Colt and the team stepped through the portal to find themselves at the edge of a very thick forest. "So, we're in the Neutral Zone?" Asked Colt.

"You could say that, this is the Witches' Forest." Colt turned around to see a large, dark skinned mantis squad member with shaggy hair. Colt remembered him as Brox from Cap'n Jacks and figured that he was the Mantis member that called for backup. "apparently this is as close to our destination as anyone could get you guys, we're going to be moving closer to the dead planes north west."

"You never were one for pleasantries, were you Brox." Said a rather tall man with long hair and a goatee from the Crimsons

"And of course, they sent you Zac. Look we need to get moving I left my two kids back there and we need to move quick."

It looked like Zac was about to say something snarky, so Colt got between them. "How do you suggest we do that? Should we all get branch-brooms?"

Brox walked right up to Colt. Towering over him Brox looked straight down. "And I thought you seemed wet behind the ears at Jacks. Bit of advice rookie don't ever underestimate a senior level magic knight, it's a quick way to get killed. I'll take care of transport. Gravity Magic: Gravity Road." The earth underneath the team started to move until a large chunk came out of the ground with everyone standing on it. "Time to move." The chunk started moving north west.

Most of the team found themselves on the ground from the shock, Brox just stood on the front ledge unmoving. There was something about the Mantis senior that Colt found very unnerving. "Quite the intimidating fellow, isn't he?" Colt turned his head to see the young woman of the Silver Sea Dragons. "Though in all honesty he's actually a nice guy, he just takes his responsibility very seriously." She looked down at Colt. "I'm Erin Coolridge, I'm Sara's instructor." She held out her hand to help up Colt.

"Thanks. I'm Colt Blane. So, you worked with the guy before?"

"We've crossed paths from time to time. He's exceedingly powerful." Erin looked around their floating island. "As you can see."

"No kidding."

"Although don't be too impressed. You should see when he gets serious."

"What's that like?"

"Don't want to spoil the surprise." Erin said with a cheeky smile. "Anyway c'mon, we need to co-ordinate."

Everyone gathered in the with Brox, Erin and the Crimson squad member called Zac standing in the middle. Brox Spoke first. "So, we were chasing three of them, all without magic, so we couldn't sense them. Even using magic, they were difficult to pursue, you could tell they have experience in evading capture."

"How do you know they're even still there." Zac interrupted.

Brox pulled out a sheet of paper. "Because of this." He handed the paper to Zac.

"It looks like a bunch of squiggly lines."

"It is a map. A map for a Strong Magic Region called the Shifting Tunnels. That's why it's all squiggles, it's the tunnels predicted shifting motions."

Erin stared at Brox dumbfounded. "Christ are you serious, they actually mapped out those tunnels?"

"That's right. For those who don't know the Shifting Tunnels are an incredibly deadly Strong Magic Region. Like the name suggests the tunnels move and change so it's impossible not to get lost. And because of the simple fact its impossible to get out of there, no one even knows what the hell that Magic Region is hiding." Said Brox

"Well apparently they must know if they have a map. So, your squad is waiting at the entrance?" Erin asked.

Brox pointed at her knowingly. "Yes and as far as we know there is only one entrance. The map is marked so it's possible that's where they are going to be going. We barely managed to swipe that map from one of them and we must assume that it's possible that the rest of them have their own copies. And here are where things get tricky. Because we don't know exactly is in the tunnels, we have zero clue what they're after, so we have no idea what to expect. There is a slight possibility that this could even be they're home base which is why we have to act smart about this."

Zac looked Brox dead in the eye. "And how are we supposed to do that with only one map. We can't exactly do co-ordinated attack in a place like this with only one map."

Brox took out a bunch of papers from his pack. "I was waiting for you guys for almost two days. You really think I wouldn't make copies. We have enough for six two-man teams."

Erin stepped towards Brox while looking at a map. "Yeah knowing the place is one thing but problems could arise if we split up if we don't know where everyone else is."

