God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

The air was dry and the sky was dark.

An austere atmosphere hung heavy like a thousand corpses.

And although above ground was rather terrible, beneath it was far worse.

Stepping through the cave's mouth, Cain suddenly realized why he didn't live in caves himself.

It was simply too damp, cold, and dark.

There was also a subtle scent of blood that hung around in the air, clinging to every breath he took.

The walls of the cave were lined with small veins of glowing crimson gems, every single one radiating incredibly pure energy. Cain couldn't but feel like he had stepped into another world entirely.

As they walked further in, Cain felt the darkness surrounding them shift and squirm.

With his eyes, he could very clearly peer through even the thickest of darkness.

However, he still as unable to see a thing.

His eyes narrowed into thin lines, but he still didn't act.

They continued walking for a few more minutes.

Then Cain disappeared.

The darkness on the cave ceiling rustled and trembled.

Something within it tried darting deeper into the cave at incredible speeds, but it was stopped by a vice-like grip.

"Where do you think you are going?" Cains aid with a dark smile.

The thing he had just grabbed hissed and took a swing at his neck. However, he calmly shifted his head and pulled it down towards the ground.

Slamming it into the ground, Cain placed a foot on it to stop it from trying to escape. It struggled and scratched at him, but it was unable to free itself from him.

Steve huffed and summoned a ball of light.

The thing that had hidden itself in the darkness was immediately revealed.

All three carefully observed it.

Cain having never seen a {Blood-Curse Bat} was immediately stumped by its appearance.

For one, it did really look human, save for a few beastly features.

Eyes as dark as midnight with a gathering of crimson runes in the deepest depths that gave it an otherworldly glow.

It had a set of leathery wings on its back, yet still possessed the limbs of a human. Its ears were raised and long.

'It isn't that ugly...' Was the first thought that appeared in his mind.

"L-let go of me!" The {Blood-Curse Bat} muttered through wheezes.

Cain raised a brow before recognizing that the thing probably couldn't breathe very well with his foot on its chest.

He eased up on the pressure a bit and turned to Steve.

With a nod, Steve muttered a chant under his breath then drew a rune into the air.

Once he gave Cain the signal, he nodded and removed his foot from the creature's chest.

"Sorry about that. I just wanted to have a little chat."

The {Blood-Curse Bat} huffed, a deathly scowl on its face,

"That's what it always is with you humans. Violent brutes!"

"You say this like you have had a lot of contact with humans." Steve said as he bent to have a closer look.

"By the way, the enchantment I just cast on your will not only prevent you from running away, it will also make sure you are unable to attack us. So don't even try."

There was a strange sadistic light in his eyes as he said that.

The {Blood-Curse Bat} trembled as it tried to get away from the crazy eyed Steve.

A swift kick from Blaze sent Steve flying and crashing into the cave wall.

Cain sighed and smiled wryly,

"You will have to forgive us for our methods. However, I believe they are not completely unjustified. You hav been following us for quite some time now, haven't you."

It remained silent.

Cain didn't say anything for a moment.

Then he asked,

"What is your name?"

The {Blood-Curse Bat} froze,

"Name?"

Cain nodded and flashed a smile,

"Every creature with a soul surely has a name."

The {Blood-Curse Bat} went silent again.

"Shadow. I am called Shadow."

Cain nodded.

The Blood Bat, Shadow, was garbed in what could only be described as an assassin's armor. Cain could even see a few knives tucked away below its belt, as well as a bow and a quiver filled with arrows on its back.

He suddenly couldn't help but feel some type of way.

Although he has known they were being followed, he had been unable to pinpoint their stalker's position until just now.

It it had chosen to attack them before now for some reason, it would be hard to avoid losses.

Creatures with the power of stealth in this dark forest represented the apex of predation, after all.

"Now then, Shadow. Why were you following us?"

A strange, dark smile appeared on Shadow's face,

"I was told to monitor your movements. However, it doesn't matter anymore since you are already here. Now that you have entered her lands, you might as well give up all hope of going back alive."

Cain raised a brow,

"Who is this 'she' you speak of?"

The {Blood-Curse Bat}, Shadow chuckled darkly,

"The child of darkness and blood. The Empress of the Night that consumes all life. She is waiting for you."

Cain turned to Steve.

'So it was just an invitation. Why make it sound so ominous?'

He shook his head.

If they hadn't been attacked yet, it meant this so called Empress of the Night was expecting them.

That didn't sound terrifying at all.

Cain sighed and straightened his body.

He looked around.

Although the cave felt hollow and empty, he could actually make out thousands of life signals coming from the depths of the cave.

There were thousands of slumbering creatures within this cave alone.

He could only imagine how terrifying it would be once night fell.

It was a good thing they decided to make the journey when it was still lights out.

Blaze walked over to the wall and pulled Steve out from the shattered stone.

"The sooner we get this over with, the better." He said as he shook Steve back into consciousness.

Cain hummed then turned to Shadow,

"Please, lead the way to your Empress."