38 Divergence

In the depths of what appeared to be a dank cave, debris of dirt trickled down from the ceiling above. Laying on the rough ground was Jackyn, who appeared to have lost consciousness from the fall. He laid there on his back, unaware of that resided nearby in this tomb. There was a slight dragging sound, gliding along the ground nearby, as what seemed to be a massive snake slithered around Jackyn's body. Some dust fell to his face from above, forcing Jackyn's weary blue eyes to peer open. The vast area around him was shrouded in darkness, but the air was so brisk it forced chills up Jackyn's spine. He shivered briefly, looking around to notice skulls and bones scattered around the cavern, but then he spotted the snake-like figure hiding behind the veil of shadows. Four green heads of average sized snakes rose, peering through the curtain of blackness. Their tongues flicked from their lips, watching Jackyn as he struggled to his feet.

"You're different than the others that those Templar have sent me..." A hushed female voice echoed the cavern. "You're not afraid... why is that?"

"..." Jackyn glanced around as he slowly reached for his dagger.

"I haven't been fed for so long... The scent of your flesh makes me feel so... Ravenous..." The voice spoke further, yet tone sounded so fatigued.

Meanwhile, Maxwhyld was continuing to flee from pursuing templar with three passengers hanging onto his back. "We should be able to lose 'em ahead!" Max spoke up, right before the floor crumbled beneath his hooves, and he yelped out, "CRICKY!!!"

Maxwhyld, along with Miles, Solitaire and Nye fell through, disappearing into the dark abyss below. None of them had anticipated the corridor to crumble in, as they fell out of sight with the look of alarm on their faces. Ashewyn and Eclipse weren't too far behind them in the air, staring at the unexpected event laid out before them.

"Oh no!" Eclipse weakly gasped, still in Ashewyn's arms.

"Hang on. We're going after them." Ashewyn stated, flying into the caved part of the stairwell.

The templar foot soldiers soon caught up, halting at the destroyed chasm formed in the staircase. "Where did they go!?" "Maybe they fell through." "-and what if they did?! Do we go after them!?" The infantry clambered amongst themselves.

"Even if they did, there's no escaping the underground chasms. Seal the opening, you idiots. The snake Terra will handle the rest from here." Skyletra came up behind them, seeming as confident as always.

"SER!!!" The knights saluted, before following orders to seal the cave in.

In the darkness below, Ashewyn finally reached the bottom of the cavern, finding Maxwhyld laying in a pile of rubble with the others laying not too far from him, almost in a triad. He quickly landed on the ground, setting Eclipse down before the two of them proceeded to dig him out. The centaur wearily shifted, holding his head. "I'm gonna need a pint after this bodgy mess." He grunted, stumbling up to his feet, but his ankle seemed to have gotten twisted. Max limped briefly, as he managed to catch his balance.

"Are you going to be alright, Max?" Eclipse asked.

"Yeah, bloody tin-arsed though. How's the others?" Maxwhyld asked, rubbing his head.

As he said that, Ashewyn looked over to Nye, Solitaire and Miles. There was far less rubble around them, but they seemed mostly unscathed from the fall; excluding their battle wounds, which were still fairly visible.

Nye had sat up from the fall, holding her arm. "I'm alright... these stupid restraints wouldn't let me fly though." Nye winced, peering over as Ashewyn approached Nye to help her stand up.

"We need to find a way to get those things off. No wonder you weren't fighting." Ashewyn replied, before he walked over to help Solitaire stand up as well.

"Owww.... What the bloody hell just happened there?" Solitaire pouted, before she was pulled back to her feet.

"Pfft... A trap no doubt..." Miles grumbled, getting up on his own. He dusted himself off, before a sharp pain in his hand reminded him of the condition he was in. "Ffff-" He winced, holding to his mutilated palm.

"Miles, careful." Solitaire scolded him, looking to his hand.

"I'm fine-I'm fine." Miles nearly bit his tongue.

Eclipse seemed disappointed as she looked off into the darkness. Ashewyn came up beside her, peering down. "Hey, you alright?"

"Hm?" She glanced up at him. "Oh... I'm just feeling a bit ashamed is all... I failed to stop him... What good am I as an assassin, if I can't do my job?"

