Twenty Kilometers Northeast - Dawn
The expedition left Draven's Reach before sunrise, a column of bronze and human determination moving through terrain that had known only abandonment for decades. Kael rode at the front on a mechanical mount, one of Chen's experimental designs that combined horse-like mobility with RCSF durability. Behind him, thirty RCSF units marched in perfect formation, their amber eyes scanning constantly for threats.
Elena commanded the human contingent, forty militia volunteers who had proven themselves during weeks of intensive training. They moved with discipline that would have been impossible a month ago, carrying weapons that bore the mark of Chen's manufacturing facility and wearing armor that combined bronze plating with flexible leather.
Kira brought up the rear with her survey equipment loaded on three automated carts, devices that looked like mechanical beetles designed by someone who understood both beauty and function. She consulted her instruments constantly, making minor adjustments to their heading as they approached the target location.
"How much further?" Elena asked, moving her own mount alongside Kael's. The mechanical horses were Chen's pride, requiring no food or rest while matching the speed and agility of living animals.
"Three kilometers," Kael replied, studying the rocky hills that rose ahead. "The mine entrance should be in the valley between those two peaks. According to historical records, the dwarves sealed it with both physical barriers and magical wards after the corruption incident."
"Two hundred years is a long time. Seals could have degraded."
"Exactly what I'm counting on. If the wards were still at full strength, we wouldn't be able to approach within a kilometer without experiencing magical interference." Kael pulled up data on his wrist-mounted display, a hybrid device that showed both magical signature readings and conventional sensor data. "But I'm reading negligible ward strength. Time and entropy have done what we need."
The valley opened before them, a slash of shadow between stone faces that bore the scars of ancient excavation. The mine entrance was exactly where the records indicated, a massive bronze door thirty feet tall carved with dwarven script and warning symbols that needed no translation. Skulls. Crossed hammers. The universal language of "stay away or die."
"Cheerful," Elena observed.
Kael dismounted, approaching the door with Kira and Chen, who had insisted on joining despite his age making the journey difficult. The engineer studied the dwarven work with professional appreciation, running his hands over inscriptions that had survived two centuries with minimal degradation.
"Beautiful engineering," Chen murmured. "The precision of these joins, the way they've integrated structural support with decorative elements. This isn't just a door, it's art."
"It's also opened before," Kira noted, pointing to marks in the accumulated dust. "Recently. Within the past year, I'd estimate. Someone's been here."
Kael examined the tracks, seeing what she meant. Boot prints, human-sized, leading both to and from the entrance. "Scavengers, probably. Looking for anything valuable the dwarves left behind."
"Did they get in?" Elena asked, hand moving to her sword.
"No." Kael indicated the door's intact seals. "These wards are weakened but still functional. Only someone with specific dwarven attunement or overwhelming magical power could have breached them. Scavengers would have either been repelled or killed by residual protections."
He placed his palm against the bronze surface, channeling energy through enhanced pathways Earth's sacred sites had helped him develop. The wards recognized power, if not specifically dwarven heritage, and began to unravel. Ancient mechanisms groaned to life, and the massive door split along its center line.
Darkness breathed out from within, carrying the scent of stone and something else. Something wrong. The kind of smell that made hindbrain instincts scream warnings about danger that couldn't be seen but could definitely kill.
"RCSF units first," Kael commanded. "Standard exploration formation. Human personnel maintain distance until initial survey complete."
Twenty RCSF units entered the mine, their amber eyes providing illumination that pushed back darkness without fully conquering it. The remaining ten units formed defensive perimeter around the entrance, protecting the human contingent from any external threats that might be attracted by their presence.
Kael watched through mental connection, seeing what the RCSF units saw as they descended into the earth. The entrance tunnel was massive, designed for the industrial extraction the dwarves had practiced before everything went wrong. Bronze tracks still ran along the floor, designed for ore carts that would never roll again.
