Rygilya Semtek regained consciousness. Currently his former best friend carried him on his shoulder. With his red mana hull active, Kaden was vigilant.

"Pu-put me down, loser" Rygilya demanded.

His rival did just that. He was careful of his cuts and bruises.

Rygilya still couldn't make mana. He was feeling powerless and he hated it.

"You sure you're okay to walk?" Kaden asked.

Rygilya moved past him. "Outta my way loser."

"You're okay." he heard Kaden mumble.

The truth was Rygilya was sore all over but he refused to appear weak in front of his rival. Those ugly bastards had beaten him and ate his arm. He clutched the stub.

Rygilya could hear feet slapping against the stone floor of the labyrinth. The former captives were quiet. They seemed to be following behind Kaden, waiting for his instructions.

What kind of place is this. He wondered.

Rygilya had never been in a labyrinth before. He'd heard they were highly dangerous filled with traps and monsters.

Rygilya was in no shape to fight anything. The stub of his right arm ached and so did his head. He felt brief dizziness and leaned against the stone wall.

Kaden was beside him. "You good?" he asked.

"I'm fine." he said through gritted teeth.

It was just like Kaden to worry about others. The Knight always was soft-hearted. Rygilya wanted to kill Kaden for that dark power within him. Kaden knew this but still thought of Rygilya as a brother.

Rygilya didn't understand why. He knew Kaden wasn't trying to trick him. He was never that kind of guy.

If Rygilya was being truthful, he still saw Kaden as his best friend. He knew he needed to get rid of that bond in order to reach his full potential with black mana. If he allowed Kaden to sway him then his sister would never rest in peace.

The Darkness Tamer still remembered his sister's last words.

Please don't hate Kaden, she told him. Please don't give in to the darkness I know will plague you.

Rygilya tried to heed her warning. He knew what would happen if he let hate enter his heart but all he could think about was his sister being betrayed by the council. She had served mankind tirelessly and that was the thanks she had gotten. When the black mana consumed his mind there was no going back. That hatred for the Supreme Council had him in its clutches.

He didn't hate Kaden. No. He was just a means to an end.

That wasn't completely true.

They still had their pact. The pact to stay alive until they face each other in their prime to see who's stronger. Rygilya never forgot the agreement between them. It was one memory that got him out of the Fallen Place.

Eventually, the group came to a crossroads leading in five directions.

Rygilya thought for a moment. He took the route to the far left.

He heard the group follow him. He found the strength to be annoyed.

"Why are you following me?" Rygilya whirled.

Kaden raised an eyebrow. "You can't defend yourself in your condition," he gave a smug smile. "Admit it. You need me."

The Darkness Tamer scowled. As irritating as ever.

He turned and continued on.

Again he heard many footsteps follow him.

His thoughts went to his sister and avenging her. He wondered how Kezell--Memphis' slave--was doing. He hated that he was worried about her. Rygilya only looked out for himself. That's how he wanted it. So why did he find himself hoping she was okay?

Suddenly Rygilya stopped.

The group stopped behind him.

Kaden's face said he had just now heard the skittering sound against the walls. They both spun and saw a swarm of insects the size of dogs chasing after them.

Kaden fired balls of flames at them. They absorbed the mana, turning the flames into ambers.

"What are those things!?" a civilian screamed.

"Who cares," Kaden shouted. "Run!"

Kaden let the civilians run in front of him.

Rygilya tried to sprint but pain exploded through his body. He stopped to wince but powered through.

He ran as fast as his legs would carry him but he fell behind the crowd of pedestrians. The creatures were gaining on him.

Rygilya would die today.

Kaden was beside him in an instant, his mana hull and lightning cloak active. The Knight picked him up and sprinted past the freed slaves, down the corridor. A few seconds later they were over a giant chasm.

The Knight roared and a giant dragon-like avatar formed around them. The avatar was made of fire and sprouted fiery wings.

They flew to the other side of the chasm.

Rygilya pointed to an opening into the rocky wall. "There!"

Kaden maneuvered over to the left. His flaming avatar dissipated and the two tumbled into the tunnel.

They were silent for a moment. Rygilya was waiting for Kaden to-

"Aaauugh!" Kaden shouted in anguish. He began to weep. "I left them." he turned his body to hit the ground. "I left them. I left them. I left them."

"Why did you, idiot." Rygilya questioned.

"For you!"

"I didn't ask for your help!"

"Don't you understand how much you mean to me, stupid?! You were my brother! How could I let you die?!" he turned away.

Rygilya felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Emotional turmoil.

He knew he shouldn't feel unless it was hate, rage or grief. If he felt remorse then he would never reach his second stage as a Darkness Tamer. Yet his heart went out to his rival.

Kaden had always been the type to help the innocent. Now when it was him or them, he chose Rygilya.

The Darkness Tamer was frustrated.

Rygilya turned. "I won't tell anyone the famed Lightning Flame left innocents to die to save a terrorist." he chuckled darkly. "The world would know you are a fool."

The Knight stayed behind to grieve. Soon enough he caught up with Rygilya.

They made their way past a puzzle thanks to Rygilya. After, Kaden beat a giant scorpion. It was light work for the Knight. Rygilya could tell he was struggling not to take out his frustration on the insect.

"Why didn't you just kill it?" Asked Rygilya as they walked.

"My sister. She doesn't like killing. It rubbed off on me."

Rygilya remembered Kaden's sister from his encounter with Dracula but couldn't recall her name. She was just as annoying as Kaden.

Eventually, they walked into a room where a battle was ensuing.

"Aya!" Kaden exclaimed. "Kariah, Lax-Rim! Am I glad to see you guys."

Rygilya spotted Aya and Kana the Knight Slayer doing battle.

"Long time, no see." Kana said to him. "Come to lend a hand?"