Ashewyn shrugged, keeping his gaze focused on her. "Everyone makes mistakes. He just out numbered us, it's not your fault. All we can do is regroup and try again." Ashewyn tried to comfort her.

"I see. Thank you for that." Eclipse smiled to him. She hesitated, before glancing to the others. "If everyone alright, we should proceed onward. It's imperative we find an exit, we have no idea what may be lurking down here." Eclipse urged them to continue onward.

"S'pose worse things can happen besides gettin' bogged... It must be mean as cat's piss down here for the Templar bail out." Maxwhyld remarked, following after Eclipse, with a subtle limp.

"More of Aoba's dark secrets I'm guessing?" Ashewyn asked, following beside her.

"Undoubtedly. So we must continue forward with caution." Eclipse nodded, in response.

Solitaire looked to Nye. "Don't worry Spooky, I'm sure we'll find Jack somewhere down here. We should stick close to the others."

"Aye. Let's not get left behind then. Miles? You coming?" Nye glanced over to the feline.

"Uh, Y-Yeah I'm right behind you." Miles replied, somewhat surprised with Nye's attitude towards him. He quickly scampered after the others. "Hey Nye...." He came up beside her.

"What is it?" Nye glanced to him.

"I'm know you're worried about Jackyn right now, but I really wanted to apologize about things from before. I was being a jerk, and I'm so sorry. I really hope you can forgive me, so we can still be friends. You're.... Like family to me. I shouldn't have treated you or Jack that way... I'm total idiot..." Miles admitted, his ears tucking back as he timidly apologized to Nye.

Nye patted his head. "I forgive you, but you have to do something for me... okay?"

"Anything. Just name it." Miles eagerly nodded in response.

"I think there's someone else who could use an apology... Jack's been through so much, and everyone gives him such a hard time as it is." Nye replied, continuing after the others.

Deeper into the cavern, Jackyn stood there, as if waiting for the mysterious figure to make the first move. He held to his dagger, watching carefully as the massive snake coiled behind pillars in order to circle around him like a shark. She was keeping close to the shadows, making it near impossible to get a decent look at what he was up against. Briefly he noticed the tail's rattle segment waggling, as the snake being slithered by.

"What are you waiting for?" Jackyn finally spoke up.

Just as he verbalized an inquiry, the slithering ceased entirely. Without any given warning, a barrage of arrows came blasting his way. Startled, Jackyn leapt backwards, just narrowly evading instant impact. Immediately the arrows halted, as her tail began to rattle once again, followed by her slithering further into the shadows. Jackyn slightly slid his boot back, accidentally kicking a small pebble behind him. Again arrows flew, but this time where the pebble hit a distance behind him.

"Where did you go?...." The female voice called softly.

Jackyn seemed to be catching on, perhaps she wasn't able to see him in the darkness. Could it be she was relying on sound to locate him? He wasn't entirely certain, but kept cautious regardless. Then suddenly, the silence of the chasm was abruptly broken, with multiple sources of footsteps that came clambering their way.

"How many are there approaching?... Is it the Templar?... No, they can't find me... I must hide." The female voice sounded concerned, urgently slithering off, further into the cavern.

The footsteps had gotten much closer, causing Jackyn to turn his body to face where they seemed to be coming from. As his body shifted around, he noticed multiple silhouettes coming his direction. Without much time elapsing, they began to flood into view; and to his surprise it was Nye and the others. "Jackyn." Nye smiled, as she came running this way.

As soon as Jackyn's and Nye's eyes met, he found himself knocked off his feet. Nye had leapt into an embrace, but Jackyn was unable to catch his balance, before he lost his footing. After a moment, realized she knocked him down and quickly sat up to examine Jackyn, to make sure he was okay. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" Nye asked him, with a concerned tone.

"I've been knocked back harder, it's fine." Jackyn reassured her, as he sat up to look to her. He cracked a smile, before pulling her into a hug. "I was so worried about you..."

Ashewyn looks to the others, "Let's give them a bit of time to themselves here. I'm sure both of them need this right now." He suggested, leading them slightly ahead, so that Nye and Jackyn could have a bit of privacy.

"You won't get any back chat from me." Solitaire replied, following after him.

