While certain things, that no one in a position of power within the Kingdom of Light wanted, happened, and things were set into motion, the Expeditions had made a decent amount of progress. Strangely enough, it was Mina’s Expedition, the one that was travelling the farthest distance, was the one which made the best time. This was due in part to the group of around 25, making use of Mina’s abilities using the Shadows. Though it was costly, it was also the most efficient way for them to arrive fast enough.

Although there was no exact time limit for them to do their training expeditions, this group was the one that needed to make the most of what time they had, at least as far as those of authority in the Kingdom were concerned. Each of the soldiers in this group were highly trained, and they were utterly devoted to the Kingdom, well, certain members of it. They were members of the Nutricii Luminus; they brought the word of the Goddess of light to the masses. There were also rumors that they were responsible for the purifying of the faithless.

The group approached the entrance to the cave which housed the entrance to the Whispering Abyss. The vegetation and ground all seemed to darken and dim as they approached the cave, and haunting whispers could be heard leaving the cave, though they disappeared as soon as someone tried to hear what was said. The soldiers started to set up a camp a few meters outside the cave opening. The 5 Students approached the mouth of the cave, not yet entering, but standing just outside it; peering into the darkness that they would soon enter.

The jutting rock formations around the entrance resembled the crooked teeth of a massive maw of some long dead beast. The whispers from the cave picked up in intensity, as one of the group, a tall lanky woman, took a step forward. She was shaken out of her trance as the leader of the Soldiers, a shorter man, with a broad build, called out to them. “Oi, not time to enter yet, fall back, don’t want to lose you lot so early.” He spoke with a less cultured tone than most of those in the Kingdom who had some standing.

Though it was not too strange, considering where he was from, his accent and way of speaking was still a harsh difference from the eloquent flowing speech most of the Capital possessed. Mina stepped back from the cave and walked over to where the campfire was set up. The other students grabbed ahold of their daze friend and stepped back from the cave. As they did, the ambient animal noises picked up and the ominous whispers vanished, as if they were but a figment of their imaginations. Mina settled down in her spot, opposite the others, with the camp to her back, facing the cave.

As everyone settled in for evening, the leader approached the campfire and spoke in his rough voice. “You lot better rest up for tonight, in the morning we will start the incursion into the Cave, before making our way towards the abyss. Try not to go anywhere alone, or in small groups for that matter. We will keep the camp safe, but outside it, that is for something for you lot to worry about, not us.” He left, walking away with long strides, surprising for one his size, he made his way towards one of the largest tents, which would serve to house him, and act as a command tent as well, if needed.

As the soldiers moved away from the Campfire, the 4 students started talking amongst themselves. Mina was doing nothing, simply idling by the fire and keeping an eye on the cave, while nibbling on some rations. As the students stayed by the Campfire, several figures entered the command tent, as the last of them entered the Leader sat a prism shaped artifact on the table. It released a gentle pulse of light, which flickered before solidifying into a sphere around the tent that vanished into the surroundings soon after. The shorter man looked around at those assembled before nodding curtly.

He spoke in his gruff uncultured voice. “Good now we can begin.” He paused as he looked at each of them before continuing. “You all know why we are here. Officially we are escorting and guiding this group of Heroes, to help them bring out their potential. In truth the Kingdom could care less for these weaklings, if they happen to become stronger through a baptism of death and fighting, so be it. Our target and their main concern is the only one of strength, Hasegawa Mina, one Blessed by one of those in opposition to our Goddess.”

He paused for a moment as he sat a map, one of the few existing of the Cave, on a table they were all centered around. “We will not be acting right away, if it was just a matter of killing her, it would be simple. We could just make it look like an accident, lure some monsters or demons from the depths of the cave, or perhaps even the Abyss itself. Unfortunately they want her alive; she is to be traded to one of the surrounding countries, to their Hero, to cement relations.”

He paused as one of the other rolled another map over the first, and placed some figurines on it. “From how she fights, she will most likely operate separately from the other fools. Those 4 will probably stay together and stay in the upper levels for a while, this will aid in our purpose. She is stronger than them, and is more skilled than some of us even. What we will do, is tail her, as she descends, our stealth abilities are no less than her own, so we should be capable of doing this with relative ease.”

The others in the tent nodded in assent before the Leader raised a hand and spoke out. “However we should still wait to act, probably until the second day or so. This will be better, as we will be able to get accustomed to her actions and figure the best way to do what we need to. We have done this before, so I don’t need to tell you your roles.” He paused for a moment before crossing an arm to his chest and exclaiming. “For the Light.” Each of the others present did the same, before he disabled the artifact and the others filed out of the tent.

Unknown to those waiting outside the Cave, within the Abyss, a figure that had until recently languished, was making movements. A figure, dressed in crimson, and with a figure most would either be envious of or gawk at, depending upon their gender. She had long hair, down to her waist, colored the crimson of fresh blood, a dark vivid red. Her skin was pale and smooth, unmarred, but for the horns emerging from her head. She was standing in front of a throne, the same one she had been draped over before. She strode over to the throne and grabbed something behind it, a massive crimson broadsword.

The Sword was longer than she was tall and it was wider than she was. It was more akin to a strangely shaped shield than a sword. Despite its size and her apparent lack of muscles, she could move it about with long practiced ease. She swiftly strapped it across her back before she started walking forward. As she left the Throne room, fluttering words could be heard. “Come old friend, let us find my love.” When her presence disappeared a raucous noise could be heard, it sound like the roaring and screeching of demonic beasts. The walls started to crumble as the sounds picked up in intensity.