Good bye Burn Notice, thank you for all the entertainment!

And on with 35!

Chapter Thirty Five

The Catacombs: Part One

Orkra blinked slowly before sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she glanced around unable to recall what happened and how she got to where she was.

Zihark appeared at the entrance to her room "Thank gods you're alright…"

She shook her head "I don't remember what happened…"

"Void Shock!" Zihark called out, bringing his swords around in long horizontal strikes releasing short, sharp gales of wind that cut through his foes.

Leah leapt over him and cut through another man just as Uhnie slipped by and killed another, Shinon with Zihark close behind helping Orkra along ran past the three as they continued to cover them.

The sun rose slowly as the group escaped the Stronghold; much to their surprise the royal forces did not pursue them after they left.

It's been several days since then and they've taken shelter in the Edge Village, Bohks south of Regalshin Stronghold and along the Regalshin / Numengate border.

Zihark sat on the bed near Orkra "No one from the Stronghold has appeared before us since we escaped…it turns out King Gra'Tisk scheduled a visit, he and Queen Yi'Pyre of Sarhara just arrived yesterday so the whole of the Stronghold and Pyrnaz is about welcoming them. King Gaelon and Queen Iseil are holding a huge reception."

Orkra was glad for this drastic example of good luck and let out a huge sigh of relief, upon finding Zihark again she noticed his gaze still on her "What?"

He chuckled "You're eye."

She blinked again and realized he was talking about her right eye "Ah…yes…"

Coughing, she stood up slowly and took a bandana from the bedside table, "Weren't you going to tell…unless you don't want to…"

She turned to face him, "It's…not really an interesting story."

He raised an eyebrow and she sighed as she put her bandana on "Literally, I was born this way. It allows me to…see things in battle."

"Things?"

Orkra nodded as Zihark stood "Once I realized that, I trained with it to become a soldier, simple enough. I'd tell you more but I'm not sure what my brother might say."

Zihark tilted his head as she smiled "Brother?"

Deciding to come back to it later, Zihark called for Orkra to follow him.

In the days since leaving Helm, the troop followed Janie's exact directions and now stood on a high cliff overlooking a large tunnel leading below the Pozem surface.

"The Dune Guard I'm guessing…" Mikel stated to which Kay'Shera nodded "To'Eltz never told us what 'the item' was…does all of this have something to do with it?"

Janie scratched her chin "I don't know when this Dune Guard started doing this but it is most likely what caused Ilan to reach out to Freen and they're hopefully investigating this."

Leena smirked "Let's do our own investigation!"

The mercenary leapt down the side of the cliff and began approaching the cave entrance despite Soren's call. The sage was about to make a comment when the rest of the troop leapt off the cliff after her, even Fistivus and Lune moved ahead quickly. Rolling his eyes, Soren leapt after them.

Zey'Yu tilted her head as a group of men and women with a caravan behind them approached the Dune Guard tunnel system. She turned to her second in command "Fre'Han we're moving now."

The man nodded and quickly returned to camp to get the rest of the assassins. Zey'Yu tossed a knife in the air, as she caught it she continued to watch the troop as they descended into the Dune Guard tunnels.

A lone horse stood below the heat of the Sarharan sun, it was waiting there for almost an entire day and prepared to move away until a man emerged from the crevasse.

Rearing up the horse let out a massive whiny as Re'Zin stood and dusted his clothes.

Re'Zin opened his eyes as he and his steed moved into the Black Fort Town, Myillheim, which looked like any normal settlement. His goal was easy enough, find out what happened to Rey Oshwa and why that caused Ottenz to destroy the Euto Research Center alongside Wilt under Jikahn's orders.

Leaving his horse at a stable to be taken care of, he practically fell to the ground after he dismounted "This information will be useless if I die trying to obtain it…"

Slowly he turned and spotted an inn, he made it to Myillheim he deserved a rest.

"Damn that route took forever to clear out." Iltar'Elm muttered as one of his men saluted him. "Traders will be able to move between here, Hilden and the capital at the same rate as before, good job."

