Author's Notes:

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“Alright, this is it.” Farries shouted out as he stood right in front an old stone door. Well more like a loud whisper really, but still certainly louder than the average changeling.

The changeling captain looked up towards the door, raising an eyebrow under his helmet at the site of this ancient portal. “This certainly is one ancient looking door. Most likely carved out before the beginning of the Zasamar dynasty from the looks of it.” The captain casually commented while tapping his chin.

A common history knowledge for most changelings, but obviously not for a certain Gazelle decked out in a jet black changeling armor with added padding underneath.

Granted, it was still somewhat uncomfortable to wear, but at least it wasn’t stinging or grinding in all the wrong places like it previously did.

Besides that, Cyrus just shook his head as his much more educated mind quickly kicked in at the mention of past dynasties and history.

Spending most of his later years in a library does have its perks, even though it wasn’t as exciting as fighting underground dwelling monsters or demons down below. Palmyria’s grandmother had always thought that the changeling’s future was further down underground. Only because she was feeling unnaturally paranoid of the surface world above. Something most changelings don’t even know about.

“No, this door actually stamps from AFTER the Zasamar dynasty, not before.” Cyrus commented as he pointed a hoof at some of the runes and hieroglyphs dotting the edges of the door. “These markings were first used during the new reign of the newly founded Nebanerii dynasty. Which began with Palmyria’s great, great, great grandmother almost a millennia ago. In some case, some of us aren’t particularly well educated in our hive’s history.” He added, allowing his superior knowledge and age shine through.

The last realization actually making him internally sighed, just a little bit.

This information was worthless to most, especially towards a certain doe as her magically infused gem and horns illuminated the surface of the stone door in front of her.

“Well, that is all well and good, but do I have to remind you all that we are here for a very specific reason, and with it not being history lessons?” Mystic Gem stated, not looking particularly impressed by this rough looking slab of rock.

“Well, of course. Farries, Captain.” Cyrus ordered quickly.

The two aforementioned changelings just nodded in response, before both started to channel magic through their horns, causing them to shine in a yellowish aura. Runes and hieroglyphs mimicked their magical aura as they too began to glow, responding quite visibly by the two changeling’s attempt of communicating with this old language.

Afterwards, the door finally opened as it started to slide down into the ground, disappearing from view and allowing those with good enough night vision to see past its previously unknown passage.

Mystic didn’t have a good enough night vision to see through it clearly, as she swiftly casted a firefly spell into the cavern to illuminate it. Or at least a portion of it.

“You know, I wouldn’t necessarily advice to do that.” Farries criticized, in which mystic scoffed at.

“Oh please, as if anyone could even see us in this long, forgotten, and constantly mentioned to be abandoned tunnel. I should know, because you three keep bringing it up ever since we left the warehouse.” She countered, being as impatient as ever.

The captain just sighed, while Cyrus simply shook his head.

“Nobody really, but it’s better safe than to be sorry. Especially when Obsidian Guardlings are somewhere close by on separate tunnels. They have many magical abilities, one of which is tracking magic and spells which have been casted nearby. Even through solid stone and rock walls.” Cyrus added.

“Well, at least I have to give miss Mystic credit for one thing she is correct at. We got to move while it is still quite. Let’s just hope that the Zebras managed to do their part of this attack, and diverted the majority of the changeling guard’s attention away from us. The less we have to encounter inside the hive’s expansive halls, the better.” He announced, before leading the way.

Again, the party just nodded, before following Cyrus’ lead. Including the entire small army following behind them, which consisted of both previous members of the Changeling guards and even some veterans of the previously mentioned famed and feared Obsidian Guard. Highly valuable additions to their little army if not anything else.

The tunnels were both long and wide, snakeking around solid granite rocks and branching off into different tunnels and passageways leading to gods knows where. As Farries said, the tunnels were only just recently excavated, but not fully explored.

The long forgotten style and method of carving, alongside the old architecture and decorated pillars, were all new and awe inspiring for those less educated with their hive’s history. Though, even those with more history in their heads were still just as curious as the rest at seeing all of these old, long forgotten architecture themselves.