"(I had no idea that the Angel of Death and Queen of Fiends were this close until now. It's so much different than what I'm used to with Aoba...)" Eclipse thought to herself, following after Ashewyn. She seemed surprised as her gaze shifted from them over to the red haired Amygdala, who was glancing her way.

Miles was the only one who stopped, staring to Nye and Jackyn together. Ashewyn turned around to look to Miles. "Come on Miles. Haven't you learned your lesson?"

"I just wanted to... Apologize about before." Miles shrugged, glancing at the taller boy.

"Behave yourself then." Ashe replied, as he went off head with the others.

Miles kept quiet, watching Jackyn and Nye break from the hug. Jackyn reached for Nye's wounded hand, looking to the bruising, and then the magical restraints. "That bastard has some nerve... Those Templar are fucking cowards, restraining you like this, and then bludgeoning up your hand... it makes me sick..." Jackyn remarked, clearly displeased.

Nye let her hand rest in his, as she looked to Jackyn. "Their Grand Master is lucky. If I was able to summon my wraith-edge, I would have cut off his hands." She replied, in attempt to comfort him.

Jackyn held back a laugh, looking to Nye with a smile. "Heh. You're starting to sound like me." He said, taking out a cloth to wrap her hand.

"Am I?" Nye smiled back, reaching her free hand to adjust a loose strand of hair that hung in Jackyn's face.

Jackyn glanced away, nodding in somewhat of a shy manner. "How about we get these restraints off you?" He asked, letting his blue eyes trail back to meets Nye's.

Jackyn reached into his coat pocket, withdraw a lock pick. He shifted closer to Nye, holding her hand so that he could unlock the restraints on her wrists. After a short few moments he had the cuffs both removed, and tossed to the ground. Cupping Nye's face in his hands, he pulled her closer so that he could kiss her forehead.

After the action, Jackyn looked to Nye. "I nearly forgot... There's something else down here."

Nye shifted to stand up, taking Jackyn's hands to pull him to his feet. "Then we should probably catch up and warn the others."

Miles suddenly shifted, as he saw them stand up. In response to the noise, Jackyn turned his way, to notice the feline. "Hm?" His surprise turned to fierce in a matter of seconds. "What you looking at? Trying to start something again!?" Jackyn growled, proceeding over to Miles angrily.

"I-I wasn't... I just wanted t-to..." Miles stammered, urgently trying to explain why he was staring at them.

Nye quickly grabbed Jackyn's arm, looking to him. "Jack. He's suffered quiet a bit while you all were trying to break me out of here. Give him a chance to explain."

"..." Jackyn exhaled, as he shifted his gaze back to Miles. He seemed to be ease up upon noticing Miles missing fingers.

Miles seemed nervous, but knew he had to get this off his chest. So the feline took a deep breath, and finally spoke up. "Look, Jackyn. I know I can't change the past, and I don't expect you to forgive me... but I wanted to apologize about how I was acting before. I was a real asshole, and I probably deserved this..." Miles paused, holding up his mangled hand. His eyes trailed off as he lowered his hand. "I realize now that I was jealous of you, but not for the reason I thought I was. Every time you were around, Nye was growing closer to you, and because of that, I felt like I was losing my best friend. I was pushing everyone away by acting like such a brat... So, anyways... I'm sorry... I hope maybe we can be friends? If that's cool?"

Jackyn shrugged a bit, seeing the short feline peering up at him. "...I'll think about it." Jackyn replied, not entirely sure what he was supposed to say to Miles.

Miles seemed relieved, smiling a bit awkwardly as he glanced to Nye. "So now that I've gotten that off my chest... Maybe we should catch up to Ashe and the others?"

"Aye." Nye nodded, as they three proceeded further in.

Up ahead, Ashewyn and the others reached another chamber filled with even more bones scattered about. In the center seemed to be a stone statue, but not one that was carved. The person seemed to be in motion, fleeing from something as they screamed for help. You could depict the terror just from the look in their eyes alone.

"Blimey... W-Was that person turned to stone?!" Solitaire gasped.

"Ain't pretty, that's for sure." Maxwhyld remarked, as he too stared at the stone statue.

