Azura got to work in building up the defenses of Berwick. All in all there was much work to be done. The trenches had to be remade, the watchtowers had to be rebuilt from the ground up, worst of all they lacked any siege equipment such as cannons, trebuchets, and catapults. If Zul-Aman were to launch an offensive now they would be undoubtedly wiped out.

“What about escape routes? Hidden tunnels? Does the city have anything like that?” Asked Azura as she looked over the city’s plans.

“We discovered a few tunnels, but most of them lead to a dead end except for one of them. It’s a shaft that goes down about sixty or seventy feet. It leads to a cave network inside the mountain. However, it’s a maze down there.” Explained Irene.

“Well then we’ll have to map that area to get your people out of here. Onyx will lead a team down those tunnels to find a way past the mountain. Did you find any creatures down there?”

“None.” Answered Irene. “We’ll also need some help down in our makeshift clinic. The one you call Embry can assist there.”

“Okay then.”

Y’noch looked at the team of legionnaires as he, and the rest of the animalists prepared their gear to explore the caves. He grabbed a few extra magnesium flares and packed them in his pack.

“Who amongst you has the most experience with these caves?” Asked one of the legionnaires.

“I do.” Answered Y’noch.

“You’re with us. The rest of you will nail the torches to the walls to create a lit path. We’ll explore the shaft, and see where it leads.”

The group entered the caves, and placed several torches on the walls. Y’noch led the small group down into the the cave shaft. Each of the legionnaires pulled out a magnesium flare that they burned, and tossed down the shaft.

“Looks like it’s a straight shot down. Okay then pull out your climbing gear, and get set.”

The group of eight descended down the shaft as they did they noticed the walls were wet. Onyx rubbed his fingers on the rocks, and tasted them.

“Are there any bodies of water here? Maybe a mountain with a frozen top?” Asked Onyx as the group finally reached the bottom.

“There’s a lake on the other side of the city where we get our water. It’s not all that far off.” Explained Y’noch.

“Engineering assessment Tykal?”

“Probably a few canals that connect the lake to here. The fact that the walls were wet means that the water pressure is increasing. Who knows? Maybe some of the tunnels might be flooded.”

“Okay then let’s not stick around longer than we have to. Tigris and Lyo will take two and head down that tunnel. Tykal and I will do the same. If you run out of torches to place double back here, and grab more.”

Y’noch followed the legionnaires down the cave as they placed torches along the walls to mark their path. As Y’noch placed his hands on the walls he noticed that they were also wet.

“Something the matter?” Asked the other animalist.

“Just thinking that we never really did find out why these caves were here in the first place.” Answered Y’noch.

“What do you mean? They obviously used it for mining.”

“Don’t you find it strange that in all that time we haven’t found any mineral ores?”

“Maybe the mine tapped out, and everyone moved. It ain’t that uncommon out here in the sticks.”

“Hmm…” Y’noch was unsatisfied with that response.

Embry walked inside the makeshift clinic that the animalists had built to assist the doctors there. As she entered she could smell the distinct odors of blood, puss, and many others. It was enough to make her feel nauseous. As she took her first step in she saw a woman clanging the bandages on a man’s leg. As she approached the pair she saw that gangrene had begun to set in the man’s leg.

“You’re gonna have to amputate.” Said Embry.

“What do you mean amputate it’s fine it just needs some…” The man began, but Embry quickly interrupted.

“Depends on whether you want to keep the rest of the leg. Do you smoke a lot sir? Maybe eat a lot of sugar?” Asked Embry.

“On occasion.” Answered the man, but the woman glared at him. “Ugh fine… A lot I guess.”

“I see. Where’s your medicine cabinet?”

“Over there although it’s more of a closet than a cabinet.”

“Okay thanks.” As Embry made her way to the closet she noticed the patients were in severe conditions.

“Why are all the people in bad conditions?”

“You see sometimes people get sick or hurt, and sometimes they get better but other times…”

“People need a doctor.” Embry finished the thought for her as she placed her hand on the closet door.

