A clash between clans

"Welcome to Dhismiar, the best-worst underground city," says the gatekeeper.

Leah, Eva and Lucien take a step out of the tunnel to enter the cave and contemplate the scenery in awe.

The city goes from one side of the cave to the other side, meaning that as the Dhismiar expanded, so did the cave. Skyscrapers rise from the ground to the ceiling of the cave, like stalagmites. Pretty ironic, since there was no sign of the sky or anything related to it. In fact, all the lights that illuminate the city come from thousands and thousands of bulbs that hang from one building to another by an electric wire.

Even though the exit from the cave is at high altitude, they still can smell the sweat-dirtiness of thousands of people doing their lives.

"To go to the city, you must follow this path," says the gatekeeper pointing at his right, where the path starts. "And good luck with whatever your businesses are. You will need it," he murmurs the last words.

The trio looks at him as he goes back to his post.

"He sure is quite an interesting person," says Leah.

Eva shrugs her shoulders while Lucien nods.

"Okay. So, we are in. Now we have to find the... Unarmed Willow Inn? What a strange name," says Eva as she reads the pocketbook.

They start walking the path, and fifteen minutes later they reach the first buildings of Dhismiar.

"I think we should ask someone for directions," suggests Leah.

Eva looks around and shakes her head.

"I don't think is a good idea."

It should be mentioned that the name of the best-worst underground city is not without a reason. The city is the home of the most dangerous clans of every race in the magical world. Like in every society, there is a hierarchy were the most powerful clans are located at the top and the rest below. However, the struggle for power is continuous, so the city is a constant battleground for clan fights.

In fact, just a when the trio is turning at a corner, they run into a fight.

The two clans that are involved in the fight are the Rugarith, a gargoyle clan, and the Shaktila, a troll clan. The fight seems to be at its climax.

But, somehow, the trio gets involved: a troll throws what it seems to be a food stall to a gargoyle; the latter dodges it, making it to almost hit Leah. Yet, before it reaches her, she stops it with a swing of her hands and moves it away. Food stall makes his way flying to the next target, a troll who beats an almost unconscious gargoyle. The troll hits the floor.

"Thank you," says the gargoyle at the floor.

Seeing his partner at the floor, the near trolls decide to change targets and charge against our heroes.

"Okay girls, time to practice what I have taught you," says Lucien as they get prepared for the fight: Leah with her magic enchantments, since she is more confident using her powers than weapons, and Eva her double daggers, meanwhile Lucien transforms into a giant black wolf.

Then, the real fight begins.

Leah casts spells left and right, incapacitating as many Shaktilas as she can. On the other hand, Eva swings her double daggers as if there's no tomorrow. She has a good handle. So good that is almost like she is dancing: beautiful but deadly. And Lucien, well, with a bite of his, he kills instantly, making him a fast and efficient killing machine.

The fight prologs for half an hour more, when the Shaktilas, realizing that they were losing, decide to retreat.

The Rugarith, since that they have won the fight, scream in excitement. They are tired and wounded but happy for their victory.

Separated from the clan, our heroes start picking up their bags, which have been thrown away during the fight.

"You should stay in that form, it's cuter," says Eva as she puts her daggers in the sheathes.

Lucien, still in wolf-form, smirks.

"Okay, don't do that again. That was creepy."

"Hey, you three. Thank you so much for your help. My name is Valzun", says a gargoyle, who has approached them, as he raises his hand to shake hands.

He seems to be the leader. He is tall and fit. His skin is a lighter gray than another gargoyle, and his two horns highlight his long white hair, now messy because of the fight as well as his clothes. Two big bat-wings come out of his back.

Lucien, after turning into his humanoid form, shakes his hand and says, "You're welcome. We are Leah, Eva and Lucien."

"Hello," the sister say at the same time.

"Nice to meet you, ladies. In return for your help, if you need anything, you can ask me, and I'll try to help you. You can find me at the Auction House. Goodbye," says Valzun and turns back to his clanmates.

"Well, that was something," says Leah.

"Yeah. We should continue," says Eva.

Ten minutes later, they finally arrive at the Unarmed Willow Inn.