Here is chapter 29. I wanted to post it yesterday but some things came up. Check out my other stuff on https://yougots.wordpress.com/

Enjoy

Otis felt the stone tug on his hand. It did not move instead he was surrounded by darkness and squeezed by an unseen pressure on. He had been here before but then he had entered it from within his mindscape. For a brief moment he feared that he would get lost in the Shadow Realm until the stone in his hand jerked him to the left, then to the right, then up, backwards and to the left again. It went on like that for an unknown amount of time as these kinds things throw off one’s perception. Otis had learned that in the Halls. He had panicked the first time but eventually he realized there was nothing you could do about it except to just roll with it.

Strangely he did find the shadows comforting, at least in theory his body on the other hand just felt like it did not belong. The shadow’s wanted to be where he was standing, well, relatively standing because who knows he could be lying flat, sideways, upside down or a combination of all of them. All he knew is that it felt like he was standing and the shadows wanted this spot. The only problem to that was the shadows did not want him anywhere else either.

Otis was tense. His every muscle, bone and fiber fought to stop him from being crushed by the shadow. The more he pushed it away the more the shadow pushed back. Until the shadows wore him down, their pressure was unending and he had already been tired. Otis’s defenses slipped and the shadow passed through him occupying the space he stood in as he was standing in it. It did not crush him like Otis feared instead it poured into him like his body was a cup. The shadows readily merged with his body like it had with his mind and he greedily absorbed it until he was no longer squeezed. The shadow and he were one.

The shadow realm became clear, not in a sense of sight but in physical awareness. Otis righted himself so he was no longer upside down. It was as simple as doing a flip in the air. The dark world sped past him as he moved towards his destination. The stone no longer turned or moved any direction other than straight and instead the shadow moved and bent around him. He was confident that he could drop the stone and he would still end up at the same place. The only thing he lacked was the knowledge of how to exit.

The shadows folded and a doorway opened in front of him. The stone pulled him through it and into the world. Everything went still except for Otis’s stomach. It would have emptied on to the ground if there was anything left that had not been emptied earlier. The others in Rose Team were not so lucky.

“What the hell was that?” Caeanos spoke breathlessly as he was hunched over on all fours. “Not cool at all! The rain that pounded the pavement nearly drowned out his words as it washed away their collective stomach matter.

“This one concurs.”

“Never, never again!” They all got to their feet after a bit looking a bit green and holding their stomachs.

“Where are we? One of you must have grabbed the stone and brought us here.”

“This is...”

“Home.” Kavdiir and Caeanos interrupted Sonashi, they were staring at the grand temple that stood before them. An illuminated garden path ran from the street to its pure white stone stairs. Its domed cathedral that shined bright in the rainy night.

“Temple of Elder Lord Enos. These ones cannot be here, the upper districts are not safe for the lower races.” Kavdiir hissed through his clenched teeth as he dragged Otis and the others into a small nook where buildings joined together. It was not much cover but better than standing in the middle of the street. “We must leave before we have been spotted it is a long way down to the under district.”

“Brother did you forget these ones can hide in Violam’s shadow? These ones should use the lift, it can take us to the lower districts quickly.” Caeanos grinned. “I have always wanted to ride that damn thing. If I brag about it when we get home touching tails with a female will be much easier.”

“Ew.” Sonashi said looking greener than she normally did.

“I have no clue where we are so I am leaving the plans to you. But if this lift gets us somewhere safe faster I am in.”

“Violam, the lift is dangerous only the elite races and soldiers can use it but it will probably be safer than these ones crossing the checkpoints in the upper districts. Sister Sonashi is that fine? You look sick?”

“Yes, I am fine. That damn stone of his got the better of me but I agree let’s take the lift.”

“We must have been spotted, there is at least ten people heading our directions so let's get moving.”

Kavdiir nodded. “Use your shadow and line up the same as before.”

“Has this one ever told you how great your intuition is?”

