The tunnel sloped upwards into the welcome glare of daylight.

Such was my relief that I barely notice the debris at my feet, the
remnants of a battle fought only moments before. Surveying the carnage I heard a scream of rage and a massive explosion
collapsed the passage behind me. The sounds of combat greeted me as I struggled to my feet. The fight, it seemed, was still going
strong.
You dare attack me here? Do you even know whom you face?! You will suffer! You will all suffer! In my wild attempt to gain
orientation I witnessed a mage released and array of spells directed straight for a dozen dark individuals with a mere wave of his
hand. The offence hit with plausible precision extinguishing the life of all within the area of effect. They were dead before they hit the
ground.
So, you have escaped. You are more resourceful than I had thought The mage was made aware of my presence, even concealed
as I was by the debris... Or so I thought. I took a few moments to scan for my companion, but soon realised that the mage was not
addressing me but the very person whom I was searching for!
I have indeed escaped and I will not allow you to torture us any longer! I looked up and saw Rosalynn burning with anathema she
had already made known to me. Her previous sentiments of fear and longing to return home completely subsided to this inferno of
hatred for our adversary.
Torture? Silly girl you just dont understand what I am doing, do you? Smirked the mage clearly an attack at her ignorance.
I dont care what youre doing, let us go!
I wont let you leave, not now when I am so close to unlocking you power!
We dont want anything from you! Her tone was dangerous, one I rarely heard. What happened next was something I had already
anticipated. An accomplished magic manipulator herself, she unleashed a terrifying manifestation of her animosity. Flashes of
chronic yellow and red lights followed her incantations. With dread I watched how the mage effortlessly deflected her intricate spell;
the surprise was sharp on Rosalynns countenance which only provided sustenance for her negative emotions.
Enough! I will no longer listen to the babbling of ignorant children! The act angered the mage, this was apprehensible, but he had
no time to react. Other gray, hooded figures, about five or six of them, materialized from no apparent source. All sorcerers and all
prepared to handle anyone who would consider to
This is an unsanctioned use of magical energy! All involved will be held this disturbance is over! s tated the gray cloak and the
apparent leader of the party.
Must I be interrupted at every turn? Enough of this! The mages anger seemed to affect his concentration and soon he lost a
measure of control over his spell casting. He was on a rampage, killing all the gray clocks in matters of seconds, but, where one fell,
another soon appeared to take his comrades place in their attempt to restrict the mage.
This mages power is immense, we must overcome him quickly! One exclaimed as he viewed the massacre.
Enough! I havent the time for this!
You will cease your spell casting and come with us!
Your pathetic magics are useless, let this end!
Even if we fall our numbers are many, you will be overwhelmed.
You bore me mage-ling, you may take me in but you WILL take the girl as well!
W-what? No! I have done nothing wrong!
You have been involved in illegal use of magic, you will come with us!
Im not going with them, Im not! Help me, please! I could do nothing. By the time I had gotten up they had already disappeared
along with my dear Rosalynn.