In the early morning, while the first-year students were busy practicing flying broomstick, a few students had snuck away, skipping class without being noticed.
At the crime scene where 12 victims had been discovered inside an old well, three students were sneaking past the yellow police line that encircled the area.
The smell of dried blood and old mud lingered in the air.
"David, are you sure we're not going to get into trouble for this?"
Wilkins asked nervously as they crossed the police tape. His voice trembled slightly.
He was uneasy about skipping their flying lessons for this risky adventure.
Wilkins Micawber was a stout boy, his round face framed by thick glasses. He was known for wearing his signature bowtie. Like David and Estella, Wilkins also from the House of Mars.
"Relax, Estella's already taken care of everything. The senior students are going to mark us as present. We won't get caught."
David's reassurance did little to ease Wilkins' nerves.
"It's too bad Estella couldn't join us today. She's busy representing the House of Mars. And Nichola? Well, his senior practically threatened him not to skip class, so he chickened out. Ugh, and now my feet are filthy."
A girl with long brown hair tied into a neat ponytail groaned as she pulled her foot out of a patch of mud.
The ground around the well was still damp and soggy. The area had been further disturbed by the comings and goings of the investigators.
This girl was Agnes Wickfield. She is student from the House of Neptune.
As a member of the mystery club, Agnes was always one step ahead when it came to uncovering hidden secrets, and she often tell valuable information to David and his friends.
"Hahaha, it feels weird with just the three of us. Like something's missing."
David remarked, glancing around as if expecting someone else to suddenly appear and join their group.
His gaze shifted toward the old well. There was no water inside, only layers of dry mud at the bottom and patches of dried blood that still reeked faintly in the air.
"I heard from a senior that there's a sacrificial altar nearby, used in dark arts to summon something called a morrowghast."
Agnes pointed toward a section of bush that had been trampled flat, the bushes torn apart by the movements of the magic police and inquisitors who had thoroughly searched the area.
"Ever since senior Molly died in the Catacombs, there's been this superstition in the mystery club about exploring in odd-numbered groups. It's considered bad luck."
Agnes looked uneasy as she spoke, her eyes looking between her two companions.
Now that their group was an odd number, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right would happened.
*Whoosh*
"Oh, it looks like there's a broomstick race going on."
David murmured, his eyes drawn to the sky where hundreds of students soared through the air on their broomsticks.
David had always wanted to join the broomstick races. Had he known about this one, he would've probably not skipping class. But for now, his curiosity about the morrowghast incident kept him grounded.
"What the hell is that? A flying chair?"
Wilkins exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at something unusual in the sky. He squinted, unsure if he was seeing things correctly.
"I see it too... a flying chair."
Agnes added, her voice filled with disbelief.
The chair was zooming through the air, even faster than the broomsticks, leaving all three students momentarily speechless.
After recovering from their shock, the trio made their way toward the rumored altar hidden behind the bush.
"They say a chalice and some sort of magic formula were found here at the altar."
Agnes explained as they approached.
"But the police must have cleared it all away by now."
The altar itself was just a worn-out stone, though any evidence of dark arts had already been scrubbed clean.
"Hmm, I'm not sure we're going to find anything useful."
Wilkins said as he searched the ground for clues, his eyes scanning every corner.
If there had been any solid leads, the magic police would've acted on them by now. But the investigation was at a standstill, with no new developments for days.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
"Hmm, too many different scents here. It's all mixed up. I can't tell them apart." Agnes muttered.
Agnes had a rare bloodline trait that allowed her to transform into a magical beast, specifically a wolf, giving her heightened senses. She often used this ability to help the mystery club track someone or something.
"Agnes, try using this."
David pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
"I got this from Leah's roommate."
*Sniff*
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
Agnes said, taking the handkerchief and inhaling deeply.
"But it's possible the magic police have already tried using scents to track the victims' traces."
Agnes circled the area a few times, her wolf-like senses trying to pick up anything useful. Then, after a moment, she turned and started walking back toward the path leading to Mistheaven Castle.
"The scent is starting to fade, but I can still follow it."
Agnes paused now and then, closing her eyes to concentrate on the faint smell of Leah.
David and Wilkins followed her closely. No matter how many times they had tried to retrace the victims' last steps, it seemed like they were going in circles.
When Agnes stopped in front of the castle gates, her shoulders slumped slightly.
"It seems Leah's scent won't be a lead either."
