Chapter sixteen: Choosing a side

"So according to the document," Herskagul said, "the map is located in the Labyrinth."

Skotur handed her the document in question. Herskagul scanned over it. Then she turned to Jack.

"What do you know about the Labyrinth?" the Queen asked.

"It's some abandoned Valkyrie storage room whose defenses went rogue," Jack summarized, recalling what Skotur had told him.

"It's the last place in the Aether I want to send you," Herskagul quietly said. "But if this document is correct, we don't have much choice."

"You thought the artefact is in the Labyrinth too, right?" Jack said. Skotur had told him as much on their way back. The Valkyries hadn't conducted a search there yet because their forces were spread too thinly investigating other places of interest—as well as doing routine Valkyrie stuff.

"It's one of the places where we suspect it might be hidden," Herskagul affirmed. "One of many places."

"When do we leave?"

"The Labyrinth is vast. We'll wait until tomorrow so you'll have the entire day to explore it."

Jack started. "No, no—we should go now."

"It's better to wait and regain your strength," Skotur cut in. "We need to be at our best. There's no point to going now if it'll get you killed."

Jack looked at her, then back at Herskagul. He clenched his teeth. He doubted he could convince them otherwise—they were all about 'preparing' and whatnot. Regardless, he wasn't going to spend his time here doing nothing.

"Skotur said you had information on the Labyrinth's defenses?" he said to Herskagul. "You mind if I take a look?"

"Is that it?" asked Mystia.

The groups had started moving since night began, and had since made considerable progress on their journey. Finally, a mountainous area had become visible in the far distance. The enormous natural structures had unusual shapes, with some looking more like giant gates or tunnels, rather than typical mountains.

Kai glanced at the witch. "What?"

"Oh, nothing. I think I might've heard of a place like this."

"You are looking at the Skyfound Hills," Raulyn cut in. "The place is of no importance to us. Just another area to pass through."

Kai glanced at Athena. She had turned to him the moment Raulyn announced the Hills' name. Crevan had mentioned it, and she had since suspected that the portal was there. She had probably shared that suspicion with the other mobs—and if not, she still might.

Athena…

Kai's melancholic stoicism gained an uncertain undertone as he looked Athena in the eye. She knew what he was thinking—that she and the other mobs would go to the Hills in search of the portal, leaving the Hunters behind. They could definitely do that. Kai hadn't been able to confirm if the portal was really there, but the rumor Crevan mentioned and Raulyn's hunt for Lorcan were both connected to the Skyfound Hills…and now they were here. What were the odds?

She turned away. The night was still relatively young. She could have Andr teleport them all there and wait for Blazette to fly over. The Hunters wouldn't be able to keep up. The mobs would go to the Aether, rescue Jack and move on to the Caverns.

Whether that was a smart move was the question. There was no telling how long they'd have to search around in the Hills or in the Aether before finding Jack; if they crossed the Hunters now only to encounter them again sometime after, things would escalate.

And the Rogue… Should they help him evade Hunter custody, or…? On any other day, she would've said yes, but Kai's words regarding the mysterious mob had left her feeling haunted.

That is why we hunt him. Not for revenge or because he is especially strong, but because his powers are unique in the most dangerous way possible.

If you were given the chance to wipe out most—or all—humans in the Overworld, would you take it?

She hadn't really stopped to question why he'd asked that at first, but she had realized how blatant the change in subject was…unless it wasn't a change in subject at all. Was he trying to say that this Rogue was going to destroy humanity? If so, maybe she should let the Hunters take him in. Genocide was a step too far for her.

Athena hesitated, glancing around the group. If she and the others ran off now, Raulyn would know that someone had told them about the Skyfound Hills. As the one who spent a lot of time with a mob in the mines, Kai would be the main suspect. Raulyn already knew he had doubts and would put him in jail—or worse—without hesitation. She couldn't do that to him. She had to act.

Raulyn got off his horse. "We will take a break here."

Lunchtime. This would be the perfect moment. With Andr's teleportation, they could incapacitate the Hunters and go straight to the Hills without them.

