Chapter 6: Teaming Up
I changed looks with Arlo, not sure what to say in return. Iris, the librarian lady, wanted our cooperation. But, I didn't know if I could be of help.
"I'll do whatever it takes to have my peaceful days back," Arlo looked determined.
Iris's emerald eyes looked at me, and I immediately averted my gaze to the piles of books. Her mature demeanor intimidated me.
"Well... I'm not sure if I could help you with anything. As you know, I don't even know how to use magic."
"I just need your willingness to participate. I have a feeling that you'll be of help to us."
It didn't make me feel good. Rather, I was burdened by her expectations. But, I couldn't say no. So, I agreed to cooperate.
"Alright."
"Good. Now that it's settled, we have to hurry to the moon temple."
Arlo winced at the mention of the moon temple. His fingers were fidgeting, and his forehead was sweating.
"Right now?"
Iris didn't answer Arlo's question. She grabbed a glass staff adorned with a blue stone at its tip.
Then, she pulled chalk out of her desk drawer. She started to draw something on the floor.
As Iris began drawing intricate symbols on the floor, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and unease.
The moon temple held a certain weight in Arlo's expressions, and the urgency in Iris's actions added to the growing tension.
Arlo whispered to me,
"The moon temple is where the most powerful mages gather. I've heard stories, but I never thought I'd find myself heading there."
Iris finished the sigil on the floor.
"Give me your hands," she demanded. Arlo and I extended our hands to Iris.
She smiled before caressing my hand, "It won't be too painful."
Then, Iris pulled out her necklace that was hiding beneath her tight blouse. I initially thought it was just for decoration, but it surprised me—it was actually a weapon. The pendant of the necklace was a dagger.
"Wait, hold on" I winced.
Iris wounded the palm of my hand without hesitation. Blood started to drip from my hand.
"What did you do to me?!" I retreated my hand.
"I need your blood to transport you. You agreed to cooperate, so, please be a good girl and bear with it," she said while patting my head.
"Now, splash your blood on the sigil."
I grimaced in pain and splashed my blood on the sigil.
My pain tolerance was low, and it took me some time to recover my mental state.
I looked to my left and saw Iris doing the same to Arlo. After Iris had wounded Arlo, she proceeded to wound her own palm of hand.
Then, the both of them decorated the sigil with their blood. Iris chanted an unfamiliar incantation.
The sigil began to glow with a mysterious light, and a portal emerged on the floor.
"Step in," Iris commanded.
Arlo hesitated for a moment, looking at me with concern, but he stepped into the portal. I followed suit, stepping onto the glowing symbol.
Without a moment's hesitation, she raised the glass staff and tapped it on the center of the drawing.
The world around me twisted and blurred, and I felt a sensation of weightlessness. In the next instant, we found ourselves in a completely different place.
My eyes were met with the scenery of a ballroom. From the walls to the ceiling and the floor, everything looked old and fragile.
The walls and the floor were covered with moss, and a rotten smell was lingering in the air.
"Let me see your hand," Iris said to me.
I let Iris see my hurt hand. She checked my wound, and then she licked it.
I jolted out of surprise, "No- it stings."
She laughed softly, her crimson lips curled into a smile,
"Now it won't hurt anymore. See? it's healed."
I looked at my palm and I couldn't find the wound anymore.
Iris's motherly face shone divinely, "Come on, we gotta hurry."
"What about Arlo's wound?"
"I healed myself already."
Iris walked straight, leading the way. I could see Arlo looking at me while following her steps.
"Is this the moon temple?" I asked Iris.
"No, this is a dungeon near the moon temple. We can't simply teleport to the moon temple."
Arlo's face began to stiffen, "Iris, you know that I'm only a healer, right?"
"I know."
"How are we going to survive like this? I mean, Lorelei can't even use magic."
I looked at the ground. I hated this situation; I felt like a burden.
"You're underestimating me too much, boy," Iris said with a cheerful tone.
Her braided blue navy hair was swinging as we walked.
Arlo sighed, "We'll be in your care."
"Obviously," Iris laughed heartily.
All of a sudden, an arrow flew towards us.
"Crouch!" Iris demanded.
More arrows were headed toward us, but they were all targeting our upper body.
"Can't you make a shield?!" Arlo screamed in panic.
Iris shook her head, "No, not now. I'm currently saving up my mana for something else."
Arlo's eyes flinched at Iris's statement,
"What?! If I die here, who's going to take care of my sheep?!"
"Now, stand up and run. Quick!" Iris commanded.
I stood up and ran alongside Arlo. My heartbeat started to race uncontrollably.
The ballroom started to shrink; I could sense dread lurking from every corner. My legs were shaky, my whole body was covered in sweat, and my throat felt parched.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone