I am back! Expect regular updates from today. And sorry for the short hiatus. But it was a nice change of pace, to take a break after 110+ days of continuous writing. But now, due to the hiatus. I have to find my flow and get into it yet again. It’s a chore. But hopefully, I will manage.

Anyways, stay safe in this Omicron outbreak. Stay tuned! Enjoy!

*********

“What’s the hurry?” A grim voice that did not belong to anyone of the party sounded through the tunnel, sending a chill through everyone’s spines.

“You should meet my babies first.”

Everyone abruptly turned towards the source. The torches were long gun. The leader, Dorian, used flame magic to blaze the tip of his spear, lighting the tunnel.

Just a bit away, there was an entrance just like the one back at the hot spring- an entrance to a bigger space.

Nothing could be seen inside, at least not from that angle. Nevertheless, none had the courage to check. Everyone had their feet a step back, ready to flee.

“Run.” Dorian whispered.

In the dead silence, his soft order sounded like a royal decree. Without further ado, everyone ran with craze at the opposite direction, using the magical energy and even life force to the fullest.

But before they could even pass ten meters, they came to a halt. The passage forward was blocked by earth, as if the path never existed in the first place.

“How rude!” That stranger voice sounded again, echoing repeatedly through the space. “You should listen to your seniors.”

The wall of earth block the road began to rumble forwards to them, inch by inch, meter by meter. Everyone’s heart at their throats. Even the veterans had their legs trembling and palms sweating.

Were they trapped in a death zone? Was it the end?

Dorian’s heart slowed down, almost to a stop- not for his fear of death, but guilt for bringing his whole team to its doom.

“Aaaaaaaah!” He used his life force to the fullest. His greying beard began to whiten at a visible rate. He positioned his spear beside his chest, the tip pointing at the approaching wall and elbow bent to its maximum.

Fiery energy began to coil around the spear-head. The velocity and the magnitude of the fire increased every moment. Soon, a fiery drill rotated at breakneck speed, absorbing all the heat from the air.

“Aaaaaaah!” He drove the spear forward with a speed that surpassed that of sound.

*Boom!*

Clusters of earth blasted off. A three meter wide hole appeared in the thick wall, and the spear kept on drilling- grinding the arch with a buzzing soul.

His beard turned completely white. Before he could drill any further, Bron rushed forward and pulled him back. The spell was interrupted and the drill died down.

“Stop it!” Bron nudged Dorian awake. “The wall is as thick as the walls around us. Remember the map… this pathway, it didn’t exist.”

The white bearded Dorian’s eyes twitched. Yes. There wasn’t supposed to be a tunnel in this direction. The tunnel that led to the death zone he knew was angled a bit to the east. They failed to notice this because of the heat of the previous battle.

Bron continued, “And don’t think this is your fault. You are stubborn, but not rash. You made a reckless decision, and despite our experience, we followed… why do you think this happened?”

Everyone widened their eyes in understanding, and horror.

The being at the death zone. It could affect minds? Since the beginning, it was a trap?

“Hohoho!” The grim voice laughed. “What do we have here? Someone who carries the bloodline of Ervil? It has been years since I last saw someone like you. Welcome! Welcome to my humble abode.”

The incoming wall paced up. The massive hole at the centre began to heal. Soon, the clump of earth was as good as new.

“We have no choice now.” Dorian sighed. “I am sorry everyone. It’s my fault.”

“What have I just said?” Bron lightly punched the leader’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Since we are at the death zone, the region everyone in the entire continent fears- even more so than the unexplored parts of Northern Wilderness, we can be considered lucky.” He forced a smile. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if we die before witnessing what lurks in one of these so called death zones? And who knows? We might be the first ones ever to escape and tell the tale?”

The veterans took in a deep breath and heaved out their chest.

“Would not be such a bad death I guess.” Vienna smiled. “I don’t have a home back in the city anyway.”

“My wife is brave. And so are my sons.” The other archer thumped his chest. Two drops of tears slid down from his eyes. “They will understand.”

“The guild will protect them.” Vienna grabbed his shoulder.

The scarred man nodded, wiping off his tears. “Maybe they will get better foods in their platter this way. The Arbiter is benevolent.”

Dorian sighed and turned to Bron. “I should have bestowed leadership upon you earlier.” His voice sounded more aged. “But-“

“I know. Nobles wronged you before. But doesn’t matter, I would have won it anyways later.” Bron winked.

Dorian finally turned to the rookies. “Sorry kids, I have been a bad mentor, dragging you down with us.”

The two amateurs were the ones with the most turbulent emotions. Their whole bodies were shaking uncontrollably and their heartbeats were almost audible. Tear stains covered their entire faces. They were young after all.

Simon stayed silent. But Ruford, the braver of the two opened his mouth. “It’s fine, sir.” He barely uttered. “We were ready to die. We are extra mouths to feed in our families anyway.”

Dorian took in a deep breath. “At least those two are safe. They are the future of our guild.”

He turned back and darted his eyes through everyone.

“Let’s go!”