[color=Ivory][h1]Nivea Lanatae[/h1][/color]

As the group follows after Rio into the bunker depths, they'd notice more of those creeping tendrils spreading along the walls, the air coalescing before their faces as the chill grew in intensity the further in they went. The black puddles soon spread across the floor until everywhere they stepped was covered in the foul liquid, which in the dull red light that surrounded them, could almost be mistaken for blood. A number of side rooms to their sides revealed more remnants of former inhabitants, tainted by the black touch of the Grimm. For the Vacuan natives, however, a certain bit of imagery began to stick out amongst the desecrated refuse. Plastered along the walls in ever-increasing frequency was a symbol of three sharp lines forming a helmet-like sigil, done in a deep red paint. Some of these marks seemed to cover that of a cruder marking, that of a swirl with eye-like holes in the center and a fanged mouth.

While only Kohaku had the knowledge to recognize the swirling sigil as that of the Dust Devils, the other symbol was one well-known to the people of Vacuo, having heralded much bloodshed and terror in the decade since its inception.

[i]The Wild Hunt.[/i]

After a few brief minutes of exploration, the group would find themselves come face to face with a rather telling clue as to exactly how this place was overrun and why only the lower levels seemed to be so thoroughly tainted. A jagged hole, about as wide around as a man is tall, was torn through a wall towards what felt like the rear of the bunker. The thickest of the tendrils coiled out between the sharp metal fragments like the fat tongues of some fell beast, pulsing in slow rhythm as a hint of metallic scent now mixes with the stale air of this tainted crypt. Rio could sense the droplets of water a bit deeper into the hole, circling ever so slightly in place. Waiting.

[color=Ivory]"Let's turn back."[/color] Nivea broke her silence with a tone that did not broker argument, gazing into the dark depths with a worried look. [color=Ivory]"This has gone far beyond the purview of just a test and I . . . I've never seen a Grimm nest like this. At least. . . not one where the biggest threat is just a pack of Beowolves. Besides, it's clear from the look of this place that no one has survi-"[/color]

The Huntress was cut off from her command as a sudden outroar of Beowulf laughter resonated from within the dark hole, distorted and excited, and the reason soon follows as a distinctly human cry of pain sounded out. Undistorted, filled with fear and pain. More Grimm laughter followed the cry as the first voice was soon accompanied by more. There were people down there, alive and in danger. Nivea, for her part, kept a stonecold look on her face, though her staff was held in a white-knuckled grip as she struggled with her duty as a Huntress and the tight knot in her gut telling her this was too dangerous for her students.

What will the students do in the face of this predicament?
[@Hero][@Asura][@datadogie][@WXer]