A/N
Okay well now that was far more than two weeks now wasn't it? My sincere apologies. I about a third through this chapter I lost my motivation and it was incredibly hard to write more than one paragraph at a time. As of such I had to delete and rewrite them numerous times because they were just too different in style in comparison to the rest of the chapter. So uh, yeah.

Enjoy

''Emil!''

Richter stepped forward while covering his mouth, waving his arm to clear is vision from the up welling dust. He walked around the edges of the hole in front of him, impatiently waiting for the dust to clear up while cursing under his breath. The dust finally cleared.

''Emil!''

''Ngh.'' The boy stirred, although lightly. ''I-I'm okay.'' He called out. I ''But I'm stuck.''

''I'll find a way down. Don't try to move anything carelessly.'' He looked around the room Emil found himself in, noticing a large and heavy looking door.

The older male stepped back from the edge and looked around, ignoring the obnoxiously loud beating of his heart. In the back corner to his left was a door, one that would probably lead to the one below. The door fell out of its hinges as Richter pulled on the knob and the man impatiently let it drop before stepping over it. The stairs that indeed led down were made of stone in contrast the the wooden ones they encountered in the rest of the house. The door he indeed had seen from his previous perspective, was thick and made of a sturdy metal, secured with chains and a pair of beams. He lifted the beams from their holders and tossed them carelessly behind him. The chains proved no problem. He had to use his entire weight to push the door open. A foul stench hit him in the face the moment he stepped inside. The blonde lying a few feet away looked up, his blonde hair stuck to his face.

''That's quick.'' Emil muttered.

''Isn't that good?'' Richter quickly crossed the distance between them, ignoring the smell and moving rocks and wood from the younger's legs.

''Can you move them?'' Richter crouched down in front of the boy, somewhat reluctant to hear the answer. Fortunately, Emil's legs worked perfectly fine, protected by his enchanted clothing. He crawled up, nodding.

''Yes. They don't hu-''

He stumbled forward, disoriented. Richter quickly caught him as the boy collided with his chest. Both males held on to the other's arms, stabilizing themselves.

''Sorry.'' Emil stammered out. ''I'm a bit dizzy.'' He looked up, but upon noticing the close proximity of the other man's face quickly looked down again, feeling his cheeks heat up uncontrollably.

''Don't worry about it.''

Richter let go of Emil's left arm and took a hold of the boy's jaws, forcing him to look upward. Emil's eyes widened as green met green again.

''R-Richter? W-ha-.''

''You're bleeding.''

''Huh?''

Now letting go of the boy completely he switched hands, using his right hand to carefully brush the hair from the boy's forehead, sending a surge of something through the both of them. It's wasn't a deep gash, more a blunt force trauma.

''It's nothing I can't heal. Expect a slight concussion though. ''

He pulled Emil down to a crouching position, raising a finger in front of the teen's face. Emil followed it's movements, but with some delay.

''I didn't bring you to get injured.'' The man commented as he cast more of his healing spell on the boy, ignoring said male staring at him.

''I'm sorry.'' The boy dropped his head, which Richter forced up again, shaking his own head. ''No, never mind. It's okay. Just keep your head still.''

He cast his spell in silence, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than his own thoughts, the staring male and his still racing heart. This was not normal adrenaline. It was something else and he did everything in his power to not acknowledge it.

Emil had a similar problem, although he put in little effort to stop it. He felt dizzy and although it was more likely to be from both the damage to his head and the man sitting so close, he was pretty sure it was only the latter. He didn't even notice any pain or the harsh light aimed a few inches above his eye. He suddenly noticed he was still holding on to Richter. His blush colored deeper; but instead of letting go, he clutched on tighter. If Richter noticed, he didn't comment on it. Instead, he had decided to examine the room. It was massive; covering the same space as the hall above them. However, it was also gruesome, dark and by no means well intended. The fouls stench of death hung in the air.

''I suppose we found the room he did his...research.''

Emil now looked around to, feeling his stomach drop. His grip tightened and he subconsciously shuffled just a tad closer to the man.

