“Alright, we are in.” Farries stated, as he, and a few others where the first to crawl out through the tight opening which finally lead to the main hive itself. Or rather into the neglected section of the hive to be precise.

An area's, long abandoned for pasts reasons.

The walls, ceilings, and support structures where all rotten and neglected. Buildings where unattended and perpetual darkness was dominating this massive space. Everything was quite eerie feeling as well, with the only sources of illumination coming from luminescent flies, worm, and strangely looking Fungi growing on almost every surface. The spores themselves seem to glow in an eerie green as well. Creating long and distorted looking shadows from these few light sources that did exist.

Some of these Fungi where even larger than a normal sized changeling by a couple of extra meters.

“So this is what a changeling city looks like. To be honest, I was expecting a lot more than just…this. This place is dark, empty and looks rather run down and neglected as well. I would have expecting just a little bit more fairness in the looks and design, and this opinion is coming from a species that is a lot more nomadic in comparisons as well. Should say something.” Mystic gem openly comment after she stepped through the tight exit herself and had her first real glance of the massive underground space she found herself in.

“Well, actually…” Cyrus began as he was the next to step out into the open.” This section of the hive has been abandoned for a few decades now after the current queen took over the throne from the former. I still personally remember how bustling this section of the city was during my younger years.” Cyrus accounted, before allowing himself to drone off for nostalgia reason. To remember the good old days of his services as an Obsidian guard.

The countless expeditions into new caves, the exploitation of said caves and finding new underground worlds and wonder beyond them. Those were the days, even though some of these underground worlds where the homes of some of the most nastiest and highly aggressive creatures that he had ever saw. Hampering much of the the further exploration into the world’s interior, and most likely having led to the current queen from disposing of the former as her phobia of the surface world and the desire to expand further down into almost dangerous levels was costing a lot of good changelings lives.

The further down you go, the more inhospitable the trains tends to get. Not just geographically but also naturally as well. With very dangerous creatures and extremely alien looking fauna dominating most of these regions.

Not to mention a dramatic increase of temperature and pressure.

Another reason why so many changelings believe that the very realms of Tartarus might be resting deep within the world’s core. A place where some of the most nightmarish monster are being kept to prevent the world from meeting its end buy such massive beings.

Either way, Mystic took quick note of Cyrus explanation and slight moment of nostalgia as more and more changeling began funneling out of the small hole they all just came from.

“Really, if that is the case, then why the heck was this place abandoned in the first place? Did this crazy new queen of yours suddenly decided to lock this place off just to be more of a shell head?” Mystic curiously questioned which broke Cyrus out of his mental musing by blinking it out.

“Well actually no.” He began before looking at the armored doe next to him. “The reason why this section of the city was abandoned in the first place where because of the newly freshly build city section that were being dug out at the western area of the hive. Allowing for more modernized and stronger architecture to be implemented and provide much broader living space for simple citizens and drones alike. Not to mention allowing them to live right next to the new mines which were being prospected around that areas as well. He answered much to mystic satisfaction.

This made Mystic understand it a bit more, though not really contributing much to her over all interest, as she quickly focused back at the large open space that surrounded her. The fact that so much space can even exist so far deep underground was unheard off before. Not to mention quite marveling and impressive as well, if she had to be boldly honest.

“Well, telling history is all nice and all, but you should all focus more on the mission at hoof instead of marveling at the past.” The grading voice of the captain, now known as Captain Rakash as he previously introduced himself during the trip, was echoed through the spaces of this massive hall which in turn got everyone attention.

Especially Cyrus as he gave Rakash a slap at the head. “Not so bloody loud, do you want the regional patrols to hear us?” Cyrus rebuked with gritted teeth in order to not contradict himself with his own complains.

Rakash sheepishly smiled under his helmet, before just nodding and keeping to himself from this point forth.

Cyrus on the other hand just sighted, before lighting up his horn and sending out a weak pulse around everyone in order to mask the sound of their hooves from any possible listeners.

