However, before they can leave, the Technician says, "Whoa, wait, just hold on!"

The gang stops and turns to the technician, hoping he's not having second thoughts.

"Do you need something else?" Vil asks.

But the technician says, "At least take these with you."

He then hands the group a few items.

Vil takes them and says, "What have we here? ID cards, a map of HQ, some transceivers. and three keychains?"

"You can't use the building's internal comm system right now," The technician says, "But analog wireless transceivers don't require an internet connection or signal repeater. You should be able to communicate with them as long as there's not much obstructing the signal. Those 'keychains' are actually activation keys for our last resort: high-powered anti -Phantom weaponry."

"Come again?" Vil questions.

Then the Technician uses the computer to pull out a diagram of some tower.

He then explains, "Tartarus is an enormous underground containment facility comprised of three towers. The more dangerous Phantoms are kept in the lower sectors, closer to the bottom. And the most dangerous ones are the three Titans in sector 12, on the lowest level. Those are the original Phantoms, the ones said to have been sealed here since the Age of Gods."

Everyone is shocked to hear that on the lower levels are very original, dangerous phantoms that've been sealed for eons.

"There's a hangar in sector six in each tower," The technician adds. "And each hangar holds one Thunder Spear. Those are the weapons the Jupiter family forebear supposedly used to seal the Titans? Those activation keys will allow you to take the spears out of the hangars. Tower 1 holds the Phantom of Stone-the Earth Titan. Tower 2 holds the Phantom of Ice-the Crystal Titan. And Tower 3 holds the Phantom of Flame-the Magma Titan. No mage could take on a Titan without a special weapon, no matter how exceptional they were. Insert the activation key, and the navi system will tell you how to use them. We've no choice but to entrust them to you. I'm so sorry we're not able to do more."

"You hardly need to feel responsible. We're choosing to venture into Tartarus," Vil says. After all, it seems I was the one who incited Ortho's actions. We'll gratefully accept the Thunder Spears.

"The spears can fire extremely powerful blasts of magic lightning..." The technician says, But they require time to recharge after each use. Now that the island is on emergency power... You won't find many places to charge their technomantic energy in Tartarus. Just remember, you have to charge them again after you use them. We'll do everything we can to support you. And please, be safe."

After listening to what needs to be done to defeat the dangerous Phantoms and reach Ortho and Idia, everyone leaves the control room and decides to set up a plan to figure out what they need to do.

"Now then... According to the staff, Tartarus has three towers," Vil says, "1 think we should split into three teams. We must save what little time we have to mitigate the risk of a complete loss."

"We'll have to go through all three anyway, or else we might miss Grim," Epel says.

"And we will have to defeat the Phantoms in each of the towers in order to reach Idia and Ortho," Tanzanite adds.

Very true. As for the teams..." Vil says, and then explains, "Since we're both juniors and housewardens, I believe it would be best for Leona, and I to lead separate teams. I'll take Tower 1. Leona can take Tower 2. That leaves Tower 3..."

Then Riddle says, "I'll lead the third team. I've been housewarden the second longest, after Leona."

"Very well," Vil replies. Then turns to Azul, "I trust you have no objections, Azul?"

"None at all. Riddle has far better grades than me in both the classroom and in the field," Azul says.

Then Rook says, "Epel, and Briar, Sereia, Trinket, I shall go with Vil. Battles are all about teamwork, and it's easier to support someone you've spent more time with."

"It'll be easier for us to safeguard the maidens," Rook says.

"That's a good idea. It will also help to keep an eye on the girls that way," Briar says.

"And we'll do our best to not slow down the team," Sereia says.

Trinket agrees.

Then Vil turns to the remaining group, "That leaves Jasper, Tanzanite, Azul and Jamil.

"We just learned about our magical properties and performance in detail from those exams. So I think Jamil and I should team up with the leaders whose magic is most compatible with ours. I believe it would count for the twins. Each of them should go with the leader as well" Azul says.

