Kendall was once again leading his party through the dungeon in search of ancient artifacts. His pet hawk, Sawyer, also accompanied them, riding calmly on Kendall’s back. They were searching this time for the staff of an ancient mage by the name of Ignor, and the matter was of particular interest to the Wizard. Perhaps it would barter with them for possession of the artifact once they had it.

Kendall’s party was slightly different this time around - Katarzyna and Tuesday were accompanying, as usual, but Evangeline had elected not to come, and in her stead Kendall had decided to bring Indigo, a new journeyman of the Diamond Hound guild.

Indigo had been surprised by the offer to go with Kendall’s party on a group mission, and had accepted only with some hesitation. Her apprenticeship had only recently ended, after all. She hadn’t been sure she was ready for such a task. But Kendall seemed to have great faith in her, which was at once reassuring and nerve-wracking. She didn’t want to let him down. 

The group was traversing a damp cave system where their swaying lanterns revealed flowing streams and mossy patches on the walls. As they travelled onwards, the passageway they walked opened up into a larger room, humid enough that the fog was visible, where long leafy vines hung from the ceiling. Kendall slowed his pace in response to the now limited visibility, pausing occasionally to ensure there were still three lantern lights visible behind him. 

Tuesday, too, was carefully keeping track of her partymates, feeling suddenly very wary about this room - something about it was off. She could tell that Indigo felt it too, but Kendall and Katarzyna seemed as confident as ever.

“Make sure to stick together, everyone,” Tuesday said. Kendall nodded.

“That’s right!” He affirmed, glancing back at the group once more and counting the lantern lights. One, two, three… four? Kendall stopped. That was odd. 

“...What’s that?” He asked, and the whole group turned to see what he was looking at - another light in the foggy room, coming from none of their lanterns. Sawyer squawked nervously, ruffling his feathers. Indigo gulped. 

“We should keep moving. Away from it.” Tuesday said. 

“...Are you sure?” Katarzyna glanced at the light suspiciously. “Is it a good idea to just ignore it?” 

“It’s a better idea than going towards it.” Tuesday replied, and Indigo nodded. Katarzyna huffed and snorted, swishing her tail restlessly. This did not sit right with her. As the other three turned to continue onwards through the room, Katarzyna lagged behind, glancing over her shoulder periodically at the mysterious light in the foliage behind them. It never seemed to fade as they got further from it, as though it was following them somehow.

Finally Katarzyna could take no more. She had to find out what this thing was. Tuesday turned around in time to see Katarzyna stop and approach the light.

“Don’t!” Tuesday called out, but it was too late. As soon as Katarzyna took a step towards the glow, the surrounding vines shot towards her, ensnaring her neck and legs. She whinnied with shock, rearing backwards, but the tendrils held her tight. 

“Help!” She called out, but her partymates were already upon her. Tuesday and Kendall grabbed hold of the vines with their teeth and tried to pry them off of her. Indigo, uncertain of what to do, trotted in a half circle around the group, looking for an angle to help from. 

Kendall recoiled with a whinny as one of the tangling vines loosened its grip on Katarzyna only to smack him across the nose. He would not be so easily deterred, though - Katarzyna was his friend and guildmate, and he would not allow her to be dragged off into the darkness alone. He took hold of another vine and resumed prying. Tuesday and Indigo were hard at work as well. They’d have Katarzyna out of this in no time.