This is the very common problem of any hoof based race. Hooves are naturally a lot louder when it comes to paws or feet respectively. That is just how things are.

“Alright, now that I have dampened the sound of our hooves, let’s just tread lightly, and keep both our eyes and ears out for any movement and sound.” Cyrus openly instructed to everyone, before switching her gaze over to the only none changeling within their little commando team. “And you…you might give that pretty good sniffer of yours some testing too. You should know how changeling smell so you should technically have no problem in sensing nearby changeling. Every viable senses count.” He added, which in turn just made mystic roll his eye on him before looking back at the ominous looking light at the far end of this massive space.

Not related to any of these luminescent flies or mushrooms, but rather something much bright at the end of a large archway. Most likely leading to the none-abandoned sections of the hive if she had to guess. Though the problem with that was. This arch was quite elevated off the ground they were standing on, right on top of a large platform with no visible ramps or stairs nearby that could lead to it.

Most certainly no problem for a changeling and its natural ability of flight, but not so much for a ground anchored being like Mystic.

This could certainly be an issue.

“Hey, is that the exit on the far end of this hall.” Mystic pointed out, which both Cyrus and farriers both followed.

“Most likely. Though I can’t be sure as I don’t have any mental maps of this place.” Cyrus responded, which in turn made Mystic raise an eyebrow.

“What? And here you said that you once used to know this place back in your youth? When it was still alive and populated.” Mystic asked, giving the old ling a suspicious look.

Cyrus sighted. “Well, yes, but that was obviously years ago. I can’t possibly remember everything now can I. With age may comes wisdom, but also forgetfulness in certain memories unfortunately.” He responded, giving another quite sigh.

“Besides, I think Farries over here knows this place just a little bit better than I do, being a royal spy and her majesties personally infiltrator and information gatherer. He should generally know all of these existing secret exit holes and pathway. Same how he generally knew about these old abandoned tunnels which we just travelled through to get here.” Cyrus added, while aiming a look of expectation at the aforementioned spy.

To his thankfulness Farries nodded. “Indeed, and to also answer your question, yes this archway off at the distance does lead to the more populated areas of the city. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s either gated off or guarded at this very moment.” He confirmed much to Cyrus satisfaction.

“Well anyway, enough stalling. Let’s just get there quickly while not creating too much nose if it’s truly guarded. So keep your chit chat to a mere minimum. Keep your perception sharp and your concentration sharper, who knows if these halls are really as abandoned as it said they are. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these parts are being watched as well, giving the queens current paranoia.” Cyrus ordered, before he quickly took the lead of this operation which the rest of the gang swiftly followed.

“Damn, the head elders or Shamans of my tribe would love to have a sample of all of these mushrooms and fauna growing down here. All glowing softly in these eerie colors, some of them even seeming to pulsate visible around their stems like blood inside someone vein. These underground worlds really are quite alien.” Mystic gem though to herself as she gave ever fungi and plant like vine they passed a curious look.

Even noting the few insect like creatures crawling on the floor and walls that seemed to also give off they own bluish and greenish hue alongside the nearby fungus. Not to mention the spores in the air, which had they own luminescent as well.

Again, to say that this world seemed alien to her would have been an understatement. She has been so used to either the wide open steppes of her homeland, or the large expansive deserts of the north that something as different as this was just strange to for her.

The changelings themselves where already really strange as it is, in comparison to the other race she is knowledgeable off. Half bug, half equine. A strange combination but one that obviously exist as the proof was pretty much around her.

Though, this marveling and wondering of an alien race within an equally alien looking underground world would have been a lot more…lucrative, if it wasn’t for the strange smell or stunk these plant where openly giving off here.

Could certainly be the spores, which also made her mentally wonder if these tiny particles where even safe to breath or not. A question she will have her answer one way or another. If she is going to get sick from breathing them in or not. Or even worst, falling over off conscious or even dead before this was all done.

