Liana was the first to emerge through the small opening before quickly darting back into the darkness. Silica absently strolled forwards before her sister tugged her back. In the large mineshaft stretching upwards, a hoard of goblins could be seen patrolling the rocky craves. Among them were large spider monsters, the likes the girls had not seen in the catacombs of Chadd, glossed with warpaint of whatever tribe or clan they belonged to.

“Looks like Fay was on the money,” Silica said as she examined the operation.

“There are so many,” Jil remarked.

“It’s probably best we don’t alert them to our presence, least not yet,” Liana said, pulling free her knife. “We should try sneaking our way to the warboss.”

“If I were him… I’d say he’d be in the deepest parts of this place,” Silica said rubbing her chin.

“That sounds reasonable,” Jil said, poking her head from below Silica’s left shoulder. “I assume you have some idea of what route to take?”

Silica’s blank expression told the fairy all she needed to know.

“I should have known,” Jil sighed.

“Relax. Moving through caves is how the two of us trained. Right, Liana,”

“When you put it that way….” Liana nodded begrudgingly.

“That still does not fill me with confidence,” Jil added.

“Alright, let's go.” Silica broke cover, much to the surprise of Jil and Liana.

“How have these expeditions of hers ended?” Jil asked out of dread.

“Well…. it often involves me rescuing sis before she gets herself killed….” Liana said with a wiry smile.

“I see….” With a sigh of defeat, Jil floated and caught up to Silica as she leaped down the path to another below. Liana laned close behind her as Silica took point moving along the torch-lit path. Ore gleamed in the light as the girls moved onwards. It didn’t take long for them to encounter one of the goblin patrols, moving in conjunction with one of the large spiders in toe. Both girls and Jil ducked behind cover to allow them to pass.

“Why don’t we just jump them and get it over with?” Silica asked as they passed by.

“If we do that we’ll lose the element of surprise,” Liana said.

“Not to mention we will be overrun should one of them runs and alerts his compatriots,” Jil added, glaring daggers at Silica for her suggestion.

Ignoring her fairy partner's gaze, Silica continued further, moving largely unopposed while being forced to wait out incoming patrols. Their luck did not last long as after moving up a ladder, Silica found herself gazing down a pair of goblins and one of the spiders.

“Shoot!” Silica quickly equipped Caliburn and made short work with the goblins and was about to attack the spider when an arrow pierced through the center of its head.

Behind her, Liana lowered her bow and winked before moving to the spider to retrieve her arrow. “I’ve got your back sis,”

The rest of the way up the shaft was a mix of hiding from the goblins and spiders with the occasional battle breaking out. Eventually, they reached a tunnel that took them away from the shaft. Noise could be heard from ahead. A lot of noise.

“What’s that?” Liana wondered.

“Maybe it’s the orcs main base.” Silica said.

Jil however was being strangely quiet, keeping pace with Silica’s right shoulder. “Strange, I can feel powerful energies coming from up ahead.”

“Energies?”

“It’s difficult to describe, but up ahead there is a large object of power, something radiating energies despite being in a dormant state.”

Silica looked at her puzzled.

“I told you, it is difficult to describe.”

The girls reached the end of the passage, finding themselves on a ledge overlooking a large chasm. The massive chamber echoed with the sounds of hundreds of orcs, nestled in huts and tents built around the chamber. Torchlight illuminated the entire chamber.

Yet that was not what caused both girls to look with their mouths agape. In the deeper part of the chasm lay a large structure buried by mounds of rock. What was visible was a large oval-shaped doorway with the rest of the structure still buried.

“What the hell is that?” Silica asked out loud.

“It’s nothing like the ruins back at home,” Liana said pondering.

“This feeling…” Jil placed a hand on her chest. “I can feel a strange power emanating from within.”

“A power? Like… some kinda artifact?” Silica asked.

“That is possible,” Jil nodded.

“Oh no…” Liana gasped. “Sis look! Down there!”

Silica followed her sister's gaze to the various workers around, excavating the ruin from the rock. At first, she assumed they were goblins, but when she looked closer her blood froze. “Shit… They’re human!”

All around were about over a hundred humans slaving about the ruin, patrolled by both orcs and goblins. Even though they were high up, Silica could tell they were treated horribly.

“They’re probably from Fawn,” Liana gasped. “The orcs must be forcing them to excavate the ruin.”

“Those bastards,” Silica slammed her shaking fist against a rock as her blood began to boil.

*****

Warboss Kuzak surveyed the ruin before him. At his back were Golga, the goblin Tek and ten of his best warriors. He was warned by the warlock that the elven ruins held numerous traps and elemental beasts, jealousy guarding the treasure held within. Even with the black sword, he would need his finest to breach its defenses.

Ten goblin spiders rode up to him, each carrying ropes and hocks, falling behind Tek. “Da boyzz’re all ready bozz. We’ll carry da keystone out with care.”

“You’d better,” Kuzak grunted. “If it iz damaged it’zz be my fangs on the line. Say not of what Iz’ll do to you.”

Tak shuddered before snapping the rains of his wolf. He rode off into the ruin along with his spider riders.

“I leave everything to you,” Kuzak said to Golga. “If the humies attack again, kill'em.”

“Of course,” Golga bowed her head.

Just then, there was a loud shout as a human they had captured the night before rushed in, pickaxe in hand, leaping over a rock and descending on the warboss. Kuzak simply grabbed the human man by his face and slammed him into the rock below. His was only just alive, looking up at the warboss with hatred.

“Pathetic,” Kuzak said before slamming the man’s head into the rock repeatedly.

