You grunted as you descended yet another deep cavern, going further down into the earth. The darkness surrounds you, as well as the cool, stagnant air that smelt heavily of wet ground. You huff as you lean against the wall of dirt, taking a quick rest.
Admittedly you were a rare sight down here, so far into the earth, and some might say a brazen sight as well. Why would a human want to be so close to the disgusting depths of Dungon? Well...that requires some explaining really.
Your name is Daniel Cavon, and you hail from the kingdom of Cassier. Cassier is a bustling, devoted kingdom, filled with humans and tomkin alike, all under the protection from the beloved Archangels. Cassier is looked upon by it's residents fondly, and firmly believe the kingdom to be of the moral good...but every kingdom has a secret...
Enter a secret military sect hand picked by the angels and archangels themselves. A caste of warriors that are a well guarded secret of the kingdom, its dirty little secret really...
The Aurors.
The Aurors are an organization of meta humans, blessed with power that allows them to survive in the harshest of conditions, have the strength of a minotaur, and be what many would consider...unnatural.
The Aurors were known by few and they wanted to keep it that way, blending in amongst the crowds of regular folk and soldiers, gathering Intel from idle gossip, aiding in battles that seem hopeless, and dissapear once more into normalcy.
Daniel was one such Auror, and damn good at his role in the group. 32 years young, he was one of the longer lived individuals, and he had the skills to show for it...which is why he was chosen for this mission.
-A week earlier-
Crackles echoed in the stone room. That was the only sound that had been present for the past few minutes.
Daniel glanced to his leader, Auror Ezekiel Gorthalon, an elderly yet spry man in his 50s. Ezekiel sat at his desk, eyes serious as he explained the Aurors newest mission.
The room he was in was dark, minus the fire that glowed within the fire place, the shimmering light making their shadows dance in the room.
"...You're sure she's been brought down there." Daniel asked his teacher.
Ezekiel nodded. "Told from the Angel Madrid myself...Millie has been captured by a minotaur, and brought down to the depths of Dugon." He finished gravely.
"Then she is dead." Daniel said flatly, concealing any emotion. "Any human brought down there is a goner, whether they be ripped apart by harpies or...used...by those filthy Beasts." He said, venom dripping in his voice at the mention of the Minotaurs.
Ezekiel sighed. "Generally I would agree with you boy. But..answer me this. The platoon she was hiding in, it contained mostly women. They all were slaughtered, while Millie was simply beaten and taken...quite a queer situation, no?"
Daniel stared at the fire, arms crossed. He remained silent for several more minutes...images of Millie flashing in his mind...her smile. Her piercing brown eyes...her voice in his ears.
Daniel glanced to his master. "You suspect someone is aware of us?" He asked.
Ezekiel shrugged. "I am not sure what to make of it boy. But the fact of the matter is, one of our own has been captured, and must be rescued...or silenced." He finished, tone grave.
Daniel understood the implication.
Ezekiel laid out a pack in front of Daniel. "I shan't force you to go, but I know your stake in this. Millie is close to you, and I k-"
"Don't presume so much." Daniel cut off Ezekiel, tone serious. He walked and took a look into the pack. Standard survival materials...emergency water flasks, non perishable food...and a few potions to aid him and augment his natural powers. Daniel looked to Ezekiel. "How do you expect me to get down there. The few times the ground dwellers surface, they destroy the way they came from. I'm a warrior. Not a digger."
Ezekiel smiles and pulled a potion out of the pack. It was magenta in color, and glowed eerily. "Correct you are. Those holes are gone...but rodents from that kingdom come up all the time, giving us a direct line to the underworld." Ezekiel said matter of factly.
Daniel stared for a few moments. "...a shrinking potion." He said flat. "How do you expect me to be of any use when I'm the size of a tomkin? At Normal size I can take on a minotaur, but at bite sized a happy could simply step on me."
Ezekiel went on to explain that the potions was a two way. Drink half to shrink. The other half would reverse the effects.
And so the plan went into motion. Daniel located a mole hole, drank the potion, and proceeded to go further down the earth than any sane human would.
-present-
Daniel sighed as he continued on. It had been a week since he had started. The darkness was all encompassing, and would have been impossible to navigate, had his natural abilities not given him decent night vision. He trudged on, as he had for seemingly so long.
Thankfully the worst he had encountered was a few bugs. They were dog sized to him at his 3 inch height, and easily dispatched.
Daniel smiled as he saw his tunnel opening into something larger. Finally...he had reached Dungon.
Daniel stepped out of the hole and gazed around...yes, the outskirts of dungon alright. The kingdom itself loomed in the distance, castles short and made of dirt, walls curved and appeared to be made of clay...and harpies flitting to and thro, either going about their day or searching for prey.
Daniel couldn't help but shudder. At his normal size he wouldn't be concerned even if several harpies attacked. They'd be dispatched easily...but at this size he wouldn't even be able to tickle one of the flying vixens. "Need to stay low...wait to take the potion until I find Millie." He mutters as he walks on, making sure to stay out of sight.
Daniel's light armor made slight clicks as he walked. He wasn't as concerned about that, as his footsteps were muffled. His sword, drawn and ready, would have glinted in the light had their been any. He was ready for a fight if need be, as he always was.
Daniel continued on for another hour, starting to near a small village outside of the kingdom. Daniel observed it as he stopped at a small mound, taking in the sights.
The town was small but populated. Gorgons perused the towns small market, picking up ingredients or looking at trinkets. Minotaur of both genders and all shapes engaged in usual minotaur behavior. Namely drinking, wrestling, or...well carnal public displays. And harpies flitted about, preying on helpless trogs.
Daniel shuddered as he saw a harpy bite a trog in half, sucking up his organs like pasta.
Daniel swallowed hard. This was his first hurdle...and it was to be a difficult one. But he had to make it past...
Daniel freezes up, his heightened sense of hearing picking up thuds coming from behind him. Spinning around, Daniel comes face to face with...
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