A reality Mystic personally didn’t felt like dwelling into too much. As it just made her nervous and overall paranoid for her own self. Both elements she certainly doesn’t need in a critical moment such as this.

If Cyrus expectations where correct, then worrying about the inhalation of some glowing fungus spore is going to be the least of her problems very soon. They will eventually get in contact with one of the patrolling changeling guards in the hive anyway, which will certainly lead into a fight one way or another.

This is their home turf after all, basically giving them both a home field advantage and a very good reason and getting her group detained or worse.

“Alright, here we are.” Farries suddenly stated, which brought mystic gem out of her train of thought.

She followed Farries gaze, only to frown as the only thing she was gazing up at was a blank wall, with no doorway, stairs or ramp leading up to whatever was up there. Well she knew what exactly was up there, which made this call out even worst.

The wall didn’t even had any interesting carvings, or hieroglyphic like depiction on them like how most of the other ruins had that they passed so far. It was just a blank wall, nothing to see, or to climb up on it.

“Well, it seems that we all have to fly ourselves up there then. Not the most preferable method, given in just how noisy our wings can be.” Cyrus stated as he took looked up at the clean slate of rock presented to them.

Mystic gems frown simply deepened. “What the heck are you all even thinking about? You just literally lead up towards the very wall which sits right under the open archway we just spotted at the beginning. Not even making an attempt to look for any other possible routes to get up there? Why though?” Mystic questioned, sounding quite displeased with this.

It was Farries turn to frown. “Simple, it’s because no physical pathway actually exist that leads up there. I should know, because I have passed through these areas a couple of time, either to pick up some Fungi or during one of my missions. And also…” Farries paused to catch his breath for a moment. “…the one that did exist has long collapsed long ago thanks to both neglect and the few earthquakes which passed through this area thanks to a few mining accidents that happened close by a year ago.” Farries explained, before looking back up at the wall. Completely missing the obvious point as to why Mystic was upset in the first place.

Mystic just shook her head before gazing up at the large rock wall and focusing her mind to it. Specifically it’s top and even beyond that. Unbeknownst to the others.

“Well flying up there is just going to create too much noise. I would say that it is better to just either teleport ourselves there or levitate up there one by one so that we don’t…” Cyrus was instructing before a sudden flash to his right forced him to hold form his efforts.

He turned his head, only to be momentarily confused before the realization struck him.

“Did…did she just teleported herself up there. I wasn’t even aware that she could do that.” Farries commented out, sounding quite surprise at this given fact.

“Well, she obviously can as she has proven.” Cyrus casually commented, before focusing back at the task at hoof.” In that case let’s just flash ourselves up there as well in case she decides to just run off without us. I am sure she has something like that running side her little skull of hers, judging by her rashness and level of impatience.” Cyrus responded, before lighting up his horn and disappearing with a yellow flash himself.

Farries and Rakash themselves followed suit, alongside with the rest of their little squad.

Once on top, Farries and Rakash where a bit confused and concerned with the sight of a frowning Cyrus standing in front of them. Farries was about to ask, before Cyrus swiftly beat him to it by just giving him his answer without a question.

“Mystic is gone. She must have teleported herself a bit further off. She truly is the most inpatient and hardheaded individual I have ever meant in my life. I would almost personally believe that entire race might be just be as rash as like her, if it wasn’t for her sister being the complete opposite of her. “Cyrus stated before rubbing his forehead with his hoof and groaning out of frustration.

Both Farries and Rakash weren’t exactly faring any better after having heard that. This single Doe might have the ability to risk their entire undercover operation with her rashness and thick-headedness. All because of an Idol and a chance for glory. But then again, if her words might be true, then she might actually be the only individual capable in reaching the Idol safely without much effects. Thanks to her apparent heritage and what not.

