The gates of Ratris City had fallen behind Lynch and his party; they had now set foot on the path out of the Underdark. Although the environment here was still shrouded in darkness, the flickering light from the torches they held in their hands cast some illumination. The echoes of dripping water spread across this cavern world, accompanied by a cold wind through the passage, enveloping the frail bodies of all travelers.
However, Lynch and the rest felt relieved—at least here there were no towering spires and cold walls, no dark-skinned drow wielding whips nearby, nor any strangers’s malevolent gaze and prying. Now, apart from the harsh natural conditions, nothing else added to their burden.
For this group, however, the natural environment itself was not much of an obstacle.
They used subterranean lizards as their means of transport, disguised as a halfling’s caravan. The so-called cargo they carried was merely some food and water; all their valuable items had been exchanged for essential supplies for their adventure. For origınal chapters go to NovєlFіre.net
None of them intended to return to this Dark Elf City; hence, they had used their accumulated savings to purchase these items long ago. Deluo’s rewards from the Duel Arena and the items Zilvra carried with her were also exchanged for what they needed to gain their freedom.
Now, Zilvra sat next to Lynch—she refused any other means of travel—a female drow using her Dark Vision to scout the surrounding dangers. Lynch wrapped himself tightly in a cold-resistant cloak, trying to conceal himself as much as possible. Despite many instances of suggesting Zilvra take a rest, thinking that as a mage he could more conveniently observe the surroundings, the female drow insisted on keeping watch herself.
"Zilvra was so cautious because of excitement and anticipation," Lynch thought to himself, "just like my first time leaving the Mage Tower to explore, feeling so nervous, just like Zilvra now."
Most of the people in the team felt a bit dazed—even though they were stepping on the cold underground rocks, surrounded only by jagged boulders with no man-made traces, they still couldn’t believe their senses. Maybe leaving the city gates was too easy, vastly different from their previous adventures; most of them felt as if they were in a dream, not outside the city, but still trapped in the evil, shadowy Ratris.
"Have we really left?" Many kept asking themselves. Another glance around to confirm their environment, then they affirmed, "Yes, it seems we have indeed left."
Lynch tightly clutched his cloak around his body, covering himself like goods on the lizard’s back. His Eye of Insight scanned the surroundings and kept a watchful eye on all the accompanying personnel. Felps’ worries weren’t unfounded; as long as they were still in the Underdark, anything could happen. Only when the sun warmly shone upon him could Lynch truly relax and have a good sleep.
The path they were on wasn’t the usual route to Hanmosidun City—while that road was smoother and didn’t have so many sharp stalagmites on the roadside, Hanmosidun City primarily produced armor and weapons, and heavy ore was their main trade good with the Dark Elf City. Although this path was closer, it was unsuitable for large carts to pass.
"Stop!" Lynch suddenly exclaimed, startling Zilvra beside him. The mage nimbly threw aside his cloak, slipped off the lizard’s back, and ran to the front of the group.
The female drow closely followed him, and Felps and Nimo soon gathered around as well. Deluo took only two steps before stopping, instructing others to immediately stand guard around the area.
"What did you find?" Zilvra whispered into Lynch’s ear, asking in a lowered voice, "I don’t see anything around us; are the Dark Elves catching up?"
The mage shook his head, pointed at the stones on the ground, and whispered, "Not long ago, something passed through here, quite a few of them, they..." Suddenly, he stopped talking, saying no more.