Yuela's commanding voice whipped out like a slingshot, echoing throughout the natural chamber of the crevice. Their source of illumination was whatever narrow shafts of sunlight, speckled with dust on the way down, were brave enough to pierce the rocky canopy.

“You're a witch, Tabitha. Please use magic.”

“Eh? I'm trying to be considerate. I know you guys are scared of this stuff.”

“I know what magic looks like. I've already seen it before. Please use it.”

“Okay. Let me start again. I'm trying to be considerate. There's no such thing as a spell for becoming unlost.”

The enemy had struck silently.

None of them knew how this happened, or when. The climb was draining but uneventful. They were making excellent progress, spying out every nook and cranny available to them, all the while traversing the faded but usable mountain trail. Their state of disorientation had crept up on them like an insidious mist.

The moment the first complaint of boredom had been elicited, the god of comeuppance had sprung to answer the call. Unprepared and unaware, they'd been accosted by an unimaginable foe.

Yuela's sense of direction.

“Sure feels like we've been here awhile, huh?” said Tabitha, solely at the self-appointed leader. “Rocks, rocks and more rocks. I'm starting to miss the weeds outside. At least there were two variations of them. Sometimes three!”

Yuela clicked her tongue. Much like the wayward instructor they were supposed to be rescuing, she appeared to have a nose for where to go about as functional as an upside-down door handle.

“This path has an entrance,” she said. “It has an exit.”

“What if the exit is the entrance?” replied Tabitha.

“Then it'll be excellent exercise.”

“That's not what you tell someone who's just hiked up half a mountain.”

“You seem to be perfectly capable, considering you've delegated so much of your energy into distracting me.”

Their wrangling was as endless as the passage they were traversing. However, while Tabitha and Yuela were focused on their forty-second round in the infinite cycle of teasing and snapping back, Mireille was focused wholly on the ever flourishing darkness. It was becoming more ever prevalent as they marched on, and on, and on.

A coldness seemed to wrap around her ankles, dragging her down as she sought to maintain the brisk pace of her classmates. It was less the feeling of the natural chill whispering in the crevice, and more the eerie discomfort of an unshakable watchfulness against the back of her head.

Mireille paused, turning to face the passage behind them. She was surprised at the weight of the darkness which returned her gaze. It was as though the slim shafts of sunlight were shifting solely to accommodate their advance. And yet she could not feel genuinely thankful.

Something was wrong.

Mireille frowned, then returned to her spot at the rear of the group. All around her, Yuela and Tabitha's vigorous voices resounded between the jagged, natural walls. They were chiding each other, but neither were in the wrong. Not Yuela for leading them here, nor Tabitha for blithely ribbing her at every opportunity.

They had followed the west trail. So why had they become lost?

It was unmaintained, but functional. At no point did it vanish into a cliff-face or drop off a precipice. And yet Mireille felt with certainty that the trail they had started on was now far, far away.

The fact they were not lost in the open mountainside, but a crevice with seemingly no end gave her the most pause for thought. It hadn't started like this. The walls had gradually narrowed, before enveloping them like crushing jaws. And now they were in the belly of the beast.

It wasn't natural. Yuela had said the mountain was well charted. The west trail was closed to the public, but faded signboards still generously dotted the route, warning of steep climbs or inconspicuous drops. Wouldn't a passage as deep as this been fronted with a warning? Or was its depth a well-known attraction in the past? Each time a corner appeared which promised hope of a horizon, the road led on and on, and always with that shifting, living sunlight to guide them.

Almost as if they were being led deeper inside.

Just ahead of her was the only other girl not concerned with filling every potential silence with her voice. Mirielle skipped a few paces forward.

“. . . Coco, do you see anything, or hear anything behind us?”

Coming to a stop, she briefly looked at her before challenging the passage behind them. It was difficult to tell in the growing darkness, but Mireille thought she could detect a faint glimmer around her eyes.

“Coco does not observe movement, although she wishes to add that her vision is obstructed by local topography and her hearing by juvenile banter.”

Coco didn't spot anything. That was a relief, at least. Although still didn't shake the feeling of unworldliness from Mireille.

“What's wrong? Why have you two stopped?”

Yuela had also paused and was watching them. Residues of whatever grime was floating in the air blinked around her face like sooty fireflies.

