The line shifted in front of them ever so slightly and Opal tapped a toe forward with caution, searching for the edge of the step with the open part of her shoe. On either side of her she could feel and hear the hushed voices of demons streaming past them but it was impossible to see them at this point. It felt like only a few steps previously Proga had been pointing out a basket of writhing pearly white snakes tucked that had appeared out of the gloom in the hands of a frosty-eyed demon. She'd watched her dart expertly in and out of the crowd as she disappeared into the sunlight apparently having no trouble navigating the densely packed staircase without her vision. Now the group waited in the oppressive darkness to receive passes to enter. Despite its size, unlike Lster, Cattenvarn was very strict with who and how demons entered. The citizens of the territory has some kind of material that allowed them entrance through the chilled gates which buzzed when it passed by her leaving the main doors to sound like a swarm of sleepy bees were patrolling it. Yue was securing passes for them.

The demon at the front gate even seemed to know he was an Ice Prince. Opal didn't understand considering he couldn't see him until Proga explained it was similar to the aura the stones had given off. For demons without vision, their other senses more than made up for it. Opal sort of understood what he meant when they entered the city. Despite being hushed she could tell it was densely populated. She was surrounded on all sides. Her own skills were too lacking to tell what kind of demons they could be as they passed by. It made her feel untethered to walk in such nothingness while surrounded by so much.

Obsidian somehow appeared the least bothered by any of this. He was pointing out all the smells from the food carts that passed back and forth the hopefuls at the port of entry and wanted to play in a fountain that it took Opal at least two more minutes to hear flowing near the entryway. Gabbro seemed to be hanging on to both of them as he walked behind the rest of the group, occasionally tugging his brother back into line. So much for being worried that Obsidian would be alarmed without his vision. If anyone was having a hard time it was Spark.

As they had gone down the grayer his face had become to the point Proga had even thrown an arm around him trying to annoy him but he wouldn't be distracted. It reminded her of Kait's response to being up in the air and when Opal reminded her of this she was impressed that the little silver demon finally put away enough of her pride to loop her arm through his. He didn't look at her however at least his legs stopped shaking.

If Yue was intimidated by being forced underground into the abyss he didn't show it much. Since announcing his plan to be a Guardian at least in public very little seemed to surprise him. He did sound a little put out when they began shuffling down the stairs while most of the other demons marched past them but at the front gate he announced himself and his cohort with the air of nobility Opal had come to appreciate. She might not be useful but at least she would appear cool until someone figured that out.

The demon at the front gate had quickly used some method of communication to get them a guide for the territory and now they were moving along like a bunch of snails although Yue put it more diplomatically.

"We are admiring the offerings of the territory."

Proga bent down to whisper to her. "Yeah, just taking in the sights." And she had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling too loudly which would surely be a faux pas here.

Opal had never been in darkness like this before. Or at least she didn't think she had. It was oppressive, pushing back on her eyes as they walked across the silky stone pathways. She was starting to understand why all of the shoes didn't completely cover your feet. The texture of the ground was important. She had accidentally stepped on the left side of the path briefly, felt the texture in a diagonal pattern and heard an impatient honk from another demon that she couldn't see but managed to not collide with. She could tell he got close from the jingle of whatever beads he wore on his clothing and how he muttered quietly to his companion about 'outsiders'. The other demon tittered under her breath with amusement and Opal had frozen until she felt Gabbro's cool fingers slide between hers.

"I think you're on the wrong side." He'd pitched his voice even lower to match the volume of the others but that meant whispering directly in her ear making Opal all shivery. She was already embarrassed enough to be the first one to mess up.

It felt like they had been walking forever and although the pathways were smooth her feet were becoming tired after having walked all the way through the Short Forest and now straight into here. In fact, she wouldn't mind a good long nap.

"How much longer do you think?" she whispered to Gabbro but somehow their guide ended up hearing.

