Akio Stoneheart could hear her heart pounding against her ribcage. Fear gripped her a long time ago.

It had started to snow again. There were shards of ice falling from the clouds that broke against her skin thanks to her green mana hull. The group of Knights had been walking for over forty minutes and the sun had started to set. The blistering cold didn't bother her much because of her high amounts of life force and warm wool cloak. The cloak was made from a Slavion sheep for the warmest material.

Kyanè was among the few who could use mana. The rest of them were still powerless thanks to the anti-mana formula.

Ogres could jump out from the destroyed buildings at any moment.

Monty regained consciousness and Akio filled him in on the plan. It made him uneasy.

Finally, the group made it to the largest structure placed at the back of the town. They had been careful so far as not to be spotted.

The comms should be inside there. Xex said in the link. Anyone who wants to stay behind can but i won't be able to protect you.

Akio was trying her very best not to flood the link with anxiety though she was sure the others could feel it. She felt theirs too.

As she looked at the large rundown structure, she once again felt fear seize her. She didn't want to face ogres again and there was sure to be more inside. She couldn't do anything with mana. What could she do without it?

Still, she had faced The Darkness and lived. Surely she was braver than she thought.

She Steeled her nerves and the group made their way into the building.

It was pitch black and warm inside. Akio could just make out the walls and such. They stayed low. Moving quietly through the building.

Another Master Knight--Cage Solaris--could use mana. He excelled in the solar craft.

Akio tried to form mana again and found she couldn't. She cursed.

Don't let your frustration control you. Xex warned them all. Focus on finding any means of communication with HQ.

Right. The remaining Knights said in the link.

Crack!

Akio stopped. She remembered that sound from when her arm was torn from its socket.

Smacking of the mouth came after. Akio was willing to bet someone had just been eaten.

Suddenly Akio felt led in her belly. She couldn't move.

Someone didn't find a place to hide in time.

The ogre spotted him and then bellowed.

More ogres appeared. It was happening so fast. The Knights who could use mana did their best to protect their comrades.

Akio tried to create mana and did.

She instantly rotated her arms together then spread them apart, tearing a hole in space time.

Out jumped Rayne. The blue and green creature howled. It looked around at the situation then at Akio. The gryphon nodded its understanding before bounding off. The large wolf-like creature bite into the neck of an ogre who was about to bite the head off a defenseless Master Knight.

Rayne activated a blue mana hull before pinning it to the floor and crushing it's windpipe.

Rayne howled again then went off to find his next victim.

Akio came face to face with two ogres. She knew she wouldn't stand a chance so she activated her mana hull followed by sage instinct.

She expertly bobbed and weaved all the ogres attacks. Still all the dodging in the world couldn't help her if she wasn't strong enough to land an attack.

The emerald-haired Knight leaped backward, almost into the arms of an ogre. Luckily Kyanè was there to defend her. She kicked the monster away and it crashed into a wall.

Akio decided that she would act as a decoy. With her Sage Instinct active, the ogres wouldn't be able to touch her. She'd be able to save lives.

The strategy worked. She hit them, which hurt her hand, but when they tried to attack her she danced out of harm's way.

Within seconds Xex and the other Knights who could use mana had taken the victory.

Way to go! exclaimed Kyanè in the nurolink. I knew you could do it.

Akio was pleased with herself. Too bad she had to use her lifeforce to maintain Rayne. She wasn't so skilled to where she could call her companion whenever she wanted.

Speaking of her friend, he came bounding towards her holding someone by the lab coat in his mouth.

"Who are you?" Monty said.

"A-a prisoner." He said hurriedly. "I thought no one would ever come for us."

Xex narrowed her eyes. "Are you the one who made the anti-mana formula?"

Akio watched the man fix his glasses. "Yes." he said in shame.

Monty punched him. "You asshole!"

"Calm down, Monty." Xex placed a hand on his shoulder. "He is only a man."

"Th-they have my sister." the man explained. "I'd do anything to protect her." the man fixed his glasses.

Akio looked over to Monty. She wondered if he'd do the same for his sister if she were alive.

She had to admit she didn't know what the outcome would be if it were any of her siblings or Kariah-Belle in this situation.

"What's your name?" Kyanè asked.

"Ian." he answered. "I know who you are. Kyanè Laviel. I heard about you. Is it true the Darkness have attacked?"

"It's true," Xex told him. "More importantly, where are your communications?"

"The ogres destroyed our mana generators. Without them we can't get a signal."

"Great," muttered Monty.

"Are there any more prisoners?" Xex asked.

Ian nodded.

"Take us to them."

Akio nodded to Rayne. The gryphon dropped Ian and stood on alert. Ian then started down the ruined hallway.

They seemed to be taking a longer route to their destination but it was clear of any ogres.

"The ogres don't know about this passage," Ian spoke from up front. "I've recently discovered a map of this place. I now have access to secret passageways."

"How come you've never tried to free the other prisoners," Monty questioned almost accusingly.

"Like I said I've only recently found this map. Even if we could somehow escape, all the Knights are dead. No one here could survive out on their own."

It was quiet again as they walked. Rayne was sniffing the air for any enemies. Things were going smoothly.

Eventually the group came to prison block. Akio gagged, vomit threatening to escape her throat.

Prisoners were kept inside the cells. Most had missing limbs wrapped in bandages, some were dead already. Blood caked the walls and floors. The place reeked of decaying bodies.

Ian walked over to the woman Akio guessed was his sister. "It's going to be okay," he told her. "These Knights are here to rescue us."

He entered the cell and freed her as well as the prisoners who still had both legs.

"What's the big idea." Monty protested.

"Look at them," Ian spoke. "They'll never survive where we're going. I-I'm not sure we'll survive."

Kaynè spoke up. "Where are we going exactly?"

Ian hurried to the far end of the room. He slid his fingers along the rocky wall then presses into it. A doorway opened up.

"Its a labyrinth. There are all kinds of deadly creatures and traps waiting inside."

"But-" Monty wanted to protest some more but Xex placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We can't save everyone."

"We can't just leave them!"

"Keep your voice down, Monty." Kyanè urged. "I know how you feel but Xex is right. We can't save everyone."

Monty looked to Akio but she only avoided his gaze. She didn't have to think about it.

Akio was willing to leave them behind.

What would her family think of her cowardice? What would Lax-Rim or Kariah-Belle say?

It's for Kariah and Lax. She told herself gritting her teeth. I have to see them again.

Monty let out a string of curses. "Fine but this is on you. Not me." he looked to Xex.

"Young Master Knight, this isn't the first hard decision I've made and it won't be the last."

The prisoners that were still trapped started to scream to be let free.

"Hurry," Ian said urgently. "Inside."

They all rushed inside the labyrinth. Akio looked back in time to see the stone walls close behind them. Leaving the prisoners on the other side to be devoured by ogres.

She felt sick to her stomach.