Note: I've acquired more knowledge on the use of capital letters after '…'. Fingers crossed that it will translate to a more polished story from here on in.
Chapter 7. Care's Exclamation
Somewhere in space.
"Lord Crius. Our scans are picking up the planet."
The male Demigod showed off a grin of joy.
"Excellent, High Commander. Let's bring everyone to the Main Room."
"Of course."
The definitive leader of this space voyage got up from his armchair & left his room. Crius – the younger brother to both Rhea & Euphrosyne; height wise, in between Polus & Atlas, stretching to 188 cm (6 ft 2'). Skin was darker than Atlas's, the shade being called parchment. Physical prowess was a matter of balance for Crius. By no means did he achieve a complete balance as Nemesis; athletics had a bigger footnote (65-35). Well-toned arms, pronounced chest muscles; at a frontal view, his figure resembled the letter 'T'. Short gingerbread brown hair, smooth, elegant, hickory brown eyes. Out of the males, possibly – all mentioned Demigods, Crius's ruthlessness was closest to Nemesis. Also, craftiness often extruded from the male. He often went back and forth between the purple haired female's approach to an obstacle and the brown haired female's approach. In short, his personality – a mixture of Nemesis's & Euphrosyne's. The two specific, interest provoking attributes were self-control and patience. Out of all of them, Crius practiced the art of interjection at the precise moment the most.
5 minutes later. Everybody, apart from two pilots, were present in the Main Room of the ship. The parchment white skinned male aimed his sight towards the Professor.
"Professor Eyelawn. I trust you've gathered information on the planet where we're about to descend on."
"Correct."
"Then please – spread the required information to everyone."
He retracted his view from the Professor in a milliseconds; analyzed the gathered ones' eyes. An unknown goal or reason led him to such a change in tactics.
"So… the Planet that we'll be soon on is extremely flat. By gathering sufficient evidence, the highest elevation on it is 500 meters (~1600 ft). The atmosphere is largely made of water, which, in this instance, is usually in a vapor form. Therefore, I'm convinced that we'll be strolling through a misty landscape. The color aspect, mostly shades of blue & green; rare occurrences of brown or red."
"Is there anything toxic in the atmosphere?" – the High Commander inquired.
"From what we were able to gather, there are traces of chlorine oxide (ClO)."
"How much?"
"Around 3%."
"Hmmm. Breathing might become a more energy consuming task than before."
"Possible, Crius."
"I'll finish the presentation of the mission."
"By all means."
He bowed and moved to one of the walls.
"Listen carefully. Professor Eyelawn is convinced that the Scroll of Genesis is somewhere here."
The male Demigod pointed with his finger on the digital map.
"Luckily for us, there is a populated area near the center of it all. We'll be venturing there. Remember, the Scroll is of unimaginable value. So, do not expect to leave this Planet until I or any of you have secured it. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
Crius felt a rush of pleasure within him.
"Then let us find that illusive object."
An enigmatic smile culminated the meeting.
Terra Venture, Medical Facility. Within a space of whiteness a being abruptly, extremely quickly opened his eyes. Said person examined the room at first glance; the surroundings appeared to be of safe nature. A realization of the position the body was in triggered movement. It is at this moment that someone said:
"Good to see you conscious, Leo."
The Red Ranger swiftly connected the voice to the person. While in the shimmying process, the male latched onto the other beings residing in the room. There was: Kai, who stood on the same side as Maya a step away, Damon – other side, close to his head, and a mocha brown skinned Human female, dressed in a pearl white skirt, T-shirt, loose jacket. The only dash of color on her were two garnet rings on the jacket's sleeves end, skirts top level.
"The body blow took a lot out of you." – Kai stated.
Feeling an unusual brush of fabric on his chin, Leo slowly angled his left arm towards it. Come to find out that a fairly thick woven material applied friction not only to his upper chin, but also went in an ellipse around his skull. Soon, the mocha brown skinned female walked over to his left side, little air was left between them.
"Am I safe to say that your stable?" – she asked kindly.
"Well,… yeah."
Abnormally, he hadn't yet processed the whereabouts. That is where Damon stepped in.
"Relax, man. This is nurse Sherilva. You're at a hospital."
Normal mind activity began to return to the Red Ranger.
"That explains all the white and the bandage going around my skull."
"It is there for a purpose, Leopold Corbett."
He simply giggled.