"Just about another ten minutes." He promised in a cracking voice that suggested he was much younger than she expected a guide for a Guardian to be.

"Will we be able to rest?" she whispered again in his direction.

"I mentioned we will need to be tested first." Yue sounded a little short.

"Oh, of course."

"Don't worry." Gabbro had to speak right into her ear to keep their conversation private, it seemed. "He just needs to save face so they know we know what we are doing. If we do not pass the testing, we'll be kicked out. They don't really allow random demons to wander here."

Opal turned to explain to him that she didn't know what she was doing only to find out he hadn't turned away from her. She felt her lips brush his lower one and jerked back, face burning.

"S-sorry."

"For what?" He asked simply and then leaned in again. "Although the rest of our cohort may not notice, the citizens here may wonder what we are up to if we aren't careful. Perhaps later. After testing."

She was grateful he couldn't see the look on her face or notice her heart pounding in her throat. At least he'd distracted her from the test for the moment.

"Welcome to the Cattenvarn diplomat building. Your hosts will meet you here." He paused. "If you pass." There was something of amusement in his voice. It was quieter in this spot, which wasn't saying much but Opal had the distinct impression fewer demons were around. The stones on this path had slightly raised smooth pebbles in a diamond pattern. The door was very heavy. She felt an arm go over her head to hold it and breathed in Gabbro's scent as she passed by, a second later feeling Obsidian's hand cover hers. "Are you ready, big sister?"

"No." she responded truthfully in the same whisper. They walked up another set of stairs. Then another. Opal tried to keep her huffing and puffing minimal. With all the quiet the last thing they needed was to hear her gasping for air but it became more difficult the higher they climbed. It started to occur to her just how very expansive the cave ceiling must have been to allow for all this climbing. Finally they came to their intended room after going through a series of hallways and open areas. The only reason she could tell was in the narrower halls the air seemed to press in, and then expand in the rooms. It gave the peculiar sensation of undulation against her cheeks to go from room to hall to room. All the flooring had different textures and all of the walls did as well. She could hear low bells as demons passed by them, muttering to each other.

"Name?" The disembodied voice asked in a bored tone.

"Yue. Fifth son of the Ice territories. Prince of the Queen of the Moon and King of Ice." Yue's voice had a bite to it.

Opal could hear a shuffle and pictured the demon sitting up a little straighter. Apparently this demon did not mean to use that tone with a Prince either. "Oh, yes. How many in your cohort?"

"Six. We wish to receive a recruitment pass so we can continue through the other territories without the hassle of registration."

"Of course of course. Let me... just see which assessor is available."

Obsidian was practically bouncing beside her.

Opal felt a lump in her throat. "Hold on Obsidian, stay with your brother I need to talk with Yue." She shuffled cautiously up to the front and tapped his back which seemed to startle him but he recovered quickly.

"Opal?"

"Yue- what am I going to do?" she hissed. She thought of how she had managed to split the water from the dirt once but after the initial time she'd been unable to reproduce it and hadn't mentioned it to anyone. At this point she was starting to wonder if she'd had a strange lucid dream. What exactly did Yue think she could help with?

"Just make sure you go after Spark. You've always been a calming presence after dealing with him."

"What does that mean?"

But the demon was back. He led them all into a room and had them take a seat in some plush chairs but they felt lumpy and worn out. They must have had a number of demons hoping to become Guardians in and out of here. Kait was taken back first. Opal was surprised that without being able to see her she could still sense she was nervous. She could picture her with her chin lifted high following the demon back behind another heavy door which slid shut noiselessly and filled the air with silence.

Kait returned only a minute or two later, whispering in a surprisingly casual way with the assessor. He sounded distinctly impressed. His voice changed quickly when Yue announced that Proga, the shifter, was next. Even down here in the dark they were afraid of them? For some reason that surprised her. He returned after a few minutes as well.

"If you don't mind," Gabbro told the assessor simply, "My brother and I will go together. His gifts are rather... erratic still. Hence the need for an educator."