“Well, there is a reason why these tunnels were abandoned in the first place. Those support columns doesn’t look particularly sturdy enough to upheave the much heavier rock ceiling above us. Some have even long been collapsed due to erosion by the looks of it.” Cyrus openly commented, as the small army started to pass by a large pile of rocks and rubble. One of which looking suspiciously similar to one of those supports dotting the cave in all directions.

“And we are trudging through this obvious death trap because?” Mystic asked as she shined her horns up towards one of the collapsed ceiling above her. The damaged going so far up, she wasn’t even able to see what was even beyond its ominous darkness.

“Well, simple.” Farries began. “For the same reason as to why no sane changeling would ever dare trudge through these tunnels in the first place.” He answered, not exactly enticing confident or safety through his terrible reasoning.

“Wow, how comforting.” Mystic answered, sarcastically if some of you didn’t get that.

The rest of the trip was pretty much silent from that point onwards. Only the occasional mutter echoed through the group from the younger members.

It seems that their trip was mostly met with eerie, but still nerve racking serenity at what was to come.

Unlike for another group of intruders moving through these ancient tunnels. Who will soon find themselves in the short end of this operation stick.

………………………………………………………………………………………

“Is everything ok up there?” Liu loudly whispered at the changeling above her, standing on top of a large overhang and scouting the large open chamber in front of him.

The silent, but slow march into the under city was dark and foreboding, with no sight or sound of any changelings nearby…well, until now that is.

The buzzing of wings were eventually starting to enter everybody’s ears as they ventured deeper and deeper into the catacombs. Having long passed the Zebra made tunnels, and have now entered unfamiliar territory.

Unnatural looking caves and tunnels crudely cut or chiseled from ages of past.

Now was time for Liu and Isdar’s escorts to do what they are here for. Scouting ahead and leading them through this maze of tunnels and passageways, while also helping them out with the use of their own magic when things eventually start to go real serious really fast.

From what Liu’s escorts have managed to deduct so far, is that a good portion of these changeling guards were actually wearing jet black armor. Very distinct sign that the much talked about Obsidian Guard were here as well. A guard who is alleged to be very effective in magic craft and full on frontal assaults.

Something which Liuanda did not focused much on, especially when it was made clear in just how hopelessly outnumbered they really were. Only their dedicated experience can help them out now. Especially for those who participated within the battle for the east bridge, where the Zebras had also been heavily outclassed and outnumbered. A situation which they still managed to come out on top of, thanks to their training, discipline, and over all courage.

Well, that and the help of some new tactics and toys.

“But even so, it was certainly a much more ‘traditional’ battle than this one. No magic, no flying enemies charging from above, and no deception.” Liu suddenly thought to herself, a sense of doubt quickly entering her mind, before she swiftly dispelled it.

She forcefully remembered herself that they were carrying their special nethicite encrusted shields that should give them an edge against these magic casting changelings. Nullifying their magic, and giving them a fighting chance.

“ARGH!” Liuanda’s thoughts were swiftly interrupted when that scream entered her ears.

She didn’t even had the time to properly yelp or flinch out of her armor when the yellow burning mass of the previously known changeling scout came crashing down next to her.

Lifeless and still very much burning under the intensity of whatever magic had hit him.

The next thing that came were the very distinct sound of someone shouting, before a massive orchestra of buzzing wings swiftly drowned out everything else within the tunnels. Both the Zebras and rebels knew what was coming, and they didn’t need to see it in order to believe it.

Liuanda’s training immediately kicked in when the realization dawned on her.

“QUICK, EVERYBODY FORM A DEFENSIVE LINE, SHIELDS UP AND IN FRONT OF YOU, AND KEEP YOUR SPEARS POINTED AT THE ENEMY AT ALL TIMES. BACK ROWS, HOLD YOUR SHIELD ABOVE YOU AND KEEP CLOSE. NO GAPS SHOULD BE VISIBLE FOR THE ENEMY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF! HURRY!” She quickly ordered, to which had an immediate effect.

The guards under her command didn’t need to be told twice before they all quickly formed up in front of their officer, and presented themselves as a deadly wall of shields and spears towards the enemy.

Isdar’s branch was practically doing the same thing as well. Effectively choking off their side of the tunnel perfectly and preventing anyone on the ground from passing through. Though, not so much for the airspace above them.

That’s where the changeling escorts came into action, keeping an eye for anything above while also providing fire from behind their covers.

