NOVPUB"We've secured theve, Mira," the Chimaeric Demon said. The clone was visibly tired, and its voice was weary. Most likely because of thenstant fighting he had to go through with his brothers to clear the area.
"We lost some brothers in the process, but the immediate surroundings are now safe."
Mira nodded. "I'm sorry…"
Every loss hurt—the Chimaeric Demons' numbers had already dwindled so drastically during the ocean crossing.
"Don't be. We knew what we were getting into when the master asked us tome here."
"Still, I wish weuld have saved more of you," Mira said softly, her eyes downcast.
The clone's expression softened. "Each of us knows the value of sacrifice, Mira. The master taught us that. Our fallen brothers died protecting what matters most—the mission and all of you."
"Your loyalty ki—" Mira started, but the clone cut her off.
"Our loyalty gives us purpose and bonds…"
Mira sighed. She wished there was something more sheuld do, but unless she got more neural links, there was not much sheuld really help with.
Besides, her brain crystal was weak. It had very little mana, so Mirauld not exert a lot of might. If she wanted to get past that, she needed neural links that not only would make her powers more efficient but also make her physically stronger.
Without more neural links to match the thaids' strength, she was helpless.
"So…What about the shelter? We didn't lose people just for us to have failed making it, right?"
"The shelter ismplete," the clone said. "We built it not too deep inside the ave, but far enough that the thaids outside won't be able to reach or spot us. The rock walls provide goodver. We've also fortified the entrance and created multiple escape routes, but there's something you need to see."
June stepped in. It followed thenversation between Mira and the clone since he more often than not had to help them with whatever they were doing.
"What is it?" he asked.
The clone paused, looking worried. Something was bothering him, and he didn't really know how to say his next words.
His brothers standing nearby had the samencerned look on their faces.
"Thevennects to a cave system. We have yet to start our search, but at first glance, we already found signs of previous human occupation."
"Blackguards?"
The clone shook his head.
"We don't know," he said. "We are keen on thinking they aren't."
Amber joined them, catching the last part of theirnversation. "Is this recent?"
The clone shook its head. "Not apparently. That's the point…"
Amber was a littlenfused. There had been human presence, but not from the Blackguards. It wasn't a weird thing on Mur, which was oncentrolled by humans. Remnants of the ancient civilization living hereuld be found everywhere, based on the information they stole from the blackguards, so it made sense to find some skeleton or ancient artifact. But then why was the clone so worried?
The lack of recent activity should have been wemed with open arms. After losing so many brothers to the thaids during their brief stay on Mur, any positive news was clutched like a lifeline.
That the signs of human habitation were old rather than fresh meant one less immediate threat to worry about.
"Why the long face?" Amber asked.
The clone sighed. "Because it looks like they were fleeing from something…"
That didn't surprise Amber yet.
"Ofurse they did; if they died in a cave, they were likely trying to escape from the thaids."
Mira nodded, but the clone's next word made her freeze.
"I would agree with you if they weren't fleeing from something inside the caves."
That changed everything because it meant there might be something inside the caves, which were already infested with thaids.
Ancient humans had no way to oppose the thaids. They had no brain crystal power, after all, but if Erik's experiences taught Amber and the others something, it was that things like this usually meant something scary was, or at least had been, in these caves.
"Thatmplicates things," Mira said. "But let's be honest. We can't allow this to be a setback. These caves are our only chance to survive. They provide better protection than staying outside, and going deeper will only make things better. There is no way we are going to leave our current position," she said. "I think we should explore the tunnels." 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Mira sighed. "If there are thaids living deeper inside, they'll eventually find us. It will be better to deal with them on our terms and before they can find our base or gang up on us."
"I don't know. It's too risky," Amber said. "We've already lost so many clones. The cavesuld be massive, withuntless branching tunnels. Eachuld hide thaids we're not equipped to handle, and since we are on Mur, it means the probability is high."
It wasn't like Mira didn't take this into aunt, but based on experience, most of the time, it was just bug-like thaids that stayed in caves. They were weakmpared to other thaids. Sure, they would be powerfulmpared to theirunterparts on Mannard, but they would still be weakmpared to the thaids on Mur, which meant they were weak enough for them to be able to handle them.
"That's exactly why we need tontrol it," Mira said. "Right now, we're still too exposed. Yes, we've fortified this position, but what happens when something bigger stumbles upon us? What happens if somethingmes here searching for shelter from an even worse thaid? The caves give us options—multiple escape routes, defensive positions, maybe even supplies left by the previous occupants—and when Erikmes, a huge space to prepare for our journey through this damnntinent. We need Chimaeric Demons if we want to bring the blackguards down, and space is needed."
Amber shook her head. "Theyuld be death traps. Think about it, Mira. If other humans used these caves before and still didn't survive, there might be something dangerous even for the clones here! We're exhausted; our numbers are depleted. We need to play this safe!"
"Which is precisely why we can't stay here," Mira said.
"Weuld end up trapping ourselves," Amber said. "If something follows us in there, we'd have nowhere to run."
Mira placed a hand on Amber's shoulder. "We're already trapped on thisntinent. At least in the caves, wentrol the battlefield. We can set up choke points and establish fall-back positions. Out here, we're at the mercy of anything that attacks, and that is true even where we made our shelter. Trust me on this, Amber. I've done this job for years before meeting Erik. I know what I'm talking about."
June and Emily approached the group, having overheard the heated discussion. Emily watched the exchange between Mira and Amber with visiblencern, while June maintained a stoic demeanor.
He didn't want to take part in the discussion, especiallynsidering both women had good points.
Yet what the clones said made him think. A cave system with human remains. It was like a situation Erik went through in the past, and the clones knew it. That made it so that all of Erik's clones, June included, were actually keen on exploring the place, rather than turtle up the position they alreadynquered.
June cleared his throat. "There's another reason to explore those caves. Something more important than just finding shelter." His eyes met Amber's.
"Think about why Erik came to Mur in the first place. If there are human bodies down there, and if they were running from something from within the cave, there might be structures down there; they might bennected to the Silver Line Corporation."
Everyone fell silent after June's words. Mira had alreadynsidered this possibility, and while Amber had too, she remained hesitant about entering the caves. Still, June's reminder made them all think about the chance of finding a Silver Linerporation's lab here and what it would mean for Erik.
The Chimaeric Demons exchanged meaningful glances with each other. If even their elder brother thought about this chance, it meant they were right.
Amber turned to face the clone who'd reported about the caves. "You knew about this possibility, didn't you? Why didn't you mention it earlier?" Her voice wasn't accusatory, just questioning.
The clone shifted umfortably. "It's just a theory, Amber. Given our current numbers and the dangers we've already faced..." He glanced at his remaining brothers. "We didn't want to push for such a risky expedition without everyone's input. If we're mistaken, weuld lose more lives for nothing."
"But if you're right," Mira said, "we might find exactly what Erik came here to find out."
"Rushing in without proper preparationuld be deadly," the clone insisted. "I didn't plan on hiding this from you, just to discuss the situation properly, before taking a decision."
