“I can’t thank you enough.” Deidra says as she takes the reformed mask from Echo, the design identical to the original that she destroyed.

“I said don’t worry about it.” Echo repeats with an annoyed expression.

Taking his attention away from the exchange, Crimson looks down at his own new piece of equipment. The matte black color of it leaving no reflection even in direct light, the negligible weight contrasting the sturdiness of the material.

“You going to put it on or just stare at it?” Mon asks with an impatient look.

Rolling his eyes, he pulls the straps of the mask over his head. Blinking slightly as the material brushes his eyelashes, he eventually sets it and looks back at his team.

“He is certainly more intimidating now,” Deidra comments as she looks at him. “His eyes are still very…”

Crimson quickly moves his eyes, releasing her from his gaze.

“Hypnotic,” She finishes with a shake of her head. “How is he going to wear his glasses with those on?”

“I figured he wouldn’t want to rely on those glasses all the time so I added a little something,” She says as she steps up to him. “It should be right here…”

She runs her hands alongside mask until she finds what she’s looking for. As she pulls a small switch, the clear glass that once covered his eyes is replaced with the same dark glass of his hypnotic blocking glasses.

“Wow,” Crimson says in surprise. “This is…something else.”

“I know,” Echo says with a cross of her arms and a tilt of her head. “Probably my best work yet, feels like it took me forever.”

“Are you sure the glass won’t break?” Deidra asks concerned, peering into the mask.

“If it gets hit hard enough to break, he’ll have more important things to worry about,” She says, flicking the glass with her finger. “It’s just as tough as the new glass in your helmet, just without the steel mesh to keep it out of your eyes if it does break.”

“I still don’t see why you don’t just sell your stuff and make a fortune,” Crimson comments. “I mean; I have no doubt people would pay a lot of…platinum for these.”

“What’s the point in making something if you never get to see it used?” Echo retorts quickly.

“Fair.” He relents, taking off the mask as he does. “Thanks though, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

“Of course you couldn’t have, you didn’t even know making something like that was possible.” She says with joking snark.

“Stroke your ego somewhere else,” Crimson responds with a wave of his hand. “Does Mon get one?”

“I didn’t want one,” Mon answers, cutting off Echo in the process. “I can’t bite with it on.”

Everyone nods at the assessment, the oddity of the statement not meaning much to them anymore.

“I’m going to return Kiln’s mask.” Deidra announces as she stands up.

“I’ll come too, want to show him the new version.” Crimson says as he stands up as well.

“Oh, he wants to show off his new toy.” Echo teases as she sits back on her bunk.

Crimson nods his head, not giving her the satisfaction of his frustration as he follows Deidra out of the room. After a few seconds of following Deidra, Crimson realizes he has no idea where Kiln’s team’s room is.

“Do you know where he is?” He asks, causing her to stop and turn.

“They are closer towards the ends of the hall.” She answers as she returns to walking.

“How’d you figure that out?” Crimson asks, not remembering having seen any of Kiln’s team in the last few weeks.

“I ended up finding Tox after our training one day,” She explains. “I bumped into her on my way back to the room.”

“Was that the day I went to help Echo find Mon?” He questions.

Deidra nods as she stops in front of the middlemost door in the hall. Knocking on it they wait a few seconds before Hen opens the door.

“Heya, what y’all need?” He asks.

“I was hoping that Kiln was here, I have something for him.” Deidra answers.

“Kiln!” Hen yells into the room.

A few seconds later Kiln appears in the doorway, Hen leaving soon after.

“I apologize for damaging your equipment,” Deidra announces with a deep bow. “Echo managed to repair it.”

Deidra reveals the mask to Kiln, the later looking at in stunned. He slowly takes it into his hands, handling it like a dainty flower. After a moment he snaps back to his sense and looks at Deidra who is still bowing.

“Please, cease that,” He asks, releasing Deidra from her position. “It wasn’t your fault it was damaged, nor was it your duty to have it repaired. Even then I thank you, this is a kindness I intend to repay.”

