“Behind you!”

Selira’s words sounded through her mind and in a single swift motion Freya dropped to one knee and twisted around, letting loose an enchanted arrow that exploded with a bright blue light against the glowing red scales of the lava serpent sneaking up behind her. It had taken a while to get used to the telepathic communication this team used, but now Freya appreciated the efficiency of it.

Several more arrows followed in rapid succession, each explosion of light adding to the expanse of ice that was slowly encasing the serpent. The creature let out a deep rumbling hiss and its scales began to glow brighter, the heat being generated causing the ice coating its slender frame to sizzle into steam. Before it could free itself entirely, Iansi’a was there, her greatsword shining with the brilliance of her Sunfire Enchantment as she cleaved straight through the lava serpent, sending its freshly decapitated head rolling across the ground.

Freya watched in fascination as the serpent’s head continued to glow with heat even after being separated from the main body. Iansi’a stood defiantly in the fading heat as she scanned the cavern they were in for more enemies to fight. This was easily the largest cavern they’d come across since entering the Dweller Tunnels, but unfortunately, the floor was dominated by expansive pools of molten lava that glimmered menacingly in the dim illumination provided by their incandescent glow. The surfaces of these scalding lakes of fire undulated slowly with the flow of the lava, causing their shadows to flicker and dance across the walls.

The cavern’s floor was a precarious network of narrow, craggy pathways that snaked around the lava pools. These thin ledges of solid rock offered the only route through the cavern, leading to a treacherous maze demanding calculated and careful navigation. The ledges were only wide enough to allow two people to stand side-by-side and the edges crumbled perilously close to the fiery molten rock below, sending occasional spark showers hissing into the air.

The temperature in the cavern was boiling, the proximity of the lava causing heat so intense that the air itself seemed to warp, making the surroundings quiver with a surreal, mirage-like effect. If not for Eldan’s Chill of the Lifespring buff protecting them from heat, they wouldn’t have stood a chance attempting to cross the cavern. And for Gabe’s sake, they needed to get to the other side.

Once Iansi’a had told her the truth about Alrik and how he used mind magic to manipulate people into participating in dark magic rituals, Freya knew she had to be a part of the rescue mission. According to Iansi’a, even that whole bit about the prophecy of Gabe’s death was just a ruse Alrik used as a pretense to explain why the people who joined his groups always ended up dead. All part of the act that damned gnome used to trick people into doing what he wanted.

Even though she knew that the gnome’s magic had already been corrupting Gabe’s mind, a part of her still blamed herself for not pushing him harder when he was thinking of agreeing to that suicide mission. He just has so much potential, she knew that if just went into the Tunnels, he could see how useful his magic would be. If her group had someone with his skills, maybe things would have been different.

She shook her head as thoughts of green fire and dripping blood crossed her mind. This wasn’t the time for that. They’d spent the last few days navigating the Dweller Tunnels trying to catch up to Gabe and the others before it was too late. Selira knew a tracking spell that used one of Gabe’s shirts as a focus and they’ve been using that as a guide through the tunnels. It had led them down the rightmost path in that first chamber they’d come across after entering the tunnel system from the wyvern’s nest and it had been almost a non-stop fight since then. Luckily for Freya, the Knights of the Pathways of Illumination were the definition of elite warriors.

First, there was the tunnel lined with deadly fungi that shot spines coated in a nasty necrotic toxin. Thormar, the group’s defender who used his bastion mana to create defensive constructs and buff his giant tower shield, had been the first in the tunnel and was hit with several spines before we knew to be on the lookout. If not for the effectiveness of Elden’s elixir mana for dealing with toxins, the large tank would not have survived. Fortunately, Iansi’a’s radiance mana was perfectly suited for clearing out the toxic flora. A single casting of Lumious Blaze was enough to clear whole swaths of the tunnel at a time.

Then there was a chamber filled with pillars of reflective crystals that housed echo phantoms. The spirits took on the appearance and abilities of those who passed by their crystals, leading to a dangerous battle where one didn’t know who was a friend and who was an enemy. Without Selira’s psysonic-based Aural Sight spell that could identify the spectral imposters, the outcome of that fight might have gone very differently.

Freya had been hopeful they’d caught up to Gabe when the path they were on opened up to an abandoned Dweller settlement, but the only thing they found was a nest of void bats roosting along the ceiling of the cavern. The small monsters made excellent target practice for Freya and the group’s other ranged fighter, Mirael, whose prismatic mana-enhanced arrows were nearly impossible to track as they curved through the air, impaling multiple bats with a single shot.

Freya tried hard not to feel envy at the magical abilities of the others. She’d long ago accepted that she had no aptitude for weaving mana and instead focused all of her training on becoming the best archer she could. Fortunately for her, grouping up with real representatives of the Pathways of Illumination meant that she had access to their full coffers. Alrik was a high-priority target for the group since he’d been traveling across Pelios committing crimes in their name. The two hundred gold that the lying gnome offered Gabe was a pittance compared to what Iansi’a’s group could requisition. The fact that the party already had a dimensional storage bag meant that Freya was able to buy all of the enchanted arrows that she wanted. And she wanted them all.

Freya’s attention was snapped back to the present when Selia’s voice once again echoed through her mind, sounding the all-clear. She stood up from her kneeling position and placed the arrow she was holding back into her quiver. A quick count informed her that she only had three of the ice arrows and six explosive arrows left. She would need to grab some more from Eldan before they moved on.

When the lava serpents first erupted out of the pools, the group had been forced to scatter along different paths to avoid being knocked into the lava. Eldan and Thomar were directly across from Freya and Iansi’a on the other side of the lava pool, whereas Selira and Mirael had been able to push forward and were nearly on the other side of the cavern.

