Unbeknownst to them, Klax and Tara had ended up in a very different section of the Griffon's Watch maze from their companions.

In the chamber they awoke in, barely able to see the hole from which they crashed here, A set of cages hung suspended high above a body of water – water dark enough that one could interpret it to be nothing but an undulating void or black magic.

They woke on a small island in the middle of this dead ocean, staring off into the sight of the skeletal remains that littered each cage above them. Beyond, in the far distance, a great sluice gate presented the only obvious doorway forward, deeper into the depths of the dungeon-prison.

Tara was first to wake. She roused her Lycae companion without much effort.

"Shoulda known you wouldn't go down that easily," she murmured as he woke, stretching his bloody limbs.

Both of them then saw the notification in their respective Systems: DELVE: Griffon's Watch (Grade B), FLOOR 1.

"Another Delve," Klax murmured. "I shouldn't be surprised."

"Thought Griffon's Watch was a prison?" Tara asked.

"It has been for at least the last century, but none of us have ever seen it, have we? Nor do any who go in ever come out. It seems now we know why – escaping from a Grade B Delve would test the abilities of any of our kind."

Both of them looked at eachother then, the same thought taking hold.

"And there's only one way to leave a Delve…" Tara said.

Klax nodded. "By killing the Boss."

"And three guesses who that is," Tara moaned, flopping back against the algae covered rocks that sat atop their little island. "Cocky bastard. Not only does he enjoy torturing his prisoners, but he lords himself over them by setting himself up as a Delve Boss, too. Who the hell gives him the right?"

They both knew the answer to that question, too.

Klax shook excess water and dust from his mane, looking over the field of dark waters all around them.

Then his eyes lighted on the sluice gate far beyond.

"We have little choice," he said with a groan of resignation. "If Ethan were here, he could fly us to that gate, and we'd be out of here in a second. As it stands…"

"We're gonna have to make do with what we got," Tara finished. "Sucks when our badass leader ain't around, huh? But, unlike you, I've not gotten sloppy."

Klax eyed her suddenly. "Sloppy?"

"You heard me, dogbreath," Tara replied, a devious smirk curling up her lips. "Ever since Ethan's came along, you've let yourself go. I remember the days when our illustrious leader could punch out a Greycloak's chest if it came to it. But you've gotten old, big guy. Ethan's doing the heavy-liftin' nowadays."

Klax let out a sigh.

"It really is impossible for you to take any situation seriously, isn't it?"

At that moment, a dull echo wailed throughout the entire cavern, piercing the inside of both Hybrids brains:

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Griffon's Watch! The familiar voice cried. Step right up and see the sights. Witness the miracle of creation – birth, rebirth, and beautiful, glorious desolation! Visit long lost friends, or make new ones! Enjoy our hospitality. Here at Griffon's Watch, we aim to please!

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Both Hybrids issued low growls at the air. It was as if, whenever the bastard Doctor talked, you could practically smell him.

Do I detect a hint of frustration? he yelled from somewhere off in the darkness. Come now, you are in a position few get the chance to ever be in! You are looking through the eyes of all your old comrades who once passed through here, soaking and shivering, to their new warm hearth and home. Our accommodation services were provided free of charge, naturally.

"Enough of this!" Klax roared. "Cease your games and give yourself up, Blood Mage. You know the Archon will find you, and when he does –"

Oh, fury, the voice interrupted. Really, is that all you have to offer? I'm giving you a blessing, my good wolf. A chance to look through the eyes of your dear, old flame.

Klax's eyes widened in a way Tara hadn't seen for a long time.

His lips formed her name, but he couldn't even say it.

Yes, dear Klax, the doctor whispered from the mossy rocks themselves. Your darling Jun'Ei. She's in here. Waiting. Interminably waiting. Oh, how she calls for you. How she dances under the moon –

"Silence!" Klax shouted, almost knocking Tara back. "Mention her again, and that name will be the last one to leave your lips!"

Such rage! The Doctor giggled manically. Such…primal urges. And what of you, dear Minxit? Don't you feel the same desire for vengeance down there, wriggling away in your bosom?

Klax turned to her when she didn't reply and was surprised to see a face that was filled with doubt.

…or is there something else in that heart of yours, hmmm? Perhaps something you'd like to share?

Tara almost shrieked when Klax grabbed her hand, and made her look at him.

"Klax, I-"

"He is trying to distract us," the wolfman said. "Know that, whatever he says, I will not heed a single word. He is probably trying the same diversionary tactics with our comrades somewhere else in his vile lair. Do you think they'll fall for it so easily?"

Klax threw his maw to the dripping top of the crag.

"Do you hear me, fiend?! Whatever tricks you've got up your sleeve, go ahead and play them. Get it over with. Have your fun. But know that: no matter what you throw at us, we won't back down and lose trust in each other. If you even understand what that word means, you'll drop this charade now."

Silence reigned in the cave, broken by a few drips of water from the dark stalactites above and eventually by the rumbling of the mad doctor's inane laughter in the depths.

As you wish, he said. Like you say, Lycae, I have my tricks, and you have yours. So let's start this game in earnest. My prize? Two lovely new specimens. Yours? Well…we both know what you want.

The island started to move forward of its own accord, propelled by some hidden force under the black depths. At the same time, the myriad cages above began to lower, slowly, as if they were regularly programmed to dip their charges into the water. Perhaps that is how the prisoners kep in this part of the complex had died. In truth, neither Hybrid cared. All that mattered now was progress. Moving forward. And taking the head from that Doctor's shoulders.

Klax readied his fists and pounded them together, conjuring two flaming auras that danced around them like the fiery lights of vengeance itself.

The cages kept lowering, and now movement could be spotted behind their rusted bars: the skeletal shapes of hybrids long dead, some of their bones fused together with humans and other creatures of Argwyll, began to rise up. Each of their grisly forms cracked and split as they were manipulated – broken limbs elongating or twisting, sharpening and breaking apart to form grisly scythe-like weapons.

Enemies Identified:

Minxit Corpse-Shambler (Level 45) x8

Hopla Corpse-Shambler (Level 45) x10

Lycae Corpse-Devourer (Level 45) x5

Their hollow eyes reflected the determination of their two opponents. By this point, they were level with them.

"Remember," Klax told Tara. "No matter what, stay close. He wants to isolate us. We'll show him that we aren't going to dance to his tune."

Tara shook the anxiety that had gripped her heart a moment ago and stood behind him, back to back, twin daggers unsheathed and brimming with a poisonous radiance.

"Just like old times, wolfman," she said. "Ready to kick some ass?"

The sluice gate suddenly opened as their island passed the first few cages. It began to jar forward at greater speed, the choppy waters beneath carrying them into the depths of the fort.

From beneath their feet, the island lurched, almost knocking them from their positions at each others' backs. A series of arms had suddenly risen from the depths beneath them, their drenched hands gripping for a hold on the mossy stones and dragging their desiccated bodies up with them, wails of agony leaping from their moss-covered mouths.

Drowned Dead (Level 45) x15

Special property: DMG type (HYDRO) IMMUNITY

The drowned bodies crawled towards their prey, awakened by their Master's mental command.

And all at once, every cage opened too, allowing their undead hosts to leap out at the pair.

"Think you can handle this?!" Tara yelled over the monstrous din of their enemies.

Klax simply growled as he charged to take them head on.

"I'll show you who's sloppy!"

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