The depths below the city had a certain effect on her.

She couldnt
rightly say she enjoyed them; that might be going too far. It seemed like she
drank the air more often than she breathed it in, she tried not to think about
what the rotting stench was. If she was lucky, whatever it was hadnt been
sapient. Her steps were high, the muck seeming to drag her lower if she
stood still for too long.
Still, even if she wasnt their greatest fan, the depths comforted her.
She passed by the alcoves where she had lost many guards and tried to
retrace the patterns of mold on the stone walls. They had been growing
apparently, the pattern that had once looked faintly like an arrow pointing
further in seemed to be more of an amorphous blob now. She thought that a
pity.
She gave a wide berth to river running through the center of the
chamber. She could still smell it in her hair after she had naively thought it
was clean water her first time in the depths. Suppressing a gag, she
quickened her pace to another alcove. There was nothing conspicuous about
it, just the way she liked it. Dropping to her knees and removing a silver coin
from her pocket, she found the impossibly thin crack between the bricks.
One brick away from the corner, right against the ground.
Carefully rolling the coin into the crack, she stood back up as she
heard the telltale metallic clinking sound. The soft thrum of magic sparking
to life hit her ear as the brick wall began to dissipate. Brick by brick, the wall
seemed to become translucent. The showmanship was a little unnecessary in
her opinion, she tapped her foot as she waited for the display to end.
Stepping through the now open entryway, a voice caught her
attention. Gruff, but familiar, as she pushed into the small alcove he had
been occupying. She placed her back against the wall leading further inside.
Lady Ishana, so nice of you to join us! a voice called out from a tiny,
hunched man. Wrinkles stretched into a smile as he recognized the new
entrant, Havent seen you down this way in a while. His smile dropped
when he noticed her strange behavior, Any reason youre being particularly
stealthy right now?
Very important business Faerin, we have to be real silent-like, okay?
Faerins brow scrunched together as he pushed a small bolt of mana
back into the wall, the bricks faded back into existence behind Ishana.
Well sure I guess, he lowered his voice to a whisper, You kind of own this
place though, dont ya? Dont really need to be skulking around.
 Thats exactly what he wants Im afraid Ishana turned and gripped
Faerins shoulders as she spoke, Listen, can you get me up to the second
level of town without needing to go down the main street?
Uh Ive got a staircase right here, he pointed over his back, its
usually only for doormen to use but Im pretty sure youre the exception to
that rule.
Youre a lifesaver Faerin, she placed a small kiss on his cheek, which
quickly flushed with red, I was going to ask for that coin back but I think
youve earned it.
Thank you my Lady-
Ah ah ah no more of that now. No Lords or Ladies down here after
all. Consider it payment for letting no one know I came through here,
alright? Without waiting for a response, Ishana rushed past the man and up
the narrow staircase.
The Under-refuge was a place for the lost and weary to find shelter.
Normally, Ishana wouldnt think to be so secretive here. She had been
instrumental in creating this sanctuary below the city. Now, she crept along
the upper layer of the town, keeping herself out of sight. Houses and shops
constructed from old wood and discarded metal were all closed and quiet
now. It was nighttime down here, meaning the sun tunnels had been
closed to allow people enough darkness to sleep. Only the soft green glow of
sparsely placed pyrelights illuminated her path.
She knew where all the sniper posts were, so she kept hidden in the
shadows as she darted between the hanging structures. One last hanging
bridge separated her from the largest building in the town. It was perched
on what had once been a sheer cliff face and the only way into the building
from the town proper was a long suspended bridge that was constantly
guarded by a sniper.
Ishanas eyes had adjusted to the darkness now, she could see the
shape of the sniper in a high alcove near the top of the towns chamber. She
reached into her pocket and removed a small pyramid object. The pyramid
almost seemed to blend in with the darkness around it, Ishana wouldnt
believe anything was there were she not holding it herself.
Pressing the pyramid to her forehead, a strange purple mist began to
filter from the tip. The mist enveloped Ishanas entire body as she pressed
herself further away from the snipers range of vision. No point in wasting
money on the pyramid if its magic was the very thing that got her caught.
 As the mist dissipated, Ishana launched the pyramid as far away from
her position as it she could. The clattering it made was barely perceptible as
it fell far on the other side of the chamber. As a test, Ishana softly cleared
her throat. No noise emerged from her form, she stayed completely silent.
Guards! Ishana shouted as loud as she could, adding an air of
desperation to her voice, Someone please, help! Rather than the scream
coming from her own throat, she could faintly hear her own voice come from
where she had thrown the pyramid.
