Anton could not help but gawk as they travelled deeper into the Fire Elf cavern. While the rest of the cavern entrance, before the bend, was relatively barren and uninteresting, not that the rock pools and fields of mushrooms weren't interesting in their own right, the land beyond was something else entirely.

The cavern lying beyond The Bend, was massive, truly massive. A giant bluish white crystal hanged at the very top of the roof, easily the size of Atros's central plaza, which emanated a constant bright light. It took Anton a moment for his eyes to adjust. Below that lay a city, small cramped buildings surrounded by a stone wall, with a large central spire that reached the very base of the illuminating crystal. Beyond the city wall lay farms, that was the only way that Anton could describe it, growing fields of the orange-yellow mushrooms over the rough floor of the cavern. Fire Elves, again wearing fine silk clothes, tended to the mushrooms with small chitinous watering cans and small brown pellets.

“This is our home.” Bilaal smiled. “Kelis. Our one and only city.”

“The buildings don’t look like they were made by Dwarves.”

Anton gestured to a small farm house near to the centre of a field of mushrooms, built from Ghlyirl stone blocks and large irregular chitinous plates. Beside that lay a small rock pool, two young Fire Elves sat at the end of the jetty with a small fishing rod between them.

“And you have fish too?” Anton asked.

Bilaal gently shook his head. “Not out here. They’re reserved for the nobility. But we do have crayfish. Small things. But they like to burrow tunnels through the rock pools and flood the lower areas. They’re a valuable source of food…So long as they can be caught.”

The child shouted something as the rod dipped into the water. Both grabbed the rod for dear life and pulled hard. They fought the crayfish, winding the small reel as fast as they could, as the other adults began to look. Finally a small wave began to emerge through the otherwise still water following just behind the line. Both heaved with all their might, a bright green crayfish the size of a dog emerged from the water, two large pincers trying in vain to cut the line. Once it was pulled to the jetty the crayfish stopped trying to escape and turned to attack the two boys, large vicious claws snapping at their legs. One ran back to a small crate and pulled out a small spear, a piece of carapace acting as the blade, and rammed it hard into the crayfish. After a final shudder the creature fell limp and the children cheered.

“Seems dangerous.” Anton mused.

“Life is harsh.” Bilaal said. “But they know what they are doing.”

Slowly they began moving again, taking a very gentle path through the farms. At first the Fire Elf farmers looked on in concern, a large group of soldiers had just passed towards the gate, but that changed to panic when they saw who was behind. Instantly the farmers understood something was wrong. Parents called to their children, urging them to come back despite their natural curiosity. Anton smiled but the other Fire Elves had no idea what was happening. They looked to Bilaal but he said nothing, if anything he ushered them away. The busy mushroom fields quickly cleared, the Fire Elves scurrying to the small farmhouse buildings. Even the children with the crayfish were ushered away. They still took the creature with them.

“If you only have mushrooms surely you’ll start to run down in energy. Energy is always lost…” Anton turned to Bilaal. “So you must have other types of food growing in here somewhere. And a source of water? Not just condensation on the cavern.”

“There are some things.” Bilaal nodded. “But we can discuss that later.”

Not a good idea to give away all your secrets straight away. I suppose that, since we’re probably underneath the northern mountain range, they get their water from melting snow. Maybe enough raw materials filter through.

As they moved closer towards the central city the fields of mushrooms changed to small mossy trees. These farmers wore special gloves, silk gloves, as they tended to small yellow caterpillars hanging from the trees.

“Silk?” Anton asked softly.

“Yes. They produce silk from their spinnerets. Quite a lot too…” Bilaal gently stroked his chin. “They make more than we need, so most of the time we store it or send the rest to be recycled and processed into pellets.”

“What’s even in those?” Verona asked. “They were throwing it around the mushrooms like crazy.”

Anton lent close to Verona. “In a very closed system like this, with nowhere to gain fresh materials everything has to be recycled. Absolutely everything. And that includes what we’d normally throw away or bury far from our campsite.”