She sighed, turning to David and Wilkins with an apologetic look. She felt like she had failed them.
David immediately noticed her disappointment and offered a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Agnes. We're just doing this out of curiosity. Even the Magic Police haven't cracked the case yet, and they have way more resources than we do. Hahaha!"
He laughed, trying to lift her spirits.
Agnes forced a small smile in return, though her heart still weighed heavy.
"In that case, how about we switch plans? Let's go to the secret door to the Catacombs. I want to lay flowers for senior Molly."
She suggested, brushing a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear.
David nodded.
"Good idea. Let's pay our respects to Senior Molly."
As they made their way through the garden, the mood lightened a little.
They kept their voices low as they quietly plucked flowers from various garden.
They had to be sneaky because the gardeners were strict about students to not plucking the plants.
"Is this enough?"
Wilkins asked, holding up a handful of flowers like roses, lilies, and a few daisies.
"Yeah, that should do. Let's go."
David replied with a nod, and the trio headed toward the west gate where the hidden entrance to the Catacombs was located.
Right now the entrance had been sealed off with bricks, and a warning sign for "construction in progress" was posted to keep students from wandering down there.
Agnes knelt down beside the blocked entrance and carefully placed her bouquet of flowers at the foot of the brick wall.
The faint, familiar scent of wilted petals lingered in the air, evidence that other students had come to honor Molly's memory as well.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
Suddenly, Agnes froze. Her eyes widened as she inhaled sharply.
"No way..."
She whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She turned to David and Wilkins, her face pale.
"David, Wilkins... I smell the scent of the victims coming from the Catacombs."
David's expression grew serious as he processed what Agnes had just said.
If she was right, this could be the first real lead they had stumbled upon in weeks. But he knew how dangerous the Catacombs were.
"It seems we've found something important. But remember, the structure of the Catacombs shifts and changes every 60 hours."
David reminded them, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"That means the path the victims took is probably long gone by now."
Wilkins muttered, his voice heavy with doubt.
"But the Catacombs are the perfect place to hide something. If the scent is still here, maybe something was left behind that we can find."
David nodded grimly.
Agnes, who had been quiet until now, stood up with a determined look on her face.
"I want to go in. Even if the path has changed, I have to know what's inside. I won't be able to stop thinking about it otherwise."
She declared.
Wilkins looked uneasy.
"What should we do, David?"
He asked, clearly reluctant to venture into the Catacombs without a solid plan.
David thought for a moment, weighing the risks.
"Alright, we'll take a quick look. If the scent disappears, we turn back immediately and report what we found to the Magic Police. Agreed?"
"Agreed!"
Agnes said enthusiastically.
Wilkins, though still nervous, nodded in agreement.
"Fine, but if we get lost, I'm blaming you, David."
With their plan settled, the trio set to work removing the bricks from the sealed entrance.
It took some effort, but one by one, they pried the stones loose until they uncovered the dark, narrow staircase leading downward.
The air that wafted up from the opening was cold and damp, carrying the smell of earth and something metallic, like rusted iron.
"Be careful. I'll go first."
David said, stepping cautiously into the dark passage.
Wilkins followed closely behind, looking around nervously.
"I'm not a fan of this place."
He muttered under his breath.
Agnes, who on the rear, glanced down at her skirt and gave a warning.
"And don't you two dare look up, or I'll make you regret it!"
David smirked, but his focus was already on the Catacombs ahead.
As they stepped deeper into the Catacombs, their every step echoed through the narrow stone passages.
"Lumos Orbis!"
David cast a spell, summoning a floating orb of light, but light barely illuminated the path ahead.
*Cough* *Cough*
They couldn't escape the scent of dust, mold, and something far more pungent lingered in the air. Wilkins coughed again, his eyes looking nervously around the dark passages.
"Are you satisfied now? Let's go back. There's nothing here."
Wilkins pleaded, his voice shaky as he wiped sweat from his brow.
Agnes, however, remained focused, her senses still trying to pick up a trace.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
She moved slowly, her nose twitching as she sought to catch any scent that might still lingering.
"Unfortunately, the victims' scent has disappeared. It seems the structure has shifted, just like I expected."
Agnes said, sighing heavily.
David nodded.
"If the scent's gone, there's no reason to stay."
But just as they were about to turn back, Agnes suddenly froze. Her nostrils flared as she caught something new in the air.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
"Wait… I can smell something else. It's fresh. A few people have passed through here recently."
