Marnie, pale and panting, climbs the stairs and runs in search of help. Along the way, she runs into several maids who, seeing her rush past, cast confused glances and wonder aloud what is wrong with the young mage.
The disciple looks for soldiers but finds none on patrol, a strange matter in itself that only increases her uncertainty. Perhaps the Dungeon Core got rid of more guards?
She considers returning to Arrax; he knows how to activate the magical self-destruct mechanism. A secret word that would suppress the core's levitation power, making it drop and shatter down the shaft into the underground—a hole supposedly so deep it reaches the lava oceans of the Underdark. However, Marnie understands that Arrax is still too sick, and trying to get the secret word out of him could mean precious time lost. The worst mistake one can make when dealing with a Dungeon Core is giving it time to expand and grow stronger. There is a reason adventurers' guilds consider the extermination of crystals a priority.
Marnie steps out into the castle's backyard and heads straight for the stables. In front of the gray brick building with a wooden roof, there is a patch of dirt with straw dummies set up for archers and squires to practice; some of the dummies still have a few arrows stuck in them. In the center of the patch, a chalk circle is drawn where two opponents, dressed in leather vests and cotton breeches, duel using wooden swords with iron tips.
Hilda's sword, moving like a whistling, blurred streak, strikes repeatedly, forcing Lynel back to the edge of the circle. Although the woman seems to have the upper hand, the older man maintains a calm demeanor and controls the tempo. He blocks while moving to return to the center of the patch, and as soon as he spots an opening in his rival's defense, he retaliates with a precise thrust aimed at the captain's chest. But before the iron can reach Hilda's sternum, her sword—faster than the man's—whips against Lynel's wrist, making him drop his weapon, grunt in pain, and step back.
Lynel's expression soon relaxes; he catches his breath and lets out a fierce laugh while rubbing his reddened wrist.
"As always, an exceptional performance, Captain! It's getting harder and harder to keep up with your level! If you youngsters keep this up, I'll have to listen to my granddaughter and retire. Though I think a peaceful life would kill me."
"You flatter me, Captain. But do not try to fool me... I am sure that if we fought in earnest, I wouldn't last two rounds," Hilda replies with a subtle smile, which vanishes upon noticing Marnie hunched at the edge of the patch, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. The warrior's expression hardens as she recognizes Marnie as one of Arrax's disciples. If the black cloak and hood weren't enough to identify the girl, the stench of plants and chemicals gives her away completely.
"Breathe, lass! You look like you're going to lose a lung!" Lynel says.
"The Dungeon... The Dungeon Core has rebelled," Marnie says, halfway lifting her face. Her vision is blurry, and her face and armpits are soaked with sweat.
Hilda's countenance goes from coldness to surprise, to tension, until finally settling on a determined look that hides growing worry and impatience.
"I knew we shouldn't have allowed that thing to stay in the castle," Hilda declares, clicking her tongue. She enters the soldiers' quarters and grabs one of the many longswords on the weapon rack.
Lynel stands under the stable's threshold and, showing his palms, blocks the warrior's path.
"Hilda, wait! We need to equip our armor and get reinforcements! We don't know what we're dealing with!"
"There is no time!"
Hilda brushes past Lynel and, without looking back, runs toward the castle.
"Shouldn't we tell Captain Claus...?" Marnie asks, hoping to count on the assistance of the strongest man in the kingdom.
"His Majesty ordered Claus to look for Axel. I don't know the details," Lynel answers, turning his back to Marnie and searching the weapon rack for something that suits his style, ultimately settling on a thick wooden club with spikes.
Marnie bites her lip out of worry about having Claus so far away, and out of fear of what might happen. She imagines the castle turned into a monster's nest.
A thick, calloused hand rests on her shoulder. She looks up to meet Lynel's face, who gives her a confident smile.
"You underestimate me, child. This old bag of bones still has a lot to give. If those dark elves couldn't beat me, your master's pet certainly won't... No offense."
The old soldier lets go of the girl and hurries to catch up with Hilda. Marnie tries to follow him, but her legs give out. She needs to exercise more.
Upon reaching the prison, Hilda slows her advance and increases her caution. She checks the cells; the prisoners remain huddled and distant in the corners, apparently still unaware of what hides in the castle's bowels. When she reaches the laboratory, she is surprised to find no guards at the door and assumes the worst.
Hilda curses inwardly. She thinks she should have assigned at least five men to guard duty, though she would have much preferred to exterminate the core on the very first day. She advances with her sword ready and peers into the core room.
She immediately understands why the sorceress was so worried. The core room has been replaced by a new chamber. The crystal and the imp are absent. Hilda takes a deep breath to calm herself, once again feeling like she is back in her adventuring days.
She takes a step forward and enters the dungeon.