"Two hundred meters in," Argus reported through the communication system. "Structural integrity excellent. Air quality breathable but high particulate content. No immediate threats detected."
They descended. The tunnel opened into the first major excavation chamber, a space large enough to house the palace throne room twice over. Equipment remained where miners had abandoned it, tools and carts and mechanisms for breaking stone, all coated in dust thick enough to qualify as archaeological layer.
"It's like they left intending to return," Elena observed as human personnel entered the chamber. "Nothing's packed away properly. Everything's just dropped where it was."
"They didn't have time for proper evacuation," Kael replied. "The corruption happens fast once it reaches critical mass. You have minutes, maybe hours, between first symptoms and complete breakdown of rational thought."
Kira activated her survey equipment, more sophisticated instruments than anything the dwarves had possessed. Display screens showed three-dimensional mapping of the mine structure, tunnels extending down through multiple levels like roots seeking water.
"The main deposit is on the fourth level," she reported. "Approximately eight hundred meters below current position. Magical signature is strong but contained, suggesting the ore is still in primary formation rather than dispersed through surrounding rock."
"Contain
ment seals?" Kael asked.
"Present but degraded. I'd estimate forty percent effectiveness remaining. Not enough to prevent corruption entirely but sufficient to slow it significantly." Kira adjusted her readings. "We'll need to be careful. Extended exposure even to weakened corruption could affect judgment."
Chen distributed protective equipment, devices that combined magical shielding charms with physical filtration masks. "These should provide six hours of protection. After that, we need to rotate personnel out or risk exposure."
The descent continued through levels that told the story of dwarven mining operations. The second level showed organized extraction, careful removal of ore while leaving structural supports intact. The third level showed more aggressive excavation, desperation visible in the way supporting pillars had been cut too thin.
The fourth level showed where everything had gone wrong.
The Corruption Zone
The temperature dropped ten degrees as they entered the lowest excavation chamber. Kael's breath misted in air that shouldn't have been this cold, not this deep in the earth where geothermal processes should have warmed everything to uncomfortable levels.
The crystal deposit dominated the far wall, a seam of material that glowed with sick purple light. Mana crystals normally shone blue or white, pure magical energy given physical form. These were wrong, the color of bruises and infection, pulsing with rhythms that suggested something alive.
"Mother of gods," Chen whispered. "There's enough here to power the entire city for a year. Maybe more."
"There's also enough corruption to drive everyone in Draven's Reach mad if we're not careful," Kael countered. "Argus, analysis?"
"Scanning." The AI's voice came through with unusual hesitation, as if even artificial intelligence could be disturbed by what it observed. "Corruption signature matches historical records but with evolved characteristics. Original dwarven corruption was primarily magical. This has developed physical component, crystalline structure altered at molecular level. Recommend extreme caution."
Elena pointed to the ground near the crystal seam. Bones. Dwarven, based on the size and structure. Multiple skeletons, some still wearing the remains of mining equipment.
"They stayed," she said quietly. "Even after the evacuation order, some stayed to try to contain it."
Kael approached the remains, feeling respect for miners who had recognized the danger and chosen to die fighting it rather than let corruption spread. Their skeletons showed the effects of extended exposure, bones warped and distorted, mutations visible even in death.
"We're not going to let their sacrifice be meaningless," he said. "Kira, Chen, begin sample extraction. Minimum amounts, maximum safety protocols. I want to test the purification process before we attempt large-scale mining."
The next two hours were exercise in careful methodology. Chen had designed extraction tools that combined mechanical precision with magical isolation, cutting samples while preventing corruption from spreading. Each crystal sample was immediately placed in containment vessels, triple-walled containers that used physical barriers, magical seals, and chemical neutralization to prevent contamination.
They collected twelve samples, ranging from thumbnail-sized fragments to fist-sized chunks. Enough to test purification theories without depleting the deposit significantly.
