“Despite the development of civilization across the continent, there are still often enclaves or colonies maintaining the most tenuous of holds in harsh environments. Mining colonies, settlements, monastic orders, are just amongst some of the few who struck out on their own. Nominally reporting to the local liege lords but otherwise wholly independent. It is for those people that I joined the Pathfinders. To ensure that they will always have at least one safe path to travel. ”


    - Junior Pathfinder Elena Hoffmann, Pathfinders Guild, “Speech on Duty”


    <hr><hr>


    Desecrated was perhaps the wrong word for the state of the shrine. The entire thing had been practically demolished by whatever lurked in the cave. Stones lay strewn about the place, absently rocking back and forth from the little waves created by their boots. Whatever was left of the offerings that had been placed her crowded around dark recesses, forgotten.


    What was more startling however, was a small ring of stones and now soaked kindling within. Someone or something had started a fire here, or attempted to. The three shared a glance. Let’s just hope this is from the villagers who tried to guard this place and not whatever monster might be here. If they could truly act as we do, might mean a more complicated foe.


    The more pressing question it raised though, was one that touched on the villagers. What happened to them? The mayor and the others all claimed that they had simply gone missing when they came to check up on them. Her eyes wandered past the sunken campfire and towards a slight divet in near the corner of the shrine. There, what looked like some now rotted pieces of material lay in a small pile, brought together by whatever had deposited the water in this chamber. They were clearly planning an extended stay. Did something pick them off? Lure them away? Just attack?


    A ripple of water from behind the shrine caught her attention. Moving closer, Sophie froze. Amidst the murky darkness and stone flooring, she barely caught sight of the flooring coming to an end as it became simply a pool of water. Following it, she found that through a trick of elevation, the divet with the materials looked closer than it seemed, and in actuality, it was a corner tucked away from the shrine. Over the pool of water and into the corner. So it didn’t just flow there, it was left there?


    Tracing what little she could with her eyes as she swung her torch around, she found this pool flowing past the cavern walls. It took a few moments for her to register what that meant. A river of sorts, underground. Saint damned hells, another one. Sophie shuddered as brief flashes of her own broken and battered form floated down the river in the deep. Covered in a gargantuan arachnid’s visera and the monster of the deep that waited at the pool. She wiped some of the sweat from her brow. How unpleasant.


    Hanabi’s footsteps kicked up some water as she approached, startling the half elf a little before lowering her blade beside Sophie to help get a better look for the pool. Holding her own nerves back, she gave the outlander an appreciative nod, the two of them peered over the edge. They couldn’t see the bottom. Only dark shadows that swirled around the light.


    “Damn.” Hanabi hissed, “That looks deep.”


    “Wouldn’t want to fall in. I can tell you that much.” Sophie shuddered once more.


    “Pfft, understandable.” Hanabi flicked the water with her sword a little, sending a small smattering of droplets up into the air, “I know how to swim but I’d prefer not practicing here either. Always hated swimming in gym.” She muttered.


    “Heh.” Sophie chuckled before she turned around, “Mila!” She called out.


    The inquisitor trotted over, a classic scowl on her face while lightly tutting at the cave, “What is it?”


    “This river. Do you think whatever we’re looking for is travelling by water?” Sophie asked.


    Mila frowned, her scowl deepening as she knelt beside the river. She kicked a small pebble into it, making the tiniest plop before it sunk into the darkness.


    “Well… piss.” Mila sighed, “This is… this would’ve been pertinent information for them to have shared with us. A river here… I don’t think any of us nor the saintesses are equipped for aquatic combat.”


    “But if something’s living in the waters, why the hells would they care about the shrine? And why now?”


    “Don’t look at me.” Mila rolled her eyes, “That’s what we’re here to find out.”


    Admonished, Sophie grumbled before turning her eyes deeper into the cavern. “I guess that means we go deeper?”


    “Unfortunately so.” Mila scowled and trudged forward, her blade illuminating the way ahead, “Just keep an eye on the water to make sure nothing’s trying to sneak past us.”


    Sophie and Hanabi shared a grunt as Mila led the way once more.


    The trio plodded through the next set of chambers, thankful for the ill maintained but present pathway that allowed them to avoid watery areas. Though as they walked, Sophie could see the water rising past her soles and occasionally even lapping past her heel. It wasn’t much, but coupled with the gradually decreasing temperature and coldness present, the deeper they went, the more the water worried her. Euthymia grant us your blessings, let us resolve this matter so that your shrine may be rebuilt without trouble, Sophie muttered a small prayer to herself.


    Along the way, they found more traces of temporary encampments or little nooks where things were stored. Signs that someone had been journey into the deeper chambers as well. Doesn’t bode well for us then. Damn. I just hope things won’t be troubling when Eva and the others get here.


    A flicker of a shadow. That was all Sophie thought she saw. She spun around, crouched and at the ready. The other two reacted at once, Mila holding her sword forward with the torch ready to block. Hanabi looked ready to throw both at whatever came their way. They waited with bated breath. But nothing came.