Reacting as soon as she saw the sniper pull away from his post to go
help the supposed damsel in distress, Ishana bolted across the hanging
bridge. Even her footsteps were muffled, though she knew their sound must
have been materializing from the faraway pyramid.
Caring more for safety than stealth at that moment, she burst in
through the buildings front door. Quickly, she dove into a side storage room
and peeked around the corner. Two guards, garbed in shadowy black leather
armor, rushed to the front door. As Ishana waited for them to pass, she
equipped the gauntlets that were affixed to her back. Their familiar weight
on her forearms emboldening her to strike out at the guards.
As they quickly swept past the storage room to check the front door,
Ishana leapt. Throwing her legs up and around the neck of one of the
guards, Ishanas arms closed around the other guards throat. Ishanas
weight crashed all three of them down to the floor. The guards sputtered and
struggled as Ishana tensed her arm and thighs around their necks. They
tried to scream for help, but with the wind having been knocked out from
the fall and the vice grip around their throats, the guards muffled groans
were almost impossible to hear.
Finally, the guards bodies went limp. Ishana immediately released her
hold on them, setting about the task of hiding them in the storage room she
had occupied before. Once they had been sufficiently hidden, and checked to
make sure they were still had pulses, Ishana made her way upstairs. She
knew where she was going, there was only one place he would be.
The double doors to the office, her office, were unfamiliar from the
side she was on. She saw so many people walk through them from inside
that room and yet here she was, the tables had turned. It wouldnt be long
before she flipped them again. Still, she would miss those doors. She could
feel the sound transferring magic from the pyramid finally fade as she
cracked her neck from side to side.
 She wound up a mighty haymaker, sending her armored fist blasting
through the doors. The squeaky hinges were torn from the wood and the
doors flew inward, knocking prone the guard that had apparently been
standing in front of them. Despite the dynamic entrance, the figure at the
desk didnt even look up from his paperwork. Long, shaggy hair fell over his
face as he worked, filling out form after form and placing them to the side.
Ishana forced her anger into the back of her mind as she hoped she could
talk some sense into this infuriating man.
Ishana, my dear, his head never moved from his papers as he spoke,
you are a sight for sore eyes I must say.
Cut the shit Harluss, Im gone for a few weeks and you pull this little
takeover stunt? Who do you think you are? She couldnt help but clench
her fists at his indifference to her presence.
To be clear, this had been in planning long before you left this last
time. Perhaps youre slipping? She could practically hear the smirk he put
on stretch the scar on his bottom lip.
You would just love that wouldnt you? She moved closer to the large
desk, one of the corners still missing from a pathetic attempt on her life by
some Lords pet assassin. Always second guessing me, always thinking your
ways the only right way.
Well someone has to do some actual thinking around here, I truly
worry all of that lovely hair dye has seeped into your brain sometimes.
Ishana couldnt help but let out a chuckle at such a low blow. She was more
than willing to play that game if he so desired.
Yes, because all of your actual thinking turned out very well for
Katreda right? Her smile grew as his pen stopped moving, Lets go ask her
what she thinks about all this- oh wait! You cant Shes dead! Her corpse is
probably rotting in a jail cell by now actually. How silly of me to forget.
Papers scattered across the floor as Harluss slammed his fists into the
desk, Of course you would bring that up! She knew the risks and she took
them anyway!
Dont you dare pretend like she sacrificed herself for you! Fury
replaced amusement in Ishanas booming voice as she stared deep into
Harluss eyes, one a dark steel color and the other a dead white, She
thought you were coming back for her. Your team told me what happened.
You swore you would go back for her!
 Harluss straightened, his face fell into the normal stoic expression he
was known for. Crossing his hands behind his back, he spoke much more
calmly, I dont expect you to understand Ishana, difficult decisions were
never your strong suit. I think were getting off track, perhaps we should
speak about the matter at hand?
Yes lets
Your time as the leader of the Under-refuge is over, I am its Lord
now.
Oh! Well Im terribly sorry, My Lord Harluss, I didnt realize you had
that power Ishana laid on as much sarcasm as she could muster, Its
almost adorable you think you do.
Power is given to those who can take it, and that is what I intend to
do. Harluss made his way around the desk, not so slyly exposing the dark
steel needles hidden in his sleeves. Before that, I have this burning
question thats been bothering me recently. What was your real plan? You
just thought wed all rot down here while you went off on your own, roving
around with that beast?
Vaila has nothing to do with this, her last shred of patience for
Harluss insults disintegrated at his mentioning of her friend, you have
nothing else to say besides attacking my character and my friends? Youre
like a child who isnt getting his way.
Explain then. What was the point to living down here? We should be
up there, he pointed to ceiling, though Ishana knew what he meant, they
flush all of their refuse down on us and you are content to just sit in the
muck and deal with it?
