The First War of Vivelle goes by many names. The First War, the Great War and The Only War are some of the few. It spanned for a total of three hundred and fifty-seven years before Visara put an end to it. Not much, apart from the creation of our world, is known about the time before that Great War started. There isn't even a lot of information during the time of the First War. What we do know is that for all those years, every race in Vivelle, or the Bloodlands as it was known before the great kingdom of Vivelle was formed, fought with each other over everything. We also know that the number of deaths was far too high to even try and put a number on them.

Visara saved us all and brought us peace. Without her, none of us would be here today.

It was from then, that it was decided that the years should start again. Each new year is celebrated on the date that Visara took to the throne. It was also a way of counting how many years Vivelle has been a kingdom.

It is now the year 1427. 1427 years since Visara united the lands and began the Dulavelle reign. Visara herself had many names. Though the most common term used for her is the First Queen. Hence why the Dulavelle descendants are known as the First Blood. That and the fact, that even now they still have the blood of a God running through their veins.

It is no secret that the Dulavelle's have been known to wed relatives in order to try and keep the blood as pure as possible. It is theorised that Visara's own children had children together, despite being married to other people. Though that is only speculation. Throughout the years since, a Dulavelle marrying from a family that has ties back to the Dulavelle's has been common. King Matthias himself is a very distant relative of the Dulavelle's. The Baylon house was one of the first close houses to the crown.  A spot now taken by the Drake family.

Lord Kristoff Drake, who has been chosen to marry the Queen Victorious, shares the same great grandfather as the Princesses. King Yuri. Some argue that the amount of incestuous relationships is what caused the Mad Queen to go mad. Not the gift at all, but a birth defect.

Perhaps that is the case and madness could form in the minds of any Dulavelle.

Or perhaps it was the Gift as we are so commonly told.

~History of the Dulavelle family. Written by Scholar Laurian Hedfor, the Royal Historian.

We all sit down at one of the large tables. Nianzu shares what he found.

"Odelia was right. The place is a maze and it is full of hundreds upon hundreds of workers," he tells us. I frown and look at Wyatt. He told me there was good news.

"However," Nianzu continues and I look up. "I managed to find the office of the Mine's commander. That is where I got this," he pulls a large scroll from his coat and throws it down on the table. Odelia opens it and my eyes widen.

"Is that a map of the mine?" I ask. He nods his head.

"It seems that in order to track their progress and to keep a record of what was found where. Every time there is a new passage or section dug, this is updated." I lean back in my chair and smile. This is going to be so helpful.

"How were you able to even git in undetected?" Odelia asks with wonder. Nianzu just smiles but doesn't say anything. She looks at me. "You have some serious hardcore members on your team princess, I'm impressed," she smiles. Since the Waterfolk rescue was successful, Odelia has been much more welcoming and open toward us. Especially as they managed to get a lot of riches from the raid too which has already been sold off and the money given to those who really need it.

"That isn't the best part," Nianzu says. "All this time, we've thought that the centaurs were seen as easily disposable," he begins. I nod my head. "You remember what we said to Lady Kanya at Flon Mine when we thought we were just making it up?" he asks. I frown and nod my head.

"We berated her for killing some of the centaurs because they were expensive to hunt," I say. He nods his head.

"Well, that is true. In fact, though they are still being treated terribly, the centaurs are being treated better than the ones at Flon mine. In order for there to be fewer deaths among them, the centaurs are only worked eight hours of the day. Nine am until five pm. It is at that time, a huge gong is sounded around the mine and they all make their way to one big chamber where they are given food and rest for the night." I raise my eyebrows, surprised.

"Yeah, good food too," Nianzu says, just as surprised as me. "They even have two days off from working. With proper rest and food, fewer centaurs are dying from exhaustion and thus saving the crown from having to hunt for more. They are also more productive during the hours they do work than they would be if they were working non-stop." We all sit in silence. Surprised. I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table. The frown still on my face.

"So they go to one big room?" I ask.

"There are five rooms in total," he begins and points at large chambers on the map. "The mine is split into five sections at the moment. Each centaur and human alike are assigned one area to work and tunnel. They then sleep and rest in these chambers." He points at five large circles on the map.

"How many in each?" Odelia asks.

"Between one-fifty to two-hundred," Nianzu replies.

"This is good," she says but there is a frown on her face. "That fact that they will mostly be in one place will make it easier and means we shouldn't have to go searching the whole mine to make sure everyone gets out. However, this is what I worry about," she says, pointing at the entrance tunnel.

