Low chatter filled the air. Observing the descending adventurers, one would notice them growing increasingly solemn.
Lilly and Iain instinctively put a hand on their weapons. As the elevator slowly did its job, everyone began to adjust their mental state.
After a few minutes they passed a red line on the surrounding stone walls. As he noticed this, Grobb calmly reminded the siblings:
"Lights will be out in 10 seconds. Don't panic."
The young Rottals took in a deep breath. And then darkness suddenly crept onto the elevator.
As if passing an invisible barrier all light would be devoured from this moment on.
The siblings shuddered as they took in this eerie sight. At first the elevator's floor seemingly vanished, even though they still felt it underneath their feet.
Next, they sank further into the darkness as if diving into water. Their feet were suddenly drowned. Then their knees, waist, arms, shoulders, neck, until their whole bodies were submerged.
Fortunately, some unperturbed adventurers calmly continued their chatter. They unconsciously gave Iain and Lilly a safe feeling as if nothing much had changed.
A second later Lilly let out a low shout as a voice appeared next to her. She instinctively jumped towards Iain while putting a hand on her sword.
The surrounding warriors chuckled slightly, while Iain asked in concern:
"Lilly? Everything ok?"
Before the young woman could answer, Voro's apologetic voice already sounded.
"Ahh I'm sorry. I didn't want to scare you. I only wanted to make sure you are alright."
Judging from his tone, Voro really didn't have any bad intentions. Therefore, Lilly didn't get angry at him. Patting her brother's shoulder as a thanks, she answered through deep breaths:
"I'm fine. Guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought."
At this moment Lilly also remembered the SMT they had bought earlier. The young woman grabbed the bracelet and pressed on its surface.
Waiting for a moment, she suddenly felt as if she was able to see a blurry picture of her surroundings. Although it didn't show many details and was only in black and white, this was naturally better than not seeing anything.
Unfortunately, she also didn't notice the few disgruntled gazes she received.
Already used to such scenarios, Uramant kindly reminded her:
"Lilly, do you mind turning of your SMT? Just trust us and follow the team for now."
"Why? Wouldn't I stay blind then?"
"Sorry. But using the SMT in crowded places is considered pretty impolite. After all many of us can hear the SMT's tone because of our heightened perception.
And trust me, it's not a pleasant sound."
"Mhh ok, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. You can also keep it on by now. We should reach the ground any second anyways. Just keep it in your mind for next time."
Lilly simply shrugged her shoulders.
True to Uramant's words the elevator came to a stop a few seconds later.
They once again were in a big hall protected by many soldiers. However, four hallways led the adventurers out of this hall towards all directions.
As the siblings blindly followed Groob towards the right they could hear and smell other adventurers approaching from the outside. Heavy steps and the metallic smell of blood soon assaulted their senses.
Those were quickly followed by incessant chatter. Everyone reacted differently when they could finally let go of the continuous tension. Many adventurers loudly boasted about their experiences over the last few days while others stayed quiet and wanted nothing to do with the rest of the world.
As their group silently walked past those arriving from the outside, Iain and Lilly could only make out some obvious injuries like limping legs. A shudder ran down their spines as they imagined the injuries they didn't notice.
Thus, they were slightly surprised when they heard Groob's remark:
"Seems like Enuin's crew caught a big fish. Look how happy they are."
Surprisingly the quiet Forgoz was the first to answer.
"Apparently."
Voro waited for a second, wondering if his friend had anything else to add. Since Forgoz stopped talking he laughed lightly as he added:
"Who would have thought that those criminals would turn into successful hunters. They have been living the high life recently."
Groob derogatorily clicked his tongue.
"That's what 10 years in the enlightening prison can do to you."
A frown appeared on Voro's face as he harshly whispered:
"Be careful! Don't say what you shouldn't say."
Sadly, Groob only coldly harrumphed and sped up. Who knew if he took this advice to heart.
Although Lilly had a few questions, she didn't feel like now was the right time to ask them.
This way their group continued in silence. While walking the siblings slowly felt the surrounding coldness creeping towards them. Lilly raised an eyebrow as she noticed the foggy breath leaving her mouth.
Although Groob had already warned them of the Frozen Hell's harsh conditions, Lilly and Iain had thought that they were well prepared after raising their cold resistance. Apparently, their thought were too naïve.
The Frozen Hell's coldness couldn't be so easily resisted. Without the training they went through, this temperature now might have already reached life-threatening levels.
While all kinds of turbulent thoughts ran through the siblings heads, they finally arrived outside the mountain a few minutes later.
They instantly felt the cold winds blowing here, which spread out from the Empta Line above them. The low roars of beasts could be heard from the distance while adventurers scattered in all directions.
Their team also didn't hesitate and advanced at Groob's signal.
Since they could only observe their surroundings through the SMT, Lilly and Iain couldn't make out any details about the grass-like ground they were walking on.
As they listened to the unique crunching sound after every step however, they remembered reading about this plant that covered most of the Frozen Hell. It was called Icestalk and was able to transport the minerals it needed despite its frozen veins.
Obviously Groob also noticed the noise Lilly and Iain were producing so he told everyone to stop and turned around.
"Ok this will be your first lesson. Many beasts in the Frozen Hell are extremely sensitive to sound. If every step of yours caused such loud noise, they will hear you from miles away."
The siblings noticed their trainer's seriousness as he whispered those words. They didn't dare to refute as Groob continued:
"Walking on Icestalk is actually rather easy. Just don't lift your feet.
We don't want to step on top of the stalk and crush the ice it contains. If you glide along its sides, the stalk will naturally bend near its roots. It developed a soft spot, so it won't be trampled to death all the time.
Watch me and follow what I'm doing."
With those words Grobb turned around and continued. Lilly and Iain observed his feet closely as they did their best to copy him.
Fortunately, this trick wasn't hard to learn. A few minutes later the siblings were already able to silently glide along the floor. Groob nodded once in appreciation before he sped up.
A few moments later their team stood on top of a small hill. Through their SMTs Lilly and Iain observed the few beasts which were living on a small plain before them.
What they 'saw' were small, dog-like creatures with spike tails and sharp teeth. All of them stayed in their own little circle while eating everything they found.
"Before us are Red Thorn Beasts. Their name stems from the fact that their red fur is nice to look at but if you come too close, they will immediately sting like a thorn.
As you can see, red thorns are extremely territorial. They stay in their own little circle until they don't find anything to eat anymore.
At the same time they will violently attack everyone and anything entering their territory.
Because of this behavior they are perfect for beginners to fight."
After this explanation Groob smiled happily as he whispered:
"Ok now. Who wants to start?"
Tension inexplicably filled the sibling's bodies. This would be the first time they had to kill something. There would be no turning back afterwards. As they silently observed the beasts before them, they noticed many red thorns with carcasses in their territories.
Those beasts didn't have any scruples apparently. If you came to close, they would do their utmost to kill you.
The siblings also remembered the monsters that invaded their village. Or even their own parents, who dealt with those monsters as if it was the most natural thing.
Kill or be killed.
This universe wasn't peaceful. The fires of war were burning throughout. Although it happened to be in a stalemate who knew if someone would pour oil soon.
The EFM team didn't interfere with the sibling's decision. They had to come to terms with the way this universe worked if they ever wanted to achieve anything. Even in the lawful society of the Luminous Empire the strong had more rights to speak.
After a few seconds of silence, the adventurers let out some sounds of surprise. It was actually Lilly who drew her sword first.
In this place full of darkness, the young woman took the first step.