I learned quickly just how deep the Waterways were just by the sight of it. It stretched far beneath the ground and went even lower. I shuddered slightly. I hated things under land. The thought of having all that weight above me just ready to crash down and flatten my body to the pavement did not excite me.

As a group of four we entered through the opening. My feet immediately stopped on their own when I realized the depth of the labyrinth and I held my breath. 'Oh god.' I thought to myself. 'Don't panic. Don't panic. It's only for a little bit. You go in. You go out. Simple as that!'

Senel, noticing the suddenly silent set of footsteps, came slowly to a stop thirty feet ahead. He turned around and stared at me curiously but that expression didn't last long. It quickly turned to aggravation. "Alex, what're you doing?"

I gulped. My hands began clenching nervously together. Thank god for long sleeves. "N-nothing. Just... you know... I've never been in a waterway before so I wanted to take in the sight." Even I had to admit the lie was pathetic.

Whether or not he believed me I never knew. All he did was raise an eyebrow and give me a pointed stare. "You can do that walking too. Hurry up. We don't have all day."

I wanted to tell him off and say yes, technically we did. Will said we didn't have to be back till tomorrow afternoon, which was a ton of time. If I told him any of that he would ask questions and my little paranoia would be out. I couldn't risk that. No Sandor let their fears be out in the open. That probably wasn't true since I highly doubted a moron like Moses kept everything bottled up inside.

Quietly I groaned. Why didn't lady luck shine on me that day? Did I do something wrong? Aside from all the stealing and hitting Jay for what seemed no reason then. Yes, I clearly overreacted. I always did when I started an argument and began losing it. Should I have felt bad for it? Yes. Did I? Not particularly. He was a jerk. An asshole if I ever met one. Why did I have to go angst on everyone just because he said something that made me snap? To me that made no sense and so I shrugged it off and trudged forwards, dragging my feet. I had bigger problems to deal with.

Seeing I was advancing towards them, Senel turned back around and with Chloe by his side, continued their journey.

Jay lingered behind a little to give me a dirty look. When I caught it I shot one right back, adding a stuck out tongue just to piss him off.

If it worked, he didn't show it. Instead he wrinkled his little nose and muttered, "Stupid bandits and their immature cousins." He said it loud enough for me to hear and I knew he wanted a reaction.

Willing to do nearly anything to get him angry, I ignored his remark and picked my feet off the ground, ending the sliding noises they made. He looked like he was going to wait for me to catch up with him but at the last second, just before I reached his side; he spun around and glided after the other two.

I snorted. "Smart ass marsh mellow."

That was what the adventure was like. Thirty minutes in we encountered our third battle. The monsters weren't very strong, but this particular group of beasts gave me the creeps. I was naturally in-tune with creatures since taming them was one of the main skills we were taught (along with outdoor survival and fighting) in the tribes and those didn't appear too kind. Then again, most weren't. Wild animals like that had a natural feel to them that made you intimidated and on edge, but those were different. I felt like my bones were quivering under my skin.

Senel gripped his hands closed and switched into his battle position. He held his fists up like an expert I noticed. My father used to be a fist fighter using iron eres. I myself was an eres (iron of course) but my weapon was obviously a little different.

Rolling my sleeve back, I clenched the bar under my right hand, palm pressing the switch, and up came my claws from their hiding place. I slid my feet in their proper places, raising my weapon behind my other arm. I didn't want to bring out my rod just yet.

Chloe unsheathed her sword and brandished it bravely in her two hands. "We shall show no mercy!" Those her final words she let out a loud battle cry and rushed towards the largest beast.

"Jay!" Senel yelled. "Take out the crystal erens!"

"Right." Like he was born able to defy gravity, the ninja showed me just how he could live to the standards of his name. 'Jay the Unseen'. He truly was unable to be seen. His actions were so smooth, so fluent and yet the slightest bit jerky. He practically flew in the air as he hopped around the battle field, stabbing his dagger here and there into the beasts trying to cast crystal eres.

I was stunned. How could someone—a boy no less—be so damn pretty when they fought? The fact blood was splattering around him didn't bother me at all. In fact, it made the picture better. He was... he was beautiful. Hell, he was better looking than me.

"Alex!"

My eyes widened. Taking advantage of my dazed state, the largest monster was charging straight at me. He was at least five times my size and probably double that of my weight.

I hesitated for a split second and my guard fell. I stepped back once, eyes large with fright. I felt fear racing through my veins and clenched my jaw. It was coming. Coming to get me. It would kill me. I'd be dead. Those kinds of things went through my mind at ninety miles an hour. A big clutter of thoughts I couldn't process at all.

