《The Last Shelter》


 Chapter 1: Almost Home

    ¡°There¡¯s enough time to go around. It won¡¯t be too long before we reach the surface.¡±


    I did not know how much time had passed. The weight of my backpack pressed harder and harder, as the exhaustion was consuming me, bringing me closer to the cold floor of the cave.


    ¡®Rest, nobody will complain by you resting.¡¯ It tempted me, it made me want to just give up and succumb to the fatigue. The need to rest was so overwhelming, but I knew that the moment my efforts slipped up, darkness would overcome me, forever.


    ¡°Continue! The goal is just right up there.¡± The guards continue their efforts to maintain the pace and keep the mass body of people walking. The temperatures continued to drop, a sign that the surface was getting closer.


    Like a snake watching its prey, the monsters sneaking and hiding in their little holes were observing us. Silently waiting for the weak to drop and get detached from the main group. That way, they would be isolated from the protection of the guards and be easy prey.


    ¡°Hold on , if these idiots are not lying, we might see sunlight in just a couple of hours.¡± The old decaying man next to me said, trying to encourage me to keep going. If it wasn¡¯t for him, I might not have even made it back there on the bridge, for there were too many horrors aiming for my neck, and my will to live was vanishing.


    ¡°I get it, I get it. Our goal it¡¯s close by, I won¡¯t faint and drop dead.¡± I said to , who by some miracle of life, has become my only light in this dark tunnel.


    ¡°There you go boy, just a few steps, and this nightmare will end. No more dead skulls floating in the air, no more dead bodies moving when they should not be. And no more of those damn monsters that linger around these tunnels.¡±


    Like , I was sick of this. I did not know why I volunteered back then in the clan. My need to see the outside, to try and look behind those heavy walls. If I had not been selected,


    But even then, did I have a choice? It was a decision between adventuring to the distant views far away from the clan or dying as a dried-up, cold corpse in the alleys of the abandoned tunnels.


    It was never meant to be this way. Growing up, I remembered watching the expeditions come and go, full of hopes and visions of what awaited them on the distant horizon.


    They were like mysterious men to me. With their gadgets that performed numerous things, filling up every need that was required for survival.


    It was the hope of the clan. The expeditions were the blood required to make us thrive for an uncertain future. The clan specialized in expeditions, as that¡¯s where the money flowed.


    But times changed, and fortune moved elsewhere. The expeditions started to bring less and less. The deaths were piling up and people started to dread going on an expedition.


    The monsters became more frequent, and the dark ones started to invade our fragile minds. Soon enough, the Lord had to impose a law, ¡®Whoever selected avoided the expedition, was to be executed or thrown out of the gates.¡¯The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The new law worked for a while, but not for long. The heroes of the clan, people who I looked for and wished to become, started to leave for other clans within reach. The more unfortunate decided to hide in the intricate network of paths under the clan, to avoid being drafted.


    That¡¯s when my father had-


    ¡°Roney!¡±


    ¡°Huh!¡± My eyes became clear again, and what I saw in front of me made my soul leave my body. To the front, was a bottomless abyss, I was inches away from falling to my certain death.


    ¡°Oh boy, you sure are a handful, huh.¡± Said Ofar, while grabbing my body with every inch of strength that He could muster. If it wasn¡¯t for him, I might have just continued going straight and not even know how I died, for death in these tunnels comes too fast to even register in our poor minds.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± I said, taking my time to come to terms with the fact that my death was so close to me.


    Ofar held me until I became better, but here, that was just a wishful dream. When the guards took notice of our separation, they ignored us. Instead, continuing their duty of leading the mass body of ¡®ungrateful¡¯, as they called it, to the surface and the clan¡¯s walls.


    But not everybody was like that. An unremarkable guard took notice of our absence and began looking for us in a frantic manner, luckily for him, He quickly noticed our positions at the end of the group, just a little separated and isolated.


    He quickly made his way toward us, and in a young but panicked boy he said,


    ¡°What are you guys doing here!? Quickly, get into the group if you do not want to be a dead rat.¡±


    ¡°Oh boy.¡± Interrupted Ofar, in a slightly annoyed voice, ¡°Is it that your brain can¡¯t process your little friend over here, trying to die? He almost walked into his own grave! ! How ridiculous.¡± Ofar was practically bullying us two with his choice of words, but He could not be more far from the truth. It was my carelessness that led to this situation, and the main group was quickly leaving us behind.


