What 'Lives' Inside

My nose was beginning to grow uncomfortably cold as we explored the wide cavern. I searched high and low for any signs of another exit. I looked up at the ceiling, the dim light of sunset barely visible through the cracks.

Maybe if we just blast those open… No, that might be too destructive.

I hopped down from the short ledge I stood on and headed back to the center of the cave. I waited for my companions to return, the rays of light all but gone now.

I stretched out my hand and focused as hard as I could, trying to force my body to cast an orb. It felt like my body was refusing my mind, and I barely forced the spell to cast before I plopped down beside the shallow pool.

A few minutes passed, and I was beginning to feel antsy. I jumped to my feet and searched the area I'd seen Matthias head to earlier. I walked around a wall of stalactites and found a large crack in the wall. The space looked wide enough for one person to slide through.

I turned to the open cave and looked around.

“Hello, anyone there?”

My voice echoed across the walls. Nothing answered back, and I gently stepped toward the gap.

“He-llooo?”

I listened as my voice traveled through the gap. A sound like a slap against a wall echoed back, and I rushed to slide through.

I don’t know where else they could’ve gone, and that sound definitely wasn’t random. Dammit, why didn’t I call out sooner?

The rough edges of the tight walls scratched against my skin as I slid through. I tried to be gentle and avoid more wounds, but panic was beginning to set in.

I almost fell over as I made my way out. The sound of rushing wind and clattering rocks came from somewhere farther inside the cave, and I began to sprint toward it.

The small orb of light hovered beside me, lighting the now wide tunnel walls. The salt-like walls began to be replaced by stone as I neared the sounds of a conflict.

I stopped abruptly as I found the source of the noise. Standing inside a wide, brightly lit cavern were my two companions. Opposite them was a large bear-like creature with rocky horns and claws. Its body was covered in various scars, and its eyes held no light.

The beast turned its head toward me and growled loudly. The sound caused the ground to shake, followed by the clattering of numerous rocks. I stepped back on instinct, before my body moved to draw my sword.

“Finley, don’t—!”

I held the sword in both of my hands, pointing threateningly at the monster twice my height. It bared its jagged teeth before roaring louder than before. It charged at me before I could comprehend it, and I froze with fear.

No, don’t! Move, move! This isn’t your body to lose!

I threw myself down as the beast neared. It charged over me and crashed into the wall behind. Cold liquid trickled over my hands that still held my sword tightly.

“Velda, get up! Before it recovers!”

I pushed myself up and ran sideways without stopping to catch my breath. My lungs burned as the beast roared again. I hid behind a large rock formation, gasping for air.

I heard sounds of fire behind me as I got my bearings. I noticed blood on my sword and hands.

Blood…? It’s not mine, so it must be…

I remembered how I held the sword still upwards when I ducked beneath the beast. I realized I must’ve struck its body as it ran past.

But this blood is cold. Unless it’s a cold-blooded creature, that could mean…

I peered around the rock to see Matthias still holding his ground against the bloodied beast. Its soulless black eyes were unmoving, and I noticed the extensive amount of wounds covering its body from head to tail.

I spotted Vivian quietly making her way around the rocks toward me. I moved to meet her halfway, trying to avoid the beast’s indiscernible gaze.

“Miss Velda, your hands!”

“Don’t worry, it’s not mine. It’s that thing’s.”

Relief washed over her expression, and I peered over the rock we hid behind.

“Vivian, does something seem… off about that creature to you?”

“Yes, but my knowledge is limited. My current assumption… is that it is undead.”

I looked down at the girl with widened eyes before nodding.

“That’s what I feared.”

I heard Matthias make a pained sound and stood up quickly to check on the battle. Matthias was clutching his right arm, which began to drip with blood. A queasiness set in, and I jumped over the rock.

“Miss Velda, wait!”

I ignored my companion’s cries as I charged at the beast. Its head turned my way, and I removed the axe from my hip. The beast lowered its head and began to charge toward me.