Leona scoffs, "Hmph. Snakes and octopuses are both schemers that use others as a shield when push comes to shove. I don't care who comes with me. Just pick someone."

Then Azul says, "Then I'll join Riddle in Tower 3. Leona's desiccating signature spell would be a poor fit with a merman."

"I'll go to Tower 3 as well. If that's alright," Tanzanite says.

"Of course Tanzanite. And it will help keep an eye on you since you're still a freshman," Riddle says.

"Guess I'm going with Leona. I'm sure I can show him how tough I am," Jasper says.

"Okay, but remember to be careful Jasper," Tanzanite says.

"Don't worry, I will," Jasper says.

Then Jamil says, "All right, then I'm with Leona and Jasper..." And turns to Leona, "I look forward to working with you."

"Then let's get rolling," Leona says.

Then says, "Just keep this in mind... The first person to reach the Underworld gate gets to beat up Radish Sprout without anyone there to stop 'em. How's that for motivation? 'Just sit tight and you can go back to school in the morning,' my foot," And angrily adds, "I don't appreciate gettin' dragged into this mess. Grr."

"Radish Sprout...?" Tanzanite questions.

Riddle sighs, "He's talking about Idia. Though, it's best not to question that name."

"Okay," Tanzanite says.

"The prospect of getting to smack Idia is a rather inspired incentive, Leona," Vil says.

"This isn't a drill, people. We need to stay sharp at all times," Riddle says.

Suddenly, Rook happily says, "I know! Why don't we all huddle up before going our separate ways?"

"What?" Leona questions.

"What possible purpose could..." Riddle questions, but is pulled to a huddle by Rook, causing him to yelp, "-ack! Stop tugging on me, Rook!"

"Come, come! Everyone, join shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor!" Rook says.

Epel cheers, "Woohoo, a pre-game huddle! That's what I'm talkin' about!"

But Jamil says, "I'm pretty sure not even our school's sports teams do any kind of huddle before games."

"I'm not really into the whole jock thing, you know," Azul replies.

Leona scoffs in annoyance, "Tch. Why do I have to do this..?"

"Heh. Why not? It's not often one battles for the fate of the entire world," Vil says.

Soon, everyone begins to gather in a huddle before they go their separate ways, and there's a moment of silence.

Then Jamil says, "Okay, we're huddled."

"Now what?" Azul asks.

I'm not well-versed in the rules of a team huddle..." Riddle replies, "But I believe that generally, someone calls out an order, and the group disperses."

"Look, can we just get this over with? I could cut the awkwardness with a knife..." Leona asks, frustrated.

Rook then turns to Briar, "Briar, would you do the honors of giving us a rallying cry?"

"Huh?! ME?!" Briar asks, shocked.

"Good idea. Otherwise this group is going to start bickering about who says what," Vil says.

"Make sure to put some spirit into it," Epel happily says.

"Well um... uh..." Briar says, nervously, trying to think.

And suddenly, she says, "We're gonna make it back to school TOGETHER! YEAH!"

Everyone shouts, "YEEEAAAH!"

And with that, everyone goes their separate ways to the different towers.

Meanwhile, at the Underworld Gate of Tartarus...

Ortho's voice speaks out, "Idia! The Night Raven College students are heading to Tartarus. They REALLY want to stop our plan."

India says, annoyed, "Ugh... Those troublemakers always get in the way. It never fails.

"Ahaha!" Ortho laughs and says, "Check it out! Looks like they're splitting into three teams to clear Tartarus. That's so cool! It's just like the Night Raven Quest game we talked about!"

"It's gonna take more time to melt all the ice in Tartarus and unlock the gate to the Underworld...." India says.

Then says to Ortho, "Ortho, go play with 'em some.

"Sweet!" Ortho says in excitement, "I was afraid we wouldn't be able to game together anymore. This is great!"

And suddenly Ortho says in a somewhat excited, sinister tone, "And this time...I'm the boss! Ahahahahahaha!"