Few people know, but while the Defenders of Ikazkan and the Fire of Civilization were butting heads over control of the Mineral Rivers, and Dorian was trying to carry out a task for the mysterious Raura while also trying to pacify the vicious, furiously-sad Shadow, Hatharaith went AWOL to explore the abyss, pursuing goals quite obvious to anyone who knew him closely (or even not so closely). With him on this journey went Zlyuka and Lyazhka. With the former, he had developed quite specific relations during recent events, and the latter he simply convinced that staying in Kaen's community was unsafe and that with him her chances of keeping her life and health would be higher. After all, all the other members of their squad were already feeding the worms, and despite his brutal methods, he had never touched her, right? And so, the so-called "Object 404" appeared before their eyes. With the support of his two friends, armed with his feelings and the skill of "appropriation," Hatharaith finally conveys his passion to the mute monster. She accepts it. Her acidic saliva would repel anyone, but he enjoys it. With every intimate movement, her single horn threatens to deprive him of his second eye, but he deftly avoids it. Her sharp claws scratch his back, and snakes bite at his skin. Touching her scales is as pleasant as touching smooth skin. He is inside her and happy. As he has never been. Closing and opening his eyelid once more, he sees that his beloved's face has changed slightly. More precisely — the head itself is gone, and behind where it should have been stood a stranger resembling a shadow...
A long time passed before the ability to think returned to Hatharaith.
- What the hell... What is wrong with this world?!!
Zlyuka and Lyazhka, standing nearby, remained silent, not knowing what to say. They couldn't care less about the fate of the strange monster, but the sight of a morally crushed comrade (?) was hardly pleasing. Later, all three moved on and found a wounded sord named Rizz. He sat on the ground leaning against the cave wall, serenely chewing on provisions.
- Wow! Were my intentions foreseen?.. Hmm. Looking at you, doesn't seem like it.
- What were you doing here? - Hatharaith drew his bowstring, ready to finish off the sord.
- Hmm! Well, I think at this point there's no point in hiding information, is there? And I wouldn't mind having a chat right now, I've missed conversations, you know?
- Answer!
- You fiery folks think you know everything better than anyone, but it's us locals who know our home far better than you do. There's a weak spot in the abyss — apply a sufficient mass of fire element to it and your base will be gone. I'm strong, you know, but there may well be people stronger than me, whereas coping with a natural disaster is far more difficult.
- Is that so? - Hatharaith released the bowstring, but the arrow hit not Rizz, but the spot next to him. - Zlyuka, patch him up.
- Are you sure? - The question came not from Zlyuka, but from the wounded sord. - What if I repay your kindness by chopping off your own head?
- Don't make me laugh. I have no reason to fear you.
After healing Rizz, Hatharaith's little squad left (receiving from him in gratitude some pretty little key), and Rizz continued his mission — through his efforts, sectors D14, D8, and D4 completely collapsed.
Hatharaith himself reached the so-called "Amber Eye," which blocked the passage further. This strange structure forced everyone who entered it to fight to the death without any possibility of healing. Kicking Lyazhka with his foot inside this arena, Hatharaith followed and easily dealt with her. Passing further, he opened a chest found there, in which he found the following:
A book with drawings and text in an unfamiliar language. Does not break. 
Portrait. Gives +10 to insight if placed in the misc slot, does not break.
The road of nightmares, the end of sweet dreams. Allows the character and their team to leave the underworld without the possibility of returning.
- What a scoundrel and villain you are. - Zlyuka said to Hatharaith when he returned. - Will you do the same to me if the situation calls for it?!
- Don't start. You'd be buried under rocks right now if you hadn't come with me.
Heroist
Злобный Ящур