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“You did well, Freya. You’re adapting to our tactics and integrating quite well into the group.”

Iansi’a’s voice was warm and affirming, each word was wrapped with sincerity. Of all of the Knights, Iansi’a was the one that Freya felt most embodied that ideal. It wasn’t just that she used radiance mana, the elf herself was radiant. She led the party from the frontlines, never asking someone to do something that she wouldn’t do. The others steadfastly followed her commands and their effectiveness in battle had been proven time and time again.

“Thank you, Iansi’a,” Freya replied, her eyes flickering with a gleam of determination and appreciation for the leader’s kind words. There was a camaraderie forming, a subtle trust and reliance that wove through each arrow loose and each spell cast. A part of Freya felt ashamed for what she was feeling, as if being back in these tunnels with a different group was somehow a betrayal of her original party. She knew that she was being ridiculous, that Wade would be happy that she had finally picked up her bow again. She ran her thumb along the worn leather of the bow’s grip, memories of all the adventurers her party had gone on flashing through her mind.

“Is everything okay?”

There was a clear note of concern in Iansi’a’s words. Freya met the elf’s eyes with a sad smile.

“Yeah, just reflecting on some things. It’s been a long while since I’ve been down here. I uh I was the only member of my party to survive our last trip into the Dweller Tunnels. After that, I thought I hung up my bow for good. Realizing the danger Gabe was in was enough of a motivation to push me to come back down here. But now that I’m here…..”

“You’re remembering how exhilarating it is to be an adventurer. To go into battle armed with only your skills and those of your allies, to live life on the edge, never knowing for certain how an encounter will end.”

“Exactly. Is it wrong that I missed this?”

“Not at all,” Iansi’a replied with a smile. “You have a true gift Freya, one that shouldn’t be hidden away behind a desk. You should think about what you want to do after we apprehend Alrik and rescue your friend. The Pathways of Illumination may be a scholarly organization, but we are always looking for talented warriors to join the Knights.”

Freya looked at Iansi’s with an expression of shock. While she was managing to hold her own, the other Knights operated on a whole other level than her. Could she really be one of them?

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Just think about it for now. You don’t have to make any decisions right away. There is still a mission we need to finish. Hopefully, we will be able to catch up to them soon. It has been difficult to properly ascertain exactly what Alrik’s plan is, but our most recent intel supports the idea that he is looking for a means to amplify his mental domination spells to be able to enthrall whole cities at a time. The damage someone of his character could do with that much power is unthinkable. He must be stopped.”

Freya’s grip tightened on her bow at the thought of Alrik manipulating Gabe to be a part of such an evil plot. Iansi’a was right, the gnome needed to be stopped and Freya knew just how much stopping power one of her arrows could have.

“Hey slowpokes, you can start making your way to the exit anytime now!”

Thormar’s booming voice echoed through the cavern. He and Elden had managed to make their way over to where Mirael and Selira were and the four of them were nearly at the tunnel that Selira’s tracking spell said led to where Gabe was. All they needed to do was circle around one last lava pool and they’d be there.

“Guess we should get moving,” sighed Iansi’a. “Think about what I said. For what it’s worth, I think you’d make a great Knight. You-”

The rest of her words were cut off by a resonant, chilling roar that reverberated through the stone passages. The ground beneath their feet trembled as the surface of the lava pool the others were next to began to roil. The group only had seconds to prepare as a massive lava serpent revealed itself, causing waves of lava to burst out of the pool directly at the four Knights. The wave of fiery death was stopped as Thormar slammed his shield into the ground while casting a spell that extended an amber aura from the shield that encircled the four of them.

The appearance of this alpha lava serpent was strinkling more formidable than the smaller ones they had been fighting. Its scales were a deep crimson and suffused with a fiery brilliance. The monstrous creature also bore hardened spikes along the length of its body. Its eyes glowered with a malevolent intelligence and fiery rage. The temperature within the cavern began to rise prodigiously and even with Elden’s earlier buff, sweat began streaming down Freya’s face.

From within the confines of the Thormar’s shield, Elden waved his staff through the air in a complex pattern, a ball of icy-blue liquid forming above his head before splitting off into six pieces that shot towards each member of the party. As soon as it made contact with her skin, a feeling of soothing coolness washed over Freya and the increased temperature was no longer an issue.

“Come on Freya, let’s go save your friend.” With those words, an aura of sparkling gold encased Iansi’a’s body as rushed towards the alpha serpent with blinding speed. Freya pulled one of her remaining ice arrows from her quiver and knocked her bow.

“Just a little bit longer Gabe,” she whispered. “We’re almost there.”

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After another hour of walking and only two more encounters with the feathered creatures, Gabe, Simon, and Professor Alrik had finally arrived at the citadel. It loomed above them at the city’s heart and the ethereal light from bioluminescent fungi clinging to the towering walls cast a soft, otherworldly glow over the entirety of the facade. Even though millennia had passed, the magnificence of the structure withstood the test of time. Intricate carvings adorned its surface, depicting scenes of celestial bodies and mythical creatures.

The citadel itself seemed to beckon them forward. As they approached the air grew dense with an unspoken energy that increased with every step. The massive entrance, an arched gateway adorned with more of the enigmatic carvings, remained the final barrier. There was no obvious way to open the door, no keyhole or knob to twist.

Simon looked around to find both Gabe and Professor Alrik staring at him expectedly.

“Alright, alright,” he grumbled as he approached the door. “But if there is some defensive aura that melts my skin, I’m going to figure out how to become a ghost just so I can haunt you, Gabe.”

The earth mage took in a breath as he prepared to work his magic. Upon the completion of his spell, a small section of the door dropped into the ground, allowing them access to Daerlym's citadel.