The HLH members flank me like I am royalty.
To be frank, I am in awe because I notice their purple cloaks differ from a lot of the other HLH members I saw at Keeper Academy. These are the beloved HLH Shadow Squadron. My guess is they are the strongest force of the HLH organization. Are they flanking me because the leader of their organization is my sister?
That's probably the reason. I wouldn't want to defy my sister either.
The mist thickens so much that I would be lost without seeing where the HLH members are taking us. I think to myself that this place is very well protected as I stumble on a branch. My eyes still stay focused on the Shadow Squadron as we move swiftly throughout Mistfall's forest.
Eventually, we come upon a few small hills.
One of the Shadow Squadron members disappears into thin air.
My eyes widen at the sight. The next member walks right into the shadow of another tree and disappears. My sister watches my reactions to the other members walking right into a tree and disappearing. I did a double take each time it happened until I was left looking at her with an eyebrow raised.
She laughs while saying, "Don't worry, I can help you."
She takes my hand and starts walking toward the tree at a fast pace. When I feel like the tree is going to smack me in the face, everything goes black. It feels like I am getting sucked into some place. I can't breathe for a moment and I tighten my grip on my sister's hand. Then we appear in a bright massive underground space.
It almost looks like an entire city. It took me a moment to process all of it.
People are scattered all around, chatting, carrying supplies, having meals, and practicing. There are enough tents set up everywhere to populate a city. The underground space splits off into various tunnels, which look like they lead to caves. My sister watches my eyes and my ever growing curiosity.
"This is the headquarters of the HLH. When the Eradicators attacked humanity, many of us were killed. The lucky few are all of us who quickly were able to learn dark magic and escaped to the underground. This is a place the Keepers do not know how to enter, nor do they know we are here."
"The caves we used to mine various resources such as nature magic crystals which can grow edible plants underground. Overall, we are a pretty self-contained city of the last remaining humans who can't wield light in Tarondar," she says while overlooking the makeshift city.
"We suspect there are more elemental mages alive out there, but we don't know for sure. I forgot to tell you, but your friends are safe and are asleep. We will see them once they wake up in a few hours. I suspect Justus has already told you this, though," my sister says as she walks down the hill toward the main camp.
"Wait, you know Justus?" I say, surprised.
It seems like that guy knows everyone. If he knows her, why didn't he tell me?
"He didn't tell you because it wasn't the right time to tell you," Maura replies, as if reading my thoughts. "Justus is a good guy, just a bit quirky and a little stiff at the same time. He is the one who leaked the defense magic information to us so we could attack the academy more easily," she says as we arrive at the camp.
Everyone close enough to see us looks up in shock and comes running over to Maura. "We are so happy you are safe!" one of the older women says to Maura as she hugs her. The other people are equally excited that Maura and the Shadow Squadron, mostly, make it back alive.
"Everyone! I have something exciting to announce! I finally am bringing my brother to stay here for a couple of days until he has to return to the academy to complete his mission!" Maura shouts at everyone who can hear her.
Many people come over to welcome back Maura and the Shadow Squadron and even me. There are so many more adults here than at Keeper Academy. It seems like everyone respects Maura very well. Despite my suppressed memories of her for many years, as her big brother, I feel proud of her.
The next shock is almost too much for me to handle. I notice people all around using dark magic so casually that it doesn't even process well with me. The magic I find unbearable and believe should be forbidden is the primary magic that people are using in here. Kids are using it effortlessly to make toys out of dark magic waving their wands like a toy.
People can be seen making weapons and creatures out of dark magic in what seems to be a training ground for HLH members. Using it is very widespread.
I feel my cheeks become slightly wet. My vision becomes a bit blurry. I am about to tear up in front of everybody. It is too much of a beautiful sight to see. It feels like I finally am not alone. Maura ends her conversations with everyone and heads back over to me.
"Welcome home, Nico," my sister says as she gives me another hug. This time, however, I hug her back. I just have to take a moment and cry into her shoulder. All my memories are coming back to me. The Keeper's magic fades away. It isn't gone yet, but it is getting there.
She stops hugging me and gestures toward me to follow her.
"Come with me, brother. I will show you the source of your power and what it can do. I will show you what it takes to take down the Eradicators once and for all," she says, while reaching out her hand for me to take so she can guide me through the cave. My body is hesitant, but I take her hand and we descend into the cave.
Here goes nothing.