Still…

“This doe seems to have a death wish.” Rakash muttered to himself.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Hah, now that I am alone. I can finally concentrate more on my task and senses. Time to finally start locating the lost idol and bring it back home. Maybe even get the chance in giving this queen of theirs a thing or two for misusing its true purposes. I have been itching to give my years of training and schooling a good run for their time and efforts. This is going to be perfect.” Mystic thought to herself as she casually trotted through the large empty hall she teleported herself into.

Unlike the areas she has seen so far, this one truly does seem to be in much better shape compared to the rest. Clean, straight, and even quite well ordinated with hieroglyphs and symbols dotting both the walls and ceilings. Even the flooring seemed to have a certainly level of geometry to it.

“Well yes, this certainly looks something more…Civilian-ized. Not like the derelict tunnels and ruins I passed earlier.” She self-muse before shaking her head with a grunt.

“Argh…focus mystic. Use your senses to try and find the idol, not to go sightseeing. In fact, I think I can already feel it magical presence touching me on my gem and horns. Just…just need to follow its source and avoid any of these hostile changeling patrols along these halls. As much as I would love to have an open fight and test my metals. I will have to admit that abilities do have its limits. I am brave, not suicidal.” Mystic mentally told herself as she kept on following the surprisingly straight and boring hallway to gods knows where.

She kept on her track for a little while longer, before eventually coming across a crossroad and immediately picking the left path as calls of the idol where a lot stronger in direction. Only for her to be stopped dead on her tracks when she saw the sight which had quickly presented itself a couple of meters in.

A pathway directly leading to a type of balcony and overlooking a truly massive open space she would have never imagine even existed that far down underground.

“So, this is what a changeling city looks like?” Mystic again though to herself as she gazed upon the massive open space presented in front of her. Similar to the one she just left though with the very dramatic and obvious differences compared to the previous one. For starters, this massive underground space was actually very well lit, with large shimmering crystal embedded on the walls and ceilings of this place, all of which were giving off and almost multi-colored glow on their own, not to mention populated and wonderfully maintained as well. All of its structures and supports made of either white grayish rock and bronze looking domes or roofs.

And by populated she meant lots and lots of guards flying about the large airspace of this district and cantering around on the streets below her.

Most of the build structured where either hugging or build against the walls of this underground area or the massive pillars keeping the equally smoothened ceiling afloat. All of which either having a basic square, rectangle or octagon like layouts. With all of which being built on different elevated platforms connected with either long stretching bridges, stairs or long and narrow pathways.

Why a natively flying race even needs crossways and bridges in beyond her, but it’s really none of her immediate concerns as she obviously has other things to focus on.

Like all of those patrols flying around in the air while she herself was basically just standing on an overhanging exposed balcony. So with a little bit more foresight and a sudden sense of panic. Mystic swiftly hid herself back around the corner when a changeling guard came buzzing by pretty close from where she used to stand.

This was certainly a close one, especially considering in just how long she truly has been standing there, staring off into the distance and everywhere where her eyes allowed her too.

“Stupid, stop acting so impressed and just start focus more on the task at hoof here. Going down there is obviously just going to get me caught, so I need to find another way to avoid the main city all together and skirt around it. Of course the idols magical source was going to be somewhere on the other side of this massive underground space. Just wonderful. “Mystic mumbled to herself as a frown formed around her lips at the fact that she had a whole city full of hostile guards in-between her and her price.

Why she ever expected this to be remotely easy was beyond her. And kind of naïve too, because now she even has even more problems?

“Maybe ditching the changelings wasn’t such a good idea. At least they know the layout of this place. Unlike me of course.” Mystic thought to herself while grinding her lips.

She was on the verge of returning to Cyrus. Before the random thought of her father stopped her. He has always been a hardy one, one who has always been quite stern when it comes to traditions. Especially towards his own family.