Golga’s ears then twitched. She looked up to the right, on a passage above. There was nothing there but… she was certain she heard something.

****

“Shuu! Calm down!” Liana hissed as she struggled to hold Silica back, grabbing her mouth before she could yell. “We’re too high up to help…. There’s nothing we can do….”

“Please have a modicum of self-control,” Jil hissed at Silica as she began to relax. “Do you wish to alert every orc and goblin to our location?”

Eventually, Silica began to calm down. Liana slowly released her. “Besides, we’ll break our necks if we jump down from this hight.”

“R-Right…” She said, still fuming.

“Come on. Let’s find a way down.” Liana pulled Silica away from the edge. “Whatever’s in that ruin, it’s best we don’t let the orcs reach it.”

****

“Is something amiss?” Kuzak asked Golga as he wiped the blood from his hands.

“... No. It is nothing.” Golga bowed her head. “Be safe Bozz.”

Kuzak rested his unblooded hand on the back of Golga’s head, bringing his forehead to hers. After the brief embrace, Kuzak departed for the ruins with his warriors at his back.

Golga watched until the warboss was no more. Then she drew her bow, looking up at the ledge above. “You,” She called one of the warriors close by. “Have your boyz search the tunnels. We have ratz to exterminate.”

Orc patrols

Little Sidny was always a good girl. When her mother told her to go to bed she would. When her father needed help in the mine, she could help push the carriages. When the men from the continent came to the mines and was told not to get in their way, she did not get in their way. When the green monsters attacked, mother told her to hide in the closet and not come out no matter what; And she did, seeing her mother killed right in front of her eyes by one of the green monsters before they found her.

When the green monsters made her work she did silently. When an empire soldier told her to run while he grabbed a pickaxe and charged at the biggest, meanest of the green monsters, she did. Now she ran through the abandoned tunnels, weaving around the strange ruin that was being excavated by her neighbors. She was cold, hungry, frightened, lost.

In the darkness she tripped, scraping her ankles on the cold rocky ground. Then she heard something, something was coming this way. Behind her she could see the torchlights. Panicking, Sidny ducked behind a rock, slowly poking her head out from behind her hiding place.

There, walking towards her were three of the green monsters.

“I told ya, ya just ear’n things,” One of them said.

“I sware I ear’d somethin,’”

“Come. Let’s move on,”

The monsters grunted as they walked past. Sidny watched carefully, holding her breath as they passed.

“What’ we doin’? We killed’em humies last night.”

“Golga said there’s somethin’. Her senses are sharp,”

“Who’d she think she iz?”

“She’z da boss mate and you will show her respect.”

“Respect?” One of the monsters spat. “I follow Kuzak. Not a damn breeder like her.”

There was then a roar as one of the monsters grabbed ahold of one of his friends and threw him against the wall holding him by the throat.

“She haz given birth ta many a strong orc in our clan. To insult her iz ta insult uz!” It snarled. “Show some respect or in the name of chaos I will tear out your heart before your very eyez.”

The monster said nothing but simply nodded his head. He was then slowly released. Sidny kept her eyes on them until the third monster turned to her direction. She then ducked behind cover again.

“Wait.” The monster said. Suddenly, the light was getting brighter, he was coming this way.

There was then a crack, and a flash of blue light followed by the sound of something falling to the ground.

“Wha- Whoz-!?”

“Yah!” There was then the sound of something sickly.

Sidny poked her head out from her cover and saw the back of the green monster.

“Whoz’re you?!”

“Just passing through,” In front of it was another person with scruffy red hair, freeing his spear from the body of one of the monsters. Behind him was another person with a shining crystal staff.

“Blind!” There was then a flash, one that was so bright Sidny had to look away. There were howls from the green monster as he failed his torch out. When she looked back, she saw the tip of a spear impaling through the monster.

****

Mar withdrew his spear, twirling it in his left hand before standing at ease. The orc fell to his knees having been pierced through the heart, reaching to Mar before falling to the ground.

Soma then walked slowly towards the rock which the orc was inspecting.

“Hello.” He said holding out his staff. “It’s alright. We’re human.”

Slowly, a small head poked out from the rock. Then it began to poke more of its body out from behind cover. It was a small girl, dressed in a ruined dress, red scruffy hair and was naturally wary of the two adventurers.

“Mar, do you have some food on you?”

“Uh… Yeah. Got some dried meat.” Mar reached into his pouch and handed a small strip of meat to Soma.

“Don’t worry. We’re here to help.” Soma slowly approached the girl holding out the dried meat. The girl looked cautious but quickly swiped the food from Soma before devouring it. “You must’ve been pretty hungry, huh,”

The girl said nothing, clearly weary of them.

“What’s your name?” Mar asked.

The girl said nothing.

“It’s okay. We’re adventures. You’re safe.”

The girl said nothing.

“... I don’t think she can speak,” Soma said. “Hey, are you from the town?”

The girl nodded.

“That answers that. The orcs are using the townspeople to excavate the ruin. That’s what we saw in the cave.”

“.... Those monsters,” Mar slammed his fist on the rock in anger. “We need to free them.”

“..... I’m not against it, but with just the two of us…” Soma gripped his staff.

“Well, the others should be outside,” Mar said optimistically as he stood up. “We can run the girl to them and show them the cave.”

“I… guess,” Soma nodded slowly. He approached the girl and kneeled to her level. “It’s okay now. We’re going to get you out of here, but I need you to do everything we tell you to do.”

The girl nodded.