This is it, there was no turning back now. It was either hold the line and fight, or die for the Zebras above them. At least if this fails, the entrances to this underworld could easily just be sealed off by many different means. Preventing any of these changelings, or at least for a time, from invading the outside world.

Or at least, that is what Liuanda is hoping for if she, and the rest of her troops, are going to meet their end in this underground cave system.

“It's a good thing that Little Steppes eventually decided to join up with a different group of changelings that were heading off towards the hive quietly. Better follow them into the excavated tunnels than us.” She thought to herself as things were starting to develop themselves rather quickly.

“Invaders! Surface dwelling invaders! just as we have been warned. Kill or capture them before they can make it deeper into the cave system. By order of the queen!” One of the changelings could be heard screaming at the onslaught of buzzing wings and chatters.

Though, soon these noises were promptly accompanied by the charging of many horns and the immediate flinging of deadly spells directed towards the mass of Zebra guards.

“Here it comes, brace yourselves!” Isdar shouted as he too raised his shield and prepared himself alongside with his fellow guards for the incoming bombardment.

The nethicite crystals inside their shields immediately started to glow when the first couple of projectiles were just meters away from their targets. One by one lighting up the tunnels with their ethereal glows, forcing some of the closer changelings above them to shield their sensitive eyes from this unexpected surprise.

Even more so when their magic attacks swiftly found themselves absorbed by the unique magical properties of these unknown stones. Barely even leaving any scorch marks or scratches on their surface as every bolt harmlessly dispersed on top of these shining crystals.

The plan worked, and the changeling’s biggest strength was swiftly nullified. Now, the playing fields are a lot more even for the Zebras. Minus the flying ability that still can give them problems.

The swarm of changeling guards above them were understandably confused by this sudden turn of event, before many of them simply decided to fire again, and again, and again, only to be met with the same confusing, and for some infuriating, result of their magic having little to no effect on these surface dwellers.

Surface dwellers that doesn’t even possess any active magic on them.

It was almost immediately clear that their magic, at least from range, were no use on them. Unexpected, shocking even, but still nothing to give up upon. These were still enemies of the hive, invaders who are trespassing into their underground dwellings, threatening both the hive and the crown living within it. And just like any enemy, it has to be stopped, the queen demands it. Literally, in their heads, in fact.

The Zebras however, were as tense as they can possibly be. All huddling behind their shields and spears, just waiting for these bug equines to do their next move. Not even daring to peek out of their steel and crystal encrusted shells as they kept their stance.

Though, to the Zebra’s confusing surprise however, the next move that these changelings made was anything but expected. The mass of normal changeling guards suddenly retreated. Buzzing backwards out of the light one by one while still keeping their glaring eyes trained at the guards below them.

Liu on her end, was particularly intrigued by this sudden change of events. Peeking passed her shield to make sure that she wasn’t seeing things.

“What the…was this…really that easy?” She whispered to herself while still watching the retreating mass just disappear behind the shadows. Their ominous blue eyes passed on them one by one while fading away into the darkness, before nothing was left for the Zebras to visibly see. Only the continuous sound of buzzing wings was the only thing still indicating that they were still there. Simply hiding in the natural shadows of the tunnels, watching them, much to the their nervousness.

The changeling rebels behind them were equally perplexed by this. Also peeking out of their covers to see what was going on. The only one who wasn’t as confused as the rest was actually the changeling officer himself. Being a veteran of the Obsidian Guard himself, he knew with great dread what this tactical retreat meant.

“Don’t be fooled. They are only making way for the more experienced soldiers to take the helm. This is far from over.” He called out to the two Zebra leaders in front of him. Readying his horn with potent magic, to which the changelings near him mimicked.

They can feel the tenseness their leader was feeling. Quite literally in fact, thanks to their changeling biology.

Both Liu and Isdar could also feel the dread on this situation as they both steeled themselves. Same with the rest, and not a moment too soon, as new eyes suddenly emerged from the shadows in front of them. 10 became 20, 20 became 30, and 30 quickly became hundreds as the seconds ticked by, with the glow of horns suddenly accompanied these bodiless eyes, before a sudden flash illuminated everything in front of the intruders’ vision.

It didn’t took long for many to immediately scream out in pure agony as a large portion of the front row fell on the ground, squirming and screaming their lungs out as they were engulfed in an unexpected sea of a green lit inferno, same with the very earth in front of them. Everything was suddenly burning in a wall of green fire, a literal firewall.

