[@Randomness][quote]Hmm, has something amiss caught your attention, dear?” asked Fia, as she grouped with the others during the moment the group shuffled their positions. Miwa and Rezello had started to take the lead in silence as Jazdia spoke to the others of the first company. “The forest’s very nature makes it not safe to linger, but I sense there is something more immediate to watch for?”[/quote]

"Our old friend Devourer." Answered Mr. Elc, as if he could read what was in Jazdia's mind. Or simply because both shared similar expertise. 

Vesmir approached them and took the lead, and the two followed. "Well? That's to be expected, isn't it?" 

"True," said the masked elf, walking beside Vesemir. Jazdia was behind him with Eblana, Fia, and others in tow. "But we are about to enter the place where night and day make no difference for them. Be on your guard, Vesemir." 

After carefully hacking overgrowth and a careful descent, the tunnel was before them. It was indeed a straight path for a while, with no sign of abnormality or hostility in sight. The air was damp and thick, and the party did their very best not to kick up the dust into the air as they walked. It wasn't a very wide tunnel, and there were often chokepoints and sharp turns. 

[img]https://i.ibb.co/Y7yWzHyb/33aa3bc3ded6c8fa513a8d9e50cbdf3f.jpg[/img]


They went deeper, and the light from Vesmir's lamp became less adequate for illuminating the dark path ahead. 

[color=1a7b30]"Try this."[/color] Rezello lifts his free hand, a small, lime-green sphere of flame manifesting in his palm before floating a short distance ahead of the group and into the tunnel, illuminating the darkness ahead of them with roughly the same intensity as a torch. 

"Well, look at that." 

[color=1a7b30]"If this is suitable, I can keep the flame moving ahead of us as we go forward. I can also make it dimmer, if it's too bright."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Keep it a bit lower, and try to keep it close to our group."[/color] said Jazdia, nodding as the knight adjusted the intensity to the level she found suitable. [color=ec008c]"It's best to keep our presence low in this tunnel. I saw Devourers prowling in a few places."[/color] 

"Did they know we are here?" Asked Vesemir. 


[color=ec008c]"I think not. Yet. Anyway, I think I saw the path that leads to the vault. It's... a long walk to the southeast. There is a treasure chest too at the southwest, unimportant, but I am just letting you know." [/color]
 
The party continued their slow march into the labyrinth, with Jazdia activating her abilities each time they reached a crossroads. Despite its rugged appearance, the tunnels were quite elaborate, extending far beyond what anyone could perceive with magical vision. The maze featured elevations, underpasses, confusing twists, and dead ends that could easily lead a person astray for weeks, or even longer, if Devourer didn't get them first.


[color=ec008c]"Hold up,"[/color] Jazdia said quietly, raising her hand as they saw another crossroad ahead. She reached for her bow, but no arrow had been attached. They heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and on the other side of the intersection, at least six devourers were rushing through, seemingly unaware of the group. However, one devourer intentionally stopped right at that intersection. Its eyeless head sniffed the air, and the light from Rezello's fire reflected on its sharp horn and oily skin. The mandibles on its back squirmed to feel the half-illuminated space and the jagged labyrinth walls. 

[color=ec008c]"Let it pass,"[/color] the elven archer whispered with eerie caution as the creature maintained its pose in their path. Slowly, it turned its head, staring at the immobile adventurers as if daring them to strike.

[hider=our location]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/h1hrWRdv/33aa3bc3ded6c8fa513a8d9e50cbdf3f.jpg[/img]
Blue line is the Group's path
Red one is the hostiles' path [/hider]