Chapter 3-12: Like Moths to the Flame
Time has passed, and the group is able to pick up all the fire lotuces from the area. Of course, everyone is exhausted after having to pick up all the flowers.
"Have we cleared the area?" Jamil questions.
"I think we've got them all," Briar says.
"I've done weeding before, but it still wears me out," Jamil says.
Deuce soon notices, "Um, guys? Professor Trein's still crouching on the ground over here…"
"He is?" Riddle asks.
Everyone looks to see Trein is not looking so well. He looks like he's in pain as he is still sitting down.
"You're right," Riddle says in concern.
He then asks, "Are you okay, Professor?"
"Back's too stiff... Can't get up…" Trein says in pain.
"Sheesh, a few weeds and you guys are cryin' uncle? The smallest kids would handle this kinda job back in the slums." Rigge says.
"I'm so worn out I don't even have the energy to get annoyed at your weird weeding flex…" Idia says.
"I'm with you guys," Epel says, "I used to do weeding all the time in the orchards back home… But these firelotuses have long, strong roots. They ain't no garden-variety weeds."
"Indeed they are not," Rook says, "Uprooting even one is an arduous task. You said that people eradicated these plants long ago. How did they achieve that feat?"
"Their methods have not been passed down in our lore. But considering how swiftly these flowers multiply, I doubt they did it by picking them one by one," Malleus says.
"To think a plant species could propagate so quickly even down here, with no sunlight. What a bothersome bloom," Riddle says.
The group soon begins looking around.
"I wonder where we are," Tanzanite asks.
"I don't know, but we'll find our way out," Jasper says.
"By the way, Briar, where's Trinket? I haven't seen her since what happened in the Lecture Hall?" Epel asks.
Briar looks up, "I think she's still hiding in my hair since the flowers bloom, knowing what they might do to her."
She calls out, "You can come out, Trinket, I think we got rid of the flowers for the time being."
Soon, Trinket sticks her head out from Briar's head.
"There she is. I guess the flowers weren't able to drain her magic because she was hidden," Riddle says.
Trinket tinks and bows her head, showing remorse on her face.
"I think Trinket is sorry that she ended up hiding and not helping us," Briar says.
"That's okay. I think it's actually for the best you hide. Your magic will drain away easily if you say out in the open," Riddle says.
Trinket still tinks in sadness.
"Trinket still wishes she could help," Briar says.
"Well, we could use some help finding the way out of wherever we ended up, so that's something she can do," Ruggie says.
Soon, Azul sees a light, "Ah, I see light at the end of the tunnel. I believe it leads outside."
"I'd like to find out where we are. Let us step outside and see," Malleus says.
The group walk through the tunnel and soon find themselves out of the tunnel where there is still moonlight and city light.
Grim cries out, "Mrah! The moon's so bright."
Seeing it, Riddle recognizes the place, "Oh, this is…"
"The same waterway we visited earlier today!" Sebek says.
"So we dropped from the Noble Bell lecture hall into the underground waterways," Malleus says.
"You're right," Briar says.
"Waterways?" Azul responds. He then remembers, "Oh, yes, I read that there's a network of underground channels across the whole city. So this is one of them. Noble Bell College looks to be right above us. If I were to hazard a guess… I would say Rollo kept the firelotuses prepared for his plan in this very waterway."
"Mm. He would have needed ample time and resources to revive an extinct flower. This area is concealed from view and close to the school. It would have been easy to hide the plants here. If this was where the flowers started growing, it would make sense that the waterway is teeming with them," Malleus says.
"IDK where Rollo got his hands on the seeds of an extinct plant… But boy, talk about a classic villain move! That guy does not disappoint," Idia says.
Suddenly the group begins to hear screaming coming from above, screams like, "What's with these flowers?! They just popped up outta nowhere!" "Someone, help! My family's covered in red flowers and they won't wake up!" "No, stay back! Aaah... AAAHHH!"
"I can hear the townsfolk screaming," Rook says.
"And it sounds like the entire city is in danger!" Sereia says, frightened.
"It's late. Most people would be winding down for the night. They were probably caught completely unawares," Jamil says.
"All the mages in town must be getting attacked... Argh, this is so frustrating!" Deuce says, frustrated.
And Silver says, "...I don't get it. Why is Rollo so angry with mages? Or maybe I should ask what happened to make him feel this way?"
"I wonder about that myself. Why does he feel that way," Briar says.
"How should we know? And why should we care?!" Sebek says, angrily, "Since he views mages with such disdain, doesn't that mean he hates himself? He's one of us too. Of course the logic of such a twisted human being would elude us!"
Then Azul says, "Given the depths of his hatred, I suppose the social was all a part of his diabolical scheme as well."
"...What?" Malleus questions.
Azul explains, "It only makes sense. While we don't know the reason why, Rollo clearly despises mages. He must've planned to use the firelotuses to disempower students from every arcane academy in one fell swoop. And we walked right into his trap, blissfully ignorant all the while."
Everyone remains silent, especially Malleus.
"Like moths to the flame, huh," Idia says, "From where Rollo was standing, we must've looked like a bunch of brainless worms."
"Yes. As much as it chagrins me to admit… He was right. We were complete and utter fools," Azul says.
Then Idia says, "Okay, but, like… I kinda think...he was targeting Malleus from the start. And it's not just Malleus, Rollo is targeting."