Brox let out a chuckle. "My thoughts exactly. Which is why the maps are enchanted. An old trick a group of friends showed me how to do when I was school. Once we enter the cave the maps will keep location of the other maps. Now even if we do split up, we only have the six maps. Which means we'll always have to stay connected to our partner."

The talk continued for a while talking about the adversaries though knowledge was limited due to evading combat. When they got to the teams Erin suggested Mads and Colt be split due to them already facing similar enemies along with Desmond from the Sea Dragons who was paired with Lionel. Mads was paired with one of the awaiting Praying Mantis members and Colt was with Sara. Brox volunteered to go with the remaining mantis, Erin and Zac paired leaving the two Crimson Lions a pair.

Eventually they made it to a rocky mountainous area covered in a thin layer of snow, Colt was grateful he wore his scarf it was freezing up here. As they were landing, he saw a massive cave, no doubt the entrance to the shifting tunnels. He also saw the two other members of the Mantis Squad. One was a young woman with a purple hair tied in a tight bun. The other was the young Mantis that Colt saw at Jacks with Brox. As the island landed Brox walked straight past Colt and up to his squad. "Amanda, Tak. Any movement from this end?"

Amanda walked towards Brox. "No Sir, and no one has come to follow them either. Frankly Tak and I have been betting weather those morons are dead or not. I say dead."

Brox stopped in front Amanda. "Dead or not, they went in there for a reason. That's why we're here. Besides if they are dead you and Miss Sally can have the bodies."

Colt saw a sparkle in Amanda's eyes that he'd only seen in Sally. The team gathered around the entrance and paired off with their partners. Erin stepped forward and started handing out maps. "Alright I need everyone to understand a few things. One this is one of the more deadly magic regions, we have no idea what's down there. So, make sure you stay with your partner and don't lose your map. Two, we also have no idea what the enemy is after down there. And since this is a strong magic region it could be just about anything and most likely dangerous, so show utmost caution. And three, there's also a chance that the targets may have reinforcements down there or on the way so Zac and I will be staying outside in case of any reinforcements from the outside or if we believe any team may be in danger. With all that said, it's time to move out magic knights."

All the teams moved down into the cave. As they walked down the tunnels, the paths started to split so the teams started to break away eventually it was down to Colt, Sara, Mads and Amanda. As they continued down, they eventually made it to a large cavern that had a small pool of water. They all decided to take a break for a few minutes. They filled their canisters with the water from the pool and sat on the ground and checked their maps. While above the ground the maps were a picture of squiggly lines, now below ground the map was now more comprehendible one could make out the lines that were actual tunnels. The amazing part was the lines would vanish and reappear in different areas on the map. "Must be where the tunnels are shifting." Colt looked up from the map to see Sara sitting next to him.

"Yeah more than likely. Not only that but even when we leave this cavern it's going to be a while until we get the next divergence. So, we'll be with those two for a bit longer."

"Looking for a little alone time." Sara said with a cheeky smile.

Colt faced Sara with a serious look. "Actually, there's something I have been meaning to ask you for a while now." Colt's reaction took Sara off guard.

0

Erin and Zac sat outside the cave entrance with Erin keeping an eye on the map while Zac kept pacing impatiently by the entrance of the cave. "I still don't get why I'm stuck out here with you. It's so boring out here."

Erin looked up from the map with a scowl. "We're out here cos out of all the members you and I are the worst in tight spaces. The last thing we need is to envelop the entire region in fire and ice. Especially in the way we use it."

"What? Effectively?"

"Recklessly, you idiot. Our best attacks are widespread and dangerous. And if we misuse them then someone on or side could end up dead. Not to mention I'm not dealing with you and Brox. Every time you guys get within ten feet of each other it's a bloody knife fight."

