Chapter 11: The Empty Crypt

Chris was looking at the unconscious body of Bane. His enemy couldn't handle the power of Chris's attack. Chris wasn't able to understand where the black fire had come from. He tried to get a grip and ran to where Light and Elina were laying. Both were starting to recover from Bane's sneaky attack.

"Light, Elina, are you alright?" Chris asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Ugh, Chris, what happened? I can't remember anything," Light groaned.

Elina rubbed her head. "My head hurts."

"You both got knocked out by the guy over there. His name is Bane. He is the Rank 13 of the Crystal Hunters, and he has a crystal that can manipulate sand. Light, do you know him?" Chris explained.

Light shook his head. "Nope, don't know him. The only one I know is Silas, but I didn't know they had ranks."

Chris continued, "Yes, he mentioned that if he gave my Black Crystal to his boss, he would take the 10th rank for sure. So maybe that means there are more powerful enemies, and we have to take extra care."

Elina looked worried. "Guys, what should we do with him? I don't want him to wake up and attack us again."

They looked at Bane, then Light smiled mischievously.

"I have a rope in my bag," Light said with a chuckle.

"And I think we should take his crystal too," Chris added.

Elina nodded. "Sounds like a good idea."

After they recovered, they tied Bane up with the rope Light had in his bag. Chris opened Bane's shirt and saw the crystal. Its color was light brown, like the sand of the desert. All three wondered what to do with it.

"Elina, do you want to have it?" Chris asked.

Elina shook her head. "Eh eh, no. I'm waiting for something else."

Chris looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"There was always something my grandfather was saying, and I think it was a hint for something in the future," Elina replied.

Light was curious. "What was he saying?"

"I'll tell you some other time. But I think this crystal isn't for me," Elina said.

"Hmm, okay. Then I will put it in my bag for now," Chris decided.

Elina and Light agreed. Chris put the crystal in his backpack. The night was suddenly calm, as if the fight never happened. The sky was clear, and they could see the stars. Light searched in Bane's pockets to see if he could find anything useful. In his right pocket, there was some money, a knife, and car keys. In the left pocket, there was only one object. Light took it out and was shocked.

"Chris, Elina, we have to run. Let's go in the crypt, look inside, and leave. We have to go. NOW," Light screamed.

"Why are you so stressed all of a sudden?" Chris asked.

Light showed them a small device with a screen. There was a message on it: *BLACK CRYSTAL IN CAIRO. CRYPT OPEN.* They understood now why Light was shocked.

"We have to run," Elina urged.

They ran to the stairs that led to the underground crypt. The air was getting thicker and thicker, making it difficult to breathe. They finally reached a door and opened it. Automatically, some candles inside the room lit up, but to their surprise, the room wasn't anything like they expected. It was empty.

"Heeh???" Chris exclaimed.

"What? Why?" Light echoed his confusion.

"What do we do now?" Chris asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Maybe it's another riddle," Elina suggested.

"We don't have any time for riddles," Chris responded urgently.

They started touching the walls and the floor, but nothing happened. They were running out of time. How near were the enemies? Suddenly, Elina spotted a small symbol in the middle of the room. It was a drawing of a crystal.

"Maybe we have to put a crystal on it," Elina suggested.

"Not any crystal... Chris, your crystal. The one that opened the crypt in the first place," Light added.

"Yes, let's try it," Chris agreed.

Chris took his necklace with the crystal off and placed it on the crystal symbol on the floor. A small part of the floor started to open up, revealing a book similar to the one Chris and Light had found in the cave on Paximadia Island.

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To be continued