The following morning dawned crisp and clear over Loknezt Lake.

Still, the tension from the previous day lingered. A priority message hawk from Aerion had arrived overnight. It carried the requested topographical maps and geological surveys, including detailed charts of the waterways beneath the lakebed. The maps confirmed Jacobs's hypothesis.

Now, gathered near the water's edge under the watchful eyes of anxious villagers kept at a distance, Squad 18 focused on refining their plan.

Jacobs spread the large, crackling map across a flat boulder.

"Alright," he began, tracing a finger along a complex series of lines depicting the underwater cave system.

"Command confirms a major conduit running southeast from beneath the deepest part of the lake, eventually connecting, through various passages, back towards the southern ocean currents. This must be how our friend arrived." He tapped a specific point marked near the center of the lake map. "And according to the survey, the primary entrance to that conduit is here, roughly fifty meters below the surface."

He straightened from the map. "Sophia's idea remains our best option: persuade the Dino Serpent back into that cave system using the Scroll of Vortex Creation Command expedited along with the maps." He produced a hefty, sealed scroll case. "Rank 4 magic. Potent enough to generate a powerful, localized whirlpool centered on the cave mouth. It won't kill the beast, but the suction should be strong enough to pull it back into the subterranean waterway."

"The challenge," Daniel stated, adjusting his spectacles as he studied the map, "remains the execution. Operating effectively at a depth of fifty meters presents significant difficulties, even with enchantments. And luring a creature of near Rank 4 power directly towards the vortex location."

"Precisely," Jacobs agreed. "The core problem is bait. We need something to draw the Serpent towards the cave mouth, keep its attention focused there while the vortex activates, and ensure the bait itself isn't sucked into the conduit along with our target."

"Couldn't we just tether some large animal near the cave mouth?" Lumos suggested hesitantly. "A cow, maybe? Use it as live bait?"

Sophia shook her head immediately. " That won't work, Lumos. A predator that smart will see a tethered animal and know it's a trap. It's more likely to go after a real threat,one of us. It's more probable," she added, her gaze flickering towards Henry, "that it would perceive us - beings suffused with aether, potential threats - as the more significant targets or lures. Using simple bait might not draw its attention away from the individuals setting the trap."

"So, the bait needs to actively provoke it," Henry concluded, understanding dawning. "Draw its aggression, lead it on a chase directly towards the target zone."

A heavy silence fell as the implication settled. Someone would have to deliberately provoke the massive predator in its own element.

Daniel spoke again, breaking the tension. "There's still the issue of extracting the bait from the vortex's pull radius once the Serpent is engaged. The scroll generates immense suction." He tapped the map. "We'd need to get the bait clear by at least three meters before the vortex fully forms around the cave mouth." He paused, then offered a solution. "I have an Airbolt spell. It generates significant concussive force. If timed correctly, even underwater, I could potentially use it to launch the bait clear of the vortex's immediate influence the moment the Serpent enters the target zone."

"And I can enhance the Airbolt's propulsion," Sophia added quickly. "A Blessing of Strength, focused on Daniel's spell matrix, should provide the extra thrust needed to guarantee escape distance, even against the vortex's initial pull."

The key roles crystallized: One person to act as bait, luring the enraged Dino Serpent towards the cave mouth fifty meters below.

Sophia, the strongest mage amongst them besides Jacobs - who was too vital as overall command and potential heavy support, would descend near the cave mouth to activate the powerful Rank 4 Vortex Scroll.

Daniel would position himself nearby to cast the enhanced Airbolt at the critical moment, propelling the bait to safety. Jacobs, Lumos, Melly, and Torsan would provide surface support, watch for any unexpected developments, and be ready for emergency extraction if possible.

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The most dangerous role, the one requiring speed, agility, resilience, and the ability to actively provoke a near Rank 4 monster in deep water, remained unassigned.

"I'll do it," Henry stated quietly.

"Henry, no!" Sophia reacted instantly, whirling to face him, fear flaring in her amber eyes. "It's too dangerous! There has to be another way!"

"There isn't, Sophia, and you know it," Henry replied gently but firmly. He held her look with a resolve that would not falter. He laid out the logic, cold and unavoidable.

"The Captain is Rank 3, far too strong; even with Daniel's enhanced Airbolt, launching him clear would be impossible. Melly and Torsan," he glanced at the younger members, "lack the combat experience and raw power needed to survive provoking the beast long enough. Your role activating the Rank 4 scroll is irreplaceable, as is Daniel's for the extraction spell. Lumos," he looked at the big warrior, "is powerful, but lacks the necessary agility for evasion in water."

