Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucy and Lucas continued their journey toward the Death Volcano, the oppressive heat becoming more intense with every step. The air shimmered with the rising temperature, making the landscape appear distorted and alien.

The ground beneath them became more barren, jagged rocks jutting out from the cracked earth, and occasional plumes of steam hissed up from the volcanic fissures.

Lucas, still perched on Lucy's shoulder, gazed ahead with his usual calm demeanor, but something was tugging at the edges of his memory.

The closer they came to the volcano, the more uneasy he felt. His eyes began to narrow, scanning the area around them more carefully now, his instincts sharp.

"Wait a minute..." Lucas muttered to himself, his brow furrowing as recognition dawned on him. "Isn't this area near the village and the lab of Thalnor Vesperin?"

Lucy noticed the change in his tone immediately. She paused in her steps, her eyes flickering with concern as she glanced at him. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity, though there was a slight edge of worry.

Lucas quickly masked his expression, flashing her a reassuring smile. "Oh, nothing," he replied casually, waving it off with a light shrug. His tone was calm, but beneath the surface, his thoughts were racing.

Lucy raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced, but chose to drop the subject. "If you say so," she muttered before continuing forward.

As they moved deeper into the volcanic region, Lucas's gaze shifted again, sweeping across the rocky terrain. His sharp eyes caught something unusual scattered across the ground—a series of dark, almost glossy stones.

They stood out amidst the red, cracked earth, their black surfaces gleaming ominously under the heat of the sun.

Lucas's expression tightened, his casual facade slipping as realization hit him. His body stiffened slightly, though he remained perched on Lucy's shoulder.

"These stones..." Lucas whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible, though the weight of his words was heavy. His eyes widened as recognition settled in.

Lucy continued walking, unaware of her brother's sudden shift in focus. She was used to the barren, hostile environment around them, but Lucas... he had noticed something much more troubling.

"These stones are one of the materials used in Nether Puppets," Lucas muttered, his mind rapidly connecting the dots. His gaze lingered on the stones, his expression growing more serious with every passing second. The implications of finding such materials here were too large to ignore.

Lucas's mind churned, his thoughts spinning faster. There must be someone from the Malachor Clan here, he realized grimly, his expression darkening. His eyes darted over the landscape again, now filled with suspicion.

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly through the barren landscape, disturbing the silence that had hung thick in the scorching air. The footsteps were steady, deliberate, and growing louder.

Both Lucy and Lucas instinctively turned their heads toward the source of the sound. In the distance, a group of figures emerged over the horizon, their dark robes billowing slightly in the heated wind. As they drew closer, the unmistakable insignia of the Malachor Clan and Necrovauld Academy became visible, stitched onto their cloaks. Stay tuned with m,v le,mpyr

Lucy's eyes immediately narrowed, her expression hardening as she recognized the symbols. Her hand subtly tightened at her side, ready to summon her Volcanic Dragon Claws if needed. But for now, she remained calm, her gaze fixed on the approaching group, studying their every movement.

Lucas, perched on her shoulder, blinked innocently, tilting his head as though he didn't understand the gravity of the situation. His wide, curious eyes watched the group approach, his expression the picture of childish innocence. He leaned closer to his sister, his voice soft and filled with childlike wonder.

"Big sister, who are they?" Lucas asked, his tone sweet and curious, as if he were merely asking about some travelers on the road.

Lucy didn't immediately answer, her focus entirely on the approaching figures. Her jaw clenched slightly, the tension in her posture building as the group came nearer. She didn't trust them, and Lucas could sense her unease. Still, he kept up his act, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he maintained the facade of an innocent younger brother.

The group finally stopped a few meters away, their leader stepping forward. He was tall, with an aura of authority, his eyes cold as they scanned Lucy and Lucas. The insignia of the Malachor Clan gleamed on his chest, a clear indication of his allegiance.

The leader spoke, his voice low and filled with condescension. "What do we have here? A little girl and her… child brother? Strange to see such travelers near the Death Volcano." His eyes narrowed slightly, and a smirk tugged at his lips. "Especially when this area is under the watch of the Malachor Clan and Necrovauld Academy."

Lucy remained silent, her expression unreadable, though Lucas could feel the tension rolling off her. She was evaluating them, deciding if they were worth the effort to fight.

Meanwhile, Lucas, who had been silently observing, let out a soft chuckle, barely audible but enough to escape his lips. He quickly covered it up, coughing lightly into his hand, but the smirk remained. His eyes gleamed with interest, a quiet, calculating fire behind his innocent facade.

"To think I'd run into them so quickly," Lucas murmured under his breath, his voice so low that only the system could hear him. His smile widened just a fraction, though to anyone looking, it appeared as nothing more than a child's playful grin.

Lucy glanced down at her brother, sensing that something was off. "Lucas," she said softly, her voice a quiet warning.

Lucas blinked, his face the very picture of innocence once again. He tilted his head, looking up at her with wide, questioning eyes. "Yes, big sister?" His tone was pure, untainted by the tension in the air.

Lucy shook her head slightly, keeping her focus on the group in front of them. "Stay close," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand twitched as if she was preparing for what might come next.

The group of robed figures exchanged glances, clearly sensing that Lucy wasn't as simple as she appeared. The leader's smirk faltered, just for a moment, before he composed himself.

"This area is far too dangerous for someone like you," the leader continued, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his voice now. "Turn back, and we'll pretend we never saw you. But if you insist on continuing…" His eyes flicked to Lucy, then to Lucas. "I'm afraid things will become… complicated."

The tension in the air grew heavier as the group of robed figures stared down Lucy and Lucas, fully expecting them to retreat. But Lucas, still smiling, knew otherwise. Complicated? He thought to himself with a quiet amusement. This should be... interesting.