890 Celestial Springs
As they journeyed closer, the majestic Auroravolc Peaks revealed their full splendor. These unique volcanoes were a striking contrast of fire and ice.
The peaks were covered in a permanent cloak of snow, glimmering under the sun like a myriad of diamonds strewn across an enormous canvas. From the snowy caps, plumes of steam drifted skyward, where the heat from the volcanic activity below met the cold air above.
The sides of the mountains displayed a fascinating juxtaposition of icy glaciers and dark, rugged volcanic rock. This icy-hot scenery was both intimidating and enchanting. Lava flowed beneath the frozen exterior and occasionally revealed itself in small streams, glowing like molten gold against the stark white snow.
As they neared, the air grew warmer, yet they still felt a bone-
chilling cold. Peculiar.
Upon arrival, the Celestial Springs Resort was a sight to behold. Nestled in a valley between the Auroravolc Peaks, the resort seemed to exist in a world of its own.
The architecture of the resort was different from anything they'd seen before, with buildings constructed from natural stone and rich, dark woods designed to complement the surrounding environment.
The main lodge stood at the heart of the resort, with large windows offering panoramic views of the steaming springs and snowy peaks.
Inside, the decor was a blend of rustic charm and luxury, with roaring fireplaces, plush seating areas, and walls lined with artwork depicting scenes of the mountains and wildlife.
Rhydian practically bounced ahead, excitement written all over her face. "Look at this place! It's like a paradise!"
Mira, despite her usual stoicism, couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility wash over her. The troubles and dangers they had faced seemed distant, almost irrelevant in this peaceful setting.
As they entered the resort, they were greeted by a hostess with a warm smile. "Welcome to Celestial Springs. How can we assist you today?"
"We'd like to use your facilities," Mira replied.
"Of course. Would you like a private area, or will the public springs suffice?"
"Private."
The hostess nodded and led them to a secluded part of the resort.
Winding paths led them through beautifully landscaped gardens, where the sound of trickling water and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. The gardens were full of local and exotic plants, some of which Mira recognized from the Western and Northern Continents while others she didn't recognize.
'Probably from the Southern and Western Continents…' Mira mused, wondering if this was really an ordinary resort.
The hot spring pools themselves were scattered throughout the resort, varying in size and shape.
Some were large and communal, with wide stone edges where guests could sit and soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters while gazing at the stars above. Others were smaller, more intimate pools, hidden away in secluded nooks, offering privacy and quiet.
While they walked through the place, the hostess began to elaborate on the amenities. "In addition to our hot springs, we offer a full range of spa treatments, including mineral mud baths, herbal saunas, and aromatherapy. We also have a series of relaxation therapies, like stone massages and meridian clearing sessions."
Mira listened, nodding. "We'll take the complete package. Everything you have to offer."
The hostess smiled, clearly pleased. "Excellent choice. Our VIP package includes access to all spa treatments, a private dining area, and exclusive use of our most secluded hot spring pools. We also provide personalized care with our best therapists."
Before the hostess could continue, Rhydian chimed in enthusiastically, "And we'll be staying for three days, please! We want to experience everything!"
The hostess's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected extension but quickly regained her composure but this time with a slightly larger smile. "Of course, three days in our sanctuary will be a truly rejuvenating experience. We will ensure your stay is unforgettable."
As they were led to their private area, a beautifully designed pavilion surrounded by natural beauty, the group felt a wave of excitement.
The resort staff efficiently arranged everything for their extended stay. Luxurious robes and slippers were provided, and a schedule was set to accommodate their choice of treatments and relaxation activities.
The group quickly dispersed to indulge in the various amenities. Rhydian dived into one of the pools, her fur instantly soaking up the warm water. Dominique and Hana excitedly headed towards the skincare treatments, while Elenei, curious about the massages, followed a therapist to a separate room.
Mira, however, chose to sit by the edge of a pool and dip her toes in the water. She closed her eyes, allowing the warmth to seep into her bones. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax, a rare occurrence for her.
