Seeds of The Seven (Rubia)

37. Confrontation

The corrupted miners charged, their movements jerky and unnatural. Mori reacted instantly, her voice rising in a chant as she cast a shield spell. A shimmering barrier formed just in time, deflecting the miners' attacks and buying the group precious moments.

Eliya quickly began to prepare her fuming herbs, her hands moving with skilled precision. She crushed the leaves and roots, releasing a fragrant, soporific smoke designed to put the corrupted miners to sleep. "Hold them off a little longer!" she called out, her voice steady despite the urgency.

Markenzo stepped forward, drawing dual swords out of thin air. The blades glinted with a crystalline, icy sheen, their surfaces clear and deadly sharp. With a fluid motion, he engaged the corrupted miners, his swords flashing in the dim light as he parried and struck with precision.

Ser Bennington, seeing an opportunity, focused on the cloaked figure. "I've got the leader. Keep them busy!" he ordered, plunging deeper into the mine in pursuit of the imposter.

The cloaked figure turned and fled into the shadows, Ser Bennington hot on its heels. He could hear the clash of weapons and the chanting of spells behind him, but his focus was on catching the guise seductrixen minion. The mine's passages twisted and turned, the air growing colder and more oppressive the deeper he went.

Back to the youngsters, Mori's shield held strong against the frenzied attacks of the miners. Eliya's fuming herbs began to take effect, the thick smoke curling around the attackers, slowing their movements and lulling them into a drowsy stupor. Markenzo's icy swords struck with precision, ensuring the miners were disarmed without causing lethal harm.

One by one, the corrupted miners succumbed to the sleep-inducing herbs, collapsing to the ground, and at the same time was being healed, corruption banishing in their eyes. The immediate threat neutralized, Markenzo and Mori turned their attention to Ser Bennington's retreating figure.

The group quickly regrouped and moved deeper into the mine, following the trail of shadows and the faint sound of Ser Bennington's pursuit. The air grew thicker with each step, the sense of corruption more palpable.

They arrived just in time to see Ser Bennington confronting the cloaked figure in a wide chamber. The imposter stood at the center, shadows swirling around it like a living cloak. The confrontation was about to reach its climax, and with their combined strength, the group prepared to face whatever darkness lay ahead.

The chamber's oppressive air seemed to thicken as the group faced the cloaked figure at its center. Markenzo stepped forward, his icy swords still in hand, eyes narrowing as he spoke, "I know you. You're the one who corrupted me in the forests of East Rose Farm."

The figure remained silent, the shadows swirling more intensely around him. Markenzo's accusation hung in the air, the tension palpable. Then, from beneath the hood, a single tear glistened before sliding down the figure's concealed face.

Eliya, standing behind Markenzo, furrowed her brow. She wondered if it was truly a tear but noticed that the others seemed oblivious to it.

Finally, the disguised seductrixen minion spoke, his voice trembling. "You must race ahead to Mt. Bunio. The real culprit is there, and it may already be too late. I'm just a mere pawn in this scheme."

Eliya's heart wavered; something about his tone seemed genuine. She glanced at Ser Bennington, hoping he might see reason, but his expression was steely with determination.

"It ends here." Ser Bennington declared, his staff and shield glowing brighter with magical energy. Without hesitation, he launched himself at the shadowy figure, his attacks fierce and unyielding. The figure moved with an eerie, puppet-like grace, parrying and dodging Ser Bennington's strikes with unnatural agility.

The three companions stood back, momentarily awed by the intense display of combat. Ser Bennington's strikes were swift and powerful, but the figure's evasive maneuvers were almost otherworldly.

The earth beneath them began to tremble once more, the mine walls vibrating ominously. The shadowy figure glanced around, a note of finality in his voice as he said, "You were too late."

Without warning, a void-like vortex appeared, swirling with dark energy. The figure was drawn into it, his form dissolving into the darkness. His last words echoed in the chamber as he vanished, "Catch the real culprit, please."

The vortex closed, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The group was left standing in the now empty chamber, the oppressive air lifting slightly but the weight of their mission heavier than ever.

Eliya stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room. "We need to move quickly to Mt. Bunio. If what he said is true, the real threat is still out there."

Markenzo's sword dissolved into water, his expression conflicted. "He may have been a pawn, but the corruption was real. We can't let this spread any further."

Ser Bennington nodded, his resolve firm. "Indeed. Let's head to Mt. Bunio and end this once and for all."

Mori added, "The tremors are getting worse. We need to hurry before the entire mine collapses."

With a shared sense of urgency, the group turned and made their way out of the mine, their next destination clear.

The Rose Marble Mines groaned and shuddered as the final collapse began. Rocks and debris rained down from the ceiling, filling the air with dust and the deafening sound of destruction. The group sprinted through the tunnels, urgency etched on their faces.

"Keep moving!" Ser Bennington bellowed, his powerful frame leading the charge. Mori's spell shield glowed around them, deflecting falling rocks and debris. Ser Bennington carried the five unconscious miners over his shoulders, their bodies limp but safe within the protective barrier.

Eliya, Markenzo, and Mori pushed forward, their feet pounding against the unstable ground. The path ahead was treacherous, but they kept their pace steady, driven by determination.

With a final burst of effort, they emerged from the mouth of the cave just as it gave way completely. The entrance collapsed behind them with a thunderous roar, a cloud of dust billowing outwards. They stood panting, but unharmed, in the bright sunlight of the sunset.

Ser Bennington wasted no time. "I'll take these miners to the healing sanctum. You three head to Mt. Bunio and find the man."

Eliya, Markenzo, and Mori nodded, their faces set with resolve. They watched as Ser Bennington carried the miners to safety before turning their attention to the distant mountain.

The journey to Mt. Bunio was not that swift, they already arrived when the sun dipped into the horizon, the landscape flashing by in a blur. When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, farmers greeted them with anxious faces.

"We've heard rumbling from the mountain." one farmer said, pointing to the rocky slopes.

Markenzo's eyes narrowed, a thought forming. "Let's check it out."

The three rushed to the pointed area, navigating through the rocky terrain. As they approached, Markenzo placed his hand against the mountainside, feeling for something.

"There." he said, pressing a hidden magical button. With a rumbling growl, a stone door slowly creaked open, revealing a flood of loose stones and debris.

The passageway beyond was blocked, the only path to Bunio-Rubia sealed shut. Markenzo stepped back, frustration evident on his face.

"We're too late," he muttered. "The path is closed permanently."

Eliya and Mori stood beside him, their expressions grim. The blocked passage was a significant setback, but they couldn't give up now.

"We'll find another way," Mori said, her voice steady. "There has to be another entrance, another path."

"There's no other way. That is the only way the Northeners created." Markenzo denied the idea since he knew about it.

Eliya stood still, speculating, theorizing. Debunking her theories about the Rose Archon and now hypothesizing what's the enemy's true intention as to why they have to do such things. Her brain started to ache in such pain she couldn't understand, straining ideas she couldn't straighten up and flatten.

Finally, Ser Bennington arrived and saw the scenery, once again feeling defeated.