Chapter 143 (2)
"Your Lightning Clones could work," Lucas finally said. "They are indistinguishable from you in terms of energy signature, so one could pass for you if the observer did not examine it closely."
Kaya nodded slowly.
"One clone would still be only one decoy, and you already said that Tisha would not fall for that."
"She would not fall for a single decoy acting alone, but she might believe a full team was moving through the forest."
Understanding appeared in Kaya's eyes.
"You want to send clones of all of us."
"Exactly. We can create a false team that looks like the real one."
Kaya glanced toward Ethan.
"Ethan can create a Wind Clone."
Lucas nodded.
"I can create a Mana Clone, and you can create a Lightning Clone. That gives us copies of Ethan, me, and you, but we still need a fourth person."
Kaya looked toward Austin.
"Austin."
Lucas shook his head.
"Austin is unconscious, and his mana core needs time to recover. Even if he were awake, he does not have enough reserves to create a clone. Your Lightning Clone could take his form instead, though."
Kaya immediately understood the rest of the plan.
"Then the false team would consist of me, Ethan, Austin, and your Mana Clone."
"Yes, and you would go with them."
Kaya's expression became more serious.
"My real body would lead the distraction while the Lightning Clone takes Austin's form."
"You would need to remain with the group long enough to make the deception convincing," Lucas explained. "If Tisha catches up to you, you will have to fight and make decisions that a clone could not make. Once you have drawn them far enough away, you can replace yourself with the clone and circle back to us."
Kaya remained quiet for a moment as she considered the danger.
"That means I would be placing myself in direct danger."
Lucas's expression remained firm, but his voice became quieter.
"I know. That is the part of the plan that I do not like."
"You do not have to like it," Kaya replied. "You just have to trust me."
Lucas opened his mouth to respond, but Ethan spoke first. His voice was rough from exhaustion, yet it still carried the authority of someone who had led teams through dangerous situations before.
"Trust her, Lucas. Kaya is a Black Op, and she is neither a civilian nor a liability. She understands the risks and has the skills to manage them. If she says she can do this, then she can do it."
Lucas looked at Ethan before turning his attention back to Kaya.
His mind continued calculating the distance they could create, the time available to them, the probability of success, and every possible point at which the plan could fail.
There was no perfect solution, but this was the only option that gave them a realistic chance.
"Fine," Lucas said. "Create the clones. I will give you my Mana Clone, and Ethan will give you his Wind Clone. Your Lightning Clone will take Austin's form."
Kaya listened carefully as Lucas continued.
"The four of you will move east toward the river valley, and you will make sure Tisha sees you. Draw her as far from the cave as possible. Once you have created enough distance, replace yourself with the clone and circle back to us. Do not engage unless you have no other choice."
Kaya nodded before turning toward Ethan.
Despite his exhaustion, Ethan raised his hand.
"[Wind Spell: Wind Clone]"
The air beside him began to shimmer as swirling currents gathered into a concentrated mass. Loose pine needles lifted from the cave floor and circled around the forming figure while the wind compressed into the shape of a human body. When the currents finally settled, an exact copy of Ethan stood beside him.
The clone possessed the same features, posture, clothing, and mana signature as the original.
Lucas raised his own hand.
"[Mana Spell: Mana Clone]"
Blue light gathered beside him before solidifying into a second figure. The clone possessed Lucas's silver hair and dark combat attire, while goggles concealed its eyes. Once the formation was complete, the Mana Clone stood silently and waited for instructions.
Kaya raised both hands as blue-white lightning began crackling between her palms. The electrical arcs illuminated the cave walls while the sharp scent of ozone filled the air.
"[Lightning Spell: Lightning Clone]"
Two figures materialized from the lightning.
The first was an exact copy of Kaya, including her black hair and white eyes. The second figure formed differently as its shape flickered beneath the electrical energy. Its features blurred and reshaped while its body changed proportions.
When the lightning finally dispersed, Austin stood where the second clone had been. The transformation was convincing from a distance, although someone examining it closely could notice subtle differences in its movements and mana signature.
Kaya studied the three clones before looking toward Lucas.
"We will draw them east. Once we have gone far enough, I will slip away and return."
Lucas met her eyes.
"Do not take unnecessary risks."
Kaya gave him a faint smile.
"I am a Black Op, so all of my risks are necessary."
She turned toward the cave entrance, and the three clones immediately fell into formation behind her. The false Austin deliberately stumbled slightly as he walked, imitating the exhaustion of the real Austin.
The false Ethan moved with a careful gait that suggested he was protecting his injured ribs, while the false Lucas walked silently with one hand resting on the hilt of a katana formed from compressed mana.
Kaya paused at the cave entrance and looked back one final time. The gray morning light filtered through the trees behind her while her white eyes met Lucas's across the short distance between them.
For a moment, neither of them spoke because there was nothing more that needed to be said. Kaya then gave him a single nod that carried both reassurance and a promise that she would return.
She turned away and disappeared into the pines with the three clones following behind her.
Lucas remained at the cave entrance until the last trace of movement vanished between the trees. Once Kaya and the false team had disappeared into the forest, silence returned to the cave, leaving only the slow breathing of Ethan and the unconscious Austin behind him.