Verona immediately understood. “Oh. Really? Well, I guess you can’t just throw it away down here. There's nowhere to go. Everything would end up in a great big pile, wouldn’t it?”

“That has happened once before.” Bilaal smiled. “One of our past Kings did not want us to handle such things...It was a nice idea, emotional, but almost a disaster. The fumes and lack of resources almost destroyed us.”

I wonder how big the pile got before you realised what was happening? I’m sure we wouldn’t have done much better.

Immediately before the city gates lay dozens of small pens. These contained small insects the size of a large dog, whose shells were identical to the pieces worn as armour. Anton didn’t want to ask the obvious question, more perhaps how they managed to keep such creatures so well behaved. Probably with judicious amounts of food. Brown pellets or otherwise.

A cry came from above the gate. The small wooden doors shut at great speed, leaving many Fire Elves trapped outside. They pounded on the door to no avail. When someone at the rear noticed Anton, probably Rasha's orange horn jutting through her helmet like a beacon, they scattered in panic. The dog sized insects barely noticed anything transpiring around them. If anything they appeared drugged rather than just being docile creatures.

"Bilaal!"

An armoured Fire Elf emerged over the gate. He wore a more complete set of carapace armour, the fragments were closer to a single piece rather than those acting as their escorts.

"What is this? Someone said the Gate is open..."

"The Gate is open." Bilaal's voice wavered for an instant. "These are the people that have come through."

Anton took a step back, in line with Calo and Sheso. "Hide yourselves as best you can. Just in case there's a stray arrow. I can’t heal if you’re dead."

The twins silently ordered the Dark Elves to move into the shadow of the humans and Beastkin, the Dwarves were simply too short to provide camouflage.

"After all this time?"

"Yes. They come in peace and wish to speak with the King and Queen."

"I'll be damned if I open this gate for an Elf!" The Fire Elf pointed to the Dark Elves. Despite their best efforts there was no way to hide themselves, if anything their movement had simply brought more attention than if they had stood still.

“Is it right for us to see your rulers so soon?” Anton asked.

Bilaal smiled. “I understand your concerns. But they are very kind and understanding rulers. Some of the best we’ve had. And it’s not like they won’t be unguarded.”

Magic doesn’t work too well here, so I’ll be relying on Rasha and Cetina’s strength if things go haywire. Well, more Rasha’s strength than Cetina’s skill. She’s back down to one eye.

Anton looked to the soldier on top of the wall. “Are you not elves too? What you mean are they followers of Nithroel? I can assure you they hold no love for that Goddess. Not when she has other, more pliable toys."

"Do the wars still rage above?" The soldiers’ expression softened. "Have the Tilath Necromancers been defeated?"

"We can discuss this inside." Bilaal spoke before Anton could ask. "So please open the gate. We must find them suitable accommodation while the King and Queen prepare."

The soldier nodded and ordered the small wooden gate open. Four Fire Elf soldiers pulled with all their might but the door itself did not look that heavy. Yet they were putting in their very soul just to get the wood to move.

Bilaal ushered them forward. Anton saw the elves breathing hard. Rasha had to duck, her horn scratched the top of the wood breaking some fragments loose. She apologised profusely but the Fire Elf warriors were so shocked to see someone so large.

"Are you interested in history?" Anton asked the Fire Elf soldier on top of the gate. "You seem to know a bit."

"I am. There's not much else to do until we're given orders to march on the southern quarters."

No...No emotion. Like removing a weed.

"I doubt it'll come to that today." Bilaal glanced at Anton. "Certainly not today."

The soldier nodded as their procession continued forward. Ghlyirl laced stones formed the narrow streets and buildings, multiple stories high even though they were very narrow. At the very top chitonous plates formed a roof, something that bothered Anton. He doubted this place had rain, the stones were only weathered by touch rather than water and there were no drains, of any kind, laid into the street.

"Do you have rain here?" Anton asked, since he knew the thought would gnaw at him unless it did.

"What is rain?"