Yue must have come up with this timing as well because the assessor's voice was shaking as he agreed to the plan, noting it was unusual. What had Proga done back there?

Gabbro and Obsidian were done so quickly she didn't even have a chance to ask them. Then it was Spark's turn. She would be next. Opal had sweat at her temples as Gabbro seated himself next to her again.

"You were sure quick. What did you have Obsidian do?"

"They only asked us some questions and had us check our powers with the stones. It's a silly test, really."

That made Opal feel distinctly better and she was about to say so when she saw light for the first time in hours. A bright flash poured out from under the door and illuminated the room for an instant. She could see it was blank stone patterned differently on each wall and the floor was completely smooth. The chairs sat in a circle but more interesting was above their heads. A lightless chandelier, crystals blinking and flashing in the rare light. She had a moment to take in the expressions of her friends and then it was gone. Opal stared into the darkness again, blinking the remaining orange splotch from her eyes. Was it her or did Yue look more smug than usual? How much fire had Spark used?

Now there was no doubt. The assessor was severely shaken.

"Opal, please go next and try and be a little more subtle than Spark. You are more capable of calm than him. You can keep it that way, right?"

She wished she could see the expression on his face but she could hear the beads clicking, telling her he was motioning slightly to Spark. What about Spark? Of course she was more capable of calm than him. Everyone was.

"O-Opal, is it? Nice to meet you, I am called Bassar. Come with me, please."

"Of course." Opal did her best to sound bored with the whole thing and hoped her voice didn't waver. When handed the stone it once again lit up light purple and the assessor looked vaguely relieved. He was very thin with large buck teeth, a long whip like tail and fur along his back legs. His eyes were pale but he seemed to be able to see her although he kept squinting. "What do you offer the cohort?"

A moment later to Opal's surprise he wasn't really looking at her anymore but seemed to be writing something down even though she hadn't spoken. The pen was shaking in his hand. The ink was thick and left elevated lines on the paper.

"Mostly his advisor but I also do some-"

"Mmmhmm mmmhmm..." he glanced at the walls. Opal could see scorch marks. "And as a member of the Guardian cohort how will you plan to be a peacekeeper in the face of v-violence?"

Opal, feeling fairly irritated at her lack of instruction at this point decided to tell the truth. "Usually if you let them complain for awhile it avoids conflict."

"Good answer."

Is it?

He glanced at the violet stone again. "How well versed are you in the Territories you will be protecting as one of his advisors? You know it will include more than the Northern ones?"

"Yue is well versed in all of that. I help keep-" she paused suddenly understanding why she might have Proga and Spark in particular go first. "Spark, Proga and-" on a whim she considered Gabbro getting them into The Road without being searched and his promise he'd do anything for his brother. She decided to add his name. "Gabbro in check." Violet was a trust worthy signal. She held up the purple stone. "He recruited me to keep them calm unless absolutely necessary."

The assessor's squinting eyes went to the stone, the wall and then the door. His shoulders relaxed with a jingle of his beads. "Really?"

"It does get exhausting though."

"Oh you aren't tired are you?"

She pushed for a yawn. "We have been a great distance."

"We will be sure to find accommodations." He promised quickly, glancing at the door.

"That would be helpful. This is an exhausting position. I wouldn't want to leave them alone too long."

"Excellent. Yue certainly seems to have thought through a... well rounded cohort." The assessor nearly smiled before remembering himself. "I think I will speak with the Candidate himself now. It was Opal right?"

Was it possible they were going to get through by sheer intimidation? Opal kept forgetting the literal firepower Yue managed to find. This demon must have just assumed Opal was as tough. She flipped her hair. "Correct."

"You will be sure to... watch the Candidate's enforcers while here? We are a peaceful territory."

She offered a wane smile. "Nothing has caught fire yet, right?"

Opal was probably in there the shortest amount of time. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't ruined it for Yue. She didn't have to try and show any powers either. Opal felt a large hand on her shoulder and a voice in her ear.

