The Dark Warlock's Game

Chapter 38: A Dangerous Snare

“This way,” Vardy said, his voice firm as he motioned for the group to follow. The dim tunnel stretched ahead.

“Are you sure about this?” Ferah asked, her voice echoing slightly in the space. Her sword was drawn.

Vardy nodded, his grip tightening on his staff. “Selene said this path would lead us out of the slums and closer to the docks. We don’t have many other options.”

Tracy followed close behind, her spear held steady in one hand, her expression unreadable. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Feels too quiet down here.”

“It’s a sewer,” Luthor said. “Of course it’s quiet. The only people who’d come down here are crazy or desperate.”

“Or both,” Ferah muttered, glancing at Vardy.

They moved on without stopping.

Suddenly, Tracy stumbled, her boot catching on something unseen. She let out a sharp gasp as her legs buckled, and she fell forward, her spear clattered to the ground.

“Tracy!” Vardy turned instantly, as he rushed to her side.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, trying to push herself up. But as she moved, her expression shifted to one of panic. “Wait... I’m stuck.”

Ferah knelt beside her, her eyes narrowing as she examined the ground. “It’s... some kind of tar,” she said, breathing heavily.

Luthor squatted beside them, poking at the sticky substance with the tip of his dagger. “What kind of tar does this?” he muttered as the blade sank into the black material, which seemed to ripple slightly at his touch.

“This isn’t natural,” Vardy said, his voice low. The whispers from the artifact grew louder in his mind, warning him, urging him to act. “We need to get her out of it. Now.”

Tracy’s breathing quickened as she tried to pull her legs out, but the more she struggled, the deeper the tar seemed to pull her in. “It’s like it’s alive,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Stop moving,” Ferah ordered, gripping Tracy’s shoulders to keep her still.

“What do we do?” Luthor asked, staring at everyone.

Vardy stepped closer. He crouched beside Tracy, his expression grim. “Hold still. This might hurt.”

“Hurt?” Tracy asked, her eyes narrowing. “Vardy…..”

Before she could finish, Vardy raised his staff and muttered a low incantation. A surge of dark energy pulsed from the artifact and striked the tar. 

The substance pulled away from Tracy's leg all of a sudden.

Tracy gasped as she fell forward, a bit shaken. Ferah caught her, steadying her as she tried to stand.

“What the hell was that?” Tracy asked, her voice sharp.

“Not sure,” Vardy admitted, his eyes scanning the ground where the tar had been. The whispers in his mind were still there. “But it wasn’t natural. Someone or something set it here.”

“Dean’s people?” Ferah asked.

“Maybe,” Vardy said, though he wasn’t certain.

---

Above the slums, a young boy moved through the streets, his bare feet on the stones. 

He clutched a small parcel to his chest, his breathing heavy as he moved through the crowd.

“Get back here, you little thief!” a vendor shouted, chasing after him with a stick in hand.

The boy didn’t look back. He ducked into an alley and wasn't seen again, the vendor cursed and gave up.

The boy stopped inside the alley, his chest heaving as he leaned against the wall. He unwrapped the parcel, revealing a single loaf of bread.

His stomach growled as he tore into it, his eyes darting at the entrance in case someone was coming.

A shadow moved behind him, and the boy froze, the bread halfway to his mouth.

“You’ve got quick hands,” a voice said.

The boy turned slowly to see a man standing there, his face covered behind a hood.

“What do you want?” the boy asked, his voice trembling.

The man stepped closer, and crouched to his level. “Just a favour,” he said, his tone friendly. Too friendly. “You know the tunnels under the city?”

The boy nodded hesitantly.

“Good,” the man said, his smile widening. “There’s a group down there. Friends of mine. I need you to tell me where they’re headed.”

---

Back in the tunnel, Tracy leaned against the wall, her breathing still uneven. Ferah stood beside her, her hand on Tracy’s shoulder as if to keep her still.

“Are you hurt?” Vardy asked, his tone calm.

Tracy shook her head. “No. Just... shaken.”

Luthor crouched nearby, poking at the remains of the tar with a stick. “Whatever this was, it wasn’t meant to kill you. It was meant to trap you. Slow us down.”

“Or send a message,” Ferah said darkly.

