Hadorix teleported into the throne room. Now that the throne was active, there were a great many white lights shining in the throne room. Every nook and cranny were visible. Hadorix could also hear the faint humming of machinery. The once great dwarven city appeared to be alive yet again. Once everyone else had arrived, Hadorix had the noncombatants begin cleaning the area around the throne. Those who were more experienced in combat could adventure out in the city. The Anvilborn brothers while not combatants could travel with Leo to explore and look for the other dwarves. Hadorix hoped to find them quickly. They could answer a great many of his questions.
Hadorix was unsurprised to find that the throne room was empty. Even the Soul armory had been emptied. All that remained was dust and questions. Hadorix began to explore the rest of the palace, surely some clue had been left behind…
Hadorix spent several days searching the palace, He searched level by level, and he found a great many pieces of furniture, beds, dressers, tables, and chairs. But he could find no people, no items, not even a stitch of clothing. Everything had been removed. Hadorix still did not give up. He continued to search each level. The noncombatants continued to clean each level behind him. The combatants continued to explore the city. Thus far every building had been found to be empty just like the palace. Hadorix continued to move down in levels. Eventually he made it to the dungeon. He could see a vast number of cells lining the walls. This level was devoid of dust. It would appear someone had been here recently or there was some form of magic preventing the dust from settling in this area. Hadorix was unsure of whether such magic existed, and if it did why would it be used in the dungeon and not the living areas of the palace… He became far more cautious.
Hadorix summoned Monk. The two began to move slowly down the corridors of cells. There were hundreds of cells. Each of them appeared empty at first glance. With further investigation however, Hadorix began to see rats and mice. While they were creatures that were unable to speak to them, at least he had begun to find living beings. This calmed his nerves slightly. At least this meant the dungeons were habitable.
Hadorix continued to move deeper and deeper into the dungeons, he was extremely surprised by how many levels there were. The first level of cells alone could imprison hundreds. He was now on the 4th level of cells. Still the only sign of life he could see was the occasional rat or mouse. Yet he did not give up. Hadorix continued to move deeper and deeper into the ground. Each level was the same. By the tenth level, Hadorix knew something was not right in this dungeon. Why would the dwarves have created so many cells? There could not have been that many enemies, so why continue to build them deeper and deeper into the ground? Hadorix continued to move deeper into the dungeon. Still, he could see only the occasional rat or mouse.
By the time he arrived on the 25th level, things began to change. For the first time Hadorix began to see creatures in the cells. The first few held scorpions, snakes, salamanders, and the like. A wide variety of cave dwelling critters. All the size of a human. All of them were either unable or unwilling to communicate with Hadorix. He was unsure which. Hadorix cautiously continued through the dungeon. The 25th level held 40 creatures of different varieties. He found the same on each level below. When he reached the 30th level he finally felt he had hit the jackpot.
Hadorix found a dwarf. He hoped it was one of the missing dwarves. Hadorix quietly spoke. "I am the Archdruid Hadorix. What has happened here? How did you find yourself placed in a cell?"
The dwarf stared at Hadorix. It did not attempt to speak. Hadorix tried again, "I have come from the throne. There are 10 soul stones placed within. Does one of them belong to you?"
The dwarf still did not bother to respond. Hadorix contemplated this for a while. How could he get the dwarf to speak? He was unwilling to give up.
Hadorix tried again, "The Anvilborn brothers have returned to Anvilmar. They are helping to explore and look for survivors."
This time he could see a look of recognition on the face of the dwarf. The dwarf walked up to the bars. Hadorix believe he would begin to speak with him, it opened its mouth, and inside it had no tongue. Something had cut it out. Hadorix began to wonder if this had been done to some of the other creatures he had seen. The green fairy may be able to heal such wounds, but they were far beyond Hadorix capabilities. He spoke to the dwarf one last time. "I do not know who has cut out your tongue, but I will find a way to free you and the others. When I free you, I will find a way to heal you."
Hadorix then continued into the dungeon. The deeper he got the more cells he found. Thus far none of the creatures had tried to communicate with him. After seeing what had been done to the dwarf, Hadorix did not bother trying to speak to them. Thus far the dwarf was the only creature he knew for sure would know how to speak to him anyway. On the 50th level, every cell was full of humanoid creatures. He could see dwarves, humans, orcs, and some strange creatures he had no name for. They had the lower body of a snake, and the upper body of a human. None tried to speak. Hadorix did not dare to attempt to speak to them either. He had begun to feel a sense of dread on this level. He knew there had to be guards somewhere nearby. He continued to move down the line of cells.
Finally, at the last cell on the level, a creature spoke to Hadorix. This creature was different than the others. It was an elf with ebony skin. Its hair was the color of fire. It said, "I am the dark elf Ilana. I am surprised to see any but the guards moving freely here. How did you come from above? Everyone was either killed or taken prisoner centuries ago. Now the dwarves build cells and dig ever deeper. It will never be enough to please the masters."