“It’s…Clearly you don’t have it then.” Anton pointed upwards. “In the lands above water condenses…It’s hard to explain it to things when you have no idea. It’s just like water droplets coming from your head.”

Bilaal looked to the ceiling, his pupils constricting underneath the light from the giant crystal.

“Sometimes water droplets come down from the crystal.” Bilaal turned his sight away. “Is that what you are talking about?”

“That, but much, much more.” Anton smiled. “Entire streets run with water, for days at times. It can actually become a problem if there’s too much, especially when the water has nowhere to go.”

Bilaal nodded, looking to the streets. “Recently one of our reservoirs broke. Water ran everywhere and flooded some of our underground workshops…I think I understand.”

Ahead a group of Fire Elf soldiers, wearing less armour than the wall guards and their escorts, tried to push civilians out of their way. Everyone wore long sleeved shirts and pants from the red silk, though they were clearly starving their clothes were of exceptional quality. Silk production was a little too high compared to food, unless the overpopulation issue had persisted for some so long it had become truly dire. The civilians saw them approach and stood dumbstruck. Curious whispers quickly grew and travelled down the narrow and busy streets. The guards took advantage of their stupor and pushed them back, but only to the narrow side streets before the civilians began to stand their ground to watch the strange newcomers. Fire Elves clearly had a natural curiosity towards anything new. Anton doubted there were many new things in their cavern.

“Are there many hostile creatures outside these walls?” Anton received an odd look from Bilaal. He nodded to the curious onlookers. “Apart from those crayfish lurking in the pools.”

“There are several creatures that live in the most shadowy and darkest areas of the cave. They attack without warning and are very dangerous. But the light, and the walls, keeps them at bay.”

Not for those outside. But that’s true for any city…The poorest suffer first. Perhaps that’s just the unfortunate way of the world?

“I am curious. What powers that bright crystal?” Anton pointed up to the bright crystal as they began to ascend through the city. “You don’t have magic down here. At least not much.”

Anton summoned a small fireball. “This is taking a lot of effort. Mana is just flowing out of me. Still, it’s a miracle that Nithroel didn’t find you.”

“I know not of how our ancestors were able to flee her wrath.” Bilaal glumly nodded. “But I believe the Blood Hammer Dwarves created it. It works without any intervention. But if it were to fail…”

They were escorted higher and higher throughout the city, the Fire Elves grew more affluent and the city streets wider, though at the highest level it was barely twice what it was at the bottom. Wealth and power was always relative when there was almost literally no room to move. The base of the spire, reaching the bright crystal below, appeared to be the royal palace, as it had an impressive amount of space between it and the outer buildings, not to mention the Fire Elf guards vigilantly watching the people below. These Fire Elves wielded small but compact bows, and they themselves appeared to be better built than the other guards.

They still wouldn’t last long against the Goblins, let alone a normal army. No magic in here…Maybe some other kind of magic? That Goblin Commander had a suit made from Ghlyirl and he could still use a variant of magic. Still don’t know what he was doing yet.

“You will be the most popular topic in Kelis.” Bilaal waved for the large iron gates to be opened. “I’m surprised that they aren’t trying to storm the palace again.”

Again?

The soldiers grunted and groaned, the gate's hinges were surprisingly rusted. Anton doubted they saw much use. Perhaps for official ceremonies but little else. There must have been a smaller back entrance but that would be exceptionally rude to the first guests they had received in generations.

They were ushered inside and Anton saw what passed for lavish in Kelis. In truth it was rather expensive in appearance but compared to the Graterious Royal Palace it was nothing more than a simple homestead. Vibrantly coloured silks hung from the walls, weaved into tapestries depicting rather mundane events, probably the only exceptional things since the Blood Hammer Dwarves sealed them in the cavern, alongside large cushions that appeared to be used for seating. Anton presumed the wooden fortress was built by the Dwarves, since it had so much wood, and the Fire Elves had changed customs simply out of a scarcity of resources. Anton wasn’t too surprised to see several servants idling about, they too wore silk garments but dyed blue, all of whom stopped when they saw them approach. The fire in their hair burst in intensity before they hurried out of the room.

