. I am amazed one sight after another."

Gabriel heading inside the dark tunnel looked around. All of a sudden something hit his feet. "Something's here." he called.

The seven of them gathering around tried to figure out what it was. "I think they are straw baskets or something of the same kind." Xavier guessed touching it,

"They are also long. Their heights are up to our knees to be exact. They might carrying something inside them."

"Are they those materials then?" Seraph questioned as Kenzo pushed one of the basket outside the tunnel. "Tch! For food and clothes, they sure are darn heavy!" he complained placing it outside under the moonlight, which escaped from the trees opening.

The six of them curious observed the basket alongside Kenzo. "Now let's see what it has got inside." Helios whispered. Squinting down on his knees he found a cloth covering the rim. 

A familiar name traced over it in a readable hand writing he read puzzled, "Poseidon…?"

Poseidon surprised blinked his eyes, "My name…?"

Xavier wondering kept his hand under his chin, "It's seems like these baskets are named specifically after each one of us so we can differentiate in between them." Helios looking at Kenzo nodded, soon pulling the cloth of the basket's rim. Only to find… large rocks kept inside it one a top of another.

A sudden shock taking over the seven of them. They stood fixated in their positions silent for a long while.

"Rocks…?" Cassiel whispered blatant.

Seraph smacking his forehead in disbelief looked away. "Oh my god…" he uttered speechless. 

Helios too receiving the shock sat on the ground folding his legs before the basket as Xavier and Poseidon stood concerned.

Kenzo with his expression blackened, clutched his fists tight glaring grave.

"Don't tell me the materials are stones… is that old man trying to kill us?!" Cassiel asked.

Gabriel taking the rest of the baskets out encouraged, "Don't assume the worst. Open these ones up as well. Some of them are light. Who knows there could be something else inside?"

Xavier sensing the rest troubled and stunned walked forward uncovering the rest of the baskets as well. However, no use. As if it was destiny written, all of the baskets were filled with rocks. The only variable they had was their quantity. Some were filled up to the rim while the others were half. Some were even quarter and some less than a full quarter. 

Kenzo settled down. "Xavier my boy… you really assumed for the worst hun? Good thing it didn't let me have high hopes." he uttered frustrated.

Xavier blinking his eyes perplexed gulped, "I didn't meant it that way though… it was just a jest."

"I am not blaming you, you idiot. Don't make that face. I am thankful instead." Kenzo replied smiling disappointed.

Xavier who was confused on the contrary wondered as Poseidon gazed at Helios worriedly who stared at the basket before him incessantly.

"Now… what should we do?" Cassiel questioned.

Kenzo closing his eyes responded, "What else can we do rather than taking it all back? Sigh~ those brats have yet to return and it's a full night a top of our heads. Seriously, I don't even have the energy to get angry anymore. It's tiresome to even think in this situation."

Seraph looking at starry sky above waited beside Gabriel. 

Suddenly voices began to emanate from the tunnel. The seven of them alerted stood up. Covering Poseidon, Helios pulled his bat close to Kenzo who did the same before Xavier. Seraph keeping his finger on his lips depicted them to stay quiet. Gabriel too tossing his ball up and down stared at the tunnel grave.

"Don't tell me there's something inside it now too?!" Poseidon asked in a dreadful whisper as Cassiel patted his back assuring him, "Don't worry… just stay quiet." 

The voices becoming clearer the seven of them eyed each other puzzled.

"Geez, like I told you there's a way out, just look ahead." called one of them.

"I know that too, brat but what if it leads to somewhere else we are already running late." uttered another vexed.

"I think I told you it would be the right one. We might reach Captain earlier than we even expected." encouraged another amongst them.

"Yeah… Sera, Sera might be worried as hell out there." another chuckled.

"Look! There's an opening! Let's check it out!" they pointed rushing out together.

A light, tiny yet one connecting uncertainties and comrades blazed out of the tunnel as Alan's silhouette shadowed outside. "Hey, I think someone's there." Ryan pointed out alerted. They all halted. 

Helios and Kenzo finally tracing their figures lowered their guards as Xavier walked ahead. "Feng, Ryan…?" he asked cautious.

Hearing his voice the boys rushed out of the tunnel. "Vice-captain?! Is that you?" Feng questioned coming closer.

"Sera, Sera? Cassiel?!" Adam asked tracing Seraph who smiled.

"Haha! Your highness! We are back!!" Azazel hugged Kenzo who blinked his eyes. His heartbeat returning to normal with his restlessness vanishing he stood relieved.

"Hehe… who knew we would be this lucky to even find you here vice- captain, Captain!" Ezekiel gleamed embracing Helios who patted his head. 

Xavier smiling at Ryan commented, "Good job…" Ryan in turn nervous yet proud gleamed.

Alan smiled witnessing them reunite. Crossing his arms, his gaze instantly shifted towards the basket filled with large rocks. His expression turning into a grave one he stood silent. Suddenly a large smack was heard as the boys turned around.

"Ouch Captain, that hurts!!" Heber cried painfully.

"It hurts?! How dare you set a foot on your own without my permission you brats!?" Kenzo angered smacking Heber and Azazel again on their heads as they sat before him teary eyed.

"Sorry captain..." they apologized.

Helios exhaling smiled awkwardly beside Seraph, Ezekiel, Gabriel and Xavier. "And, here he goes… who says he didn't had the energy to be angry?" Cassiel asked in disbelief.

"Thanks goodness, my captain isn't like this or we'd be dead every time." Ezekiel said leaning over Poseidon's shoulder as Feng concurred.

Helios eyeing him smirked, "Yeah, since I would just drown you in fire or water making things easier for me."

Adam stood with his mouth wide open, "Don't you think that's far worse Sera, Sera?"

"Nope, it isn't and he isn't wrong." Seraph rejected, "For a captain, responsibility is a must. We can't afford you all in harm's way. That's the reason for us being strict, which in your eyes is seen as being cruel." 

Xavier nodding patted Feng's head, "Yup… you're indeed right."

Ezekiel, Ryan and Adam looking at each other stood confused. Seeing Kenzo discipline Heber and Azazel they chuckled under the night gathered together.

Alan sitting before one of the baskets picked up the cloth on which Ryan's name read. An irritated smirk leaving his lips. "Now I see hun… That sly old hag. He is as witty as a fox. No wonder, he wants to see the depths of limits these young monsters hold in themselves. However, he just forgot one tiny thing…" he thought standing up watching the boys before him...

"I am right by their side. Their limits? I'll break the truth to him… these little devils are limitless!" he thought buoyant.