"Sample twelve secured," Chen reported, sealing the final containment vessel. "Recommend immediate withdrawal before protective equipment reaches time limit."
The withdrawal was disciplined, no panic but no delays either. They ascended through levels with RCSF units maintaining rear guard, alert for any signs of the mutations that had killed the original miners.
Halfway up, they found evidence that scavengers had been more successful than Kael had initially assessed. A side tunnel, not on any historical map, had been excavated through softer rock to bypass the main entrance seals. The tunnel showed recent use, footprints in the dust leading deeper into the mine.
"Someone found another way in," Elena observed. "Question is, did they find another way out?"
They followed the bootprints deeper into the side tunnel, RCSF units taking point. The passage was crude, lacking the precision of dwarven work, suggesting it had been cut by people desperate enough to ignore proper safety considerations.
The tunnel opened into a small chamber where the scavengers had made camp. Bedrolls, food supplies, mining tools modified for crystal extraction. And bodies. Three of them, dead for months based on the decay, their corpses showing the characteristic mutations of crystal corruption.
"They came for the crystals," Kael said, studying the scene. "Got exposed to corruption, didn't realize the danger until it was too late. Died trying to escape."
One body still clutched a bag of corrupted crystals, the kind of haul that would have made a scavenger wealthy. Kael opened the bag carefully, examining contents through protective gloves.
"Twenty small crystals, all heavily corrupted." He resealed the bag. "Collect these as well. We need to understand the full spectrum of corruption, not just the primary deposit samples."
They emerged from the mine as afternoon sun reached its peak, the transition from underground darkness to surface light harsh enough to make human eyes water. Kael sealed the entrance behind them, reactivating wards and adding additional protections of his own design.
"Nobody else goes down there," he ordered. "Not until we've tested purification methods and established comprehensive safety protocols. That deposit killed dwarven miners with centuries of experience. I won't let it kill our people through carelessness."
The Return Journey
The expedition made camp five kilometers from the mine entrance, far enough to avoid any residual corruption effects. Chen immediately began preliminary analysis of the samples, setting up portable laboratory equipment with the focused intensity of someone who had found his life's work.
Kael joined him, watching as the first crystal sample went through scanning processes that combined Earth analytical techniques with Eldros magical assessment.
"Fascinating," Chen murmured, studying readouts. "The corruption operates on multiple levels simultaneously. Physical alteration of the crystal lattice structure. Magical resonance disruption. And something else, something that affects consciousness directly."
"The dwarves called it resonance madness," Kael said. "Exposure to corrupted crystals creates feedback loop with neural activity. The crystal resonates with brain patterns, amplifying certain processes while disrupting others. Fear becomes terror. Suspicion becomes paranoia. Anger becomes rage. All higher cognitive functions degrade until only base instincts remain."
"And your purification method neutralizes this how?"
Kael pulled up his research, Earth chemistry combined with Eldros magical theory in ways that would have baffled practitioners of either discipline. "The corruption is anchored by specific molecular bonds. Break those bonds through targeted chemical intervention, and the physical corruption collapses. Then use magical resonance disruption to clear the energetic component. What remains is pure mana crystal with enhanced properties from the stress it endured during corruption."
"In theory."
"In theory," Kael agreed. "Which is why we test extensively before attempting extraction. I'm not willing to bet lives on unproven methods."
Elena approached with report from the perimeter guards. "RCSF units detected movement three kilometers east. Unknown entities, multiple contacts, moving with coordinated patterns."
Kael's attention shifted instantly from research to tactical assessment. "Argus, analysis?"
"Watcher Unit Seven maintaining visual contact. Entities identified as mutated creatures consistent with prolonged crystal corruption exposure. Count: seventeen. Behavior suggests pack hunting patterns. Current trajectory: toward our position."
"The mutations from the mine," Chen realized. "They're still down there, or some of them are. Probably living in deeper tunnels, surviving on whatever they can find."