Bilaal said nothing and ushered them further into the palace. However they were brought no further than the first room. Their force was directed to take a seat on the many large cushions. Most did not as it would limit their ability to react, should the worst happen. Bilaal spoke with some of the blue robbed servants, drinks and portions of food were brought out on insectoid shells acting as plates.

“Thank you.” Anton said to his server. He gave a curt nod, clearly terrified of making a scene, and quickly left. “Tell me, do the nobility eat the same as the commoners?”

“Yes.” Bilaal sat on a large cushion next to Anton. Cetina and Rasha made sure he did not get too close while Verona and Kal sat on his. They gave approving sounds as they pressed on the soft silk. “They eat more fish than most, I personally don’t like the taste, along with some of the better quality mushrooms.”

Anton took a slow breath. “Is there anything that I should not do in the presence of the King and Queen? Beyond...Standard things.”

“No.” Bilaal smiled. “They understand that you do not know all of our customs. But do not worry yourself about something like that.”

“I’m probably not going to be the best diplomat.” Anton said softly. “But I think we will be able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”

A blue silk servant approached Bilaal. He whispered something into his ear, Bilaal’s flaming hair glowed brighter. The servant nodded quickly before leaving.

“I was not expecting them to be ready already.” Bilaal flattened the creases of his clothes. “They have not have much time to prepare...Please, Anton, may I ask that you consider this meeting informal?”

“I think I actually prefer that.” Anton smiled. “No pomp and ceremony. People are far more...Real. I think we can get more accomplished when we can speak freely. No?”

“Perhaps.” Bilaal looked a little more relaxed. “Perhaps…”

The servant returned with a sheepish look. He quickly returned to Bilaal, Bilaal nodded once.

“Everyone.” Bilaal rose to his feet. “Please, if you will come with me. King Kuwat and Queen Lestari are ready to meet you. I ask that everyone...Everyone not draw their weapons or make any sudden movements. The Royal Guard are instructed to protect the Royal family with their lives. So...Please do not do anything sudden.”

The Atros soldiers understood. Calo and Sheso made sure the Dark Elves would not react badly by any prejudice the Fire Elves gave them. For their part the Dark Elves were more bemused than anything. They had endured far worse than a few angry glares.

“This...This way please.” Bilaal ushered them towards the far door. “They are in the next room. We should not keep them waiting.”

This will be the second King that I’ve met. Hopefully this goes well. It’s not like they have much of a choice. We can attack them, they cannot attack us.

The blue silken servants pulled the inner door open. This door had well maintained hinges and the thin servants were more than strong enough. Beyond the door lay something more akin to a throne room. Again large silk curtains hung from the ceiling, illuminated by several large crystals and glass skylights letting in copious amounts of light from the central crystal above. Gold plate covered the pillars and walls, etched with battles and conquests. Anton recognised none of the places depicted.

I guess gold really doesn’t have much value in a place like this. Everything must be strictly rationed and controlled otherwise it would collapse...Though these people seem to have it a lot better than most.

A green, somewhat gaudy, carpet lay from the open gate to the base of the two thrones. King Kuwat and Queen Lestari sat on two resplendent golden trimmed thrones. Anton didn’t know what to think when he saw a large emblem of the United Empire hanging above them and emblazoned in the green silk carpet. He chose to ignore it and looked at the King and Queen. They seemed normal for the Fire Elves, apart from being rather old. Their fiery hair was darker, more like embers than a raging fire but there was still clearly some life in them. Like everyone else they wore silk clothes but theirs were golden. Apart from a small silver crown both wore, with three small blue gemstones in the centre, they looked like normal Fire Elves.

Let’s hope they’re not pompous arses. Bilaal makes it sound like they’re not, but that could just be him trying to ‘ease’ me into things.