As the man left, Kino appeared "Iltar'Elm."

"Yes, Kino, what can I help you with."

The swordmaster walked into the room and smiled, his face was very unsettling to Iltar'Elm for some reason "You're man, Re'Zin has been gone longer than I imagined."

Iltar'Elm shrugged "Two weeks, it isn't that bad and with the route clear there isn't much to do yet…unless you need all hands on deck for some reason."

Kino: Listen Iltar'Elm, I've not met this Re'Zin, I need to know who I'm working with…who I can trust.

Iltar'Elm: Trust? When was anyone's trust brought into question?

Kino: I don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt…prove to me I can trust you and produce Re'Zin.

Iltar'Elm: I don't need your trust Kino; you are not Ottenz…now return to your side of the border.

With that the swordmaster smirked and left the building.

"Hectain…" the Griffon Knight turned to see Midnight 7 and sighed "What is it?"

"Dalton and Asai have a mission for you."

The man stood "Perfect…I may have let that damned troop tear through my forces last time but this outcome will be different."

Midnight 7 nodded "Very different indeed."

Descending into the tunnel Soren and Mia glanced around, the main tunnel broke into three that each proceeded further into Pozem's depths. It was also extremely dark which made splitting up an inconsiderable option.

Wyre took to the front and turned to Janie "Ilan's place is close by?"

She nodded "If this tunnel continues…they might have dug into the ocean."

Leena's eyes widened "The ocean? Why the hell would they-"

"Ilan is extremely skilled at Earth Magic, he created a solid platform that floats off the coast of Pozem he then built his keep right on top of it. What the Dune Guard wants with something below the surface of Pozem is beyond me."

"If only To'Eltz could've told us a little more." Mikel groaned as the troop took the tunnel on the left and continued into the caves with Wyre close to the front igniting a ball of lightning.

"Fre'Han, is everyone ready?" Zey'Yu asked, the man nodded and signaled the group behind them to proceed towards the tunnel.

Unknown to them, Kanahana watched from high in the sky with a toothy grin.

"Somehow, we made it…the Warrior Capital of Kror." Dent breathed in very deeply before letting out a relaxing sigh as Telm joined him. Eminse let herself out of the carriage and joined the pair "What do we do now?"

Dent turned to her "The only thing we can do is put all our effort into finding the people you met with over half a year ago…Soren and Mia right? They're the only ones that will believe what happened to the Euto Research Center."

Telm glanced at the tall buildings that continued upward, not because they got taller but because Kror and Fort Pozem were built on an incline with the Fort sitting at the highest point overlooking the entire capital city.

"This is a big place…and secure, we'll be fine searching in the open, if they aren't here we'll have to proceed to Helm."

Dent closed his eyes "I'd prefer if we could split up…but I'm not comfortable with any of us, even myself, wondering alone…so we'll go together and keep within earshot."

They all acknowledged this and moved into the town, Dent quickly selling off his carriage and everything in it that they no longer needed.

Kay'Shera and Tyazaer at the back stood very close to the merchant cart, the troop decided against getting another one during their short stay in Helm, losing one full of equipment was easier to replace than two.

The Roc Knight glanced around at the cave walls as they continued further in; Michalis was very nervous requiring her to constantly caress him. Tyazaer glanced up at her "Alsyia doesn't like it down here either…maybe we should've left them up top."

"I'm fairly certain it's the fact that the end of this tunnel could be under water that has them worried…among other things..." Kay'Shera commented to which Mikel turned to the pair.

"We barely escaped the collapse of the Grove Mine…and even if it did fall on us, I'm pretty sure we could get out of it. We also proved an avalanche can't stop us, but being buried miles under Pozem…"

Leena turned and hit him "Don't say that!"

"Janie?" The Elder Mage opened her eyes and turned to Wyre "Yes?"

"Are you looking for something?"

She nodded "The Dune Guard is made up of mostly Earth Sages, should any of them try anything, I'll be able to see it coming…but only if I focus, we wouldn't want them opening a hole below us, right?"