    At some point, I started to hear whispers in my ear. It was as if someone was close by but far away at the same time. It creeped me out and felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown over my head.


    ¡°We need to go!¡± I said, feeling my heartbeat starting to accelerate, and my anxiety suddenly jumped up.


    ¡®Roney¡­¡¯ I suddenly started to hear my name close to my ears, first as a whisper and slowly becoming more loud and clear. Right there and then, I knew we were in deep problems if we did not manage to group with the others.


    Alex, the guard, started to notice our predicament right away. Armed with his weapons in hand, He practically shoved us into the front, urging us to keep going ahead while he kept at our back to prevent any unwanted interruption.


    The group was a decent meters away, but just this distance was enough for the creatures in the dark to try to show their fangs. From the corner of my eye, I saw shapes in the dark, moving, slithering, like a hunter observing its prey.


    Thanks to the wariness of our reliable guard, we were able to make it in time. As we integrated again into the group, a few people kept glancing at us weirdly, and I knew what they were thinking.


    ¡°Those damn rats sided together with the scum in armor.¡±


    ¡°Just ignore them, I bet that they do some special favors at night for that protection.¡±


    They were gossiping about us, not even in a disguised tone but right in front of us. It was as if morals were vanishing, our image thrown to the ground like we were trash not even worth it to be looked at.


    It was a sight all too frequent, there was a time when a small group got too brave and decided to venture on their own. Their luck was better than I predicted, but it still ran out.


    When they came back with half their size, clothes filled with holes, faces pale as a sheet, and blood gushing out of their wounds, it was as if trash just suddenly appeared.


    Those same people scolding and giving looks of disgust toward us did the same to them. It was like not a single shed of sympathy existed in their hearts. It was long extinguished the moment they were forced to be part of this expedition.


    Alex ensured we did not suffer any hidden damage that was overlooked, and after a few talks of comfort, He soon continued to join the other guards, who by now should have started to deduce his connection to us.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind them, they just don¡¯t know better.¡± Ofar tried to comfort me, helping me ignore the backstabbers that were numerous in our group. Through the journey, I had already gotten accustomed to this, but a few words of encouragement did wonders.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I will just continue my mindlessly walk,¡± I commented to Ofar, assuring him that I would not take to heart the comments of those idiots.


    With the guide of the ¡®watchers¡¯ at the front, we silently made our way through the desolated and vast tunnels of this cave. At times, the light emanating from my helmet allowed me to see the strange symbols of the Ancients marking the walls, covering the whole place.


    It was theorized that they were text, like messages, that the Ancient left for us. Supposedly it hides knowledge that would greatly help us advance and thrive under these hellish conditions. Nobody knew what it really meant, but perhaps understanding it might lead us to the last shelter, the supposed hope of our current world.

 Chapter 2: Hope?

    I once, like many others, grew around these glyphs and symbols. Imagining in my mind the multitude of possibilities that were possible if one was able to read it. These hopes did not bloom in groundless illusions.


    A house proclaimed to have been able to understand the glyphs of a particular artifact, and thereafter, they  became the only producer of enchanted armor in our clan.


    Not only did they outstrip the quality of production we were accustomed to, they exceeded our expectations and every now and then, produced equipment that only existed in our little minds.


    That¡¯s why they were the first to go with the Lord.


    ¡°This looks like an orc.¡±


    ¡°Sure does, Ofar.¡± It seemed like I had been lingering around the glyphs a little too much, for Ofar decided to satisfy his curiosity and see what I was up to.


    After a few turns and corners, the leaders of the expedition decided to stop the whole group and ordered everyone to start setting up simple tents and rest for the final stretch toward the surface.


    That¡¯s when I decided to distract myself with the symbols all around these places. Once my curiosity for the inexplicable hieroglyph vanished, I decided to look back to the group. Noticing that the highly regarded and aloof watchers were behaving quite weirdly and some others seemed like they were dancing in excitement. I commented, ¡°What are they up to?¡±


    Ofar followed my gaze, and a little grin formed on his face. ¡°Seems like the path is loud and clear.¡± Ofar broke into a cheerful laughter, ¡°You see that, little boy? We were not doomed. The goddess favors our delight, She ensures our survival.¡± Ofar continued with his religious peril, too excited for the good news to care about the weird looks He received.