She turned to face her companions and was met with four knowing looks. She'd told them about the Skyfound Hills—a foolish move, she regretfully realized—and now they had the same idea.

She couldn't do this. Kai would pay the price for it.

She shook her head. "No," she whispered to them. "We're not going to double-cross them."

"Why not?" Blazette asked with a sneer. "They're expecting us to. Might as well humor them."

"That bargain Raulyn made with Andr about Flamma? If we betray them now, he'll go back on his word."

"Doesn't matter," Mystia said. "With or without Ironhand, humanity will keep hunting us. We can survive them. We always have."

"Kai and Rayallv will take the blame if we sneak away now."

"So?"

"They vouched for us when Flamma ambushed us, remember?"

"That was their choice. Once we're at the portal, this alliance is over. They'll kill us and hunt Jack down any chance they get. I don't care what Raulyn promises."

Athena looked to Andr and Minerva.

"She's right," Minerva quietly said. She glanced to Rayallv, who was taking something from his bag. "They knew the risks. I'm not going to stay here for their sakes."

"It's three against one, here," Mystia told Athena. "Even if Andr agreed to stay with them, you're outvoted."

Athena shook her head. Now they're voting. Some leader I am. "You're forgetting that she's the one who'll have to bring you to the Hills to begin with, if you want to beat the Hunters to it."

A silence fell. All eyes turned to Andr. The tall girl looked to the ground uncomfortably. She didn't like being the center of attention, especially when something as impactful as this depended on her decision.

"Andr…" Mystia said. "You know what the Hunters will do to Jack if they find him, right?"

Andr didn't respond at first. Finally she stood up and started walking away. "I need to think."

"Well, think quickly. We have a chance now that the Hunters are distracted. Getting another wouldn't be easy."

"Yes it would," Andr quietly said. Then she stalked away.

Athena watched her go, feeling unsettled. Andr wasn't going to side with her. The teleporter had been growing colder and more unstable lately, and she'd always had one priority: Jack. If she felt that she had to cross the humans in the process, she'd do it.

Athena glanced to the Hunters, hesitating. She still had some time before Andr struck. Should she do something…?

She heard someone approach, and she turned to see Kai stepping closer. The other mobs shied away from him.

"Athena," Kai whispered.

Athena hesitated. Should she tell him…?

No. He already knew.

Kai glanced behind him to ensure the Hunters were a reasonable distance away. "You know that in a perfect world, this alliance of ours would last," he told her. "But ours is not a perfect world."

Athena felt regret boil within. "What about you? The Hunters, they…"

"They will find someone to blame. In this case, they would probably blame the one among them who openly trusts you. They will know what I have done…and that is fine."

"I can't stop them," Athena said pleadingly, glancing to the other mobs. "But I can help you. I can have Andr bring you with us. We'll keep you safe."

"I have killed and imprisoned so many of your kind…"

"And now's your chance to make a different choice."

He shook his head. "I cannot leave humanity behind, even now."

"They'll kill you…"

"Maybe." He showed a hint of a smile. "But I have been unable to live with myself properly for a while now, so I suppose they will only be doing me a favor."

"But…"

"I never told you why the Rogue is so dangerous, did I? Well, the truth is that we do not know if he really is. Our file on him was written by Hunters who have since passed away."

"Kai…"

"He was given the classification of a 'spy' mob," Kai calmly explained, as if he was giving a lecture. "A mob with the ability to disguise himself as a human. The reason why we are so desperate to find him is because the existence of spy mobs remains unconfirmed."

"Please, just…"

"If the Rogue really had this power, it might mean that other spy mobs are already among us. Possibly in positions of political power. They could start and end wars easily."

She sighed quietly.

"Supposedly, his second main ability involves inspiring fear," Kai continued. "A powerful weapon when used at the right moments. We do not know exactly how this works or if it can be resisted. Lastly, he possesses the usual physical enhancements that many mobs have, but that is an unremarkable power compared to the other two."

"Kai," Athena said, growing desperate. "Give it a chance. You want redemption for what you've done? Let us help you…"

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You either pick a side, or you will be an enemy of both. And my side does not deserve your sympathy."