"It either went magnificently or terrible. Since it's you I'm guessing magnificent. Did he believe you were in charge of Spark?"

She grinned though Proga couldn't see it and tugged on his shirt to make him bend so she could speak to him. "Yes. As well as you."

Proga laughed. "Me? I guess that might as well be true..."

"Gabbro too."

"Ah." Proga's voice had gone flat.

"What? You're the one mentioning he is dangerous all the time." She argued but she could already feel the distance between them.

Yue took forever to come back out but Opal supposed that made more sense. They were offered food from a mysterious tray carried by a demon who didn't even speak giving Opal the weird impression that he was meant to be ignored. The food was, strange. Mushrooms and something that's texture was almost fuzzy. Moss perhaps? It tasted cool and fresh without any of the pomp and sauces that they'd enjoyed in Lster. She was starting to get the same idea of the demons here- utilitarian. This was only confirmed when Yue finally reappeared- or emerged since they still couldn't see him, and the assessor told them that he would bring the results to the council but they were certainly allowed to stay the night, at least. Proga seemed delighted although once again he was playing the bad guy and only grunted when the assessor ordered a guide to lead them to their accommodations.

There were to be no fancy beds or fountains but there was quiet music playing in the background as they entered. Opal decided by the sounds around her and the number of demons wandering around they were in a hotel. That thought took her back to the one they had accidently burned down. She wondered if they managed to put out the fire or if the blaze took down the entire thing. She hadn't actually heard Spark speak since they made it all the way underground, she realized, which she wasn't sure was a good thing. If he was that scared he might make another mistake.

While Yue and the guide discussed rooms that allowed candles with the demon at the front she fumbled her way forward from Gabbro and Obsidian to find the fire demon standing strangely still. Unable to see she whispered his name, not wanting to startle him but he didn't respond.

"Spark."

Nothing.

"Are you ok?"

It wasn't his voice that answered. "I think he'll be feeling a little better once we are allowed to have a little light- isn't that right?"

Opal reached out to find Kait seemed to be rubbing his back. Opal bent down to her. "He's not going to blow up this place too- is he?"

"No." Kait snapped. "He's just... a little uncomfortable."

Opal remembered him crying while they were trapped underground before and felt a touch of sympathy. "Hey, you heard the assessor. It sounds like we will only be here for one night. You can do that, right?"

"...sister died."

She could tell Kait was staring at her even in the dark. Her voice went low. "What was that?"

"...cave... in. Killed her." he sounded like he was panting. "I... couldn't get to her."

Opal's eyes went wide as if it would make a difference. She remembered him mentioning she was nothing like his sister but he'd never said anything before that. Now she understood why. Kait was the only one who knew what to say. "I'm so sorry Spark. You are safe here though. This isn't a cave- it's a full territory with expert demons who constructed it. Do you want to tell us about your sister when we go to the room? We can-"

"Good news." Yue's voice. "They will have space for all of us. We will need to get cleaned up and go meet with the territory council members, visit the construction site and have dinner with one of the cohort members of the Guardian."

Proga lowered his voice a little bit. "So a little more acting will be needed."

Spark whimpered and Opal gritted her teeth. She was all out of cool and collected and wasn't sure how she was going to control him if he panicked.

Gabbro's voice in her ear. "I may need your help." She heard him grunt. "Obsidian is starting to get... unruly."

Opal sighed looking between where she thought Spark and Obsidian would be standing. "Oh. Perfect."

----------------------

For anyone that didn't notice in the other chapter, a demon similar to Echidna is the Guardian of Cattenvarn. I did this partially since she is supposed to be a cave dweller but also because the territory spans multiple miles and has cave entrances that open up to many other important territories. They split off all over like her many-headed offspring. Just a fun fact I thought I'd share but I wasn't sure how to allude to in the first draft.

As always thank you for reading!

-Andi