Holden ad the others made their way west. It took some time, and stumbling around in the dark before they finally came across the cave Leanna was talking about. By the time they found it, the sun was already starting to rise from the east.


    “Well, here we are,” Holden said, looking at the cave entrance with both determination and anxiety. He wasn’t sure exactly what they would come across once they stepped inside. There were still so many unknowns. Who was really behind all this? What was their motive? Were they really even in the cave? Was Elliandra even still alive? All of these questions whirled around in Holden’s mind, causing him to grit his teeth and clench the hilt of his dagger in frustration.


    Sable, on the other hand, had been preoccupied with the ominous presence that had been following them. The cait-sith knew it was the wraith Leanna had been calling Morlx. However, Sable couldn’t get comfortable around the invisible entity. He was concerned about Elliandra, too, but worries about what would happen to them once they all began their trek into the mine weighed heavily on the cait-sith’s heart. He didn’t trust this Morlax creature, nor was he sure their group had the strength to deal with this unknown enemy. However, Sable kept the worries to himself as the entire group stepped into the cave.


    Things seemed normal at first. The cave was narrow and dark. The group had glowing stones to provide them with light, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, once they emerged from the narrow passageway into a small cavern filled with glowing purple stones on the walls, everything changed.


    The entire group was overcome with nausea and dizziness. However, it quickly disappeared as they all felt a warm sensation covering their entire body.


    Holden and the others started patting himself all over, wondering where this warm sensation was coming from. Only Atticus had a clue as to what the sensation was.


    “We’re being protected by magic,” Atticus said. “It’s a rank two protection spell that provides a thin layer of magic to protect multiple people. It’s often cast on soldiers when going into battle.”


    “I guess Morlax really did help us,” Holden said, still feeling a little woozy. “Let’s keep going.”


    Holden took the lead with daggers in hand, and Sable still on his shoulders. The two of them had the sharpest senses, making them the perfect duo for scouting at the front of the group. The cave passages twisted and turned, leading the group through several more caverns, until they found themselves within a massive cavern filled with enormous outcroppings of delirium. Even with the magic protection from Morlax, the delirium’s effects slowly started to break through.


    Holden stumbled forward, barely catching himself in time to stay standing. “what is this? I thought the magic would protect us.”


    Sable dug his claws into Holden’s coat, trying to keep himself from falling off. “The amount of delirium is much denser here. A rank two protection spell probably isn’t enough to ward off the side effects.


    Holden and Sable began looking around for a place they could flee to. That was when they noticed a building on the far side of the cavern. Seeing as there was nowhere else to go except back the way they came, Holden decided they would press forward, hoping that the walls of the building would block off the effects of the delirium. “Everyone, head toward that building.”


    Holden and the others sprinted as fast as they could. The nausea and dizziness was started to overwhelm them. However, the managed to make it to the building. There was a large metal door that Holden had to pick the lock to before everyone rushed inside.


    The moment the door closed behind them, a wave of relief washed over the entire group. The effects of the delirium dissipated, allowing the whole group to regain their faculties.


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    Sable groaned as he felt the dizziness, along with the warm sensation of Morlax’s magic, disappear. “That sucked. I’m not looking forward to going back through that place when we leave.”


    Holden nodded in agreement also feeling Morlax’s protection disappear. “Yeah. Did anyone else notice the spell protecting us is gone?”


    The others nodded their heads, causing Holden to sigh. “Not sure whether Morlax is just out of magic. Or he couldn’t follow us in ere for some reason. Either way, we should look around. Where exactly are we?”


    The entire building looked completely empty. It had a tall ceiling, and a cold concrete floor. Several support beams held up the roof. There was also a long hallway on the far side of the building, but nothing else seemed to be present.


    There was nowhere else to go, so they all headed toward the hallway, when the suddenly heard a deep voice echoing in all of their heads.


    “What are you doing here?”


    Sable stood up, while his claws dug into Holden’s shoulder, causing the man to wince. “Sable, stop. That hurts.”


    “What was that? Sable asked, still gripping Holden with his claws. “Was that a ghost? Is this place haunted by the mad souls of deceased miners?”


    “Cat, use your head. It’s probably just someone projecting their thoughts into all of our heads using magic.”


    Atticus drew his sword as his eyes darted around, looking for enemies. “It’s definitely unnerving. I wonder if this is the same mage who’s been using teleportation magic to kidnap the missing officials.”


    “Missing officials,” The voice said with a hint of wonder in their voice. “Oh. Yes. The missing officials. The Leudox. You’re here for the prosecutor.”


    Holden gnashed his teeth. Brimming with anger, he shouted back at the mysterious voice. “Where is she? I swear, if you hurt her, I’ll-.”


    “Don’t bother with threats. Your insignificance is apparent. A man with no magic has no chance in a fight.”


    “You’re starting to sound like a magic supremist. Who are you with? The Followers of Balmusk? Or are you just some mage working for Lamyros, or the Arclight Kingdom?”


    “Wrong on all accounts, detective. We are associated with none other than ourselves. We are the voice of the ones who have been abused by society. Use as tools to further its prosperity. The luxuries, and wealth you and the rest of Chrimoria enjoy is built on the backs of our kind’s suffering. Though we don’t see you and your companions as enemies, we also don’t see you as allies.”


    “It sounds like you’re saying you want justice for all of the corruption in Chrimoria. Then why wouldn’t we be allies? Why kidnap Elliandra? She’s your best shot at punishing the wrongdoers.”


    The deep voice howled with anger. “Is she, though? Do you know how deep the corruption within Chrimoria has spread? It as taken root in all aspects of the city. This city. It’s economy. The very well-being of its citizens is only guaranteed by the crimes of the upper echelons. Chrimoria is flooded with blood money.


    “Even you, detective, have drank from Chrimoria’s coffers. Yet I can’t blame you for your ignorance any more than the prosecutor. You are both people trying to do right in an unjust world. I can give you that much. But you and I still cannot be allies, for you would never support my goal.”


    “Oh, yeah,” Holden replied, raising an eyebrow. “And what goal is that?”


    A cloaked figure then appeared out of the hallway. His entire boy was shrouded in shadows. It was impossible to identify him, but Sable could sense magic coming from them.


    “Holden, that’s the mage.”


    The cloaked figure all of a sudden changed their appearance. Holden and the other’s jaws just about fell to the floor when they saw what was underneath, and Holden couldn’t stop himself from glancing over at Sable.


    Sable eyes also went wide, because he had seen the one beneath the cloak. She had been on his mind every day and night ever since he had been freed from the fairy traffickers’ clutches. “The Red Pixie.”