Whatever massive spell these changelings had performed must have somehow gotten through their nethicite shields. Actually, it didn’t, as many were still glowing and crackling with magical overload at the same greenly aura that the flames where roaring with. Most likely still having done its job, but not as fast and efficient enough as liked.

If it wasn’t for the presence of these stones, the casualties might have been much, MUCH worse. In fact, they might have had actually, and most likely, wiped out the entire branch of the Zebra guards completely. Alas, the first row of guards still perished nonetheless. But again, it could have been much more devastating.

Liu thankfully managed to be one of the few lucky ones to still somehow come out of this attack unscathed, despite being right in the midst of it all.

She coughed and hissed from both the pain and the intense heat of the flames in front of her, forcing her to back up with her shield still raised, which was pretty much mimicked by all the other guards behind her. Nobody could do anything for the poor souls which were now being burned alive within this inferno.

Their screams slowly, but surely calming down one by one with the crackling sound of the fires still being present.

As if this devastating loss of a quarter of their forces wasn’t enough, an ear piercing shriek suddenly entered everybody’s ears, which was soon followed by a mass of shadows rapidly stomping through the very wall of fire in front of them, only for them to reveal themselves to be the same black clad changeling guards they have previously spotted. All of their horns glowing with spears held in front of them.

Liuanda miraculously managed to notice this within the midst of the chaos, and immediately called it out to her fellow guards to brace themselves while sharply forming up with the still intact second line.

For some, there wasn’t even enough time to form up with the rest, and simply present both their shields and weapons towards the charging enemy. Some quickly fell at the blinding speed of these elite changelings while some still managed to hold them back, if only barely.

The clash was quick, but fierce. With the entire line being somewhat pushed back towards the allied changelings behind them that were still recovering from their own shock. The ones in front immediately found themselves in a deadly melee with the vicious Obsidian Guards as spears hit shields and armor. Even Liuanda was busy fending off two changelings at once, managing to stick both of them through the eyes, before focusing her attention on another pair who were fencing off with two other Zebra guards.

The sudden and unexpected onslaught had its effect, the front lines were slowly breaking. For those at the front, it had basically become a massive slug fest.

The changelings who retreated before returned, and were trying to snipe off any Zebras who were too busy to take notice of the menace above them. That’s where the changeling rebel escorts came into effect, as they fired their magic at the airborne foes, keeping them occupied and disrupting their own focus.

The entire cave was now just a chaos of ongoing fighting and the flashing of magic projectiles. The sounds of steel hitting obsidian and the shouts and roars of those participating in the melee.

Liuanda on her part, was once again overwhelmed by multiple changelings focused on her, but thankfully she now had the backup of some of her fellow guards to help her out, after she, and a large number of guards, had been forced to break off from the rest of their line, and be a part of the a more chaotic slug fest in front of the still raging flame wall.

The changeling officer in the back was trying to keep his focus intact while sniping off as many changelings as he could from his position. Though sadly, his mana reserves were slowly running out. Not to mention giving him a sizable headache as well. Plus, the ever increasing number of changelings taking up into the air to join their brethren to try and snipe as many Zebras as they could was making their strategy no longer sustainable in the long run.

To make it all worse, he wasn’t the only one who was getting close in depleting his magic reserves. He dreaded this idea, but it was slowly getting time for him to take a more ‘personal’ approach to things, even though it might eventually lead to his certain death.

But it was fine, he had made peace with that concept long ago, if not by the nagging teeth of time, rather at an end of a spear, spell, or a claw by performing his duties as a defender of the hive.

Or liberator in this case.

He sighed, coming up with a decision in his mind, before sharply turning his gaze over at the closer rebels around him, who of which, were actually veterans themselves, though not from the same elite rank of guards that he was once part off.

But alas, it is certainly better than nothing, especially in a situation like this.

“All of you, come follow me. We are going to charge the guards head on, and keep them busy. We need to give the Zebras more time to stand off against the elite’s down below so that we have at least a margin of a chance to get through this. This is either all or nothing.” The changeling officer ordered. Casting one last spell from his horn, which in turn summoned a perfectly good looking obsidian spear similar in shape and look to the ones the Obsidian Guards used on the Zebras. Another wonderful proof of what he once used to be an elite soldier during times long past.