They didn't need a lot of light to see the outlines of corpses, flies surrounding the rotting monsters lying scattered across the room. Richter stood up- the moment Emil finally let go of his arms.- focusing his attention on one of the torches nearby. A brief moment of concentration was needed for him to gather his mana and lit it up. He took it from its metal holder on the wall and with Emil following close behind, approached one of the dead creatures.

Emil tried his best to quell the urge to throw up there and then the moment light was cast and revealed the carcass.

''It appears to be eaten.''

''That's...'' Emil couldn't find the word he was looking for, he covered his mouth and nose with his scarf, stepped behind Richter; as if the body would suddenly move. Richter remained silent in agreement.

Bones were visibly chewed on, revealed by the flesh eaten or teared off. Brown patches of dried up blood covered stone and dust. Richter, having plenty of years of experience with disgusting acts, be it by human or monster, raised the torch to look further into the room. It ran deeper than he expected at first. There were several desks, strewn with paper- most likely notes on creatures such as the one in front of them. There were cages, large enough to hold your average Wyrm or Rider. Some were with simple bars, others strengthened with plates to prevent the beasts from reaching through the gaps.

What worried him however, was not the cages, corpses or room itself. No, the older male was far more concerned with the ceiling.

It seemed the stone that gave away earlier wasn't the first time it happened. Stone lay across the entire room and by the looks of it, it did not fall naturally. Several beams supporting the structure of the house were broken or damaged severely. Richter walked further into the room. The wall at the very end of the room was in shambles, but it didn't reveal dirt or nature. From the dim lighting they could clearly make out a large hall which led in so far into the dark they had no way of estimating how far it led.

''Do you think it leads to the Balacruf Mausoleum?''

''Hmm, it may very well do.'' Richter mused, intrigued. ''Aqua.''

Emil jumped, having completely forgotten about the centurion. She emerged from seemingly nowhere, spiraling around the older of the two before coming to a still float next to him. ''Yes Master Richter?'' She smiled, the tail connected to her head twitching in delight of the possibility to be of service. She nodded to Emil with a smile, who gave a short nod in response, feeling more and more uneasy with the minute.

''Can you sense anything related to the Balacruf from here? Or Ventus?''

Aqua closed her eyes for a few moments, then nodded. ''Yes. It's faint, but it's there.''

''So it wasn't a false rumor after all then.'' Richter noted, pushing up his glasses.

''Do you want to go in?''

Richter shook his head. ''No. Look at the ceiling.''

Emil looked up. ''What of it?''

''This isn't damage caused by the Great Tree's attack, and if I'm right, those bookcases weren't to keep people out.'' He turned to face Emil. ''More likely, they were a foolish last attempt to keep things in. It would also explain the eaten monsters in this room. Most likely, the ceiling giving away as we stood on it was pure coincidence and would have happened sooner or later anyway.''

Emil's eyes widened. ''What?'' He looked at the ceiling more closely, swallowing as he started to notice more of what Richter had much earlier. The stones were smashed in different places. The wood seemed to have claw marks and even teeth marks in them.

''S-Shouldn't we leave then?''

''We should and we will, but not before I found what I came for. Fortunately, judging from the dubious acts that must have taken place in this room I wouldn't be surprised if I found it here.''

''W-What exactly is it that you're looking for? What did this?'' Emil took a step back, staring at Richter even as he received no answer. ''Aqua, I prefer to round this up quickly.''

''Yes Master Richter.''

She floated to one side of the room while Richter moved to the other, leaving Emil to stand there. He shifted on his feet, feeling nothing but nerves. He didn't like this place at all. He wished he could help the man.

''Emil, come over here.''

Emil happily obliged and jogged over to the man who scraped back and old chair and patted the back with one hand, the older holding a book he was focusing his attention on. He didn't voice his thoughts, but Emil understood. If he was going to wait in silence, at least sit down.

So wait he did.

He mostly watched his companions work, avoiding to have to look at the gruesome room itself. Richter had lit multiple torches and chandeliers in the meantime and in the light the room seemed much like any other. With the exception of the stone walls, the chairs were classy and soft. Some desks were organized whereas others seemed as if it's occupant had left in a hurry. Bookcases were lined up along the wall, although filled with lesser books than the ones above. They seemed older too. Some were assumingly written by the owner himself.