    Only the rhythmic dripping noise of water and an odd ripple or two. Nothing popped up from the darkness, nothing came into the light. The trio waited, then finally let out soft sighs.


    “Sophie?” Mila asked, the inquisitor looking a little weary.


    “Thought I saw something. Right by the water''s edge.” Sophie whispered.


    Hanabi took point and moved closer, using her light spell-covered blade as a prod, poking into the murky depths of the riverbank. Silence answered her call, and stillness in its wake. Hanabi shook her head. Nothing.


    “Sorry I-” Sophie began.


    “Don’t. I’d rather be a bit paranoid than caught off guard. And you have elven blood in you. You should be able to see in the dark a bit better than us. Keep a lookout.” Mila huffed.


    “Uhn.” Sophie grunted, at least I could still be useful.


    “Do you think someone’s watching us?” Hanabi spoke up.


    The other two looked at her before trading a glance. Sophie could tell the possibility had entered Mila’s mind more than once. The three then collectively turned their sights on the river. Nothing was there. But Sophie felt a strangely itchy sensation upon her neck when she gazed at the murkiness for too long. Feels like something’s staring back at me, gah. I’m losing my damned mind.


    “Let’s keep moving.” Mila ordered before pulling out her pocket watch, the inquisitor’s scowl returning with a vengeance, “Another ten minutes. Then we head back or we’ll be delaying the expedition too much and risk high tide later in the day.”


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    “Then let’s.” Sophie agreed.


    The trio set off once more, going deeper into the darkness that awaited them ahead.


    They passed by a few more chambers in a tense silence until Mila raised her hand.


    “This is as far as we go for now.” Mila announced, her pocket watch gently ticking away.


    Their scouting mission stopped at a large cavern, where darkness stretched from places where their light could not reach. Relatively speaking, it was empty enough to fit several houses if not for the copious amount of stalagmites and stalactites present. There was also a large lake-like opening in the center of the cavern that halted their access. Though it was much like the river that led to the shrine, deep and its depths unknowable.


    Sophie felt her chest tighten, the scent of salt and seawater giving her an eerie sensation akin to the time she was dragged under in the deep. Fortunately for the trio, no matter how long she peered into the lake, no strange appendage or monstrous entity rose up from within it. Just the unnerving emptiness.


    Dejected but relieved, Sophie knelt down for a closer. But as she did so, her boot caught on a rock and she tried to push it through.


    Crack.


    She felt the sickening crack before she heard it, something giving way and snapping under her boot. That’s not what a rock…, she looked down. White fragments exploded from beneath her feet and she had to take a moment to try and figure out what happened.


    “Gah! Hells!” Sophie yelped unintentionally as she scrambled backwards.


    “Sophie!”


    “What is it?!”


    The other two moved towards her.


    As her mouth opened, another sound echoed in the cavern.


    Splash.


    The trio paused mid-motion, two caught mid-step when they tried racing towards her. She herself stopped moving mid crawl. They had all heard it clear as day, something jumped into the water. Sophie had stepped on a skull half embedded into the rock, it wasn’t possible for that to make a splash that loud. They were not alone.


    “Sophie? Hanabi?” Mila hissed with urgency.


    “I heard that.”


    “Mhmm.”


    The two whispered back.


    “Sophie? What happened?”


    “Skull. There.” She slowly raised her finger.


    Mila prodded the ground, exposing more of the now half shattered bones. The inquisitor mumbled something under her breath as Hanabi pulled Sophie up.


    “Thanks.”


    “Mhmm.”


    As she tried to dry herself a little, Sophie swore she caught a glimpse of something resembling yellow eyes staring at them from the darkness. But by the time she blinked, only the faint glow of the enchanted blades and torches remained. Stars… Goddess protect us.


    Carefully, they filtered themselves into battle formation, ensuring that they could watch each other’s sides. Unconsciously, Sophie maneuvered herself and the others away from the water’s edge. If their enemy used the waterways, then they would have to come up to them.


    From a tunnel leading to the cavern, Sophie heard it. The unnatural growling of something cursed. Everything slowly formed together in her mind as the sounds were followed by the scent of mold and rot. The uneasiness, the emptiness of the cavern. That was the problem. The only other cavern she felt this from was when she fought the cultists and strange undead soldiers. Something foul was taking place, and likely a ritual. Sophie let out a growl of her own.


    “Guys.” She unsheathed her sword.


    “Eh?” Mila didn’t even turn around.


    “I think I have an idea what might be happening.”


    “Oh… oh?” Mila let out a startled noise, louder than expected.


    The unnatural growls grew louder.


    “Tsk.” Mila sheathed her blade.


    “Mila?”


    Ignoring her, Mila beckoned for Hanabi to follow. The outlander did the same, the scabbard now glowing a little, though the enchanted light was far dimmer than before.


    “Why?” Was all Hanabi said.


    “We don’t know if these things are sensitive to light. If we pull out our blades at the last moment, it might give us a small advantage.”


    It made some sense, though neither of the other two were in a position to disagree.