When she opened the door she found their medicine stock to be useless. The cabinet was filled with jars that contained various powders, which was not a problem in itself as some medicinal powders can be useful, the problem was that the powders were used to treat things like stomach aches or malnutrition and nothing more.

“Mug wart, yam tap, pohl sap… Shit this is all useless. Excuse me is this all you have?” Asked Embry as she kept looking throughout the shelves for anything useful.

“Yes… Usually we get some stuff from smuggling, trading with other tribes, or when we can hit a supply wagon, but… this is all we can muster at the moment.”

“I see…” Embry looked at the glass jars again. “What about alcohol? Even the stuff you drink like beer and ale is fine.”

“Yes we have some of that.”

“Good bring it here as much as you can, and I’ll start mixing some of these powders into… something better.”

Tigris’ group reached a fork in their path. Tigris sniffed the air for any indication of where they should go, but all she could smell was water. Suddenly she felt a few droplets land on the tip of her nose. Tigris raised her flare to check the ceiling only to find various small fissures that leaked water.

“Something the matter?” Asked Lyo.

“I’m not sure yet. All I smell is water. We’re probably underneath some kind of water reservoir.”

“Think it’s connected to the lake nearby?”

“Probably although I can’t venture to guess why they would make so many tunnels. Also looks like the deeper we go the more water we find. I don’t like it.”

“We’re fresh out of torches to place. We should head back, and get some more.” Said one of the animalists accompanying the group.

Tigris looked at the fissures on the ceiling once more. “Yeah let’s.”

Onyx and Tykal stood on the edge of another shaft. Tykal threw a flare down the bottom only to hear a sudden plop as the flare touched the water.

“Guess it’s flooded then.” Said Onyx as he pulled out another flare.

“Yeah. Think we should double back and go through another tunnel?” Asked Tykal.

“Yeah this one’s a bust. Say Y’noch was it? How far did you explore these tunnels?” Asked Onyx as he and Tykal met with the other two animalists.

“Can’t say for sure. Just far enough to make sure there weren’t any animals taking up residence. We went down the shaft, and explored the first few tunnels.”

“Were the walls wet then?” Asked Tykal.

“A little bit yeah.”

“Hmm… We need to find a tunnel that goes up. Let’s go back, and see if we can’t find one.”

The group made its way back to a separate tunnel that looked a bit more promising, however, this one had its fair share of fissures and cracks.

“I’m gonna put a torch here so that we can mark it.” Said the other animalist.”

“Yeah okay.” Said Y’noch as he walked a bit further.

The animalist lined the nail, and struck it with the hammer. Just then a a crack formed in the rock that kept growing and growing until it joined up with a leaky fissure. Suddenly a massive burst of water emerged from the ceiling as it proceeded to flood the entire tunnel.

“Ah shit everyone get back!” Yelled Onyx as they all retreated from the rushing water.

The four of them ran through the dark tunnel as the water gained on them. Just then they saw the ceiling crack from the sudden release in water pressure. The ceiling cracked, and rocks started to fall on their heads as they kept running. Suddenly they were hit with a massive wave of water from the tunnel’s ceiling that crushed them. They all tried to swim for the top, but suddenly a current swept them deeper into the dark tunnels.

“Everyone hold on!” Yelled Onyx as the darkness swallowed them whole.

Tigris’ ears perked up as the group reached the shaft to grab more torches.

“Something the matter?” Asked Lyo.

“Thought I heard something.” Said Tigris as she transformed, and tried to listen for any sounds coming from the tunnels.

“Maybe it’s Onyx’s group.” Said Lyo as she grabbed some extra flares.

“It’s not! Everyone climb up the shaft now!” Yelled Tigris as the water rushed the bottom of the shaft.

The water rushed in as they all climbed up the rope to the top. The shaft’s walls soon began to crack as the water reached soon reached their necks. Then the walls cracked, and the shaft quickly flooded as the group just barely reached the top. Lyo and Tigris each dragged one of the animalists accompanying them as they reached the edge of the water.