Zac just sneered at Erin until they started hearing footsteps nearing them. They turned and noticed a group of cloaked people approaching the cave. Erin stepped forward. "Stop right there." They kept moving forward. "Stop moving, final warning." They kept moving. "Ice Binding Magic: Cryostasis" several beams of ice came from Erin's grimoire and struck the group each one being encased in ice.

Zac stepped towards the ice. "Is it just me or did that seem a bit to easy."

Erin closed her grimoire. "Think they could have been reinforcements."

"No Idea. For reinforcements they seemed pretty pathetic." Then something started to happen within the ice. The prisoners started to evaporate and turn to mist. Zac and Erin backed away in shock.

"You always were a sucker for simple tactics Erin. Not much has changed since you were a rookie." Erin was frozen in fear, she recognised that voice, the voice that made scars on her back ache.

Zac turned to see a large group standing above the entrance. And one that stood in front of the group looked strangely alike to Noelle Silva. Zac noticed Erin was petrified and was refusing to look at their opponents. "Oi Erin what's the matter with you?"

"Aww she's shaking in her little booties. Guess somethings never change my apprentice. No matter how much I tried to beat it out of you."

Erin managed to turn and face the woman with silver hair. "Hello mistress Nebra."

Nebra walked forward with a sadistic smile on her face. "Now what pray tell brings a Sea dragon and a Crimson Lion all the way out here."

Erin tried her best to stand strong, but her heart was beating like a woodpecker in her chest. "I could say the same to you. What would the illustrious Nebra Silva be doing all the way in the bad lands. Let alone with a bunch of people who can't use magic. I'd assume something like that would be beneath you."

"Normally such a thing would be in the old days. But after that little wretch of a sister succeeded me as Captain and a I was banished in that closed court assembly I didn't have many options."

"After what you pulled. You're lucky you just ended up with banishment from the Silva Household."

"Oh, you attempt to murder one baby and suddenly the whole worlds against you. Its not like the brat will be worth anything with her future." Nebra said while waving her hand in the air. "Well anyway after that little injustice I managed to find a little group that understood my pain. Being cast aside by society just cause we're different in some slight way. Even though the truth is that we're better." Nebra continued to walk forward. "But the best of people is those whom we serve. Whose power are unequal to even the elves. Who kindness to outsiders knows no bounds. We are the Servants of the Perfect Cast." Nebra opened her grimoire. "Mist Magic: Bewildering Forest of Mist."

The surrounding area became enshrouded in mist. Erin pulled out her own grimoire. "Ice Magic: Frozen Desert." The surrounding area suddenly cooled and froze. The mist vapor condensed and became snowflakes. "You think I wouldn't have learnt a trick or two since your banishment Nebra."

Zac pulled out his grimoire. "Flame Magic:" the area filled with glowing orbs. "Bombing Lanterns." The orbs began to explode.

One of Nebras henchman pulled his grimoire. "Wind magic: Tunnelling Typhoon." A typhoon appeared and begun to suck up the fire and expelling at a safe distance.

"Ice Magic: Icicle Shrapnel." Razor sharp pieces of ice started surrounded Erin and launched at Nebra who was enveloped by mist."

"Mist Magic: Misty Veil." Nebra's mist veil started to travel leaving a path of mist making it impossible for Erin to tell where Nebra was in the mist. So she just threw all the ice she could into the mist. "Like I said before. Bait and Switch." Nebra whispered in Erins ear behind her before letting out a burst of magic at her back throwing her into the wall around the cave.

"Erin! Flame Magic: Central Inferno!" Zac's body was covered in flames which then began to expand outwards with Zac roaring in pain from using his most powerful spell.

"Zac… Don't." Erin struggled to speak. Her body throbbed in pain she could barely move her legs.

Another member of Nebras squad stepped towards the flames. "Mineral Magic: Crystal Skin." Her skin became crystals and she walked right through the flames until she came face to face with Zac who had some burns on his face. "Hello gorgeous." She hit Zac, hard, and Zac fell to the ground. "Magic Knight bitch like you should know not to get emotional during a fight against large groups. Especially if their powers haven't been revealed."