    But neither I care for it, a chance of survival in this hopeless place? Hell yeah, I would even dance naked if it was needed.


    Hope is a blessing, but too much optimism leads to death. That¡¯s a lesson Father imparted to me, and there were too many moments in this mission of ours, that demonstrated to me that statement to its fullness.


    All too common for a light to be seen at the end of the tunnel, only for it to be an illusion created by a monster. That¡¯s how we lost some of our members. When blinded by a beautiful illusion, you won¡¯t see the claws closing into your neck.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited, Ofar. We don¡¯t know of the obstacles that we must pass through.¡± I warned him, but I knew that my warnings went through one ear, and passed through the other.


    Ignoring Ofar¡¯s continued rambles, I decided to pay attention to the Watcher¡¯s movements and weird expressions.


    Watchers were, as put in their own words, ¡®glancers of the true path¡¯. People too ingrained in their imaginations, Watchers were restless and arduously devoted to their commitment to faith and religion. Proclaiming themselves as the eyes of the only true and benevolent goddess, who is seated at the highest throne in the heavens.


    But they would not be Watchers if they only had religion in their toolset. They possessed an artifact in the shape of a glass ball that was filled up with symbols of the Ancient¡¯s language, artifacts that allowed the user to see more than what could be seen by the naked eye.


    As to how that helps the expeditions, that was a guarded knowledge the likes of us could not be shared with.


    Soon enough, the news spread out like fire. I could see for myself, the eyes of the people around lighting up like fire.


    It was a sight to behold. People started to sing praises to the Goddess, dancing and moving around in joy. It was like no other.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Before they would instead remain quite silent, dealing with their battles inside them. Now, they did not care any less.


    The guards let the happiness enroll for a few minutes but quickly calmed down the group. And to the few stubborn ones, using threats such as separation to calm them.


    The Watchers finished whatever task they were working on, and their leader, a man called ¡®Synaloa¡¯ went up front and stood amongst the people.


    Using a simple small rock to appear taller and stand out against the crowd, He declared with a powerful voice:


    ¡°Our time has come, the goddess has decided for our journey to end inside the warm walls of the clan. Your efforts are to be rewarded once we are up on the surface and surrounded by the familiar iron of our forever-standing walls.¡±


    Synaloa remained telling stories of encouragement, giving motivational talks to the people who were still crouching in fear. People whose hearts did not hold any more light, only hopeless darkness.


    Everyone was already at their limits, pushing through with only fear and what little willpower they could muster. But these fervor religious servants of the goddess could bring hope and light in the darkest places.


    The remaining Watchers managed to convince the crowd to act, to give their all in a last-ditch effort. Supplies were quickly gathered, weapons drawn, and maps started to be detailed. After a while, a path was quickly determined.


    A few volunteers, together with guards next to them, choose to commit and scout the path ahead, to confirm the predictions made by the Watchers. Others were not as brave but instead made their usefulness known by making tents and providing their help in other areas.


    I was quite surprised actually, the same people who were belittling us just moments ago were acting totally different from what I could expect. My confusion was very evident to Ofar it seems.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be totally surprised about it Roney. They have numerous artifacts in their bodies, and one of those can alter the mood of the people around them. Look at their hands¡±


    Upon closer inspection, I noticed how the rings and jewelry in their hands sometimes emitted light amid their grand speeches to volunteer for the effort.


    Ofar convinced me to remain closer to the front, to avoid falling behind again and being surrounded by the whispers of the darkness.


    There was gonna be a final push. It was not announced officially, but I could smell it in the air. Surely, the officers in charge would make a run to the clan, and whoever was left behind would deal with it on their own, it was another reason why it was better to stick to the front. I would not like to hear my name again, not when I know that the voice is emerging inside my head.


    After a short break, we resumed our journey. Now, with a final and realistic destination in mind.


    Every time we had to depart from a resting place, everybody packed up their belongings as fast as they could, with heaviness and gloom in their faces, counting the days as they passed, if it ever could be deduced how much time had passed. But this time was different, they seemed more alive.