“Onyx… Tykal… They’re still down there.” Said Lyo as she struggled to get her bearings.

“Ain’t no way they survived that. Those tunnels are flooded now. They’ll have to find their own way out.” Muttered Tigris as she fell back.

Embry mixed the powders into the boiling water as her assistant cleaned the sword with alcohol.

“Will it hurt?” Asked the nervous animalist as he looked at the size of the blade.

“Unfortunately for you, yes. Since we lack the proper medical supplies I can’t really do much for the pain. Got plenty of alcohol though so… I’ll give you a sip to take the edge off. Gonna have to tie you up as well to keep you still. Thankfully we have pohl sap which… is enough to handle amputations.”

“You hesitated for a second there doc.” Said the man as his nerves began to get the better of him.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Will it?” Whispered the assistant.

“No. So be sure to restrain him properly.” Whispered Embry.

The assistant made sure that the restraints were tight and secure before giving the patient a sip of alcohol. Then she placed a piece of leather for him to bite into while Embry made the first incision. The first incision was two inches above the ankle, but she found no blood. She moved up six inches from the ankle when she finally found blood. Embry then firmly grasped the sword as she raised it above her head, and brought it down with all her might. The man jolted as the sword cleaved through his leg. The assistant held him down as best she could as Embry raised the sword again.

“GYAH!” Yelled the man as the leather piece fell off his mouth.

“I can’t hold him.” Said the woman as she struggled to keep him down.

“Just one more. I have to break through the bone.” Said Embry ash she prepared her swing.

In one fell swoop the gangrenous foot came off as Embry quickly applied the pohl sap on the man’s leg.

“The iron pan on the fire. Bring it here.” Ordered Embry as the blood rushed out of the man’s wound.

The assistant quickly rushed to get the burning pan as Embry finished applying the last of the pohl sap.

“Press the hot end there on the wound. We’re gonna cauterize it to stop the bleeding. Don’t hesitate. Press it as hard as you can. Even if he begs you to stop don’t.”

The woman nodded and pressed the pan on the man’s leg as hard as she could.

“AH! GAIA JUST KILL ME NOW!” The man screamed as his flesh sizzled against the pan’s heat.

“Just a bit longer.” Said Embry as she struggled to keep the man still.

“When?” Asked the assistant as she pressed the pan even harder.

“Now’s good stop. Now we apply some alcohol on the wound to clean it up, and bandage it. Probably should’ve used an axe instead of a sword.” Said Embry as she looked at the bloody mess she made.

“How did you get a gangrenous infection anyways?” Asked Embry as she looked at the man who was now unconscious.

“The lake. He and a few others were attacked by some vuznav while they were fishing. They have a nasty bite.” Explained the assistant.

“Vuznav… The tiny squids with the arms?”

“Yeah that’s right. I think he let it get infected.”

“Hmm… I guess we move on to the next patient then.”

Tigris sprinted across the dilapidated city to find Azura, and brief her on the current situation. Finally she caught up to her as Azura was making her way to the barricades.

“Azura!” Yelled Tigris.

“Tigris? Did something happen?” Asked Azura.

“It’s… Fuck I’m exhausted! Onyx… Tunnel collapsed… Flooded… Shit! We barely made it out. Have no clue about them.” Said Tigris as she panted heavily.

Azura’s eyes widened with worry. “Take me there.”

After a few moments they reached the collapsed shaft that had now become a small puddle. Azura placed her hand where the shaft was supposed to be, but it was blocked by rocks. She moved the rocks one by one as quick as she could, but Tigris rushed in to stop her.

“Azura stop! They’re gone!”

Azura pushed Tigris aside as she frantically removed the rocks from the flooded shaft. Azura then smashed her fists against the water as she screamed enraged.

“FUCK!”

Onyx and the rest found themselves in a small air pocket above one of the flooded tunnels.

