Thebes looked Rareth up and down. “Alright… Let’s kit up then head out - I want four in front and four out back.” The Sacred Band quickly re-equipped, grabbing new and calibrated weapons from the rack. None of them spoke publicly, many instead choosing to keep their eyes lowered as they sorted their gear. A cacophony of metallic clicks and snaps echoed through the cavern as they fitted fresh batteries and replenished ordinance. 

[i]”That was a useful magic trick just now. Is there anything else you can do that we should know about?”[/i] 595 sent to Rareth over private comms what Thebes had been silently thinking. She grabbed a spare pistol from the rack and magnetised it to the back of her suit, watching Rareth the whole time.

“Alright, move out!” Thebes ordered once he was satisfied everyone had what they needed. They formed up and began quickly picking their way through the cave system in a tight formation. After a few minutes, they stumbled upon a lone centipede creature from before, gnawing on some flora attached to the waterside rocks. The Sacred Band promptly tore it apart with guns and knives as it tried to flee. They then carried on following the water until they emerged onto another valley on the other side.

“What’s that noise?” Saddam asked, breaking radio silence. A faint cawing sound wafted down from above, mingling with the sound of water falling down the side of the mountain.