Beginning: Victoria

Chapter 9

All is quiet in the village with the exception of a few villagers repairing the damaged buildings. Zenith and Sira make their way between the stone walls and trees as discreetly as possible. They did not want to attract any unnecessary attention. Sira was extremely anxious to find clues in the ant tunnel that could help in explaining the legend of the dragon knight. She is enthusiastic about following in the same footsteps as her father but at the same time a small reluctant feeling lingers. The dragon knights had been dangerous and uncontrollable, had explained Zenith. Was that true? Her books had told nothing about their personalities. She is engulfed by a dark sensation when thoughts of the events with the mysterious man enter her mind. She remembers being filled with so much anger and hate. Had she really been in control of her actions? She wonders if she had survived and fought because of the power of the dragon's spirit. She reasons with herself that there is no way she is strong enough to have such a gift. At that thought she becomes more worried. What if she did have the gift? She would be too weak to control it ... then what would happen? She thinks back on everything that had happened to her father. Had he had the gift? Was that what he and her mother had talked of that night where she listened safely in the other room? For so long she had believed her father to be great warrior, she had wanted to find out everything that had happened prior to his sudden death. She wanted to know how his search for the dragon's spirit had finished and what the conversation with her mother was about. What had he felt that made her mother cry - the dragons spirit? She had tried questioning her mother on the matter, but her mother had snapped at her saying it was only a legend. Her mother's reaction had only fueled her curiosity. In the past year, due to her extensive training schedule she had not been able to pursue her quest for the truth. However, the events of a few days past and the information she received from Zenith reignited her desire to know more.
At the very end of the village, at the bottom of stairs dug into the earth stands an enormous eerie tree stump. At the front of the stump the wood splits opening the entrance to the ant tunnel. Through the entrance they see nothing but darkness with a faint glimmer of light. The ant tunnel had once been a very prosperous and busy ore mine with many people coming and going everyday. It had been discovered many years ago, after digging a small tunnel, that miles of underground grotto's stretched beneath the island. Other villages and towns had tried to dig to have their own access to the caves, but had failed. The ground covering the island under approximately 20 feet of soil was a hard stone no one had succeeded in cracking sufficiently. The only ground soft enough to dig was around Sleepywood. In these mines, various ores such as mithril, garnet and silver had been found in the first stages of the tunnels. As the years past, the miners dug deeper and to their amazement, they found Gold, Diamonds and even the legendary black ores. Mining in the ant tunnel had become the heart of Victoria island bringing wealth beyond imagination to the mining companies of Sleepywood. The ores were used in creating and upgrading weaponry and armor strengthening the armies of the land. However, in the past 10 years, mining had drastically come to a halt as the spawns of evil eyes, undead mushrooms and drakes began to pour from its deepest corridors. Hundreds of men and women had lost their lives in attempts of slaying the beasts and continuing to excavate the tunnel. Unfortunately the attempts were futile and the spawns continued to grow in numbers. The growing need for the precious ores skyrocketed the value of these and the finely crafted materials once known became rare.

Zenith looks over his shoulder and sees no one. With a hand on the inner walls of the stump he and the warrior cautiously step down the many grass covered stone steps leading deep underground. Every few feet on the dirt wall hangs a shiny stone that spreads a dim light around them. As they get deeper the air becomes colder and the light, a little brighter. At the end of the narrow staircase they arrive in a large cave. A yellow light shines from the many glimmering stones throughout the vast damp area. Small droplets of water can be heard in the distance. They continue forward into the caves looking around cautiously for spawns. They are puzzled that even ten minutes into the tunnel they do not see even one creature.

"It's so ... empty," says Sira, an echo rebounds and startles her.

"Abnormally empty," says Zenith. "Stay on guard."

They continue walking, going deeper underground without seeing or hearing the slightest hint of another presence. The ant tunnel is rumored to be swarming with spawns; where had they all gone? The mysterious mans face flashes in Siras mind and she holds her breath. He had come down here... had he done something to the spawns? She stops. Zenith continues a few steps before realizing Sira is not following. He turns around to find Sira starring at the ground her fists clenched.

