Tribal

43

Arriving at the artist's home, Ghost and Hollow quickly explained the situation, and the couple accepted the idea of helping everyone defeat Shade. Smith was less enthusiastic about Sheo having to pick up a blade again, but Sheo was more than willing to be of assistance to his old student. The group then made their way back to the Howling Cliffs and regrouped with those still at home. When Ghost walked through the door, Acacia stood and embraced him tightly.

"You're back!" she cried.

"I told you I would be. Nothing could ever keep me from you." Ghost kissed her gently, then sat her back down on the couch.

When Hollow and the rest of the nobles made their way into the house, everyone held their breath. Hollow noticed their uneasiness and tried to calm everyone's nerves.

"We do not mean any harm; we simply wish to help." Everyone gathered inside and updated each other on their plans.

Everyone was filled in on the plan, and groups were made.

"Come home safely, love. We'll be waiting." Haley kissed Stan, and Markus embraced his father tightly.

"Be careful, dad!" the little pillbug cried.

"I will be safe, and I will come home. I love you all," Stan replied, setting Markus back in his mother's arms.

"Be safe, darling, for us," Shella said, holding Steel and Iron in her arms.

"Of course, love," Mato said, kissing Shella and patting Iron and Steel on their heads.

"You had better come back alright?" Hornet demanded of Quirrell.

"I will. I love you," Quirrell replied softly.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Daisy asked worriedly.

"You've done a good job healing me. I'll be okay," Ash reaffirmed.

"You still have kids here that need you, so you better come home!" Clover said tearfully.

"I have more than children here; I have you here waiting for me as well. I could never leave you, not for long," Reed said, holding Clover's face in his hands.

"Please don't leave me. I don't know what I will do if you don't come back," Acacia began sobbing.

"Shh, darling. I will come back to you; that is a promise." Ghost kissed her gently and walked out the door.

"Be safe, my children," Root said as the door shut.

"I knew there was something going on between you two," Hollow commented.

"Not until recently. We actually affirmed everything when you attacked us at Hallownest's crown," Ghost said.

"Oh, so that is what you were doing. Hornet says sorry about the whole skewering your wing thing," Hollow looked away shamefully.

"It's fine. You know I don't hold grudges," Ghost said, nudging his brother with his arm.

"Yeah, you're right. So where is the teleport spell going to be used?" Hollow asked.

"Just up ahead. We need a good clearing to transport all of us," Ghost pointed to a relatively even plot of cleared stone.

"We're teleporting there?" Quirrell asked with childlike enthusiasm.

"Not directly into Shade's realm, but to the White Palace. It's the closest structure to the Abyss, and I'd rather not take another month to get there." The group arrived at the spot as Ghost spoke.

"Is teleportation dangerous?" Stan asked.

"For you? No. For me, it could be. This magic requires a lot of energy, but this is the fastest way. I want to catch Shade off guard, and they won't expect us to get there so quickly." Ghost sat his bag down and took a vial filled with a pale liquid out.

"What is that?" Ash asked.

"Moon water imbued with delicate flower petals. It boosts SOUL capacity to insurmountable levels for a short time; it also erases void energy. I'm going to use this to boost my magic capabilities. Better results, fewer downsides." Ghost let a drop of the liquid escape the vial and into his mouth.

"Is that all you need?" Reed asked, puzzled at the small amount of liquid consumed.

"That one drop will be way more than enough. This is some powerful stuff." Ghost placed the vial back into his bag and placed the bag on his back. He stood and spread his arms out.

"Is there anything we need to do?" Mato asked.

"Just stand completely still." Ghost's hands began to glow with a pale light, and in the blink of an eye, the group was outside the White Palace.

"Woah! What in the world? I didn't even feel anything happen!" Oro shouted.

"Calm yourself, brother," Sheo said softly.

"It isn't a particularly complex spell, but using it did drain a good chunk of that magic I consumed. But other than that, I am feeling great! Let's get moving." Ghost began to march towards the entrance to the Abyss under the White Palace's foundation.

"Hey, Ghost, just in case we fail, what will happen to everyone else?" Hollow asked. The rest of the group perked up at his question.

"In truth, I do not know. But I imagine that whatever happens won't be good. I just hope that our loved ones are far enough out of Hallownest that they won't be affected. The infection didn't reach Dirtmouth, so I have no reason to believe that Shade's darkness will reach the Howling Cliffs." Ghost kept his eyes forward as they descended.

The group arrived at a ledge, descending for what appeared to be eternity.

"Is there a bottom?" Mato wondered aloud.

"Of course there is, stones-for-brains! Right?" Oro commented slapping Mato upside the back of his head.

"You two still argue like hatchlings," Sheo chuckled to himself.

"Yes, there is a bottom. But it is a long way down. Good luck, all of you." Ghost leapt into the darkness and deep into the nothingness.

Hollow followed shortly without a word.

"Are they crazy!?" Oro exclaimed.

"Maybe, but I trust them," Ash jumped in.

"As do I," Quirrell dashed into the shadows.

"For the safety of those we love, I will take this risk," Reed followed.

"Welp, might as well," Stan jumped in.

"Hah! Well, either we face an ancient evil below or die trying. I, for one, am excited for this," Sheo jumped in.

"Well, I for one am not going to be left behind!" Mato leaped in.

"Like I'm getting shown up by your prideful ass!" Oro was the last to leap into the darkness.

They all fell deep, deep down into the darkness. Cold, unfeeling, uncaring, evil darkness.