“Message received,” Tracy muttered, her voice still shaky.

“We better be going,” Selene muttered and they turned their gaze to her.

Vardy knelt beside her, his tone serious. “We can’t afford to stop now. Dean’s people won’t wait, and we’re too exposed here.”

“She needs a minute,” Ferah said, her tone sharp.

“We don’t have a minute,” Vardy replied, his voice firm.

Tracy pushed off the wall, her spear clutched tightly in her hand. “I’m fine,” she said, though her voice wavered slightly. “Let’s keep moving.”

“Are you sure?” Ferah asked, her brow furrowed.

Tracy nodded, her grip on her spear tightening. “Yeah. Let’s go before something else happens.”

Selene smirked faintly. “Smart choice. These tunnels have a habit of swallowing people…”

“Helpful,” Ferah muttered as they began moving again.

---

In another part of Haven City, a man sat in a darkened room, his hands folded on the table in front of him.

“They’re moving through the tunnels,” the man said, his voice low.

A figure across from him nodded, their face covered by a hood. “Good. Let them. They’ll come to us eventually.”

“And if they don’t?” the man asked.

The figure’s smile was barely visible in the dim light. “Then we’ll drag them out.”

---

They continued through the tunnel. The walls seemed to close in around them.

“Do you hear that?” Luthor asked suddenly, his voice a whisper.

“Hear what?” Ferah asked, her hand tightening on her sword.

“Nothing,” Luthor said, his voice trembling. “That’s the problem. No dripping water, no rats. Just... silence.”

The group stopped, their ears straining to hear something.

“It’s a trap,” Vardy said finally, his voice steady.

“Another one?” Tracy muttered, her grip on her spear tightening.

Selene’s smirk returned. “Welcome to Haven.”

“Everyone go down!” Vardy commanded. “That's Simon wall, he's approaching us.”

“What should we do now?” Ferah asked.

“This is the best chance we’re going to get,” Vardy murmured, glancing at Ferah, who crouched beside him.

She nodded, her sword drawn. “Are you sure he is alone?”

“He is always…” Selene whispered from the shadows behind them. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp, locked onto Simon’s every move. “Simon doesn’t think anyone’s brave, or stupid, enough to go after him.”

“Then let’s show him how wrong he is,” Tracy said from her position near the ground, her spear ready as she waited for Vardy’s signal.

Luthor shifted uncomfortably, his dagger shaking slightly in his hand. “Just to confirm, he’s the one with the fire powers, right?”

“Yes,” Selene replied without looking at him. “And if you’re smart, you’ll stay out of range.”

“Noted,” Luthor muttered, his voice barely audible.

Simon stopped in the center of the tunnel, his head tilting slightly as if sensing something was amiss. His lips curled into a smirk, and he spread his arms wide.

“I know you’re out there!” he called, his tone mocking. “You think you can sneak up on me? Come on, Dud. Show yourself!”

Vardy didn’t move. His grip on his staff tightened, the artifact humming softly in his head again.

“Now or never,” Ferah muttered.

“Now,” Vardy said, his voice low but firm.

Ferah leapt to the rooftop where Simon was, landing silently. Tracy emerged from her hiding spot too. 

Simon’s smirk widened as he spotted them.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I was expecting the Dud himself, but instead, I get his little friends. How adorable.”

“Keep talking,” Ferah said, her voice cold as she moved closer.

Simon chuckled. “Oh, I plan to.”

Vardy moved quickly, jumping down from the rooftop and landing behind Simon. The sound of his boots hitting the ground echoed through the tunnel drawing Simon’s attention.

“There you are,” Simon said, turning to face him. “I was starting to think you didn’t have the guts to show up.”

Vardy didn’t respond.

Simon’s grin faltered slightly. “You know, I’ve heard a lot about you, Dud. But I’ve got to admit, I’m disappointed. You don’t look like much.”

“You talk too much,” Vardy said, his voice icy.

Simon’s grin returned, and he raised his hands, “let’s see if you can back up that attitude.”

He shot at Vardy as he dived it.

Vardy moved to the side, his eyes on Simon.

Their forces pushed against each other, everywhere illuminated by their clash. Ferah and Tracy circled around Simon, their weapons ready, and patiently waiting.