Author's Note: This fic and it's counterparts are a collection of short stories that are not written in chronological order, so there will be significant time-skips between "chapters". Also, when this story is updated, the chapters will be shuffled around to fit in the new additions as necessary for easier first-time reading. New additions will be prefixed with "NEW" in the chapter select.
"How many relatives did the Mad King have?" Korrah asked while catching her breath.
"Royal families often have extensive family trees. Any relation to a king, however distant, would bring some prestige," Alphinaud explained, watching as the felled fiend, leaving behind the body of one of Theodoric's unfortunate kin.
"Much the same as in Hingashi, though it's more prestigious to be related to the Mitsurugi clan than the Emperor," Sunako added, wiping her katana with her sleeve before sheathing it.
"Aye, I don't know about you lot, but I wouldn't want to attend a royal family reunion any time soon," Arenvald muttered. "I wonder how much deeper this tunnel goes…" he continued, wandering ahead. The others followed, the tunnel slowly narrowing as they advanced.
"Um...are we...sure this is the only way forward? I...I don't mean to…" Sunako stuttered, her voice noticeably shaky.
"Afraid so. Why? Worried we'll be attacked in here?" Arenvald asked.
"Well...I am now...but that wasn't why I asked," she replied, her breathing becoming quick and shallow.
"Hey, I'm right here. Just take my hand, alright," Korrah said, offering her hand to the young samurai. "Wow...that's...that's a stronger grip than I was expecting," she added with a wince.
"Sorry…" Sunako muttered, her breathing returning to normal.
"I hope we catch Yuyuhase soon. Bastard deserves...wait, what was that?" Arenvald asked. The tunnel shook, a roar echoing from somewhere nearby.
"Kami protect us...why here...why here…" Sunako whimpered, hand already gripping her katana.
"You know, I think Sunako might have a point. Perhaps we should…"
Alphinaud didn't get a chance to finish as a resounding crack followed the roar, the tunnel shaking violently as dust fell from the ceiling. Any attempt to turn back was quickly foiled as the floor gave way. They fell, darkness giving way to light as they hit the ground.
"Oh...bugger it…"
"Thal's balls…"
"Thank the kami...light…"
"Are you all alright?" Alphinaud asked, jumping to his feet.
"Aye...aye… everything's still attached," Arenvald replied, slowly standing up while helping Korrah up.
"I'm alright…" Korrah said while dusting herself off.
"I think I hurt my shoulder, but at least we're out of that nightmare," Sunako said as she replaced her tricorne on her head.
"Well, I'd expect it of Korrah, but I never imagined the rest of you would just drop in without invitation," Zael called out, watching them while kneeling on top of a ledge. Behind him Sari and Eauvrix approached.
"Ah... it seems both our paths led here. Very good."
