Avenrise: Shadow of The Abyssal

Chapter Two:

Leona Velathian stood within the well-lit hall of the town garrison, torches burning from their posts on the thick stone walls that the fortress-like building was built with. The make of the hallway was simple but sturdy, having been built to withstand siege weapons of both the physical and Atheric variety. 

She waited outside of the large, dark oak wooden door that led into the Lord Commander's office, back straight at attention, waiting to be invited in. Two guards stood on each side of the door. They wore heavy silver plate armor crafted by the city's most regarded blacksmiths and engraved with runes enchanting them with Atheric Power. Their halberds were also pieces of art and were engraved with similar runes. Their helms were closed, hiding all except their eyes from view, and large green capes billowed down their backs. These were two of 300 of the finest soldiers in the city. They were the men that belonged to Eridessa's Eternal Knights.

She knew both soldiers but had never conversed with the pair. Being a part of the Eternal Knights meant they would not respond to any words except those spoken by the Lord Commander himself. Every member of the Eternal Knights possessed top-grade Atheric Armor and weapons that turned them into a force of pure destruction in battle. 

Leona was a woman of below-average height, standing half a head shorter than most other women her age, but she had long overcome her physical limitations by building her physique and becoming a Third Circle Atheric Sorcerer. She wore her uniform tightly fit to her body, perfectly ironed, and perfectly articulated. Not a single thing was out of place. 

She had only recently adjusted to wearing the forest green military suits of the City Guard. Her family's colors had always been a deep crimson, and she had worn those uniforms since she had displayed her talent at age nine. The City Guard's uniforms were tight-fit forest green jackets that were strapped closed using gold-colored buttons that were engraved with the flag of Eiridessa. The jacket had a collar that reached up to her chin. The pauldrons and bracers were both a deep gold, displaying her rank as a commander by the rich metal. The uniform was completed by thick brown leather pants and dark green boots. 

Leona took great pride in her appearance, ensuring that she looked her best every day to hold to the same standards she held her soldiers to. 'Lead by example or do not lead at all.' Those words she had heard from her father so many years ago echoed in her mind constantly. 

Her fiery red hair was cut short, reaching only slightly below her chin, and her makeup was applied subtly. Her eyes were a deep emerald green, and her lips were smooth, highlighted by a soft red lipstick her mother had gifted her. Not too delicate for a soldier and not too gruff for a noblewoman. It was a look she had perfected during her youth so as not to disregard either part of who she was. 

After a few moments passed, another of the Eternal Knights opened the door to the Lord Commander's office, gesturing for her to enter. She did so, walking back straight, chin up, and entering the room. She saluted, her form perfect as she raised her arm into the air, holding a fist out, then tucking her arm in, fist directly above her elbow at shoulder height. 

The office was large, the walls adorned with tapestries, and the floors covered in simple yet elegant carpets. The furniture was expertly crafted and was made of a dark type of wood. The desk and chairs that were used for meetings, and also the large couches that were arranged around a small table that were placed off to the side. 

The desk was covered in neatly organized papers, on top of which lay a sheathed sword, handle pointing towards the Lord Commander. The man himself was a terrifying force of discipline and power. He was an older man nearing his late fifties with a powerful frame of muscle and an intimidatingly impressive height. His graying blond hair was slicked back and perfectly maintained, and his beard was trimmed to perfection. His eyes were stern, their color being that of a deep gray, it was as if a stormcloud had been sealed within them. 

"Commander Velathian." He said, acknowledging her presence as he peeled his eyes away from a report he held in front of himself. 

Leona maintained her composure perfectly, resisting the anxiety that attempted to crawl out of her. She maintained her salute as she spoke, her voice being both soft and unwavering.

"Lord Commander, I wish to follow up on the report I submitted to you a few days ago. Despite an increase in nightly patrols, another two people have gone missing. Both were also in or heading towards the highlighted areas when they were last seen." She reported. 

He remained silent for a moment, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Commander, am I correct in assuming you believe that the rumors about strange sounds in the catacombs are the cause of these disappearances?" He asked.

Leona nodded. "Yes sir." 

The Lord Commander paused, considering what Leona had said. Over the past month, nearly a dozen people had gone missing. At first, it was only one person per week, but in the last week and a half, over eight people had gone missing. Every one of these disappearances occurred near one of the entrances to the catacombs. If one included the reports of people hearing strange sounds coming from the catacombs, it was becoming obvious that something was happening within those tunnels. 

"Leona, if I were to approve your request to form a Catacombs Exploration and Extermination Squad, I would not be able to direct any further support to you. There will be no rescue squad nor any reinforcements. Are you confident that you can survive that place and discover the cause of these disappearances?" He questioned her. 

Despite the immense amount of pressure being applied to her, she stood straight and determined. "I am confident that whether I possess the abilities to succeed or not, I will not regret my decision. I will protect my people, even if it costs me my life."

The commander tapped his fingers upon his desk rhythmically as he stared at the woman before him. During Eridessa's history, the city had attempted to explore and clear the catacombs dozens of times, every attempt resulting in failure and devastating losses. The taint of the Abyssal was powerful, and they could not divert enough resources to clear the catacombs due to the constant threat of invasion from the surrounding nations, all of which craved the city for themselves. 

"I approve your request, Commander Velathian, you may take with you eight hundred men from your battalion and form a Catacombs Exploration and Extermination Squad. Your mission will be to discover who or what is kidnapping our citizens and to neutralize the threat. Do you understand your mission commander?" He asked, his voice firm.

Leona's heart nearly exploded from the wave of relief that washed over her. Finally, she had her chance. For the first time, she had a chance to distinguish herself. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. There have been many attempts to delve into the catacombs, all of which had been disasters. If she managed to succeed in this mission, her renown and, with it, her political power would skyrocket. 