Wyre smirked "I'm rather impressed with the feats of Ilan and Freen…I mean, a platform in the middle of the ocean with his home on it…"

Janie nodded "I hope to be able to match up to their skills someday…though I hope Freen doesn't lose his faith in me because of…"

Wyre smiled and put his free hand on her shoulder "We'll help you make it up to him, the Midnight are our enemy as well, we'll find that Norad Jyuugo and take back Gungnir by force."

Janie smiled before turning to the path ahead as it branched off in four directions.

Wayu shook her head "Which way are we supposed to go? Why would the Dune Guard even build something like this in the first place?"

Soren glanced around at the walls, narrowing his eyes "Wait a second…"

He turned around "The Dune Guard didn't build this…they excavated it."

The rest of the troop glanced at the walls around them; the system they were inside was not a bunch of paths built to lose any pursuers of the Dune Guard, it was dug out by the Dune Guard to find their way through to whatever it is they were looking for.

Janie's eyes widened "The Catacombs…"

Much further down, Meloi stood behind several of his men as they cleared another tunnel; he smiled as they continued further in "Sir, we've a message from the rear guard."

Meloi nodded "Soren and Mia? The Altar? The Midnight?"

"We've confirmed Soren and Mia and the Altar but no sign of anyone in service to the Midnight."

The Earth Archsage scratched his chin "You know what the rear guard will do…regardless of how quickly they dispatch my troops, we'll attain what we seek and our true vengeance before they even reach us."

Wyre gathered energy to create a larger ball of light and hurled it down one of the passageways; sure enough it eventually hit a wall of stone that covered the tunnel. "Clearly the wrong direction so they didn't finish clearing it out…"

Mia turned to Janie "What are the Catacombs?"

"Shaelin used to tell me stories of long lost historic places in each of the nations…he began with the Forgotten Graves in Anondye and eventually told me of Pozem's Catacombs. During war time, captured soldiers and generals of the enemy armies were forced down here and left to search for a way out…none could ever find an exit and died or killed themselves do to the madness. I imagine near the beginning of the age of peace it was buried so as to never be rediscovered and wipe this bloody smear from Pozem's past."

Wyre whistled and signaled them down an open path, Soren looked around, he was now greatly concerned with what could be down here if not just the Dune Guard.

"Are we ready now?" To'Eltz asked as Rhogam tossed a bag with gear over his shoulder and nodded. The pair walked off to find Lyle, Orgoth, Versha and Pesh, the big man sighed "I still can't believe a Froghul is capable of those kinds of things…we've remained so removed from most other nations, we're barely involved with Regalshin, the hero Orkra is one of the few Froghuls who made a name for herself."

"Looks like Ushnae is another…though in a completely different light…we'll-"

To'Eltz bumped into a man and turned, the other man had a cross shaped scar on his face. "I apologize…" the stranger signaled a pair to follow him and they walked off.

"To'Eltz!" the trickster turned to see Rhogam ahead, the Reaver didn't notice the people and as To'Eltz walked towards Rhogam he turned slowly, barely catching sight of the three as they vanished into a crowd.

As the pair approached Lyle, he nodded to them "Alright…the place we're going is west from here…we should be there in about a day, you two ready?"

As To'Eltz and Rhogam nodded, Orgoth was in the back with Versha who smirked at him "You seem much more tense than usual…I'd offer a massage but the armor makes it impossible."

Orgoth remained silent "I feel…strange…"

Versha raised an eyebrow "Strange? In all seriousness if you aren't feeling well…this isn't the kind of thing you should be walking into."

Orgoth turned to her and nodded "You're right, thank you."

She was taken aback by this and didn't say anything as he walked off to join the others. Pesh walked over to her "What was that about?"

She shook her head and joined the group as Lyle signaled for them to move.

"Look out!" Janie screamed, spinning around and forcing a section of earth to catapult Wayu into the sky as pillars of earth tore out of the walls and crashed into the spot she was just in.

"We've got six guys, two hiding within the earth and four coming at us from ahead!"