What would you do then? she stepped closer, reveling in the
momentary fear that flashed across Harluss face, People can be happy and
safe down here. If they dont want to break the law to survive, they still
have a place to go. That was my plan.
You would have us stuck down here while those nobles, the loathing
in his voice was palpable as he spoke, live it up in their mansions and forget
we even exist.
You want money Harluss? Go and take it then. Not everyone needs
butlers and champagne to be happy. You think forcing these people into a
revolution will help them?
 Its better than being stuck down here! You may be content to die in
the dark, but I will bring down those privileged blue-bloods above us. Even if
I have to drag these people kicking and screaming all the way there! In a
flash, Harluss hand flew forward. Three needles were sent forth from his
sleeve, though Ishana could easily see only one might actually hit her. She
swatted the needle going for her face out of the way with little effort and
allowed the other two to fly past either side of her head.
The other two needles impacted with a sound of glass shattering as
they flew through the pyrelights that had been illuminating the room,
covering the office in darkness. Ishana readied herself, dropping into a solid
stance while bringing her guard up to cover her face. A laugh rang out
through the blackness, smug and self-confident in Ishanas ears.
You wish to die in the dark? The voice seemed to come from
everywhere at once, Ishana whipped her head around, trying to acclimate
her eyes to the darkness, I might grant you that wish. After Ive finished.
The faintest whisper of air caused Ishana to duck her head down low,
the needle she heard slicing through the cartilage of her ear as she did. She
gasped in pain, swinging wildly behind her as she hoped to catch Harluss off
guard. Her fists only met air.
You always did have trouble shade-shifting whats the matter
Ishana? Afraid of the dark now? Harluss voice shifted its point of origin as
he spoke, Ishana swung her head back and forth trying to place him.
Remembering how she got into the room, she dashed for the broken
doorway. A shadowed figure coalesced where the doors once stood. Ishana
could only see his outline before it lashed out, two needles puncturing her
shoulders causing her to cry out and fall to the ground. In utter defiance of
her enemy, Ishana grunted softly as she stood despite the stinging in her
arms every time the muscles shifted.
You want to fight like a coward, she beckoned into the darkness as
she ripped the needles out of her body, then youll die like one!
She activated a switch inside her gauntlets, revealing the tiny spikes
that normally lay flat inside of the contraptions. One more quick switch
flipped and the spikes jettisoned outward, completely covering the room.
Razor-thin strings of mana attached each spike back to the gauntlet it came
from, their muted purple glow still doing little to brighten up the room.
As she retracted the spikes, Ishana realized she heard nothing. No
scream of pain or surprise. Two more needles flew from the darkness, one
glancing her stomach before flying past and the other planting itself in her
shoulder again.
Was that your best? Cant believe I was ever worried. One more
needle stuck Ishana through her thigh. She knew she would have to change
up her tactics, she was at a grave disadvantage in this darkness and she was
losing blood fast. If he wanted to get fancy in this fight, she would just have
to get fancy right along with him.
Quickly tearing the needles out of her body and shaking off the
wooziness in her head, Ishana wound up another punch. This time aiming at
the floor. She charged her gauntlets with what little mana she possessed,
allowing the arcanetics inside them to amplify the charge. Slamming
downward, the amplified magic power exploded on impact, destroying the
stone and woodwork of the building. Ishana fell, along with the still
unconscious guard, as the floor crumbled down into the main foyer. Rolling
as she landed, Ishana charged another punch. This time aimed straight for
the front doors.
Needles fell all around her as she bashed through the doorway and
into the relatively better lit main chamber of the Under-refuge. She ran
halfway across the hanging bridge before turning around, watching as a
furious Harluss stalked forward across the bridge. Now fully visible, and
brandishing two daggers of his own, Ishana rushed him hoping to get in
close enough to incapacitate him.
You thought you could kill me?! He yelled, ducking underneath a
right hook, Since when have you ever been able to actually take someones
life? You always had to stay Little Miss Clean Hands! Harluss swiped at
Ishanas legs but her nimble footwork moved her out of the way before they
impacted. Moving backwards, away from a devastating looking uppercut,
Harluss flung another needle at his opponent. It bounced harmlessly off of
her armored fist as she pressed her attack.
Believe me, youre making it very hard to stay that way! Ishana
unleashed a flurry of strikes, finishing with an elbow to Harluss chest
causing him to stumble backwards. She gripped one of his daggers and tore
it from his grasp as he stumbled, chucking it over the edge of the bridge
before he could recover.
Now at a distinct disadvantage, Harluss looked to the sniper stationed
in the alcove far above them. He had already loaded his mounted crossbow
and was aiming it at the fighters on the bridge, waiting for a safe shot.