A coiled snake tail was wrapped around it, but quickly slithered off out of view as glowing green eyes loomed overhead. "Whose there? I can feel your vibrations drawing closer." Called the female voice in the darkness. This forced the group to grow defensive, they quickly looked around to notice a silhouette of what seemed to be a female naga. Her tail rattled, as her snake-like hair slithered closer to flick their tongue towards them. "I've been soooooo.... hungry..."

"Djinn? Have you been down here all this time!?" Eclipse gasped, pushing herself to the front of the group to confront the snake Terra.

"That voice.... Eclipse? Is that you?" The Terra named Djinn inquired, as she slithered out of the shadows towards them.

"Yes, yes it's me. I had no idea Aoba locked you down here in this pit..." Eclipse drew closer.

"Do you know her?" Ashewyn glanced to Eclipse, just as Nye and the others joined them to see the naga before them.

"I do. Djinn was a friend of mine, and she was planning to join the rest of the Terra with me, but Aoba..." Eclipse held her chest, appearing upset. "... He couldn't see passed her weakness and sent her away. I had wondered what became of her..." Eclipse explained, turning back to Djinn. "...But I had no idea he's kept you hidden all this time."

"It's not your fault, Eclipse... I know that. It's so good to hear your voice again." Djinn seemed to absently stare, but her expression carried distress. "It is true. Aoba cast me away... because I am blind. I cannot see any of you... I hope I did not scare your friends, Eclipse... I am just so hungry after being locked down here for so long." She said, attempting to look where she assumed the others were.

"It's okay, we're not going to leave you down here. Come with us, I no longer side with that man. You'll be able to live the way you want, back in the sunlight. Once we're out of here, we'll get you some food." Eclipse placed her hand to Djinn's shoulder.

The Terra smiled, with a tear rolling down her cheek. "You have no idea how happy this makes me." She said, hugging Eclipse.

"I think I have an idea." Eclipse smiled back, and turned to the others once the hug broke. "Now that everyone is here, we should search for a way out."

"I'm sure you know this place better than most of us. Any idea how we can get back to the surface from here." Nye spoke up, looking to Eclipse.

"I'd have to think about that. I'm certain though, Aoba has his Pegasus and dragon riders circling the skies like sentries. He will stop at nothing to hunt down those who cross him. I assume he's focusing on Heath and Rocky right now, but once he realizes that we found a way out of this hole, there's no stopping him." Eclipse explained, looking back to Nye.

"She's got a point. Not really much options if he's got Dragon's Keep all bailed up." Maxwhyld added.

"Oy, you're bloody saying that bastard has the Tower locked up?" Solitaire gasped, getting frustrated.

"Zyron's still there, isn't he?" Ashewyn looked to Solitaire.

"He ain't the only only one. Sally is there too." Maxwhyld mentioned, trying to calm them down.

"Heath would have gotten him and the others out by now. We're supposed to rendezvous with them at our secret hideout. Don't worry, I'm sure everyone is safe." Eclipse tried to reassure them.

"Guessing we're not leaving the way we came... So. What now?" Miles glanced to Nye.

"I suppose the best we can do is look for an exit at this point, and go from there." Nye replied.

As the proceeded further into the darkness, Eclipse glanced to Nye from her side of the group. Some of the others were uneasy about Djinn, but seeing she was friends with Eclipse made it easier to travel with her. They continued further, hoping to find a way out.

"Your name is Nyghtmare, correct?" Eclipse spoke up, glancing to Nye.

"Aye, and you're friends with Ashewyn?" Nye replied, looking over to the elf.

"I'm not sure what you'd call it really. We just keep crossing paths is all. However, I would like to pose an alliance with you and your friends. As you can imagine after that skirmish back there, neither of our parties approve of the templar ways. As it is, we're outnumbered by the abundance of conscripting Knights joining the Templar on a daily basis. I was thinking, with you being the Queen of Fiends, you must have quite the following." Eclipse explained, continuing the conversation with Nye.

"Unfortunately, I'm actually not the Queen of Fiends. I'm basically a unwilling scapegoat, to hide the real Queen. I suspect this is how word got to the Templar. However, I wouldn't object to an alliance. My friends and I want to see things put right, so if we're fighting for the same cause then working together is better than working alone." Nye replied, showing willingness to cooperate.