    We crawled under a passage formed by a collapsed wall. The volunteer scouts returned, albeit with some of their numbers disappeared.


    While the family of the missing were lamenting their misfortune, the remaining scouts were able to share information about the path ahead. Although we were ignorant of the full report, I could see the Officers moving with much more ease, like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.


    An Officer stood out from their bunch and relayed a part of the information gathered from the report. We were to follow the passage formed inside the wall, take a left where the parts diverged, and sneak inside the leftover remains of a massive structure named, ¡®The Archive¡¯. After finding the exit, it was a straight run to the surface.


    Just by the discovery of this archive, the expedition was bound to be a success. Something quite rare these days. Not only that, but we also finished our task of scavenging for resources at the gathering place.


    Although everything was shaping to be a good outcome, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was not going how it should be. The countless stories told by friends of my father re-emerged in my head. They were all full of horror and misery, not of finding treasure and comfort.


    But what could I do with only superstition? The expedition kept walking at a constant pace, some people were too excited and tried to run a couple of times, thinking that the faster they could reach the surface, the better.


    The guards and officers in place clearly stopped them, it was obviously a suicidal method bound to end in all of us dead. Just looking at the mysterious disappearance of some of the scouts, it was clear that the passage was not without its dangers, no matter what some Watchers were claiming.


    The group reached the divergence, took a turn to the left, and continued in the direction of the Archive. While walking and measuring my steps, I noticed a slightly off-putting fact, the glyphs were changing color, from the standard gold tint to one of slight lime.


    It must have been my imagination, I thought. Surely, the glyphs that the Ancients left, that stored their wisdom would never be able to be distorted. But I looked again and again, and the statement remained true.


    The closer we were to the location of the Archives, the more the tint was evident. As to what the glyphs really meant, that was out of the question. But, a change in a rule that was believed to never break? It should have been impossible.


    ¡°Ofar, look at the walls, don¡¯t you notice something weird?¡± I turned and asked my faithful friend.


    ¡°What you on about boy? I only see stone, rocks, and weird drawings.¡± Ofar responded with a blank face. Not noticing the weird changes occurring in our surroundings.


    ¡°The glyphs, the symbols, look at them. Don¡¯t you see the color?¡± I emphasized that it was evident that something was amiss, but I refused to believe that it was only a result of my imagination. Surely, my mental state would not have decayed by that much, right?


    ¡°They are the same, as always boy. Drawings that are imperceptible. Things which our mortal minds could never comprehend.¡± Ofar responded. Again, I could see a blank stare from my old friend. It looked more and more like the tint was a product of my decaying brain. But it could not be that, right? If it really was an illusion created by exhaustion, it shouldn¡¯t feel as real as it is right now.


    I did not know what to respond with, as no matter what I said, it seemed like Ofar could not actually see what was making me so anxious as of right now.


    The thought of my friend being the one who¡¯s suffering from a decline surfed through my mind. But after a few inquiries with others around us, it was clear that the symbols remained as unchangeable as ever.


    So then, where did the tint come from? I could not get that question out of my head. The more we ventured, the deeper we went, and the stronger the tint became.


    Right at the edge of the entrance to the chambers where the Archives stood, the usual gold color of the glyphs was gone. Instead, a full vibrant green color replaced it.


    And now, I could see what was actually causing it.

 Chapter 3: The Hearth

    It was a Hearth.


    Or upon more close inspection, something in the shape of it.


    As we were coming to the entrance of this chamber, the symbols were getting brighter and brighter. At times, it seemed like a pulse, beating with intense light at regular intervals.


    My mind was going places. I could not figure out what was happening, and nobody else saw the scenarios that my eye tricked me. If it was really false, then I must have received some permanent damage after the incident on the bridge. But if it was not that, and it really changed colors? What if I was the only one who could see the change?


    Not only was the language of the Ancients unreadable, but they never shone as brilliantly as they appeared before my eyes. They were blinding me at times, and I had to cover my eyes to have a slim chance of looking ahead. No matter where I turned my gaze, the vibrant green color was there, there were times it was so intense I could not see the people a few inches ahead of me.


    After we made a turn and faced the gap that allowed us access to the gigantic chamber, I saw it.


