“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Mortimer whispered while cradling Vatim. He was surprised his voice carried as much confidence as it did.

Mortimer almost believed his own words. Almost.

The picture of his dad flashed before Mortimer’s eyes, almost sending him into a panic attack. His body began trembling as the memories of the underground flooded back to the forefront of his mind.

They played out step by step. All the experiences that would haunt Mortimer for life came back to him. He hugged Vatim tighter, mostly for his own sake.

“We will be fine, we will be fine,” Mortimer rocked to front and back. He wished to forget. The forbidden sounds, smells and movements of the air.

Only thanks to Mila’s advice had Mortimer not seen anything truly forbidden. Not until…

Mortimer gagged, his convulsion scaring Vatim. “I am fine, you are fine,” He hurried to soothe the boy.

Vatim had been mostly fine. The underground was the only safe place left in the city. The boy and his sister had been accompanied by Cecilia.

The woman had left them now upon noticing Andrew’s. Return. She was now following around the beast tamer, trying to get his attention.

As for Vatim’s sister - Kanna was with Isabel. Mortimer personally didn’t want to stay near the so-called paladin. The woman had been in the same room where his father had been. She had seen what… He didn’t want to know.

Mortimer’s stomach dropped again, and he felt weightless. If only he hadn’t seen…

When they had been transferred back from whatever hell they had been in, Mortimer had seen him. He had seen his father…

Mortimer didn’t doubt it had been his dad. The few words he had heard before running away. It had been his dad’s voice…

That’s what he had done. Mortimer had run away. Instead of going to help his dad, he had run without looking back.

Mortimer looked at Isabel, who was ruffling Kanna’s hair, whispering something to Vatim’s sister. He was scared of the shield-bearing woman…

Wasn’t it a son’s duty to find out what had happened to his father?

Mortimer wanted to say no. He wanted to simply forget the glimpse of the terrible creature his father had transformed into. His mind avoided even thinking about it. But…

Mortimer took Vatim in his hands and stood up. He waited for the workers to rush past, then staggered towards Isabel. The woman noticed his approach immediately. Her rapt attention almost made him stop.

Luckily, Isabel soon sagged in her seat, only held up by Kanna, who rushed to catch her.

This and the absence of Mila gave Mortimer the push to move again. He carefully stepped around the pile of dirt and ruined shovels to reach Isabel. “Isabel?” He tried. But there was no answer from the scary woman.

Instead, it was Kanna who hissed at Mortimer. “She is tired. What do you want?” Her voice was full of unexpected hostility.

It stupified Mortimer. He had thought Kanna had warmed up to him somewhat, but Isabel’s condition had rattled the girl. “I just…” He tried to voice what he wanted.

What had happened to his dad? Had he mentioned Mortimer? Did his dad understand what he was doing, or had he gone crazy?

Had… Had Mila killed him? Was Mortimer’s dad gone?

The answers to these questions scared him. Mortimer opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“What is it?” Kanna glared. She sat down next to Isabel to support the woman better. “If you have nothing to say, leave us alone.” Her icy voice dismissed Mortimer.

“I just…” He managed to push a couple words past his lips.

“...what…” Isabel’s whisper surprised both of them. “...want…” She sounded terrible.

“You should rest!” Kanna looked conflicted, clearly not knowing what to do. “...Should I get a healer?” She sounded unsure.

While Mortimer didn’t understand the situation around him, he knew no healer would come.

Kanna seemed to sense Moritmer’s doubts and glared at him. “What is it?” She was impatient and signalled for him to leave.

“That’s…” Mortimer still couldn’t get the question out of his mouth. His eyes spun around, looking for a solution.

After looking into Mortimer’s eyes, Isabel spoke again. “...Will… get…” She struggled. “...You out…It…” Her body leaned to the side as she almost fell asleep. “...was a promise.” She sighed more than spoke.

Kanna looked around, glared at Mortimer for good measure, then snuggled closer to Isabel, using the support as an excuse to do so. “We know… We are just worried.”

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Mortimer was speechless. He couldn’t believe Kanna’s bravery. If Mila saw this… He shuddered, not wanting to imagine what would happen.

It seemed Kanna realised she was excessive, too, as she pulled back before Isabel could attempt to push her.

But the girl’s courage gave Mortimer the small bit of bravery he needed. After taking another breath, he felt Vatim’s small hand wrap around his neck as the boy tried to find safety in his craven arms. “Did…” The first word came out slowly.

“...Did my father,” Mortimer felt the words begin to flow. “Did he die?” He wanted, no, needed to know.

Isabel’s eyes sharpened as she looked at Mortimer again, her full might behind her gaze.

But then it was gone, replaced by pure exhaustion and something deeper. Mortimer did not know what it was. It seemed Isabel was struggling with something.

“...Yes…” Finally came the answer.