He turned back to Sophia, his demeanor softening slightly. "That leaves me. I'm fast, I'm resilient," - unnaturally so, went unsaid - "and I'm expendable compared to the mission's key magical components."

Her lower lip trembled. His reasoning was cold, sound, and left no room for argument. She had likely reached the same conclusion herself during their discussion but hadn't dared voice it, desperately hoping for another solution. Now, hearing Henry volunteer, accepting the immense risk so calmly, left her unable to object further without offering a viable alternative - and none existed.

Jacobs, who had been observing the exchange in silence, now turned his full attention to Henry, his manner sharp and assessing. "Are you sure about this, Henry. You think you can handle it and get out safe?"

Henry offered a confident smile, aimed as much at reassuring Sophia as answering the Captain. "It's a solid plan, Captain. Like any plan, there are risks. But if everything goes smoothly, if we all execute our roles correctly, the chances of staying safe are acceptable." The sheer number of things that could go fatally wrong fifty meters underwater with an enraged monster constituted a danger he deliberately downplayed.

Jacobs studied him for a long moment, weighing the risks against the necessity. "It's a good plan," he conceded finally. "But 'acceptable' chances aren't good enough when I can improve them."

He made a decision. "We wait one more day. I've sent a supplementary request back to Aerion with the maps, asking for additional specific support items - high-grade protective amulets, extended duration water-breathing enchantments, maybe some specialized signaling devices suitable for depth. We'll incorporate those into the final strategy tomorrow morning. Until then, maintain watch, rest, prepare yourselves."

The meeting adjourned, leaving the squad with another day of tense waiting. During their communal evening meal near the village edge, Henry noticed Torsan sitting withdrawn, head bowed, poking listlessly at his food.

The shame of inadequacy, of being relegated to surface support while others faced the deep-water danger, was clear on the young soldier's face. Henry considered saying something comforting but hesitated.

As the one taking the greatest risk, offering solace might inadvertently make Torsan feel worse, highlighting his inability to contribute directly to the most dangerous phase. He hoped Jacobs or one of the others would address it.

Later, he saw the Captain speaking privately with both Torsan and Melly, his tone low but encouraging. Good, Henry thought, relieved. Now for Sophia.

He found her again by the lake shore as twilight deepened, staring out at the now-dark water, the faint starlight doing little to illuminate its depths. Despite the improved plan, the wait for extra gear, her worry was a tangible presence beside him. He gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head, breathing in the faint scent of wildflowers that always seemed to cling to her hair.

"It'll be alright, Sophia," he murmured.

She leaned back against him, sighing softly. "You always say that. And you always do something reckless." Her words came out as a low murmur, tinged with fatigue and fear. "Tomorrow, it's incredibly dangerous, Henry. I can't stop thinking about what could happen."

"Hey," he said softly, turning her gently in his arms to face him. "Look at me." He waited until her worried eyes met his. "Pinky promise," he said, holding up his little finger with mock seriousness.

"I swear I'll be careful, and I'll come back. And you have to promise that when this is over, we're finally taking that leave. A few days off. I know a place, it's special." He tried to keep his tone light, teasing, hoping to distract her.

Sophia managed a weak, watery smile, reaching up to touch his bruised cheek. "Honestly, you. Facing a monster tomorrow, and all you think about are frivolous trips." She sighed again, the sound heavy with helplessness. Worrying wouldn't change his mind; arguing wouldn't stop the mission.

All she could do was trust him. Trust the fragile hope that he would, once again, defy the odds. She leaned her forehead against his chest. "You've already decided, haven't you?" she whispered, a sob catching in her throat. "Just promise me, Henry. Promise you'll come back. You reckless idiot."

Her body trembled in his arms. His unspoken vows returned, a familiar weight on his shoulders.

He had to protect her. It was the one promise that had kept him going since that unimaginable horror ten years ago.

He remembered her perspective of that time - him, the unlikely boy hero who had somehow defeated the Dark Reaper, who had saved her. But his own memory was different. She was the key.

Her strange immunity, her inexplicable effect on the monster she had been the decisive factor. He had survived, had lived these past ten years, because of her. The thought solidified his resolve. He would survive tomorrow. He had to, for her.

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