Seeing it was as good a moment as any, Mireille decided to make her unease known.

“Um, I think we should leave.”

“Leave?”

“It feels a bit odd.”

“Odd, you say . . .”

“Creepy,” she said simply. “Odd and creepy.”

Yuela glowered at her, but resisted a sigh.

“You are a knight cadet, Mireille Kloeter. You don't stop moving because it's creepy. Or odd. And regardless, it's not as though leaving isn't precisely what we're doing. We'll find the exit—”

“Or a dead end,” interrupted Tabitha.

“—And leave that way.”

Mirielle tried spying the route past Yuela's shoulder. She wasn't imagining it. It really was getting darker. And narrower, too.

“No . . . I think Tabitha's right. It's probably a dead end.”

“What?” they both said.

Yuela shot Tabitha an unimpressed glare, then continued speaking to Mireille.

“What makes you believe there's a dead end?”

“Well . . . the passageway is getting smaller all around us. At this point, it kinda feels more like a cave.”

“That doesn't necessitate a dead end. There may still be a break in the walls.”

As though to test the vigorousness of her hope, Yuela stole a look into the passage ahead.

“. . . Although having said that, I have no particular feelings on the matter. I assume it's the same for everyone.”

“No particular feelings?” said Tabitha. “You're the one who double-timed us here.”

Yuela ignored her.

“We've already committed to a fair distance. Are you sure you wish to head back, Mireille?”

“I think so. Aren't we looking for a plume of smoke? The one from Principal Priscelia's window?”

“True, but it was gone by the time we arrive. Nevertheless, we are certainly more likely to spot the remains of what caused it from anywhere other than within a narrow passage. Or a cave as it now is.”

With that, Yuela was decided.

“Yes, we should scale the rest of the west face first. Let's adhere to good prudence and return the way we came.”

Although technically victorious, Tabitha still sighed.

“Honestly, this makes no sense,” she said. “If our instructor was in any danger, the principal would send more than the four of us to fetch her, but even then, why let us waste a whole morning to plough through the haystack? Not to mention, if you're lost in a mountain, how hard is it to simply climb down? Heck, you can see all of civilisation from up here!”

“It's not our place to question Principal Priscelia,” said Yuela. “Merely to obey. We should focus our efforts on recalling the last point in which we used the west trail.”

“Mm . . . It pretty much got pulled out from under us, didn't it?”

“Perhaps. I do not feel like we ever lost sight of it, though. We followed a clear route without diverging.”

Mirielle returned her attention to the passage behind her, considering Yuela's comment.

“Maybe the trail didn't disappear, but moved instead?” she suggested.

“Trails can move?” asked Tabitha.

“Hmm . . . maybe not moved, but diverted? Yuela led us wherever it took us. But it wouldn't go into a place like this, and she's right — it never felt like we lost it.”

“So what were we walking on?”

“Another trail? Maybe the original was hidden or covered up and a new path was made.”

“Is that what counts for a practical joke with bored mountain hikers? Who the heck would do that?”

Like a sudden burst from a cold shower, the obvious answer sent the sharpest chill of the morning down Mirielle's spine. She felt it was the same for everyone else, too.

“Phantasm,” said Coco, stepping up to the plate.

“Eh? No way, that's too scary,” replied Tabitha, far more quickly than her carefree tone should've allowed. “That's like saying we didn't wander in here by accident. We were lured here.”

“You are being theatrical,” said Yuela, very smoothly adjusting the resting position of her bow. “A phantasm would be required to demonstrate remarkable intelligence to do something as patient as cajole us into a narrow space, much less carve out a new path along the mountainside. Most are too feral to do more than drive themselves into the nearest sword point.”

“Feral doesn't mean they lack their hunting instincts. Some of the ones Coco and I met were pretty scary, you know? The big ones simply loved the attractions in our village. And all of them knew how to get around without knocking over any buckets or spades.”

“I see. I confess I have likely not faced the variants you have outside Berylcross. The ones I've fought were captured specifically for training, and were usually of the . . . less aggressive variety.”

“Uwah, the big leaguer strikes again. Fighting phantasms for training, that's kinda amazing? And there Coco and I were, fighting not to get eaten.”

“ . . . We all live the lives we are given.”

There was no recrimination in Tabitha's words, but Yuela still looked embarrassed. That was obvious even if they were blindfolded.

