In Stitches

Theo became immediately on edge as he backed away from the Titanos, with Leo and Cleo getting into a battle stance. To laughed. “I’m kidding. It’s true we don’t like the Rain Wizard who trapped our forefathers, and consequently us, but we know you aren’t directly responsible. Besides, the fact you’re here means you opened the door. It’s been one thousand years, but we weren’t around for that.” The three relaxed their guard as they reached the bottom. There was a large pool of lava beneath them. In front of them, past the pool they saw the red and orange colored walls have well over 50 giant holes built into the wall. Down the middle was a straight hallway leading a giant hole, as big as the one they just came down from. It loomed over the rest of the area. The hallway itself was lined with stalls for food, gambling, and water. Multiple Titanos of charcoal skin and white hair looked at them and gave a dismissive wave, but others had a hopeful smile. The giant arm lowered, curved, then folded into a bridge for them to walk into the area. “Some of them don’t seem very happy…” Cleo muttered, a hint of sadness in her voice. Teo shrugged “Yeah, well being trapped in a lava pit in a mountain doesn’t make too many people happy. But, we got Lava Boars for meat, and there’s an area where water pours from the mountain. We do what we can, but we can do only so much. We’ve been hard at work to get out of here for centuries.”

Theo remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I’m...sorry that happened to you. I can’t imagine.” Teo paused and looked over at him. “You’re kinder than you look. Don’t worry about it. We actually want to help you believe it or not.” Theo looked surprised “Why?” Teo gave him a serious look. “More than a grudge for the Rain Wizard, we want nothing more to see the sky. That can’t be done without you. The Rain Wizard is responsible for it, after all. Follow me. Brothers, check on supplies.” The three brothers nodded and wandered off. Theo, Leo, and Cleo followed silently to the giant hole at the end of the hall. A welcome cool breeze came from inside, but once in, it was anything but welcoming. Ten giant skeletons lined the walls in a half-circle of the gigantic cavern with torches lining the walls. In the left-most far corner of the cave was a small pool of water where a small stream poured from the wall. The two giants in the middle were holding hands, with one having their palm open, a ten foot copper pole lay in its palm.

Theo’s heart tightened. What kind of person was this Rain Wizard that trapped them here? However, something more caught his eye even more. In the middle of the enormous cavern was a wooden table, with a ten foot Eyeless struggling against restraints. It saw Theo and everyone else as its eyes sockets widened inhumanly and screeched. Theo narrowed his eyes “What...why is an Eyeless strapped to a table?” Teo glanced down at Theo. “Is that what you call them? Somehow they managed to get in here. It’s why we’re doing more construction. We figured there must be a way out of here. But they were dangerous. When we ran to the hallway where there’s more heat, they seemed in a hurry to get out. We managed to capture one tried dissecting them. If you know what it is, it must be Rain Wizard business, right? In that case, there’s something you’ll want to see.”

The group circled around the creature, and Teo pulled out a knife, and promptly stabbed the creature as it shrieked. Everyone but Teo covered their ears, who seem largely unphased. As Teo cut it open, he reached in with his hand, and pulled out what looked like cotton with strands of black ooze attached to it and showed it to Theo, Leo, and Cleo. “This is what is inside of these monsters.” Theo stared at it, unsure how to feel. But that feeling of uncertainty turned into dread at what he heard next. The creature illicited another shriek, louder than before, but almost as if a distant cry, the sound of a crying child could be heard. The black strands pulled the cotton back out of Teo’s hand and slipped through his fingers and back into the creature, where its white flesh quickly regenerated whole.

Theo, Leo, and Cleo were left in shocked silence. Cleo especially seemed horrified, her eyes were wide. “That...that was the sound of a child. A crying child. What have we been facing?” she asked, beginning to tremble. “Don’t pay too much heed to it. Evil spirits will often try to trick you with mimicry. These are just monsters.” Teo replied calmly. Leo gained a serious look on his face “...No. I’ve never read or heard anything like this. From the beginning, those who can use mimicry are capable of speaking to trick their prey. This thing doesn’t communicate. This is...something else.” Teo furrowed his brow “I’m telling you! They are nothing but monsters! We deal with enough as it is! We aren’t going to give sympathy to a threat!” he yelled.

Theo drowned them out as he stared at the creature and it stared back. He can’t be sarcastic about this. He can’t joke about this. Whatever this was, it was something more than a monster. “…Let it go.” Everyone stopped their looks of distress and frustration to look at Theo in disbelief. Teo soon screamed in a rage “ARE YOU CRAZY?! If we let this thing go, it’ll put how many others in danger!” “Everyone in the outside world are inside domed cities, and I’m guessing hidden societies as well. Very little people are crazy enough to wander outside with them roaming around. And one alone isn’t going to change the overall threat.” Theo replied. Leo looked over to Theo “Theo, I understand, but think about this clearly. These things have aided in the misery of this world. Even one less threat is a good thing.” Cleo was holding her arms looking at the floor. “...I’m with Theo. We can’t keep it trapped like this.”

Everyone fell silent until Theo spoke again. “The cotton would explain why they are cautious of fire and lava, and cry in the sun. It can’t stand heat, let alone intense heat. You three head back to the hallway. I’ll unstrap it, and catch up with you. It won’t be able to stand the heat and find a way out. You three can guard the entrance once it runs past so it can’t go back to the cavern for safety. Remember when we opened the door? Eyeless were already waiting. It’ll desperately try to find its way out, and will leave through the door.” Leo put his hand on Theo’s shoulder “I’m not so sure about this...but fine. But I can’t let you put yourself at risk like that Theo. Cleo and I are bodyguards. I’ll be the bait. Besides, remember my magic? It makes more sense.”

Theo smirked “Oh yeah? And how many more times can you use it?” Leo frowned and went silent, taking his hand off Theo. “Not much.” Theo dropped his smirk and looked into Leo’s eyes. “By not much, you mean not at all right? You told me magic or any skill can be used the more you use it. But in a world that always rains, I highly doubt you use it much at all.” Leo glared, completely silent. Looks like he got it right. Theo smiled. “Don’t worry. I have a pretty decent Agility stat and the entrance isn’t far.” Teo began to shake in anger “You...you people are insane! I don’t care if you are the Rain Wizard! If you try to release that thing, I’ll fight you myself! It’s way too dangerous!” Theo shook his head. “This isn’t up for discussion. Go to the entrance.”

Suddenly a swing of a fist came for Theo, but Leo came from behind him and caught the fist, with his feet being pushed back against Teo’s strength. Teo glared with malice in his eyes. “Leave.”