“Caeanos you could stand to tell me more often and it is called [Aura Sense]. It is a skill of mine that tells me where threats are.” Sonashi’s eyebrow rose at Otis’s half-truth. It was an unexpected admission as he never talked about his abilities outside of the obvious ones.

They lined up and Otis push his shadow over them. It took less effort than ever, the others were covered in shadow the moment they chained together. The Ogrite temple guards were running down the stairs as their aura leaked killing intent. Otis could tell they were much stronger than the average soldier in the Farg Legion.

Kavdiir led them around corners and through a series of streets. Once they were a safe distance from the temple they slowed their pace. In the past the shadows would grow unstable if he moved too fast but now it had been hardly disturbed while running and covering four people.

“Who were those guards? They were strong, at least stronger than a mere guard should be.”

“Quiet. We will be at the lift soon and if you have not noticed the rain is not doing these ones any favors.” Kavdiir warned. He was right, even if they were shadowed the rain still hit them and the water still splashed beneath their feet.

“Then it will not matter.” Caeanos whispered. “If they are paying attention they will hear us anyway. Violam, the Temple Guards are chosen from the most decorated of the Farg Legion. Those ones probably came from Elder Lord Enos’s Legion.”

Kavdiir sighed giving up on keeping Caeanos silent. “That is also why the Upper Districts checkpoints are dangerous. They are all guarded by the Legion's most decorated. While the lower districts are more laxed and the Under Districts almost have no guarded checkpoints but there are roving patrols to keep the lower races in line. The lifts main purpose is to move soldiers quickly through the districts to stop any nuisances.”

They stopped across the street from a well-guarded stone structure. They were armed with the same rifles Otis had seen in the dream it was not something wanted to be hit with. “Now these ones must wait until someone comes to use the lift and follow them on.”

It was not long before two guards ran up to the guards at the lift. Otis recognized their auras, they were among the group at the temple. They must still be looking for them. After a short discussion the lift guards moved away and allow them to enter the stone structure.

Kavdiir gave no notice as he started to run for the door. Rose Team moved as one keeping pace with their leader. They remained attached to not disturb the shadow and darted through the opening in the guards and into the stone structure. The room they entered was large and could reasonably hold 30 standing people. Rose Team placed themselves at the rear of the lift far away from the two guards. The lift shook as it started its descent and they all watch the floors countdown on the screen with baited breathe.

After descending over a dozen floors Otis overheard the guard’s whisper. “We have successfully lured the insurgents onto the lift. They are equipped with a C grade cloaking device. Be ready on UP 3 as planned. Understood.” The guard gave a slight nod to the other one and he reached for a button on the lift.

[Temple Guard Kardu - Level 36]

[Temple Guard Mokokk - Level 38]

Otis raced forward breaking the shadow. “Gack!” He heard from Kavdiir in the background, the guards heard it as well. The second guard jabbed the button before he could reach them. Otis grabbed the shoulder of the first guard and slammed him into the wall.

“Wish you hadn’t done that friend. This would have all gone much better for you.” Otis kick the back of the guards knee snapping it the wrong direction and tossed him back to others. The other guard pulled out his pistol, Otis stepped out of the guard’s line of fire just before he pulled the trigger. The guard let out several rounds in quick succession never able to get Otis in his line of sight. Otis’s fist rose up hitting the guards chin taking the Ogrite off the ground next Otis’s swift kick caught him in the stomach slamming him in the wall. The guard did not stand back up.

The first guard laughed wildly after everything had settled. “You’re not going anywhere fools, this lift is on lockdown now.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means they have shut off the lift. These ones are stuck between the floors. Now, they will send guards to attack the lift.” Kavdiir yelled. “Your rash behavior continues to cause us nothing but trouble.”

“Quiet, Brother Kavdiir I am sure Violam has his reasons for acting.” Caeanos stared at Otis awaiting his excuse. Sonashi brushed past Otis to the guard on the ground.

“I overheard them. They somehow knew we were here and they were going to stop the lift at UP 3.”