“Well… Anybody got a deck of playing cards?” Asked Tykal as she struggled to keep her head above water.

“In my other pants. Can’t believe this shit. Are the two of you alright?” Asked Onyx.

“We’re fine, but not for much longer if we can’t find a way out.” Said Y’noch.

“Yeah… Guess now we know why we couldn’t find any metallic ores down here. Zulamarians must’ve probably excavated these tunnels for an irrigation system. They probably found an underground reservoir that connects to the lake or something, and built these tunnels to drain the water closer to the city.” Explained Onyx.

“Talk about shitty engineering.” Tykal began. “Now how do we get out of here?”

“We’re gonna have to swim, but it’s so dark down there that I can’t see anything. We’re gonna have to use our remaining flares sparingly. Each one grab a flare, and split up. We meet back here when the first flare runs out. Maybe one of us will get lucky, and find an exit.”

They all took a deep breath, lit their flares, and dove deep underwater to find an exit. Onyx looked down at the piercing black abyss, and he suddenly felt himself reliving the nightmare he had in Albion. He pushed those thoughts aside, and looked for any tunnels they could use to escape. He found a tunnel that he then followed a ways until he saw the large cavern with even more tunnels. Just as he was about to swim across it he noticed something coming his way. Onyx pulled out his knife as the creature wrapped itself around his arm with its tentacles. Onyx stabbed the creature as it let out a shriek. Onyx cut the tentacles of the creature to free himself, but that dying shriek alerted the others of his presence. Onyx then swam back as fast as he could to the air pocket hoping to alert the others of the dangerous creatures that inhabited the waters.

As he neared the air bubble he felt another one wrap itself around his leg. Onyx used his other leg to kick the creature off, but it wouldn’t budge. Just as he was about to stab it another creature made for his knife wielding arm, and rendered him unable to defend himself. The creatures then took a bite out of him. Onyx resisted the urge to scream in agony as the creatures mauled at him.

Just then Onyx felt someone pull him up. He turned around and saw Y’noch pull out a knife and kill the creature on his arm. Now that his arm was finally set free Onyx pulled his leg closer to grab hold of the creature, and repeatedly stab it. Onyx pulled the creature out of his leg and swam back to the air pocket with Y’noch.

“What the fuck are those things?” Asked Onyx.

“Vuznav. Nasty little fuckers with a nasty bite.” Answered Y’noch.

“Yeah no shit! Where’s the rest? Did you find a way out?”

“Yeah I found a tunnel that isn’t flooded. I didn’t follow it all the way, but it’s dry at least. I didn’t see any cracks, fissures, or water on the walls.”

“Good. I found a cavern with some tunnels, but it was filled with those things.”

Just then Tykal and the other animalist emerged.

“Holy shit! Thought I was gonna die. Did you all find a way out?” Asked Tykal as she caught her breath.

“Something like that. What about you guys?”

“Flooded tunnels.”

“Same.” Said Tykal.

“Okay then lead the way. Everyone pop a flare, stay close, and watch for anything that moves.”

“Anything that moves?” Asked Tykal.

“Vuznav.” Answered Y’noch.

“Shit!” Cursed the animalist.

The group popped their flares, took a deep breath, and dived underwater as they followed Y’noch. They swam rapidly hoping to avoid the vuznav lurking in the water’s depths. However, they were all lured by the sight of their flares. They managed to stay ahead of them, at least for a brief moment. The vuznav were quicker as they readied their tentacles to wrap themselves on on their legs. They managed to get to the tunnel’s entrance when one of them wrapped itself around Tykal’s waist. Onyx and the animalist went back to help her as the shoal of vuznav swarmed the trio. Onyx and Tykal tried to free the animalist, but a vuznav wrapped itself around his neck and took a bite out of it. The duo left the body there to serve as bait while they escaped the tunnel.

“Son of a bitch!” Screamed Tykal as she crawled out of the water.

“Shit I can’t believe we survived that.” Said Onyx.