Leena and Mia shot forward as Soren took a defensive stance near Wyre who kept the light in the air and strong so everyone could see. The tactician shot a very concentrated air wave into one of the walls; it burst sending out stone and dirt but did not reveal a sage "Janie! Keep on them!"

Kay'Shera flew by, grabbing Wayu and soaring over Leena and Mia as they engaged Dune Guard swordmasters, Wayu leapt off of Michalis and spinning her lance she thrust it through a Dune Guard warrior's back.

The remaining halberd passed by Mia and Leena before bringing his shield up to deflect an attack from the charging Tyazaer. He peeked over his shield and hid beneath it again as Mikel, screaming, brought his axe down on it with all his might.

Janie turned "Soren!" he followed her gaze and point and shot another air wave into a wall, it exploded and sent a man flying out into the open.

Janie raised one hand above her head, formed a fist and brought it slamming into her other open palm. A stone tore out of the ceiling and crashed into the sage's back, shattering his spine before sending him crashing into the ground and killing him.

"Janie!" she turned as Wayu grabbed her and tackled her to the ground. Several sharp shards of earth landed where she was, the culprit was an earth sage sticking out of the ceiling, cursing the man returned to burrowing through the earth as Wayu stood "You alright?"

Janie looked at her face and nodded slowly "Y-yeah…thank you."

The halberdier helped Janie up and the pair turned, waiting for the remaining earth sage to make himself known.

Mia leapt over her swordmaster and turned, blades clashing again and again until the heat of Ein'Tosen burned her foe's blade in half. He looked at the burnt edge remaining, unable to comprehend as Mia spun and stabbed him in the gut. She kicked him off the blade as Leena screamed and pushed forward with her shield sending the swordmaster's blade into the air before landing on the cave floor.

Leena then turned and kicked him to the ground before flipping over and impaling the fallen man in the chest.

The Earth Sage sprung out near Wyre and Soren, the tactician turned and used his magic to rip through the pieces of earth heading for him Janie followed it up by launching the section of earth Wayu was standing on.

The halberdier shot past the sage, her weapon ripping through him in midair, his body fell to the ground and she leapt off the stone tablet as it smashed into a wall.

Lance and axe continued to strike until Mikel grabbed it and with all his force took it from the halberd and tossed it away "Now what?" Before the Dune Guard could respond, Tyazaer rode by, leaping off her horse, sword in hand she beheaded the last foe.

Mikel pointed at her "Hey! That was mine!"

"Didn't see your name on it!" She spun her blade and sheathed it with a smile. Kay'Shera landed near them "Janie, that's all of them?"

The Elder Mage closed her eyes before nodding "No doubt there will be more along the way."

Soren nodded and turned to Wyre, the thunder sage grinned "Y'know, I like not having to fight for my life."

Soren shook his head at the other man's joke and turned to Fistivus and Lune who gave him the thumbs up.

"Forward?" Leena asked to which Mia nodded and after a few moments the troop continued further in.

Shortly after his nap Re'Zin found himself at a local tavern, getting a drink and charming a local woman. "This may sound wild but down in Sendusk we received rumors of something crazy happening her in Myillheim."

The woman tilted her head "Like what?"

"I don't want to startle anyone…just rumors after all…"

"Is that why you are here?"

Re'Zin shook his head "Honestly, it was a coincidence; a good friend of mine wanted me to check up on a friend of his. He can't leave the Border Keep without going through a lot of paper work and such."

"Ah, so you're looking for his friend…what is his or her name?"

"You've probably heard of her, Rey Oshwa?"

The woman looked around then back at Re'Zin "Rey Oshwa…the former archduchess?"

Re'Zin shook his head "Current…the former was the Archduke Dalton."

"No, Rey Oshwa has been gone for several months…four to be exact."

Re'Zin narrowed his eyes that would match with his own theoretical timeline of when Soren and Mia were in Myillheim. What happened while they were here?

Standing he thanked her and left the bar quickly, leaving the woman confused. Outside he looked over to the Mansion of the Arch where the city's leader resided.