Erin saw Zac go down. She knew they lost this fight from the moment she heard Nebras voice. She knew the teams in the caves were in danger. She knew what she had to do, and she had to do it quick cause she heard Nebras footsteps coming towards her. She reached in her pocket, felt a small device, and poured as much magic as she could into it. Nebra stood over her. "Such a valiant effort. However, what is hidden within those caves belongs to the Perfect Cast." Nebra kicked Erin in her face knocking her out.

"You always were a sadistic Servant, Nebra. One of the reasons I enjoy your company." A large cloaked figure wearing a mask under his hood. "Do we know how many there are in there?"

Nebra and her team knelt before the large figure. "We believe around ten my lord."

"Ten. Great. Ten against ten. I always liked symmetry. Now we get what belongs me." Nebras team moved into the caves after the squad.

0

Lionel and Desmond had the three magicless tied up and secured and Desmond was in the middle of interrogating the three of them. And Desmond's voice was as creepy as he looked. "Now I'm going to ask one time nicely. Why did you three come here to the Shifting Tunnels? What is down here that is worth risking your life and sanity over."

"Up yours Magic Knight punk." Desmond didn't say a word, he just lifted his finger and put it to the man's shoulder. Then a white spike came from his fingertip right through his shoulder. "ARGH! GOOD GOD!." The man looked at Desmond's finger. "Is that your bone?"

"And it'll only get worse if you don't tell me want to know."

"They don't know anything." Desmond and Lionel turned around to see two cloaked figures. One with a grimoire and the other without. "They were just supposed to scout out the area."

0

Colt and Sara had separated from Amanda and Mads and had been traveling in silence for a while now. Then Sara decided to break it. "You said you wanted to ask me something. What was it?"

"Never mind, it can wait."

"oh really? Cause from the way you looked at me, I kind of got the feeling that it was kind of eating you up."

They saw an opening coming up. "Sara just drop it."

"Okay what is wrong. I thought things were fine."

They made their way into a large room when Colt stopped and looked Sara dead in the eye. "That's the thing Sara they are fine. They were fine until two years ago when they weren't fine. Then you show up at the selection exam then suddenly everything is fine again." Sara took a step back. "Ryko actually bought this up at the exam. For two years you went out of your way to avoid me. There was no warning. One day you and I were inseparable the next day you and I were having a screaming match."

Sara held her hands out trying to calm him down. "Colt please…"

Colt kept rambling. "Ryko was off training somewhere so I couldn't rely on him. So, for two years I was completely alone. Every time I tried to talk to about what happened you would just walk away. At parties, on the street, any time I just wanted to talk like the old days you were never there. Then you think you can just walk back into my life like nothing ever happened. Like I'd just roll over like a dog or like one of the faithful servants of the great Noble Sara Shimmerlin."

Colt realised he crossed a line when Sara's fist clocked his nose and he ended up on the ground. He looked up at her and despite the anger in her eyes there was also tears. "Don't you dare say that to me ever again. If there is one thing, I hate it's my status as a noble you know that. Because above all, it's that disgusting status that cost us our friendship."

Colt was about to ask what she meant but then. "Well look at that. Two Magic Knights already at each other's throats guess this'll be easy." Colt turned and saw a woman with diamond skin and a large man with an axe in the middle of the room. "This is as deep as the tunnels go the Artefact must be here, let's kill these two and find it for our lord."

Colt stood with Sarah as they prepared to battle. Just like the others in the cave.

0

Back at the royal capital Noelle was trying to catch up on her paperwork until one of the magical items started to glow. "Oh no. Erin. If anyone could make her call for reinforcements, they must be frightening. Better get the others they wouldn't appreciate their subordinates being attacked. Also, it's been since Asta had a real fight."