“Too bad for the other guy. Did you ever catch his name?”

“No. Did you?”

“Nah.”

“I swear it’s like everything in this planet’s trying to kill us.”

“Just you two?” Asked Y’noch as he came back.

“Yeah. Sorry about your friend.” Said Tykal.

“We weren’t friends. I’am however glad that it’s just you two.” Said Y’noch.

“What do you mean?” Asked Onyx.

“The moonlight can only be seen when my blade is still.” Answered Y’noch.

“Holy shit! You’re the one who’s been collecting intel from the inside. What division are you?” Asked Onyx.

“I’m a Blackbird. I’ve been undercover for the better part of seventeen years now.”

“Blackbird? Like the Silent Step?” Asked Tykal.

“Yes. Though I’ve never met them. I’ve been running this mission alone which is how we Blackbirds operate. In fact it was me who requested you specifically for this mission. When I found out that Dawon’s sister was none other than one of the Heroes of Tofar I knew we could exploit that angle.”

“Well I’m sorry to say that so far the mission ain’t exactly going to plan.” Said Onyx.

“Most plans never do. As a matter of fact it was another Blackbird that led to your little incursion in Liebe, Lieutenant Albion.”

“I always wondered why the intel we had was solid. Do you know whom?”

“No. I’ve never met other Blackbirds.”

“Then what about this.” Onyx then revealed the black scales on his arms.

“I have some information on that actually. Some time a go we came across a small farming community that we were about to raid. However, the farm had already been raided. They didn’t take any food which was odd. There were signs of a struggle, even some blood, but no bodies. Then we found a survivor who spoke of lizard people. He said they looked like…”

“Dragons.” Said Onyx.

“Yes. We’ve come across places like that. I haven’t been able to follow up on it. Would you happen to know anything?” Asked Y’noch.

“In Albion the guards spoke of a talking lizard that they had captured, but I don’t know anything more than that.”

“Hmm… What about your encounter with Baphomet?”

“He said something about the ‘Unconquered Tribe’ and the Ice Lands.”

“The Yukingawari up in Rhu’ Wani. I don’t know if they’re real or not. I did hear about a Gaericist expedition into the Ice Lands though. They were looking for artifacts.”

“And?” Asked Tykal.

“Nothing more. Now let’s move we have a lot of ground to cover.”

Embry finished wrapping the bandages on the woman’s arm.

“It’ll do for now. If you start bleeding again come back so I can check your stitches.”

“Thank you so much.” Said the woman as she left the building.

“You’re welcome.” Embry then pulled up a chair, and let herself fall on it. “Fuck me! I’m exhausted.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

“Son of a bitch! I’m coming!” Yelled Embry as she mustered what little energy she had left to greet the patient at the door.

“Hey there Embry.” Said Azura in a somber tone.

“Azura!? What happened?” Asked Embry fearing the worst.

“It’s…” Azura began, but was quickly interrupted.

“Azura! Embry! Come quick you’re not gonna believe this.” Said Tigris as he rushed back outside.

The duo chased Tigris until they reached the city’s entrance where they spotted Onyx, Tykal, and the other animalist walking back.

“Holy shit!” Muttered Azura as she ran towards Onyx.

Onyx spread his arms as Azura embraced him. Onyx returned her embrace. “We’ll talk later. I need to get these wounds checked out.”

After their brief reunion Onyx, Tykal, and Y’noch walked to the clinic to get their wounds looked at. Tykal and Y’noch had minor injuries, unlike Onyx who had taken a few bites from the vuznav. As she inspected his leg she noticed the same scales that were on his arm.

“Something the matter?” Asked Onyx.

“Your leg… It’s the same as your arm. It’s safe to say that underneath your skin it’s all scales now. Does it feel any different?”

“Nope. It feels the same as it always does. Same goes for my arm.”

“Hmm… Well at least for now we don’t have to worry about anything serious.”

“Yeah. For the moment anyways.” Replied Onyx as he looked at the black scales.