"Now I'm definitely certain that I'm at a hospital."
He got to a blunt half sitting, half lying position.
"I've not heard someone use my full name, apart from Commander Stanton."
"Predictable, wouldn't you say?" – Kai enthusiastically proposed.
"Somewhere close."
Then Leo noticed Damon's outfit. It was similar to nurse Sherilva's one; just without the garnet rings and pants instead of a skirt, obviously. Within a small frame of time, the mind presented the fact from the past that explained the Green Ranger's current arrangement.
"I see you've not been struck too hardly by that laser bolt."
"Yeah,… well that took its toll on me."
He smiled, angled his eyes a small amount, so to get the nurse in his eyesight.
"Nurse Sherilva took care of it. As you can see, I'm already walking again."
"I'm happy for you."
"Also, you've been… asleep… for a good time."
Leo took notice of the way Maya expressed that word.
"How long?"
"12 hours." – Kai answered in a concerned, turbulent tone.
"That's… a hefty time."
"The hit you sustained was not minor, Mister Corbett."
Leo's deminer altered to a more serious one.
"What of Kendrix? How's she doing?"
"Her condition is stable, but she is still unconscious. Compared to you, her wounds were deeper. Also, they've left scars due to their high penetration level of the skin. Luckily, the collarbone has been treated & after a couple of days should be feeling as close as to the way it was before the injuries."
"You both got struck by someone pretty hardly."
Kai took a step forward; his face was immersed in concern.
"Leo, did you manage to see, who did this to you?"
For a minute, the Red Ranger tried to recall the encounter. The quartet surrounding his bed stayed silent for the duration of it.
"No. I couldn't tell you, who it was."
"It's fine. The most important part is that you're active again."
Maya swiftly took a look at the other standing beings.
"I would like to be left alone with Leo if you don't mind."
"Fine. Just remember…"
"…He has to remain in the hospital for at least 6 more hours." – the Yellow Ranger finishes the female nurse's sentence.
"Precisely."
She was the 1st to begin her departure.
"Don't worry, Leo. Stanton has placed guards at the door. No one is coming here unannounced."
"Will they be enough?" – Leo asked with a tint of worry, anxiety behind the voice.
"We too aren't going to be far from this room. In case of an attack, we'll interject in time." – Kai reassured their group's leader.
In a couple of minutes the room was only occupied by Leo & Maya.
Shortly after.
"Now…"
Suddenly, the Yellow Ranger rearranged her body, began to lower her ass & thighs on Leo's bed. The male swiftly read her intention; wiggled his legs more to one side.
"…we can get personal."
"Where do you want to start,… Angel?"
The word he used to address the Human female exploded a bomb of excitement within her. A wide smile soon flourished in the World.
"Someone's been working?"
"A higher tier of fondness. Wouldn't you say?"
"Oh… so… much."
Victorious cheers were going off within Leo's mind. Maya slowly placed her hand on his right foot, started to brush it through the sheet, which was an intermediary between the Humans' fleshes.
"How about with my new outfit? Do I look… alluring…in it?"
Leo carefully examined the object in question. Relationships are a fragile matter; especially – the ones that incorporate deep, physical interlocking. That is why the Red Ranger acted with the largest amount of concentration. At this brittle, short moment of his life, the mind had to be extremely contained.
"You clearly look more lively, Maya."
"That was what I was aiming for."
The brushing of the leg discontinued.
"Let us not forget…"
The male smiled.
"…that it is a means to an end."
Maya barely hesitated with a reply.
"Rest assured, Leo…"
Her voice let out so much passion into the World; she moved her head slowly to his. Only stopping when their lips were in touching distance of each other.
"…that's what we'll be doing as soon as you're allowed to leave this room."
She initiated a deep, powerful kiss with him. Leo simply matched the intensity.
In the wide corridor outside Leo's Recovery Room. While allowing privacy between Maya & Leo, Kai had an incoming call from the Commander. He argued that an urgent meeting between the two of them must be held. The Asian decent male was at odds with what upcoming action he should take. On one hand, he did not want to leave a hospitalized Leo in a high risk situation. Yes, there were two military men around the entrance into his room. Alas, Kai's insight was perfect in this case – the two males would be out of commission in merely a swipe by Scorpius's henchman or a golden armored warrior. On the other hand, the trust angled at Commander Stanton wasn't weak. Would he really be calling him if it the topic had not been deemed serious enough? That was where Kai's mind landed on.
