A receives the most votes!

I regret to say, that among the two choices, you picked the worst.

Don't worry, this isn't the death trap yet. I admit it was partially my fault, so instead of ending it abruptly, there will be a really, really tragic situation ahead. Prepare yourselves...

(Because you missed the better ending, everyone only receives 1 point instead of 2.)

"Alright, get ready everyone," Vaelyn says, sliding out her fencing swords, "there are lives at stake right now."

Without further ado, you keep away all your belongings are move on to the left turning with the group. Terrin, along with the other Guardians, moves up to the front of the group, cautiously threading on with his raised shield. The rest of the squad members encompass the group from the sides and the back, doing their best to protect the defenceless Geo Knights. That reminds you how many times the Geo Knights have to rely on others in order to stay out of danger. What if you are left alone one day, without anyone to escort you home or to fight your way through?

"... and we're here right now. Is this the void zone you're talking about?" Vaelyn asks with a somewhat puzzled look on her face. The map shows that the troops are right at the edge of the dark spot. Coincidently, even the torch stands ahead are not lighted up.

You nod your head in response, trying to look as confident as possible in front of the lieutenant. Surely, this sort of situation will trouble anyone's mind, regardless of one's experience. One of the most common cases are reported in the Shadow Lair, where the knights' map readings are interrupted and jammed by the Swarm. No one would believe it if a Swarm really does appear behind the darkness ahead.

"I see... As a leader, I'm not one who takes risks easily, but we have to act fast. We shall move now." Vaelyn orders again with full determination.

"Excuse me, lieutenant." Terrin bows before her, "but I assume our situation here shouldn't be taken lightly. I suggest we take it slowly; perhaps we can send in our Recons to scout the area. They will report to you once they are done."

"Excellent, we shall send them in now and wait for their news."

"Very well then. And, aside from that, I wish to accompany them." The other Guardian knights turn to look at Terrin, and you can imagine their eyes popping out of their helmets quizzically. However, true enough, everyone can tell that Terrin is being extremely serious.

"But why, my soldier? You might get yourself into deep trouble!" Vaelyn seems amazed at his request too.

"The danger ahead is too unpredictable. Just in case if the Recons encounter something beyond control, I'll be there to stop it. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Vaelyn contemplates the Guardian carefully, her eyes squinting ever so slightly, probably in admiration. "OK then, bring them along with you." She sweeps her glance towards the Recons, "You're on your own now, comrades. Good luck., you'll need it."

Terrin and the Recons perform a dutiful salute before they start moving. You catch a glance of Terrin saluting you briskly again, but soon he disappears into the darkness, right before you can say goodbye.

[Continued at next chapter]

Moments passed, like the sluggishly slow Clockworks ticking away outside the fortress. The troops have decided to sit down and simply take it easy until the Recons emerge from the void area. Lieutenant Vaelyn grew impatient over time, and right now she's been pacing around far off, trying hard not to show her nervousness to everyone here. You tried scanning the area ahead again and again, but with no results whatsoever. Looks like Terrin and the Recons are indeed on their own.

The dreadful silence is suddenly interrupted by a distant crash, shaking the very floor and the books on the shelf. It wasn't loud, but it felt strong to you.

"What's that?" Vaelyn glances over at the squad.

"It came from that direction..." One of the squad members says, pointing towards the darkness, where the Recons were last seen.

"This is bad... I hope they're alright, with the Guardian with them. We should wait, no one enters the void zone until I say so." Vaelyn continues her pacing, with her right hand grasping on one of her swords tightly. Uneasiness begins to creep upon everyone's mind, and some starts mumble to another fearfully.

Soon after, you hear a faint sound of footsteps. One by one, all of the troops arise to stare into the darkness, hoping that someone would come out and break the news.

You try hard to look past the dark passage, and all you can see are four little figures running towards you with their flashlight on. You remember there are indeed four Recons entering the passage, but the Guardian is nowhere in sight. As soon as they escape out of there, they throw themselves onto the ground exhaustedly, gasping hard for air.

Before anyone has the chance to spit out a question, one of the Recons point out a finger to the passage. "The Guardian... he... he is no more."

Instantly, your heart sinks like stone. Without any hesitation, everyone in the squad charges into the darkness, turning on their flashlights with trembling fingers. You don't even care about the danger ahead right now, all you can think of is to get to Terrin immediately.

The Recon who has been leading the way stretches out his hand to halt the squadron. One beam of light hits something shiny on the floor, and it's unmistakable. It's a full metallic armor set so huge you can probably fit in two knights into it without them fighting for space. The helmet, resembling the symbol of the knights, belonged to a Guardian.

Terrin is down. He is no more.

You can't help but to lean against the gigantic armor, shedding your tears onto the glistening surface. The whole body is so rigid and cold as stone. Even the shield has stopped glowing blue. This had happened exactly to the missing knights before too.

You lift your head up to stare deeper into the passage. What could have done this to him? Could the culprit be out there?

"I'm sorry..." Lieutenant Vaelyn's voice seems slightly muffled, "Abort mission, I repeat, abort mission... we must leave this place. Everybody out, now."

A. Run ahead deeper into the passage. The culprit must be close.
B. Follow Vaelyn's orders. There's no use being emotional now.

Meanwhile, I'm pretty busy for a brief period, so the next chapter will be delayed for about a couple of days or so, but it might come sooner.

But before that, let's wait for more votes to come in and resolve that tie...

Highest votes go to A.