Read your Contracts before signing them. Trust me.

Unless you prefer being forced to streak for 30 minutes every morning.

- Wise wisdoms of a woeful Warlock.

“May death reject us!”

“MAY LIVE REVIVE YOU!” the crowd thundered back.

Chains could be heard rattling through the city as the cogwheels of the northern gate jerked into motion. The heavy gate surpassing the height of several stacked houses slowly lurched open. Each tick of the cogwheels forced apart the two Founder statues, engraved into its black metallic exterior, further apart. The Awakened around me started shuffling and murmuring among themselves, though the crowd of rats showed nothing but tensed muscles and grim silence. A silence that was broken the moment a small gap began to form between the two massive slabs of metal.

“Soldiers, form up!” Fang shouted. Rows of tabard wearing rats moved in sync to his command as they picked up their weapons from the ground, forming a row of pikes that even a bronco would hesitate charging into. The Awakened quickly fell back from the mass of metal now blocking the street; their sudden yelps of surprise quickly turned into cries of despair as Fang issued his next order, “Line, forward!”

The ground shook with the rhythmic march of pointed death heading our way. Most of the Awakened made for the only opening whilst others stood frozen in fear, uncertain about the sudden change of circumstances. “Move!” I shouted as my foot connected to a blonde girl’s ass. She yelped in pain, glaring at me with in anger. “Move or be skewered. It’s your choice.” She looked past my shoulder, eyes lingering briefly on the encroaching threat, before sprinting away. A few kicks and nudges later, and all of the Awakened were finally herded through the massive gate.

A last sweep revealed no stragglers as I slipped through the opening and into the beyond. Well, slip is a bit too much. For the gate itself it might have been a small gap, but that was still big enough to let several man abreast pass with ease.

Beyond the massive gate lay an equally massive bridge; its width alone could easily support several carts side by side. Let alone its length. What’s more impressive was the bridge spanning several miles in one direction while the light of equally spaced pieces of white crystal, embedded into the parapets and the middle of the stone bridge, drove away the darkness that suffocated every inch around it. And darkness it was. True darkness. The kind that only existed in places where the sun never shone. The kind that even my eyes couldn’t pierce, for they were deeper and darker than dim crystals ever could illuminate.

Those few Awakened that weren’t retching out their meals were instead looking over the railing, and finding an equally disturbing void greeting them down below. Don’t fall. “Alright, listen up!” I shouted; one-hundred heads turned towards me at the sound of my voice. Some still with bile dribbling down their nostrils. Shouldn’t have let them party this long. “I know you are all scared. And I know you all want to go home. But the quicker we get moving, the quicker we can get out of here!”

“But first some good news.” I gave Sly a knowing look. You knew daddy wouldn’t let you leave empty-handed, didn’t you? She winked back. Spoiled brat. “I’ve received some valuable information last night.” I pointed at the distant bridge lights. “Within the hour, a trade run will be making its return from the Long Dark. We’ll wait for them at the bridge’s entrance before heading deeper into the caves. With some luck, we’ll be able to beggar our way into some of their food stock.” I motioned the gang to step forward. “Afterwards we’ll head deeper into the caves. Just make sure you follow either me, or one of my trusted friends here.” I pointed at Sly, Hammer, Pickle, Dirk, and Dagger. “Keep quiet and stay close. And whatever you do, don’t scream.”

I didn’t leave time for questions. “We’ll walk till we reach the main underground river. There we’ll set up camp and discuss our plans for the near future. You’re free to do whatever you want to after that.” Most of them eagerly nodded. Though some shot me a foul look. A look I knew all too well. “You don’t have to follow us now, if you don’t want to. Nobody is stopping you from braving the darkness on your own. I’m just offering you a place to stay.” The same gazes quickly shifted away. That’s right, I’m in control now.

The group of Awakened moved when the last few souls finished their morning retch over the bridge parapets. The lack of any splattering sounds confirmed the height of this bridge, and with nothing but darkness all around them the only way was forward. And so, forward they went. Poorly made boots slapped the well-crafted stone as some people started shivering. We were sent out here in nothing but our prisoner garbs, and what spare footwear what was left. Dead men need no clothes, though sending Exiled naked into the Long Dark was a bit too much — even for the Burrows.

After several minutes, Maximilian made his way towards me as I stayed near the back with Hammer. Eyes filled with animosity tracked his every move, though he seemed to ignore them while he was busy navigating his way through all these people. Or maybe he doesn’t care. A faint whisper marked his eventual arrival, “What do you mean, feel free to do whatever you want?”

“You know as well as I do that not everybody here is going to work together. Just cause they chose to live, doesn’t mean they chose to cooperate,” I whispered back. “Better nip them in the bud before they start trouble.”

Maximilian broke into a coughing fit. “You’re going to kill them?” he hissed under his breath.

“Even better. I’m going to solve our food problem.”