Hadorix replied, "I have claimed Anvilmar for the druids. I seek to restore balance to the world. You speak of the masters, what species do they belong to?"
Ilana replied, "The masters are a group of spirits that took over Anvilmar long ago. They came from the deep caves. I do not know where they reside currently. I only know that they go from city to city and kill or enslave the populations. The homes of all the creatures above were conquered, my city found a way to bargain with the spirits. They give them slaves, spirits, and gold as tribute, if they give enough to please the spirits, they are left to live their lives. If you manage to find the keys to the cells, I would appreciate my freedom. I have been in here for 50 years thus far. They have yet to take me for their games. They prefer to use the beasts first."
Hadorix replied, "What games do they play?"
Ilana replied, "The great gladiatorial games of course. These cells are the holding cells of one of the spirits. Occasionally they will come to take a few creatures to train. I do not know where the arena is. Nor do I know where the training grounds are. Those on the lower levels may have that information, however you are less likely to get any of them to speak. The guards stay down there, and they invoke fear into most. You said you claimed the throne. Can you place my soul stone in the throne? If you do, I will find a way to die and regenerate in the throne room. Once free I would be eternally in your debt."
Hadorix considered this for a time. There were more prisoners in the cells than there were people in Anvilmar, and the Mystic Orchard combined. If he came across those that captured them there would be no way he could remain free. On the other hand, he had down well in gladiatorial events in the past. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage. Hadorix accepted the soul stone of Ilromy. Upon hearing the conversation, one of the serpent women held out her own soul stone. Hadorix accepted it and returned to the throne room. When he arrived, he returned to the Mystic Orchard and summoned a meeting of the druids. Brina had returned, so he sent her to gather Phynia and bring back all the beings that were currently with her. Hadorix wished to meet with all the druids.
While Hadorix waited on the druids, he placed the two soul stones in the throne. The creatures the stones belonged to were not there, as such none of the fixtures glowed. Hadorix merely placed them in the large area for citizens. Hadorix spent the remainder of his day studying his basic spell book. This time he studied a spell for light. This was far simpler than the communication spells he had been practicing. Before days end, he had succeeded in casting it. He then began practicing an offensive spell called soul missile. This was a bit harder than the light spell. Hadorix still had not succeeded with it by the time Phynia returned.
When Phynia returned, Hadorix was pleased to see she brought Adonis, the husky, the woman the husky attacked, and the green fairy with her. Adonis had yet to wake, but he could be housed at the Mystic Orchard as easily as he could in the caves where Casper resided. The husky and the woman were fully healed and appeared to be getting along quite well. Phynia also brought several more humans, a few more dwarfs, and an orc. Hadorix had these noncombatants sent to Anvilmar. He then called a meeting.
Hadorix explained everything that Ilana had told him to the druids and spirit guardians. The spirit guardians were outraged. The druids were rather unsurprised. After all each of them had previously been prisoners. Hadorix then explained his plan.
Hadorix said, "I will find and attack the prison guards. I do not wish for anyone else to come with me. Seeing how strong these sprits are, it would only end in all of us being held captive. I need each of you to continue to grow stronger. One of you should always remain with Casper, Phynia you will be returning to finish out week first thing tomorrow morning. You will spend time on rotation, each of you will spend a week there at a time. When you return, you will bring any beings you managed to save. Add the stones to the throne when you receive them. You will not be able to add new commanders, spirit guardians, or druids, but you will be able to add them into the pool of citizens. You may also be able to add them directly to the army."
Junifer spoke first. "I knew that other spirits were enslaving people. It truly should not surprise me, and yet, to hear of it on such a level, it is unthinkable. Hadorix you said you were going to attack them and likely end up a prisoner yourself. Before you do, I need to teach you some of the secret skills of the World Tree. I would also advise you to speak to the World Tree first. It may be able to help protect Anvilmar from attack."
The others had nothing to say. They supported Hadorix's decision as they knew he would not allow slaves to live under Anvilmar. They would continue to grow stronger, and if he were unable to free himself, they would find a way.
Hadorix dismissed the meeting and met up with Junifer for training. Junifer spoke, "This skill is called body absorption. It will not allow you to increase your level, but you will be able to increase the grade of your body as well as your elemental attributes. If you absorb the body of a spirit, you will take a portion of their elemental affinity. This will weaken them. But it will greatly strengthen you. I will also teach you soul stone absorption. This will give you all of the elemental affinity of the spirit or creature as well as giving you any spirits they possess. It will destroy the spirit and the soul stone in the process. Typically, I would never advise its use, yet for the spirits you will be encountering, it may be deemed appropriate… Once they see you can do this, they are more likely to join you."
Hadorix learned the theory of these lessons quickly. He would be unable to put them into action until he had killed one of the spirits or claimed its soul stone. Hadorix planned to go to the World Tree next.