The rebel changelings in question, promptly stopped their spell firing, and turned their gazes collectively to their leader with surprised expressions. Some of them even sported looks of disbelief at the officer’s mad request.

“But sir, we would be heavily outnumbered if we charge them head on. Such an attack would be suicide. Especially for such a small force like us.” One of the changelings argued, sounding and looking quite outraged that his leader would even ask them for such a bold move.

Though his defiant demeanor was promptly silenced by a very hard and sharp glare from the aforementioned ex-elite. Even going so far as to point his newly summoned spear at him for threatening effect.

“Back in MY days, such tones and disobediences would have easily gotten you cast out of the hive, forcing you to fend for yourself in a world where most surface dwellers would have seen you as nothing, but a monster.” He angrily stated, before giving another sigh, and forcing himself to get back to the point.

There was no room for arguments right now.

“And yes, I am fully aware that such a request on most normal circumstances would be downright ill-advised. But, this is NOT one of those normal circumstances at all. We HAVE to do this in order to give the Zebras down there more time, and lengthen the potential for reinforcements to finally arrive. Remember, there are more than our team scouting through these tunnels. The ongoing echoes of actual battle would surly summon up all the other changelings and Zebra guards nearby to come for the aid for their endangered brethren, I am certain.” He openly shouted within the midst of this ongoing chaos. The never ending screams of war easily drowning out everything else, making simple conversations with one another difficult.

“Now, follow me and don’t lag back. I at least, have an ace up my sleeve on how I can increase our survivability chances while flying into the fray. You just have to trust me on this one.” He finalized before spreading out his insectoid like wings from underneath his armor, and taking off with all of his called out companions following him. Mostly because they really don’t have much say in the matter.

Besides that, the small force of changelings swiftly unsheathed their curved blades with their magic and mentally steeling themselves for what was to come.

It was rather difficult for them to think on what they were about to do. But, it wasn’t as difficult to remind themselves that there is still a job, giving those who carry the true chance of success with the diversion they needed in order to slip by unnoticed and do what needs to be done.

They needed to give them time, as much time as they can in fact, even if it meant throwing their own lives away for a bigger cause. Many changelings, from the citizens, to the loneliest of worker drones were depending on them to succeed so that the madness from the queen can finally meet its end. To hopefully turn things back to how they were before the Queen murdered her grandmother, and took over the crown for herself.

It is that thought, this sense of responsibility, that quickly kicked out any ideas of doubt and fear out of their hearths, and replaced it with a sense of finality.

In the end, this was exactly what they were trained to do, even if it meant going against their own kind to reach their goal.

Their leader screamed out a war cry as he pushed in as much muscles power as he could into his wings while charging the mass of changelings ahead of him, holding his spear out in front of him with both of his hooves. Not with his horn, but physically holding it.

The simple guards behind him mimicked his tenacity, feeling their own fill of adrenaline coursing through their changeling veins, causing them to roar as well.

This was now the point of no return for them, especially when the guards closest to them noticed their bold charge, and were ready to intercept them with both magical bolts and actual weapons at the ready. What they didn’t account for however, was for a blinding flash to immediately overload their light sensitive eyes, causing them to shriek in pain. With some even dropping their weapons and canceling out their spell while clutching their eyes.

The ex-elite, allowed himself a quick smirk, before powering down his horn, and aiming for his first incapacitated victim. Wasting no time in ending his life, he rammed his razor sharp spear right through a gap in this armor, and pierced his chitin.

The poor guard didn’t even had the time to flinch, as his life was swiftly draining away from him. Having been pierced right through his green beating heart, and fell from the air like a loose rock falling off a cliff.

Fortunately for someone down below, the newly added carcass landed right on top of an Obsidian Guard who was about to give his final strike at an injured Zebra in front of him, giving the lucky Zebra enough time to pick up his own spear and finish off the job that the dead changeling started, turning the number of dead changelings laying on the ground from one to two.

The random Zebra in question, allowed himself a second to look up above and saw the allied changeling above him sticking a spear into his hostile brethren while they seem to be struggling with something.

He just nodded to himself, before diverting his attention back at the battle, not minding the large gash on his right hind leg, and simply limped back into the fray.