“That means if we tell you to hid, you hid. If we tell you to run, you run. No matter what.”

The girl nodded again. Soma smiled as he stood back up, looking back to his partner. “Okay, let’s get back to the camp.”

****

Liana emerged first into the large limestone cavern, an offshoot of the excavation site. It seemed to have been recently unearthed as it was largely undisturbed bar from the occasional beam and reinforced walls. A long wooden walkway weaved through the passage, lit up by dim torches that cast long shadows through the gaps.

“If we follow this path we should make it to the ruin,” Liana said as she took the first steps on the bridge.

“You do not sound certain,” Jil said, fluttering close to Silica.

“.... I’ve never been down here before so I’m mostly guessing,” Liana admitted, much to Jil’s dismay.

“This place is a maze, I’m surprised no one got lost down here,” Silica said.

“They must have maps that show the layout of each shaft.” Liana continued forwards. “If we can find one it might make our lives easier.”

“Assuming the orcs haven’t got their hands on them.” Silica pointed out, following close behind her sister.

“That’... possible,” Liana nodded.

“Nonetheless, I would recommend we find a means to orientate ourselves,” Jil said. “Where would they keep maps in a place like this?”

“Well…” Liana pondered, twirling a lock of her hair, a habit she had when she was deep in thought. “... Usually in mines, the miners make out respites in offshoot caves and dig outs. Given how tiring it must be, they need somewhere to catch their breath.”

“How’d you come to know so much about mines?” Silica asked resting her hands over her head.

“I’m… mostly guessing,” Liana nodded. “Though Clara said she took some jobs in mines before and gave me some advice if work ever brought me into one.”

“Good enough,” Silica chuckled. “Okay! Let’s find ourselves a map!” She said loud enough for her voice to echo.

“You might want to keep your voice down,” Jil suggested.

“Why?”

“Who’zz dare?!”

A orc voice echoed back. The girls froze.

“That is why?” Jil glared at Silica.

“Oops…” Silica gave a wry grin while rubbing the back of her head.

“Hide!” Liana grabbed Silica’s arm and dragged her off the path. Jill followed, following the girls as they retreated behind a stalagmite. On the path, a group of four orcs came into view.

“I know’z ya here!” One of the orcs bellowed. “I can smellz ya,”

Silica gave herself an sniff.

“They have a particularly crude manner of speaking,” Jil said.

The orcs did not seem to be leaving anytime soon, examining the limestone formations for their pray.

“Let’s get the jump on them.” Silica suggested.

“Sis,”

“They’ll know we’re here so we may as well before they run off and alert the rest of the hoard,”

“.... I’d have to agree.” Jil said reluctantly. “But we must be swift.”

“... Alright.” Liana drew an arrow. “Circle around to the front.”

“Right, lets do this,” pounding her fists together Silica vanished into the darkness with Jil. Liana remained where she was, keeping an eye on the orcs. The one who spoke had jumped down from the path, illuminating the forest of stalagmites with his torch. Two others remained where they were with one jumping off on the opposite end.

Liana slowly drew her arrow, waiting for the orc in front of her to come closer. As the light began to shine on her, Liana fired. The arrow struck the orc in the eye. It howled, clutching the arrow. Liana drew another and fired, hitting the beasts throat. As it collapsed backwards, the other orcs looked in Liana’s direction.

“A humie! Kill her!”

Silica then leaped onto the path, slashing the closest orc’s knee, letting it drop down before slitting its throat. The final two orcs turned their attention to Silica. The one that had examined the opposite side was struck in the head by an arrow. The final orc charged Silica, swinging an axe. Silica rolled right, allowing the axe to smash through the path. As the orc freed its weapon, Liana’s arrow struck it in the left shoulder blade while Silica plunged caliburn through its back, wrenching it upwards before pulling her weapon free. The orc collapsed forwards.

“Got em,” Silica said to herself as caliburn reverted back to Jil.

“Let us continue onwards, and quietly,” Jil affirmed.

“Alright, my bad,” Silica said unapologetically before continuing onwards.

****

Soma led the way back through the twisting corridors of the mines with Mar and the girl bringing up the rear. Retracing his steps, eventually, they found their way to the limestone caverns that snaked around the outskirts of the excavation site. A large underground lake formed, sustained by seawater by an underground cavern.

“How are you doing kid?” Mar asked. The girl still refused to talk.

“She must have lost her voice, the poor thing.” Soma said. “Don’t worry. It’s a little bit further now.”

“And if there are any other orcs, you can count on the two of us to deal with them.” Mar gave the girl a grin. The girl made a small sound, nodding her head. The two continued towards the lake. The light emitted from Soma’s staff reflected on the surface as they walked past. The limestone rocks cast long shadows, occasionally catching glimpses of something in the shade.

“Hey Soma,”

“I know.”

Both of them continued to walk, ignoring the eyes on them as best they could.

“Hey kid,” Mar said. “Stay close to us, okay.”

The girl nodded. A loud crash then echoed, followed by the unruly grunts of the orcs that were lying in wait. Both Soma and Mar raised their weapons, expecting the attack to come.

“Oi! A’nother humie!”

A cry from an orc echoed throughout the chamber. Mar forced the girl behind him as he readied his spear. Soma backed towards his partner, holding his staff before him. Yet there was no incoming attack, but a lot of commotion coming from the forest of stalagmites where a faint light could be seen.

“.... You think?”

****

“Hey look at that.” Liana pointed out as the group emerged at an underground lake. Off in the distance near the water, there was a strange blue glow that seemed to be moving.

“What’s that? Orcs?” Silica asked.

