A soft voice called deep within the caverns.

  "Everything led to this moment."

  His cat ears twitched.

  Moving closer to the sigil in front of him. He reached to trace its borders with his hands. First the circle made of fire-stones then the sun motif inside it. They were warm and shining with an orange-blue tint.

  Three skeletons caught his attention, two with swords and one with a book. All of them were the same race as him.

  "Every, single, moment."

  The time seemed to slow down.

  Edwin's eyes shifted back to the sigil. He reached for the sun and pulled it out of its place.

  Fragments of memories rushed to him.

  His mother, faces lost to time, holding him towards a statue. People in armor, and more people cheering, then darkness.

  Tightening his fingers around the star, he continued to reminisce the past.

  A deafening sound in his ears replayed. Suddenly people turned into beasts, growing in unnatural ways. Again his mom, slowly turning into one of them with her last words "Save him..."

  "It's my time to save them." He whispered.

  The sun cracked between his hands, then shattered.

  Ground beneath him instantly trembled. Dust clouds fell from the ceiling loose rocks fell. Yet he didn't flinch. He slowly walked on top of a small cliff.

  He grazed the mutants with his eyes.

  I can save them, I can reach into their heart!

  "Former citizens of the great city, Vigilis!" He said authoritatively.

  Mutants flinched at the word 'Vigilis' then slowly turned to him with erratic movements; some stared blankly, some shrieked but a small percent stood to watch.

  "I know some of you are changed, fighting in their mind; some can barely control themselves." He paused.

  "But all of you still have your identity, memories and dreams. I see it in your eyes!"

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  A mutant clawed the stone beneath him raising dust in his face.

  He opened his arms.

  "This day is the day that we take revenge on Aethelburgs." He clenched his fist and raised it.

  "Aet...hel...." A few of them mumbled.

  His voice raised. "For that fateful day, where they sealed us between fungi and left us to rot."

  "This is the day that we rise! Who is with me!?"

  After a brief silence, one by one the mutated roared, some with rage, some in recognition. Yet most of them wandered aimlessly, clawing at everything on their way.

  He looked away from those who had already lost their minds. One sentence repeated in his mind over and over again.

  I can save them.

  Raising his hand, he pointed to the exit of the Mushroom Forest.

  "Follow me!" He exclaimed.

  The mutants did as he said, and the mindless followed the group.

  ***

  "Where is the damn exit!" Peter screamed.

  "Just continue running." Amy said breathlessly.

  The ground still trembled beneath their feet.

  They picked up their pace.

  "I see the exit." Ariel pointed at the tunnel on his side.

  The group jumped through the exit, and they collapsed on to the ground.

  "Million years old cavern..." Peter gasped for air. "Decided to collapse now."

  "No time to complain." Ariel steadied his breath. "Entire underground could be collapsing for all we know."

  He rose from the ground, followed by Peter then Amy.

  The 'alive' city serenely stood in front of them, the color of the buildings creating a harmonic and calming view.

  Shortly after, the trembling stopped.

  "At least nothing actually collapsed." Peter sighed, rubbing his numb legs.

  "We have to find Edwin." Ariel turned his back to the entrance.

  "Wait," Amy said.

  Ariel turned to her.

  "It's better to go from the north-east road. That way we'll know where the exit is if something happens again."

  After a pause. "You're right." Ariel said. "Let's go"

  They walked towards the city, rough and uneven rocks clacking against their boots. The city came closer with all its might. The fire stones illuminating their path.

  "What was the city's name?" Peter asked scratching his head.

  "I never thought to ask." Ariel said, his eyes scanning the city. "Why does it matter?"

  "I'm going to record it." Peter answered.

  A minute later they entered the city, imposing buildings erected from the ground.

  "Sir." Peter called to a half bull, his book in his hand.

  "What'cha want, kid!?" He answered, his gaze fixed on a tool he was working on.

  "What's the name of this city?"

  Half-bull shifted his gaze to him. Then he laughed hysterically.

  "Ya don't know your city's name? Wha-ha-ha!"

  After a second he stopped laughing. "Thinking 'bout it I haven't seen you 'round here."

  "I'm-" Before Peter could finish his sentence, the half bull continued.

  "It's Aethelburg kiddo." He wiped away his tears of laughter. "Ya got a good laugh from me."

  Peter walked back to the group, the name written on his notebook.

  "Got the name, let's go." He put the notebook back.

  A few steps later a deep, throaty shriek arose from the north-east road. The citizens of Aethelburg turned to look. A half-human screamed followed by another. People scrambled for their belongings. Then chaos emerged.

  "What's going on?" Ariel looked around.

  "What are you doing!? Run!" A woman called in their direction. She disappeared from sight shortly afterwards amongst the horde.

  Peter shifted his gaze towards the north-east road. He froze.

  A swarm of mutants rushed towards the city in an unorganized frenzy with guttural and incomprehensible chants. Peter lifted his hands and pointed at the horde. But no words left his lips.