She looked into his hazel eyes. They looked so calm. So…acceptant. How could he be acceptant? Was he really that tired of life? Was he looking for an excuse to die?

"I hunt mobs because I cannot distinguish the terrorists from the survivors," Kai said. "But I know which one you are."

The light from the glowstone lanterns dimmed.

In the corner of her eye, she saw Andr approach—and the tall mob had that darklight around her again, her cold purple eyes radiating a similar light.

Athena felt herself freeze. Andr's eyes had murder in them.

She wasn't going to incapacitate the Hunters…

She was going to kill them.

"Andr…!" she cried. "No!"

Andr closed her eyes—and for the first time ever, she actively tapped into her dark side.

She didn't like the feeling, or even the idea. It made her feel sick. Afraid. But it was stronger than she. More decisive. Resisting it was the same as waiting for it to take over again while she wasn't prepared, like how any emotion could take control of one's judgment.

She clenched her teeth. She could contain it. She could use it without letting it use her.

She opened her eyes.

Mobs and humans alike had turned to her. They knew. They could see it. The darkness inside of her was visible even in the dark of night. At seeing their nervous expressions, she felt appalled and proud at the same time.

Andr was just about sick of having to deal with two separate groups in one.

She noticed Athena and Kai talking, with the former giving her a fearful gaze. Don't worry, Athena, Andr thought. This'll be for everyone's good.

She teleported forward and slapped Raulyn in the face with the back of her hand. The blow was powerful enough to send him stumbling to the side.

Some of the Hunters cried out, and she sensed an incoming attack. She teleported behind her attacker—Galen, wielding a dagger—grabbed his collar and his belt, lifted him above her head and threw him onto the ground.

Ilyoin shot a crossbow.

She raised a hand and caught the bolt mid-air, inches away from her chest. Inhuman physical abilities worked well with danger sense.

She glared at Ilyoin, teleported, yanked the crossbow from his hand and shoved him back with enough force to make him fall to the ground.

Rayallv had grabbed a spear and tried to stab her. Moments later, he found himself disarmed, with Andr knocking the butt of the spear against his head. He dropped quickly.

Finally she turned to Kai.

Athena looked at the battle before her, confused. Andr was fighting the Hunters, and she had the upper hand. But why wasn't she just teleporting them? It would knock them out for quite a while. With the way she handled things now, they'd recover much more easily.

Only when Andr turned to her did she come to her senses.

"Kai…!" Athena hissed, but before she could do anything, Andr grabbed the Hunter from behind with one hand and yanked him back.

"No!" Athena cried, reaching out for him.

Andr threw him over her leg and onto the ground.

"Good to see you've decided," Mystia said to Andr. "Let's go."

"Wait," Minerva said, stepping towards Kai. He was still conscious and rolled onto his back to face her. "Look, he's still awake. So are those others. We—"

Andr backhanded her. Minerva fell.

Athena flinched. What?!

The mobs scrambled back. Engulfed in purple darklight that all but expelled the glowstone, Andr looked at each one of them with luminous eyes—eyes that were so cold Athena barely recognized them. This wasn't her! This was not…!

"Minerva!" Blazette cried out. She rose into the air, and fire began to form around her. Her robes weren't affected by the growing flames, whose light clashed with Andr's. "What are you doing, Andr?"

Andr said nothing. She glared up at the fire mob, still holding the spear she'd taken from Rayallv in one hand.

Holding Blazette's gaze, Andr turned the spear point-down and rammed it into the ground, blocking Kai's leg as he tried to kick her. Kai immediately scrambled away and rose to his feet.

Blazette shot a stream of fire, but Andr teleported to a point in the air and stabbed Blazette's foot with the spear.

Athena readied and arrow rushed over to join Kai.

"What…" Kai whispered. "Was this part of…?"

"No," Athena said. "Something's happened to her."

Blazette lowered herself to ground level, growling in pain, her foot bleeding.

"Here," Mystia urgently said, handing her a small bottle with a red liquid. "Drink this."

