The watchmen scanned the intersection of the tunnels. Their shadows bent with the darkness, and not a sound escaped their lips. Tucker narrowed his eyes, resting the palm of his hand on the hilt of his lumenite sword. He stared at the stone bricks that were slick with grime and moss. The water flowing down the center of the tunnel reeked of sewage, but that wasn’t what bothered him.

  It was faint, but after his days in the bastion, there was a scent he could never forget. The musty scent of iron and blood. For it to be so potent despite the stench of sewage only meant one thing. Tucker locked eyes with Ray, both of them nodding with their hands gripped on the hilts of their weapons. Ahead, the tunnel was widening into another clearing. They were still lost, blindly navigating through the maze, but the blood in the air gave them purpose. A place that demanded investigation.

  They felt the entire sewer system rumble and quiver, as if it were crying out in pain. Dust fell from the ceiling like snow falling from a cold winter sky. Yet none of them looked back.

  The explosions at the docks had finally gone off, releasing tremors throughout the burning city as if it were crying out for help. And despite the violent rumble, Tucker kept his gaze at the beam light spilling into the clearing ahead. They had created a diversion and split the Empire’s forces. The only problem was whether Sally could spread the fire far enough.

  Once they reached the light at the end of the sewers, the watchmen stared at the sight before them in disgust. The putrid stench of feces and rotting corpses lingered in the air. Before them were hundreds of decomposing bodies mixed with the city’s excrement.

  “By the gods…” Ray whispered. “How… how could something like this go unnoticed?”

  Tucker glanced to the side, brushing his fingers against the black markings burned into the stone. “They used spells to hide the scent.”

  “But there should’ve been guards,” Ray insisted. “Patrols or something sweeping the sewers… right?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Alex said. “For better or worse, this would be the reason we haven’t run into any patrols.”

  “For us, it’s a blessing, but for them… a stroke of bad luck.” Tucker channeled aura into his fingertips and shut his eyes with a heavy heart. Soon, the aura dissipated with a slow exhale. “Leave the circles. Damaging even one could tell the entire city that we’re here.”

  Alex nodded. “Then we’ll have to do some work of our own if we want to cull the Empire’s forces.”

  “I know.” Tucker stepped into the light, listening to the water rushing down into the massive cylindrical chamber. Dozens of tunnels fed into it ,with each one meeting at a spiral ring that clung to the chamber’s outer wall. “Once we have a better understanding of our current situation, we’ll do that.”

  He looked across the opening. “Let’s cross over. There has to be another way out on the other side.”

  Ray nodded, forcing himself to look away from the pit of bodies as Tucker took the lead.

  The three of them walked along the stone platform, boots splashing against the shallow water while cautiously examining the other tunnel entrances for the slightest signs of life. After wandering for so long, they had yet to see any traces of their comrades. No markings in spirit essence or clues of their disappearance.

  Tucker’s gaze drifted down towards the circular abyss at the center of the chamber. The stench of rotting bodies clung to him as if they were still alive. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the higher they climbed, the more the darkness swallowed what was below.

  Once they drew closer to the next tunnels, a new sound rippled through the bricks. A steady rhythm of footsteps was approaching. The team immediately froze. They slipped to opposite sides of the archway, vanishing into the shadows as silhouettes rounding the corner came into sight.

  Alex stood still, glancing over at Tucker and Ray without making a noise. He watched as Tucker spread out his spirit essence into the depths of the tunnel before holding out one finger horizontally. Six figures were approaching them. That’s two each. A number they could easily handle, depending on who the opponents were.

  But before Alex could even act, Tucker’s expression darkened. The number was increasing. First, it was just a single finger, then two, then three—until there were no more hand signs left to communicate the exact number. The odds weren’t in their favour. Not anymore, and the amount of spirit essence Ray had left was dangerously low.

  A decision needed to be made. Should they retreat or stand and fight?

  Alex felt the choice press against his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tucker shook his head. Instead, the young watchman peered over the corner, trying to make out the figures running towards them. He enhanced his vision with aura, barely making out the outlines of the three in front. But as his spirit essence brushed against the person at the front, a gush of golden and hazel energy surged outwards in response.

  Tucker’s eyes snapped open. He met Alex’s gaze as both of them vaulted into the tunnel and straight into the fray. Before them were six wounded watchmen running with all their might. Green cloaks torn and soaked in blood. The front runner caught sight of them first, dragging the others along as two limped shoulder to shoulder, and the last trio fought desperately against the humanoid shapes cloaked in black.

  Alex sprinted forward with his sword drawn. “Mist!”

