RCM- Hmph. Inconvenience… the only 'inconvenience' is the blasted trip I have to go on! Aria never was, nor do I foresee her being one.
Anri- Please, Master. Calm down. There's no need to get upset.
Sol- Someone should tell Skorch and Pyros where the hatchlings will be posted now that Aria doesn't need them.
RCM- I can't, I have to do this first. You tell them.
Sol- But I can't speak their language.
RCM- No, but they can understand yours.
Sol- But…
RCM- Solaris, just do it.
Sol- Yes sir… (flies away)
Anri- I should get back to Aria…
RCM- Not so fast, young lady. I need to speak with you.
Anri- Oh… I'm not in trouble, am I?
RCM- No, but it is important. I'll tell you after we get the story started.
Anri- Yes sir.
RCM- Would you care to do the honors?
Anri- We don't own any of the concepts readers may recognize, video game or otherwise.
RCM- In this chapter, the party travels through the depths of the Shadin Tunnel, learning a little detail about Shadow's past along the way. Now, come with me Anri.
Chapter 14
Underground Crossway
The elated Hillfolk rushed back to town, showering their heroes with praise. Not surprisingly, Hugh reveled in it, but Lance wanted to keep moving. "Excuse me, can one of you tell us how to get past those mountains?"
"Hail heroes!"
"Anybody?"
"You saved us!"
As much as he tried, all he could get out of them were similar, if not identical, comments. Shadow groaned. "I heard that Hillfolk weren't exactly the brightest race in existence, but I had no idea they were THIS bad."
One of the large-muscled locals finally stopped his barrage of cheers to ask "Can we do anything for heroes?"
Elric didn't waste a second in taking advantage of the new window of opportunity. "Yes! Yes, you can help us!"
"How? How we help?"
"Tell us how we cross those mountains." He pointed to the peaks behind him so they wouldn't get confused.
"Cross? No one can cross. Too steep to cross."
Another one nodded rapidly, a dopey grin on his face. "Yes, yes. Too steep. Don't go over. Go under. Under much easier."
"Yes, under. Under best."
"Under…?" Link closed his eyes in thought, trying to figure out what they meant. Coming up with a possible answer, he scanned the base of the mountains with the telescope. It didn't take long to confirm his theory. "Of course. Right there, look. It's a cave, probably a tunnel." He handed the telescope to Lance, who quickly confirmed their next destination.
"Yes! Tunnel! Is fastest, best way past mountains. Leads to Nymph place."
Hugh put two and two together quickly. "The Ice Tower! It's near where the Snow Nymphs live! We're almost there!"
Tikal backed away from one of the hopping fans. "Um, can we get out of here before their appreciation kills us?"
Shadow was using a six-foot black pole to hold off another that was trying to hug him, the adaptability of the Berserker again proving quite useful. "I agree. We found out what we needed, let's go!"
Due to the Hillfolk's limited intelligence, it didn't take long for the heroes to elude them. Once they reached the entrance to the cave, Lance stopped and fished out an old lantern from his pack. As strong as he was, neither he nor Hugh could prevent the mourning sigh that came from seeing Graham's former tool. The only one among them to notice was Tikal, who simply gave them each a short questioning glance. She was curious as to the cause of the show of emotion, but wanted to respect their privacy as well. As Lance ignited the lantern, Elric lit an arrow aflame to use as a torch. With both lights ready, the group entered the cavern. Within seconds, three bats identical to those in the Temple of Elders dove at them. "Incoming!"
Shadow scoffed, easily knocking back the projectiles. "Cannon Keese? Pathetic." Moments later, a larger, more impish creature dropped from the ceiling. "A Vire? That's more like it!" With a swish of his scythe, the Darkman split the Vire into a pair of Keese, each armed with razor sharp fangs.
A spinning boomerang knocked both bats to dust. "Can't let you have all the fun." Link said as he caught his weapon.
The shadows continued to dance on the walls in the flickering light of the lantern and Fire Arrow. Most of the opposition took the form of Vire and Keese, with a few worm-like Moldorms roaming into their path now and then. However, they ran into a more powerful problem near the end of the tunnel. "Who dares enter my dominion?!"
"The hell?" Hugh looked around frantically, the voice sounding very hostile. On a hunch, Elric let his arrow fly, illuminating the stretch of tunnel ahead. As the bolt burst against the wall, the resulting flash exposed a large, impish creature, very similar in form to the late Goblin King, though much less heavyset.