“No need,” She denies quickly. “I know what it’s like to have something precious damage.”

Kiln nods his head knowingly before putting his hand out to Deidra. Deidra takes it readily.

“If you require my assistance, you need only ask.” He says as they shake.

The shake ends with both of them smiling, and Crimson standing there awkwardly, until he notices Hen, Fik, Bellona, and Tox moving equipment in the room.

“What’s that all about?” He asks, drawing Kiln’s attention.

“Ah, we have a job next week,” He explains. “We are going around the Crevice so we are packing extra equipment for the long journey.”

“We’re actually heading through it in about a month,” Crimson informs. “What’s your job?”

“We are to check on a team that never returned,” He says with a grim face. “They were supposed to be back a few weeks ago.”

“Any idea what happened?” Deidra questions.

“They were apparently hunting a rather rare monster,” He reveals. “No information on what it was.”

“Well, if you get in trouble try to make a lot of noise,” Crimson says with a grin. “Maybe we’ll be in the area to help.”

“I will be sure to remember that,” He responds with a soft chuckle. “Luck be in your future.”

With that he closes the door. Crimson then remembers why he came in the first place and groans at his forgetfulness.

Deidra looks at him and laughs slightly. “Perhaps next time.”

“Yeah,” He says, his stomach growling slightly. “Feel like getting breakfast? I’m starved.”

“Sure, you’re going to need the energy,” She responds with a smile. “We only have another month to get you into shape.”

Crimson’s shoulders sag at the thought of getting beaten up further, the food sounding less appealing.

Crimson rolls under another kick and narrowly moves his head to avoid a maul. As another kick threatens to crash into his skull, a claw interrupts the attack. Quickly moving away from the attackers he retreats back, followed by Mon as they reorient themselves. Vulture and Grunt look at them with impressed expressions.

“Well, you both have certainly improved. I wasn’t expecting this good of…” Vulture starts but trails off.

“Synergy?” Grunt says with a grunt.

“I was thinking more…pack mentality?” She corrects, giggling slightly at the pun.

“Really?” Crimson remarks with an annoyed face. “That’s all you could come up with?”

“I don’t see you trying ranger.” She counters with a cross of her arms.

“Well, done you two,” Grunt announces, walking up to Mon and Crimson. “I’m sure Fey would be impressed…or at least mildly amused.”

Clapping both of them on the back hard enough to shove them, he walks off towards the door to Stena.

Crimson looks over to Mon to see her sporting a happy grin. A smile comes to his face as well; the sound of familiar footsteps drawing him out of the stupor. Turning, he spots a bruised and batter Deidra and Echo.

“Certainly did better than us.” Echo admits sourly, nursing a bruised arm as she does.

“They are more agile than either of us,” Deidra says consolingly. “That and they match up better.”

“Yeah, your maul hits hard but it’s slow,” Mon explains, nudging Echo slightly. “You’re way better at dealing with monsters.”

“What do we do now?” She asks, attempting to change the subject.

“No idea,” Crimson says with a shrug. “Train more?”

“No more!” Mon yells in a pleading manner, falling dramatically to the ground.

“Perhaps a celebration before we leave?” Deidra recommends. “It’s not uncommon to have a feast before a big event, and going into the crevice seems apt.”

“We have a feast every night thanks to you,” Echo comments. “As much as I like your food, we’d have to do at least something on top of it.”

“I’ve got an idea,” Vulture announces, having not left yet. “Go grab any ingredients you need and maybe a change of clothes. Meet me outside the forest when you’re ready.”

Without another word she walks off, prompting the rest of them to do as she said.

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“Took you guys long enough,” Vulture says as she pushes off of the tree she was leaning on. “Let’s go.”

The four of them watch her strut into the forest, giving each other looks of confusion before following her.

After a few minutes, Mon’s boredom peaks as she runs up next to Vulture.

“Where are we going!” She yells.