    A gigantic, green, heart. Pulsing and sending its power through veins that connected to the walls and all around the chamber.


    Right there and then, I knew something was horrendously wrong, but how could I convince them? If they could not see the change in the glyphs, what assured that they would see the gigantic heart that is currently sitting at the center of the Archive?


    The Archive was a gigantic metallic monster, that hosted objects from the Ancients. It was called the Archive, as they served the purpose of protecting whatever it was that they were built for. They protect the memories of the past. Serving as a storage that lets us take a glimpse and observe the golden times that would never come again.


    They were deadly, machines that could take down hundreds or thousands of soldiers, even armed with powerful weapons.


    They were not a thing to be messed with. Every time one was known to be close to a path, every operation had to give a wide berth to not cross its path. If they did, and it decided they were a threat, any hope of salvation was just an unreachable dream.


    Equipped with massive rail guns, missiles in every inch of its body, toxic gas to deter any thoughts of melee combat, and more weapons than anybody could even count. Worse was the fact that every Archive was, although sharing similarities, different from each other. Which made transferring knowledge of its weak points even more impossible.


    Our expedition was not capable of handling one of those behemoths. Just a glance at a living one might be the only mercy we would have before a quick death overcame us.


    To our fortune. This Archive was long dead. Its body spawned a massive gap at the center, that showed the center that it was supposed to protect.


    The massive weapons that protruded from its metallic shell were detached from the main body. Two massive rail guns lay at its feet, they were our stepping stone to reach the gap at the center.


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    Signs of scavengers were present. It seemed like we were not the first group to take notice of the Archive. But, it seemed like they were small groups of scavengers that did not have the ability to close down this whole chamber to theirs only. Something which we could do with the size of our group.


    Taking advantage of this unclaimed land. We started putting down flags and symbols that would alert any upcoming groups of our presence. Hopefully, they would see notice of the dangers of confronting ours. Although the clan was decaying, it was still known around the area, especially because it was the only one in this whole area possessing somebody who could wear an Executioner. Armor from the golden past, covered in every single corner with the Language of the Ancient, but it was actually usable.


    Although the actual inner workings of an Executioner was secret knowledge, it was common knowledge that anybody who tried to wear one of those legendary armors would go crazy, and it needed special people that could withstand the armor itself.


    Seemingly one appeared in our clan in the recent decade, securing us a better position around here.


    To be honest, I was silently hoping that remembering these random things would deter my mind from the fact that there was a fucking gigantic Hearth in front of us. But to no avail, the expedition kept its pace toward the gap in the center, where more space could be freed and a wider space could allow more of us to enter at once.


    While I saw people climbing the gigantic guns, I tried to continue distracting myself, wondering, how did this mythical beast die? From the looks of it, it appeared that it was fighting something else, a possible monster similar to its size that could take on the full force of an Archive and still, manage to come on top.


    Those types of monsters usually roamed lower levels, it was not possible to find that type of creature a few miles below the surface. Another discrepancy was the presence of an Archive at this level, although not really deep, they were known to be the few metallic creatures to roam the surface. It was rare for one to actually descend into the tunnels.


    The green did not stop. From the corner of my eye, I observed arteries leading from the whole monster, and continuing around the chamber. Some sections of the cave walls were completely covered by it, pulsing with power.


    The tons of metal that made the chassis of the Archive did not stop me from looking at the pulsing Heart. From what appeared, it seemed to me like it was located near the center of the structure, but not directly in it. And no matter the walls between, I could somehow still see it.


    The more I climbed, and the closer I got to the gap, the more the Hearth was growing in my vision. The sight of my companions climbing with a grin on their faces did not calm my anxious heart. The question of why they could not see it crossed my head uncountable times, but the answer kept eluding me.


    Maybe the goddess would known? But even then, how could they communicate with us? We did not have an official priest here, only watchers who spread the message of their religion and could use their special artifacts.


    I could see for myself a web of arteries under my feet and more at the center that we were aiming at. My only comfort was imagining that if it wanted us death we would be by this point, and that maybe all of this is a product of my mind being invaded by the Dark ones.


    Many times I wanted to just scream and retreat, maybe my actions would alert the smart ones of the absurd fact that a gigantic Hearth was looming on top of us.