Which is why he always so hard on them to begin with, especially their older brother, who in the end, forced her father to constantly speak highly and expectantly of him as he was succeeding in almost everything just like how their father wanted. The keyword here is almost, until that one fateful day where all of his luck and prowess finally run out when their father sent him off on quest. Similar to her and Steppes now. Only for him to bring great shame and disappointment to him.

He didn’t even bothered to attend their brother’s burial rights. Something which has always kinda bothered her mentally. Which is why she had always this hidden grudge towards her father for both his stern ways and general lack in looking past just his stupid traditions. A characteristic which has been passed down from his own father to him, and from his grandfather to his father and beyond.

All because his own ancestors have been actually responsible for losing the Idol in the first place.

Sometimes she just wonders how mother even managed to get mated by the likes him, even though she has come from a much more respected lineage, which is why she was born with a gem on her forehead similar to her mother.

But hey, she can’t be too judgmental about her mother’s choices, otherwise she wouldn’t even be here in the first place.

Either way, this whole thing was more or less just an excuse to both finally make her father proud for once, and also shoving it to him once succeeding with her task. If she personally returns with the long lost Idol, she would most likely be given the title of the Hambukatar by the elders. Which basically means the champion of Isoth-Bal, their Deity of magic and nature. A position higher which would automatically elevate her on a much higher position than even her father’s.

He would then be forced to listen to her, especially when he isn’t as magically gifted as her. Not to mention allowing her mother a chance of more freedom under her father shadow. The decisions of going down here in the first place was really just both to settle a family issue and to end a power struggle between the more traditionalist and those that which to be more then what traditions simply dictates. Something she can only truly feel proud of IF she does this by herself without much outside intervention. Especially towards a species that seemed to have misused the idols magical powers and kept it so well hidden and away from them for many, many decades.

This is what her mind, her heart and her sense of pride told her and she knew she had to go through this even if her methods where rather foolish in the end.

Mystic nods to herself. “No matter what, I will find the Idol, even if I have to risk my life at some point. Better to die then to return empty hoofed in front of my father. Also…”She stopped, before starting to take off her armor and padding on her chest, legs and back.” I don’t really feel right or windy wearing these. Protection or not, the only protection I really need is both my speed and agility to get out of dodge. Not to just stand there and take a hit like an idiot.” She told herself before finally taking off the last remaining hoof shoe and damping it on the rest of the pile.

She sighed. “Much better, now, onto the pathing problem.” She told to herself before once again allowing looking off into the distance. Observing the stone carved underground city in front of her with frown.

“Ugh, crossing this obviously is the simplest and fastest way to get to my goal, but also the most problematic one. Maybe if I can…”Mystic trailed off, before looking down onto the newly formed piles of metal and padding next to her before looking back off into the distance.

Particularly the changeling guards patrolling the air space.

“Hmm…if I can lure one of them to me, knock them out and take their fully enclosed armor…”Mystic trailed off, rubbing her chin with a hoof and humming. “Though what about my horns though.” She added, reaching a hoof up towards her horns and feeling it.

Then something very important emerged from her memory. A specific lesson talking about a very specific spell which everyone, including her, though was a completely useless spell as it only targeted the Gazelles horns and nothing else.

A spell, to cast an illusionary shroud around someone horns and making them practically invisible to any outside viewer. A spell which actually seemed to have found its true and dedicated purpose with the idea she just came up with.

She once again looked down at the pile of junk, before quickly grabbing the helmet as it was costume made for her and had very changeling like designs to them unlike large parts of her actual armor, and of course the padding as well as she doesn’t feel like getting bothered on all the wrong places while trying to “blend in” with the crowd.

“Better take these with me then.” She told herself before placing the helmet back on her head and laying the now rolled up padding onto her back.

“Now comes the more difficult part, trying to lure in one of these guards and knock them out or kill them if I have to. Easier said than done, especially since I never got the opportunity to either ask or watch what a basic changeling guard can actually do combat wise. Both physically and magically…sigh* I hate having to guess around, especially now.” She again told herself.