“Gack! How did you know?” Caeanos kicked the wounded guard.

“You think we are blind to such a weak cloaking device. Our optics picked you up immediately when you were watching the lift.” The guard said with a smug grin hiding his pain.

“How do we get the lift going again?”

“Never telling.” The guard’s words were slurred and drool had accumulated on the side of his mouth.

“Gack! They have activated his death sequence. Spit it out! Tell these ones how to start the lift again!” Caeanos kicked the man in the face.

“They always said there would be no pain. They were right you can torture all you want but I will never feel any of it.”

“I found it!” Sonashi shouted from behind them. She was holding a paper in her hand. “He had the code written down.”

“What?” The guard said hazily. “That f-fool.”

“These ones no longer need you.” Caeanos finished the guard.

Sonashi stood at the panel and typed in the numbers. Otis grabbed the guard's clothes that she had left on the ground and threw them in his bag. Kavdiir disrobed the other guard and Otis stored those as well.

“What level do we go to?”

Kavdiir gave Sonashi a searching look before responding. “Lower District two”

“Not the under districts?”

“No these ones do not want the guards to know where what level we are going to.” The lift lurched downwards once again. “Violam leave the weapon it is keyed into certain people it will not work for you. It will probably just blow you up.” Kavdiir warned as he saw Otis reach the second guard's weapon that had been flung to the other side of the room.

“Alright then.” Otis jerked his hand back. “So why were they taking us to UP 3?”

“Gack! Upper Patrol room three, they were going to drop us into the middle of a military base. If you had not stopped them there would have been no escape for these ones.” Caeanos responded while giving Kavdiir a look of admonishment.”

“Yes, this one apologies for the outburst. You were acting in our best interest.”

“Don’t worry about it. What about the cloaking device business? The guard said it was a C grade device.”

“The Farg have many weapons and cloaking devices are one of them.” This time Sonashi answered. “A ‘C’ grade device is better than average but it will not escape their optics. An ‘A’ grade device would have. Your shadows only worked in the Legion because machines, electronics and other complicated devices just do not work once they pass the gate. It is considered a training ground just for that reason, it allows new soldiers to hone their core abilities.”

“If it is just considered a training ground why the hell was Legion there?”

“These ones will discuss this later. The lift is about to arrive at lower district two. Line up and use the shadows again. They may useless in the Upper Districts but here the guards will not be as well equipped.”

At first Otis feared that when the lift stopped they would be swarmed by guards but upon closer inspection of the panel there was 136 floors. He doubted that they could mobilize a significant force on every floor. They would have to move fast once the doors opened though, there may not be an army at their doors right now but once it is known what floor they exited on it will be flooded by soldiers quickly.

They stood just to the side of the doors cloaked in Otis’s shadow. The two dead guards laid on the opposite side of the lift in hopes that it would distract the soldiers enough to make their escape easier. The lift doors slid open and the first wave of guards entered.

“Check every square inch of this lift and someone get the medic.”

“I am here, sir.”

“What are you waiting for go check on them!”

Rose Team darted through the door just missing the next batch of soldiers the entered. There thirty guards total and fifteen guards waiting outside of the lift. Their levels were all lower twenties. There was recognition on the face of one of them as Rose Team slipped through their ranks.

“They’re here! They are wearing a cloaking device.” The news must not have reached this level. The guard leveled his rifle at them but the hallway was tight and Kavdiir had woven through the guards placing a few between Rose Team and the Ogrite that could see them. The guards eventually pulled themselves together and responded to the Ogrite’s call. They aimlessly fired at Rose Team but by that time they had already exited the lift building.

No one spoke they just followed Kavdiir since he seemed to know where they were going. It was strangely dark as there was no light that filtered down from the moon or stars and the air was stale. Otis was used to there not being any stars but this was different almost like he was in a cave. Then he saw with his enhanced vision that there was a solid concrete ceiling over his head. It was high enough to allow the twenty story buildings that line the street they were running down. The building were not the white stone he had seen in the dreams or the temple for that matter instead they were made of glass or concrete. They ran a few more blocks before the roof gave way to rain and cloudy skies.