She saluted, her face calm despite the emotions boiling within her heart, "Yes, Lord Commander! I will succeed no matter the cost." She stated her resolution firm. 

"Visit the information bureau and command hall and make the proper arrangements, you shall begin your expedition in two days from now. Dismissed soldier." 

The Lord commander waved his hand dismissively as he turned back to the papers on his desk. The knight who had let Leona inside escorted her out of the room, closing the large door behind her with a thud. 

No longer in the presence of the commander, she allowed a soft smile to escape her emotionless facade, unable to contain her excitement any further. Turning down the hall, she swiftly made her way to the Information Buero in order to gather the maps of the catacombs and any other documents she would require for the expedition. 

With only two days to prepare, she could waste no time. She would need to reorganize her battalion under her Vice Commander, gather the soldiers that would take part in the expedition, and make preparations for the exhibition itself. 

She continued walking, managing to reign in her excitement as she calmed her mind, attempting to think more logically about the mission ahead. Her excitement was replaced with nervousness as the original exhilaration of having her request approved faded. 

There was a reason so many attempts to clear the catacombs had failed. The continent possessed many locations that were beyond what people could understand with the current level of Atherik knowledge, and among these places, only a select few were as feared as the catacombs. The monsters that lived in those dark tunnels, paired with the constant shifting of the maze, made the place a hell for those who entered. 

Most people had long since forgotten the horrors that had once stormed across this world, and those who hadn't often regarded the stories as fairytales or legends of the past. However, the families who had survived the last seven millennia knew the truth. The stories of the Abyssal War were true, and the legends of demonic beasts that would devour humans and slaughter innocents were real. After all, it was because of this darkness that the Great Families of Eridessa had established themselves here within this city. 

Leona opened the door to the Information Buero and strode inside. The place was buzzing with excitement and energy as the sound of pens being tapped on ink bottles and the chattering of a busy workplace filled the air. Runners dashed by her, sprinting in and out of the Buero, carrying with them orders or information that would be distributed to their intended recipients. 

The Information Buero was in the easter wing of the garrison, not far from the Lord Commander's office. It was a massive area that was lit by a massive Atheric Circle that was designed to mimic the sun in its effect. It was an expensive light source, but the Buero was so large that it made more sense than to utilize the countless number of torches it would require to light the indoor space. 

The receptionists all stood behind a massive half-moon-shaped desk that acted as a barrier between those who came for information and those who supplied it. Behind the receptionists was a massive room filled with tables where information was recorded, reviewed, cataloged, and studied. This station was worked by some of the city's most talented young scholars as their work here could garner the attention of a true master, who would then take them under their wing. Behind the desks was an area filled with massive shelves that reached the ceiling, being as tall as five adult men. It was here that all the information handled by the scholars was organized and stored. 

Leona approached the head receptionist, who sat in the center of the half-moon desk. She was an elderly woman named Gretha whose hair had long since lost its color, and her face had long since become riddled with wrinkles. 

Gretha turned to Leona as she approached, reaching her hand out. Leona handed the elderly woman the order she had received from the Lord Commander. The order continued the rights to access all information relating to the catacombs as well as the right to organize her battalion as the Lord Commander had specified. 

"Another expedition?" Gretha asked, her stoic mask shifting into a look of doubt. The woman had been working for the bureau for nearly fifty years now; she had lived through four attempts to clear the catacombs, each ending in disaster. 

"Yes, mam. We will be heading out soon as the entrance opens after a two-day preparation." Leona replied, her tone respectful. Gretha has been serving the city well since long before Leona had even been born. She was a strong and righteous woman who did her job well. Leona had nothing but respect for her. 

The elderly woman turned around, grabbing a few sheets from the side of her desk. She quickly scanned through them, pulling out a select few. She grabbed her pen and swiftly dipped it into the ink bottle before swiftly marking out a few of the selected forms. 

She turned to one of the tables behind her, handing the sheets she had filled out to the youngest of the girls at the table. The young woman swiftly stood up before heading into the massive sea of bookshelves behind her. 

Gretha turned back to Leona, a few forms in her hand. "Commander Velathian, please fill out these forms for me." 

Leona did as asked. The forms turned out to be order forms for the promotion of her Vice Commander and the selection of the eight hundred soldiers that she would make up her Exploration and Extermination Squad. The process took a few minutes as Leona had to sort through which of her men she wished to bring, selecting them by squads, groups of ten men that trained, lived, and fought together. She also had to decide and formally promote one of her officers to the squad's vice commander. 

After finishing, Leona handed the papers back to Gretha, "Thank you, Gretha." 

The elderly woman nodded her head, a solemn expression on her face as she handed the papers over to the same table she had given the other papers to, then turned back to Leona. 

As she spoke, her tone softened, and her eyes portrayed her concern. "Lady Valathian, I must urge you to be cautious. I have lived through many talented commanders, many of which also attempted to conquer the catacombs. Every instance ended in complete failure. Please, do not waste your life being reckless." 

Gretha addressed Leona by her noble title, a way to make a personal request rather than an official warning. Leona could see that the elderly woman held little faith in her success. That did not matter to Leona, though. After all, this was not a mission to conquer the entirety of the catacombs but rather to find and eliminate the cause of civilian disappearances. 

"Thank you for your concern." She said, genuinely thanking the elderly woman. 

Seeing that Leona would not back down from this, Gretha nodded her head. "The orders will be carried out with due haste, Commander." 

With that, Leona turned and strode out of the building, heading to her battalion sector. With two days to prepare, she could afford to waste no time.