The stone the Founders used for this bridge was probably white in origin. But dirt and age weathered it down to a motley gray. I always wondered how light it would have looked in ages past, though the blood drained face of Maximilian gave me a good view on what pure white actually looked like. “Y-y-you wouldn’t.”

“I would and I will.” My voice shifted a tone deeper. “And when I’m done picking their corpses clean, I’ll fashion me some proper weapons from their bones. Or are you suggesting we fight with bare fists and empty stomachs?”

“Are you mad? We’ve got magic! There’s no need to ki-”

My hand snapped his mouth shut as Hammer moved to block us from the view of onlookers. “I’ll say this as a friend. Keep your voice down if you want to live. I’m not the only one they want to stab in the back. I thought you all of all people would have noticed by now. Especially, with the stab happy vibes you nobles give off all the time.” Maximilian calmed down with that last line. “No offense.” A gasp escaped his lips as I removed my hand.

“Now listen, and listen well. Morals aren’t going to fill our stomachs. Ego isn’t going to protect our lives. And your past knowledge will get you killed. When it comes to this place, all rules get thrown out of the window.” I shot him a sharp glance. “Do rocks move?”

“What are you talking about? Of course they don’t mo-”

“We’ll here they do. And if you see one move, or even think you saw one move, you tell me.” I grabbed his collar before pulling him closer. “You get your ass away from that rock, and you tell me. Ok?” Maximilian swallowed hard before nodding. “You hear a child giggle, you run. You smell sulfur, you hide. You see shadows move, you pray. But whatever you do, don’t scream.”

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

“W-why not?”

“Ever heard of a dinner bell?.” His eyes lit up the mere mention of those words. “That’s what this place it like. Everything out here exists to eat you.” I released his collar. “If it doesn’t want to eat you, it wants to fuck you. If it doesn’t want to fuck you, it wants to live inside you. And god forbid if it doesn’t even want to do that.”

“It gets worse?”

“I wasn’t joking when I told you your souls were at risk. There are things crawling around here that even demons have learned to fear.”

“Sounds interesting, Boss,” a familiar voice said. Maximilian almost yelped out loud were it not for my hand latching onto his mouth on instinct. Gob merely smirked. “Care to let me in on that soul eating busine-”

A man’s scream echoed in the distance. It continued for several seconds before being cut off abruptly. That can’t be good. My eyes may have been able to pierce darkness, but that didn’t mean I could see very far. The dim light of the bridge crystals showed nothing but the emptiness on the horizon. Whatever had happened, it must have taken place near the bridge’s entrance. “Dagger, I want eyes on the entrance!” I shouted as Hammer made his way to the front of the group. “Dirk, keep your ears open for anything scurrying up these pillars!” People began murmuring among themselves. “Shut up and stay quiet!” Do as I say, not as I do. “Whatever caused that scream is still out there. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, and tell me when you spot something.”

I began weaving my way through the crowd, heading towards the large, burly man now stationed at front. “What happened to staying quiet?” Maximilian asked as he tagged along.

“Chow time’s already been announced. Everything within a few miles now knows that there’s food to be had.” Hammer stood with arms crossed as Dagger started climbing her way up his shoulders. Standing up straight, not swaying in the slightest, before peering into the distance. Within seconds I was close enough to see her pupils adjust themselves appropriately. “See anything, corporal?”

“Not yet, sarg- … captain.” She leaned ever so slightly forward as Maximilian looked with wide eyes at her display of balance. “Wait. It looks like some bronco’s just passed the bridge entrance right now. They seem to be running from something.” Running bronco’s? That doesn’t seem to be right.

“Can you see what they’re running from, corporal?”

“No, captain. Though someone seems to be riding the head bronco. The rest are carrying either wounded or casualties. I can’t tell from this distance.” Only one rider?

“Who’s the rider?”

“Her tabard is sporting… an anvil, captain.” Lieutenant, huh. “She’s wearing the violet. Though it seems to be stained red in several places. Unknown whether she’s wounded or not. No signs of her demon.” This supply run was supposed to be led by Hawk’s group, not Vipers. Maybe some stragglers from the lower levels?

I felt a tap on my shoulder before turning around to find a sour looking Dirk. “Is something climbing our way, corporal?”

“Worse, captain. I can hear drums in the distance.” Drums? Why would there be drums? Unless…

“Dagger, give me rundown on those other passengers!”

Dagger almost stumbled at my sudden command. She must have heard her brother’s words, and they did not bode well. “They are all wearing yellow, captain. And… I’m not entirely sure, but there seems to be only women. Wait! Some of them have arrows stuck in their armor.” Fear began to etch itself into her face as the realization churned my stomach.

“We need to move, and we need to move now!” I shouted. “Dagger, please tell me that the bridge entrance is still clear!” My request had barely passed my lips before the slow steady rhythm of drums started to faintly echo in the distance.

“It’s still clear for now, captain,” Dagger said. “Though I can see movement heading our way from further up in the caves. Gods, there must be thousands of them.” We’ll never make it in time.

