Walk to the living room.

As you step cautiously down along the wooden floor, each creaking step feels louder than it should. Though you don't know why, you feel tense. Your party moves slowly behind you, apart from the banshee Mela, who gradually drifts ahead of your position until she vanishes from sight through the wall. You want to call out and tell her to stay close, though not only is it too late now, but you figure you should trust her ghostly scouting abilities, and suddenly shouting would definitely alert anyone inside. You're not sure if there would be, or why there would be, anyone inside Dragonhide Manor unless it was purchased in your absence, but it looks identical to how you left it so far.

The living room nears--or parlour, whatever it's meant to be called in this pseudo-medieval land--but you're suddenly met with this strange pang of anxiety, like a chilling wave. It lasts only half a second, but that doesn't bode well. Slowly, you slide your blade from its sheathe, and emerge from around the hallway to gaze upon the room.

There's an immediate flashing light right in the center, up in the air, like a web of radiant lightning bound in circles around a trapped target within--Mela! She's not only contained within this magic cage, but she isn't moving at all, as if she's been paralyzed, so she couldn't have even screamed for help. Standing not far away is a figure you've never seen before. Upon first glance, she seems to be an armoured redhead, and in her hand is a metal object swinging left and right slowly on a chain as a soothing mist radiates from holes around the sides and top.

You gasp. As you gather your bearings, you take note of the rest. She isn't alone. In addition to this woman is a familiar face who sits on your old sofa. It's Meti, the jinn. She looks as she did previously, with pale red hair--nearly white--tied into a large ponytail with blue beads, all above a set of three red eyes. Her skin is dark like Niki, and her ears are long and pointed like Amara, though they hang down more at the tips. A beautiful silver circlet rests within her hair, both ears are pierced with silver rings, and she dresses in a manner similar to a belly dancer--a small blue top held closed by a silver sun, loose translucent fabric hangs from her forearms to her wrists which fade from blue to white, held on by silver rings, and tiny bottoms to match, with nearly transparent legs hanging from her thighs down to her ankles. Her shoes are silver with curled tips. You remember quite well her abilities. The first time you met, she called forth a powerful magic item known as the Deck of Relastrasz, and there's no telling what else she has.

Beside her, standing right in front of the couch, is another ALICE dressed in the garb of a maid, but in both hands she holds the handle of a sword with the tip pointed towards the floorboards.

Lastly, three more ant girls looking exactly as the ones you saw previously are laying back over the edge of the couch--one in the corner, another over the armrest, and the third flopped partially over the edge upside down to where her antennae touch the floor.

Mela is in trouble, but you don't want to make any sudden moves. One, two, three... There are six enemies. One I don't recognize at all.

Your party stands nervously behind you, each wanting to be the first to speak, but the situation is uncomfortable.

Finally you open your mouth. "Let her go," you state bluntly as your grip on Lauo tightens.

The armoured woman's hair is the most vibrant shade of red you've seen to where it almost seems to shine beneath the light of her own spell above, and it flows down past her shoulders. Unlike many you've seen in this world, she dresses very conservatively. Her metal suit is more akin to something you'd have seen in Earth's own history, only in that it isn't made to be cute in a traditional anime sense. The side of her back holds a shield strapped on tight, and her opposite hip holds a sheathed mace. She stares intensely with chestnut eyes, and the object in her hand continues to melodically swing slowly to-and-fro. It's a censer--golden and ornate. Though after another moment passes, she clutches the chains tight and ceases its movement. Unfortunately, Mela remains trapped regardless.

"Kyle Warren," she states your name as if reading from a script. She seems to be pondering for a moment, but then she begins to speak. "You've been digging around where you aren't welcome, Demon King of the Mountains."

It's just like Rose said. Of course we'd run into a powerful cleric. Though, maybe that isn't a coincidence. They might have known we were coming for awhile. How long did it take to walk the tunnel? Two days? Three? I can't even remember, especially without any sunlight. "I said, let her go."

Meti, who has been silently sitting in the background, holds up her hands, and after a sudden spark of light, a familiar mirror appears resting on her lap. A moment after, an elven man's face appears in the reflection, and the moment it catches your eye, you need no introduction.

"Quite an intense situation you have gotten yourselves into," Elok Daven sends his message from where it is he truly resides. "Do not look so surprised. You were the one who first traversed my tunnel, so naturally I would need to confront you."

"What is it for, and why does it go right under Dragonhide Manor?" you ask.

Mina glances up nervously. "Maybe he was after you even before."

"Do not be so narcissistic," Elok replies. "This had nothing to do with any of you. This manor is a place I used to own, quite some time ago. It lined up well with the tunnel, and I knew of the secret sub-basement, so naturally I would utilize this to my advantage and have an entrance, exist, and resting point here in the middle of Avana. That would be two of the biggest cities in Tivera I could access from deep underground. Would you not want the same, if you were living in the shadows of the world? I suppose you might be already with the new king in power, hmm?"

"And what happens if I follow the tunnel the rest of the way? It must go straight to your hideout. Isn't that right?"

He smiles. "It might be. But would you really head straight to your own graves? In that tunnel, I am king, and in time, the same will go for the surface. I care little for you or Cresswell now. Failed experiments. With the power and knowledge I contain, and the army I lead, no other Demon King will hold a torch to my might."