Escape Through the Caves

“Come on. We need to get out of here. Before that snake can bring reinforcements.” Aster looks around the irregularly shaped cave, noting the different entryways. “The roof caved in behind me after I changed and got too big for the tunnel. So we have to find another way out.” He walks to each opening, sniffs the air, then points to the one closest to her cage. “The air from here is slightly fresher, so it should take us outside.”

“Let’s do it. I can’t wait to see the sky again.”

Getting out is nearly as nightmarish as being dragged in had been. Most of the time they’re crawling on all fours; sometimes, they need to wiggle forward like worms in the dark, but there are a few blessed places where they can stand up and walk. But even there, the walls of the cave press close, suffocating, the smell of damp dirt and minerals making her nauseous. As if she wasn’t already weak enough after her time in captivity. Willing her stomach to behave, she somehow manages to keep up with Aster. Not that anyone can move fast down here.

At least it’s not pitch black, as she’d feared. Luminous moss or fungus covers parts of the walls and ceiling, creating an eerie light, just enough to see by. In the parts where it doesn’t grow, Aster creates a small fireball. Large enough to provide light, hopefully not large enough to give away their position to any enemies or other predatory creatures inhabiting this dark maze.

The tunnel they’re in widens into a fair-sized cave. Some light is reflecting off the damp walls and ceiling, but the shadows between the many stalactites are deep. Anything could be hidden among them, or behind the stalacmites rising from the uneven ground, so they proceed cautiously.

“Are we still heading upward?” Diane asks. She’s long since given up on keeping track of their turns, of which way they’re going, trusting Aster’s judgement. And his nose. She wrinkles hers in disgust. “The air here is nasty.”

“We are. There’s still a current of fresher air coming through. But you’re right. Something in here smells vile.”

A wet, slithering sound halts them both. Rats? No, it’s a slick, dragging noise, like a wet sack being dragged across stone. Snakes? She prays it’s not. She’s seen enough of those for a lifetime. Something massive shifts in the shadows. Another sound, an odd gurgling, like something trying to move through deep mud.

They press forward, Aster’s sword at the ready. Halfway into the cave Diane sees them, and almost gags.

Slugs! Three enormous slugs, each the size of a horse, creep forward on the walls, their bloated bodies glistening with slime. Fleshy antennae with beady eyes at their tips wave in the air until they’re all fixed in their direction. Aster shoves Diane behind him as the slugs approach, slowly but purposefully. Eagerly. Hungrily. Their maws gape open, lined with rows and rows of jagged, grinding teeth. Short but powerful, made for rasping through flesh and bone alike.

“My god,” Diane breathes. How can something like this even exist?

One slug lunges with surprising speed, but Aster is ready, his blade biting deep into the rubbery beast. A jet of black ichor sprays the ground, bubbling as it touches stone. Acid? The slug recoils, shrieking. It’s a bone-chilling, high-pitched sound no slug should ever be able to make. It falls on its side, body spasming, attracting the attention of the other two. They home in on their fallen packmate, maws attaching to its body with a sickening slurping sound.

Diane retches, doubling over as bile fills her mouth, but Aster grabs her hand. Urges her to move.

“Come on, this is our chance. Run.”

They bolt for the opening on the far side of the cave. More shapes detach from the darkness, lured in by the commotion and smell of what passes for the slug’s blood. A slithering mass homes in on them just as they reach the narrow passage. A passage in which the slugs will be able to move much faster than they can. There are so many of them. Too many.

Aster steps forward, sword glistening darkly with the acidic blood.

“No, there are too many,” Diane tries to drag him with her, knowing that they won’t stand a chance, whatever they do.

“You go. I’ll hold them off.” The determination in his voice makes her chest hurt, and she looks around, desperately for a way out. For both of them..

“I won’t leave you!”

“You must! I will not fail you again."

“No, I have an idea.” She grabs his shoulder and points up. He looks puzzled for a second, then he grins.

“Good thinking. But you still go first.”

Diane hurries into the tunnel, but stops just a few steps in, close enough to the entrance that she can see Aster. He chops the antennae of the slugs that have ventured too close, then a fireball appears, hovering over his hand. A large one.