Vulture doesn’t answer as she continues to walk forward until eventually coming up to a clearing. Crimson doesn’t see anything special until he notices a large assortment of weapons planted into the ground near the center of clearing. The weapons formed a horseshoe shape around a hole in the center.

“Welcome!” Vulture yells as she throws her hands up as if revealing a surprise.

“To wha- get away from the edge!” Crimson yells, but fails to stop her as Vulture swan dives into the hole.

Everyone sits there in silence as they ponder what just happened.

“Well, she’s dead,” Echo announces as she turns around to walk away. “I vote we just sleep for the rest of the week.”

“Woohoo!” A yell from Mon sounds as she jumps after Vulture.

With an annoyed pout Echo runs and jumps in after Mon. Crimson shrugs at Deidra before jumping in as well, the later jumping in after tightening her grip on the bag of ingredients she carried.

Crimson manages to hold in a scream as he flies down the hole. Just as he thought maybe he’d just jumped to his death, the hole begins to curve out into a slide as he continues to zip down it. The darkness continued for what felt like a minute before a soft blue light appeared down the tunnel. Bracing himself he expected to hit something hard but felt worse as warm liquid embraced him. He quickly swam out of the liquid, gasping for air as he breached. Looking around he quickly realizes this is some underground cavern. The ceiling was lined with stalactites, all dripping the liquid he was now immersed in. Hearing a chorus of laughter, he turns to see Mon, Echo, and Vulture on an embankment littered with furniture and other household equipment.

“Laugh all you want, I’m just happy none of us are dead.” He announces as he climbs onto the bank.

As he sits next to them he turns and sees Deidra splash into the water as well, sinking rather quickly due to her armor. Crimson nearly gets up in panic but calms as he sees her move to the surface with ease.

“How was the dip?” He asks as she walks out drenched.

“Wonderful, the future labor of cleaning my armor and the ruin of my ingredients truly made it worthwhile.” She says, using sarcasm to express her frustration.

“Oh don’t get your plates in a bundle.” Vulture says, ushering all of them towards a fire pit in the center of the cavern, surrounded by a multitude of chairs and what looks to be a couch.

She quickly sits them down in a chair before bending down in the fire pit and pulling out a chemical lighter. The instant it ignites the pit is engulfed in flames. Vulture quickly moves back, suffering only slight burns for her trouble.

“Always forget it does that.” She says as she sits down, the burns quickly healing.

Crimson goes to ask how this is any better but quickly shuts up as he feels the liquid soaking his clothes quickly evaporating. He looks around and notices the rest of them were experiencing the same thing.

“How?” Echo asks in confusion.

“It’s something about that liquid,” Vulture explains as she splays out on the couch. “No idea what it is, but fire makes it disappear real quick. Makes cleanup easy. Fey always had to be careful not to make the pool disappear when she came down here.”

“She’s been down here?” Crimson asks curiously.

“Every Hound has.” She says with a wave of her hand. “At least as far as I know. Kind of a hideout for them.”

“You’re a hound?” Crimson asks, staring at Vulture in confusion.

“No, I’m more of an honorary one if anything,” She admits. “I used to come here with Fey sometimes…back when there were other hounds.”

A dark atmosphere descends as she talks about the past, but she quickly moves clears it as she sits up.

“But now there’s you guys, this place is yours.” She says.

“Seems a bit too sentimental for people in our position.” Deidra comments as she looks around.

“Maybe, but it’s a fear of everyone’s to be forgotten,” Vulture explains. “This way they don’t, not really at least.”

“That’s what the weapons were?” Echo asks.

Vulture nods in confirmation. For a moment the Siren looks around, her eyes distant before she shakes her head and stands. She walks over towards an outcropping in the wall and pushes one of the larger stones out of the way, revealing a small room lined with bunks, chests of all kind, and numerous other things.

“Change it how you like.” She says as looks back towards them

“Thanks, but how do we leave?” Crimson asks.

She points towards a ladder leading to a hatch inside the room she just opened.

“Wait so why did we just jump in a hole to get here, if there’s a ladder?” Echo questions in exasperation.

