The sound of gunfire and screams blurred with the incessant wailing of the erukidos. But despite having superior hearing compared to most species inhabiting Terrarum, Isen’s level of concentration was so intense that he barely heard an echo in the distance.

In front of him, piercing through space and flesh alike, a thousand particles of magic moved so slowly they seemed motionless. He couldn’t see them, but he could feel them.

The battle mage traced mental lines through the thousand points as if drawing a map until he found the spots from which he wanted to cast his spells. Then, he opened the spiritual gate that allowed him to connect the magical currents with his inner energy and shaped the magical particles into what he had envisioned.

Isen's eyes glowed, and the battle mage felt both energies—his own and that of the magical particles—merge to bring the spells to life. Moments later, elongated, sharp stone stalactites materialized from the very rock of the ceiling and tunnel walls, extending to pierce the faces and bodies of several erukidos. The satisfaction of seeing his power in action filled his being, but only a faint smile reflected the pride he felt in his ability.

“Suck on that!” Bargu shouted gleefully as he saw the last erukidos fall lifeless.

“Yes!” Neisa exclaimed with euphoria, seeking Bargu’s gaze for a shared moment of triumph. But when she saw his face, her expression changed drastically. “W-what’s wrong, Bargu?”

Isen didn’t need to hear the drauo’s response. He couldn’t see in the dim light as Bargu could, but in the distance, he could once again hear that disturbing buzzing.

“This isn’t over, is it?” Eliad asked.

Isen nodded and turned to face the endless darkness.

“They’re surrounding us.”

“Shit. I’m almost out of ammo,” Neisa said after checking her magazine.

“Same here,” Bargu added, already preparing to fire again. “And this time, I doubt we’ll stumble upon another ammo stash.”

“We can’t stay put,” Eliad interjected. “The only way we’re getting out of here alive is by running.”

“And where exactly are we going?” Bargu asked. “These tunnels don’t lead anywhere. If I have to die, I’d rather do it fighting.”

“Eliad’s right,” Isen said as he began to manipulate the magical currents. His hand and sword became engulfed in flames. “Remember, we have a mission. If we die here, all of Anlova might burn.”

“He doesn’t realize how creepy that sounds with his hand and sword on fire, does he?” Bargu whispered to Neisa. Apparently, the scene had brought him back to his usual self. “I mean, he sounds like the villain in a movie.”

“He has no clue,” Neisa replied, trying to stifle a laugh.

The erukidos emerged from the darkness and launched themselves at them once again.

The fire surrounding Isen's hand intensified, and with a flick of his wrist, it surged toward the erukidos like the flame of a flamethrower. The subterranean creatures howled as the tunnel filled with the stench of burning flesh before their bodies disintegrated.

Behind him, the repetitive crack of rifles told the battle mage that the soldiers and the hunter were also engaging the Arruks. Isen turned just in time to see Eliad halt the advance of two erukidos with precise shots to their heads.

“Ready?”

“I love this part,” Bargu said.

The rifle fire ceased, leaving only the echo of the hunter’s pistols.

“Grenade out!” Bargu and Neisa shouted.

Isen drew an imaginary line with his arm, and a wall of stone blocked the tunnel. The explosion caused rocks and the bodies of the subterranean creatures to burst apart, forming a barricade of rubble, organs, and limbs. The soldiers finished off the remaining erukidos, and Isen turned again to unleash another torrent of fire on a dozen more creatures crawling along the walls of the tunnel.

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“Now, go!” Eliad shouted as he continued firing in different directions.

“Bargu, take the lead and guide us with your vision,” Isen ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the soldier replied, being the first to start running.

Eliad and the battle mage followed the soldiers, dodging the living bonfires. When Isen passed the two holes from which the small humanoid creatures had emerged, he came to an abrupt stop.

“Cover me!” Isen shouted, cutting off the head of an erukidos that was preparing to attack him.

—But didn’t he just tell us to run? —Neisa said, stopping in her tracks, turning around, and getting ready to fire. —Make up your mind.

Eliad, who seemed to have understood Isen’s plan, quickly moved in close to him.