"I'll wait till the night rolls in…then find out what's really going on."

"Who is it you're looking for?" surprised Eminse turned quickly to see an old man covered in a large robe concealing his face.

"Um...who are you?" She asked, checking back to see Telm and Dent speaking with a few other people.

"I'd like to help…I've done a bit of that in my long life…most recently I helped a man of royal blood see the truth in Numengate…and before that, a man of unique blood was shown the way in Anondye…"

Eminse walked up to the man, there was something startingly familiar about him. She tried to draw from his voice and how he carried himself as he took a step towards her. "Then…you'll help me?"

"You seek old acquaintances and allies to protect you…to protect the two of you…"

Eminse narrowed her eyes as the old man continued "What you seek…is due west…"

She opened her mouth to ask something until she heard someone call her. Turning, the woman saw Dent and Telm approaching, acknowledging them she turned back, the old man was gone.

"Dent. Telm. I think I know where we have to go."

As they walked off, the old man watched them from afar with a smile; he reached into his robe and took out a golden watch "Right on time…"

"Stupid…" the whisper jammed her knife into the exposed throat of her enemy and tore it out "…fuck…" as he fell dead she turned to see the others finishing their kills.

One member of her group was struck in the chest and lying on the floor. She walked over to him and recognized him as the man who drooled at her in camp, she leaned over him "Will you make it?"

"I…don't…" she sunk a knife into his head cutting him off "No."

Fre'Han made his way over to her "We can't just kill-"

"I never liked him and he wouldn't have made it that far anyway…also…I never liked him…if we're all done, can we go now?"

Fre'Han remained silent for a while before answering "You're in charge…remember?"

Zey'Yu smiled "Of course."

"Hey! Everyone!" Wyre led them down the right most path in a split of three and then the left when they reached a split of two, in his head, Soren constructed a map of all the forks they've passed and shook his head, trapping someone in here wouldn't seem so bad but Janie confirmed there are several small tunnels that link the longer ones together horizontally as they continue out to sea.

As well as several dead ends and cells were some prisoners are thrown in, breaking out isn't hard seeing as how the doors were never well kept but the catacombs themselves never let anyone out.

"Soren." He turned to Mia "What's wrong?"

"How are we going to get out of here? Will we really just follow our path out again?"

Soren shook his head "We could but I'd rather use Janie's earth magic to get out of here…" he turned to the younger woman "Have I ever mentioned how convenient it is to have someone like you along now?"

She giggled "You could stand to mention it a little more often."

Tyazaer smiled "You were the one that got us out of Ukla Cave, we're counting on you."

As they continued, Michalis landed and began walking near Kay'Shera, Wayu rejoined her and the roc knight smiled "Last time we talked it was about the past…you planning anything after we finish this?"

Wayu shrugged "I don't know…going back to Corelis Bay doesn't seem to fit into my life anymore…"

Kay'Shera smiled and followed Wayu's gaze "You want to leave Ymarkteg with a certain someone?"

"That sounds like a good idea." Wayu jumped as Leena entered the conversation with a grin. "I don't know what either of you are talking about."

She picked up her pace as Leena and Kay'Shera laughed, "What about you Leena? Gonna settle down somewhere with Mikel?"

The mercenary looked over to Mikel as he, Wayu and Mia began speaking "I don't know…"

"What?"

Leena shrugged and sighed "I don't know…I just…"

Kay'Shera shook her head "I'm sorry. I'm not going to pry."

Leena just smiled at her before saying thanks as they fell into step with the merchant cart.

"Soren…how many times have you faced Meloi?" The Archsage turned to the paladin walking next to him with her horse following close behind.

"It's been a long time…the first few were really brief on the Cross Kingdom Path, at Corelis Bay and on our way to the Emerald Hold. The first time we actually stared him down was at the Euto Research Center and Mia fought him during their travel through the Earth Road…unlike Murawk, Meloi is much more calculating and prefers to remain behind the scenes."

Tyazaer looked up "So we don't really know what it's like to fight him when the gloves come off?"

