59. Source of the Luminox Core

59. Source of the Luminox Core
A scream echoed sharply, bouncing off the stone walls as something from the darkness suddenly yanked Princess Kaelish’s body with terrifying speed. Aelion immediately drew his sword—its silver gleam flickering between the shadows—and leaped forward, diving into the descending tunnel after her.
Aelfric and Eldorin rushed in behind him, while Liuz stayed close to Rose, shielding her as she fearlessly followed them inside.

“Liuz! Hurry, help her!” Rose shouted.

Liuz gave a quick nod and moved faster, the surrounding air flickering faintly with energy.

The deeper they went, the more the light from the outside world faded. But when the narrow passage finally opened, they found themselves standing in a vast hidden chamber—an underground world untouched by time.

At the center of the cavern lay a small valley, vibrant and alive. Towering trees stretched upward with shimmering green leaves, and the walls were covered in soft blue bioluminescent moss, like thousands of tiny stars clinging to the stone. Crystal-clear water streamed through cracks in the rocks, casting a thin mist into the air.

But the beauty ended abruptly.

A pitch-black creature—a kraken-like being with crawling, shadowy limbs—was coiled around Princess Kaelish’s body. Its many fanged mouths twitched hungrily, ready to devour her.

“Princess Kaelish!” Aelion shouted.

The monster let out a guttural, echoing roar, one of its tendrils whipping forward to strike Aelion.

But Aelion was faster.

With a swift, weightless leap, he dashed forward. His sword rose, catching the soft blue glow of the moss-covered walls.

BRASHH!

One powerful strike severed the massive tendril gripping Kaelish. The creature shrieked, its body thrashing wildly, while Aelion caught Princess Kaelish before she could fall.

“You’re safe now. I’ve got you,” Aelion reassured her softly.

The creature lunged again, but Aelfric and Eldorin arrived just in time, each intercepting a different tentacle. Liuz flicked his fingers, and with his inner-force ability, he summoned Aelion’s fallen sword from the ground, catching it midair before slashing the creature’s head clean off.

Within seconds, the monster collapsed, then dissolved into a cloud of black mist that slowly vanished.

Rose ran forward, her face filled with relief.

“Princess Kaelish! Are you alright?”

Princess Kaelish nodded weakly, still clinging to Aelion.

“I… I thought I was going to die. Thank you, Aelion!” she exclaimed, immediately throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Rose froze at the sight, stunned, while Liuz gently tapped her shoulder, motioning her to step aside—clearly, she was just becoming the third wheel.

“Wow, looks like Aelion is really going to become the Princess’s consort!” Eldorin whispered to Aelfric.

“Could be! Come on, let’s leave them alone! We’re the saddest ones here anyway—single, unloved, completely miserable!” Aelfric pouted.

“You’re right! Time to care about ourselves!”

“By the way… what is this place?” Aelfric muttered, staring around in awe.

“This is nature’s masterpiece,” Eldorin replied.

Meanwhile, Liuz was still tinkering with his gadget. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he glanced at Rose.

“Look, Rose! Earth’s signal is back!” he said.

Rose immediately leaned in, the two of them examining the information that seemed comprehensible only to them.

“There’s a massive living energy here, Rose! We’re going home!” Liuz exclaimed.

“That crystal is here—quick, find its exact location!”

“It’s not just the crystal. The energy here is beyond anything you imagined! This is the primary source of the Luminox Core!” Liuz answered.

“What are you two talking about?” Aelion asked as he approached Princess Kaelish.

“The crystal has been located! Its coordinates are over there!” Liuz pointed ahead.

“Let’s go!” Rose urged.

Liuz took the lead and everyone followed, flying between the towering trees. At the center of the underground forest, they found a pool of shimmering water—and right above it floated a golden-blue glowing crystal.

“Eternal energy! It’s right there, Rose! Our research finally paid off!” Liuz said, unable to hide his excitement.

Rose nodded, her eyes shining. “At last… we finally found it.”

The two of them flew forward, with Aelion, Kaelish, Eldorin, and Aelfric following behind.

But only a few meters closer…

DUUUM!!

It felt as if they crashed into something solid and invisible.
Rose stumbled back with a soft grunt, Aelfric fell flat onto the ground while whining dramatically, and even Liuz staggered in confusion.

“Wh–what was that?” Rose muttered, rubbing her nose that had turned red from the impact.

Liuz pressed his palm against the empty space before them. The air pulsed, revealing faint ripples—like water forced to freeze into an invisible wall.

“There’s a barrier… a protective shield. And it’s extremely strong,” Liuz said, his voice turning serious.

“An ancient magic barrier? How can something like this exist here? Did an aetherin come here long before us?” Eldorin murmured while studying the shimmering surface.

Aelfric tried stabbing it with his sword. The glowing blade hit the invisible wall and instantly bounced off, sending a vibration trembling through the air.

“It’s incredibly strong!”

Princess Kaelish examined it closely, her expression tightening.

“A barrier like this… I think I’ve seen it before.”

Before anyone could say another word—

Footsteps echoed slowly from between the trees.

From between the trees emerged a tall figure—a man with long silver hair and deep blue eyes, as dark as a starless night. His black cloak was adorned with silver patterns resembling the royal insignia of Aeonspire.

He walked with elegant confidence, authority radiating from each step. Then, with a smug expression, he spoke.

“Of course you’ve seen it before. I’m the one who created it.”

“Sylfaris! What are you doing here? And—you stole my crystal, didn’t you?” Princess Kaelish snapped.

“Stole your crystal? You’re the one who stole it. This crystal belongs to nature, not to you,” he retorted sharply.

“You! Open the barrier right now! I only need a little of the energy!”

“No. Even if you beg, I won’t grant your request! Besides, why did you even put it in your palace? For that ridiculous display of yours? Just admit it—you only wanted to lure young men to add to your little collection, didn’t you?” Sylfaris accused, clearly well-acquainted with his cousin’s habits.

“I… did not!” Kaelish looked at Aelion, while Aelion glanced back at her as if silently admitting that Sylfaris’s words could be true.

“Aelion, it’s not like he says! I am a dignified princess! You must believe me!”

“I do. And besides, I don’t require an explanation, Princess.” Aelion replied, lowering his gaze as if unwilling to continue speaking to her.

“Sylfaris! Honestly! Since when have I ever collected men? You’re making things up!” Kaelish protested, clearly fighting for her reputation.

“Aren’t you the one who always takes everything I like? Collecting them and storing them inside your palace? Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten,” Sylfaris shot back.

Aelfric, Eldorin, and Rose exchanged bewildered looks.
So behind all of this… there was just childish family drama.

Their bickering hadn’t even ended when suddenly—

Blubb… Blubb…

An odd sound came from Liuz, who had been tinkering with the barrier the whole time. He had constructed some sort of magnetic-frame device, forming a perfect square opening—just big enough for someone to pass through.

“Rose! I did it!” he announced proudly, completely ignoring Prince Sylfaris, the original creator of the barrier.

“Hey, you! How dare you!” Sylfaris pointed at Liuz. “You actually broke through my barrier!”