“Alright, it's time to hit the sunshine!” said Tabitha, injecting additional energy into her voice. “Just make sure to watch either side. In fact, Coco, can you keep an eye out behind us? The creepiness has gone up by mega percent now I've mentioned being eaten.”

“Understood.”

Yuela nodded, then swept past Mireille and Coco.

“Yes, I was remiss not to take the possibility of a simple trap into account. I have been far too careless. Unacceptable.”

There was a forcefulness in her stride that seemed to open up the passage. In a single, fluid motion, she'd detached her bow from its resting position and locked it in her hands.

“I shall take the front again. I cannot allow inexperience to act as an excuse for any failings. Whether I am a knight cadet or a knight of the Carnelian Chapter, I only have as few chances as a veteran of a dozen wars. Let us complete our task. I shamed myself with my fractious behaviour in front of The Silver Aurelia. In this moment, you are my classmates, and as the eldest daughter of the Vlinder Household, it is my responsibility to see that none of you fall to harm.”

“. . . . . .”

“W-What is it? Why is no one saying anything?”

“That sounded a little bit cool,” said Mirielle.

“But cheesy,” added Tabitha.

“Coco looks forward to seeing the eldest daughter of the Vlinder Household's not-a-castle,” said Coco.

The bright scarlet of Yuela's face threatened to tear the darkness away. She said nothing and marched resolutely forwards. Or backwards, as it was.

Mireille remained in the rearguard as she followed after everyone. Not only the bickering, but the entire flow of conversation had stopped. It was as though they finally realised where they were.

Lost in an enclosed space.

“You know, we saw an awful lot of knights on the way up,” said Tabitha in her softest voice yet. “They might already have covered the west side.”

“They are hunting for phantasms,” replied Yuela, matching her tone. “Very few people will work as efficiently at any role. In addition, it was more than a standard detachment.”

“No? Thought the lady said it was normal.”

“It is likely that smaller units have joined in the hunt.”

“Ah, so they're really worried, then.”

“Yes . . . but it's unusual. Regiments are not often deployed for an unconfirmed sighting.”

“Maybe they saw something after we arrived?”

“It's possible. But for so many of the district's knights to gather in one area . . .”

“Maybe they sighted a whole bunch of them?”

“If they did, we'd have known. We had a respectful view. Then again, there is also the chance that their hunt on the east side was successful and they are sweeping the west for remnants. The phantasms' cries would have drawn all nearby enemies towards each other.”

After listening to Yuela's contemplating, Tabitha came to a sudden halt.

“Or maybe . . . it's not lots of phantasms that were seen.”

“What are you saying?”

“Well . . . instead of a whole bunch of small fry, maybe its just one really big one. Like, one really big one . . . with huge teeth. Fangs, even. And black, beady eyes. And exactly eight legs.”

“Haaaaaah . . .”

Yuela tossed an exasperated sigh at Tabitha. The brief, if serious atmosphere was in danger of falling apart.

“What are you saying, Tabitha? That's not a phantasm. That's a giant spider. Please don't conjure your phobias onto me. Honestly, if you want to discuss the hypothetical make-up of our foes, please do so in your free time. Until then, I suggest—”

“And pincers. Really big pincers. Really, really, really big pincers. Black but dotted with red, bloody specks. And scales. The spider has scales, Yuela.”

“Excuse me? Just what kind of giant spider is this? It has pincers, fangs and fur? Is it a crab or a wolf or a lizard?”

“. . . Uh, Yuela . . .”

“What? What are you doing? Why are you walking away?”

Yuela scrutinised the look of inexplicable terror that had dawned on Tabitha's face. So alarming was the change compared to her jovial expressions, that she needed to focus all her mental processes simply to register it.

And then—

“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah . . . . . .”

“Yuela, so . . . yeah . . . you might wanna . . .”

“Yes, yes. I understand. It's behind me, isn't it?”

Tabitha nodded, so minutely that only Yuela's razor sharp eyes could take note of it.

“How big is it?”

“It's really big.”

“. . . Fine.”

Yuela allowed herself to take in a single, calming breath.

And then she jumped.

No, she somersaulted.

In a display of acrobatics that stunned Mireille to the core, Yuela Vlinder demonstrated the kind of stationary mid-air roll which would put medal-winning gymnasts out of work. Her prim, blonde hair rushed forwards. Her perfectly aligned skirt flipped. Her lethal bow was drawn.

