Fortress (V)

『Byzan Fortress, First Floor.』

After defeating Xiro, the duo took a few minutes to catch their breath.

Xiro was still conscious to an extent, but it was clear he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

Lamperogue winced as he touched his side, revealing a sharp pain.

"Already exhausted, Lamperogue?" Archibald teased with a smirk.

"Like hell," Lamperogue snapped back, causing Archibald to chuckle before their expressions turned serious once more.

Archibald frowned at Xiro as he spoke weakly.

"My last attack must have tipped off the guards from different parts of the Fortress. They could already be making their way here." (Archibald)

Lamperogue nodded in agreement.

"We need to get out of here as soon as possible." (Lamperogue)

Xiro coughed blood and continued, "It won't matter. The moment they know there are intruders in the Fortress, they'll lock down the entire area."

Archibald clenched his fists, frustrated that their plan had gone awry.

They never intended to engage with anyone of high rank in the army.

They had hoped to sneak in, save Undine, and secure her till daybreak.

Undetected.

But now, they had no other choice but to keep moving.

Lamperogue suggested hiding Xiro somewhere so the guards wouldn't question him.

Archibald paused for a moment, thinking it over.

"I suppose it's worth a shot," he finally said with a nod. "But we need to move fast."

Lamperogue helped Xiro to his feet and they began to look for a place to hide him.

The tension was palpable as they hurriedly went from room to room, trying to find a spot that would keep Xiro safe from the guards' prying eyes.

As they carried Xiro and looked for a hiding place, Xiro laughed at them and taunted them.

"You'll never get out of this place alive!" (Xiro)

Archibald was growing annoyed with him, and without warning, he knocked him out with a swift punch.

"Was that really necessary?" (Lamperogue)

He looked at Archibald unsurprised.

"No, but I wanted to do it." (Archibald)

With that out of the way, they began to look for a hiding spot.

They hoped to conceal Xiro under the table, but the battleground had been ravaged, and the table was displaced.

Setting it up again was their only option.

Lamperogue left Archibald to do that while he carried Xiro.

But suddenly, a sharp, compressed arrow composed of fire tore through Archibald's shoulder, causing him to scream out in agony.

"(Damn it! Where'd that come from?!)" (Archibald)

Lamperogue dropped Xiro's body and rushed to Archibald, his whole demeanor filled with concern.

"Are you okay?!" (Lamperogue)

"Y-Yeah... I'll live." (Archibald)

As they searched for where the arrow had come from, they saw a man in red armor standing eleven meters away.

He had a staff with a large red manastone at the tip.

"...Calling forth the strength of the flames, I converge before me a burning sphere of fire that obliterates all before me... 『Fire Ball!!』"

The man shot a sphere of fire at them.

They were forced to jump away in opposite directions as the fireball destroyed the nearby table.

BOOM!!

Archibald gripped his shoulder, gritting his teeth in pain.

"(Who the hell is this bastard?!)" (Archibald)

"....You both are unforgivable scum. Step away from that soldier now and if you don't, I'll burn you to unrecognizable ashes and drop your remains in a cell. Well, regardless of what you do, your fates are won't change...." (Magus)

"Who are you?" Archibald gritted out.

"I am the captain of the Magus Guard Faction," The man in red armor responded, his voice filled with anger.

His words fell on death ears.

The man in red armor was of average height and build.

He wore a full suit of crimson armor with a matching helmet that covered his face, except for his eyes that were a bright hazel color. His body was covered in leather straps holding small pouches, vials, and scrolls. His boots were made of the same crimson leather as his armor.

He held a staff made of dark wood, with a large red manastone embedded at the tip.

"You will pay for your trespassing." (Magus)

He raised his staff, ready to attack again.

"Run!" (Archibald)

They both dashed out of the corridor and made their way up the stairs.

Behind them, the sound of explosions echoed loudly.

As they ran, Archibald turned to Lamperogue, "Are you ready for some action?" he asked with an excited grin.

Lamperogue shrugged uncertainly, "I don't think I have a choice," he replied.

As they turned a corner, a large fireball whizzed past them, making them stagger.

Archibald regained his balance and pulled Lamperogue up by the arm.

"Come on, we have to keep moving!" he urged his friend.

They continued running until they reached a split in the staircase.

Suddenly, Archibald heard a voice in his head.

"Turn left here," it said.

He looked at Lamperogue and yelled, "Left!"

They both turned left and found a portal waiting for them.

"No choice!" (Archibald)

"This can't be good..." (Lamperogue)

Without hesitation, they walked into the portal.

Suddenly, they were no longer on the staircase, but instead found themselves hurtling through space.

They managed to twist their body mid-air to avoid a sharp rock.

But Archibald wasn't so lucky.

Whereas, Lamperogue landed on his feet, Archibald landed on his face.

As they stood up, they realized they were in a dark, creepy cave.

"Where are we?" Archibald asked, still rubbing his face.

Lamperogue looked around, "I don't know. But I have a bad feeling about this," he said.

Suddenly, they heard voices above them.

"I don't know how they escaped, but find them!" (Magus)

It was the voice of the man in the red armor.

"Yes sir!" (Soldier)

"We'll secure the perimeter so no one gets in or out!" (Soldier)

"Secure the front and back gates!" (Soldier)

"Ensure that every soldier is patrolling the Fortress' compound" (Magus)

"Someone should attend to Knight Xiro! He's losing blood, fast!" (Soldier)

"Yes sir!" (Soldier)

Archibald and Lamperogue looked at each other, knowing they had to find a way out.

They started walking down the cave when they heard the sound of footsteps above them.

"These caves must be connected to the underground prison.." (Archibald)

"Most likely, which would mean we're somewhere on or around the fourth floor." (Lamperogue)

"So in other words, we're back to square one." (Archibald)

"And I thought it couldn't get any worse." (Lamperogue)

"We need to hurry," Archibald whispered, feeling the tension rising.

As Archibald and Lamperogue navigated through the dark, winding caves, they heard a soft humming noise.

Suddenly, an ethereal blue light illuminated the cave as a figure approached them.

It was Undine, the great water spirit.

Undine, was a graceful spirit with long, blue hair and bright, blue eyes. She had a slender, delicate frame and an ethereal beauty. Her clothing was made of blue and green silks that flowed like water.

Her skin had a faint blue hue to it, and she carried a blue crystal orb in her hand that radiated a soft, blue light.

Archibald could feel her presence radiating an aura of immense power.

"Undine, is that you?" he asked, putting two and two together instantly.

Undine replied, confirming that she was the water spirit they sought to save.

Lamperogue stood behind Archibald with his arms folded across his chest, his usual stoic expression unchanged.

"So this is the great water spirit," he said dryly.

Undine explained that she wasn't actually free yet and that what they were seeing was merely a physical manifestation of her thoughts, also known as an astral projection.

She had harvested some magic power from the Aquos Chronicles, which was still under General Vorkalth's control.

"I see," Archibald said, nodding thoughtfully.

"And what about your spirit doll form?" (Archibald)

He recalled the last time they met, she took the appearance of an old woman.

".....My current appearance is actually my true form, but due to a lack of magic power, I was forced to take on the guise of an old woman via my spirit doll form. If I had more magic power at the time, I could have chosen a younger appearance....." (Undine)

Archibald and Lamperogue listened intently, intrigued by the water spirit's explanation.

Finally, Archibald spoke up, "Is there any way we can help you become fully free?"