"Oh I see. It's unfortunate, but even so, we cannot always control our fates. Who you are doesn't matter, it's what you do that's important. I am surprised you have the Angel of Death at your side, but you had mentioned that he was wrongly judged. If you trust him, then I won't question it, as long as we can work together and put an end to the Templar." Eclipse nodded, understanding the situation.

"I'm sure the rest of us are doing the same, in trusting Djinn. I don't suspect there will be any conflict. So, I believe we have ourselves an alliance." Nye replied, as the two shook on it.

As they turned to face their path, the group approached what sounded to be the echo of flowing water. As they drew nearer, a faint light shined above the glistening water of the chasm that escaped through the opening. Outside, there were Pegasus and dragon riders circling the night sky. From the looks of it, the waterfall dropped all the way down to the ocean below.

Ashewyn drew closer, to peer outside to the night sky. "I think we may have found our exit." He stated, before turning back to look at the others.

Nye drew closer to get a look as well. "It appears so." She said, Jackyn beside to the examine it as well.

There also appeared to be enough cover from the rock formations of the island, to block their descent from the hovering Templar sentries. Eclipse walked up beside Ashewyn, eyeing the sky. "If we're careful we may be able to pull this off without any of them seeing us." She mentioned.

"Pretty risky, innit? That's a long drop down." Solitaire sounded a bit nervous. "I don't exactly do so well with heights." She said in a hushed tone to Nye.

"whoa-whoa-whoa! Hold on now! You're n-not thinking about seriously considering this, right? Are you guys crazy!? That's a waterfall, with water at the bottom of a MASSIVE drop!" Miles gawked, getting completely paranoid about this plan.

"What, scared of a little water? Don't tell me you can't swim?" Ashewyn crossed his arms.

"I-I don't like water, okay?! H-Heights too!" Miles shivered.

"Typical cat." Jackyn remarked, glancing boredly over at Miles.

"S-Shut up!" Miles pouted.

"I know it's risky, but we're limited on options, Miles." Nye glanced to the nervous feline.

"Look, I ain't thrilled bout this either mate, but sometimes you gotta take risks." Maxwhyld added.

"If it makes you feel any better, I have no idea what we're about to do. I can't even see what frightens you." Djinn spoke up.

"......." Miles stared to the water, crossing his arms as he felt the uneasiness engulfing him.

His dread was sinking further and further in, but he knew there was no way out of this. Maxwhyld was already climbing into the water with Solitaire and Eclipse climbing onto his back. Djinn slithered after them, holding onto Eclipse's hand to be guided along with them.

"Can't we just f-fly down?" Miles chattered, looking to Nye.

"If you want to be an easier target for those sentries. Come on Miles, we're wasting time." Nye replied, taking Jackyn's hand.

The feline watched as everyone else got into the flowing stream of water without him. It began to carry them closer to the edge, were the water came crashing down to the surface below. His heart sank as one by one they went over, moving in unison with the body of water.

Miles grew frantic, running to the end of the fall. "W-Wait! Don't leave without me!!" He shouted out, losing his footing, only to fall into the rushing water.

The flow carried them all down, and gradually everyone surfaced for air as they reached the large mass below. "Is everyone alright?" Eclipse called out, seeing that they all made it without injury.

Soon enough they all swam for the water's edge, reaching a vast forest that circled around the dragon's keep tower. The party was completely drenched, with excess water dripping from their soaking wet hair and clothes. Miles shook himself off, to remove as much water as he could. It was clear that being wet made him very uncomfortable.

"The rendezvous point should be hidden just up ahead. Keep your heads low just in case, we're still within Templar territory." Eclipse explained, leading the others into the woods ahead.

Some distance into the surrounding wilderness, was a campsite set in front of a campfire. Sitting around it was Heath and Sally, speaking with what seemed to be Vaugn. Heath was going on about having Vaugn join them, in a much similar way that he had done with Zyron. Off to the side, Rocky was laying down after having been bandaged up, smoking a cigarette. Talis was resting inside the tent that they had pitched up, in a make-shift nest of sorts. Surrounding her were freshly laid eggs, with their mother's tail coil around them as she rested. Grave had gotten bored of Heath's offer to Vaugn and came up behind Zyron and Ronan who kept at a distance from the others. She sniffed Zyron, getting too close into his personal space, making the male Vulpis uncomfortable.