Taking some time to think about it, he notified Damon of the need to leave. The Green Ranger did not hold back his displeasure about the decision the Blue Ranger came to. At that moment, the two males' backgrounds created an arguable barrier. Still, they had a kind enough goodbye.
"I must advise you to be less active in the next few hours."
Damon kept his mouth shut; Nurse Sherilva continued her take on his health condition.
"The hit can still create negative effects to your well-being."
Fairly abnormally, the male showed a small, glistering smile.
"I appreciate your concern, Mis Sherilva, but we're tasked with protecting this Space station from any outside enemies. If one arrives in, let us say, 3 hours' time, then I would have to step onto the battlefield."
"It is a difficult state to be in. I desire not to see you back here with another wound."
"Relax. I'll be cautious." – Damon nonchalantly voiced.
His approach to the potentially dangerous reality was effecting the mocha brown skinned female. Subconsciously, more than most people tended to. That might have been the reason she waited more than a minute before stating:
"Well,…"
Slow movement of the left hand was initiated; the male simply watched how everything would unfold. Soon enough, the Nurse presented the Green Ranger with a snow white, half the size of a normal Human fist card.
"…if you ever want to get together when you're not being treated, then you'll know how to contact me."
The way she presented the card made Damon feel impolite if he did not take it with him. After the card had safely landed inside his jacket's pocket, the female added:
"Off hospital grounds, I'd like to you to call me by my name – Khadija."
The male just expressed even more cheerfulness, giggled a bit.
"Alright, Lady Khadija. I'll keep it in mind."
"You'd better,… Damon."
The way the hospital employee addressed the patient was spicy, indirect, even cryptic. It seemed as if she was pushing the Universe to piece together a scenario which she would incredibly enjoy. A gesture of fate.
Two hours later. The water vapor dominated atmosphere of a flat planet experienced sudden loud, strong winds. More than likely, they were caused by a high power manufacturing engine. A substantial object nestled itself onto the surface; a hydraulicly operated, low height, major width metal rectangle popped out from the side and in a diagonal trajectory intensely slammed into the ground. A group of at least 20 beings stepped onto the metal rectangle; in unisons made their way off it. As soon as everyone was off it, a person said:
"Remember the 1st option, men."
"Negotiation."
"Precisely. Professor,…"
The person looked at the addressed being.
"…you'll be walking with me in the front."
"Understood, Great One."
"Then move out."
The group began their voyage on the surface.
Less than an hour later. There was a conversation going on in a red & orange hue dominated area.
"Then remind me – what is your goal?!"
"Destruction of the Rangers & the capture of the Quasar sabers."
"Good! Be ready! You'll be on their Space station in an hour." – a figure angrily expressed.
Somewhere else.
"Nice try, Delanfa,…"
The yellow haired, peak beauty female tumbled several steps forward. She immediately straightened her back, turned around & got back into a fighting stance. A spiraling bandage went down both her arms from the lower knuckle to about half of the forearm.
"…but you'll require something more to bruise me."
The brown haired female Demigod positioned herself in an identical stance to her Esteem bishop about 3 meters (~10 ft) away. She had clipped her shade transforming, smooth brown hair, so that it would not move exponentially to either side in strokes. Confinement was the goal. Rather than wear the same clothes from her sprawl with Nemesis, Euphrosyne wore an almost identical clothe to a one piece swimsuit. The only noteworthy difference being the tightness around the lower front erogenous zone; it was a tiny amount less hard, but still nestled effortlessly on her soft skin. With the way the fabric was cut around the upper thighs, it completed the elegant, arc form 'Y' that raised any peak physical female's attractiveness. Color wise, the swimsuit radiated obsidian black with crimson red rectangles placed in a diagonal way on the sides. The Demigod also had bandages at the same spot as the Esteem Bishop.
Suddenly, Delanfa lunged at Euphrosyne. A fast succession of punches aimed at the collarbone and up did not land at least once. The obsidian black wearer spun around graciously to the side, avoided the hits and hit the blonde female in her left shoulder. The speed – miraculous; the damage – similar. That being proven by the fact that a single punch sent Delanfa moving in chaotic circles down to the ground. A thumping sound echoed through the area.
"Combat practice has finished."
