They had cautiously searched the surroundings. They hadn't found anything particularly revealing—except that there was no trace of life and no signs of an intense battle.
So the most reasonable conclusion was…
—Maybe… they evacuated? —Twar muttered.
It made sense. Twar stroked his beard as he thought about what to do next.
But if they had evacuated… that meant they had been left behind. Everyone understood it without needing an explanation. It was the rational choice: prioritize the city over a few individuals.
—… —Silence spread among the dwarves as they processed what had likely happened.
If that were the case, the city hadn't been destroyed by a demon—it had been collapsed on the chief's orders. Twar vaguely remembered hearing of such a measure years ago. It was better to abandon the place than let it fall into demonic hands.
—Call the Hero. We need to leave this place. —said Twar.
The others were probably already heading toward the surface, so they had to follow. What was the point of staying in a buried city? At best, they'd become guards for dungeon beasts.
That suspicion was confirmed when a howl echoed through the area, bouncing off the walls. The entire place trembled, and rocks fell from the ceiling.
The dwarves covered their heads and ran toward the exit.
—Lava hounds! —one of them shouted.
They were creatures of molten lava, known for being social—and extremely dangerous because of it. Provoking one meant facing the entire pack. These abandoned ruins were the perfect habitat for them.
—Where is the Hero? —Twar asked, concerned.
The dwarves scanned in every direction as they moved, but couldn't find him.
When they reached the exit, they took positions, ready to collapse it at any moment.
—Wait! —Twar ordered.
—I see him! —a dwarf shouted.
There he was—the Hero. Wearing that strange mask and glowing underwear that lit his path.
—SSHH Tram-Turrm.! —the hero shouted.
They didn't understand him. But he was running with all his might—at an almost nonexistent speed. Clumsy… and clearly desperate. On his shoulder sat the lizard, tail twitching as it watched the approaching pack.
—Faster, mortal! —the lizard yelled.
—I'm… trying!
The hounds closed in. One leapt and grabbed part of his underwear, dragging him along as it bit down. Froggy barely made it through the exit before it collapsed behind him. The lava hound released his clothing.
Under the dwarves' watchful eyes, the hound lowered its ears, baring its teeth. It was surrounded.
—Do you want to finish it? —Twar asked.
—I'd rather leave it to you. —Froggy replied.
—The idiot says he's scared. —translated the lizard.
The dwarves nodded.
One stepped forward, gripping his axe tightly, and charged. The hound lunged as well, biting into his arm—its fiery fangs burning instantly. The dwarf endured it, then struck back with his axe.
The hound fell dead.
From the other side of the wall, howls echoed. They were digging their way through.
A single hound was manageable. A pack, in their current state, was suicide.
—We need to move. —said Twar.
—Where did the dwarves go? —Froggy asked.
—This one asks if you know where the city's dwarves are. —translated the lizard.
Twar looked at him seriously.
—Tell Mr. Idiot it's possible they evacuated.
—An evacuation? —Froggy questioned.
—That's what they say. —the lizard replied.
The others waited nervously at the tunnel entrance. They had heard the commotion and were ready to intervene.
—What happened?
—There may have been an evacuation order.
Relief spread among them. If that was true, it meant they might see their loved ones again.
—We'll find them. We won't die here. —declared Twar.
—Yes! —they answered, raising their weapons.
—Does anyone know where the path to the surface is? —he asked.
—South.
—North.
—I once visited—I think it's west.
Everyone spoke at once, offering conflicting directions.
—Do you know anything, Hero? —they asked Froggy.
—Surface? —he replied, through the lizard.
An awkward silence fell. The dwarves avoided each other's gaze.
They were lost.
The lizard, still perched on Froggy's shoulder, raised a paw arrogantly, standing tall like a king rising from his throne.
—I know where the so-called surface is, mortals! —he declared.
Twar eyed him with clear suspicion.
—Anyone else? —he asked.
No one answered. So he turned back to the lizard.
—Are you sure?
—I saw the light before it was formed. I felt the heat of magma when the world was nothing but fire and rivers of lava. I have walked this world since its beginning. Born of the eternal flame that reigns over all mortals—I, the Absolute, know where the surface lies! —he proclaimed proudly.
Twar looked unconvinced. There was a lot of ego in such a small creature. But no one had a better option.
—In that case… guide us.
—I will… when my mount stops panting like a beast!
The dwarves looked at the hero. He was on his knees, breathing heavily behind the mask.
—Give me… a moment.
The chase had exhausted him.
From the tunnel behind them came distant scratching, howls, and pounding—getting closer.
—We don't have time!
Everyone nodded.
Everyone except one.
The journey to the surface had begun.