He looked back at Richter, observing the man in silence.

There was something about Richter working without gloves that made him seem more...accessible. It was like getting to know another part of him. His hands were slightly less tanned than his face. The fingers were long and slender- more so than they already seemed with gloves on. Yet they leaved no room for doubting their strength. Emil subconsciously reached up to his neck, gently pressing the slightly bruised patched of skin. Having been under constant protection by the brown fabric, Richter's hands were clean and spotless from dust or dirt and Emil caught himself wanting to feel if they were as soft, firm and strong as they looked. To feel them caress his skin.

Wait, what? A furious blush spread across his cheeks and he averted his gaze from the man, forcing himself to focus on anything else but his churning groin. His eyes fell on an object lying next to the stack of paper Richter was currently going through. He stood up and walked over to the man, coming to a halt beside him.

''What's this?'' He picked it up, twirling it around to observe every corner. It fit in one hand, like a small weight. Carved in were various symbols and letters, along with the face of a monster. Richter briefly glanced at the boy and the object.

''I believe its purpose is for monster evolution.''

''Really? It's so small.''

''So are Centurion's cores. Yet look at their influence.''

Emil nodded absentmindedly. ''Did he use them on the monsters?''

Richter placed down the book he'd been flipping through the pages of and pushed up his glasses. He took a step towards Emil. ''I assume he did.''
He took the small statue from Emil- causing Emil to conclude that his hands were indeed soft.- and examined it much like the boy had done.

''Huh.'' He let out an amused huff. Walking back to the desk with the statue still in hand, he went through the stack of paper he had already gone through until he found the one he needed. ''Take a look at this.''

Emil, who had followed, stepped closer to look over Richter's extended arm holding the paper in place. On it were drawn illustrations of several monsters and their evolutions. This one in particular was about the wolf. Emil's eye fell on the monster on the bottom, striped and graced with what he knew to be a green mane.

''That's Hepa.''

Richter raised his eyebrows. ''Hepa?''

Emil blushed and shrugged. Richter resisted the urge to shake his head and instead just pointed at another little drawing at the bottom corner of the Padfoot.

''It appears to be the same statue needed to evolve it into an Orion.'' His finger slid more to the right, to the illustration of a much larger wolf like creature.

''Wow.'' Emil stared, mesmerized. Richter looked at him from the corner of his eyes, feeling a smile tug at his lips.

''It would seem you found your reason for leaving Marta.''

Realization struck Emil and he immediately tensed up. His head dropped. ''That's right. I have to go back.'' He murmured softly, but Richter's ears had picked it up. He huffed.

''If you're that reluctant to be with her then why did you go with her in the first place?'' He held out his hand with the statue and dropped it in Emil's hands before focusing back on the paper in front of him.

Emil sighed. ''Sometimes I ask myself the same question.'' He looked up again, a small grin supporting his joking tone as he put the statue in one of his pockets.

It was at that moment however, a large gust whipped through the room, sending paper flying and hair tousling in front of their eyes. Paper and dust were drawn together into a high speed circle in the center of the room.

''What's happening?'' Emil called out, fear evident in his voice.

''I don't know, but I suggest we don't stand around to find out. Let's go.''

They dashed for the door but were hit by another massive gust of wind, knocking them to the ground. Before they could even get up the floor rumbled, a roar resonated through the ruin and with a crash that sent stone, dust and corpse in various directions, red and green flew past them, crashing into the wall where the door was located. Both males hurriedly scrambled up and Emil froze in place, faintly registering various syllables escaping his mouth and the sharp and penetrating smell of fire and smoke now hanging in the room.

Both the source of wind and fire were in front of them. Two massive monsters engaged in a fight that Emil was positive would bring the entire building down in a storm before burning them to crisps. He had seen neither of the monsters ever before.

One serpent dragon, green scaled and standing as tall as the ceiling, with wings that seemed too small to carry such a large creature but despite their size were still causing what felt like a storm inside the room. Its horns shone golden and its teeth glimmered as it roared at the prey it was constricting with enough strength to leave stone towers in shambles.

