The two hunters could easily be considered 'blade brothers' as they soared from the lower chute into the large chamber, directed at the group Elariel and Solarius affected first. Both Tae'loren and Ae'oleth growled like feral beasts, dancing silently across the cold, bloody  stone floor, glaives singing softly even as they sliced and severed flesh and bone. While Ae'oleth probably didn't care what the blood elves thought of what they saw, Tae'loren was relieved that the spells were cast successfully, and not at the duo, for those that they were dispatching were not simply fel creatures, but they were also corrupted orcs and blood elves.<br/><br/>The room they were engaged in was a large laboratory, a fel pit in the center with at least twelve subject tables connected to it. The walls were lined with experimenting apparatuses that appeared to be in permanent and constant use, covered in fresh blood and some sort of chemical. There was only one entrance and exit to the large room, which was a large steel door, double barred and double locked with a sliding panel at eye level. A putrid stench of chemical decay wafting through the room, and the opening chute seemed to be the only thing allowing airflow.<br/><br/>Tae'loren was thankful for the company of the mages, for even though there were only eight experimenters, the spells created fantastic confusion and panic, the experimenters running into each other, into walls, or simply falling where they stood. Ae'oleth seemed perfectly content to cut down every one that he encountered, and it was his right, for it was likely these types of individuals that made him what he is now. Tae'loren, however, was not so quick to deliver killing blows, hoping that maybe one of them would ask for mercy or a chance to escape. Sadly, there was no such attempt, and soon there were eight neatly diced corpses on the floor, not that anyone would be able to differentiate the experimenters from the subjects.<br/><br/>Softly the two hunters' chests rose and fell as they stood among the carnage, looking about, ensuring that those that were supposed to be dead were dead. After a few moments they returned to the chute, helping the mages out one by one. Ae'oleth walked the mages over to the central circular fel pit, and when queried regarding tapping the magic, he simply pointed.<br/><br/>“That has a direct connection to the primary fel magic powering this place. Be wary, though, for it is also a direct link to several fel demons.”<br/><br/>In the meantime, Tae'loren had opened the sliding panel on the door, ensuring that the commotion had not traveled beyond the room. If it had, there were no signs of concern or investigation. A discussion amongst the mages drew the hunter's attention, and he soon joined Ae'oleth. There was talk of one of the mages joining them, to which the hunters both began shaking their heads.<br/><br/>“No. We function best when we can fight back to back. Besides, while the rest of you are casting, you will need someone to protect you while we are out in the halls checking for those that may still want their freedom.”<br/><br/>As though to indicate the matter closed, Ae'oleth walked towards the tables, inspecting each subject grimly. Of the twelve, only two night elves, an orc, and two blood elves could be saved in the room, and even then, they may not make it back to Wildhammer Stronghold. Tae'loren joined his fellow hunter, looking from the bodies to him and back.<br/><br/>“Are those the only ones?” “The only ones? This is better than we could have hoped; they have been newly added here and may survive being moved.” Ae'oleth removed several vials from his satchel, pouring the liquid contents into each of the subjects' mouths. There was no visible change in their condition, save for a slightly more steady breathing rate. Tae'loren looked over to Ae'oleth inquiringly. “It will steady their souls and purge the fel taint; this would not work on someone like me.” Ae'oleth looked regretfully at the vials before casting them away, turning now to the mages.<br/><br/>“Protect them. If you must, dump them into the chute; even if we are not able to take them with us, better to die that way than strapped to these tables again.” The demon hunter then moved to the steel door, waiting for Tae'loren. Tae'loren paused before joining Ae'oleth, turning for the first time to address Roe'nor and Neras.<br/><br/>“I know you don't like me, and I accept that. Please understand, though, that you are not safe here. Ae'oleth and I will not be gone long, which means you do not have long to cast. Place any wards within five feet of the door, for Ae'oleth and myself will not advance into the room further than that. If by chance you are engaged before we return, take your kin and the orc and flee; they do not deserve to suffer this way any longer, and despite our differences, you do not deserve to know their agony.” The hunter then offered a few ancient signs of good will in Highborne to the two aged elves, then to the other four he smiled and dipped his head respectfully. Then he was beside Ae'oleth, and the two were exiting the room, the door closing softly behind them.<br/><br/>Tae'loren thought about Elariel constantly, fearful that she would not leave this cursed place. “Fear is not becoming of you, my brother.” Ae'oleth didn't even look at Tae'loren as he spoke, knowing his thoughts like his own thoughts. “Where are we going?” “To the barracks.” Tae'loren stopped a moment in the silent corridor, taking hold of Ae'oleth. “Why?” “That is where the new recruits are, and we need to get them out, if we can.” “How? We can't possibly carry that many.” Before Tae'loren had finished speaking, Ae'oleth had produced a miniature door statue. “This was made by a gnome mage visiting the stronghold some time back. She said that it was a doorway synchronized to the stronghold, that I only set it down and it would become a gateway.” Tae'loren started to smile, but stopped. “Hold. What about the mages? How will they know we've used the doorway?” “Because I will return to inform them while you begin sending the recruits through the gateway.” Tae'loren finished his smile. “Lead on, my friend.”<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>