    But it did not take an expert to conclude that it was an idiotic choice. With a slim chance in front of them, would they abandon it for a guy who assured them that there was an actual threat? And that He was the only one that could see it?


    Not in this world, at least. So I decided to keep the words to myself, but there was a guy that I needed to make aware of.


    Not only that, if this thing did not kill us, I would surely die the moment I made enough distance from the group. Only numbers would deter creatures from straight-up attacking.


    ¡°Ofar, I know you would not believe but, but there¡¯s some-¡±


    ¡°Something here that should scare all of us, right?¡± Ofar turned to look at my surprised face.


    ¡°H-How?¡± I asked him, wondering if my old good and reliable friend was a wizard who could read minds.


    ¡°Boy. Do not underestimate my experience¡± Said Ofar, shaking his head. ¡°You seem distressed, and the more we reach the gap, the more your body is shaking. Like we were walking down the mouth of a beast.¡± Ofar explained, with the wisdom of observing me for years long. It seemed like my unintentional actions did not go unnoticed.


    ¡°Also, I could not shake off the unsettling feeling that I had when you commented about the color of the hieroglyph changing. Something that should never occur, but, how could a rule be unbreakable in this world that did not belong to us, simple mortals.¡± Ofar continued to extend, diverting from the logical explanation I wanted to one of religion and such.


    ¡°Does that mean that you trust me?¡± I finally asked him the question that I wanted to ask the whole journey through. Although not the only friend that I had here, he was the only one I could rely on. Similar to how my father relied on him many years ago for that incident.


    ¡°Of course, not boy. If I believed every superstition there is known to man, I would be dead a hundred times by now. But I swore to your father I would protect you to the best of my abilities, don¡¯t tell me your stupid mind forgot it by now?¡± Ofar responded, with a hearty grin in his mouth. If we were alone and not surrounded by dozens of people focusing on their own steps, He would be loudly laughing his ass off.


    But, I was thankful that I had someone in this hellish place that I could rely on.

 Chapter 4: The Archive

    Once inside the Archive, I could see how not only the outside was of massive proportions, but the inside as well. The core room that we managed to reach had a ceiling so high up that I stopped trying to see it.


    Endless shelves where books should have been, filled up the entire room. Metallic passages that led deeper into the structure. Boxes, doors, desks, etc¡­ It looked like the inside of one of those rich clans, that enjoyed decorating their houses with objects from the times bygone.


    At the center of this library stood the core of the Archive, or actually, what remained of it. Even if the scavengers that passed through these chambers were unable to steal most of it, the core of an Archive was immeasurable, a treasure that big could not be left behind.


    What we found was the support for what must be a core bigger than an adult human. There were thick wires that led from the support to the rest of the body. And, oblivious to everyone else except me, thick veins covered up the whole place.


    Outside the body, these veins and arteries might be the width of a finger, but the longer we walked on, the bigger it got. Growing quickly in size, to the point that here in this library of sorts, some of them were as wide as a human.


    When I looked back in the direction of the Hearth, I could see it still pulsing, the light becoming more vibrant the closer I was to it. A feeling of  still lingered in me, but seeing as how we reached this far without any issue, maybe the Goddess really favored our survival. To reach our homes and families, wives and kids. Not that I had anyone waiting for me back there.


    After a quick inspection of the place, some maps were drawn and plans started to be drafted. Soon enough, a somewhat important Officer stood at the center of the group and brought attention to everyone.


    ¡°The Watchers have decreed this place to be safe for exploration. Do not be careless, there must be traps set in place that could annihilate you. Smaller groups will be formed and guards will maintain you secure.¡±


    Great, separation and isolation, just like I wanted. With caution in mind, and not wanting to be forcibly relocated into a group leading to the danger I have been ignoring, I brought Ofar with me and chose a random group that was planned to take charge of exploring the east part of the library. A total opposite direction from where the Hearth stood.


    ¡°You might be right, boy.¡± Ofar broke the silence, surprising me with his statement.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°This place is tinted with green, slightly at first, but the more you notice, the more the effect starts to look off-putting.¡± Ofar pointed out a detail that I could not observe.


    ¡°With you claiming that everything looked green since when we were in the passage, I bet that it didn¡¯t look too much different to you. ¡± Ofar laughed as if He had just told the best joke of his life.