"Hey, knock it off, kid!" Zyron growled, shoving her out of his face. "Go bug your master or something!"

"MAKE ME!" Grave barked, ignoring Zyron's demand. "I'm gonna smell you, you're gonna like it!!"

Zyron flared his teeth, pushing her back. "Take a fucking hint, and GET out of MY FUCKING FACE!!!!"

Grave instinctively decided to clamp down on his hand, letting her teeth bite down on Zyron hard. "Grrrr!!!" She snarled.

"AKKKK!!!!!" Zyron yelped, and both dogs growled and barked at each other.

"Grave." Vaugn looked over with a displeased expression. Quickly Grave released her hold on Zyron and scampered back over to Vaugn, sitting down behind soft whining and whimpering. Vaugn pattered her head. "They got us out of trouble, the least you can do is behave yourself." He sighed.

"Awe.... Okay, fine. I'll play nice...." Grave pouted, her tail wrapping under her.

As that fight was broken up, a rustling came from the bushes and trees not far from them. This forced the group to grow silent, as they waited to see what was coming. Emerging from the brush was Nye, Eclipse and the others.

Upon seeing Solitaire, Zyron's face lit up with happiness rushing to her to hug her. "... I missed you..." He whispered.

"I missed you too, Ronnie." She replied in a hushed tone as she hugged him back, forgetting that others could see them.

As the hug broke, Zyron looked to Miles with his expression shifting to uncertainty, but upon noticing his removed digits, he eased up with a more concerned expression. Even Ronan seemed surprised by the other feline's condition. Maxwhyld had also quickly limped over to Sally, so that both centaurs could have their happy reunion as well. There was an unsettling feeling however as Nye and Vaugn exchanged a glance. This though was broken and Heath approached Eclipse.

"Lady Spymaster. Unfortunately only half of our forces will be able to make the journey to the Forest of Guidance. Talis had her eggs while we were away, and it's not wise to move her again. Oh, I nearly forgot, this is Vaugn and Grave. They'll be joining forces with us, but for now I suggest half of us remain here while the rest of us makes the trek for our new base." Heath explained.

"Very well, we'll do whatever we have to do for the time being." She said before glancing to Vaugn. "I remember your face." Eclipse remarked, at the man who appeared surprised to see her. "Hmm... Perhaps I'm mistaken, never the less, welcome aboard."

Heath smiled, turning to gaze to Djinn, in astonishment. "Djinn? I'm surprised to see you again. I'm not sure how you and Eclipse came across each other but I'm happy that you're able to join us."

Eclipse walked over to Nye's group, leaving Heath to catch up with Djinn. "I suspect that you and the others must be taking your leave. Well, hopefully from here on out we have a better advantage working together. Let's meet soon to discuss what direction we should proceed next."

"Aye, it's about time we get back. If you need anything just let us know." Nye replied.

"Same goes for you. Safe travels." Eclipse bid farewell.

Nye and her group prepared to leave, but Miles turned to Nye. "Nye. I wanna stay here and help them. I've been a lot of trouble for you guys recently, and maybe a change of setting will be good for me."

Nye glanced back, with others not far from her. She wasn't sure what to say, and the others seemed surprised as well. Nye paused for a moment, before speaking up. "If you want to lead your own path, go right ahead. You know where to find us if you want to come home." She smiled.

Miles seemed like he was about to tear up, but stepped forward to hug Nye. "Thanks Nye. Stay safe. Hey... Could you maybe send Ember my way?"

"Of course, I'll make sure your bird makes it to you. Take care, Miles. We'll be in touch." Nye replied, before She led the others back in the direction of Knothole.

Ashewyn and Eclipse shared one last glance before the group departed. There was something hidden behind that exchanged glanced, but the feline wasn't sure what. Instead, Miles watched Nye leave, followed by Jackyn, Ashewyn, Zyron and Solitaire; seeing them vanish into the distance. Behind him, Heath had gathered his brother, along with the centaur, Vaugn and Grave to depart the opposite way. This left Miles to keep watch of the camp with Ronan, while Eclipse and Djinn looked after Talis inside the tent. He glanced to the other Lugooz in silence, both peered back to see Talis quickly hug Djinn, clearly excited to see her again. It was up to them to protect these girls now...