  “Hawk!” the lead watchman cried back.

  Tucker’s hand tightened around the hilt of his sword after hearing them finish the phrase. Emerald aura flared along the edge. Both of them passed the wounded watchmen, running along the side of the walls with Feather Step. The three watchmen below were locked in combat, too busy to notice their presence.

  The faint metallic clank of their armor echoed alongside the clash of swords. Before them were nine figures shrouded in black garments mimicking the watchmen’s attire, with subtle differences setting them apart. Yet that was all they needed to tell friend from foe. Flames trailed down Alex’s blade as Tucker’s aura enveloped both of them like a sudden gale. The old man raised a brow, feeling his body grow lighter and the fatigue vanish. He had his suspicions, but now he knew for certain that Tucker had created his fourth star.

  Their figures flickered as they dashed forward, the cold air brushing against their armor. Tucker focused on the nine enemies, blade surging with aura. In a burst of motion, he flew past the watchmen as flashes of emerald emerged faster than the eye could follow. Blood spewed out of the impostors’ necks. Their bodies collapsed one after another, but soon, Tucker clicked his tongue as streams of blue mana converged to a single point.

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  “Mages.” Tucker cursed under his breath, focusing on the five robed figures.

  Before he could even move, five flaming arrows cut through the air and instantly struck four of them dead center. Piercing robes, flesh, and bone in an instant. Their screams erupted with the flames, burning their bodies as they flailed in place.

  “Capture the last one,” Alex said.

  Tucker answered with a nod before sprinting ahead. He watched as the mage scrambled back, nearly tripping over his own robe. That was when Tucker saw it. A silver plaque with an emerald resting above a tower. Pinned just beneath the folds of azure fabric with silver embroidery along the seams.

  The Emerald Tower.

  Something within Tucker’s heart burned. His aura swirling like a storm on the edge of breaking. He forced his emotions to remain still, gathering a clump of mana beneath the soles of his metal boots to propel himself forward. Yet even the normally silent technique made a soft howl. Each second he drew closer caused his soul to fill with anger. He ignored the screams of the other four mages and locked onto the one in the back. Every muscle in his body told him to kill the mage. To end his life for what they had done. But he knew better.

  The mage raised his hand to cast his next spell, only to meet a flash of silver. Blood splattered against the stone walls as Tucker skidded to a stop behind him. He watched the man cry out in pain, grabbing the crimson line where his arm used to be as his arm spun away in the darkness.

  Tucker’s expression remained stone cold. He kicked the back of the man’s knees, causing him to fall forward on the grimy stone floor.

  “Shit!” The mage clenched his jaw, his palms slamming against the stone bricks. “How many of you are there!?”

  “That’s none of your concern,” Tucker said. “If you want to live, I suggest you keep your mouth shut.”

  “You think I would—”

  Tucker’s fist cracked against the man’s jaw as a mouthful of blood trickled down the mage’s lips. “Let me make myself clear: unless I ask you a question. I don’t want to hear you utter a damn word.”

  The man laughed. “Go fuck yourself.” He bit down hard before spitting a dark mouthful of blood at Tucker’s boots.

  Tucker stared at the man as something hit his boots. He stared at the pool of blood in disgust until a small red object appeared, resting on the floor. His eyes immediately shot open. He reached for the health vial in his pouch, but it was already too late. Blood gurgled in the man’s mouth and, just like that, his body slumped over.

  “He… bit his tongue off?” Ray asked in disbelief.

  Tucker clenched his fists. “I should’ve known better.”

  “There’s nothing you could’ve done,” Alex said, walking over to the body. He grabbed the back of the mage’s head and lifted it up, staring at the faint purple foam seeping from the corner of the dead man’s mouth. “Even with a potion, it wouldn’t have mattered. He took a toxin the moment you struck him.”

  “I just… never expected him to kill himself like this,” Tucker said with a look of regret.

  “They’re thorough.” Alex glanced back at the six watchmen. “How’s your condition?”

  “We’ll manage,” one of them answered, wiping the blood from his cheek. “But if you’re here… that means reinforcements aren’t far behind, right?”

  “Reinforcements?” Ray smirked before chuckling. “Yeah. You’re looking at them. We’re the only ones they sent over.”

  The battered man in front of them squinted his eyes at Ray. He pushed back his hood, revealing a pair of golden eyes and crimson hair clumped with dirt and dried blood. Tucker stared at him in confusion. The man was slightly shorter than him and even Ray was at a loss for words.

  “Ethan…?” Ray’s eyes went wide. “Is that you?”