She stepped back out onto the balcony like outcrop, making sure that nobody was looking at her direction before finally giving the area around her a much more in-depth look. Or more specifically what was right below her, and to her luck, what she saw was actually something quite similar looking to what she was standing on, though this time with an actual narrow walkway hugging the wall, before eventually leading down to a set of stairs before disappearing into one of those carved out buildings.

This was obviously perfect for her, as it meant that she could easily just jump down one story before swiftly galloping herself into the cover of one of those structures and further.

Once she was there she would obviously needs to be careful as to how she moved about, avoiding praying eyes as much as she can while also looking for a chance to lure in one of those guards and silently knock him out and get his stuff. Once she has done that, she would be almost free to move as she wants and slowly but surely getting herself exactly where she is needed to be and to her thing.

Again, easier said than done but nobody ever claimed reclaiming and old relic is ever going to be easy. Especially when inside hostile territory.

With a nod, Mystic promptly lowered herself on the edge of the balcony, before simply jumping down and landing on all fours perfectly on the second balcony below her. Once having regain her composure, she quickly dashed off down the narrow walkway to reach the closest physical cover.

Once safe, she allowed herself a momentary breather before assessing her situation a little bit better. At this point she was pretty much committed with this idea. Especially when looking back from where she came from and seeing no physical path to get back up there.

She could use a teleportation spell like she did before. But the flash coming from that would certainly attracted some unwanted attention which she certainly doesn’t not need.

Well, not the one she was actively seeking for at least. Though this thought quickly reminded her of THAT particular idea once more.

“Right, what now. How to lure a single changeling guard close to me so that I can try and knock him out quietly?” Mystic muttered to herself while hugging the wall of the house behind her tightly.

Actually, yet again this reminded her. More for curiosity sake rather than practicality.

“Wonder if these houses are actually populated, or even better, have something of use stored in them.” Mystic thought to herself while looking at a chiseled out window next to her.

She was actually mildly surprised when she found out that these windows actually had some glass covering them. Though luckily, with no curtain or whatever else blocking the view. Though yet again, the class was kinda rough and hard to see through.

“Of course it is. Even so, I think I can see through it enough to see that it's…”She trailed off before frowning.” Empty, again why not. But then again better than having actual inhabitants in them.” She added before removing herself from the window and looking down at the narrow passage of streets in front of her.

It kinda reminded her of the tight alleyways passages back up the Zebra City above her, with the only difference being that everything here seemed to be built with this tight layout in mind and not just the alleys.

Again not being really sure why, but then again she does have very little experience when it comes to cities in the first place. She comes from a race or nomads of course, not city dwelling once.

“Guess I simply start moving along these narrow roads towards the direction of the aura and just see what happens along the way. Would maybe even help me formulate a plan while doing so.” Mystic mumbled to herself before finally getting a move on. Though obviously trying to stay away from any open windows or even doors in case someone is actually inside one of these dug out houses.

The alleys where surprisingly dark, which meant generally nothing to her as these changeling of course have very good night eyes to compensate for that.

Though besides their lack of light, it was also quite eerie in just how quiet and empty these streets really where. With the only sounds obviously being the distant buzzing overhead of these aforementioned changeling guards patrolling the airspace.

House after house and street after street later, and the obvious eeriness obviously persisted. With no nearby changelings, creatures or even moving shadows in sight besides her own.

“So this is what a ghost town feels like.”

Mystic thought were swiftly halted though when the sudden sound of distant hooves entered her twitching ears. She was she simply surprised at this sudden change of pace, before eventually starting to mentally panic at the realization that changeling where actually close by here. She quickly darted her head at every possible direction to determined where exactly the sounds where coming from.

The overall tight and crossroad littered layout making it rather difficult to do so, especially with everything echoing of on every possible surface. Even her nose was unable to help detect the direction of these changeling as everything down here pretty much smelled like changeling to her anyway.