"If you are right about the numbers in each cavern then that means there are hundreds of centaurs that need to be freed and this is the only way out. To get all of them out before any authorities arrive is going to be difficult. We especially don't want them to be tracked to whatever secret location you are going to hide them in," she sighs. I nod my head.

"We have to get rid of the Masters and commanders before any alarm can be raised," I say and look at Zoran. 

"That is where we will come in," he replies with a nod and looks at his kin. At first, I wasn't sure if they wanted to help and risk incarceration again. However, it has only made them more willing. They want to do to others what we did for them. Nianzu sighs.

"Unlike Flon mine, this one is much more precautious. They do have defences in place for Mer and Siren attacks. All guards carry with them the darkened glasses to protect against Mer beauty as well as earplugs in case of Sirens." Zoran nods his head.

"Do they wear them all the time?" he asks.

"No, they just carry them with them as a precaution." Zoran smiles.

"Then we have nothing to worry about. As long as they aren't made aware of our presence or the fact that we are all healed before we get to them, then we will have them under our spells before they even have a chance to use their special precautions." The others nod.

For the next few hours, we discuss and plan as much as we can before finally, the meeting comes to an end.

"Get some rest, we have a very busy night tonight," Odelia tells everyone. It is the early hours of the morning and we've decided to stage our attack at ten pm tonight. Odelia wants us leaving by seven to get everything ready. Everyone is apprehensive and an excited yet nervous chatter fills the cavern. I go to where Odelia has said myself and my team can rest. Some small beds have been set up and I get ready to sleep as I am shattered. Before I do so, I call over Merissa, Wyatt and Nianzu.

"We still have the problem of my face being seen around here," I tell them. Merissa huffs. "I have an idea," I tell them. "Merissa, how would you feel about spending tonight being chased around the city by some of my father's knights?" I ask. She frowns and I look at Nianzu. "Could you give Merissa black hair and different coloured eyes?" I ask.

"I could," he replies with a frown.

"But I still wouldn't look like you," she says.

"No, but most people don't know what I actually look like. They just know my main features. All you need to do is make a scene so you are seen, then get some of the King's men to give you chase for a while whilst the mine raid is happening." I say. She smiles.

"It's brilliant," she chuckles. I smile too.

"A solid alibi for me. Especially when this lot take credit." We had already established with Odelia that knights would take full credit for this and Flon mine. Their excuse for doing it whilst I was in town was the fact that I was a good distraction with a lot of the guards from the mine being sent into the city to help find me. It was their perfect opportunity to strike. That and the fact that the group are particularly vocal in their hatred for Royals and nobles makes it even more convincing that they would be doing this without my help. Merissa making a scene as me would only further separate me from the rescue attempt.

"I was looking forward to helping out in the mine though," she sighs. "But I guess being chased by a hundred king's men would be just as fun," she chuckles. "How do you want me to make a scene though?" she asks.

"Isn't there some sort of festival on tonight?" I ask. Another reason why Odelia wanted to do it tonight and not wait a few days to prepare more thoroughly.

"Yes," she says. 

"Well, just make a special guest appearance," I tell her. She nods her head. "I'll leave it up to you, I trust you," I tell her. There is a reason why she is in the Red Guard after all. She nods her head and smiles.

"Okay," she says. "I think I have an idea," she chuckles and Nianzu holds out his hand. He gives her the ability to change her eyes and hair as he did with me and Zoran. After a few moments, she stands in front of me with my eyes and hair. Though her face is still her own. It is a little freaky.

"That will be perfect," I say. "Though you might want to change back before you're seen like this," I tell her. She does so.

"Good. Now, I'm going to tell Odelia that you aren't coming along with us and then I am going to sleep."

As seven pm arrives and the sun sets, we start making our way toward the mine. We are on horseback, travelling along the coastline and off the main path to get there. It takes us two hours in total. When we are a mile from it, we dismount and tie up the horses and walk the rest of the way on foot. The rolling green hills seem to disappear as before us sits a huge crack in the earth.

"This is the scar from where the Earth God swallowed the Ronzal palace," Odelia tells me. I can't speak, I am just in shock. We walk slowly to the edge, lying on our fronts with black cloaks keeping us in the shadows.