"And they just sensed forty humans and thirty RCSF units in their territory," Elena added, hand moving to her sword. "Question is, do they attack or observe?"
The answer came five minutes later when the first mutation crested a ridge overlooking their camp. It had been human once, or dwarven, impossible to tell anymore. The body was twisted, limbs elongated and bent at angles biology shouldn't allow. Crystal growths erupted from its flesh, purple light glowing from within. Its face was worst, recognizably humanoid but distorted, mouth too wide and full of teeth that had been replaced by crystal shards.
It screamed, sound that was equal parts rage and pain and something else. Something that communicated hunger that went beyond physical need.
Sixteen more mutations appeared behind it, a pack of horrors that had once been people and were now something the crystal had made into weapons.
"RCSF units, combat formation," Kael commanded, voice steady despite the nightmare unfolding before them. "Human personnel, secondary line. Engage only if primary line is breached."
The mutations attacked.
The Battle
They came down the ridge in a wave of twisted flesh and crystal growth, moving with speed that should have been impossible for bodies so deformed. The lead mutation launched itself thirty feet through the air, landing among the RCSF units with impact that cracked stone.
Bronze fists met crystal claws. The mutation was fast, stronger than human, driven by hunger and madness. But the RCSF units were faster, stronger, and completely unaffected by the fear that would have paralyzed organic soldiers.
The first mutation died in seconds, bronze hands crushing its skull, but its death scream brought the rest of the pack charging forward. Seventeen creatures that had been human attacking thirty automatons designed for exactly this kind of combat.
The RCSF units fought with mechanical efficiency, each movement calculated for maximum effectiveness. They targeted joints, structural weakpoints, crushing mutations with overwhelming force. But the creatures were resilient, crystal corruption making them difficult to kill. One mutation continued fighting even after losing both arms, attacking with crystal growths erupting from its chest.
"Elena, left flank!" Kael shouted, seeing three mutations trying to circle around the RCSF defensive line.
Elena and her elite guards intercepted them, blades enhanced with magical resonance designed specifically for this kind of enemy. The mutations were strong but undisciplined, attacking with bestial fury rather than tactical coordination. Professional soldiers with proper weapons cut them down methodically.
Kael himself engaged when a mutation broke through the line, his enhanced reflexes and strength allowing him to match the creature's supernatural capabilities. It was fast, but he was faster, Earth training combined with Eldros enhancement creating combat style the mutation couldn't counter. He ducked crystal claws, deflected attacks with armored gauntlets, and put his sword through its chest when it overextended.
The mutation died, purple light fading from its eyes, and in that moment of death Kael saw recognition. Human consciousness trapped in corrupted body, aware of what it had become, grateful for the mercy of ending.
The battle lasted eight minutes. Seventeen mutations destroyed, scattered bodies showing what crystal corruption did to prolonged exposure. RCSF losses: three units damaged, one severely enough to require complete rebuilding. Human casualties: four wounded, none critically, all from soldiers who had engaged against orders.
Kael walked among the mutation corpses, forcing himself to look at what they had been. Young miners, probably. People who had ventured into the mine seeking wealth and found only corruption.
"Burn them," he ordered. "Completely. I don't want any residual corruption spreading from the remains."
As the bodies burned and purple smoke rose into evening sky, Kael made his decision.
"The mine stays sealed. We'll extract what we need through careful excavation, but this isn't just a resource operation anymore. It's a containment situation. Those mutations prove the corruption is still active, still spreading. We mine carefully or we don't mine at all."
Chen nodded slowly. "The samples we have should be sufficient for testing. If purification works, we can develop proper procedures before attempting larger extraction."
"And if it doesn't work?" Elena asked.
"Then we find another way," Kael replied, watching purple smoke dissipate. "I didn't spend thirteen years preparing to make the same mistakes the dwarves did. We move forward carefully, or we don't move forward at all."