“I don’t think so.”

Jil floated ahead of Silica, focusing on the light. “I feel mana emanating from the source,” she said.

“Mana? Hey, maybe they’re other adventures,” Silica said hopefully.

“.... It could be,” Liana said, drawing her bow.

“Lets go.” Silica was about to rush forwards before Liana grabbed her.

“Wait.” She pointed at the forest of stalagmites. “We don’t know what else is down there. There could be monsters or more orcs.”

“We’re not going to find out just standing up here.” Silica pouted.

“Liana is right. I would advise caution.” Jil said matter of factly. I can feel a sinister presence moving through the darkness. Simply charging in would be ill-advised. I recommend-”

“Uh, Jil…” Liana interrupted her. “I don’t think she’s listening.”

The two watched as Silica made her way down slowly using the rock, sliding the final length to the bottom.

“.... I am starting to regret my choice,” Jil said, her eyebrow twitching with rage. Liana gave out a weary chuckle, clearly expecting her sister to pull this sort of stunt.

“I’ll keep an eye out from here.” She said readying an arrow. “Just keep sis from doing anything too reckless.”

“I do not believe that is possible…” Jil groaned as she flew down. “I have a bad feeling about this,”

****

After reaching the bottom, Silica found herself coated in darkness. She freed her manasite from her utility belt. She lit it, fighting off the darkness. As she looked around, something flew into the light surprising her. It turned out to be Jil scowling at her.

“Don’t jump me like that. I thought you were a monster.”

“Do not expect you will be getting out of a good, stern lecture,” Jil said.

“My mom said the same thing whenever I did something stupid,” Silica walked on, looking behind the nearest stalegmite.

“And I assumed you listened to her sage advice like a reasonable adult.”

“Course. Then when I do it again she gives me another lecture.”

“.... I suppose it was foolish of asking,” Jil floated to Silica’s right shoulder as she walked into the darkness. “Just be wary of your surroundings at the very least. I can feel a presence lurking in the darkness.”

“I have been in dark places before. That’s how I found you,” Silica dismissed. She moved under a small opening in the rock formation. “I think I know what I’m doing.”

Her foot then slipped on a hidden drop. She fell a short distance, landing on her back at the bottom. “Oww…”

Silica looked up and found herself staring at two large orcs who were taken aback by her sudden appearance, the manasite she had dropped illuminating both their green hulks and her silver hair.

“You were saying?” Jil floated down to Silica’s shoulder, arms folded. Silica laughed awkwardly and waved at the green monsters.

“Oi! A’other humie!”

One of the orcs charged towards Silica, raising his spiked club. Jil burst into light as Silica equipped caliburn, ducking right as the club struck, shattering the rock on impact. Completing her role, Silica slashed at the orc’s right foot, causing it to topple before delivering a final blow to its throat.

“Look out!”

As Jil warned, the final orc charged in as well. Silica ran to it and skidded under its legs holding her blade up cutting at the monster's groin. The monster fell to its knees, bellowing in pain. Silica stabbed Caliburn through its back, wrenching her weapon upwards before kicking the monster to the ground.

“Peace of cake.” She said triumphantly.

“Do not lax your guard. There are more coming.”

“Guess they know we’re here now.” Silica twirled Caliburn in her right hand before setting out into the stalagmite forest, using her manasite to guide the way. “Jil, lemmie know when one of those bastards are trying to get the jump on us.”

“Very well. There’s one coming to you from the right.”

“Huh?” Silica passed by a stalagmite where an orc lunged at her. “Oh, crap!” Silica immediately jumped backward as the brute passed by, slamming into another stalagmite, nocking the entire thing down.

“There is another following it.”

As Jil said, another orc came out, armed with an axe expecting to have the jump on Silica. His attack was for naught as Silica ran it through the chest, wrenching her weapon free disemboweling the brute. The fist orc had recovered from its dash and was charging again at Silica. An arrow struck it in the neck. The monster thrashed around, trying to free the arrow from its neck before dropping to the ground.

It was pitched black above her, but she could guess Liana was watching over her, using the light she was providing to snipe targets.

“Behind you.”

Silica turned about just as an orc emerged, singing his large cleaver-like sword at her. Silica ducked and stabbed the creature through his shoe.

“Another coming up behind.”

Wenching her blade free, Silica parried a swing from another attacking orc, getting into its right side while slashing at its flank. As it dropped to one knee, Silica contended with the first, cutting off its arm as it swung, stabbed the second through its throat before cutting the throat of the second.

She ran off, warned again of more orcs converging at her. A large one with a two handed axe was infront of her, holding its axe up high. Silica skidded across the ground, narrowly avoiding the weapon coming down while slicing off the entire leg of the orc. As the brute toppled, Silica vaulted over a fallen stalemate, getting the jump on an incoming orc. As her blade sliced through its chest, another came towards her only to be stopped by an arrow to the eye.

Silica finished off the orc by slashing it through the stomach.

“Above you!”

A goblin launched towards Silica from above, spear inverted. Thanks to Jil’s early warning, Silica moved away, letting the monster smash and break its spear on the ground. She kicked the creature in the nose, knocking it on the ground before impaling it.

Another goblin lunged at her from the dark, yet with Jil’s warning Silica struck it first, slicing through its body.

“More are approaching.”

“Oh give me a break…” Silica sighed, spotting more orcs emerging from their hiding places. Now some held torches, flanked by goblins armed with knives.

“I believe retreat is in order.”

“Ha, I can take them,” Silica huffed, rubbing the bottom of her chin.