"What is it," he asks?

"That man ..." she whispers. "What if he is still down here?"

Zenith had avoided that very thought. No one had seen the man exit the ant tunnel. A small frightened sensation runs through him but he ignores it. He had made up his mind on coming down here knowing the man could very well be lurking in one of the many dark corners of the tunnel. Why was he doing this? He looks at Sira and closes his eyes briefly. In that instant he remembers the dagger...the blood. He opens his eyes - He knows that helping Sira will not change what happened, but his gut is more powerful then his mind. He turns back around and starts walking again. He too had unanswered questions.

"Come," he says not looking back.

Sira doesn't have time to take one step when she hears small thud. She turns to look to her right, where the sound had come from, and jumps back as a yellow spiky arm with sharp claws swings at her. She goes to grab her Zeco as a swift arrow glides and pierces the small creature. A muffled cry escapes its large mouth and its bulging eyes close. Zenith and Sira both turn to where the back of the arrow is pointing and sees two figures jogging towards them - Jaimus and Valencia. How had they...?

"Evenin' Mates," says Jaimus tipping his hat at the two.

"What ... how did u find us?" asks Zenith.

"We followed you of course," says Jaimus smiling. "Overheard you talking to Sabitrama, figured you'd do something hasty like this. Couldn't let you kids come down here in this nasty place all by your lonesome now could we?"

"Followed...how ...," asks Zenith ashamed he had not heard them before now. "Since when?"

"Since you left Sleepywood of course," says Jaimus proudly. "Followed you real close up until now. Figured you would turn us around if you noticed us earlier. You're stuck with us now chap!"

"How come ..." growls Zenith. "Lies! I couldn't hear you!"

Being of the rogue clan Zenith prized himself on stealth and acute senses.

"Hunter extraordinaire at your service," giggles Jaimus. "Humans are dumber to track then animals."

Seeing Zenith's unamused expression Jaimus laughs nervously and changes subject.

"Soooo," he says. "We on a reconnaissance mission for lil miss here?"

"I ..." says Sira. "You didn't have to come. This has nothing to do with missions and the team - It's personal."

"Nonsense," says Jaimus. "Plus ... I've always wanted to hunt me something from these tunnels. Imagine the faces of the townsfolk if I brought back a souvenir like an Evil Eye Tail... or even better a DRAKE SKULL!"

Jaimus is beaming with pride as he reaches for a small dagger in his pocket. He bends down towards the dead evil eye and continues cackling.

"Excuse me ladies," he says winking at Valencia and Siya.

The hunter slices off the tail and cleans it best he can without water.

"If we find a water source ill have this baby ready to bring back to the town. The ladies will go wild and admire me," says the bowman smiling at the two girls.

"Oh please..." says Valencia."We just thought we could be of help to you. Who knows what you might encounter."

"Thank you," says Sira. "You both are aware of what might lurk in these tunnels?"

"Fully aware," says Jaimus. "So what we looking for exactly?"

"Sabitrama said that a man had asked information on the ant tunnel because it apparently contained information on the Dragon Knights," explains Zenith.

"I know," smiles Jaimus. "I was listening!"

Zenith gives Jaimus a cold glare - once again his senses had failed. Jaimus' smile fades.

"Well now," says the bowman readying his bow. "How far do you think until we find something?"

"I would guess quite deep," says Valencia. "It would also be more then likely to be in a place where the miners did not come across. If it were the case... whatever this information is would be quite public don't you think?"

"I agree," says Sira.

"Even Sabitrama knew not of this information that the man was talking about," says Zenith.

"Well then ... "says Jaimus adjusting his armor."Shall we see how deep this tunnel goes?"

The four team mates continue their descent amongst the rocks and stone walls cautiously; every step looking over their shoulder just in case. They are heading into the den of the strongest and most frightening creatures known to the folk of Victoria Island. Holding their breaths at each corner, they hope for the best. Although they are relieved at avoiding the mobs that was told existed in these tunnels...a growing fear clouds their minds - where had the creatures gone?