Isen manipulated the magical particles while his companions provided cover fire, and the rocks shifted, sealing off the small tunnels.

—That should hold them back for a bit, —Isen said. —Let’s move!

The four of them continued through the narrow tunnels quickly, but cautiously. As much as Bargu could see in the dim light, they had no idea what awaited them beyond his line of sight. Every so often, they encountered more holes in the walls of the dark passage, reminding them that sooner or later, those subterranean creatures would be hunting them again.

After what felt like several hours, the group came across another fork in the path. Two tunnels stretched into the blackness of the earth—two paths that could lead to despair or salvation.

—By Ibelir… I hate this, —Neisa muttered.

—Do you see anything, soldier? —the mage asked.

—Nothing specific, sir, —Bargu replied. —Just more endless tunnels.

That answer seemed to hit the young drauo harder than the rest of them.

—I see. Eliad?

—At this point, I don’t even have a shred of orientation left, —the hunter replied. —We could be near an Anlovan city or even outside the State by now.

Hundreds of meters away, Isen’s ears picked up the clicking sounds of the erukidos. It was clear they weren’t willing to let their prey escape.

—They’re coming again…

—I can’t take this uncertainty anymore, —Neisa said, starting to walk into one of the tunnels. —Let’s just go this way.

—I think we should reconsider, soldier, —Isen replied, not understanding her sudden resolve.

—Marching on, —added Bargu.

—She’s got guts, —Eliad said with a smile. —I think I’m starting to like her.

— I may not be an aehul, but I’ve got your back, hunter.

The battle mage pushed his thoughts aside and ended up following the soldier and the others. How long had it been since the last time he did something like this?

The echoes of the erukidos grew louder behind them, drowning out the sound of their own footsteps as they ran. The tunnel took a sharp turn to the right, dipped slightly, and then leveled out again.

Then, Bargu’s unexpected shout made the group stop so abruptly they nearly crashed into each other.

— What now? —Neisa asked. —I don’t think stopping is a great idea with all those things chasing us.

— No way out… —Bargu replied, his voice trembling.

— What?

— It’s a dead end.

— You’ve got to be kidding, right? —Neisa said.

— I’m afraid not, —Bargu confirmed, moving forward. —Look.

Desperation washed over their faces when they saw with their own eyes that the tunnel had come to an end. There was no way forward. All that remained was to face an almost certain death.

— Well, I guess this is it, —Eliad said, resigned, as he turned around and prepared for one last battle. —This world will never change.

— I… —Neisa began to say. —I’m sorry. This is my fault.

— Nah, girl, —Bargu replied. —There was no way to know which of the two paths was the right one. Probably neither was. —He gave a sad smile. —Besides, at least I’ll die fighting. I’m sure my father would be proud of me.

While the rest of the group spoke, Isen took a closer look at the wall that blocked their path. The battle mage didn’t know much about the behavior of the stone-eaters, but if they were giant worms that fed on the earth and the minerals within while carving out tunnels, how could the tunnel end so abruptly? The only way that could happen was if the creature had died, since it was technically impossible for it to turn around and go back the way it came—the tunnel was the exact size of its body.

— Thanks, Bargu, —Neisa said. —I’m glad that if I have to die, at least it’s by your side. You’re a good companion

Isen stepped a little closer and touched the wall.

—Wait a moment, —he said. —The texture and pattern are different. I think this isn’t a natural wall; it was built to block the tunnel.

—And what does that mean, sir? —Neisa asked. Everything related to the underground was a mystery to her.

—An ancient drauo tunnel, —said the hunter and Bargu at the same time.

—I believe so.

—I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but… what difference does it make? —Neisa said. —The fact that the tunnel is blocked doesn’t change.

—Wrong again, soldier, —Isen replied. —If this wall is part of a drauo tunnel, it means the stone is probably about a meter thick, maybe a little more. So, if we can open a hole, we’ll gain access to the ancient tunnel.

—Do you think you can? —the hunter asked, watching as the erukidos crowded just a few meters behind them.

—Yes, —Isen answered firmly. —But it will take me some time.

—Then you’ll have it, —said Eliad, squeezing the triggers of his pistols.