Anton did not wish to speak first, even if it wasn’t a Fire Elf custom it was undeniably rude. Bilaal ensured he was several paces in front of Anton and only silently told him to stop when they were ten or so meters from the throne itself. The Fire Elf guards lining the sides watched them closely, surprised at the mere presence of Humans, Beast-kin and Dwarves, while thoroughly distrusting the Dark Elves.

“King Kuwat.” Bilaal spoke loudly. “Queen Lestari. I have the...Honour, of presenting Anton, Lord of Atros. A...Successor to the United Empire and currently the ruler of the Blood Hammer Dwarf Hold and the lands above.”

“Really?” King Kuwat smiled as he leant forward. “Has The United Empire devolved into a Republic then? Or perhaps a Theocracy? I’ve read many smaller regions of The United Empire did such things.”

Bilaal raised his hand. “Unfortunately, my King, that The United Empire is no more.”

“What?...” Kuwat’s fiery hair dimmed. “Well...I suppose it’s not surprising. They wouldn’t have left us down here unless something terrible happened.”

“How long?” Queen Lestari’s voice was more harsh than her husbands. “How long has it been gone?”

“Many winters.” Anton looked to the Dwarves. “So long that even the Dwarves grandfathers do not remember you.”

“I see…” Kuwat gripped his hands tight. His hair grew brighter and more vibrant. “But there is nothing we can do about that. So is the Gate now open? Whatever the Blood Hammer Dwarves told us to hide from gone?”

“Mostly.” Anton’s reply did not inspire confidence in either. “A swarm of Giant Insects burst through the underground levels. The Dwarves were simply overwhelmed and attacked too quickly. All they could do for you is to seal the Gate shut. However, the Insects have been driven back and sealed away. We are monitoring them for any further incursions but I don’t think that will be happening for a long time.”

“And Nithroel?” Lestari’s hair did not grow angry, somehow it looked subdued. “Does she still search for us? Wish to bring us under her control? Surely you’ve heard how we had to retreat to these caverns to escape her.”

“I believe she still does search. But while you are in these caverns you are still safe. So...I do not believe that it is safe for any Fire Elf to take even a single step beyond the Gate. Nithroel still holds lands to our south and if she attacks we will not last long. I ask that you do not leave...Even though I’m certain that you wish for nothing more than to escape the confines of this cavern.”

The King and Queen shared a hushed conversation. Kuwat gave a single nod as they parted.

“I believe there is much to discuss then.” Kuwat rose from his chair. He let out a tiny groan as his back clicked. “But doing such a long and laborious discussion here would be too tiring for all of us. Bilaal?”

“Yes, my King?”

“Prepare proper seating for us and our guests. Along with food and refreshments...Even for their Elves.”

“Our Dark Elves do not worship Nithroel in any form.” Anton said sternly. “She is only interested in the love she receives from the Wood Elves. And the Dark Elves would refuse her touch.”

“...Perhaps.” Kuwat refused to look at the Dark Elves, as did Lestari. “Nevertheless, we have much to discuss. I hope that you will remain in our city for a little while longer.”

“Of course, King Kuwat.” Anton bowed his head. “I am very interested in hearing of your history, and of your survival.”

---[]---

“That was long.” Anton rubbed his boots, trying to massage his bound dragonoid feet. “Even though I was sitting all that time my feet are killing me.”

The discussions lasted several hours. Overall, it had been a rather mundane affair. Quickly into the discussion King Kuwat came to the realisation that there was little they could do for each other. Neither knew of a way to help the Fire Elves leave the cavern without drawing Nithroel’s gaze and ire. They had searched every scrap of paper and scrolls for any tiniest hint of a clue but had found nothing. And obviously Anton had no idea right now. He promised to scour the world above for any clues, thinking primarily of Ferula, which helped their slightly dour mood considerably. Anton did, however, offer to help them with food supplies in return for silk. That excited both the King and Queen, especially when Verona began to speak of the delicious foods they had in Atros.

“Food is always popular.” Verona laughed. “Always gets people in a good mood.”

“I’m more surprised they accept the existence of Beast-kin so readily.” Kal said. Rasha heartily agreed with her. “Their books...We should ask to have a look at them, but they’ve probably have Humans and Beast-kin...together. Like it was normal. Maybe half-breeds like me were normal?”

After the hours of discussion they had returned to the first hall of the Palace. All were given food and refreshments, but there was an odd aura about the servants.

“I know what they’re thinking.” Anton mumbled. “We’ve shown up, from outside and above, and we are helpless to aid them in any meaningful sense.”

“Do they resent us?” Kal asked. “It doesn’t look like it...For now, at least.”

“No. But they just don’t know what to do.” Anton sighed. “Would any of us if we were in their place? I know I wouldn’t. Surely they have scoured every book they have for answers or clues. I fear that we can do little for them right now.”

The Atros soldiers parted slightly to allow Bilaal and a few Fire Elf guards.

“Thank you for indulging our King and Queen with your stories of the world above.”

“Did you think they were too fanciful?” Anton folded his arms.

Bilaal smiled. “No. But the idea the Humans and Beast-kin are no longer allies was quite a shock to both. As I’m sure you could tell. However, these Demons you spoke of...”

Anton glumly nodded. “They are a terrible threat. However, I believe that you are more than safe enough in this cavern. It kept away those Insects for generations, it will do the same for them.”

Though I don’t know if the Gates locks can be restored to what they were before. I don’t think they can remake it as strong.

“Your...Your stories of such strange creatures has made me think.” Bilaal glanced upwards, towards the giant glowing crystal. “Thinking about a way to facilitate our escape...Especially when you mentioned their red swords.”

Kal nodded. “I thought you looked a little odd when Anton said that. Like something went through your mind.”

Bilaal smiled. “Nothing bad, I can assure you. But there is something that is different. Though it has been many generations since we last saw the sky there are many artefacts from during that time, artefacts that remind us that there is life outside of this cavern. But, there is one thing that’s amiss. It’s this...Weapon. Made from a perfectly white material. Not a single blemish or mark on it. Though it is not the same as weapons these Demons of yours hold...But it is unlike anything else in the cavern.”

Something shot up Anton’s spine. He knew exactly where such a weapon came from. And that if he didn’t know the truth it would eat away at him.

“Do we have time?” Anton glanced to the ceiling, Verona and Kal shared the same look. “It sounds remarkably similar to something that we know...Not related to the Demons…”

At least I hope so.

Bilaal smiled. “Of course we can. King Kuwat and Queen Lestari must deliberate with their advisors about what actions to take next. As you said…” Bilaal sighed, his hair dimmed. “There is actually not a lot that we can do for one another apart from trade.”

“Surely it may give your people some hope that you may be free of this cavern.” Verona said. “Surely that must be a good thing.”

“I certainly hope so.” Bilaal smiled bitterly. “We did not discuss this yet but I fear that it may be necessary to post guards at the entrance. Someone might try and escape, thinking they could live on the surface, and alert Nithroel to our presence. Especially those from the Southern Quarters.”

Anton slowly nodded. The issue of overpopulation had been raised but the conversation had been quickly moved on. Anton did not attempt to bring it up again as it would derail their discussions, though he promised he would later.

“We will do what we have to.” Anton spoke sternly. “Hopefully we will not need to resort to violence but we will if necessary.”

Bilaal smiled. A blue silked servant approached and whispered into his ear. He slowly nodded and silently ushered him away.

“Our King and Queen are still in intense deliberation, and Prince Naphtali and Princess Wiryono are still busy in the southern district, trying to…negotiate with those fools…” Bilaal cleared his throat. “And it would be unwise to have our first guests in generations to wait here in silence. Not to mention the location where the artefacts are kept offers a very impressive view of the cavern.”

“You’re going to have to tell us why this whole southern quarter’s thing is such an issue.” Verona said calmly. “Why they can’t…I don’t know, keep it in their pants?”

Bilaal smiled. “A question we have asked ourselves many times. Of course, it is not always the same area. But of late it has always been the south.”

His flaming hair flashed bright.