One stood out. One I heard in a voice that wasn't my own. Never lose focus. Never lose faith. Always keep your eyes open and your instincts free.

That ringing like a church bell, I got hold of my emotions and pushed my fear away. I wasn't going to look like a wimp in front of them. I'd show them just how good I really was.

Grinning, my fingers tightened on the bar of my right hand and I tilted my arm down. I kicked off the ground and started running towards the beast, ready to match its blood lust.

We met fast. Its right fist could fit three of my heads in its palm, and when it was coming at me rapid pace I knew there was no chance I could properly pass a hit like that. I jumped into the air, barely missing my body becoming a pancake. The moment my boots touched the ground I had my claws driving into its chest. I pushed hard, straining the muscles in my arm as I drove it deeper into the thick skin.

The beast let out a howl. It lurched back in pain and my claws came free. Thick, crimson liquid dripped down the blades and in droplets fell to the ground.

My eyes trailed down to the splats and I raised my hand. I twisted my wrist, examining the blood under the dim light in the tunnels. "Hm. Smells funny."

Jay, finished with the crystal eres he started with, shot me a disgusted look. "Ugh. You're just like Moses."

"Hey!" I glared at him. "Take that back!"

"Why?" He asked, back flipping to dodge an ere aimed at him. He landed near me. "It's true. Oh," he pointed in front of me with his dagger, "you're about to get hit."

Thanks Jay, you're a sweetheart. The words never got through my lips let alone to his ears for I was suddenly smacked hard in my chest. My eyes grew, my throat clenched. I couldn't breathe. Tears were welting in my eyes the pain was so bad. I knew it would hurt if I got hit. I knew it and yet I let myself get distracted. Damn my weakness for pretty boys. Damn it to hell!

I crashed hard into the ground. The impact created an imprint of my body and I gagged. Blood shot out of my mouth and I was momentarily blinded from the shockwaves that racked my body.

"Alex!"

Hands on my shoulders, lifting me up. My name was being called over and over. Something warm pressed against my lips and I smelt lemons. My senses told me to drink, and so I did. The gel liquefied and drizzled down my throat, soothing the aching muscles.

In seconds I was numb. A pleasant feeling instead of the horrible one before. The broken ribs I felt were moving inside me. My crushed organs reforming. The change was sickening and I wanted to cringe, wanted to make a face, but I couldn't. My body didn't listen at all. I was nothing but a broken toy.

"...hold her... ay... him out!" 'Senel..?' My hearing kept cutting in and out. Were my ears bleeding? Sure felt like it.

Energy gone. I felt so weak. My conscious was disappearing, falling deep into slumber.

Then suddenly I was awake. My eyes flew open and I felt I had enough energy to jump the entire circumferences of Werites Beacon. My fingers twitched and I clenched my hand to experiment. When my limb worked the way I wanted it too I tried my neck and found it also moved.

I glanced down at my front. "Ah, dammit." I swore. My shirt had holes where my 'used-to-be' broken ribs jabbed out on the sides. The usual maroon shirt was even darker in colour due to the blood spread all over it.

It dawned on me I was still being held and I raised my eyes. Chloe had her arm under my back, making sure to keep my neck as straight as possible. When she saw me staring at her she smiled, looking a little tuckered out. "You're okay."

"Yeah..." I nodded. I leaned forwards, hiding the ache in my chest and she dropped her arm. "What happened to the monsters?"

Senel wiped his forehead with his forearm and let out air through his nose. "We took care of them. Are you alright?" He looked at me when he asked that.

I only shook my head. "Yeah, I'm fine. A little sore but that's all." I shifted around and began putting my weight on my legs. With a bit more effort than it should have used I stood up. My bones practically creaked in protest against the unwelcomed movement.

Chloe say my discomfort. She stood up faster than me and placed a gentle hand on my arm, steadying me. "Easy. You're still drowsy from such a drastic attack. It would've killed you if we didn't get you in time. You'll have to rest for a bit."

"No, that's out of the question." I pushed her aside, feeling the need to show myself as strong after such an embarrassing display of fighting. "We... have a job to do. We need to complete it."

She frowned and glared at me. "Don't be so stubborn! Coolidge..!"

"Chloe's right, Alex." Senel turned down the path. "C'mon, we'll rest at that staircase over there. Jay, you and I will scout ahead for monsters."

Jay nodded. He slid me a look and took off with the Alliance Marine by his side, leaving Chloe and I standing there together.

The Knight gazed at me with hard eyes until I looked up at her. At the sight of my weak face she lost all anger. Heaving a sigh heavier than the dead beast before us, she grabbed my shoulder with a warm, caring hand. "Let's go."

"But..." I started.

"Don't even try to argue with me." She shoved me down the road. "Move."