"Wow," I mutter,

About halfway down the deep crack is a large stone bridge that seems to hang in the air. It leads to a giant stone door cut into the stone wall of the cliff face. I can't even see the bottom of this crack in the ground. It is just black underneath the bridge. The light from the torches on the bridge and around the entrance not doing enough for us to see it properly.

The Bridge itself is wide and long. Every few metres are guards. They stand perfectly straight with spears in hand. They wear the same uniform as the masters at Flon mine. However, it is much scarier and intimidating in the night. We need to take them all out without being spotted and get into the mine undetected. If they realise they are under attack, then they sound a cannon which can be heard for miles. There are extra forces in camps not far from here, just in case that happens. They will arrive first and secure the area so those who have gotten in, can't get out. They will keep the place locked down until reinforcements come from the city.

Wyatt gestures to the other three Red Guard members and looks at me. I nod my head. The four of them slink away. I watch as their silhouettes run along the edge of the crack away from the bridge. They disappear over the side, climbing down quickly. At least, that is what the plan was because we can't actually see them. We wait in a tense silence, hidden behind rocks and peaking out occasionally toward the bridge. The guards continue to stand straight and alert, their eyes watching around the rock faces around them.

I spot a shadow. It's Wyatt and the others. Their black robes hanging around them and hiding them from the sight of the guards. We watch in amazement as they begin to climb along the underside of the bridge. They move so smoothly and quietly underneath the guards who don't react to the shadows beneath them. I can't help but be in awe at their strength and skill as they fearlessly climb without any ropes or safety nets. My heart races for them.

They come to a stop. The three of them separated at various points under the bridge. Each one seeming to hang under the bridge for a few moments as they ready themselves. Wyatt gives some sort of signal. The three of them move so quickly and quietly as they swing their bodies around and onto the bridge, landing on the walkway at the same time exactly. Before the guards can even register what is happening, they've already drawn their blades. The guards don't know who to go for as the team separated themselves along the bridge. By the time they decide, the Red Guard are already swinging their blades and killing them with effortless precision. Killing with only one clean blow and kicking bodies over the side.

The whole thing is over in less than thirty seconds. Quick, precise and silently.

"Shit," Odelia murmurs next to me before signalling for her team to move.

They quickly run onto the bridge and pull off their black cloaks. Beneath the cloaks, they wear identical uniforms which another group had stolen from one of their bases within the city earlier that day. These uniformed Pheonix members quickly stand in the places the other guards just were. Wyatt and the others also remove their cloaks to reveal their official Red Guard uniforms.

Once the transition is done, myself, Wyatt and Nianzu walk onto the bridge. Zoran and I wear our other human forms. We also wear borrowed Red Guard attire. We begin to walk across the bridge toward the door. Wyatt pulls on a cord that attaches to a large golden bell. It is loud and echoes around the stone. In my hand, I hold a chain. As does Zoren. The chain attaches to a cuff which sits around Tida's neck. It is then linked to cuffs around the necks of the other Sirens and Mer so they are all standing in a line. They have removed their cloaks and wear skimpy dresses like they would have worn back at the brothels. The Sirens wear their masks and the Mer wear eye patches.

A little gap opens in the stone and eyes pear out. The eyes examine Wyatt for a second before we can hear a voice behind.

"Wyatt, my friend!" the man behind the door shouts. "What brings you back down this way?" he asks.

"His Majesty ordered us to bring you a very special gift to thank you for all your hard work," he chuckles and steps aside so that the man can see the Mer and Sirens that we have chained. The man's eyes widen and he shouts back inside the mine.
"Open the doors!" he calls. After a few seconds, the great doors slowly begin to open, the rumbling filling the gorge. We walk in slowly with some other members of the Knights of the Pheonix dressed as the Masters following us.

"Do you mind if we check them?" the man asks and gestures to their masks and patches. I feel my heart race in my throat but Wyatt is quick to cover.

"You think the King would send you faulty products?" he asks. "Because I could always take them back," he snarls.

"No, no. My mistake," he replies quickly.

"Who are they for?"

"For the commander and all high ranking officials of course. The low ranked masters too once you're done with them," Wyatt replies. My eyes widen as we enter a great cavern. Its walls are dark smooth stone, lit by a lot of torches. There are multiple passageways leading down and one that leads up. We are lead up that path. There are plenty of guards standing on patrol as we pass them. Their eyes widen as they see the beautiful creatures we drag along with us.

"I can't believe the King would send us a gift like this," the man chuckles.

