The group set out to leave, Thol and Arin making sure they ran into as few enemies as possible. Snax had taken over the job of leading Arin around. Although she told him she could walk perfectly fine on her own. Snax would have none of it, he said that dwarves had to help each other out. Arin didn't complain much after that so everyone assumed it was okay.

Traveling through the underground was extremely nerve-wracking, at every turn they expected to be cut off. They expected that alarms would go off and that they would be surrounded or assaulted. The further they got the more the tension grew. How much time did they have left to roam the halls freely, no one knew. So they picked up as much pace as they could. After what seemed like hours, The alarms finally went off.

The magical runes spread throughout the labyrinth started transmitting the words of the commander.

“Prisoners have escaped! All units battle-ready, I repeat Prisoners have escaped.! We have traitors in our midst, kill on sight!”

Dorian clicked his tongue, kill on sight meant that he would not have the opportunity to convince others to join his side. Not unless they disobeyed orders, in an emergency situation like this most people would not have time to think. They would see their targets, and attack. Dorian glanced at Thol who nodded, immediately understanding what was expected of him. The old man dashed forward leaving the others in his dust. Dorian followed the old man, the two of them would clear out the way ahead.

They were the fasted of the group so the rest should be able to keep running, increasing their overall speed. The first group they ran into was a squad of legionaries who had joined not to long ago. Thol appeared in their midst like smoke. Before the poor men even had time to react he had already incapacitated all four of them. They kept moving, using Thols senses to find the way with the least resistance.

They ran into less enemies than expected, two small squads was the only thing they had run into. But then things went from bad to worse, Dorian saw Thol glance from hallway to hallway when they came at a cross section. The old man clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“We have to large groups coming from the left and the right, there is a smaller group in the middle. But that's what used to be our team. Your choice.” Thol said.

“The middle!” Dorian said dashing straight through without a doubt. If they were his old team some of them might hesitate to fight. Which would give them the chance they needed to break through. Perhaps some of them might even be able to come with them. The two of them dashed forward, then there they stood. Dorian's 'team'.

Some of them looked surprise to see him and old man Thol together as the escapees. The twin elves as well as Yiglif looked surprised. Those that he used to think were his friends however, did not look surprised at all. Blaitz stepped forward, wielding his scimitar expectantly.

“Where are you goin cap'n, we still have some missions to complete.” He said with that savage grin of his. The rest of them stepped forward as well, smirking. The elves and Yiglif just stared at the exchange between the two groups. Then the rest of Dorian's group caught up. The addition of the dwarven twins only made the three hesitate more. Then they saw the horribly beaten Lalin in Urf's arms.

“We cant let you go, you know that don't you. Mister princely warlord.” Blaitz said stepping forward brandishing his scimitar. “Lets fight!”

Rushing to meet his blade Dorian and Blaitz started their battle, The rest who had been watching till now rushed forward to join the fight as well. Vor rushed forward with heavy steps, only to have his path blocked of by Thol. Entmen were the toughest to handle, their regeneration made fighting against them with blades or blunt weapons near impossible. Most likely this is the reason why Thol, who was the most experienced, as well as the strongest, went up against Vor.

Olgrin the dwarven instructor rushed to Vor's aide thinking together they could take on the old man. The beared twins however thought differently, cutting of his advance.

“You be a disgrace to us dwarves, killin women-folk n children. Enslaving men. Bah! You make me ale taste bad!” Axe said angrily.

Snax who had let Arin stand on her own for now joined his brother, “We getting out of here, Vrugle,” He spat out the word like a curse, “You not be able to stop us!”

The older dwarf stroked his beard, “We will see about that.”

He dashed forward, ramming his shield against Axe. Knocking the sturdy dwarf of balance, he continued his advance with a slash of his axe towards the now vulnerable Axe. Axe however did not even blink, he started the counter attack instead of trying to dodge the ax. Slashing his own ax to Olgrins head. As it turned out there was no need for him to block, thats what he had his brother for!