She whispered, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Let's not push our luck. This place is bad news, David."
Wilkins, already on edge, pulled at David's robes.
"You can go back if you want."
David said firmly.
"Agnes and I are continuing. If we're not back by nightfall, report it to the academy."
Wilkins hesitated, fear flashing across his face.
"You sure?"
David gave him a serious nod.
"We'll be fine."
Reluctantly, Wilkins cast his own light orb and hurried back toward the entrance.
Now David and Agnes pressed on, the silence between them only broken by their footsteps and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling.
Agnes, still following the scent, led the way through the twisting passages.
Minutes passed. Twenty at least. The deeper they ventured, the more unsettling the Catacombs became.
"They've walked quite a distance."
David remarked quietly, his eyes scanning every corner.
"It seems like they're hiding something."
Agnes only nodded, too focused on tracking the scent to respond.
Suddenly, David stopped. His grip tightened around Agnes's wrist.
"Wait!"
David pulling her to the side of the passage.
"What is it?"
Agnes whispered, confused.
"Light."
David pointed ahead.
"Look."
Ahead of them, faint, flickering lights appeared at the end of the corridor.
David quickly dispelled the light orb he had conjured.
As their eyes adjusted, they saw the group. There were at least six of them. Some young, wearing the familiar robes of Mistheaven students, and others much older, possibly staff or outsiders.
The group gathered in a wide circular chamber, dimly lit by an oil lanterns.
David squinted, his breath caught in his throat when he saw what was at the center of the chamber.
Several people were tied to a large, rusted post. Their bodies were barely recognizable.
Hundreds of celestite crystals stuck out of their skin like ugly growths. Fresh blood dripped down their bodies, gathering at their feet. The wounds from the crystal implants were raw and open, as if they had been put in recently.
"It looks like they're performing a dark arts ritual."
David's voice was low, but the fear in it was unmistakable.
His eyes were wide, watching the horrifying scene before them. There was no way he could take them all on, not with Agnes at his side.
"What should we do? Should we go back?"
Agnes's voice trembled, her hands shaking as she gripped the sleeve of David's robe.
"I'm afraid if we take the same path back, we might run into more of them."
David said, keeping his eyes on the group.
If it were just one or two dark wizards, he might have stood a chance, but with this many? He knew it would be a suicide mission.
"We'll wait and see what happens. We can't risk getting caught. Wilkins will tell the academy, and they'll send help."
David shifted his weight, leaning further into the cold stone wall.
The victims tied to the posts seemed almost lifeless. They didn't scream, they didn't struggle.
The dark wizards continued implanting celestite into their bodies like surgeons working on corpses.
Blood oozed from the fresh wounds, but the victims didn't seem to feel it. It was as if their minds had already been erased.
"They aren't even reacting."
Agnes whispered, her voice barely audible as she stared at the unsettling sight.
"They've probably been enchanted, or worse, their minds could've been wiped completely."
David muttered, trying to suppress his rising nausea.
Hours passed slowly. David and Agnes had to move several times as more dark wizards entered the Catacombs, passing close to their hiding spot.
Despite the constant fear of being discovered, David forced himself to study the faces of the wizards, knowing that every detail could serve as evidence later.
Then David froze.
"Professor Glyde?"
His whisper was barely more than a breath, but the shock was undeniable.
"How are the preparations coming along?"
Professor Glyde's voice was calm, almost bored, as he watched the prisoners, inspecting the work being done on them.
"We'll be ready to execute the ritual tomorrow."
One of the dark wizards replied, bowing slightly as he spoke.
"We must obtain the Oracle."
Glyde said coldly.
His eyes glimmered with determination as he looked over the scene, clearly satisfied with their progress.
"One of the Rat Kings has already infiltrated Mistheaven. We cannot afford to disappoint him."
David's stomach dropped.
Few people knew about the Rat Kings, but the rumors were terrifying.
The Rat Kings were the top executives of the Rattanfanger organization, each one a clone of the Pied Piper himself.
It was said that when the Pied Piper found a suitable candidate, he would transfer his memories into them, ensuring his immortality through countless clones.
The real Piper could be anywhere, or everywhere, making him nearly impossible to defeat.
*Cough* *Cough*
Agnes suddenly let out a cough, and David's heart leaped into his throat. They were trapped in the Catacombs with no way to escape if they were discovered.
"Who's there? Lumos Orbis!"
