"Lord Phoenix!" All the cloaked individuals bowed as soon as the man wearing the silver mask spoke.
Lord Phoenix nodded and said, "All of you must have received certain gifts from me today. Am I right?"
The cloaked individuals silently glanced at each other before slowly nodding.
"Good. Now immediately start working on our mission using the gifts I sent and tell me the best case under which we can complete our mission. I won't entertain if things get delayed, which I am sure won't happen as you all are people holding great power and status in various industries and regions. I expect great results from all of you so that we can rebuild a new world...a new era where only the great minds rule."
The postures of the cloaked individuals became straight as they eagerly nodded, hearing his words..
"You all may leave now," Lord Phoenix gestured with his hand as all the cloaked individuals bowed and left.
After they left, a grim voice sounded from the darkness, "Remember, Phoenix, this is the last time I will lend you a hand. There won't be a next time. Even if humans are nothing for me to be wary about, there are certain hidden beings before whom I can't risk getting exposed. Keep this in mind and make sure everything is done in time because certain people are getting impatient."
Lord Phoenix slightly turned his head towards the direction of the voice and said in a respectful tone, "Master Cobra has no need to worry. I will see to it personally that your efforts won't be in vain."
"You better…" The voice trailed off as it disappeared while Lord Phoenix turned around, and behind his silver mask with small wings on the side, he mumbled, "I guess it's time I do some things for myself."
Meanwhile, Taya and Eva were traveling together in their car to a certain mountainous region where there weren't any signs of settlement nor people.
For some reason, people avoided this region because of how everyone felt an intense feeling of nausea whenever they stayed here too long.
From then, these hills came to be known as the Sickly Hills. Some found the name to be funny or strange though the ones who have been around here knew that this was an apt name.
Scientists have tried their best to see what was causing this strange phenomenon, but so far, they couldn't find any concrete proof and only theories that it was caused by the local vegetation.
Eva was surprised that Taya wanted to visit here and asked if this was the place she wanted to hide the Star Crystal since Eva thought that due to the phenomena occurring in this place, people wouldn't stay here too long though this should be the same for Taya as well.
However, to her surprise, Taya said no and said that she was here for some other reason.
As Eva continued to drive, she finally couldn't help but say with a slight grimace, "Big Sister, how much further should we go? We have already entered the Sickly Hills."
Taya noticed her expression, which seemed as if she was starting to experience some uncomfortableness, and said, "You can stop here and wait for me at the foot of the hills. I will walk from here."
Eva raised her brows and asked, "Are you sure, Big Sister? Would you be alright walking for long?"
However, Eva noticed how Taya didn't seem to be showing any sign of discomfort, making her wonder if she wasn't feeling any nausea.
Taya smiled and said in a reassuring tone, "Of course. I know it won't make sense, but I will be alright. You can drop me off here. After this, we have one more place to go where I have to hide this crystal."
Eva nodded, "But you have to call me in case you start to feel sick or something. Okay?"
Taya nodded as she caressed Eva's cheek, who felt their cheeks getting a bit warm, "Of course, I will."
Eva stopped the car as she dropped off Taya. However, even after Taya had started to walk ahead, she continued to stay there, looking at her from behind the car, seeing if Taya would be alright.
Eva was starting to feel a slight headache and lightheadedness as she tried to suppress the nausea she was feeling since she wanted to make sure Taya was alright as long as she was in her sight.
Taya soon disappeared from her sight, and only after that she took off, unable to hold in the vomiting sensation she was feeling, and right when she reached the foot of the hills, she couldn't help but vomit, realizing that these hills indeed lived up to their name.
This only made her even more curious about how Taya was immune to this feeling. But she decided not to ask since she knew Taya would have told her if she could.
Meanwhile, after an hour of walking, Taya spotted a small cave opening on the hills just below the peak and entered it after a brief moment of hesitation.
The cave inside was dark, and Taya had to use her phone's flashlight to tread forward the narrow path.
The inside of the cave was too cold as she tried her best to avoid the damp walls while walking forward.
However, suddenly she came upon an invisible barrier that prevented her from walking forward.
"Is anyone here? Can you please let me in? I have something very important to say," Taya asked with knitted brows, making one wonder to whom she was talking to.
There was only silence as Taya continued to wait as minutes passed, making her feel a bit anxious.
However, suddenly a pair of silver eyes glowed in the dark as a woman's voice sounded out, "Didn't I tell you to never try to reach me unless there's an emergency?"
Taya's expression relaxed a bit hearing that voice and said, "I know....I am sorry, but there is indeed something I have to say to you urgently."
Hearing her words, the pair of silver eyes narrowed, "What is it? Tell me quickly. I can't stay here for too long."