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(Story by Koviell Sashermasock)

The first night in the tunnels is harsh. Gray Ones were everywhere nearby and we have to move unnoticed. Arkum knows a way, I hope he knows what he is doing do. We set up a temporary camp in an alcove.

"This night will be the first on our Journey to the Surface." He said.

"I'll miss my bed, the ground isn't comfortable at all."

"Come here and lean on me. I might not be a bed, but it will be easier to take some rest this way." He says before tapping the ground at his side.

"Do you think there will be survivors? Or maybe that they won't kill everyone?"

"I have no idea. Gray ones seem a bit... zealous about how they worth more than any other race. Kapazu isn't the only place they invaded." He said.

I sighed. This is just a mess. I hope some will manage to flee. I hope so, I really hope so. For now, I feel secure leaning against Arkum, what would have happened if he wasn't there? I know about many secrets of the city, but I never knew about the hole we used. He's impressive.

"What will happen if we manage to make our way to the Surface?"

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You know, what to do next, what will happen to both of us."

He took a moment to think. We did flee Kapazu because of the invasion, but since we're far from the city, we have some time to think.

"I don't know. You know many things, maybe you could translate books like you did before?" He asked.

"Translating and copying books is boring and hurt my hands after some time."

"What about pushing your studies about the arcane arts?" He asked.

"Remember, I'm not a very good sorcerer, I think. The Master said that I would have been more useful in mines by testing explosive prototypes. I don't know how my magical skills would be useful there."

Arkum gave me a blank look. Did I say something wrong?

"Just... just don't do that, okay? Never. Please." He said.

I nod.

"I want to explore this world, the Surface. See what creatures lurk there. Also see if the Surfacers are like us, or not." He said.

"Some say that there is a huge light there that blinds everything that doesn't come from there. That light is hot and brings life."

"Weird, there is life here without a blinding hot light. This will just be another thing to learn about." He said.

I did hear rumors from sorcerers that apparently visited the surface before. But it was so long ago when I was cleaning their room. I don't remember well.

"Soala, there is a thing I must tell you." He said.

"Yes? What it is?"

"I'm really happy that you're doing this journey with me. When I've seen the first sights of the second invasion, I thought I would be too late to save you. But you're there with me." He said.

"Sure I am, otherwise who will be leaning against you? A beetle?"

He chuckled.

"You're funny. If we do make it to the surface, there is something I would like to do." He said.

"What it is?"

"I would like to mate with you, show you all the affection I gained for you since we're friends, show you how much you matter to me." He said.

I feel warm inside, I couldn't do anything else than giving him a good embrace.

"So this is a good reason to get there alive."

"We will reach the surface, no matters how long it will take." He said.

"For now, let's take care of those wounds you got and take some rest. I'm not that tired, I'll stay up while you're sleeping."

I take out some healing salve and bandages and clean up is wounds. He did get hurt by a bolt, but this wound should be healed in two days. Arkum was really tired because of how much he ran a lot today, he deserve some rest. I hope we will make it... I hope...