“There is a time to be bold and-hum?”

“More orcs and goblins?”

“N-no…. I sense…. A human.”

“Huh?”

As Silica looked down to Caliburn, an orc charged towards Silica, axe raised. Just as she took note of the danger, something then landed on it, running a spear through its heart. Silica watches speechless as the red-haired boy freed his weapon from the dead orc, twirling it in his hand.

“Mind if I intrude,” he said with a cocksure grin.

“.... Knock yourself out,”

The boy twirled, plunging his spear into the heart of a charging orc. Wrenching his weapon free, the boy pivoted on his axis impairing a goblin. With the creature on the tip of his weapon, the boy threw the body towards a charging orc knocking it to the ground. He followed by leaping off the ground, landing on the fallen orc like a meteor. With his weapon still embedded in the orc, the boy jumped and spun on the shaft, kicking an incoming orc in the face, knocking out its right tusk with his boot. Freeing his weapon, the boy impaired the orc. Still alive, the monster grabbed ahold of the spear, holding the boy in place. As the boy struggled to free his weapon the orc raised its club over its head.

Before it could, Silica stabbed it under its armpit. As the brute staggered, the boy freed his weapon at last, letting the monster fall to the ground before stabbing it. Both he and Silica stood back to back as the orcs converged on them.

“Thanks for that.” The boy said. “Is it just you?”

An arrow answered the boys question. Even shrouded in shadows and darkness, Liana’s arrows struck targets, heads, necks and backs of the orcs.

With a smirk, Silica broke away from the boy, skidding under the feet of a wounded orc with an arrow in its back, catching a goblin by surprise, beheading it before slashing at the orc.

The boy meanwhile had leaped towards an orc in the back row of the attackers, immediately backing away as goblins rushed towards him, two falling to jabs through the chest.

“Silica. That boys flank.”

Silica had felled another goblin when Jill’s warning came through. “Yo dude! Watch out!”

“Huh?” The boy looked right in time to see the outline of the orc coming at him through the darkness. Startled, the boy dropped to his back, jutting his spear out. As the attacker’s horizontal swing missed, its momentum betrayed it as the weapon pierced through its stomach. The boy leaped to his feet, wrenching his weapon free, taking a step back while swinging his spear, cutting the wounded orc’s throat.

After that orc fell, the other monsters began retreating into the darkness.

“Ha! We got them!” Silica cheered.

“Alright!” The boy raised his hand, to which Silica responded with a high five.

“If you're quite finished, the monsters are converging at the lake.”

“They… huh?” Silica responded to Jil, leaving the boy puzzled.

****

Soma gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of the axes pounding against his barrier. No sooner had Mar left to investigate the crashing sound in the stalemate forest, orcs and goblins decided to spring their trap. Prepared, Soma conjured a barrier that saved both him and the little girl while catching the orcs off guard. However with no way to counterattack without dropping the barrier, both of them were trapped while the monsters took swings at the barrier.

While confident in his magic, Soma wasn’t keen in testing how long he could keep the barrier in place. If it failed, both he and the girl would be mercilessly slain.

Come on Mar….

“Move!”

Outside the barrier, a giant of an orc was approaching. In its hands was a giant hammer, more a large rock connected to a long stick. With a snicker, the orc raised his hammer overhead and slammed it down on the barrier. He did it again and again. The third strike cracked the barrier.

With a roar, the orc raised the hammer overhead. It then dropped its weapon. Puzzled it looked at its hand. An arrow had run through it.

An orc then dropped to the ground, clutching at an arrow lodged in its neck. Another was then hit in the left shoulder by an arrow.

Now on high alert, the orcs and goblins turned to the stalagmite forest. Two orcs and five goblins were running from its shade.

“Ambush!” One yelled. “Humies were hiding within! They jumped us! Killed a bunch a de boyz!”

Soma’s ears picked up. Mar was skilled but even he wouldn’t be able to harass an orc ambush to cause them to retreat. Then there was the matter of the arrows. Even as the orc spoke, another one hit and killed a goblin, with a second missing its mark.

“Where are ya!” The orc with the hammer yelled, pulling the arrow from his hand. “Face us in battle!”

No sooner had the orc declared his challenge there was a dust explosion. A stalagmite fell like a fallen tree crashing down to the ground. Mar then depended on the ground, impaling an orc like a meteor.

“Mar!”

As the orcs charged in, another figure rushed forwards. In a flash of steel, an orc’s arm was severed from its body. With a role, the silver-haired girl sliced the tendon of the orc to her right, leaving it open for Mar to run it through. The orcs and goblins descended on the two who fought them off in unison. The girl was fast on her feet, and surprisingly strong seeing her severe orc limbs or slashing through their notoriously thick skin as though it were bread.

“Th-they strong!” A goblin sniveled. “Wh-whatzz we do bozz?”

The orc grunted. “We regroup.” He said. “Find the-”

An arrow then struck it in the eye. After howling in pain, the orc wrenched the arrow from his socket then ran. The remaining orcs and goblins did the same, leaving their dead behind.

“Yeah! We beat them!” The girl cheered.

“Soma!” Mar rushed to Soma’s aid as the boy lowered the barrier before the fatigue kicked in. Yet he stayed up right, using his staff to prevent him from falling.

“I-I’m okay.” He said to Mar. “That… just took a bit more mana then I was expecting.”

“... Yeah but it worked out alright.” The girl suddenly spoke, yet curiously to her own sword. “Can’t you give me some credit, you little bug?”