Soren shook his head "No, but we managed to defeat Murawk and have grown since then. We'll win this fight."

"Duke." The older man turned to see a woman enter his chambers.

Duke: Mistress…well…you look absolutely radiant.

Mistress: Duke, I trust you know why I'm here?

Duke: I believe you know that the Regalshin Royalty and Military lost those scoundrels and allies to To'Eltz.

Mistress: Yes, they also killed King Gaelon's most trusted and corrupt knight Yushez…I believe the report said his entrails were ripped out of his body and splattered across the room.

Duke: That report would be correct.

Mistress: And what of Gorm?

Duke: I don't know…Gorm is widely known Regalshin Military; he can't just leave the nation without raising red flags.

Mistress: Indeed…well, I must meet with Hierarch in regards to a pest problem in his nation.

Duke: Very well. Tell him I send my regards.

Mistress: Yes. Moving like this is such a hassle.

Duke: Like what exactly?

Mistress: Like a human.

On the outskirts of Helm, a figure watched Lyle's group walk farther west headed for a small range of mountains and cliffs.

Head cocking to one side the figure debated on whether or not to follow them, on the one hand he felt like he knew who they were but on the other they may be up to something nefarious.

Both auras were strong amidst the group he watched, deciding that thinking too hard was not his job he took off after Lyle's group.

"So…everything is good? Right?" a man said nervously as an attendant of his groaned.

"You are the Archduke of Myillheim now act like it Kraener!"

The nervous man at the desk nodded "Yes. Yes. So…everything is good. Right?"

The attendant shook his head "Yes, just keep up the meeting and appointments tomorrow. Everything is fine, if I weren't here then things would fall apart…but-"

A window exploded as Re'Zin stormed into the room, with a quick blow to the head, the attendant was knocked out. Kraener jumped and tried to run but Re'Zin was on him and he threw the man to the ground. Notching an arrow he aimed it at the Archduke's head "Who are you and where is Rey Oshwa?"

"Rey Oshwa? The last Archduchess? She is dead! I didn't do it! I don't know! They told me I was Archduke now and to do what they said or else!"

"Or else…what?" The nomad turned quickly as the attendant stood up, his skin and clothes burned away as his eyes flashed "Midnight 6. Operational."

The Midnight's left forearm sprouted flames, when they died down the arm was replaced by a large blade. The Midnight charged Re'Zin and swung at nothing as the swift nomad dove away and fired an arrow that the Midnight easily destroyed with a quick slash.

Kraener stood up and knocked a bookcase aside revealing a secret door that he quickly ran into. Re'Zin leapt aside as the Midnight charged again; the foe quickly turned and swung its other hand out forming a ball in chain that smashed into Re'Zin's back. The blow forced the nomad to roll across the ground to his feet, paper from books and files from Kraener's desk now flew freely through the air around the nomad and the Midnight.

As the ball swung around in the air, Re'Zin dove to the side and shot more arrows that were destroyed by the Midnight's weapon as it swung down and smashed through the floor to the room below causing others to scream.

"Mission compromised…raising awareness of citizens…must rectify." Re'Zin took the chance to barrel through the door and began his pursuit of Kraener.

Soren's troop came to a stop as Janie called out to them, five members of the Dune Guard stood in front of them, red robes being tossed aside as they pulled out their weapons.

As they charged, three earth sages sprung up from behind the merchants but were quickly met by Tyazaer and Kay'Shera, fending them off.

Mikel tackled a warrior, knocking the other man aside as Leena leapt into the air and brought her knee into a halberdier's face. Leena quickly flipped over and landed next to Mikel, back to back they faced their enemies "First one to get a kill buys dinner."

Leena smiled "Always a competition with you."

"You're the one who loves competition." She acknowledged this as the pair shot out and engaged the Dune Guard.

A swordmaster cried out as he charged Wyre, his blade was met by Wayu's shield, deflecting his attack she kicked him away and spun her lance "I've got you covered Wyre."