Euphrosyne expressed pleasure with a teeth showing, lip stretching grin. Swiftly after, walked over to the pain feeling Delanfa.
"I trust I didn't break your shoulder."
"No, My Queen. It'll just be… dark colored… for a while."
"Glad to hear, Delanfa. Take a shower, get dressed properly and come to our dining place in an hour."
The blonde female reluctantly rose up from the ground and stated:
"Understood. I'll be there."
A nod and strolling away were performed.
Back at the hospital. The eligible to move Ranger trio circled around several seats on the opposite end of Leo's Recovery Room's door. Obviously, Damon & Maya had talked far more with each other than either with Kai; the Green Ranger even managed to stifle his hunger in the time the Blue Ranger was out of the building. The intense, sometimes mind overwhelming relationship between Maya & Leo made it almost impossible for her to be far away from him. There was also the threat of the golden armored foes. Their particular aspects were being discussed right now.
"I don't know if they're Scorpius's men or not, but I'm certain of one thing."
Damon aimed his eyes at Kai.
"These guys don't play around & are insanely coordinated."
"That much is true." – the Blue Ranger retorted lamely.
"We'll have to train even harder if we've got any chance of thwarting them again." – the female noted.
"I'm with you, Maya. It's just we can't really afford to leave Leo or Kai alone in the hospital."
"You honestly believe they will strike here?"
"That is where my unknowing comes in, Kai."
He outstretched his hands to the sides; protruding quite unmistakably the idea of 'I'm lost'. The action did raise the Yellow Ranger's delight level slightly.
Suddenly, their communicators started going off.
"Rangers! There is alien activity in one of the parks."
"We'll see to it, Commander."
"Good luck. Stanton out."
The trio shift their line of sight to a point where each sees the other two.
"Well, look at the bright side, they're not attacking this building."
"Which puts far less restrictions on us getting rid of our enemies."
"Let's get going."
The 'Chosen Ones' ran off down the hallway.
About 30 minutes later.
"Don't worry. They'll be here soon."
"Furio!" – a person shouted.
Scorpius's General shimmied his body a bit, noticed several beings running towards him.
"See. They've arrived."
Damon, Kai & Maya come to an abrupt stop close to 30 meters (~ 98 ft) apart from Furio and his companions. The blue skinned male could not miss the fact that there were only 3 Rangers present. Yet, he did not stay on such an idea for long. Scorpius wanted the Rangers gone; does not make much of a difference how much will be gone through one encounter. The breeze around the battlefield had its way for a minute. Then Furio stated:
"This is Elanza!"
He aimed his sword at the person to his right.
"She'll be your executioner today."
The sword came back close to his body.
"Sadly, I've got to leave."
In a split second, red lightening appeared & Scorpius's General vanished from the Rangers' sight. Said group had successfully scanned the members of the fight. There was the afore mentioned Elanza with about 20-30 Stingwingers behind her. Out of the trio, Maya felt the most confident in her ability to be victorious today. Not really a surprise, considering how she conducted herself in the fight with Euphrosyne's Esteem Bishop Mekasta.
Kai decided to take a step. Therefore, he now made his body the main point of the Rangers, since he created an arrow representing stance with him at the tip of it.
"I'll get Elanza, while you handle the Stingwingers."
The Yellow Ranger was not eager to accept such a tactic from the Blue Ranger. It all came down to the disparity in priorities. While the flame orange dressed female valued the salvation of suffering creatures or the defenseless, case in point – the time she showed the highest initiative to free the Galactic Beasts, she barely valued authority debriefs. Said particular type of meeting was exactly where Kai was today. So, did the Rangers have an argument before a battle? No. The Asian decent male's specific voicing of the tactic was what kept the female's existing discontent hidden. Damon encompassed no displeasure in himself for what or how Kai presented his idea. For him, the most important aspect was that all of them were completely focused on the fight.
"Then let's suit up." – Damon proposed.
"Great thinking. It'll make this battle less hard."
Within a millisecond, the trio screamed:
"Go Galactic!"
The trio transformed into their Ranger outfits, grabbed with immense force and speed their Quasar sabers and charge at Scorpius's forces.
"Charge!" – Elanza shouted.
Not even taking a minute, the two sides clashed.
