"Isake?" A low whimper escaped from Louis's lips. The floor was cold and moist, he noticed. From his waist down he couldn't feel or move anything, so his only choice was to drag himself across the mucky ground.

While he knew he was there for only a few minutes, in complete darkness and silence it felt more like hours, and with a killing murderer lurking around, he had to find the light as soon as possible. After all, it has been a while since he'd last heard one of his companions - now whoever it was, they were silent.

Yet, in the far distance, he started hearing something akin to a slithering slug. It was a wet sound, probably because of the gooey-like skin of the small creature. Though there was an oddness about it. The noise was getting closer and closer, faster than any slug should be capable of. It wasn't a tiny harmless slug, that's for sure.

To top it off, Louis didn't even know what was hunting them down. Perhaps, it wasn't even human, since he couldn't catch a glimpse at it. His mind, however, imagined various hideous beasts.

Hiding in the shadows, he envisioned vicious tentacles emerging from the murky greywaters, slowly inching closer towards the tunnels. It wasn't a normal living being, not at all. Long bone protrusions rose from its limbs. Its head was still hidden into the limewater, the horrifying shapeless unknown.

Louis made his best to stay as quiet as possible, fearing that even the slightest whimper would alert the abyssal demon. His heart beat so hard that he could hear a deep throbbing noise in his ears.

His mind couldn't, no matter what, imagine the rest of its body, as if it was out of Louis' comprehension. Maybe it had been living in there before those cryptic tunnels were built, or even before the city was established. Its shape didn't remind of any creatures he had ever seen so far, coming from a distant past when humans didn't exist. One of the behemoths of nature which befell into a deep slumber.

Facing such an abyssal and ancient being, Louis forgot how to properly talk or make noises. In front of it, any alive being primal instinct is to hide after all.

Suddenly, he saw the sunlight in the far distance. The rest of his teammates were there as well, resting sound and safe. Immediately, he fastened his pace, crawling towards it. But the thing heard his struggles, its spiky tentacles slithering quicker.

Just as he was about to reach them, his legs were enveloped by the sickening appendages, being pierced by its sharp bones. It hurt like hell, but he didn't yell or cry. With rising dread, he tried calling his friends, but the words just wouldn't come out.

He screamed once more as he was dragged back into the soundless abyss, but his body didn't follow his orders. His mouth closed shut, refusing to produce any sound.

"Shhhh." A deep voice permeated him, rattling his very bone marrow. Immediately, another tentacle wrapped around his neck, ending his life.

"Those frogs are no joke." Heitor said as he stared at the struggling Louis. His body twitched as he screamed for help to no one in particular.

"It was a great idea to use their venom in the ax, good job." Agatha complimented him as she kneeled close to Louis, observing him, "Is the book still with you?"

"Of course." He said before laying it beside the man. Seconds later of a horror show, Heitor finally got what he wanted.

"Finally." Agatha muttered.

Choose carefully, for our decisions form who we are.

Abilities:

Mana Manipulation - [Rank D]

Requirements: None

Since the early ages, humans strived for survival. Nature wasn't amicable for their frail like, and so they resorted to the arcane arts. By wielding the invisible energies, their hegemony was soon solidified. Nevertheless, they've become arrogant and weak throughout the eons, forgetting the true behemoths and titans of the world.

Powerful Blow - [Rank D]

Requirements: None

Those who weren't capable of wielding the arcane could only resort to their body strengths, pushing their limits to the very extreme in order to deal a decisive blow when in dire situations.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Higher Immunity - [Rank D+]

Requirements: Walking Pestilence, Steel Stomach

What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.

Dark Vision - [Rank F]

Requirements: Dark Dwelling

Casten away into the abyssal depths and lightless caves, creatures that dwell in the dark slowly adapted to the lack of sunlight. Beware though, for those who choose to live without the sun won't be able to endure it when out of their lairs.

Staring at his options, Heitor deduced, "So, basically, if I choose Dark Vision I won't be able to see when in bright places?"

"Yeah, pretty much it. That's the worst option you could pick." Agatha replied.

"Then..." He muttered while tapping his fingers on the floor, "That leaves me with Higher Immunity and Mana Manipulation. Well, the correct choice is obviously Higher-"

"Wait!" She held Heitor's hand back, somehow physically touching him, "You should take the Mana Manipulation one."

