what happens down below

Just before the break of dawn, the alarm blared.

Charlene shot up, startled. “What’s going on? I’m up!” she shouted, rubbing her eyes. She was already fully dressed, only needing to slip on her shoes. She blinked. “Speed.”

Three seconds later, she was in the war room.

Argun’s eyes glowed as he pointed to the screen. “There is unusual movement below the Great Hall.”

“There,” he said, highlighting a darkened corridor.

“Why are the bodies blue?” Seth asked, frowning.

“There’s no life in them,” Argun muttered. “They’re dead… but they’re moving. Soldiers from the swamp. That’s where they were stored.”

Charlene’s heart dropped. “Dad.”

“The good news is there are only about twenty of them,” Argun continued. “The bad news? The portal has been opened several times in the last few days.”

“We’ve just now located them,” Destiny added. “But the energy is still low. These are lower-level demons. The Seven Lords haven’t been summoned yet. We may still have a chance.”

Suddenly, Argun’s head snapped toward the far corner of the room. A powerful surge of energy pressed against them.

“What now?” Charlene asked, tensing.

A presence entered. Ancient. Heavy.

“Wait,” Argun whispered. “It can’t be—”

“Who is it?” he asked, breath caught.

“It’s Asmodeus,” Destiny replied grimly. “The demon of wrath.”

Charlene’s voice dropped. “Is this the one Torrock made the deal with?”

“Yes.”

Destiny’s tone turned sharp. “New plan. We’re going below the Grand Hall, into the catacombs. We’ll need all three of your hounds. Argun, you’re our eyes and ears here. Grandma, Tabitha, and Dr. Gilead—set up a medical station. Prepare for wounded.”

“I don’t understand,” Dr. Gilead said, squinting at the screen. “There aren’t any living Fates down there.”

Seth pointed. “See that dark corner? That’s where I was kept for weeks—reconditioning. There are still Fates trapped underground.”

“What the heck?” Argun scanned the screen and gasped. “You’re right. I didn’t even sense them!”

Seth’s powers were growing. Argun narrowed his eyes, impressed.

Destiny continued. “Group A: Armaros, Idris, and Heth. Group B: Asbeel, Seth, and Professor E. Group C: Ariel, Charlene, and ReNew.”

“There’s a T-intersection on the monitor,” Argun said. “That’s where I’ll open the portal.”

Destiny gave final orders. “Before you enter the catacombs, bring forth your light shield. Let the hounds lead. Their senses are better than ours—they’ll alert you before anything is seen. This is close-quarter combat. Do not trigger explosives, or you’ll cause a cave-in. If they try to touch you—use your lightsaber. Hack first, think later. If you confront the demon, don’t engage alone. That’s a last resort. Portal out immediately if needed.”

The group straightened.

“We are one!” they shouted in unison.

Argun opened a portal to Torrock’s office. Asbeel, Seth, and Professor E stepped in.

“By the heavens, I’m so glad you’re here,” Torrock said quickly. Seth raised an eyebrow, surprised by the warm greeting.

Is he putting on an act? Seth wondered. Has he really changed this fast?

“Asmodeus is trapped in the lower levels of the Great Hall,” Torrock explained. “The failsafe activated as soon as he entered the catacombs. But I’m not sure how long it will hold.”

He looked down. “He took my artifacts. If he figures out what he has… if he learns how to use them, he could escape.”

Seth stepped forward. “There is no we, Torrock. You’re the last line of defense. Guard the exit. If he tries to escape, you kill him. Can you do that?”

Torrock met his gaze. “Yes. You can count on me.”

“Then let’s move.”

They walked toward the corridor leading to the lower levels. Seth didn’t recognize the path. But as they descended, the smell of damp moss and cold stone triggered something in him.

Panic.

The space whispered: Welcome back. Do you remember me?

Seth stopped, breathing hard. He wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

“Get it together,” he muttered to himself. “Fall apart another time.”

Torrock noticed. “Are you okay?” He reached to steady him.

“I’m good,” Seth said quickly. “Just… last time I was here didn’t go well.”

Torrock’s voice softened. “I understand. Can you continue?”

“Yes,” Seth replied, bracing himself.

“I know it doesn’t mean much right now… but I’m truly sorry,” Torrock said before continuing down the steep steps.

They reached the T-intersection. Torrock opened a portal.

“All groups, converge here.”

All three teams stepped through, facing the three darkened tunnels. Group A took the left corridor. Group B went center. Group C veered right.

“Light ’em up,” Seth commanded.

Shields and weapons activated, bathing the tunnels in warm glow.

“On my mark—fall out. Go!”

Asbeel sniffed the air and growled low.

“Heads up,” Professor E warned. “He caught a scent.”

They pressed forward into the catacombs.

“The moss is thicker here,” Professor E observed. “We're headed north. It’ll help us on the return path.”

The space narrowed. Seth noted silently: Blades larger than a short sword would be nearly useless here.

Without their lights, they’d be in total darkness.

Asbeel’s low growl turned into a snarl. His body bulked, growing rows of jagged teeth. Then—he leapt into the dark.

Ripping something apart.

Seth and Professor E hurried forward. Seth summoned a light orb and sent it to the ceiling, illuminating the vast underground chamber.

Asbeel was a one-hound army—shredding the uniformed, black-eyed corpses.

Seth flanked the side, using his light power to slice one clean across the neck. The body jolted—then re-snapped its neck and kept coming.

“They’re strong. Even in corpses,” Seth gritted.

Professor E yelled, “Freeze them!”

Asbeel released his ice breath. Professor E followed with magic, forming sharp icicles from condensed vapor. With brutal precision, they impaled the demons to the walls. Dozens hung like frozen statues.

Seth summoned a sledgehammer made of light and shattered the ice—sending the black tentacles of smoke screeching as they fled from the fractured shells.

“Light!” Seth shouted, sending radiant force flooding the corridors. The shadows vanished.

They stood panting in the glowing chamber—exhausted, but not done yet.

They still had to help the others.