However, the peace was short-lived.
A sudden commotion erupted from the other side of the resort. Mira's eyes snapped open, her instincts kicking in. She stood up, water dripping from her feet, and glanced towards the source of the noise.
"Stay here," she instructed Elenei, who had emerged from her massage room, looking alarmed. Mira quickly made her way towards the disturbance.
As she approached, she saw a group of men dressed in dark, nondescript clothing, causing a ruckus. They were attacking the guests, uncaring of whether they lived or died, and charged straight toward where Mira's group was staying.
'Enemies? This soon?' Mira wondered but put that to the back of her mind for now. 'Since they came for me, they might as well die.'
Without hesitation, Mira lunged into action. She disappeared and reappeared behind the group of men. Silently swinging her scythe, she bisected all of them in half. Their bodies dropped to the ground, but Mira frowned.
There was no blood.
Leaning down, she ripped the clothes off of one of them and noticed that it's realistically human appearance had changed into a block of wood.
'Puppets?' Now that was a first for her.
Closing her eyes, Mira spread out her Soul Sense in an attempt to search for the master or for any connection linking to the puppets. However, her frown deepened when she didn't sense anything.
No anomalies, no odd auras, not even any particularly powerful people within a hundred kilometers of here.
'...So, someone wants to mess with me, huh?' Mira got up, annoyed. If whoever was 'spying' on them decided to face her head-on, she could just kill them and move on. This was infinitely times worse, in her opinion.
'Tsk. I can't even sense the bastard who's doing this, either.' She clicked her tongue before she flicked her tail and destroyed another puppet.
There were two possibilities as to why she couldn't perceive their attackers: They could conceal their intentions perfectly, or it had something to do with their puppet technique.
Mira was inclined to lean toward the latter, as nobody could conceal their intentions perfectly, at least not from her. After her evolution and increase in strength, her ability to sense people's emotions had reached a seemingly unparalleled level.
Even just standing here, she could feel multiple pairs of eyes on her, each reflecting a different emotion. Some were scared that she pulled out a weapon and attacked without hesitation; others lusted after her body, and the staff remained professionally indifferent.
Meanwhile, Rhydian, alerted by the noise, had swiftly emerged from her pool, her fur bristling with annoyance. "What's all this about? Can't we have one day of peace?"
She spotted one of the attackers trying to sneak up on Mira and pounced. She crushed it into pieces with her claws, growling in annoyance.
Elenei, Dominique, Hana, and the others had also come to see what was going on and joined the fray. The fight was over as quickly as it had begun.
In mere seconds, the ground was covered in splintered wood that was quickly cleaned up by the staff.
"This was supposed to be a day of relaxation," Mira muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
"Who are they?" Elenei asked, looking down at one of the puppets.
"I don't know, but they're not from around here," Mira replied, inspecting one of them. "Their clothes feel too...foreign."
Mira turned the wooden fragments over in her hands, her expression thoughtful. "These puppets are sophisticated. Not just anyone could craft something like this."
Rhydian shook herself dry and floofed her fur. She kicked one of the remaining wooden bodies, exploding it into a million pieces before grumbling."Well, whoever they are, they've got some nerve interrupting our relaxation time."
Elenei nodded and scanned the surroundings. "It seems like we're being targeted, but why here? And why now?"
Mira's gaze hardened. "Someone is testing us, seeing how we react. They're playing a game, and we're the pieces on their board."
Coralia, frowning, picked up a piece of the puppet. "This is high-
level magic. We might be dealing with someone from the Central Continent or worse, someone with deep knowledge in puppetry and illusion."
"...Great, just what we needed… another enemy," Hana muttered with droopy eyes as she grabbed her Mother's hand and walked back to their private quarters. If things were going to be like this, she was going to enjoy this place to its fullest!
The rest of the group followed behind her, but the mood wasn't quite like how it was before they arrived.