Casualties were piling up at this point, most notably on the enemy’s side thanks to the Zebra’s more natural gravitation to a more traditional and melee focused battle. Something the changelings neglected in favor for their magic and shape shifting skills.

An advantage which they had lost, thanks to the Nethicite shields. But still didn’t prevent those above and those fighting on the ground from casting magic. Some even going past their defenses and hitting true.

“By the gods and ancestors above, please preserve us when the time of judgment arrives.” Liuanda prayed as she only barely managed to dodge a bolt fired by a distant Obsidian Guard who was towering above the battle from a vantage point.

She was feeling exhausted, her body in the verge of shutting down despite her mind telling her to keep on fighting. Never before had she been in so much strain in both physically and mentally.

She was coated in both red and green blood, proof of her skills having been keeping her alive for this long. Both her weapon and shield looked even worse, the steel and decorative carvings barely visible under all of its gore. The nethicite on her shield having long given up on protecting her from incoming spells, forcing her to dodge and weave whenever a spell was fired at her.

It seems that at the worst of situations, these magic negating crystal do have their limits after all. Reminiscent to the discoloration and the tiny cracks visible on its crystalline surface. Not a hopeful sign, especially with it making tiny arcs of sparks shooting off of it occasionally. And to make it worse, she wasn’t the only one who had the unfortunate displeasure of discovering this previously unknown limit at the worst time, with many having lost their lives because of that.

The magic bolts coming from the changelings hovering above might be dangerous, but the ones coming from the guards were downright deadly. Any hit from them, even it just glance, with their magic bolts is enough to immediately ignite any sad victim in a flash of green fire.

Their cries were just downright horrific to listen to. Something which Liuanda had to listen to lot of while preventing herself from suffering the same unmerciful fate as well.

Liuanda was heaving heavily under her helmet, out of breath, and exhausted beyond as can be. She was hot, unbearably so. Not just because of the large wall of fire still roaring in front of her or the occasional unlucky Zebra around her who gets hit by the aforementioned changeling’s spell. No, she was feeling genuinely hot inside her plate and scales. Her robes long ditched because of that, or rather ripped off of her instead, leaving nothing but the bare plate underneath and the few exposed patches of fur here and there. Despite that, she was still exhausted and sweating as if there was no tomorrow. It might just be if she doesn’t put her focus back on the battle instead of just lazily standing there in the middle of all this chaos.

She wanted to go on, but again, her body was just too incapable in responding to her commands. Her senses were slowly starting to fail. Everything around her suddenly started to sound muffled and distant, accompanied by her vision getting blurrier and blurrier with every passing breath. The sound of her constant heaving was all she could hear.

Her throat was dry, aching, and begging her to drink something despite it being the worst of time to do so.

Her head was starting to buzz too. It might be because of the heat, the overall exhaustion, or the risk of dehydration after having sweated off most of her moisture out of her body. Or, it could even be from some of the large bleeding gashes she practically had on all of her legs.

She was feeling tired, so very tired. Not even realizing that she had unconsciously let go of her spear as she drifted further away. It’s muffled thud and clambering sounds after hitting the ground only mildly recognizable by Liuanda’s ears.

She wasn’t even aware that the same changeling who was standing on top of his outcrop was now aiming up a second shot on her. Liuanda allowed her eyes to momentarily close themselves, feeling just as heavy as the rest of her body.

It felt good, oh so very good.

“aaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

Liuanda’s eyes immediately flashed open after that ear piercing scream entered her system, despite everything else sounding so muffled. She promptly raised her gaze up towards the source, only to see a new changeling standing on top of the very same rock where her would be killer was. In fact, the would be killer’s body was in the process of crashing down with the still burning inferno his brethren casted.

Her eyes and ears immediately perked up when she realized who this changeling was.

It was none other than the rebel changeling officer himself, covered in green stains of his own slain brethren, with the tip of his horn sparking unnaturally. He seemed to be in great pain, flinching every time his horn gave a spark, but still nonetheless showing true dedication and unwavering resolve in his expression.

She could tell that he was far from done, even though he seemed to be looking worse off than she did when she was looking back at herself.

“LOOK, REINFORCEMENTS! BY THE GODS ABOVE, REINFORCEMENTS!”