5 minutes in. Maya's & Kai's gained combat experience from their battle in the Steel factory was paying dividends in the confrontation with Scorpius's forces. Out of the 20-30 Stingwingers, less than 20% were still breathing. Maya had dispatched her ones quicker than Damon had his, so naturally, she ran over to assist him in dismantling the remaining ones, who were in his proximity. Kai was more than adequately holding his ground against Elanza; said female's frustration with not hitting the Blue Ranger grew as a diagonal line upwards. Suddenly, their blades interlocked.
"I'll destroy for Emperor Scorpius."
"I don't think so. I've got to much at stake to lose to you."
The whole encounter with Scorpius's forces this time around was bizarrely calling out uncharacteristic behavior from Kai. Possibly, the clash was just an ignition of a spark; meaning, the reason for his radical shift occurred prefight.
The Blue Ranger broke the deadlock and swiftly struck a blow to Elanza by cutting a significant way into her upper waist.
"Ahhh!"
She had to back-pedal; this incited courage within the male. So, he landed two more swipes at her; even resulting in her losing her sword.
"You're done."
The fourth and final hit proved to be decisive; Elanza exploded in the coming few seconds. Commendably, the Ranger duo had just gotten rid of the last of the Stingwingers. With no more rational reason to be in their transformed form, they powered down & met up in a circle.
"We did it." – Damon joyfully stated.
"That we did."
Maya crafted a medium sized smile.
"Also, we learnt a crucial detail today."
"Yeah?... Come on and tell us then."
His demeanor got more serious.
"The yellow armored beings & that female at the Steel factory aren't Scorpius's forces."
Since the duo were silent, Kai continued his train of thought.
"Look, how comparably easily we dispatched of the Stingwingers & their Commander."
"Different tier enemy."
"Different level." – Damon voiced.
"We'll get the news to our wounded friends about this."
"Speaking of which, we should get back to the hospital."
The seemingly genuine care that Kai showed just now pleased Maya. Maybe the despair in priorities was overblown; maybe not.
"Sounds logical to me. Let's move."
With Damon leading the way, the Rangers darted from their spot.
On board a space ship.
"Furio! I've got a mission for you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Our scouts have found far stretching, hazardous activity on a planet. I want it dealt with. As soon as possible."
Scorpius made his position on the matter at hand clear.
"I'll get to it right now."
"As you should, Furio."
The blue skinned male walked off into the shadows.
At the Palace. A specific room was devolved of any noticeable sound; only the slight air fluctuation was traceable. The feel of the area was a retrospective one. Most likely, any person within the room would recollect about past events, whether they be close or far back. The ethereal, celestial calmness could engulf anybody in a trance state.
"Mesmerizing. Truly, a revelation of a century."
The brown haired female Demigod was admiring her half naked body in front of a mirror which captured it in all of its glory.
"We are so unique, gorgeously grown, extraordinarily capable."
Euphrosyne shifted 90 degrees; reason – appreciation of the side view.
"What genetics can accomplish! Astounding. I first thought of that several years ago and my view hasn't altered till now."
The oak wood eyes immersed themselves in an examination from the ground to the ceiling.
"My brother was the staunchest of all of us about the separation of Humans."
A repositioning to a frontal view.
"He genuinely could not support the idea of equality after years of research. When our parents challenged him on that specific view, his lust for categorization and a rational hierarchy within society exploded."
She showed an honest, cheerful smile.
"Respect to you, Crius. We are definitely of an ultra-advanced breed."
Swiftly the entire atmosphere of the room changed – calmness was substituted by energetic movement.
At least a dozen minutes forward. The Esteem Bishop greeted her Queen with an evenly paced bow. The latter female glanced at the former one. The clothes were proper for the occasion.
"Let's stifle our hunger."
"After you."
They walked over to a tabletop, each took a plate of food for themselves. They thanked the cook for the preparation of the cuisine. Quickly, the females sat down at a beige, 4 seat table.
There was no speaking until at least half of their portion was done. Natural chain of events. One reason being the impoliteness of speaking with a full mouth; that is where the high standard upholding from Euphrosyne came in. Another reason – no need to rush. Neither the female Demigod, nor her loyalist had voiced any urgent news.
"Have you gotten any word from Mekasta?" – Euphrosyne suddenly inquired.
"No, my Queen. She hasn't sent me any message since her departure for the Human Space station."
An inkling became visible in her mind sphere; unfortunately, it hinted at a negative outcome.
"Do you believe that she should have finished her task by now?"
"If she had no interruption on her voyage, then yes."
