Chapter 13: Spirits

The breath felt mellowed, comfy, inconspicuous, but behind it was a presence that made Admiral Hamumni’s little heart pulsate. “We should not be the ones to disturb what’s down there, elder sister Beking”. She retreated from the Heavy Water Pool’s bank in both demeanor an steps.

Being able to read Admiral Hamumni for all her life, General Beking trusted her judgment and gave up the further exploration of this particular Heavy Water Pool. “Let’s go to the other pool. I want you to examine them, too”.

“What about Kikon and the others? They will arrive by then”.

General Beking mused before she answered. “I have an idea ... Can you assess the strength of the thing inside the pool?”

Looking back at the Heavy Water Pool and finding her heartbeat getting higher again, Admiral Hamumni gnashed her teeth. “Even Kikon at his mightiest did not petrify me. That is to say, it should be at least as strong as a Heavenly Immortal. How is that factor in your idea?”

“In favor of it. However, if I’m correct then it will also put not just us but also Logan, Northstar, Kikon and Silternjan in a difficult position ... Lieutenant General Hadida”.

“Yes, General”.

“We are leaving to check the other Heavy Water Pools. Put a halt to the excavation in the Down Ocean and return to the Fourth Base to wait for further orders”.

“Yes, General”. Lieutenant General Hadida exited the range of General Beking’s and Admiral Hamumni’s protective undulation and by unseen means, similar undulation began to spread around her from her body before the mercury like seawater could do harm.

...

“Well?” General Beking asked, waiting for Admiral Hamumni’s conclusions of the second Heavy Water Pool they arrived to.

“No ... here I don’t sense a breath of anything, but the ice layer at the bottom of the pool is whitish. In my first inspection of them, I deduced that the ice layers of the Heavy Water Pools should be of the highest quality of icy attribute’s essence. Even in the Planetary Battalion it’d be a hard to obtain without proper connections. For its coloration to change from the crystalline blue to sickly white, something must be draining it bit by bit”. Admiral Hamumni contemplated with a frown.

“Was the ice layer in the previous pool the same?”

“No. Its essence seemed immaculate”.

“Let’s-”

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

A series of explosion interrupted General Beking. “They arrived”. She noted by the quantity of booms.

“What should we do?”

“Lead them to the next pool”. General Beking patted Admiral Hamumni’s delicate looking shoulder and with the same hand she brushed the water and directed her palm above.

In the Down Ocean no Soul Sense, of any kind, or communicator could properly function, hence General Beking shot a brown beam of mist energy that split the ocean like a beacon that would be dangerous to ignore.

“Come”. She told Admiral Hamumni and together they proceeded to the third Heavy Water Pool.

Almost a minute later...

Four figures plunged the periphery of the third Heavy Water Pool, greeted by the calm countenance of General Beking and Admiral Hamumni.

“The Godly Law Template verifies its existence for the first time since we found this planet and the two of you wondering in the opposite side of this tiny world...” Archbishop Silternjan’s aged mien studied the surrounding with a patent look. “Do you care to enlighten us four what discoveries have you made?” His gaze fell on the Heavy Water Pool and the blunt question came out naturally.

First of all, the four of them recalled the spot in which the brown beam of mist energy originated and knowing the layout of Golden Desert Fort’s territory in the Down Ocean, they realized that the pair drew them here from another Heavy Water Pool.

Secondly, since the subject related to their reason of being in this planet, they were bent on getting answers. From their perspective, General Beking and Admiral Hamumni had only their imprudent conduct to blame for making them come seek the two after the absence at the Earthly Crater.

“Of course, we won’t mind”. General Beking candidness caught the four unprepared and though their expression remained solid, a flicker of surprise in their eyes betrayed their thoughts. Not just they were stunned. Admiral Hamumni also did not expect General Beking to relay information, constructive or otherwise, so compliantly.

“You better not withhold or lie!” Horn Kikon grunted.

General Beking’s lips half stretched to a mocking smile before disregarding Horn Kikon and shifting to the other three. “Don’t be in a rush. In a moment all would be clear”. She turned to Admiral Hamumni. “Go on...”

Nodding, Admiral Hamumni approached the Heavy Water Pool’s bank and commenced the probing.

The four stood aside, without interfering. They all knew what Admiral Hamumni was doing. She was acknowledged as the cultivator with the highest understanding of the icy attribute on the planet. No one else could attempt the examination of the Heavy Water Pools to the same level of meticulousness.

Ten seconds later, Admiral Hamumni regrouped with the impatient posse. “It’s like the second pool”. She informed General Beking.

“Thought so...” General Beking said with a meaningful look that could not be deciphered as either happy or depressed. “Forget about the Godly Law Template”. She said coolly, despite being well aware of the contradictive responses the words will induce.

“Quickly elaborate”. General Logan snapped quick and for everyone, as for whatever more there was to say, not before they will have the full picture.