This snapped Liuanda out a second time as she looked around herself in both confusion and panic on what this new commotion was all about. For a second, she thought that another wave of guards had entered the battlefield, but it seemed to be the other groups of the Zebras and rebels that had came from the opposite ends of this wide open tunnel.

The Zebras of both Liuanda’s branch and Isdar’s branch have put up one hell of a resistance, despite the having been outnumbered 3 to 1 from the start. But now that there was a whole new force of Zebras arriving at the scene, alongside with even more of these rebellious changelings in tow, pretty much told the badly battered changeling guards everything they needed to know. The odds were suddenly more in favor for these invaders than on them. Something some of the guards’ leaders swiftly realized when they noticed the whole new set of Zebras and traitors arriving at the battlefield. All perfectly equipped, fresh, and ready to step in.

Plus, this tunnel is just too much of a chokepoint to really take advantage of their numbers. So to prevent further losses right now, it is wiser to turn around and seek better opportunities to let their numbers flex its muscles, not to mention calling for reinforcements themselves back from the hive.

One of the changelings, probably one of the leaders, suddenly started to shout something in a very undecipherable chatter that none of the Zebras could even make sense off. But it was made very clear quickly what these orders meant when the entire front of both the Obsidians and regulars suddenly abandoned the fight, and took off into the air in the masses. Leaving both the carnage and the literal firewall behind as the retreated back into the enigmatic darkness of these caves. Even the echoing buzzing of their wings eventually subsided from everybody’s ears as the seconds ticked by.

The surviving guards and rebels immediately rejoiced at this outstanding victory, despite against all odds. Some were confused at this sudden retreat of their enemy. But, a victory is a victory nonetheless.

Especially after having suffered so many losses on their part.

Liuanda just sighed, before allowing herself to finally collapse onto the floor, giving her body the badly needed rest it craved for. She even went so far as to remove her helmet and throwing it off to the side with little care in the world, allowing her sweat drenched and messy mane to hang freely from the sides of her scalp.

“Maybe keeping my mane this long as a guard might not be such a good idea after all.” She thought to herself while looking down at her striped, doubled shaded red mane as it was being soaked by someone else’s blood.

She ignored it. Because really, how much more red can her mane really be when adding some more blood into the mix? But then again, she is far from really caring at this moment.

She was just happy to still consider herself to be amongst the living, despite the many occasions where she could have easily not be. Though, many of her fellow guards were sadly not as lucky as her. Even more depressing when she lifted her head to look around, notting all the dead bodies around her. A good portion of them even being unrecognizable. Black, and more or less burned to a crisp, minus the armor.

She just silently prayed for those unfortunate souls to at least have an easy pasture towards their awaiting ancestors. At least now they can finally rest and know that their deaths weren’t completely in vain.

“Officer Liuanda?” Somebody suddenly tapped her on the shoulder.

She immediately looked up, greeted by another Zebra guard. An officer just like her judging by the color of his robes obscuring most of his flank and barrel.

“Y-yes?” She automatically responded.

The stallion saluted. “Officer and branch leader Harkin here. I must say, what you, Isdar, and the changeling rebels managed to do here is just downright impressive. To hold out so long, with so many disadvantages is pretty much a miracle.” He congratulated, which Liuanda accepted somewhat bitterly.

She just sighed. “Perhaps…but still, many good mares and stallions have lost their lives today. Most of them weren’t even prepared for what was coming to them. For them to just be burned alive faster than most of us could blink. Just horrible.” She depressingly responded.

The now named Harkin nodded, before turning his gaze around the carnage that surrounded him.

Liuanda did the same, though this time her focus was swiftly drawn to something else. Noticing a group of changelings off into the distance, who were casting some kind of spell which subdued the magic created inferno, making the ground underneath it traversable on hoof once more. Many guards and rebels took advantage of that, as they all started to cross and directly towards the cave where the guards disappeared to.

She looked at the scene with confusion, before looking back at the officer beside her.

“What the…why are these guards and changelings perusing the fleeing changelings? We already won.” She naturally asked.

“Well, simply to keep on the pressure, of course.” He responded.

Liuanda wasn’t particularly convinced though. “Well sure, but what if these retreating changelings are actually just leading you and the rest to an ambush or much more open grounds where their numbers and skills can be even more advantageous? Remember, these tunnels are changeling made. So it would be easy to assume that they now knew every nook and cranny that these underground domain provides.” She pointed out, sounding and feeling quite worried thanks to this possibility.

