I took a deep breath before raising my right hoof.

I then rapidly absorbed all the darkness in the chamber.

Everyone present gasped in awe as the chamber seemingly got brighter.

The chamber was carved from tarnished stone and so I pulled the darkness from its very walls, but my main focus was the water.

I purified as much as I could and absorbed the darkness before lowering my hoof.

“My goodness, you really are lord Kenos’s vessel,” Tal said as he fell to his knees.

Everyone mimicked him, but I was growing a bit tired of all the bowing.

“Umm… yeah. After Karish and I finish our work on the surface, I’m going to need you to guide me around the city’s water transportation system.”

“Of course,” Tal said.

“Yna, people with control over the aspect of space can change the shape of things like rocks and stuff, right?”

“Yes, but weaker magicians can only move small things and these are the most common. Finding a person who can freely bend space to his will is extremely rare.” Yna said with crossed arms.

“I see. Tal, sorry for increasing your workload, but I need you to gather every space magician.”

“Oh no, it would be my pleasure. Although, I must say that most of the Rendaro with that skill are currently on the third level.” Tal said with narrowed eyes.

“Third level? What are they doing?”

“They help keep the darkness below at bay,” Tal said.

“Mmm… what are your thoughts on shifting all of our attention to the surface? All we achieve will be for the benefit of Eimval, just keep that in mind.” I asked Karish, who pinched his black beard.

“Should our efforts above prove fruitful, I see no problem placing all of our focus there. But for now, I suggest we divide our efforts in two.” Karish said.

“Perfect. So Tal, gather some space magicians and send half of them to the lower floor and the other half shall work on the surface.”

“As you command,” Tal said before walking out of the large bath chamber.

I looked at the now clean baths and then looked at my slightly dirty self.

Yep, a bath would help.

So I walked over to a nearby bath.

“Allow us to assist you, your lordship.” A woman said from behind me.

I then felt myself being carried towards a rather large bath by multiple hands.

They carefully lowered me into the cool water before scrubbing the dirt off my fur.

I would’ve complained, but the process was rather short and pleasant.

They then took me out and dried me before returning to their lined formation.

I sighed before noticing that Yna was done bathing as well, although no one helped her as they did me.

Yna didn’t seem to mind and so I brushed the thought aside.

My tummy then growled loudly, reminding me that we had a job to do.

“Umm… Karish, do you know where I could any more of those bush thingies?”

“Pardon?” He asked as he tilted his head slightly.

“You know… like the one in your office,” I said while comically shifting my eyes.

“Ah… yes. Please, follow me.” Karish said before leading Yna and me back to his office.

“I will return shortly with nourishment,” Karish said before closing the door.

I then casually walked into the living room before munching down on a certain plant.

Yna sat on a nearby couch.

She then watched me curiously as I ate away at the half-eaten plant.

.

..

Ah… damn, that tasted amazing.

Although I wasn’t exactly full, I wasn’t hungry anymore.

A loud bang then drew my attention.

Yna and I made our way to the door before cautiously opening it.

My eyes widened upon seeing an extremely wounded Rendaro.

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His right leg was barely attached to his body and his skin was marked with black splotches.

“Your highness, please… help me-“

“You there! Halt!” Some guards yelled as they approached.

I looked down into the man’s eyes and saw nothing but fear.

The guards eventually arrived and violently grabbed the Rendaro before lifting him.

“You dare insult the dark vessel with your presence!” One of them yelled as the other bowed.

“My apologies. Security is looser on the first floor as compared to the others. We’ll try our best to ensure that you aren’t disturbed-“

“What happened to this one?” I asked.

“The third level! I escaped from the third level! They forced me to-“

One of the guards punched the Rendaro in his face, silencing him.

“What was he about to say?” I asked, but the guards looked at each other hesitantly.

“Well?” I asked as more guards arrived. These ones were dressed in rather well-made armour.

It was still leather, but there were hints of expert craftsmanship.

What worried me was the blood that stained their batons and hands.

I then saw Karish and a few other Rendaro approaching with several platters which had loads of food on them.

“What is happening here?” Karish asked.

“This fool managed to escape the third level.” One of the guards said.

“What’s down there?” I asked, but Karish ignored me.

“Take him to the healers and return him to his post.”

“Yes, elder!” The guards said before dragging the injured Rendaro away.

Karish then walked up to me as he clasped his hands.

“Do not worry yourself with such trivial matters. That one was simply a worker who grew weary of the work that comes with living in an underground city. For us to live, we must ensure the structural integrity of this place never falters.” Karish said rather frankly.

“Mind if I pay that level a visit?”

Karish’s eyes widened.

“But… your meal has arrived. Surely you-“

“I just want to see it, is all,” I said with narrowed eyes.

Karish winced for a moment before bowing.

“Then follow me.” He said rather firmly.

Karish then led us down to the marketplace and from there we made our way towards what looked like the entrance of a tunnel. Although it was guarded by armed Rendaro.