Mystic was at a momentary loss, and even on the verge of panic when the clopping of hooves where coming closer and closer from where she stood, and where she stood was pretty much as bad as it could get. Right inside an alley with only two entry or exit points and rather tall walls flanking her from both sides. No window or door to jump into.

“Yeah…I think I saw something over here.” She heard someone speak which was shocking loud for Mystics ears. Basically signaling her that whoever has said that was obviously quite close by too.

She was really starting to panic, and for more than just one reason.

“Crap, what now. I was planning to lure in one and not a dozen at the same time. I don’t even know at what direction I should try to run. I basically have a 50/50 chance of hopefully guessing right and not run directly into the group which is pursuing me. How the heck did they even managed to see me in the first place in beyond me as well?” Mystic frantically thought to herself as the echoes where drawing nearer and nearer.

She could even start seeing shadows creeping along the corners of the streets, which would normally be fine, if it wasn’t for the fact that shadows where appearing on both exit point.

Again, how and why she didn’t know. But what she did know was that she was basically trapped.

“Crap, crap, crap…” She continued to mentally chant, which was obviously doing nothing for her besides gluing her on the spot.

She eventually shook her head. She was about to mentally accept the idea of maybe fighting her way out of this when a sudden noise behind her forced her to consider otherwise.

Or rather it stopped her, as she almost yelp out of surprise before swiftly turning herself around. Only to be meant with changelings head sticking out of the ground. Or rather a removed section of the street.

“Psss, not so loud. Quick, jump down in here outsider before they will catch you.” The changeling offered with a whisper.

Mystic was eying the changeling suspiciously before getting snapped back to the severity of her current situation.

“Ah, screw it, better than this then getting caught by guards.” Mystic muttered before stepping next to the hole.

The changeling just nods, before ducking away and allowing mystic a quick and easy jump into the unknown. Which Mystic did, before automatically grabbing the slap of stone her head and pulling it right above herself to closing the hole. Sealing herself away from her wanna be pressures and into safety. For now at least

Once everything was clear, she quickly turned herself towards her savior to address him more properly, and by address it meant giving him a rather suspicious looking glare rather than a thankful look.

“Ok for starters, who are you and why did you helped me?” Mystic asked, getting straight to the point despite the lack of light down here besides a few glowing mushrooms growing from the ground.

The changeling just back paddled a bit at mystic glares before replying.

“Well…”He began somewhat shyly.” I just realized that you were in a heap of trouble, so I simply just decided to help you out to and giving you an escape route before the guards could get you. Just thought that it was the right thing to do so.” The changeling awkwardly responded, and judging by its voice, mystic could guess that it was male.

Either way, Mystic simply scoffed at this. She was about to say something else when she noticed the somewhat downcast look he was showing.

She just sighed. “Well, you know what, thanks, I guess. You really did help me out there. Without you, the guards would have surly caught me right about now. So yeah, again thanks.” She responded in monotone way while looking off to the side with the same look.

The changeling on the other hand just smiled at that. Feeling both great at his achievement and praise she was giving him for his good deed. Though that still left one conundrum open.

“Oh yeah, we might better get a move on to a much safer area then this one. Come follow me stranger and I can lead you back to the surface if you want.” The changeling suggested before turning around.

Mystic of course was quick to interject. “No, I do not what to go to the surface. Also, you still haven’t told me who you are and how did you even know that I was in trouble in the first place?” Mystic naturally asked, or rather demanded as her naturally harsh side was once again shining at full force.

The changeling turned himself back around. Giving her a look of confusion, before returning back to his own downcast expression.

“Well uh…I am just a simply changeling, a working drone to be honest. One task to work the mines down here and both keep helping the hives expand and mine mineral down below. Basically serving at the lowest possible class, nothing special at all.” He responded, looking down onto the ground while rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof. Shoving off his bandaged hooves for the first time, which Mystic only just now noticed.