"What? Why? This way I can stop worrying about the multitude of diseases I get on a daily basis. How's that the wrong option? It even has a higher rank." He tilted his head, not understanding her reasoning.

"You can heal yourself anyway, so there is no use to it. You are only looking for the short term bonus." She let go of his hand, "You are weak, and need more tools to survive. Being more resistant to things won't help you much at fighting others."

"So let's assume I do what you are saying... where will I learn how to cast spells?" He asked.

"Do you trust me?" She asked back.

"I do."

"Then do as I say." She turned her back on him, slinking back to the wall.

Clicking his finger onto the odd flying letters, he did as asked.

Immediately, he felt something move inside of him. It crept between his organs before ultimately resting upon his belly button region.

"Fuc-" His sister dropped stiff to the ground, her whole body shaking as she hissed in pain. Before Heitor could even stand up to help her, he fell down as well. His insides were being carved, almost like a lightning opening every inner crevice, creating uncountable pathways throughout his entire system. Soon, both were unconscious.

Only an hour later did they wake up. Coming back from unconsciousness was an unusual feeling for them. At first, one finds himself or herself in total darkness but doesn't ask how they got their or when. Their mental faculties aren't totally working, so for a while, they just stay there - in fulfilling peace. But that can't last forever and soon they startle awake from their deep slumber.

The first thing that Heitor took note of was the pressure of energy within his body. It vibrated all around him.

"Agatha?" He asked out loud his first concern.

"I'm here." She said from his back.

Turning around, shock hit him as he stared at his sister. Her previously ethereal blue eyes now shined in the dark and her hair flowed freely in the air, unbound by gravity. It was as if she wasn't from this world.

"What has gotten to you?" She asked him.

He stopped staring before replying, "Nothing."

 "Good, we have work to do. They should come back by tomorrow, and I don't think they won't bring torches this time, even if dangerous." She walked towards him with a smile plastered on her lips, "Is time for some trial and error."

"Where do we begin?" He asked.

Meanwhile, the mercenaries sat in the formed camp outside. The mood was gloomy and nobody felt like talking. There were less 5 people in their group, and they couldn't even see who or what was their assailant. Not only did they fail in their mission, but they also lost a few of their comrades.

"I'm done." One of them declared to Reynold before making his way back to the city. Reynold just remained silent. A few more left as well, saying sorry as they departed. The previously guaranteed money now seemed more like a suicide mission. Better be poor than dead, they thought.

Just as everyone who feared for their lives left, Reynold finally opened his mouth, "Is there anyone else who doesn't want to continue?"

The remaining 7 people shook their heads vehemently.

"Good, I can't have cowards amongst my men." He spat onto the floor, "But outside from cowards, I can't have people who can't properly follow my orders as well, is that clear?" He asked while glancing at Aymon.

"Yes." He and the others replied with a firm voice.

"Rest for now then, we will come back here tomorrow at dusk. Bring torches, let's see if that bastard can sneak on us then." He went inside the encampment's main tent, probably reporting what happened to the guards.

Aymon promptly left, going back to the city's inn. The sun settled behind a distant hill, and soon it disappeared. For some unknown reason to him, his pace naturally quickened as night befell on his surroundings. The trees ominously swayed in the wind, its leaves rattling loudly. And at times he would look behind to assure that no one was following him or hiding behind the tortuous black trees. Shaking his head, he couldn't believe he was still scared after the whole affair. He just couldn't, not after what had happened.

"Tomas..." He muttered with low casten eyes. Tomas was no more, just like that, in a snap of fingers. He was his closest friend and yet, he lost him. They shared the dream of being adventurers, to gain their keep as they traveled all around the world - no matter the team they were in, they stood together. Their last one, however, was wiped out. It didn't hurt, but it was a good excuse for entering Reynold's party. Nonetheless, it appeared that they bit on more than what they could chew.

Now, all he wanted to do was to drink and waste the night with Rosaline. From all the things that happened so far, she was the best thing to have occurred to him. Perhaps being an adventurer wasn't for him at the end, to risk his life on an everyday basis. At least Tomas' death served as a wake-up call for him. Because sooner or later it would be him under the grave instead.

After minutes of a silent walk, he reached the tavern at last. The first thing he paid attention to was Rosaline. She had this refreshing smile, the kind of which made one forget about his problems and nightmares. Aymon finally decided on his future course.

First, avenge Tomas. Then claim his bounty share and live his life peacefully in Northwood with Rosaline.

It seemed like the perfect plan.