"His majesty appreciates the work you all do and how smoothly this mine operates," Wyatt tells him with a shrug. "He thought you all deserved a special night off. Now, I know the way to the commander's office. Why don't you wake all the other officials so they can have their fun," Wyatt tells him. The man nods and takes off back down the path.

We carry on walking silently through up the tunnel until we come to a wooden door cut into the stone. Wyatt knocks on the door.

"Come," a voice shouts. Wyatt opens it and peeps inside.

"Wyatt!" I hear a voice boom inside. "No one told me you were visiting! I thought you were all out looking for the princess!"

"I have brought a gift, from the king," Wyatt says. "Why don't you allow me to bring them in to show you," he chuckles and opens the door widely. We enter, dragging the Waterfolk behind us.

The office isn't particularly grand. It is basically a small cave. Bookshelves have been cut into the stone and there is a large wooden desk and a couple of chairs. In one corner are some stairs that lead up to the place where their cannon is stored.

"What a treat," the man says. I look at him. He is tall and lean. Not very muscular but an impending figure all the same. He wears a long black coat and has neatly combed ginger hair. His features are sharp and he has a cruel smile on his thin lips. He slaps a hand on Wyatt's shoulder before going and sitting back down on his chair.

"It is good to see you again, Lord Talothry," Wyatt says and takes a seat on one of the chairs opposite the desk. The man's eyes fall on me.

"She a new member then, I thought I was acquainted with all of you?" His eyes rake over my body and he grins. I raise an eyebrow. He licks his lips and I suppress a shudder.

"The standards must be dropping, that's two women now isn't it? Where is darling Merissa anyway?" he asks. Wyatt smiles.

"She has another assignment and I'd feel very grateful she wasn't here after what you just said," Wyatt warns. The man shrugs.

"Why, what would she do?" he snarls. "I am the commander of this great Mine and the son of the Master of Coin," he shrugs. Wyatt grins.

"Well, son of the Master of Coin, would you like to pick your first treat?" he asks. He grins and looks over the Mer and Sirens.

"That one," he says, nodding to Tida. I give a yank on the chain. She stumbles toward me and I remove her from the chain of other Waterfolk.

"Go on then," I snarl at her and push her toward Lord Talothry. She walks over to him slowly before sitting on his lap. He yanks her closer to him violently. A groan leaves his mouth.

"I just love their pretty scales," he grins as his hands roughly drag over her scales. I feel my throat dry and try not to shudder.

At that moment, some of the other higher commanders come in.

"Take your pick boys," he says to his men. "Then take them back to your rooms. Leave me with this one. You lot can wait somewhere outside, I don't care."

"Is that all of your commanders?" I ask. The man looks at me.

"Yes," he snarls back, annoyed that I had interrupted him as his sloppy lips kiss as Tida's neck. I nod.

"Just wanted to make sure you were sharing," I reply.

"Fuck off," he growls. I smile.

"Of course, enjoy," I tell him and smile smugly, knowing what is coming his way. We leave the room and watch as the other Mer and Sirens are taken away to their rooms. Once they are out of sight, it begins. We all draw our weapons and attack the closest guards. We kill them quickly and quietly as to not alert those just out of sight. After a few moments, Lord Talothry stumbles out of his office.

"Help me!" he gasps. His ginger hair greying and his figure looking much frailer. He stumbles at Wyatt's feet as Tida leaves the room, her form glowing brightly and her teeth sharp in her mouth.

"Wyatt!" he pleads as he tries to crawl away from her. Then, his eyes fall on the fallen guards. 

He looks up at us.

"What have you done?" He snarls, spit flying from his mouth. Wyatt laughs.

"He's all yours, Tida," is all he says. Tida lets out a vicious snarl then pounces on the man like an animal.

We dispatch of the other guards and it isn't long before the other Waterfolk return from the rooms they were taken. Soon, we have taken the top of the mine and secured the cannon that calls for aid. The Knights work on breaking it apart so even if any spare guards get past their defences, they won't be able to use it.

The rest of us separate into teams, each team taking one of the tunnel entrances down that we saw as we entered. I am the leader of one of these teams with Nianzu, Tida, Jack who is one of the Red Guard Members and a couple of the Knights of the Pheonix. Wyatt, Odelia, Holly and Zoran lead the other teams going to the other Centaur resting chambers.