“Do these changeling miners really mine the earth with their bare hooves and not their magic or something?” Mystic thought to herself before also quickly noting that he was strangely lacking a horn on his forehead.

“I guess that answers that question then.” Again Mystic thought to herself while eyeing the rest of the dimly lit ling in front of her.

Those mushrooms where not really doing a good job in keeping this space sufficiently lid. But then again, the alleys she just left weren’t really that much different either. Even though everything outside them was fairly well lid thanks to this magical looking crystal jutting from the ceiling.

Though still, this left a much more important question open.

“Well anyway, how the heck did you even know I was in trouble in the first place? Have you been spying on me this entire time while I was carefully trudging my way through the empty streets?” Mystic again asked.

Though to mystic’s surprise the changeling actually nod to her statement.

“Well actually yes, I was kind of following you ever since you peeked your head into my home.” The changeling responded.

This causes mystic to do a double take. “So wait a minute here, you mean to say that the home I was peeking into first at the beginning was actually yours, and that you were in it as well?” Mystic asked, being somewhat flabbergasted by this.

“Why the heck didn’t I saw you then? I could have sworn that the building was empty.” Mystic added.

“Well…” The changeling began. I was actually peeking my head out through my basement door when I heard hoof steppes galloping up towards my home. I only allowed a very small portion of my eyes to peek through them, as I was afraid that it might have been guards or something. I seriously have nothing to to with these usurpers, or the princess herself.” He swiftly responded.

This caused Mystic to hum to herself before getting yet another idea while doing so. She might not need to confront a changeling guard after all and take his stuff to blend in better with the crowd. Well, at least not now.

“Hey, are their perhaps anymore of this roughly dug out tunnels such as this around here. Do you perhaps know another way how to get to the other side of this area without having the travel around outside? I an alternative route would certainly be helpful.” Mystic asked with a hint of hopefulness in her voice.

The changeling looked a bit shock at this before replying.” What? But…but why would you want to go even deeper into the hive where even more guards are present? Why not just return to the surface where it will be safer?” The changeling asked.

“Simple…”Mystic began. “These changeling over there have something of great value of me…a friend so to say. A friends I have been searching for quite a while now.” Mystic stated, her voice lowering with each and every word she uttered.

The changeling ears dropped. “Oh, so you mean your friend got actually taken away by one of the queen’s guards. Most likely as an energy source for the soldier of the ongoing assault I have been hearing about.” He then sported a resolved look.” Well, in that case if it is for a friend, I guess I can lead you to a ventilation system that can directly lead you into the very hearth of the hive if you are thin enough to crawl through so…”He stated, before a glare from Mystic swiftly shut him up.

“Did you just implied I might be fat?” She asked with a frown.

The changeling shook his head.” N-no no no no…no-not at all I was just….”He tried to excuse himself before mystic cut him short.

“Whatever…just…just lead me to this “ventilation shaff” you talked about. The faster you can lead me there…”She paused.”…the faster I can find my friend.” She added.

The changeling nod. “Well ok then. Follow me, and I can lead you to the shafts. I still personally think that your request is rather unhealthy. Especially with all of this paranoia going on…not to mention the mad whispers.” The changeling stated with a bit of a shudder at the end which made Mystic curious.

“Whispers huh…so I guess what I have been hearing so far from the Princess where in fact true after all. I guess whoever her mother is has obviously all power but no brain insider her head. Angering the spirits residing in the idol can be a very bad thing indeed…or at least that what my teacher once told me.” She thought to herself as she followed the changeling deeper into the tunnel.

Her mission was even clearer right now then it was before. She needed to find the Idol and appease the spirits within, or otherwise their will pray on the sanity of these changelings further before everything of their knowledge, memories and even personalities are all but drawn away which in turn would transform them into nothing but lifeless husks.

The effects of the idol can be quite devastating, if the right ritual isn’t performed first to safety the spirits and their god himself.

This has now also turned into a rescue mission as well. A rescue of the anybody affected by the Idols powers.