Both adventurers looked at each other puzzled by the girls' strange behavior. Then, her sword burst into light, transforming into a small humanoid creature.

“If you recall, I’m the one who informed you of where those orcs were lurking and when they were going to strike.” It said, “And I will not be referred to as an insect!”

“Doesn’t mean you were doing all the work. I was the one risking my neck out there.”

“Which you would not have to if you’d heeded both of our insistence of not rising in foolishly.”

“Wh-What in the goddess-!” Mar finally blurted out in shock. Soma too reeled with surprise, feeling the little girl hiding at his back.

Finally, both the girl and the strange creature took note of their shock.

“What?” The girl said.

“Is that a… fairy?” Soma asked. Fairies were long held as myths connected to the tower of Serendipity, long thought of as nothing more then just a myth. Yet Soma knew that all myths were based on something in the past.

The question seemed to throw both the girl and the fairy creature off. “O-Of course not! Everyone knows fairies are but a thing of myths and legends to you humans.” The creature said quickly.

“Uhh…. Don’t mind her. She’s a familiar.” The girl responded just as awkwardly. “You know… mine…”

“A familiar? Yours?” Soma said. “But… you don’t seem to be a wizard. As far as I know, you need a certain aptitude in the magical practices in order to summon one. And I certainly never heard of a familiar that can turn into a weapon.”

“O-Oh, really?” The girl scratched her head. “Uh… it’s kinda complicated.”

“Well. Whatever the case, thanks for the help.” Mar said to her. “We were waiting for the orcs to jump us. I’ll be honest, just waiting for it was giving me goosebumps.”

“By the way…” Soma looked at an orc corpse with an arrow jutted from its back. “I assume you have a partner,”

“Yeah my sis-” the girl then looked startled. “Crap! I forgot about Liana!”

“Silica! Jil!” A voice suddenly echoed in the stalagmite forest. A lone, blue haired girl emerged, a manasite rock in her right hand and a bow in her left. If Soma had to guess, that was the archer.

“I believe she is in perfect health,” the creature said.

“Yo! Over here!” The silver haired girl waved as the archer. “Nice shooting up there.”

“Your support was invaluable as always, Liana.”

“Ha, don’t mention it.” The archer said. She then turned to the boys, locking a strand of her hair behind her ears. “Are you two okay?”

“Y-yeah. It’ll take more than a bunch orcs and goblins to take me out,” Mar said. Soma couldn’t help but notice the boy flustering.

“Thanks for the help. A second later and I fear my barrier would have failed,” Soma said.

“Don’t worry about it,” The girl withdrew her bow. “My names Liana.” She introduced herself. “That’s my Sister Silica and her farmilier Jil.”

“Heya.”

“Greetings,”

This puzzled Soma. Despite being called a sister, there was no family resemblance at all from hair, eyes and even facial features. Though it would certainly be rude to point it out.

“You’re… sisters?” Mar though voiced it. Though both girls just shrugged it off.

“That’s pretty much everyone’s reaction,” Silica chuckled.

“I see,”. Mar nodded. “Names Mar.”

Soma took a step towards it. “I’m Soma. Thanks once again for your help.” He then felt a tug on his bag. Behind him the girl was hiding, understandably weary of the newcomers. “Don’t worry. They won’t hurt you,”

Liana took notice of the girl. “Hey there. Are you alright?” She said with a warm smile, leaning her body.

The girl still refused to speed, but did slowly emerge from her hiding place.

“Geez, you really went through a lot, huh?” Silica and Jil aproched. Silica crouched down with Jil fluttering over her right shoulder. “Are you from Fawn?”

The girl said nothing.

“.... Uh, you know… the town up above.”

The girl said nothing.

“..... So what’s your name?”

The girl said nothing.

“I sense great fear. “ Jil said. “She is terrified.”

“I can tell that much,”

“She…. she has not the will to speak for herself.”

“Poor thing,” Liana said. “She must have seen some truly awful things,”

“Relax kid. We’re adventurers. You can count on us to keep you safe?” Silica said with a bright smile. “Any orcs even look at you and me and Jil’ll cut them into little pieces.”

“That sounds particularly morbid…” Jil added.

“So you're both adventurers?” Mar asked a question that was certainly overdue.

“Yes. We were sent here by Yanes to help with the assault,” Liana explained.

“Yanes? The clerk from the guild?” Soma asked. He briefly remembered meeting him in the guild shortly after joining Mar.

“Yeah, that's him,” Mar said resting on his spear. “That would mean you ran into Braum and the others in the camp.”

“The… camp?” Silica slowly stood up. Soma noted her cheerful expression was giving way. “You two were from that camp?”

“That’s right.” Soma nodded. “We found a cave that took us into the mines.”

“Though there was an orc attack just before we ducked in here.” Mar carried on. “Hey, you saw the camp right? How bad was it? Do they have enough men to launch the attack?”

Neither sister replied. The conflicted looks they exchanged with one another were enough for a pit to form in Soma’s gut.

“What?” Mar was yet to pick up with the impending bad news.

“Uh… well,” Silica scratched the back of her head. “Y-You see uh… thing is-”

“The human camp was completely destroyed.” Jil finished off Silica’s thoughts.

“J-Jil!”

“It is the truth. Concealing the truth would benefit none.”

“D-Destroyed?” Mar took a step back. He looked to Liana who nodded, not daring to look either one in the eye. “W-What about the adventurers? Braum and the others?”

“We… Found their bodies,” Liana said softly. “I’m sorry… but I don’t think anyone survived.”

The news left a somber tension in the air. Soma had a feeling that was the case, a sense of guilt eating at his conscience.