The officer in return just smirked, to her surprise. “Well, that may be true. But, so does our changeling allies, and from what they have informed us so far, the cave systems from this point on are just generally straightforward with only minor junctions and crossings. Minus the large hall which house one of the four main entrances of the hive.” He responded.

“Oh…well, I am still not sure.” Liuanda replied.

Harkin just smiled. ”Do not worry. You and your zebras already done much more than what was previously thought possible. In fact, one changeling has already been sent of and tasked to fly back to surface to request for more supplies and pickups for you, your guards, and dead as well.” He assured, before looking back at the passing guards ahead of him.

“I think I have to go now too.” He announced, before turning away.

He swiftly followed a band of guards just standing in place. Most likely his branch if she had to guess. Soon after a few inaudible talks were exchanged, he and his guards started to move. Following first group of Zebras and rebels through the now extinguished path into gods knows where.

Well, she knows, but not how long and exactly how to, in this maze of tunnels

She just sighed again for the third time, before interrupted once again by another set of hooves coming towards her.

“Miss Liuanda, are you alright?” A random mare standing behind Liu asked, forcing her to turn her head once more to look at the newcomer.

“Yes, yes, I am fine, besides my obvious fatigue and… my injuries.” She replied, hissing a bit at the mentioning of her wounds. Only just now noticing that she had injuries pretty much on all of her legs.

The guard mare stepped closer, and sat on her haunches, offering both of her hooves towards her. “I can help you up and act as your support if you want.” She offered.

Liu looked up at the offered hooves, before gazing up at the mare once more. She too wore battle scars all over her from, such as bloodstains, bumps on her armor, and even some wounds on the exposed sections of her armor, particularly the legs, as was the case for most. But besides that, certainly far better off than she was. She most likely must have been part of the back lines, the ones that actually managed to keep their formation after this whole chaos began.

Liuanda eventually nodded. “Yes, sure, why not. No point in allowing pride to get the better of me at this point. Plus, I really don’t care about my pride right now anyways.” She responded, taking the offered hooves with her own before being pulled back on all fours.

Or rather two, as one was draped around the guard mare’s neck while keeping her left hind leg off the ground as its wounds were the most severe.

She simply gave the mare a thankful smile. “Thanks, what is your name by the way?” She asked, simply out of curiosity.

The mare smiled back, an out of place action compared to the situation that they are in, but why display more gloom and doom around you when you can try and carry more positive feelings with a smile? A little ‘pick me up’ after what everybody had been through is certainly welcomed.

“Private Jabella of Isdar’s branch…or well…was.” She responded, her smile twisting into a sad frown after she said that.

Liuanda tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean was?” She naturally asked, despite already having a really good guess as to what this foreshadowing applies.

But, she needed to be sure.

“Well…” The mare began. “He was actually one of the first who got struck and killed by that devastating fire attack those guards did in the beginning. We managed to confirm that, as his personalized custom sword which he liked to show around prior to this was actually lying next to his presumed remains. The attack was just so quick. Who knew that the magic negating nethicites have their limits? This was just…if only we have known before.” She answered, questioning it to herself rather than anyone else in the end.

Liuanda’s eyes widened at these news before she simply lowering her head, quietly morning for the lost officer and wishing him a good passing to his afterlife far above.

At least he served his duties, same as Liuanda did. Though for her, she at least managed to survive.

“No matter how many battles someone, or rather I, participate in. Watching oh so many of my fellow guards fall is never going to be easy. But alas, this is the cost in order to make your mark on the world. In the end, only those with the will and tenacity shall prevail while the others get conquered. Such are the rules of the worlds stage, if you like to or not” She thought to herself as she was carried over to her aforementioned fellow guards who were currently busy identifying the dead and mending to those just as heavily injured as she is.

“Liuanda, by the ancestors are you alright?” The sudden voice of Little Steppes called out to her, giving this otherwise grim sounding situation a bit of a pep into it.

Though not that much of a pep. Even the sudden presence of a Gazelle wont make her day any better at this point

Liuanda lifted her head. Just in time to see the shocked little Doe come in front of her broken form.

Liuanda just frown “Little Steppes, you lucky bastard.”