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    ¡°What more can you see? Are there any more discrepancies?¡± I asked him, anxious to know that my craziness was actually real and that others had started to realize it.


    ¡°, you see. I thought nothing of how you desperately went out of your way to choose this worthless sub-group of explores, but after I discovered the greenness that started to prevail in this place, I noticed that the opposite direction of here had the most tint in the tunnels and passage, a very noticeable difference from outside. Guess that¡¯s what has been weighing more in your mind.¡±


    Ofar correctly predicted my predicament. And if he could, why would the others not be able to notice it too? Now that others could see the same as me, albeit not to the same effect, they must be warned, and surely now they would believe my theories.


    ¡°I know what you must be thinking boy, but do not let that carry you into foolishness. If you did not talk to me about the mysterious green back there, I might have thought that the lights in this place depicted it in green. Others would surely think the same, and not gather any wariness from it. Even now I am still debating if it¡¯s just the regular lights in this place.¡± Ofar explained to me, and my hopes vanished like they were never there in the first place.


    ¡°Boy, maybe this weirdness is just there after all. Something that ignores us and continues living its own life. If there was any danger, it might have struck ages ago. Something as disturbing as you make it out to be can easily wipe us out.¡±


    Ofar was right, and it was something I was thinking of as well. My anxiety was consuming my logical mind, leaving me with only a baseless hypothesis that might not come true at all.


    Everything down here wanted to exterminate you and use your corpse as its warming bed.


    I silently hoped that everything would remain all right. And that no hidden danger would come to us, or those around us. We only wanted to find the exit, and whatever the leaders decided to do next in this place, I would make sure to never participate in.


    The plans of our group were drafted, although it seemed like we were one of the last ones. I looked around, and the place started to become more deserted, with not that much vibrant humanity roaming around.


    Some guards stayed behind, as a way to safeguard the gap, and to help anyone that decided to come back to the gathering spot.


    I was to take the vanguard of the group. Ofar remained at the center, with his crossbow drawn out. Once his position was secured, he was like a turret, able to get his shots where he wanted.


    I once asked him about his past, a person who was that close to Father must surely be one of importance. But Ofar never decided to divulge his past to me. Seeing his achievements every time I had the chance to observe, let me be assured that He was anything, but ordinary.


    Maybe once we made it past this place, He would open up more and let me peek into his past, surely I would learn something more from my father as well.


    We continued our journey through the passage, passing through cubicles that must resemble offices of the past. Strangely, some objects were well preserved, like books that fill up some of the shelves in these offices. I usually had an interest in these vain objects that no others would like to glance at more than one. But the dread made my curiosity nonexistent.


    There was a comforting thought, at least. The further up we were into the path, the thinner the veins became. Likely, the Hearth did not have the same reach as it had in the main center.


    Further, the walk led us into a closed door with a panel attached next to it.


    ¡°Damn it, it¡¯s held very tight.¡± A member of our group commented, a scavenger of some sort. Upon closing inspection, it was clear that the door was used to hold an important room. Luckily for us, the materials inside the Archive were not as resistant as the shell that covered its outside.


    Ofar approached the door, and a quick fooling around with the panel revealed that there was no other possible way than blasting our way through.


    Something I quite excelled at.


    ¡°Let me through,¡± I demanded, looking confident, betraying the existential dread that prevailed in my soul.


    I unpacked a handful of bombs that were stored in my backpack. At least know I could alleviate some of the weight that has been pressing me down over and over since starting this whole journey.


    4  bombs should do the dirty work for me. All piled up in the center of the gate, so as to concentrate more of the damage.


    The rest of the group quickly dispersed, looking for cover in the adjacent cubicles or passages that lead to dead ends. Nobody wanted to be in the way of a full-blown-up explosion.


    *BOOM*


    A great resounding roar later, the smoke filled up every inch of space here. We were coughing the whole way through, but it seemed like my efforts bore fruit. Thankfully the holes and vents everywhere dispersed the smoke.


    ¡°It¡¯s breached, good work boy.¡± Ofar praised me with a thumbs up on the side.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s look ahead. Careful, there must be something important in this room, unlike the others.¡± The leader of this group quickly announced, reminding everyone to watch their steps in this place.


    I could see now why the place was more guarded than the adjacent rooms.