Snax smoothly stepped in to catch the ax meant for his brother on his shield, Olgrin managed to block Axe's attack as well. The three separated again and started circling.

All over the hallway fights like this were spreading out. Jorgin with his staff was fighting Lilin, who had picked up a spear. Gladiel was fighting Mori and Tolu aswell as another of his troops on his own. Viyella had grabbed her shortsword and was currently holding her own against another two of his troops. They outnumbered the group, however this was their only advantage. Most of Dorian's people were malnourished. Merely shells of their former selves.

Soon enough another squad of legionnaires joined Blaitz and his, throwing themselves in the battle evening out the odds. The elven twins and Yiglif still had not moved to help either side. If they joined the fight they would be able to turn the tides! The booming strikes of Vor smashing his mace at Thol soon filled the hallways. The old man was smoothly flowing around the strikes like water, smashing his palms against Vor's great body with the sound of thunder.

The heavy sounds made by Thol dominated the hallway, the heavy strikes increased the morale of Dorian's troops. They started pushing their enemies back. Dorian who had been trading strikes with Blaitz until now, suddenly felt something familiar. He looked down the hallway to see the man he least wanted to see. His traitor brother.

The look on Shun's face hinted at insanity, he had a smile on his face but he was radiating anger. Shun suddenly shifted behind one of the elven twins and rammed his knife through his body. Farial stared in surprise at the blood-red blade suddenly sprouting from his chest. He tried to grab for it, not understanding what had happened.

“Farial!? No, no! Noooo!” Firial screamed carresing her brother as he fell to the floor. Yiglif seeing one of her friends falling to the floor instantly reacted, sweeping her staff at Shun, while mumbling words ice sprouted out of thin air, she shot the icy spears at Shun with a scream of a magical word. Shun just shifted to a safe distance.

“ We have no need for those who don't know their allegiances!” Shun screamed mouth foaming in rage. “You are weak, you do not know who you serve! Maggots. Maggots!” He screamed completely losing control. Dorian felt Lin coming up behind him, he quickly shifted to attack Shun leaving Blaitz to her. He roared at his brother, shifting next to him and going for a killing blow. Shun shifted himself to another area only to be attacked by more icy spears. It seemed Yiglif had chosen her side.

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Firial was cradling her brother in an embrace, frantically trying to stop the bleeding. It was no use however, Shun knew were to stab. The heart had been penetrated, Dorian saw Farial going limp from the corner of his eyes. His sister felt the life drain out of him, she clutched him. Drops of pearly liquid streaming down her face. She hugged him close to her body, rocking back and forth. Shaking her head as if she hoped that would make it go away, she was mumbling something below her breath.

Suddenly she stopped rocking she grabbed her brothers bow, thats when she turned her gaze to Shun. Her black hair was a mess her body was in a stance he had never seen before, she unsheathed one of her swords. Then she cut her arm with it, she pressed the wound to her brothers. Then she recited some words in a language Dorian did not understand. Suddenly the blood from her brothers wound and the blood from her own wound started floating. It gathered around her, turning into a sphere of blood.

The entire thing looked ghastly, it started spinning faster and faster. It sent shivers down Dorians spine. He felt magic pressure on his skin, the hairs on his arms started standing on end. The feeling kept increasing becoming stronger and stronger. All the other soldiers stopped fighting and gazed over at Firial. Only Thol quickly struck out with his hand. Pushing his finger tips into Vor's core. The entman looked down in surprise then collapsed. Thol turned his gaze at Firial now as well though.

“Blood magic... This is bad..” The old man said.

Firial became visible through the sphere again. She cocked her head at an abnormal angle and stared at Shun. Then she released a bloodcurdling shriek, those that were near her backed of. Yiglif who was the closest tried to back into the wall. Pressing herself against it for as much distance as possible. Suddenly the sphere of blood dropped to the ground with a splash. Firial moved to Shun so fast that even Thol had trouble following the movement. The blood that had been laying on the ground before rushed after her, causing a crimson streak in the air.