"A Hobgoblin…" Shadow said with a small chuckle. "Didn't think any of those even existed anymore."
The blue demon took a step closer, seeming to examine the tall figure in the rear of the party. "Well, well… If it isn't a Darkman amongst the intruders… Not only do you betray your family but you harbor creatures of Light?! You truly do deserve to die, Bel'Tasur." Shadow visibly tensed, the rage clearly growing in his eyes. "Oh, that's right… you have lost your title, haven't you? To call you by your name is folly, save for those who have the opportunity to kill you." The imp smiled, revealing several rows of needle sharp teeth. "I look forward to collecting the hefty price on your head!"
"This guy's making me sick. Torch 'im, Tikal!" Heeding Lance's request, she let loose an Inferno blast, sure to connect in the closed confines of the tunnel. However, much to their horror, the beast remained, completely unharmed. "No way… how could she miss?!"
The deranged imp laughed, its color shifting from blue to red. "She didn't!" With a screech, the Hobgoblin spewed a flame much like Tikal's Inferno spell back at the heroes, its intensity almost twice what the original attack contained. Hugh fell to his knees, propping himself up with his sword. Being in front, Lance took the hit hard on his left side, rendering the entire arm useless. Both of the elves were thrown back into the walls, but Link managed to pull up his Mirror Shield in time, barely deflecting his share of the blast into the ceiling. "Hmm… not bad, kid. It's a shame you will die like th- ERK!"
The Hobgoblin's words were cut off abruptly by the Darkman grabbing its throat from behind. The blade of his scythe inches from his captive's face, the ebon warrior said with venom in his voice "My name is Shadow." After a jerk of his wrist, the pieces of the demon fell to the floor, where they vaporized. Turning back to his allies, he asked "You okay?"
Despite the wound to his shield arm, Lance nodded. Helping Hugh to his feet, he gestured for Link to revive Elric and Tikal. Together, they slowly made their way to the end of the underground passage. "I never knew how inviting the light at the end of a tunnel could be…"
"You know, if my other arm wasn't dead, I'd hit you over the head for that."
Hugh laughed. "Yeah, I know. Why do you think I said it?" His laughter abruptly stopped as Lance withdrew his shoulder, letting the dark haired boy fall face first into the ground. "Hey, come on!"
"You asked for it." Lance said with a smirk. After Link helped Hugh up again, he took his telescope to try figuring out the distance to the town lying a ways down the road. The shining blue tower behind it signified that they were on the verge of collecting their second shard. "It's still a long walk, and the sun will be going down soon. Should we try to make it?"
Tikal asked to see the telescope. After carefully examining the area in the distance, she offered to try using her magic to teleport them there. "Hold on, I thought you had to be in an area once before in order to warp us there."
"Not quite. I have to see where I'm going for it to work. Thanks to Link, I should be able to take us almost directly to the edge of the town."
"Well, I'm game." Hugh said quickly. "The sooner I get this leg looked at the better." Lance nodded, helping Link hoist their partner into a standing position. Once the circle of allies completed itself, the young spellcaster closed her eyes and began reciting the familiar incantation. Moments later, they appeared on the outskirts of Aurora, where a small group of Snow Nymphs quickly took them in. As the sun set over the mountains they had just passed, each and every party member swiftly fell into a content and restful sleep.
End Chapter 14
RCM- So do you accept the responsibility?
Anri- Yes, of course Master. I'll make sure he stays out of trouble.
Sol- What's going on?
RCM- Solaris, perfect timing. (sigh) This will likely be the last update I will be able to post until I return on Sunday. Because I do not want you to be here by yourself for so long, I am sending you with Anri to stay with Aria again.
Sol- Really? That's almost a whole week!
Anri- I'm sure she won't mind. And I'm sure Apollo would want to meet you.
Sol- Who?
RCM- Aria's newest fairy. Worry not, my children. I shall return. In the meantime, take care yourselves. And Solaris, do not let me hear that you broke anything over there. Understand?
Sol- (gulp) Yes sir.
Anri- Hee hee… Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him.
Sol- We'll miss you, Master.
RCM- I know, I will miss all of you as well… Now go. I do not wish for this to last longer than it has to. I hate long good-byes.
Anri and Sol- Farewell Master. We shall await your return. (both vanish)
RCM- It is done… Though it will be a while before I complete the next chapter, I will do everything in my power to make good of the time I am away. If my plan works, the next update will contain 3 chapters at least, but I will make no promises. For the time being, I bid you, my readers, a fond farewell. (vanishes too, in a burst of flame)
