The Depths

Matthew led the way, descending into the guild with careful, quiet steps.

Aunora was baffled that a man such a size could move so stealthily, as even she was having trouble keeping her own steps muffled. Matthew carried himself with so much grim severity that it was almost frightening.

Esper tightened his scaly grip around Aunora's neck. For the sake of safety, Matthew had urged Seraph to take on a small animal form as well, and the child burrowed securely under his coat in the form of a cat.

Matthew paused, shoving his hand into the inner pocket of his coat. "Aunora," he murmured, drawing out another handgun, "Take this."

Aunora's fingers fumbled awkwardly over the weapon. "I've never used one of these," she hissed, "I just fight with my hands."

"It's good for targets you can't take head on," Matthew said darkly, "Just point and pull the trigger. There's a little kick, but you'll be fine."

"Right..." the demon muttered, gazing down the barrel.

Matthew gently corrected her, pointing the muzzle to the ground. "Don't point a gun anywhere you don't want it to fire at," he chuckled, a flicker of his normal humor in his eyes, "Umbra was this confused too when I taught him how to shoot, so it's okay."

Aunora snorted. "I can't see him shooting a gun," she mumbled.

"I can't either," Matthew replied, winking, "But just in case."

Matthew then propped his hands on his hips, turning serious once again. "We need to keep going. I have no idea how deep this thing runs. Stay close behind me and keep an eye on everything."

The group continued its procession, wandering into the dark unknown. They relied on the light provided by Matthew's cell phone, the meager fluorescent light unveiling the ending of the stairs. It ran into a long hallway, masked by shadow. Slowly and steadily, they stumbled through the passageway, tension crawling through their minds like creeping insects.

"Hey, Matthew," Aunora mumbled.

Matthew flinched, jumping when her voice broke the almost oppressive silence. "Yes?"

"You're pretty good at this, you know, Matthew? You'd make a good leader."

Matthew smiled, touching his fingers to Seraph's head. "Thank you, Aunora. That means a lot. But I'm afraid Umbra is the leader of this team."

Aunora crossed her arms. "Oh, I know," she turned her head, muttering under her breath, "But sometimes I think you'd be better at it."

A coy expression fell over Matthew's face. He chuckled, pausing in his trek. "Maybe I would; I would love to be the leader of this team." The light of his phone flashed through his glasses, erasing any trace of emotion. "But this is something important to Umbra. And sometimes, Aunora, you have to sacrifice things for the people you love."

Aunora's eyes involuntarily cut to Esper. "I understand," she remarked, voice hallow.

"I'm content with stroking Umbra's ego if it keeps him happy. That matters to me a little more than a leadership job does."

With that, the group fell back into silence and continued to walk. Along the walls, there were doors leading into other rooms, but the main hall seemed to trail on forever. Aunora noticed that Matthew had turned on his cellphone camera, and was recording everything they saw.

Suddenly, Esper twitched. "There's someone up ahead!" he squeaked.

"Where?" Matthew demanded through grit teeth.

"Far down the hall. I don't think they can see us yet," Esper replied, his serpentine body twisting anxiously.

Matthew shined his phone down a connecting hallway. "Is that way clear?"

Esper flicked his forked tongue. "There's several more heat signatures around us, but there's only one heading right towards us. That way seeks safe for now."

Wordlessly, Matthew slinked down the passageway. Unlike the main hall, it was much slimmer, the dizzying feeling of claustrophobia becoming apparent. It also seemed to be sloping down, sending them deeper into the underground.

The air grew colder and musky, and it carried the thick smell of ammonia the further they went. Matthew's heart started to throb nervously in his chest, memories of his confrontation with Arisha present in his mind. Aunora had her nose wrinkled, her demon senses picking up the foul smell more strongly.

"Where are we going?" Aunora whispered, a lock of stringy hair falling over her face.

Matthew swallowed, throat dry. "I'm not sure. But I have a feeling it won't be good."

After what felt like decades, the passageway ended abruptly. A metal, vaulted door stood in their path, the hinges flecked with rust and filth. Inscribed on the door were words in a language Matthew couldn't understand.

Esper was the first to react, shifting into a human and falling against the door. "Mother of Gaea," he said breathlessly, turning his head, "Seraph, do you feel that as well?"

Seraph joined Esper's side, face wrought in confusion. "I...I do. But what is it?"

Matthew took a sharp breath, staring at Esper and Seraph with hands discreetly trembling over his gun. "What are you sensing, Esper?"

Esper touched his forehead to the door. "I'm...I have no idea. But it's not good. Something left horrible energy signatures here."

Authors Note- :D

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