He smiled "Thanks Wayu." As the sage continued to maintain the light, Wayu moved forward, her weapon colliding with the swordmaster.

As Tyazaer's lance smashed through a flying rock, the man she was facing was gone "I hate these Earth Sages!" Just as he tore out of the ground below her, Tyazaer felt the ground at her feet shift and she slid out of his attack range.

She turned and saw Janie was responsible, the Elder Mage followed up by releasing a black ball that traveled across the ground and encased the Earth Sage. With a single step, Tyazaer ran the trapped man through as the black ball exploded and he fell to the ground dead. Janie then turned her attention to Kay'Shera who was also engaged with an Earth Sage.

Together Soren and Mia engaged the last pair of swordmasters, four blades clashed with Ein'Tosen releasing waves of heat and bright purple sparks as it clashed with the other blades.

Soren's foes spun the blade out of the sage's hands, as he laughed Soren pressed his palm against the man's chest and released a powerful Arcwind knocking all the air out of the man and sending him flying across the tunnel and into a wall. Soren picked up his discarded blade "Did you want this?" Using his wind he controlled it and sent it slicing through the air into the fallen swordmaster.

Mia leapt over a strike and upon landing swung her blade around, purple flames engulfed the Dune Guard who tried to brush them off as they burned him. Eventually ignoring them and charging Mia who ducked below his swing and tackled him to the ground. Spinning her blade she impaled and silenced the man.

As Wayu continued to deal with the other swordmaster an Earth Sage tore out of the wall next to her "Look out!" Wyre called. The Halberd quickly pointed her shield at the sage who ran himself through on the short blade at the end. Screaming he tore himself off the shield and stumbled away. Distracted, the swordmaster struck Wayu and she fell to the ground, Wyre cursed and released the ball of light before grabbing the swordmasters face.

The chamber went dark, only the sounds of spells and weapons clashing until a charge lit it up again and a man's screams filled everyone's ears.

Wyre burned the swordmaster's face till it was completely black before dropping the dead man to the ground and allowing the chamber to become enveloped in darkness again.

Soren quickly responded by casting several fire spells, shooting flaming bullets all around the tunnel, lighting it up in segments showing Leena beheading her foe and Mikel mauling his before Janie struck another with Verrine, reeling from the attack, the man did not notice as Kay'Shera approached from behind and finished him.

The man that was impaled by Wayu's shield lay dead near her and Wyre, the thunder sage held his Mend staff over Wayu. "You alright, Wyre?"

He shook his head "That's not funny, Wayu."

She chuckled "I'm serious…and I'm fine…"

With the Dune Guard down again, the troop gathered near Wyre as he finished healing Wayu and helped her up.

"I'm supposed to watch everyone's backs." Wyre stated, the halberd nodded "But when you can't, it's up to me, besides, if you watch everyone, who watches you?"

Mia grinned "She has a point, Wyre."

Turning, the sage nodded and lit up another small ball of light, Soren glanced over to Janie who opened her eyes "We're close…really close."

The tactician surveyed the rest of the troop, all becoming much more serious as they proceeded down another tunnel.

Lyle's group came to a stop at the mountain; a hole on the side was obstructed by fallen rocks. The swordmaster turned to Pesh who cracked his knuckles and walked up to the wall, Orgoth, To'Eltz and Rhogam all watched carefully as Pesh inhaled before bringing both his arms up and slamming his palms onto the rock wall which proceeded to shatter.

The three were shocked as Pesh cracked his neck and motioned for them to follow him inside.

Orgoth walked close to Versha "I thought you two to be helpless civilians…"

She smiled "Oh, I'm helpless alright." She moved closer to him and pointed at Pesh "Why do you think he is so guarded about meeting others?"

As they vanished inside, someone looked down on the mountain from high in the sky and began biding his time.

Ugh, Catacombs. A lil PS1 game called Syphon Filter made me hate anything and everything to do with catacombs, that is why they are in the story XD

Because of all the POVs, Pozem was interesting to write and probably my favorite part of the whole story as of right now.

Still re-working Chapter 50 by the way.