Mortimer… Felt almost nothing. He had feared the answer after seeing what his father had become, but… He just felt empty, powerless and adrift. “I see…”

There was nothing else for him to say. Under Kanna’s judging stare, he limped back to his previous spot, wondering if they truly could get out of Stilag alive.

Then, there was cheer. Mortimer looked towards the excited voices. It seemed they had finally dug far enough to attempt to get out.

Perhaps… Perhaps there was still hope.

—

“Quiet.”

Laura nodded upon receiving Viola’s warning. She signalled to the remains of her once powerful company to stop and duck behind the debris.

It was heartbreaking. Laura struggled to not cry. They had gotten out of that hell. Their teamwork had been enough to carry them through the horrors that lay below.

With Mila’s and Helly’s advice, they had avoided being corrupted by whatever was out there beyond the boundary.

Or that’s what they all believed up until Agata started to change, her body transforming in small but unsettling ways.

Their scout… Their friend had seen something she shouldn’t have. Agata’s sharp senses were what killed the girl. And Laura could do nothing to help…

All Laura could do was to put Agata to rest herself. Verte, the ever dutiful right hand he was, had offered to do it, but…

“They are gone.” Viola got their attention before heading towards another spot in the city where the infiltrators were gathered.

Laura didn’t care about the war. She even considered it to be a great way to earn a living. There were many like her, finding their way towards the war-torn Kingdom, selling their lives.

And most would leave their lives here, just like Agata had. Laura wouldn’t stop being a mercenary. She didn’t want to be a knight or officer in an army or whatever else her skills could allow her.

Besides, her comrades relied on her, even if Laura had brought them into hell and now back. They still had another goal to achieve before they could leave. She just didn’t know where to start.

“Stop!” Viola once more halted their advance and sniffed the air with suspicion.

Laura prepared for battle. She was the only one who could. Ugum had done his best to keep them in fighting condition, but the healer had lost consciousness a while ago, unable to keep up with their demands.

The rest of Laura’s company were… ‘Whole’ was probably the best description. They had injuries, yes, but no one missed limbs or was crippled. But that’s where the good news ended.

Raran, who was almost useless without mana, carried his brother, making sure the healer was unhurt. Verte was meanwhile supporting Virr. Or maybe it was the other way around. It was hard to tell.

“Come out,” Viola asked more than demanded.

Laura relaxed a little. Their employer didn’t sound hostile, simply confused.

A moment later, from a miraculously intact building, two people stepped out, one of them carrying Amy while the other Amy’s large shield.

They were familiar figures, even if Laura didn’t remember their names. She carefully stepped closer to the duo.

Laura had not hoped to find her comrade alive. So much had happened, and she didn’t know how to find the mysterious group.

But here they were. The person who was armed with two one-handed battleaxes handed Amy to Laura. “We promised to take care of her. She is fine.” His gaze was direct and clear, leaving no doubts of their pure intentions. “Your friend should wake up in a few hours at most.” He finished.

The other person, the one reminding Laura of a scribe, handed the shield to Verte. He bowed, and then they were gone.

Laura held Amy close to her chest, still not believing she was back. Only when a loud thud behind her startled Laura did she remember they were short on time.

“Sorry,” Verte apologised. He had been unable to hold the shield. “Miss,” He looked at Viola. “Would you…”

It was a strange request, but Viola didn’t seem to mind. The spy grabbed the shield, and they were moving again.

Somewhere above their heads, they heard Inquisitors begin killing people. Laura didn’t know what to think.

The Military tried to stop them, but it didn’t result in anything. Soon enough, the slaughter continued.

Laura was in a daze. After they found Viola’s comrades, they continued towards the tunnels. The spy knew how to find a path without interruptions.

Soon, they were once more beneath the city, walking through darkness. Laura simply followed. Her tired mind couldn’t think. She simply wanted to get out of the city.

When Viola’s comrades offered help, Laura refused. She couldn’t let go of Amy now. She felt like she would lose another person if she did.

Verte, the blessed soul he was, found a moment to speak a couple encouraging words. Laura always found herself relying on the man.

Laura sometimes wondered how it would be to leave everything behind and escape with Verte to the end of the world. But the man didn’t seem to be interested. He didn’t deny her rare advances, but…

They never took the next step. It was just occasional flirting. Laura sighed, finding themselves in a hall full of hopeful people.

It looked like they would escape without having to make more sacrifices. No one in the city could face the Inquisitors.

Laura carried Amy where Helly and the other Gang Boss were instructing their people. She had the duty to speak with them and see if there was something to do - if only to earn them an earlier spot out of the city.

“Where is Mila?”

Viola’s question made Laura pause. She glanced around, wondering if the small girl was hiding in someone's shadow. Then, she realised Viola’s nose would have picked that up anyway.

Suddenly, Laura’s battle-hardened instincts were whispering about coming danger.