For a while, Snow followed the trail of magic energy. Until she reached upon a large building entwined with black goo-like substances. Parts of the building were broken, large holes were present as if someone had chewed off the side. Vines, plants, and even odd markings ran up and down the building. 

Suddenly, she was snapped out of the strange fever. Blinking her eyes, she looked around, confused. 

“What happened?” Snow asked. She was eventually allowed to see. 

Snow was surprised by where she was brought too. She stepped back, realizing that the magical energy in the building was dense. Her head snapped downward towards the ground. 

“Damn, you run fast.” Mike was breathing a bit hard. He placed his hand on Snow’s shoulder. “Aren’t you tired?”

Snow thought it over for a moment. “A little, but….strangely not much.” The closer she got to the building, the more refreshed she was. 

“So, we have arrived.” Mr. Rogers placed Red down. He was observing the building in front of him with interest. “We need to head down.” 

“Wait, how?” Mike was thrown off by Mr. Rogers' words. “That’s a skyscraper. Not an underground building or something.” 

“True, but this is where it is.” Mr. Rogers' cryptic words made everyone nervous. They knew they needed to go in. 

“Well, let’s not dilly dally then.” Snow took the lead. She steeled her heart, knowing full well that entering into this building meant death. There was no resurrection for her, while the others did. 

Grabbing the broken door, she pulled it open. A wild howl of the wind blew past her. Into the very building as if it was breathing in air. Snow unconsciously tightened her grip; she stepped through as the others followed. 

Inside was a normal broken down reception still decently furnished, and only black plant-like goo took over half the room. Beautiful paintings of running horses were placed on all four corners of the wall, while the center above the entrance to the hallway had one black stallion with red glowing eyes staring down at the visitors with contempt. 

For a moment, Snow thought she heard the neighbor of the wild horse, snarling at her for entering into its domain. 

They continued forward through the hallway. A sharp dip into the ground was present as if the hallway was circling around in a downward spiral. 

“Guys,” Red said with concern in her voice. “Is it me, or is this hallway going downward?” At first, nobody noticed until Red spoke out in alarm. 

“She’s right,” Mike said. He stopped, turning around and saw a slight incline of the hallway going down. “I didn’t notice it until you said it.” 

Mr. Rogers was amused and fascinated at the building structure. He didn’t say much but nod his head and stare forward with curiosity. 

Snow as well hadn't noticed the change until Red had said it. At first, she thought it was quite a long path, but as time passed and there was no sight of an elevator or a stair. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was something else going on. 

“Magic,” said Mr. Rogers. He had a pipe in his hand that he had conjured up. With a few puffs of smoke, he was leisurely walking. 

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Snow had wondered when Mr. Rogers had brought out the pipe. His carefree attitude and indifference to this place did help ease her. 

“And it’s getting stronger.” Mr. Rogers puffed out another smoke. 

They continued onwards downward through the endless hallway until finally, they arrived at their destination. When they arrived, Snow was impressed at the large opening, which reminded her of a cave. Small bats flew around up above, chattering and flying. Mounds of bat dropping were present on the ground, which many tried not to step on. 

It didn’t take very long for them to get out of the giant room, heading deeper into the dungeon-like caves. Mold and mushrooms were heavy against the wall, gently glowing and brightening up the dark passageway. 

“How long do you think this passageway is going to be?” Red asked if she was struggling behind. She grasped the side of the wall, taking a quick breath. 

“Already tired?” said Mike with a shake of his head. “You mages need more stamina. We haven’t even walked much. 

“Shut it, muscle head.” Red stuck out her tongue cutely. “My specialties lie in magic.” 

“Which is great and all, but what use would it do when you go through something dangerous like this?” Mike stepped behind her. He was assisting her whenever she looked like she was going to collapse. Even handing her a bottle of water for her to drink. 

“I’ll manage.” Red huffed and puffed. She summoned up her magic, reinforcing her muscles, and helping her through. 

Eventually, they arrived in another large room. It was filled with exotic plants that they have never seen before—each one glowing beautifully in the dark, lighting up the whole area. Snow was amazed at the beauty of these plants. 

Her hand reached out to touch one of the fern-like plants. It shriveled up, hiding away from her touch. Ecstatic by her new finding, she went over towards another, doing the same thing again. 

“So cute.” Snow eyes sparkled. She was enjoying her brief moment of interest. She wanted to take some home with her. Squatting down, she took a closer look at the plant. It was like barnacles, sitting on the side of a rock. 

Gently reaching over, she grabbed hold of its shell. A grunt escaped her lips; she pulled, breaking one apart. Taking a closer look, she noticed a small creature hid away. Pleased, she stored it away. She took a few more, which dimmed her surroundings. 

“Those could be dangerous.” Mr. Rogers said from behind her. 

“They could be.” 

“So, why do you take them?”

“Because it could possibly be worth something, and it might have some hidden benefits.” Exploring new things and categorizing them was her job. She took it seriously, and the thought of new things excited her.

“True, but you could get hurt in the process.” 

Snow tilted her head back, looking up at him. “Are you concerned that your blood pack would die?” She said jokingly.

Mr. Roger barked out laughing. “A bit.” 

“Don’t worry. This blood pack won’t die so easily.” She reassured him, continuing her harvesting of strange plants. A hint of a smile disappeared, turning around. 

Even Red came in to join, taking a fist full for herself. 

“I would expect nothing less.” Mr. Rogers said casually. He turned around and stood watch. 

Mike walked over, he curiously peered up at Mr. Rogers. There weren't many times he would contact him as Mr. Rogers was a busy man. 

Mike didn’t say much, standing beside Mr. Rogers quietly. 

Mr. Rogers was the first to speak. “What do you see in the girl?”

“Excuse me?” Mike curiously asked, unsure of who he was talking to. “Red or Snow?”

“Both.” 

“Red is a simple air headed genius mage, and Snow is a quiet, wild lady at times. Both good people to be around.”

“They are pleasant. Aren’t they.” 

“Yes.” Mike chuckled. “I remember when I got punched by her the first time and even scolded for hitting on her. Those were my ignorant days.” 

“She does have a knack to punch people.” Mr. Rogers raised up his hand to his face, where Snow punched him as well.  

Mike barked out, laughing. “If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be Snow. Most of the girls would be too terrified to stand up for themselves, but her….she’s a different story.” 

“A fighter is a fighter either with words or fist.” Mr. Rogers shrugged. “But, I am just curious...if you don’t mind me prying.” 

“Sure. What would you like to ask.” 

“Is Dairen hers?” 

Mike was unsure how to answer. He rubbed his head, trying to find something to say. “Not yet?” 

“Why a question?”

“Because it’s not really my business, even though Dairen tells me everything.” 

“I see. Though are you interested in her?” Mr. Rogers' words brought an uncomfortable standstill between the two. The air was stifling, and it took a bit of time for Mike to answer. 

“I see her as a sister,” Mike said with a soft tone of voice that had a hint of genuine happiness and respect. “My family abandoned me, even my sister, throwing me away for money for food back in my world.” His words were laced with sadness and a hint of anger. “I lived off the streets after I broke away from my master as a child.”

It took a bit of a moment before Mike continued. “I find friends to be my family more than blood, and she had been there through thick and thin when I was in trouble. Saving me like a knight in shining armor sometimes.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t want it any other way to break this bond between us.” 

“That is truly an interesting opinion, but I sense a hint of something else.” Mr. Rogers was looking at him with interest. “No matter, your thoughts are your own. Do not worry, I’ll keep Snow safe.”