 Just shoot her you idiot! He yelled as he tackled Ishana, hoping to
catch her off guard. His attack failed as Ishana deftly flipped over his back,
grabbing his leather armor as she went. She yanked him in between herself
and the sniper. Her arm locked around Harluss neck as she forced the other
dagger to fall from his hands by twisting his arm behind him.
Ishana held Harluss in between herself and the sniper above, ducking
behind him slightly to cover her head. Though she was physically stronger
than Harluss, she couldnt just stand on the bridge forever waiting for more
of his lackeys to show up. Wrenching his arm back around, she aimed his
wrist at the sniper. She tapped his bracer frantically, trying to find the
mechanism that fired his needles. Finally, three needles were sent flying at
the sniper above them. Harluss yelled at the man to move, a warning he
heeded as he ducked out of the way and away from the cross bow.
However, one of the needles struck the side of the crossbow itself,
releasing the bolt. Ishana reacted quickly, throwing herself and Harluss away
from its impact point. The bolt tore through the rope and wood of the bridge
causing the two combatants to tumble over each other as the bridge went
slack on one side. Ishana released her hold on Harluss neck, flailing wildly
as she hoped to catch the rope hand rail on the other side of the bridge.
Her grip was like iron around the rope, Ishana sighed in relief as she
couldnt feel the rope burn through her gauntlet. A weight on her leg
stopped her before she could climb over to safe ground. Harluss had grabbed
her leg as he fell, now frantically clinging to his adversary-turned-life-line.
Ishana was stronger than most, everyone knew that, but climbing her
way back across the bridge while hanging with an extra person dangling off
of her would prove to be too much even for her. She looked down at the
man, whose one good eye was flashing back and forth from Ishanas face to
the ground many stories below.
Help me up you fool! Neither of us have enough magic to make this
fall safely! His hold on her leg was almost unbearable, he was gripping it so
tight she was practically losing the feeling in her foot.
Why would I do that? You tried to take everything from me, tried to
turn everyone against me, and now you think Ill save you?!
We both know you cant do it Ishana, He spoke with less worry, sure
that she would have to spare him, youve never been able to kill anyone.
You were always soft Ishana, could you really live with yourself if you
dropped me?
 Normally, hed be right. Ishana could never stomach actually ending
someones life. She was a thief, not an assassin.
It was too bad for Harluss that she herself had fallen from that bridge
before. It led straight to her office, of course she was going to be the one to
test it when it was finally finished. She never thought that horrible
experience would be able to help her someday.
Dont worry Harluss, Ishana placed her heavy combat boot on the
mans face, I promise this wont kill you. With one massive stomp, Harluss
cried out in fear and pain as he slid down to Ishanas foot. One more kick
across his face, and his arms could hold him no more.
If the cracking of bones didnt wake up the Under-refuges citizens, the
howls of agony certainly did.
The extra weight no longer holding her back, Ishana easily climbed her
way over to the end of the bridge. Harluss screaming in the background
only served to make her trek that much more enjoyable. Just as she was
pulling herself over the cliffs edge, footfalls caught her attention. Thinking
they could belong to a few of Harluss lackeys, Ishana prepared herself to
show them who was still in charge as she finally gained her footing on the
street again.
Ishana! Thank goodness youre alright! The only other voice Ishana
had heard since arriving in the Under-refuge put her at ease. Faerin ran
forward, followed by four of the refuges guards. These ones were thankfully
still wearing the emblem she designed rather than the ridiculous black armor
of Harluss crew.
Faerin! Good to see you again, hope everythings still going okay
tonight.
I heard an enormous crash and gathered as many guards as I could.
What happened to you? Faerins eyes scanned over the many bleeding
wounds along Ishana body, lingering on her slightly torn ear.
Oh you know, just had a little cleaning up to do. Ishana said, the loss
of blood causing her breathing to become heavier as she spoke, There was
a load of garbage in my office that needed to be taken care of. You know
how it is.
One of you, go get a healer quickly! Faerin turned to address the
guards, one of which bowed quickly and ran off into the city, What was all
that screaming? Was that you?
 Oh no! That was just the garbage, Ishana looked down into the
chasm, Our dear friend Harluss had a little accident, be a dear and send
someone to fetch him would you Faerin?
The guards all caught Ishanas meaning, their tiny smiles couldnt be
held in check once Faerin began to chuckle.
Of course, my Lady! Faerins smile could barely be contained, It will
be done, along with repairs to your office right away.
What did I tell you Faerin? Ishana could still hear the faint groans of
pain as she stared deep into the darkness below her, There are no Lords or
Ladies down here.