Chapter 197 Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Chapter 197
(Xander’s POV)

I waited for the Dragon to get distracted before I made a run for it. 

I ran like I'd never before in my life. The cavern was almost fully collapsed by now.

It felt like a dream when I ran past the dragon's open mouth. I heaved a sigh of relief as I heard a loud crash just as I got out. The impact had me flying into the distance but I crossed my arm over the Horn of Vielor, making sure it did not as much as sustain a scratch.

I had seen what happened when the Horn got damaged and It would be disastrous if I let that happen.

I heaved a sigh of relief as I raised the horn to observe it for any damage, thankfully there was nothing.

I still felt surreal holding the object in my arm. I saw a portal and leaped into it, not quite sure where it led to.

I stumbled on dirt as soon as my foot landed on the ground.

I looked around and it was just the place I needed to be. The Genie's home.

I spotted a backpack laying on the ground and I grabbed it, placing the horn in it carefully. I know the rule said not to touch anything, but I couldn't risk someone taking this horn from me.

I walked closer, past the glowing jewels, the gems and gold and as I got closer, Atlas’ laughter filled my ear, followed by that of the genie's.

That was odd.

The person I wanted to save seemed to be enjoying his captor’s company.

“Did you hear that?” The genie stopped talking abruptly. 

“No.” Atlas responded. “Are you sure it's not your stomach grumbling?”

They both cackled loudly.

Instantly, I slipped behind a tall chest of gold.

“It's odd that you have all these jewels and yet you're always hungry.” Atlas said, and they both roared with laughter.

I shifted to be more discreet, but my bag hit a large emerald and the sound of the horn meeting with the emerald created an audible clang.

The Genie's laughter quickly died down. “No, but seriously, I need to go see what's going on. Don't want any of my belongings getting stolen.”

With that he glided, but thankfully away from my direction and toward the entrance of his realm.

As soon as I was sure he was far away, I came out of my hiding place and ran silently toward where Atlas was.

Atlas almost cried with relief as soon as he saw me. 

I made a sign for him to keep quiet.

“How could you leave me here with him, cap!” He looked like he wanted to smack me on the head.

“He tricked me. He told me he would let you go if I passed the second quest. I did and he didn't fulfill his promise.” I quickly explained, my eyes darting around so that he wouldn't walk in on us. “How are you doing? You seem to enjoy his company.”

“Are you kidding me?” Atlas’ exclaimed. “He's been killing me with dad jokes and boring riddles.”

“Seriously?” It wasn't as bad as almost getting fried by a dragon. “I need to get you out of here.”

Atlas' eyes drifted to my bag, and they widened. “Did you get the Horn of Vielor?”

I nodded. “I also got more Mooncrest Seals… just in case.”

Atlas eyed me with disbelief. “Can I see it?”

Opening up the backpack, I brought out the horn for Atlas to look at, followed by the Mooncrest Seals.

He kept looking at the Horn. 

“What's the problem?” I asked.

“It's just… I feel like I've seen that horn somewhere before.” Atlas furrowed his brows.

I almost laughed. Was he kidding? “There's only one of these in the world. It's pretty important although I'm not quite sure what it's useful for.”

“No. I'm serious,” Atlas furrowed his brows in thought. “I've seen th- Ah ha!”

“What?” I asked, looking around for the genie.

Atlas walked toward a smaller pile of jewels, and as he dug through, he retrieved a horn that looked almost identical to the Horn of Vielor… almost. 

He handed it over to me. “See? You just waited your time and nearly died when we could have just taken one from here.”

I looked at the pile and indeed there were a couple of other faux Horns of Vielor. What was it with this genie and decoys?

“Its not the same,” I explained to Atlas, scratching it with my nails until the black paint came off. “This is fake. It only looks real to someone who had not studied the real one.”

“Whatever. I'm keeping it,” Atlas said and I almost smacked him. 

“What? Finder's keepers,” he shrugged.

“No,” I collected the faux Horn and dropped it on the pile. “This was the reason you were captured in the first place. Stealing.”

“It's only stealing when you're caught,” Atlas protested.

“Did you miss me?” I heard the genie approaching and my eyes widened with terror as I stared at Atlas. What are we going to do? The genie was coming from the entrance.

“I… I think I have a plan.”

–---------------

The vile shard crystal expired as soon as we got farther into the cave.

“That was,” I thought for a word. “Incredible! How did you…”

“The genie,” Atlas smirked. “I can't believe I'm using his own trick against him.

Let's just hope The Genie doesn't come back looking for us.

“So, where to next?” Atlas asked me.

The Horn. I still didn't know what exactly it was used for.

“We need to go back to the pyramid and find Athaliah,” I said.

She was the only one who would know what to do next.