We run quickly, the path going to the cavern where the centaurs rest being pretty straight forward. The harder navigation comes with the actual mining tunnels. I'm not sure how far my team runs for or how deep we go down. There are no guards along the way though. They must be stationed closer to the entrance of the caverns where the centaurs rest. It is after about half an hour of running down this path when we finally arrive at the entrance of the cavern we need. Outside is guarded by more black-uniformed Masters. Their eyes widen as we appear around the corner. 

Tida starts singing immediately. Her silky, haunting voice echoing around the entrance. The Masters eyes widen and their bodies loosen as they stare at her, enchanted. Slowly, they begin to walk toward her. Whilst Tida enchants them, we slaughter them. Painlessly and quickly so as to not want to raise any further alarm. Once they are dead, we rush over to the large stone doors that mark the entrance of the chamber. It takes all of us pulling on one door to actually open it.

We walk inside. Unlike the tunnel we ran down which was illuminated every few meters by flame lit torches, it is completely black inside here. Jack and I grab the torches that sat outside the entrance. Having been in the darkness of these tunnels for a while now, our eyes have adjusted enough to be able to see a fair bit with the small light of the torches. Though we can't see the whole room, we can see a few centaurs lying asleep on dirty mats in front of us. We also spot a gong. Nianzu goes over to it and hits it multiple times. The sound is so loud as it echoes against the stone walls. There are murmurs as the centaurs begin to wake and soon, small torches are being lit around the cavern, showing the sheer size of it. There are hundreds of Centaurs all huddled up closely together with only grubby blanket and mats to sleep on. There are also guards around the room who all know now is not the time for the wakeup bell.

They begin to rush toward us but Tida starts to sing again. They all stop once her voice reaches their ears, dropping their weapons to the floor. We kill them quickly. The centaurs all stand now, looking at us with cautious, weary eyes. Some shout in confusion and others cry.

"Listen up!" I shout as loud as I can. "We are here to set you free!" I call. There is silence and I'm not sure they believe me. I let out a sigh but shout again. "I want all of you to calmly make your way out of here and follow my friend up to the surface!" They don't move still. I groan and square my shoulders. "We don't have time!" I shout more sternly. "Move. Now!" I order, hoping that using a tone of voice they have grown used too will actually get them to move. It works. They begin to walk toward the entrance. Jack begins to lead them back up the path whilst the rest of us hang around to make sure they all leave. Tida and some of the others start leaving at different points to escort the Centaurs back up to the top of the mine. After about twenty minutes, Nianzu and I are alone in the huge cavern. I shake my head. It is disgusting in here. Their bedding is nothing but dirty sheets. The floor is covered in faeces which makes the whole place absolutely stink. We search around, making sure no one is left before leaving the chamber.

"It's disgusting," I say to Nianzu as we begin to walk back up the tunnel. Ahead of us, we can hear the centaurs. They are beginning to realise what is happening and are shouting excitedly. We jog to catch up.

I stop.

An odd feeling sits in the pit of my stomach. I look at Nianzu, who himself has an odd expression. We both look to a small passage off to our left.

I need to go down there.

We both quickly dart off to the side. I get down to my hands and knees and begin to frantically crawl through the small tunnel. It is pitch black but I don't care. I just need to crawl. I need to move. My heart is racing in my chest and my whole body is shaking. All thoughts leave my mind and the need to desperately follow whatever direction I am going takes over.  Nianzu shifts into a small cat and runs ahead of me. I pick up my pace, not caring as stone scrapes at my palms and knees.

I don't know how long we crawl for. We eventually come to a small cave. I stand up slowly and look around the room. The feeling of something pulling me takes over again and I run to one of the walls. Nianzu does the same and shifts into the form of his great bear. We begin to tear into the wall, pulling away rubble and stone frantically. My hands burn with pain as the skin shredded by stone.

I need to dig. I need to get there. I can't stop. I have to keep digging. I have to keep...

I stop as a glowing light explodes into the cavern. It burns my eyes and Nianzu and I stumble back. We look at each other and walk slowly to the gap we just created. Inside is a glowing golden stone. My eyes widen and my heart races wildly. I can't quite believe what I am seeing. Though its main colour is gold, it shimmers with pinks, purples and blues. The colours move around the stone, slowly like water. My throat dries and I look at Nianzu. He looks at me.

We don't say anything. We reach inside and touch the stone. Light explodes around us before we are both thrown across the cavern. My back slams into the wall and I drop to the floor. I let out a shriek of pain as darkness consumes me.