    “Ah, wait a second. Sophie, you had an idea of what’s happening?” Mila scowled at herself for momentarily forgetting.


    “Mm.” Sophie nodded, “Might be a ritual of sorts. The cave. It’s too empty, too quiet. And now these noises… something’s going on.”


    Mila frowned, “The noise certainly doesn’t sound natural. Personal experience?”


    Sophie grimaced but acknowledged it, “Yeah, a place called Saclia.” She whispered. Her hand unconsciously trembled a little, her heartbeat ringing loudly in her ears. Before Saclia, I was guilty. I caused so much pain and suffering… but then… She closed her eyes. She still remembered how effortlessly she dispatched her opponents. How she had forever stained herself.


    “Hmpf. Why does it sound so familiar? Whatever the case, I’ll have to look more into that after we’re done here. For now, what’s your assessment? Similar to Saclia? Potentially the same foes?”


    Sophie looked around at the cavern, then finally shook her head.


    “There were cultists, undead, and trolls. No signs of any of that yet, I think.” Her eyes flitted back to where the skull was, her expression darkening at the memories, “And it’s too empty, the ritual back then… there was more blood and sacrifices.”


    A flicker of sorrow flashed across the inquisitor’s face before her scowl returned. Quietly, she pulled out her pocket watch once more, the intricate mechanisms continuing to tick no matter what was happening around it. After a few seconds, she snapped it shut and glanced towards where the sounds had come from.


    “Dammit. A little less helpful than I thought. Anyone got eyes on where the sound is coming from? Seen a creature or two?”


    Two shaking heads responded.


    “Fuck. We’re out of time. Let''s just pray that whatever it is was a natural creature and not some invader. Sounded big enough." She snarled, "The plan stays the same. Regroup with the others and come in as a team. At least from what’s happening now, the thing, or things, aren’t venturing into here just yet. But if this is a ritual…” Mila sighed, “Sophie, why is it I always have to inform the church whenever we do something?”


    Sophie rolled her eyes. Most had been just unlikely coincidences that demanded more attention than originally intended. However, with what happened at the farm, Sophie couldn’t help but feel a little more worried about everything.


    Still, with the enemy refusing to meet them here. She knew that Mila was right. There was no reason to deviate for now. I just hope the others don’t get hurt. The saints and saintesses are definitely beyond average if Hanabi is any indication…. Eva better have taught them well.


    <hr><hr>


    “You guys got that? Grorok and myself will stay a distance away but will jump in when necessary. Remember Aoi, this is first and foremost a trial for your team, and us as a whole. So while we’ll have autonomy in how to act, if something happens or an unknown foe threatens us, defer to the adventurers. Despite what they look like, they’ve been at this longer than we have, yes, even Hanabi.” Eva shot the girl a cheeky wink, Hanabi throwing a thumbs up in return, “So be careful, and work together.” Eva instructed her class.


    “Yes, sensei.” Aoi snappily replied.


    The others on her team mutely nodded, allowing their leader to answer for them due to indifference or deference. Unlike the three adventurers who relied on lighter leather and reinforced armor pieces, the outlanders were equipped for war.


    Aoi and Izumi had a bow and crossbow respectively, though Izumi wore a heavier brown jacket and Aoi could easily pass for an adventurer herself if not for the church patch that she wore on her chest. Natsuki and Tsugumi both wore a modified version of a templar’s light combat outfit. Combining metallic alloy and leathers to create an odd yet mobile set of gear for their up-close way of fighting using a spear and longsword. Then there was Tatsuki wielding his shield and axe, wild yet ordered, if in his own way. Augmenting his weapons, he wore a formidable set of half plates, making him loud and easily locatable within the caves, if at least, heavily protected.


    That meant the battle order remained much the same as they had begun the commission with. The Lily Knights would be responsible for scouting ahead and identifying targets or other blockages, whilst Aoi’s squad would focus on engagement and practicing their battle tactics.


    Despite still ostensibly facing an unknown foe. Sophie couldn’t deny the palpable sense of excitement that was building up within her. Nor could she deny a small measure of delight at being able to work alongside Eva. Undoubtedly the circumstances were not the ideal adventures the two had talked about in detail during their youth. But it was good enough. I hope you’ll rely on your maid, Eva.


    “You guys ready?” Eva turned to the trio of adventurers.


    Sophie nodded in response.


    “Inquisitor Janos, anything to add?” Eva called out.


    “You’re pretty much good to go. I’ll stay out here to keep an eye out for the tide and placate villagers.” Janos replied from the cave entrance.


    “Got.” Eva clapped her hands together, getting everyone else’s attention, “Anyone have questions? No? Alright then.” Eva shot Sophie a wistful grin, “Lead the way, Soph.”


    Sophie tried to bow, though she was a little unsteady and flubbed it a little. Putting on an apologetic expression, she quickly righted herself and smiled, hiding whatever doubts she might’ve still had.


    “Follow me!” She bombastically announced.


    Sophie swore she saw Mila roll her eyes. I’m not that incompetent… am I?