“More fun.” An understanding Mon announces.

“Well, yeah. And something else,” Vulture says as she begins climbing the ladder. “You’ll figure it out when you leave, have fun.”

Crimson watches as her legs disappear, shaking his head at the absurdity.

“Well.” Deidra says, clearly out of words to describe what just happened.

Luckily a growl from Mon’s stomach sets them into motion as they begin preparing the food.

--------------------------------------------------

“Being honest,” Crimson says as he places his bowl onto the haphazard table next to his chair. “This isn’t what I expected.”

“Same,” Echo agrees. “Mon, did Fey ever mention anything like this?”

She shakes her. “No, but I smell her scent. It’s everywhere.”

“I guess that’s why you jumped in?” Crimson asks, a nod answering his question.

“Every warrior has their secrets,” Deidra announces. “We are no different.”

“Can’t argue with that.” He relents, leaning back into the chair.

As he looks around he begins to take in the rest of the cavern. The walls were lined with markings. Some drawings, a few tips for new hounds, and the odd tallies that Crimson couldn’t understand why they were there. Lived in is a good word for it, but it still seemed taken care of despite the lack of people coming in and out.

A splash sounds, pulling his attention away from the room and towards the pool.

“Mon!” Echo yells, the vibrations from her body sending ripples through the liquid. The sound even a bit distorted.

Mon is too busy laughing to respond, dragging herself and the smith further into the pool. Crimson chuckles at the antics, the thought of them simply swimming for fun seeming odd to him after the last three months.

“Watching this, it is almost alien to think they’ll be trekking through hostile territory within the week.” Deidra ponders.

“You say that like it won’t be the same for either of us.” Crimson retorts.

“This is more alien to me than a battlefield.” She admits with a sad grin. “And you don’t seem much like a swimmer.”

“Oh, want to bet?” Crimson asks, the dark shadow of the conversation disappearing.

As Deidra goes to respond a splash cuts her off. Looking towards the pool they see Mon and Echo sinking deeper into it with guilty expressions.

“You get Echo,” She says, already removing pieces of her armor. “I’ll catch Mon.”

Crimson nods as he tosses off his shirt and dives in after them, the offenders quickly scattering at his arrival.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crimson looks up the ladder Vulture had previously left through, the height of it dizzyingly tall.

“Who wants to go first?” He asks, his answer being Mon rushing up.

Shrugging he climbs up after her, the ascent taking nearly five whole minutes, he eventually pulls himself out of a hatch. Stepping up he turns to look for Mon to see her staring into the skyline, the tree they were now at the top of giving them a good view. Looking around he sees they are on a man-made platform with just enough room for about six people, the oddest bit being small lines of rope leading from the platform and down into the forest.

“Who thinks of something like this?” Echo asks, jealousy in her voice. “Like, seriously a slide to a secret cave that has an exit to the top of a tree…and I thought I had a good imagination.”

Crimson just shakes his head as he sits next to Mon, drinking in the view. The vibrant sunset masked slightly by the dense vegetation giving the world a warm orange glow.

“I can see why they did it though.” She finishes, the view silencing her talking.

For a few minutes they simply stare, until a distant roar shakes them from the trance.

“Well, I almost forgot where we were…almost.” Crimson says as he stands.

“Should we head back?” Mon asks. “It is pretty late.”

“I’m not sure how comfortable you all were with the not-water down there, but I want to shower…just in case.” She says as she looks over the edge. “How exactly do we get down though?”

Crimson flicks the rope attached to the side as a really, really bad idea enters his head. He looks over to see Mon doing the same.

“Race?” He asks, readying his bow.

“Winner gets first wash!” She yells, jumping onto the rope and zipping down to the forest below her.

Crimson quickly leaps after her, using his bow as a handle. Looking over he sees Mon’s padded hands easily withstanding the rope burn, but also causing her to slow. Crimson smiles in victory as he tucks in his legs, gaining even more speed as he hurtles down towards the forest floor.