She swung her blade for Shun's throat, it all happened so fast that he barely had time to dodge. He shifted further away from the elf who had gone completely berserk. His neck however had a cut in it, he pressed his hand to it looking shocked. Firial gave him no time to rest, she moved forward with the same speed. Slashing at him like lightning, Shun was barely able to dodge. He shifted further away from her.

“Stop standing still!” He shrieked “Help me you bastards!” He was trembling, eyes focused on Firial. Hands gripping two daggers now, he was afraid. Afraid for this thing that used to be a person. Dorian was unsure if it counted as a person. Blaitz however rushed Firial to attakc her Dorian shifted and blocked him just before he reached Firial.

Firials head turned to them, cocking her head at another abnormal angel. She let out a weird clicking noise, the very sound of it sent shivers down his spine. Firial ignored them and continued with her onslaught she kept dashing after Shun, who was now desperately shifting away. She appeared before him once again, slashing for his head. He managed to dodge and thrust his dagger to her abdomen.

At first Dorian thought he had hit Firial, the blow would have been a killing one. However Shun looked shocked, he tried to move his hand but it was stuck. The blood that until now had only been following Shun had wrapped itself around the dagger and was creeping over his hand. He tried to pull back desperately, releasing the dagger in his other hand to help pull his hand out. The blood did not let him go however, It crept up his arm, and then the screaming started. Shun screamed and wherever the blood was crawling up his arm Dorian could see the skin melting away. Digging itself deeper and deeper into his arm like some kind of acid.

Then Lirial opened her mouth and shrieked once more, This time spraying blood all over Shun's face. Shun screamed even louder. Firial moved to cut Shun's throat, that was when magic blasted her. Reinforcements had arrived, from the area Dorian and his had come from now stood the commander. Along with most of the enemies forces, They blasted Firial with magic until she stopped moving. Yiglif who was the only conscious mage on his side desperately stepped in front of her blocking the magic as best as she could.

Dorian screamed “Pull out! We are retreating! Lets get the hell out!”

The soldiers pulled away from their opponents running for the exit, the enemy group started to follow them. Gladiel tackled him, wrestling him to the ground. He struggled against his former friends strength he couldn't shift away when they were interlocked like this. Some of Dorians tropps turned back to help him.

“Keep Running! I can take care of myself!” He yelled to them.

The men hesitated then turned around and ran, Gladiel pushed himself closer on Dorian. Then he suddenly whispered in his ear.

“I'm on your side Dorian, but I can't leave. You need to stab me! I will remain cover here and get you as much information as possible.”

“But, why would.” Dorian started to question. Gladiel quickly interrupted him, he grinned at him.

“No time! Do it, Jorgin will heal me!” He said still pretending to wrestle with him. He then attempted to punch him, Dorian sued the chance to grab the dagger and stab him in his stomach. Gladiel rolled of him and started coughing up blood on the floor. Dorian looked up and saw how close the others were, He grabbed Firial and started sprinting after the others. Jorgin quickly rushed to Gladiel. Another price sprinted to the still screaming Shuns side.

Dorian sprinted through the hall, he saw the soldiers running behind him and realized they would catch up soon enough. He turned his gaze back forward only to notice that Thol had dashed to his side facing the oncoming warriors.

“Go young one, I shall hold them here.” The old man said smiling that little smile of his. Dorian wanted to argue but he knew they had no choice, they would not be able to escape otherwise. He bit his words back and looked at the old man.

“I wont forget you old man!” Dorian yelled as he sprinted further away.

The old man smiled, he seemed pleased by the words. Suddenly Dorian almost fell over at the pressure of the bloodlust the old man was now radiating. The air around the old man was shimmering with power, he could almost see crimson wisps in the air. Showing the old mans killing intent.

“Time for one last dance with death.” The old man said softly as he stepped forward greeting the opponents.

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Nooooo Old man Thol D: ... I really enjoyed writing this chapter, lately im in the zone so production will probably go up!

Thanks for Reading! :bye: