After much discussion with Elmidath, we decided on the safest way to show Lord Yueryurn what we’re up against. With what little we knew of our adversary so far, it seemed best to use the tunnel beneath the lord’s own home. Its influence was weaker here, and there’d be less chance of us walking into an ambush.

Despite our consideration, I was far from happy about the idea. Still, what choice did we have? Lord Yueryurn had given us few options, and time was against us. All we could do was hope that our enemies hadn’t had time to regroup. Maybe then we could get in and out before they knew what was happening.

Lord Yueryurn had wanted to bring most of his soldiers with him, but we convinced him that it would only increase the risk. Travelling quickly was far more important than strength in numbers; nothing would save us if the darkness brought its full strength down upon us. It didn’t bode well for us ever actually stopping our subterranean foe, but we could worry about that later; we already had enough on our plates as it was.

Elmidath, Lord Yueryurn, and I, along with half a dozen of his soldiers, stood before the roughly hewn passage. The fallen villagers were gone, dark stains upon the stone the only trace of their presence. I shivered at the sight; were it not for the intervention of my unlikely saviour, I would have been among the dead.

Staring down into the abyss, Lord Yueryurn glanced at me. “How will we recognise the dark one’s presence, if we do happen to encounter it?”

“You’ll know when it happens, trust me.” Its presence was absolutely unmistakable, even to one as unfamiliar with such mysteries as I.

I was going to suggest we take the plunge already, when Elmidath moved to address the group. “Everyone listen up, I’ve got one last thing to say before we go below. This probably doesn’t need to be said, but we’re heading into extreme danger. If we’re going to get through this, then you all need to follow my instructions. Is that understood?”

The soldiers regarded her in silence, grim faced to a man, until Lord Yueryurn answered for them all. “We’ll do as you say down there.”

“Good, then let’s go.”

Elmidath was the first to descend, with me following close behind. The rest of the group went with more reticence, but soon we’d all left the light of the surface world behind. In the depths we had only the paltry lanterns we’d brought for illumination, leaving the way ahead cloaked in shadow.

If only we could have lit the entire expanse, that would have made the journey far more palatable. It may even have driven out the fell will that had drawn us here and made our lives a whole lot easier. Or it perhaps it would have simply angered the dark power and ensured a swift end.

As always, such cheery thoughts were my constant companion in the dark. It didn’t seem like I’d ever really get used to being down here, not when I knew what dwelt here. Recalling my last encounter made our efforts seem almost laughable, what did we really expect to accomplish against such a force? We may as well be trying to stop the tide coming in.

Though on the other hand, wasn’t that exactly what people did? Seawalls protected people from the tides, maybe we could accomplish something similar. That was probably a good way to look at it, even if we couldn’t defeat the darkness, we may be able to stop it spreading. It wouldn’t do much for Elmidath’s former lands at this point, but at least it would help the rest of the world.

We travelled in silence, except for a few anonymous mutterings among the company. For all that we’d heard of Lord Yueryurn’s cowardice, he and his soldiers seemed brave enough so far. Not that I’d ever had cause to doubt the courage of the soldiers I’d encountered so far. If anything, they could probably do with a little more fear.

For me the journey had a touch of both the familiar and the alien, now that I was experiencing it for myself rather than through Shotensho’s limited perception of the world. I didn’t know how the sword coped with its meagre existence. Now that I was free, the constraints Shotensho lived under seemed maddening.

The trip made for a long, uneventful walk during which I began to hope we were just going to come out back in the village without encountering anything of note. My hopes were dashed not long after forming by the sound of footsteps ahead

The tunnel was still too narrow for us to walk more than one abreast, which left Elmidath and maybe myself to confront whatever was approaching. It sounded about human in size, though that spoke little of the threat it may pose. For all we knew it could be another Demon Lord, or worse.

Elmidath came to a halt and everyone stopped behind her. There was no need to say anything, we could all hear it now. It must have heard us as well, but it showed no signs of slowing as it continued towards us.

We were all waiting with weapons drawn, when the unknown interloper finally came into the light and was revealed to be Tagath, former servant of Lord Sarinknell. He stopped before us with his hands raised in surrender, joy creasing his purple skinned features. “I mean no harm. Suspicious as the circumstances may be, I have only come here to talk.”

Elmidath held her ground, though when she spoke her voice cracked. “Tagath? Is that really you?”

“That’s something of a difficult question to answer at this point, I’m no longer fully myself.”

“Then you’ve been claimed by the dark too, just like my father.”

“Not exactly, but I’ll explain more once we’re out of here. I can take you all right to the surface where it’s safe.”

Hearing movement behind me, I looked back. Lord Yueryurn made his way forward as far as the close confines would allow, and regarded Tagath with distaste. “I don’t know who you are and what you intend for us, but we’re not leaving until I’ve seen this darkness everyone is talking about for myself.”

“That would not be wise.”

“I don’t care one whit what you think is wise. We’ve come here with this explicit purpose and I will see it done.”

It was a pity no one had thought to mention how stubborn Lord Yueryurn could be, but maybe the other Demon Lords just took that for granted. “Let’s at least hear him out. Why do we need to leave?”

I was happy to leave as it was, but clearly Yueryurn needed more convincing.

Tagath raised an eyebrow. “I imagine you’re well acquainted with the why by now. Still, I’ll humour you. Remaining here would be a terrible risk to both your lives and freedom, for the one you seek will find you soon.”

The warning seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Yueryurn remained right where he was. “That’s rather the point of all this. If we’re too afraid to encounter this being, then how are we ever meant to defeat it?”

“There are ways you may match it, but not down here. Its influence is already too strong here for you to stand a chance.”

“Is that right? You hardly seem like a new arrival, and yet you don’t appear to have run into much trouble down here.”

Tagath’s expression darkened, all joy fading from his features. “I’m lucky to be alive, if you can call it luck. I would not wish my fate upon anyone. You will likely suffer worse if you insist on lingering in this awful place. If you’ll accompany me, then I’ll show you as much proof as you’d like.”

Lord Yueryurn looked to Elmidath and I. “You appear to know him, should I take him at his word?”

Frowning, Elmidath looked over her shoulder. “I knew him once; I can’t vouch for him anymore. From what he’s said, he does seem to be telling the truth but I can’t say for sure.”

I shrugged. “At least we’ll be getting out of here. If he’s lying, then we can always come back down if we really want.”

Lord Yueryurn gestured toward Tagath. “Then you’re not worried about him leading us into a trap?”

“If that was his intention, he never would have met us in the first place. It’s not as if it would be difficult to ambush us down here.”

We could barely see where we were going, let alone what danger might lie ahead. If whatever dwelt down here was actively seeking our deaths, then we’d already be dead.

Shaking his head, Yueryurn squeezed his way to the front and squared off against Tagath. “Apparently we’ve decided to accept your help, so lead us out of here.”

Tagath nodded. “Thank you for seeing sense, we’ll all be back on the surface soon.”