The other, grand and with scales and claws that seemed thicker and sharper than any kind of armor and blade that any man could craft. Its horns stood proud in the same color as its scales, glimmering every shade of purple, red, gold and blue. Smoke bellowed from its mouth dangerously. Scaly boned limps what closer resembled spears jutting from its back than wings spread in an effort to release himself from the serpents grip, accompanied by a roar that shook the very stone.

''Looks like we found the source of the damage.'' Richter muttered, already holding both sword and axe.

No sooner than the words left his mouth did the monsters notice them. As if fight forgotten they let go of one another and turned to them. Prey, Emil realized.

''Emil, can you see anything in the hole behind us.'' Richter kept his gaze fixed on the monsters, but his tone was urgent. But all Emil could see was darkness.

''There's no guessing where it will lead, but for our sake I-''

Before Richter could finish his sentence a strong wind picked up, blowing books and papers right into their faces, and it would have been comical if it wasn't for the roar accompanying the storm. Emil tore the paper from his view and ducked just in time as the green scaled monster flew over, it's gaping mouth missing him by no more than two feet, before the large body crashed into the wall behind him. Tumbling down like a strand or rope, it remained still briefly before launching at them again like a snake. Again, Emil dodged, but the tail swept his feet away and he fell face forward onto the stone. He felt a sharp pain in his mouth and lips and tasting the unmistakable metallic taste of blood in his mouth. He scrambled up, looking for Richter. He was yanked back by his collar by said man, not a moment too late. With enough heat to cause the air to seemingly ripple, a large and fiery inferno raged past where they had been standing previously, burning books and wood to a crisp in a matter of seconds. The penetrating stench of burned flesh reached them. Emil was heaving, feeling more afraid than he had in months. Richter was holding him against his chest, as far away from the fire as possible and even with the crackling sound of fire and the rumbling roar resonating through the room Emil could swear he could hear Richter grit his teeth in anger and frustration.

''Looks like we have no choice. Emil, as soon as the fire stops we make for the hole in the wall.''

Emil nodded briefly, his fists subconsciously grasping the coat behind him and clenching it like a newborn held on to its mother.

''W-What are they?'' He let out a yelp as the fire stopped briefly, but was immediately followed by a gust of wind, strengthening the fire that had been leeching onto stone.

''A Blade Rex and a Jormungandr-'' He gritted his teeth and took a quick step back to avoid getting hit by a chair, pulling Emil with him. He didn't bother to continue an explanation or education minute about these dragons. At that moment, the wind stopped and judging from the bright light and heat, the monsters seemed undecided if they were after him and Emil, or preferred each other's head.

Both males seized their chance and broke into a sprint. Emil looked back as he did so, his eyes widening before he let himself fall to the ground.

''Richter!''

The older man spun on his heels, weapons ready and bracing himself for impact. The Jormungandr's tail had missed Emil, but Richter was less fortunate. With much more force than he had anticipated the scaled muscle slammed into the man, knocking him and his weapon back. His back made contact with the wall first, but with the force he was sent flying he was unable to control his body's movements and thus prevent his head from craning back with equal force. Stone made contact with skull and Emil let out another yelp as he scrambled up and crawled to the man, who had fallen to the floor in a heap. Aqua appeared instantly.

''Master Richter!''

''Shit, shit, shit! Aqua help me move him!'' He called out in panic.

Aqua summoned one of the monsters under her command- knowing it wouldn't be able to take any of these two dragons on, but hoping it would give them enough time. Adrenaline pushing him onward, Emil threw Richter's weapons in the general direction of their goal- fortunately only a few yards away- before hooking his arms around Richter's and desperately trying to drag him along as fast as he could. The man made audible sounds of protest, trying to use his legs to push himself up. Emil kicked Richter's weapons down what he could now see was a hallway before turning back to see in front of him, eyes widening once more. Using all of his weight, he threw himself and Richter back into the tunnel, just barely avoiding fireball.