Professor Glyde reacted instantly, firing a light spell directly toward their hiding spot. The spell shot through the darkness like a beacon, illuminating their position.
"Tempestas Fulmen!"
*WHOOSH*
*CRACK*
David didn't hesitate. With a quick flick of his wrist, he sent a bolt of lightning crashing into the group of dark wizards.
The energy surged through the air, striking several of them. The ones who were hit collapsing to the ground in seizures.
"Run!"
David shouted, grabbing Agnes's hand before she could even process what was happening. In a swift motion, he lifted her off the ground, cradling her in his arms.
"Whaaa!
Agnes let out a startled yelp, her face flushing with embarrassment as David carried her.
"Celeritudo! Lumos Orbis!"
David cast the speed charm, his legs moving faster than any normal person's could. The corridor ahead blurred as they raced forward, the orb of light casting just enough glow for him to navigate the twists and turns of the Catacombs.
With Agnes still in his arms, David sprinted as fast as he could. The air was thick with the sound of his ragged breaths echoing off the stone walls.
"After them!"
One of the uninjured dark wizards shouted, his voice booming through the tunnel. The heavy thuds of footsteps behind them told David they were being chased.
*Huff* *Huff*
David could hear the pounding of his own heart as he pushed his legs harder.
The narrow tunnels seemed endless, and the sound of their pursuers drew closer with each second.
"David, they're catching up!"
Agnes warned, glancing behind them. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her grip on his shoulder tightened.
"Turn left!"
Agnes, acting as navigator, pointed David toward the next twist in the maze of tunnels.
His muscles burned, but there was no time to slow down. Behind them, the dark wizards unleashed another barrage of spells.
*Boom!*
A fiery blast erupted close behind them, the force sending a gust of hot air up the passage. David kept running, narrowly dodging the spell, while Agnes gripped his shoulder tightly.
"How are you holding up?"
Agnes asked, noticing his heavy breaths and the sweat pouring down his face.
*Huff* *Huff*
"I'm fine... This isn't too bad... I used to run for hours back home."
David panted, forcing a grin.
His hometown was deep in the mountains, surrounded by forests. He had spent countless days hunting and exploring, running for hours through the wilderness.
But even with that experience, carrying Agnes and dodging deadly spells at once was extreemly difficult.
*Bzztt*
The crackle of spells echoed through the Catacombs.
Despite his speed and the acceleration spell he had cast, David could hear the footsteps of their pursuers growing closer.
Agnes' sharp eyes caught something up ahead.
"There's someone in front of us!"
A glowing orb of light floated ahead, revealing the silhouette of yet another dark wizard waiting for them.
"Tempestas Fulmen!"
*WHOOSH*
*CRACK*
David didn't hesitate.
He launched a ball of lightning straight at the figure.
"Turn right, then just keep going straight. We're almost there!"
Agnes urged, glancing back to make sure no more enemies were closing in.
David surged forward, his legs pumping with all the strength he had left.
They reached the end of the passageway, he could see the faint outline of the staircase leading to the surface.
"Incendia Orbis! Ventus Telum!"
As soon as they emerged from the Catacombs, David wasted no time.
With a flick of his wrist, he cast a fire orb that shot back into the tunnel. He followed it up with a gust of wind that sent the fireball deeper into the passage.
*Whoosh!*
*Boom!*
A muted explosion echoed from the tunnel, the flames likely blocking or at least slowing down any pursuit.
"Do you think they're still chasing us?"
David asked, his voice still breathless from the exertion, glancing back at Agnes.
Agnes scanned the area, listening carefully.
"No, I think we're in the clear... for now."
David finally set Agnes down, the strain of carrying her evident in his hunched posture and heavy breathing.
"We need to report this to the academy. Fast,"
Agnes insisted, glancing at the now-quiet tunnel behind them.
They hurried off toward the Guard Office.
Along the way, they passed students heading to the harvest festival, their faces bright with excitement.
Finally, they reached the Guard Office, located near Mistheaven Castle's main gate.
Relief washed over them as they approached, but there was an unexpected sight waiting inside.
Estella, Nichola, and Wilkins were already there. They were seated, looking anxious, clearly in the middle of reporting David and Agnes' disappearance.
"David? Agnes?"
Estella jumped to her feet as soon as she saw them, her eyes wide with shock.
"We thought something terrible had happened to you!"