  “It is me! I thought you sounded familiar.” The corners of his lips curled up; he was overjoyed to see his comrade back in action. But just as his smile came, it vanished moments later. “But… you were sent to Stafford… what are you doing in Alexandria?”

  Ray froze at the sudden question. His gaze grew distant as he slowly clenched his hands. “Stafford has fallen.”

  “What?!”

  The watchmen behind Ethan stood in horror at the sudden news. Unable to believe what was just said. They stared at each other with eyes of disbelief, but soon Alex stepped forward.

  “It’s true; the Aegis bastion has also fallen,” he said.

  “We heard rumors… but we never imagined they would be true,” Ethan softly said. “If that’s the case, then why were you three sent here?”

  “We’re here to create a diversion for the Sword Saint,” Tucker replied. “We’ve already taken out a portion of the port and set fire to the distillery districts. Our next target is the Emerald Tower.”

  Ethan stared at the shattered black iron armor on Tucker’s shoulder. The faint runes shimmered in the darkness. “You won’t make it far with your armor like that.”

  “We still have to try.”

  A grim silence followed. Some of Ethan’s men slid down the wall, too exhausted to stand after the constant battles. Others kept to themselves, watching over the tunnel’s entrance in case of ambushes.

  Alex handed out whatever potions he had to the wounded. “If we want to make the most out of our diversion, we need to move now.”

  Tucker took the last healing potion from his leather pouch and handed it to Ethan. “Keep going down this path. You’ll reach a large chamber with plenty of exits. Just be careful which way you go; we ran into a demon getting here.”

  “A demon?” Ethan narrowed his eyes as he accepted the vial. “Why would one be here?”

  “Hell if we know,” Ray replied. “You guys should be safe. When we entered the tunnels, there weren’t any patrols. We’re guessing that whoever placed that bastard down here didn’t want anyone poking around.”

  Tucker scanned the ragged group. “Can any of you still fight?”

  Ethan looked at his injured men resting on the floor and shook his head. “We’ve been attacking them straight for two weeks without rest. If it weren’t for you, this would’ve been our end.” His eyes met Tucker’s. “But if you need us to do something, just say the word and we’ll go.”

  Tucker shook his head. “It’s a miracle you’ve survived this long. For now, your team should rest. Once you’ve recovered enough strength, continue with your hit-and-run tactics. Pick off as many soldiers as you can.”

  The bloodied watchman reluctantly nodded before pulling out a folded piece of paper from his vest. “Here. This is what we mapped so far. It’s not fully explored, and half of it’s still a maze. But if you follow the path we came from and take the second left, it’ll bring you to the first checkpoint.”

  “Are there any more of us here?” Alex asked.

  “There should be another team, but we got separated a while ago,” Ethan answered. “The last time we saw them was during the failed assassination attempt on the Lion of the North.”

  Alex’s body stiffened. “The Lion of the North? You mean Lord Albert Cameron? Are you certain he’s here?”

  “Without a doubt. His knights came to support the Emperor’s brother.”

  Alex exchanged a tense look with Ray and Tucker. “That complicates things.”

  “Why?” Ray asked.

  “I’ll explain on the way.” Alex took the map from Ethan’s hand. “We’ll try to find the other team, but don’t get your hopes up.”

  “That’ll be enough for us. If you see them, tell them that I sent you.” Ethan placed a hand on Ray’s shoulder with a hint of worry. “It’s good to see you, Ray. Really. I just wish it were under better circumstances.”

  “You always were the sentimental one.” Ray cracked a grin. “Don’t worry about us; we’ll meet again.” He gave Ethan a light tap on the shoulder. “See you around, you jerk.”

  Ray stepped back, joining Tucker and Alex as they turned towards the curving tunnel. They had done what they could for the other watchmen. Only the echoes of the wounded watchmen were left behind them and the distant rumble of collapsing stone.

  Tucker glanced over his shoulder. The shadows of Ethan and his men, who were barely holding on, faded into the distance. If they hadn’t gone into the cellar and fought Serevoth, then this would’ve been their end. Now, their survival was up to them.

  The veteran unfolded the map. “We’re approaching the second left. Stay alert. If Cameron really is here, then this city isn’t just fortified… It’s a deathtrap for watchmen like us.”

  Tucker tightened his grip on his sword. “Then, we’ll carve a way through, just like how we always do.”

  With those words alone, the three disappeared deeper into the maze, heading straight into the heart of Alexandria.

  Damn, the chapter ended up being a bit longer than I expected.

  I wonder what will happen in the next few chapters? Well, guess we'll have to see.

  I also wonder how many of you remember who the Lion of the North is?

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