A hand pulled me towards a panicking Maximilian. “What’s happening, Marcus? What’s coming this way?” he asked, fingers squeezing my arm.

“No time to explain,” I said as I pulled away from his grasp. “Everyone to the gates! Those that wish to die can stay behind!” And with that I took of sprinting back the way we came, weaving my way past confused looks and scared expressions. Not that they lasted long. Within seconds the unmistakable sound of boots hitting stone thundered behind me. Let’s just hope they can keep up. I didn’t have the time to deal with the stragglers. Every second would be needed if I was going to negotiate us out of this one. Please let it be a measly warband.

The sound of nails clicking beside me signaled the arrival of an unwelcome guest. “Seems like you’ve hit a snag, Boss. A rather deadly one.” Gob snickered as he ran besides me, not bothered in the least by the fast pace I was setting.

“What’s so… funny?” I managed to ask between controlled breaths. “We’ll both die… you know.”

“Yes, and no.” He flashed me his stained, pointy teeth. “It all depends on your point of view. Though I must say, I’ve grown quite attached to this vessel.” Vessel? What is he talk- “Anyway.” Gob smacked me loudly on the back. “Thanks for the concern. It’s nice knowing that you care about my safety.” Maybe I should dropkick him over the edge. Yeah, let’s do that.

The only thing that stayed my legs was the sight of the still open gates, and the light of salvation that shone from between them. I closed the distance with a final burst of speed, slowing down when I could see the silhouettes of guards lounging about the entrance. When they saw me running at them, they quickly shouted something to the people inside as more guards made their way outside, weapons at the ready.

I skidded to a stop when I reached the closest of the guards, staying well away from his weapon’s reach as I forced myself to get my breathing under control. “Is commander Fang still here?” I asked. “It’s urgent.”

The guards looked at each other before the highest ranking one spoke up, two stripes adorning his gray tabard. “He’s stationed further in. What’s it to you, Exile?”

“We’ve got a warband of Roamers coming this way.” That seemed to grab their attention. “They ambushed the supply caravan and are now crossing the bridge as we speak. My scout estimated their numbers to be in the thousand, if not more.”

Some more shouts, and a dispatched messenger later, my squad finally caught up with me, followed by the fitter variants of the Awakened. Though quite a lot of them were still lagging behind, unsure why we were running for the gate. Almost all of them were accounted for by the time the supply convoy came barreling through the gate. Some of the Awakened even had to dive out of the way to avoid getting squashed by the rampaging broncos.

Not that there was an easy way of stopping them. The female rider was now slumped over her reigns, an arrow sticking out from between her shoulderblades. It seemed that the broncos would run loose into the city streets, were it not for Fang’s arrival. The man made his entrance with a few hand gestures before the street stones turned into mud, swamping down the broncos until they could be subdued by a combination of soldiers and demons.

With his job done, the grizzled man made his way towards me. Guardsmen parting before him like his mere presence was repellent in nature. He looked angry during the trial, though none of that was currently apparent from his features. There was only calmness, the one that came with many years of command. “How many?” Fang asked, stopping a few feet short of our huddled group of wheezing and puffing Awakened.

“A thousand at least.” I said, clenching my fists. “Dagger, please check again.” Fang remained quiet as I chewed my lip in silence, hoping she saw wrong.

A short climb later, and I got the answer I was dreading. “I estimate them to be at least ten-thousand strong, captain. They’ve filled the bridge as far as my eyes can seen.” I started to draw blood. “Estimated time of arrival, ten minutes.”

Fang’s face changed to one of pity, and that was enough to shatter what hope I had left. “You know we need more time than that to muster an appropriate force.” Fang said. “I’m sorry, Exiled. We’ll have to close the gate till we’re ready to meet them.” The Awakened began to panic at the sound of the news.

I could only stare at my feet as the reality weighed heavily on my shoulders. “I know.”

Fang partly unsheathed his sword. “I can, however, offer you a swift death, if that is what you desire.”

Several Awakened recoiled at his action, though I simply raised my hand in response. “No, thank you. I’d rather go down fighting.” Fang merely nodded at my dispirited words before turning around and making his way back. The unmistakable sound of cogwheels turning signaled the beginning of the end as the gate lurched into motion.

“Fuck this shit. I’m not facing an army,” yelled one of the Awakened before bolting towards the still open gate. A stampede was the reaction as the majority of Awakened followed suit. The dash for safety foiled by the Forgefather himself. Cruelly halted halted before it even began as an invisible wall rippled with blue light at every point of impact; faces mashed against the very definition of an immovable object. Fist thumped against it. Wails filled the air. And sobs were heard all around.

But nothing stopped the gates from moving ever closer; the view of salvation growing slimmer with every second until, finally, it disappeared from sight entirely. Leaving only the cries of the bereaved and the drums in the distance. Drums that seemed to get closer by the minute.

Drums that were muffled by a demon loudly clearing his throat.

“So… about my Collar, Boss.”