She rushed forward and wrapped Agnes in a tight hug, tears of relief glistening in her eyes.
David gave a weary nod to Estella but turned his attention to the guard at the desk.
He was a broad-shouldered man with a stern face, mid-conversation with Nichola and Wilkins before David arrived.
"Excuse me, sir."
David interrupted, urgency clear in his tone.
"We need to file a report. It's extremely urgent."
The guard raised an eyebrow at David's disheveled appearance but motioned for him to continue.
David took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.
"There are dark wizards in the Catacombs. They were performing a ritual. We saw Professor Glyde there. They're planning something huge."
The guard's expression shifted immediately, his stern face hardening even further.
"Professor Glyde, you say? Are you sure of this?"
"Absolutely."
David replied.
"We saw him with our own eyes. He mentioned something about an 'Oracle' and the Rat King."
The guard stiffened at the mention of the Rat King.
"The Rat King... This is far worse than I thought."
Agnes, still recovering from the shock of their ordeal, stepped forward.
"We don't have much time. They might be moving soon. We need to stop them before it's too late."
The guard nodded, his demeanor shifting from surprise to action.
"I'll alert the academy and send reinforcements immediately. This is serious."
David and Agnes exchanged glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
They had narrowly escaped, but they knew this was just the beginning. Whatever the dark wizards were planning, it was bigger than any of them could have imagined.
**********
"Damn it!"
Professor Glyde's voice echoed through the Catacombs.
His frustration was clear as his fist slammed against the stone wall.
"Ahhhh! Everything was perfectly prepared!"
Glyde's eyes looking around the room, landing on the nervous group of dark wizards who had failed him.
The escape of the two intruders had exposed their secret location. Now, the entire operation was at risk.
"I'll inform the Rat King that we have a problem."
Glyde strode towards a dimly lit corner of the room, where a wooden table held a crystal ball.
He extended his hand over it, and the crystal casting a bluish hue light.
"Oh, Rat King. Apologies, it seems we have an issue."
Glyde spoke, his tone calm but respectful, showing the great authority of the person on the other end.
[An issue? What sort of issue?]
From the crystal ball, came the distorted reply, the voice scratching through the air like a poorly tuned radio.
"The altar in the Catacombs has been discovered."
Glyde gave his report, his voice steady, but there was a hint of fear about what might happen because of the mistake.
[Oh, well. The preparations are enough. Just proceed now.]
The Rat King responded as if this disruption were little more than a minor inconvenience.
Glyde had expected anger or at least some form of punishment, but the Rat King seemed almost indifferent.
"Y-yes. I'll begin at once."
[*Bzzt*]
The crystal ball dimmed, and the connection was severed with a soft sound.
Glyde stood in silence for a momen, then he turned towards the altar.
The sacrifices, still tied up and motionless, lay helpless in front of him. Their body was covered with celestites that glowed faintly in the dim light. Their empty eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.
He opened a magic tome, the pages rustling as he flipped through them until he found the magic formula he was looking for. His eyes lit up as blue magical symbols lifted from the book, floating in the air and swirling around the altar.
"Grand Sorcery! Transfiguro Maxima!"
Suddenly, the blue light from the symbols intensified, flooding the chamber with its blinding glow.
The sacrifices started to shake violently as the Celestite inside them overloaded, their bodies twisting and burning with blue flames.
The light spread, crawling across the Catacombs, slowly transfigured the Catacombs into swarms of red-colored flies.
The other dark wizards, seeing one of their comrades also covered in that light, began to realize their fate as well.
"Aaaaaa! Why?!"
One of them screamed as their own bodies twisted and distorted, their flesh turning into swarms of morrowghasts.
"Fools."
Glyde said coldly, his eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"The fewer who are captured, the better for us."
He watched as the last of his comrades were transfigurated, their forms dissolving into the writhing mass of red flies.
"A shame I won't be teaching at Mistheaven anymore. I had just found a promising apprentice."
His lips curled in a faint smirk. But that was a fleeting thought. His mind had been brainwashed by the Pied Piper to prioritize the mission above all else.
"We, the Rattanfanger, will obtain the Oracle. It's only a matter of time."
Professor Glyde stood still. With a wave of his hand, Glyde commanded the morrowghast swarm to spread out. The flies dispersed in a blood-red cloud, flowing through the Catacombs and toward the fifth floor of Stellarkeep.
There was no turning back now. This was the first step in the Rattanfanger's grand plan.