He hurls it upward, and it explodes just as he dives inside the tunnel, crashing into her. A couple of slugs poke their gross faces inside, then everything shakes. With a deafening sound, part of the ceiling crashes down, sharp stone cones impaling the slugs before they’re covered in rocks, dust, and debris. Then the entrance is gone, and everything grows quiet.

Diane leans against the wall, ears ringing, while her heart pounds like it wants out of her chest.

“I hope that’s the last of them. What are they?”

“Not sure. Dead?” He chuckles, but it’s a hollow, joyless laugh.

“Let’s hope so. If I never see one again, it’ll be too soon.”

“I agree. We can rest for a bit, make sure the ceiling has stabilized before we…” A chopping, grinding, munching sound reaches through the stones and he freezes. “Or we hurry on. With emphasis on hurry.”

“Agreed,” she says. “The faster we get away, the better.”

He grabs her hand and pulls her to her feet. How can anything have survived that? And chew through stone? With the grating sound following them, Aster and Diane continue up the tunnel. Soon, even she can feel the upward slope and whiffs of fresh air. Still, it feels like hours before they together push a large boulder out of the way and emerge from the caves to stand under the naked sky again.

Thank god. They look up at twinkling stars and a pale moon, taking deep breaths of fresh air. They’re on a slope, surrounded by trees. Diane’s knees are shaking from exhaustion and she sinks to the ground, leaning against a solid trunk.

“I don’t suppose you have any water on you?”

“Afraid not. And there are no fruit trees in sight. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We’re safe.” She sighs. “But I could really use a cup of coffee right now.” Or water, or one of those ‘peaches’. “I don’t look forward to going down this hill in the dark, but I guess we can’t linger.”

“No, we’re both tired, but they’ve most likely discovered your escape by now.” He gives her a hand and pulls her to her feet.

“Wait. Coffee!” How could she have forgotten? She might not have actual coffee, but she has… “Coffee Boost,” she exclaims, placing both palms on Aster’s chest, smiling a bit smugly as he gasps.

“Wow,” he says. “Now I understand why you miss your coffee potion so much. This is amazing.”

“It’s the revunitaion spell I told you about. Back when…” she grows quiet. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean to…”

“Don’t be. I was behaving badly. I’m sorry too, Di-Di. It’s just that seeing you always makes me feel… strange. Confused. And with everything going on, I chose the coward’s way.” He hangs his head until she reaches out to touch his chin. Di-Di? He has a nickname for her? It’s almost as big an energy boost as her spell, and she smiles up at him.

“It seems neither of us was at our best behaviour. We’ll do better from now on. Right?”

“Yes. But some things… some things we can’t change.”

“Those last lines you cited. The prophecy… They were predicting your marriage, right?”

“Yes. And, they’re clear enough that it’s impossible to argue against them. And the mystics.”

That doesn’t mean she can’t try, but this isn’t the time. She quickly uses the spell on herself, feeling the fatigue melt away. It isn’t healing, but it helps. They can rest properly once they’re safe.

“Let’s go. Do you know the way?” She looks around as if she knows what she’s doing. She doesn’t. “Are we even on the right side of the wall, or do we need to climb it?”

“I think we’re on the right side. If not, we’ll have to risk making a run for the gate.” He looks around too, sniffs the air. “Okay, we need to move fast. So the plan is… The plan is that you ride me.”

“What?”

“I know that’s not what you want, but the fact is that there’s no way you can get down this slope in the dark. Or outrun our enemies, should they find us. A maelruk has excellent night vision, and this is their natural terrain.”

“It’s okay. You’re right. It’s our only chance.” She places a hand on his arm, then frowns. “But do not tell that cousin of yours. I can just imagine all the jokes and taunts he’ll come up with.”

“Promise.” He laughs, then shimmers, and the now familiar cat-bear, no, maelruk, stands in his place. A cold nose pokes her until she awkwardly climbs onto his back. He takes a few steps, then stops, looking back at her, questioning.

“It’s fine. Just go before they come. I’ll hold on.” Diane leans forward, taking a solid grip of the thick fur, resisting the urge to touch a soft tufted ear.

He makes a purring sound, then takes off into the night. Soft paws making no sound on the firm ground as they disappear into the darkness.