They slowed down to a walk since there was a dense fog that covered the streets. It was late so there was not many people out but it was best to move slowly to avoid running into anyone. Many businesses were still open as the fog was colored a pink hue from their neon signs that were bright enough to cut through it. The brightness of the signs told Otis that this fog was not a rare occurrence. Also that they were not in nicest of areas, there were signs that advertised topless dwarven dancers, bars and any other flavor of entertainment. Kavdiir had angled their train towards what was either a butcher shop, a restaurant or something more questionable since the one of the signs on the establishment stated ‘Linnare Tail Served Here’.

Otis breathed a sigh of relief that it was sandwich/butcher shop and not just somewhere Kavdiir came to get some quick jollies. The dwarf sitting behind the counter looked up from his newspaper and looked around in suspicion then back to his newspaper.

“Get out of the doorway you idiots. You are all over the radio.” The dwarf whispered harshly as he licked his index finger and turned the page. “I left the door unlocked for you. You know the way and tell your mother I will be there later.” A crooked smirk showed on the side of the dwarf’s mouth as they passed him.

[Darmyl Redbraid - Level 23]

They found the hidden door along the back wall of the shop. It opened to a small unlit staircase. The walls in it were only shoulder width for Otis so for the broad shouldered Linnare they could not walk down them comfortably. Sonashi was just fine despite the astonished look on her face.

“Where does this lead to?” Otis asked as he dropped the shadow.

“The stairs will take these ones to where we need to go but the walls are thin so keep your voice down.”

“Can you start with where we are?”

“These ones are on Lower District two almost to Lower District one, just twenty more till reach our floor.” Kavdiir stated with smile, for the first time since Otis had met the Linnare he looked happy.

“You know what I mean. You and Caeanos said this was home?” Otis questioned but the group stopped. There was the sound of a scuffle and shouting coming from the other side of the wall. They all quieted down and held their breath to listen.

“Are you hiding them? We know you dwarves are sympathizers?”

“We haven’t done anything. We don’t even know what you are talking about.”

“You are coming with me.” The guard’s laugh dripped with cruelty. “Give your excuses to the Neuromancers.”

Otis could hear the couples’ wails through the walls. “Search the place we are looking for four insurgents and two of them are lizards.”

“Let’s go but be quiet. We cannot afford to stay here.” Sonashi whispered as she pushed Caeanos forward.

They heard the guards searching for them a couple times during their descent but they never found the stair case. They were all ragged and tired by the time they made it to the door Kavdiir wanted. He motioned for them all to wait as he stepped through the door.

After a minute he returned. “It is clear, come on we are almost there.”

They entered into an abandoned warehouse and down a series of hallways. The warehouse may have been abandoned but there were signs of use. Otis did not cover them in shadow as Kavdiir said it was unnecessary, they were not going outside and half of the warehouse was destroyed so there was no other entrance to it. A few of the machines still looked clean and well-oiled and there was a lack of dirt and dust you normally find in an abandoned structure. Typically it did not take nature long to reclaim lost land once humanity stopped interfering.

Otis noted that Kavdiir had an unusual skip to his step the closer they got to their destination. While Caeanos had become lost in thought and his face lost the humor that could normally be seen on it. “This used to be a weapons factory. These ones were forced to work here.” He whispered.

“If it was used to make weapons, why would they abandon it? You would think the Farg could always use more weapons.”

“Technology changed.” Caeanos shrugged as he ran his hand over what appeared to be an old broken lathe. It stood out among the other working machines. “Weapons became more advanced so they moved facilities. Any Linnare who could not be placed into a different position were executed.”

Otis winced at the answer. “Isn’t that a bit much? Couldn’t they just find another job?”

“No, these ones are not working a job. The Linnare are a recently conquered race. These ones are slaves until the Blood Debt is paid.” Kavdiir interrupted.