I slowed my steps slightly as it neared. The beast’s head tilted as it bared its teeth, aiming to capture me within its jaws.

I jumped with full force, throwing myself on top of the beast’s back. The beast growled as I tightened my hold on its matted fur, resisting the beast’s attempts to throw me off. I forced my axe into a place between its shoulder blades and swung my body around to sit on its back.

“Matthias!”

My companion stepped back as the beast took a swing at him with its paw. He looked up between sidesteps as he retreated.

“This thing, it’s a zombie. Normal attacks won’t do anything!”

“You think I haven’t figured that out already?”

The beast swerved in another attempt to shake me off. I flew forward and grabbed its horns to keep myself from flying off.

“If you figured it out, then why haven’t you done anything? Don’t you know a spell or two that can stop this thing?!”

The beast thrashed about, forcing me to keep a death grip on its head. The beast lowered its head and swiped at me with its paw. I looked over at Matthias, who dropped his bow and watched the beast with wavering eyes.

“If I do something, there’s a chance I might hit you too.”

I tightened my hold on the bear’s horns.

Right. We both know what’ll happen if this body gets caught in the crossfire.

“Matthias, you know I won’t let that happen.”

Matthias’s eyes went wide as he looked up at me and clenched his fists. I nodded and shifted my weight.

“You… you better be telling the truth, or I’ll find a way to get rid of you myself!”

I nodded with determination and received one of Matthias’s regular sighs in return. I readied myself as I watched him prepare a spell.

Matthias stretched out his right hand, and it became engulfed in an orb of bright white light. The beast changed its focus from me to the man standing beside it. It readied itself to lunge at Matthias.

The beast’s horns and claws grew slightly as it pushed itself forward. I felt my hands slip and my body waver. A blinding light spilled out from Matthias’s extended hand, and I took that as my sign to move. I let go of the horns, letting myself be thrown off as the beast lunged at Matthias.

A bright blast of light shot out of Matthias’s hand as I hit the ground. I rushed to lift myself up, a sharp pain shooting through my right shoulder, and scrambled away. The blast hit the beast and filled the small cave with blinding light. The beast roared a final time before the cave was filled with the sound of gentle wind.

I blinked repeatedly to refocus my vision, the cave coming back into view. The beast’s body— at least what was left of it— lay at the center of the cave. I sat on the cold, rough ground as I steadied my heartbeat. My body ached from the stress. I took in a deep breath and relaxed my muscles.

I can tell Finley worked hard to put this body in shape. If it wasn’t for her determination, I’d be in more pain right now. Or worse.

I heard hurried footsteps approaching from my left. I turned my head as Vivian arrived by my side. She looked me over, no doubt to check for any life-threatening injuries.

“Are you alright, Miss?”

I stood up and dusted myself off. Matthias walked over, his hair tousled from the power of the spell he cast.

“I’m still in one piece. How about you, magic man?”

“Fine, just a bit drained. I haven’t done anything like that in a long while.”

He patted down his hair as he spoke. I could see a shimmer of something in his eyes, and it made me smile.

~

We exited the cave through a short tunnel that the beast had been blocking. My companions, although still a bit disheveled, walked ahead of me as I replaced the axe on my waist.

I can’t let any part be lost or destroyed. Not a single hair will be cut. I promise, Finley, it will be like you never left.

The night sky greeted us, accompanied by the gentle whispers of cold winds. The moon hovered at our right, bathing light across the eerie forest. A deer ran past, before being struck down by a spear of light.

“It is my turn to feed us, is it not?”

Vivian turned to us with an awkward smile. He closed his squinted eyes and patted the girl’s head.

“Right. Thank you.”

I watched the two enter the thickets and retrieve our meal. I sighed and clutched my aching right shoulder before moving to look for a proper campsite. Bats chirped as they flew from the trees. I pushed aside the thick leaves of tall bushes, and a haunting sight came into view.

An almost pristine white-walled mansion, which was missing chunks and covered in dust inside, stood a short distance away. Rays of moonlight reflected on the shattered stained glass windows.

Whoa.