Delanfa's outlook on the situation pleased her.
"The by your logic and the question I presented you, I'm safe in assuming that she has failed to accomplish her mission."
The blonde haired female felt a rise in sadness, fear and compassion. Yet, her retort was going to be genuine.
"You would be right, my Queen."
The oak wood eyes start to give off waves of cunningness, callousness.
"I appreciate your honesty, Delanfa, but you do realize that I have to be proactive on her defeat."
"Your worried about your commitment to you?"
"How foresightful. You've already made the presumption that she's alive and being questioned by the Humans about our whole society."
"My gut is hinting at that. I won't go in direct opposition to it." – the blonde haired female calmly voiced.
At that moment, another female came in from the right side of the Demigod. Said being knew the identity of the newcomer.
"Lady Euphrosyne."
"Warrior Yves. I trust there is reason for your appearance here."
"That there is."
She waked over to the table in a slightly higher pace than her usual one, sat down at the table to the right of Delanfa.
"Nemesis has important information to convey to you."
The inkling that Crius's sister had before became even more trustworthy. Before allowing Nemesis's loyalist to continue, a couple of minutes of eating were concluded. Delanfa did not hesitate to join said activity.
Afterwards, the smartness attributed Demigod slowly angled her face, so that she could observe both females on the other side of the table. She enacted the classic 'deeply intrigued mastermind' act – elbows on the table, fingers intercrossed, a stable triangle shape, on which top the chin rested. Anticipation of the future was prominent within Euphrosyne's emotional state.
"I'm listening, Yves."
"Nemesis's ally witnessed Mekasta's apprehension by the Humans. In addition, they appeared to be leading her to a detention facility."
"Alright. Have you any idea… where said facility lays?"
The softness at which the Demigod spoke definitely had ulterior motives behind it.
"Sadly, that information eluded the ally."
Euphrosyne waited for about a minute before giving a response. A showing of cowardice or insecurity was what she appreciated not to see.
"Give my thanks to my cousin."
"Will do, Lady Euphrosyne."
She was ready to go before an intervention:
"No."
Obviously, the newly arrived female repositioned her body back at the table. Knowing possible repercussions is a preferable quality.
"My reputation will already trend downward to Mekasta's inability to acquire at least one Quasar saber."
Suddenly, she broke off her pose and made a subtle vicious grin.
"I must take action and… since both of you are involved in this… endeavor, I'm going to have to rely on you to achieve the objective."
"I'm ready for the briefing, my Queen." – Delanfa expressed in a rapid fashion.
"What of you, Yves? Up for some… infiltration and sightseeing?"
Rather than answer immediately with little addition, she acted the opposite way. An enigmatic smile appeared before a reply in a nonchalant, calm way:
"Nemesis approves of your tactic, Lady Euphrosyne. She merely expresses a desire in correspondence to this mission."
"Really? What does she crave?"
"That you allow Denirium to come with me & Delanfa."
Euphrosyne quickly analyzed the facts surrounding this ordeal. Sending a trio of experienced warriors dominated by her purple haired cousin, could be seen as an even larger dismissal of her ability to develop sufficient fighters. On the other hand, refusing Nemesis involvement in the mission can create even more turmoil amongst themselves. Add the Crius-Rhea conflict to it and you one might secure a perception of arrogant power grabbing from every single one of them.
"I'll welcome Denirium onto the mission. He and Horacio have not seen each other in a while."
"So I'm safe in stating that the 4 of us we'll be participating?"
"Sink that view into your mind, Deer Yves."
"I'll do just that, Lady Euphrosyne."
The brown haired female wiggled just a bit in her seat before continuing.
"So,…here's the plan."
In the meantime. On the flat, water vapor dominated atmosphere planet the group were marching in a pace set by the hickory brown eyed Demigod. He & Professor Eyelawn had immersed themselves in the conversation of the value of the Scroll.
"There is evidence for such a position, Great One."
"That is the magnificent outcome I want to witness, Professor. Though, this is still not the final step in the journey."
"No it is not."
Finally, Crius managed to attain a good enough view of what was in front of him.
"Halt!"
Everybody stopped; Crius let the eyes process the sighting a minute more. When the conclusion was concrete, the Demigod stated:
"It's an inhabited place, fellow Scroll seekers. Everyone be diligent and ready to change their approach in an instance. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Then onward."
The group began to move again.