“No way… even Braum…” In frustration, Mar slammed his spear on the ground, stomping his foot. “Damn it! If I’d been there-!”

“You would have died like the others…” Soma said coldly.

“H-Hey-!” Mar was about to say something but noticed Soma’s hands clutching his staff tightly, his upper lip trembling. The crystal moved back and forth. Mar calmed down, resting on his spear. “So… what do we do now?” He asked.

“Obviously we go in deeper and take out the bastard responsible for all this.” Silica declared with such vigor that it shocked both Mar and Soma, grinning as she pounded her hand in her fist. Liana and Jil however sighed with silent disapproval. It was clear they were not of one mind.

“Y-You’re serious?” Soma couldn’t help but ask in disbelief.

“Unfortunately,” Jil said. She exchanged a frown with Silica who paid her no mind.

“Just the three of you…?”

Liana nodded.

“That's…. Pretty reckless. You don’t look particularly experienced as adventurers.”

“I did just leave home yesterday,” Silica said with a straight face, earning her a frown from her familiar and a weary smile from her sister.

“Wh-Would you like to come with us?” Liana asked. “After all, we’d have more of a shot at taking down the warboss with more people.”

“Yeah. You two really held your own against the orcs after all. I think we’ll be unstoppable with your help.” Silica added.

“.... Count me in,” Mar said almost instantly. “I’ll make those green skin bastards pay for what they’ve done.”

“..... Me too,” Soma said bravely. “I brought us here. It’s only right I see this through to the end.” He then felt something tug at the back of his tunic. The girl was still there, staring up at him and the others. So overcome by grief, Mar and Soma had forgotten she was still here.

“.... What about her?” Liana asked. “If we’re going deeper into the mines we can’t take her with us.”

“Oh… right,” Mar nodded. “We should get her back to Tesctan at least.”

“If your going up against that warboss you’ll need all of your strength combined. I can handle the girl,”

Silica nodded. “Thanks Fay.”

“Yes. We are-” Jil began before stopping herself. Silica too looked blank. Slowly, both of them looked behind.

“Yo again,”

There was a brief and awkward silence before both Silica and Jil jumped back in surprise. Standing behind them was a strange girl with painted on whiskers and blood-red eyes.

“F-Fay?” Jil stuttered.

“Where did you come from?!” Silica exclaimed out loud.

“Secret.” The girl Fay said, earning her a blank glare from both girls.

Soma and Mar though we’re both confused by the girl’s sudden appearance. Not only that, Soma felt something about her was… off. It was difficult for him to grasp it, but there was an aura he could feel around everyone, a perk of being a wizard and opening one’s mind to phenomena beyond natural limits. Yet from this girl, he felt nothing at all.

“Is she… a friend of yours?” Soma ended up asking Liana who smiled whirly.

“Something like that….”

“So… are you an adventurer too?” Mar asked the girl directly.

“Eh, sort’a,” she shrugged.

The little girl poked her head out from behind Soma. As with Silica, Liana and Jil she was wary of the newcomer. Fay noticed the girl.

“You must’ve been though hell, huh?”

She approached the girl, who still cowered behind Soma. Fay crouched down to the girls level. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small paper windmill.

“Here,” she extended it to the girl. Hesitantly, she took it. “It’s supposed to ward off evil. Or… bad spirits or… I donno. But it’s fun to look at.”

The girl said nothing, but her eyes gazed at the windmill in amusement.

“So,” Fay stood back up. “I get the kid outta here.”

“Really?” Mar asked hopefully. “Thanks. That’ll be a big help.”

“Oh, and while your at it, could you drop by the guild and tell them what’s happened?” Liana asked.

“Sure.” Fay nodded before extending her hand to Liana. “500 libs.”

“Seriously…?” Silica glared.

“Hey, I need to eat too and I gave you one freeby already.”

“But… we’re talking about a little girl here!” Mar snapped. “You call yourself an adventurer?”

“No. And least you forget, most adventurers would never lift a finger unless coin is thrown their way,” Fay’s reply silenced Mar. “And I’ll get the kid outta here for free. I do have a conscience.”

“Coulda fooled me,” Silica muttered under her breath.

“… Okay,” Soma brought out his purse. “There’s a man in the guild called Yanes. Please tell him what’s happened to the army.” He handed Fay the money. The girl slotted them into her fingers, playfully examining the coins before closing her fist. The coins vanished without a trace.

“Still think your rippling is off…” Silica pouted.

“True, but there’s no denying our need,” Jil said glaring at Fay.

“Alright kiddo.” Fay addressed the girl. Let’s get you outta here.”

The girl hesitated, looking up at Soma.

“It’s alright,” Soma nodded at her with a smile.

The girl slowly moves out from Soma’s back, the paper windmill clutched close to her breast.

“Atta girl,” Fay nodded.

“Will you be okay on your own?” Mar asked. “There’s goblins near the entrance-”

“I can look after myself.” Fay walked away, ushering the girl to her side. Before she left, Fay took one last look at Silica. “And uh… watch your back.” With a wave, Fay and e girl disappeared into the darkness.

“She’s…. gonna be fine right?” Silica asked out loud.

“I… I believe she will be,” Jil said with a hand to her heart. The darkness returned around the new party, light emanating from manasite stones that both Silica and Liana held along with the crystal.

“So we’re all in agreement,” Soma said. “If we take out the war boss, the hoard will tear itself apart.”

“That’s the idea,” Silica nodded.