“How many years until the Blood Debt is paid?”

“A Blood Debt is not paid in years since some races can have much longer life spans. It is paid in family generations. The Linnare owe four and a half generations. Sonashi how many generations are left with your people?”

Sonashi was startled by the question. She had been studying their surroundings a majority of the time outside the lift. “Ah...the Legion wiped out my people I am the last of my kind so I guess the blood debt ends with me.”

“Unless you plan to repopulate your race.” Caeanos elbowed her side. “Your race does look awfully close to the ugly humans.” He chuckled as he dodged her stare and came up beside Otis.

Sonashi’s tired eyes bore a hole in the back of Caeanos’s head as she spoke. “So where are we now? Many of the walls are made of dirt and rock. Are we must be underground.”

“Yes the under districts are underground. These ones are sixteen floors down.”

Sonashi sucked in her breathe. “This is a vertical city? So that means the surface …” She trailed off as she seems to pale.

“Was gassed.” Kavdiir finished. “Yes its previous inhabitants fought back to the point that the Legion gassed the planet.”

“What does that mean?”

“Violam, it means that the surface of the planet is uninhabitable. Even if you could survive the poison the dense gas cloud blocks out the sun and make it impossible to breathe the air. Nothing living on the planet can survive. These caves we are in are sealed and manmade so the gas cannot enter. How much longer until the gas clears?” She turned to ask Kavdiir as they filed into a room that looked like it had once been used as an office.

“This one does not know.” He answered as he began searching the room. “The Linnare were brought here after it was already gassed. Brother Caeanos and I are second generation. It could be another several hundred years until the gas clears up.”

Sonashi was visibly disturbed by this planet's awful fate. The gray man said he would destroy Earth, Otis thought. Is this what he meant? I cannot let this happen he needs to be stopped but there is more than one Legion how can I stop them all? I don’t even know where they are.

“Do not worry we are safe for now.” Sonashi misjudged Otis’s dire expression and patted his shoulder in support.

“Thanks.” He responded, there was no reason to correct her because if anything her sentiment had made him feel a little better. He had hoped that it might be a sign of the first steps to rebuilding their friendship but he knew better. So he decided to not read too much into it and chalked it up to her being dead tired and not thinking straight.

“Kavdiir I believe you got your directions mixed up.” Otis quipped to lighten the conversation as he watched the Linnare circle the room several times. “Maybe we should just find some place to sleep. We have all been on the move without rest for a while now.”

Kavdiir had ignored Otis at first but then dramatically turned to the group with a smug grin as he pounded his tail against the floor in rhythm. After a minute with no response his smile shrank.

“It was a good plan Brother Kavdiir but this one fears that she no longer uses these tunnels. This one thinks we just give up on this plan and find another way off planet.” Caeanos turned to leave when a hidden hatch flung open startling Otis and Sonashi.

“Gack!” Could you not wait for one more minute this one almost got to leave?”

A large Linnare exited the hole in the floor while giving Caeanos a confused look. Kavdiir dismissed Caeanos’s complaint and spoke to the guard. At least Otis thought they were speaking, their language were guttural grunts turned into words but with structure.

They finished their conversation and Kavdiir turn to Caeanos with a look that a hunter gives when a trap is successful. “After you Brother Caeanos. You cannot run now.” He stepped aside as Caeanos despondently shuffled his feet forward and climbed down into the hatch.

The rest quickly followed him down. They stepped off the ladder to be welcomed by armed Linnare guards. Their guns did not match the ones that the Farg guards had used. They were guns created from the machines in the abandoned warehouse.

The guards eyed Otis’s sabre for a moment but dismissed it as they did not believe he or it to be much of a threat. The guards grunted and told the group to keep moving in slurred Farg. They passed more armed guards as they traveled deeper into the tunnel. The walls were adorned with artwork and artifacts that felt out of place for the dimly lit cave.