“From the top of the spire I will be more than able to give a good overview of the city. On the way we will also have the time to look at several of our artefacts and relics. I’m sure that you will find them interesting.” Bilaal raised his hand. “So long as you are not going to try and touch anything.”

“I understand.” Anton smiled, remembering the rifle hidden by the Dark Elves. “I promise to keep my hands to myself, no matter what.”

“They are all above us. The most important are closer to the White Crystal. That strange spear lies just beneath the top.”

“And I thought that was where the King and Queen would sleep.” Verona said. “So they can look over the city, the entire Fire Elf race.”

“Surprisingly no one has ever thought of that. No one can move the relics.”

“Can’t or won't?”

“Both.” Bilaal smiled. “There’s no reason to try and move something for the sole reason of vanity.”

---[]---

Anton stepped onto the small platform just below the giant glowing crystal. Resting in the centre was the artefact; a two meter broken spear floated above a small pedestal, made from the same white material as Anton’s Marble Spear. The spears’ blade was broken into four large fragments and floated without anything visible suspending them. A small purple sphere floated amongst the shards, along the centre of the spear, and there were spaces for another two either side but they were not present.

Worryingly, Anton felt something building up his tail, not a growing charge only that it was reacting.

“Where did you get this?” Anton asked.

“It has always been with us.” Bilaal said softly. “From the first days that we lived in this cavern. The Blood Hammer Dwarves told us to guard this, to never let it fall into the wrong hands. We aren’t sure what it is but it appears harmless.”

“It’s still a spear.” Verona mused. “Isn’t that still dangerous?”

“Of course.” Bilaal nodded. “But unless someone touches it it’s completely harmless. Everyone that has received deep cuts, even without trying to touch the blade. Perfectly clean cuts, so it’s very easy to stitch up. Barely any scars.” Bilaal shrugged. “But, so long as no one touches it, it’s harmless.”

“I-I can feel something.” Anton muttered very softly. “In my tail, coming from that.”

Bilaal and the other Fire Elves looked to Anton’s rear.

“I don’t want you to become like Harold.” Verona whispered. “It’ll be pretty awkward in bed.”

Anton couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I know it’s from that place. And yet it’s here.”

“How did they get it here in the first place?” Kal mused, holding her chin. “I doubt it was in the cavern originally…Perhaps it was? And the Dwarves simply built around it? Doesn’t sound plausible…”

Anton frowned. “The United Empire managed to find this hide it, no…It was before their time. That means it was the Dwarves that-”

The spear began to shimmer, the fragments vibrating violently. Quickly a white light began to grow and cover the small room with an increasingly opaque light.

“Time to go!” Verona ordered.

She reached for his hand but a flash of white light repelled her touch. She winced, shook her hand and tried again with the same result. The white light emanating from the spear disappeared with a bright flash, now forming a dome encompassing the entire room. Someone pressed against it and couldn’t force their way through. Rasha pushed them aside and thrust her halberd at the white light. Again the light flashed bright and deflected her strike, the halberd’s tip bent while the next inch now glowed a bright yellow. Molten metal. With a slight shake the glowing end simply fell away.

“Now what?” Anton asked. “Has this ever happened before?”

Bilaal shook his head. In fact his entire body shook, not that Anton was far behind.

Anton threw a barrage of lightning bolts, using huge amounts of mana, at the white light wall. The blue lightning ran along the interior of the white dome, like water thrown onto red hot metal. But nothing happened.

“Why?”

“Who said that?” Kal pulled close to Anton. She drew her dagger but couldn’t find the source.

“Why?!”

The voice was distant yet close, coming from everywhere simultaneously yet nowhere at the same time. Anton’s blood ran cold. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard something like this.

“No…No one!”

The shattered pieces of the spear pulled together and emitted a blinding white light, overwhelming all of his senses. He felt his body collapse onto the ground, his mind somehow sunk further. He cried out but already his mind was being dragged underneath a sea of blackness, dimming every possible thought with only a dimming pinprick of light above him.