“So where do we start looking?” Mar asked, “Bet that bastards somewhere in the darkest depths of this mine,”

“It would make sense if it’s closer to the ruin,” Soma said.

“I…. Believe we’ve seen him,” Jil said.

“Yeah…. I think it went into the ruin along with its guards.” Liana said.

“What?! He actually went in?!” Soma’s eyes widened. “Oh this is bad… really bad…”

“It is?” Silica said puzzled, resting her hands on the back of her head.

“If my theory about that ruin is correct, it is,” Soma nodded. “We need to get moving,”

“R-right,” Silica nodded. “So… where too?”

“We were trying to find a way down before we ran into that little girl,” Mar explained, pointing off into the darkness along the lakeshore. “We came from over there.”

“Well, let’s go,” Liana said as the party set off across the lake.

Mar led the way, retracing the steps the two of them had taken before diverting back. While everyone looked ahead, Soma didn’t take his eyes off Jil. He didn’t know what to make of this strange pair of sisters, but there was one thing she was certain of.

That’s not a familiar.

****

Sindy followed the strange girl as they trudged along through the darkness. The windmill she had been given twirled, giving her a calm she had not yet encountered in the hell she had.

“So… you got a name?” The girl asked.

Sindy wanted to say her name, but nothing came out.

“Still can’t talk?”

Sindy nodded.

“Ha, know how you feel. Don’t think I spoke much before,” The girl continued. “Names Fay by the way.”

Sindy nodded. The girl Fay smiled back. They continued forwards until Fay came to a quick stop. “Hold up.”

She reached into her small pouch. Sindy watched as she fumbled around before pulling out a small metal fruit-shaped object. “Cover your ears.”

Sindy did as she was told as Fay pulled something from it and threw it down a tunnel. A loud boom and blast shocked Sindy, dust and rubble blasted from the cover. A goblin crawled out from the hole, arm missing and covered in dust.

“Stay back,” Fay strolled towards and slashed at the goblin with a small sword, cutting off its head.

Another shriek made Sindy jump.

“Rats, guess that woke them up.” Fay examined her weapon. “Nope,” She sheathed it and fumbled into her bag. Ahead, the orange tinge of flame could be seen in the distance. Sindy began to tremble. The flames, the scattering sound and the shreaks, it was more goblins.

“This should do it.”

From the small pouch, Fay drew out a large weapon from it. It looked similar to a rifle the soilders had, but bigger. Trailing along the side was a funny looking belt with small pointed cones fastened in it leading down into the small pouch.

“Might wanna cover your ears again,”

As soon as the creature came into view, light began to flash as a horrible sound echoed throught the chamber. Sindy closed her eyes and covered her ears to blot out both the noise and the blinding lights.

The noise and light went out as suddenly as it appeared. Fay let the weapon drop by her side, the tip glowing red and smoldering.

“May have gone a bit overboard,”

Opening her eyes, all Sindy could see in the small torchlights discarded on the ground were goblins laying on the ground like those in the town, a spider with holes peppering its front. With the weapon still smoldering, Fay shoved the weapon back into her small pouch, the weapon vanishing completely.

“Alright, let’s go before more show up.”

With the windmill clutched in her hands, Sindy followed Fay above the mound of goblin corpses.

****

The orc patrols met after completing a full sweep of their designated cavers. Fifty orcs in total searched and found no sign of danger that Golga alerted them to.

“Anything?”

“Na. If dere were da goblins would have alerted us to deir presence.”

“With their cowardly screams no doubt.”

Several orcs chuckled, while others grunted with frustration. They had been in the island for four sunsets, forcing the humans to excavate the strange ruin on orders of the warlock. It was unclear as to what it was, only that the goblin Tek was here to claim what it was the warlock was after. Warboss Kuzak was given the black blade, a weapon of such awesome power that the warlock bestows on those picked as his agents.

As frustrating as it was for the seasoned warriors who would rather march on the human city, the warlock entrusted their clan with this task, their honor was at stake.

“Is di’s everyone?”

“Dare’s one more group yet to answer summons.”

A loud footstep echoed. The orcs turned to see the hulk of one of theirs sulking towards them.

“Bout time you showed your faces,” One orc grunted as the figure got closer. The torchlight etched first on the bloodied feet, then the scared chest, the missing right arm, and eyes staring off in the distance.

“D...Demon…” The orc croaked before falling to the ground. The orcs jumped, facing the fallen orc.

“The enemy!”

“They come!”

“Show yourself, cowards!”

Clanks echoed. Behind the fallen orc, a lone figure came into focus. A human in black armor, flowing purple hair, piercing blood-red eyes, a sword as large as his body, pulsing with an unnatural light. The human said nothing, heaving his sword out in front of him, pointing at the orcs before him.

It was a challenge. A warcry followed as three orcs accepted his challenge. As the orcs approached, the human charged himself, and in a mear four steps and three swings, the orcs fell to the ground as the black blade sliced through them like swatting an insect. The movement ended with the human swinging his blade out in front of him as the slain orcs hit the ground.

The sight of three of their brethren killed so easily by a human unnerved the orcs. An unease befell the cavern, both sides standing at the ready. The orcs inched closer, clutching both their weapons and torches. The man stood, changing his stance ever so slightly.

And then the man charged forward, his blade heald over his left shoulder as he launched himself in the fray.

A crescendo of bellows, the cracking of bones, the spilling of blood followed. Then, silence.

Only the human walked onwards, a mound of orc bodies behind him broken and bleeding.

“Jil…” He muttered, resting his weapon on his shoulders. His eyes flared at the mention of that name.