Otis lent Sonashi a shoulder as she found that her feet no longer follower her command but soon that was not enough. Otis picked her up and carried her so her feet would not drag against the floor. “I have not forgiven you. I need some time but, but this is nice.” Sonashi mumbled as her head dropped against his shoulder. She had the worst injuries out of Rose Team after their night in the cages and any energy she had after that was long spent.

“I understand so get some rest.” Otis tried to keep the smile from his voice but failed.

“That did not take long.” Caeanos snickered. “I thought she would hold out longer. Kavdiir how much do I owe you?”

“Brother you owe this one three of your best throwing knives.”

“When did you have time to place bets? And this isn’t what it looks like she’s just tired.” Otis defended himself.

“Oh really?” Caeanos held his knives back close to his chest away from Kavdiir’s greedy grasp. “My feet hurt will you carry me?”

“Hell no!”

“Gack! Here are your knives Brother but be careful next time because these two are dumb.”

“This one does not need to worry. You always lose your bets Brother Caeanos and you never learn.”

Their large Linnare guide gestured to a large metal doorway and grunted. “Stop playing if you know what is good for you. We are here, just go through the door.” Rose Team and their guards filed into the brightly lit room. The door slammed the door slammed shut and locked. A few Linnare rushed over to cover the massive security door with a decadent curtain.

A feminine voice purred garnering Otis’s attention and even Sonashi stirred in his arms. “So finally my son has returned. Welcome home Prince Caeanos.”

[Queen Aludi - Level 41 the Displaced Queen]

Caeanos hurriedly took a knee before the Queen’s modest throne of stone and lackluster gems. The Queen’s attendants and advisors looked over their tired group. Some of them in excitement at Caeanos’s arrival while others were openly disgusted. Otis took particular notice of those who kept their expressions contained, they were the ones who peaked his [Aura Sense] the most. They were beyond the mere sycophants that always surrounded power. They were the plotters, planners and deceivers. As long as I am not in their plans I don’t care.

“Yes Mother this one has returned.” Every inch of despondency was gone from Caeanos instead his back was straight and head held high full of pride.

Otis stood at the back of the room far from the Queen. “Sona, they must have gotten Kavdiir and Caeanos mixed up. Surely Kavdiir is the Prince, right? Maybe they were mixed at birth or something.” Otis whispered thinking he would not be overheard but the twitch of Caeanos’s shoulders and Kavdiir’s eyes rising in alarm said otherwise.

“Prince Caeanos who are these things?” The Queen’s smile was frozen to her face but it was near breaking. “Are they food to celebrate your victory? And why would they think your personal guard is good enough to be a Prince?”

Caeanos sent a glare at Otis, who received it with a weak smile. “Well Queen Mother you see Brother Kavdiir is the leader of our team.”

The Queen’s smile broke and a scowl took its place. “And these two? Who are they?” The Queen spoke attempting to keep the growl from her voice but she was not entirely successful.

“These ones are friends and aided in this one’s escape.” Caeanos shuddered in regret the moment those words left his lips.

“Escape? What do you mean escape?” Her voice rose in volume and intensity as she stood from her throne. “Did you not complete the task you chose?”

Caeanos’s shoulders sunk as the weight of her voice pressed down on him. “No my task is not completed.”

“Need I remind you that you may be my son but you cannot accept the title of Prince until your task is completed. There are others who are vying for your position. So tell me why have you return home in such a sorry state? In a state unbefitting a Prince. In your short time away have you forgotten what it means to be royalty? You come home like a dirty swamp rat beggar in rags!”

“This one has not forgotten what you have taught me. These ones work our way from being servants to soldiers in the Legion. If we had more time these ones might have completed the task but things went wrong. This one believes that we did weaken the Legion.”

“Your task was not to merely weaken the Legion! Have you forgotten what you told me and why you selected this task?”

“No but…”

“Enough!” The audience looked away from the Queen’s rage many on the verge of fainting. “General Atesha take them to their rooms. Tomorrow, you will formulate another plan to smuggle them through the gate. Caeanos you will finish your pledged task even if it kills you.”