Karish led us past the guards and we made our way down to the second level via a long set of stairs.

My eyes widened upon arrival at the second level.

It was… better than the first.

Not by much, but the orbs of light above were much brighter and there was generally more life to be found.

I spotted Rendaro casually walking about.

Yes, their clothes were still of fairly shoddy make and they all had dark patches on their otherwise white skin, but they looked far livelier than those on the first floor.

Karish led us to the entrance of another tunnel, only this one had a giant wooden door on it and was even more guarded.

The guards opened the large door as we approached and as they did, I could feel an overwhelming amount of darkness oozing out from within the tunnel.

Also, all of the guards had large dark patches on their skin.

Karish led us down what I assumed was the final staircase and as we walked through a large doorway, I saw what could only be called a wall of darkness and decay.

Countless Rendaro siphoned more darkness into the wall at its base and I spotted a metallic door at the base of the wall.

“What’s in there?” I asked.

“Well… that’s…” Karish muttered hesitantly.

He then took a deep breath before facing the door.

“That is where the High Elder Rendaro and their families live.” He said.

“Why would they choose to live in such a hostile place?” I asked.

“Because it’s far safer down here. You see, the Foph are attempting to build an army. They will come here and request an alliance. If we join them, we will perish at the hands of the moon king and his knights. If we refuse, the Foph will slaughter us all.”

“So they've chosen to hide beneath their own, using the ones above as shields.”

“I don’t think you were permitted to speak, human.” Karish spat while glaring at Yna who simply crossed her arms.

“Mmm… the darkness is clearly hurting you all and yet the other elders would rather die to the darkness than die by the hands of the Foph,” I muttered.

“Take me inside,” I said, but Karish’s face froze.

“Forgive me, but I cannot do that.”

“Why not?” I asked as more guards approached.

“Because you have far more important things to do,” Karish said as the guards surrounded me.

I then noticed that the golden lines on Yna’s skin were glowing slightly and I could see the fear in the eyes of the guards as they raised their weapons and pointed them at her.

“Please, Katsíki, return to your quarters and await further instruction,” Karish said through gnashed teeth.

“Ok,” I said as the guard led Yna and me back up to the second level.

Not a word was spoken as we made our way back to Karish’s office.

The guards then led Yna and me into the living room and I promptly sat on one of the coaches.

“What do we do now?” Yna asked as she sat on the couch in front of mine.

Two guards were in the room with us, several more awaited outside and there was no telling how many more awaited us in other places.

“I think we should try reasoning with Karish. I’ll mind my business and purify the upper levels for now.” I said.

“Aren’t you curious about the elders and the third level?”

“I am, but we don’t have the full picture. Acting now would be… reckless.” I said.

“Wow… how logical of you.”

“We have no choice,” I said with a sigh.

“When I came to this world, the human village I awoke in was attacked by Rendaro. I’m assuming it was the Foph, but I can’t be sure.” I muttered.

“I have a feeling that they are getting ready for a full assault on Lanceberg.”

“That’s entirely possible, but what does that have to do with our current situation?” Yna asked.

“A war is coming. I can feel it. This makes me wonder how the Ia will handle everything when the hammer strikes the anvil. From what I can piece together, they are the least prepared of all the factions. However, we need to factor in that I know very little about humanity’s current situation.” I said.

All this thinking is making me hungry. I cried internally before looking around and spotting another potted plant.

I walked over to it before munching on its chewy leaves.

I then heard the door open and Karish eventually entered the room with more guards in tow.

“It has been decided, you, the dark vessel, shall purify the first and second levels,” Karish said.

“Ok,” I said rather flatly, causing Yna to give me a questioning glance.

“Follow me, please,” Karish instructed.

“What about above ground? We still have a ton of work to do.” I said.

“All work on the surface is to be halted.” Karish snapped.

We were then led to what I assumed was the centre of the first level.

Countless Rendaro went about living their lives, but many stopped to stare as I was placed on a stone pedestal.

“You may begin,” Karish said.

“What led to the splitting of the Rendaro?” I asked as I made myself comfortable.

“It was the Foph. Their reckless ways almost got all of us killed, but that doesn’t matter. Siphon out all of the darkness from the level."

“You’re an elder, right? Meaning the lives of all these Rendaro are in your hands. Why have you chosen to use them as fodder?”

“I suggest you focus on the task at hand,” Karish said as he turned to leave.

“You can’t possibly be fine with the suffering and sickness that plagues your people,” I said with a slightly raised voice, but Karish ignored me as he walked away.

“Then Yna was right. You are a coward.”

Karish stopped walking for a moment.

He then sighed before continuing onward, leaving Yna, me and several guards.

“You’re being too passive,” Yna said.

“I know, but I’m a goat. There’s not much I can do and I’m an outsider. I’m missing key information and that’s why I’m beating around the bush.”

“Well, if it’s persuasion you want, you could use me,” Yna said.

“Oh?”