Diminishing her flames, Blazette snatched it from the witch's grip and gulped it down, closing the wound. She tossed the bottle away and turned to Andr with a death glare.

Minerva had since gotten to her feet and raised her sword. Andr paid her no heed, instead turning to the Hunters. They'd also gotten to their feet, waving various weapons.

With mobs on one side and Hunters on the other, there was no way anyone could fight this many people. Even Andr had to surrender now.

Right?

Andr turned to see that Raulyn, Ilyoin, Galen and Rayallv had gotten up, each brandishing a weapon. No, still not good enough. She needed to pressure them more. Thankfully that wasn't very hard.

She teleported and kicked against Galen's raised shield with enough force to make him stumble. Ilyoin tried to hit her with a one-handed battle axe, but she teleported yet again, broke his arm and tossed him over to where the mobs stood. She kicked Minerva—who was charging at her—right in the gut, sending her back as well.

Raulyn and Rayallv attacked at the same time in one coordinated movement. They were knocked down shortly after.

Andr squatted down and caught Athena's arrow that was headed for her calf, then teleported to avoid a fireball from above. She yanked the greyish potion from Mystia's raised hand, teleported in the air, threw it down to Blazette and teleported back to the ground moments before the bottle shattered. The debilitating poison inside was released, and Blazette cried out.

Andr casually glanced around. Kai had picked up a one-handed messer, like that was going to do anything. Andr prepared to take him down, but stopped herself. The Hunter was standing right next to Athena, who had her bow at the ready.

Andr turned away from them and focused on the other Hunters, who had gotten up again—all save for Ilyoin, who cowered behind the mobs, his arm still broken. Mystia stood nearby, but pointedly ignored the Hunter's pained grunts, instead keeping her focus on Andr herself.

Andr hesitated, but ultimately turned away from them as well. Galen, Raulyn and Rayallv readied their weapons.

Throughout the fight, the mobs and the humans had slowly moved closer together. Now the two groups were merging into one without showing even the slightest hint of caution or hesitation. Minerva went to stand next to Rayallv, wielding a weapon of her own.

Then Ilyoin drew his dagger, tossing away a glass bottle as he did. Mystia was standing next to him.

Together they all formed a loose half circle around Andr.

Good. But still not good enough.

She teleported behind them.

Athena was the fastest and shot an arrow. Andr caught it, then—intentionally not teleporting—she leaped to Ilyoin.

Mystia readied a potion, but a stream of fire beat her to it. Andr felt the heat before teleporting away. She lunged for Minerva, who had her back turned.

Rayallv—who stood next to Minerva—didn't have his back turned, and he pointed at Andr with his sword. Andr didn't stop moving—until Galen, Raulyn and Minerva turned to her as well, moving like a unit.

Andr teleported a distance away, using the darkness and her own darklight to keep herself hidden. Raulyn immediately barked orders, and the mobs and humans moved without question. Back to back, weapons aimed outwards, with Blazette floating above them and building up her fire. The poison seemed to have worn off, at least to some extent.

Andr caught herself smiling. This was what she wanted to see.

She didn't go back to them; they couldn't know she'd done this in an effort to unite them. Better to have them sticking close together and watch each other's backs for a while.

She looked to the Hills and teleported there. Eventually they'd relax and move on, and she would be watching them. She had to, if she wanted to ensure their alliance—now stronger than ever—remained.

As she watched the weak firelight in the distance that was their camp, the thrill of the fight began to wear off and the darkness retreated somewhat. She felt a little bad about beating them all up like that and then leaving, but she needed them to work together. She herself wasn't as informed on the Aether as Mystia or Raulyn, so going there on her own wasn't going to help her much. That's why she hadn't picked a side here; she needed everyone she could get, and she needed to be able to trust them.

Though she knew now that she could teleport in the air. She'd never tried that before, at least not as far as she could remember. It made Blazette less useful, but maybe the fire mob's other powers could come in handy if they ran into anything dangerous. Or if the Hunters needed to be moved somewhere.

Andr hid behind a rock, keeping her eyes on the firelight. They'd have to finish their lunch later.