Richter's legs began to cooperate again and he turned in Emil's grip, hoisting himself up using the boy's shoulders, causing the both of them to nearly fall. Unsteady and clearly in pain he stumbled forward into a half jog, picking up his weapons on the way. The light coming from behind them that slightly illuminated the path ahead of them in an orange glow that indicated the reuse of a fiery breath. They ran until the light suddenly dimmed and the sound of crackling fire disappeared.

And just like that, it was over.

With the bit of light they had gone, they were now in an almost pitch black maze of stone corridors. The continuing roars and crashes sounded distant and they could only guess the monsters had taken the battle to themselves again. But other than the distant clashing, the pants and gasps were the only audible things in the otherwise dead silent surroundings.

Richter grunted. ''Shit...''

Emil's head snapped to where he could vaguely distinguish the older man's silhouette.

''Aqua.''

Aqua had followed them, not bothering to disappear, and immediately floated over to hover by his side.

''Master Richter...'' genuine concerned tainted her otherwise composed voice.

''Can you do something about the dark?'' He muttered, his voice strained. The centurion nodded and if it wasn't for the situation, Emil would have been amazed at the light emitting from the flow of water she created around herself.

''Good. Stay in front of us. Emil, come over here.''

Emil instantly crossed the distance, having little time to brace himself before Richter slung an arm around his neck and, using his lower arm and height difference, leaned on Emil. Despite the painfully sharp pain Emil didn't move or object and albeit a bit awkwardly, moved his left arm hanging limp between them to support Richter's back. The man hissed at the contact and Emil let go as if he touched fire.

''S-sorry!''

Richter shook his head. ''Don't apologize. It's old.''

Emil didn't respond. Was it the same wound Aqua mentioned when they first met? He decided not to ask until they found a place to tend to the man, instead focusing on supporting him and making sure they weren't being followed. After what seemed like hours they found a turn that led to a nook of some sort. It didn't classify as a room, but it reminded Emil of the Balacruf with the riddles on the wall. He looked around and sure enough, in each of the two corners stood an unlit torch. He helped Richter to ease himself on the ground, against the wall for support, before lighting them with the sorcerer's ring.

The light was dim, the torches old and musky from the underground environment. But was enough to see and enough for warmth. Emil crouched next to the older man, who was struggling to get out of his tunic. While he wanted nothing more than to help the man, Emil sensed he would be wise to let the man do this himself. At the same time, this would give him the chance to calm down himself. He was still sweating and his body remained trembling uncontrollably. He looked at Aqua who also remained silent but already had mana emitting from her hands. When he looked at the man next to him again his eyes fell on bare skin as he finished unbuttoning his shirt and took it off with a grunt, and if it wasn't for the adrenaline still coursing through his veins and the many scars that were now for him to see, Emil would have blushed.

Never would he guessed for Richter- who seemed so invincible - to have so many scars. Varying from thin white lines to soft pink tissue that lay upon caramel skin. From bite marks to a clean sword cut to a burn. It wasn't many in the sense that the man was completely covered, the scars he saw being mostly on respectively his shoulder, chest and side. However, for Emil, it was like being punched right on his thorax- an experience given to him by the older man himself.

His eyes were torn from the man's chest as he turned, allowing Aqua to ease the pain in his back. When his eyes fell on the old wound however, his breathing hitched in this throat.

A scar wider than the man's upper arm ran diagonally across his back, the skin a light pink and its edges flawed and ragged. He shuffled closer to the man, unaware of the sharp look Richter gave him from the corner of his eyes. Richter followed his movements closely but remained silent, even as Emil tentatively reached out. A shiver threatened to run down his back when Emil's finger brushed over the skin.

''Is this the wound you told me about?''

When Richter realized he wasn't talking to him he snapped his attention to the centurion.

''Aqua-'' The mix between a growl and an order left no room for debate. Whatever she had already told, she better not reveal more.

''What happened?''

Richter crawled forward to break free from both Emil's close proximity and Aqua's powers. Debating on whether he could even answer that question, he put his clothes back on, well aware of the concerned eyes prying on his back. He shut his eyes, trying to ban out the conflicted feeling. Emil would find out sooner or later, yet for a reason he was afraid he was well aware of, for a reason he cursed...He would not tell him any sooner than that.