Arrow notched in the blink of an eye, Yuela Vlinder prepared a magnificent reverse volley while traversing the proverbial skies.

“I won't let my . . . huh?”

And then she promptly landed on her feet.

The silence afforded to her only lasted a microsecond.

“Aahahaahaahahahhaahahahaahahaaha!!!”

“What is wrong with you?!”

Stomping her foot into the ground, Yuela yelled in stricken embarrassment at Tabitha. Her face was painted the colour of molten lava.

“Ahahaha! Ahahahha!”

“So infantile! So childish! Read the mood! Why would you do that?! Do you have no shame?!”

“Ahahahahahahahaha!”

“Stop! Stop laughing! Stop laughing at once!”

“Thank you . . . ahaha . . . thank you so much . . . I . . . hah . . . I finally know the answer to whether or not you're wearing rich girls' panties . . . !”

Yuela's foot squeezed the dirt as though it were Tabitha's head.

“Burn in the scorching flames of Armageddon, you abominable woman! How childish can you be?!”

“Yes. I'm sorry . . . ahaha . . I'm . . . haaah . . . I'm sorry, that was immature of me . . . hah . . . but seriously, where did you learn those acrobatics? The circus? Ahaha . . . that was amazing . . . and your bow! Ah, where did the arrow come from? Hah . . . what a trick! Oh, and the way you leapt . . . haah . . . ahh . . . you looked so cool . . . I wish I could be half as—ack.”

All of a sudden, Tabitha choked on her own words. The laughter guillotined, her face went blue and her eyes wide as she struggled to point behind Yuela.

“—Yuela . . . ick . . . run.”

“What? What is it now?”

“R-Run . . .”

“What?! Do you think I'm an imbecile?! I will not fall for the same woeful trick twice in a row!”

Tabitha hurriedly fell back, all the while struggling to dislodge the cries stuck in her throat.

“Yuela . . . run! Run away now!”

“Tch . . . !”

And then she jumped.

No, she flew.

In the second most wonderful display of acrobatics that Mireille had ever seen, Yuela Vlinder skipped several metres in a display that would put medal-winning long jumpers out of work. As she rushed forwards, she drew her bow to shoot behind her shoulder.

Arrow notched in the blink of an eye, Yuela Vlinder yet again prepared a magnificent reverse volley.

And then—

“Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

“Aaaauuggghhh!!”

There was no embarrassment. No shame. Only hatred and self-loathing. Rage filled every inch of Yuela's refined face as she pulled her hands into fists, but they looked more likely to hit herself than the one who had tricked her.

However, even throughout the pantomime show, Mireille could feel the unease that had troubled her now begin to rear its head in full. And as she witnessed the teasing shafts of sunlight begin to flicker and falter, she became painfully aware of the fact that were was more than one entrance into the crevice.

They were walking back the way they came, so why was the amount of light not returning? They hadn't loitered long enough for the sun to have drastically moved. Heading in the opposite direction, the narrow slit atop the passage roof should have opened up to the elements.

That is, unless something was blocking the light.

“Um, excuse me . . .” she said, keeping her voice perfectly level. “Don't make any loud noises or sudden movements when I tell you this, okay? But there's—”

“Oh, please,” said Yuela, directing all of her inner agony towards her. “Not you, too, Mirielle. For the love of all things sensible, don't follow Tabitha's example.”

“Yeah, Mirielle,” she readily agreed. “Don't follow in my footsteps. Let me be delinquent enough for the both of us. Seriously, I'm a bad influence.”

“And we're both looking at each other. We can see there's nothing behind us.”

“Mm, mm. If you wanna best me, you need to wait until I'm not expecting it.”

Suddenly, the passageway was lit as Coco began to emit a faint glow. Rather than a precious jewel atop a weapon, as was the case with Tabitha, a twinkling that was almost alive in its movement began to circle and envelop her body, rapidly becoming a dazzling, prismatic aura.

Her words were simple and concise.

“Prepare for combat.”

And then Tabitha noticed the direction both she and Mireille were gazing.

She looked up and sighed.

Even as the shadow with eight legs crept towards her, she continued to sigh.

“Ah . . . sweet karma . . . how I loathe thee.”