Arabella’s Mistake part 2

Amid the endless dripping of stalactite water, many footsteps approached in slow measured rhythm. Heavy breaths and guttural growls intertwined within the sounds.

"This growl... could it be..." Arabella’s voice caught in her throat. Her eyes swept the area yet found nothing.

Emilia swallowed. "Velo..."

Before she could finish, Arabella covered her mouth and signaled her friends to hide in the gaps between the large rocks.

She hid with Emilia while Lanesra and Delfina hid behind a rock on the opposite side.

From the western corridor, several shadowy figures emerged together.

The creatures stood on two legs. Their arms were short but armed with long curved claws. Rows of sharp teeth filled their crocodile shaped snouts. Spines jutted from their backs and continued down to a large pointed tail.

Their golden eyes pierced the darkness. The monsters shrieked in hoarse tones as if declaring their dominion as unmatched hunters of the night.

As the monsters began circling the area, Arabella pressed herself deeper into the gap and tightened her hold on Emilia until she unintentionally made her breathless.

"Please be quiet, Emi. They can hear us. If you can, hold your breath until they leave, understood?" she whispered, almost to herself.

Emilia nodded slowly. Arabella then loosened her grip slightly.

Before them, the monsters twisted their heads a full circle to inspect every direction. Their long legs took high steps and their taloned feet looked capable of tearing through anything before them.

These monsters were none other than Velociraptors. They were far stronger than smilodons. Not only that, they were incredibly fast. The most terrifying thing about them was...

"Khiiikh... khiiikh..."

"Khiiiikh... khiiikh... khiiikh..."

The sounds echoed back and forth, bouncing across the stone walls as if they were exchanging information with one another. After that, the two Velociraptors finally left to answer the calls of their companions.

They were coordinated pack hunters. Not many, usually fewer than ten, but their teamwork during the hunt was structured and almost perfect.

A sigh escaped. "It seems we are safe. Maybe it is clear now. Let us go out, Emi."

Emilia nodded softly.

Arabella stepped out with Emilia, followed by Lanesra and Delfina who regrouped with them.

After a brief discussion, they concluded that looking for help was not wise because they must have accidentally entered the next floor. Without information about the monsters and the correct paths, wandering aimlessly would be reckless.

But waiting was perhaps impossible too. They had no idea what would come next.

Everyone turned to Arabella. Their eyes silently asked for her decision as their designated leader.

"So... what should we do?"

Arabella swallowed. She did not know when it began, but they had always left the decisions to her. Whenever they struggled to choose a direction, every responsibility fell to her.

It made her happy, yet... this situation was different. No, completely different. If she made one wrong decision then...

Emilia touched her shoulder to comfort her. "Do not worry. We always trust you."

"That is right," Lanesra added. "Remember when we were in the academy? No matter how difficult things were, your guidance always led us to victory. No one could defeat our group under your lead."

"You all..."

Delfina clenched her fists with passion. "That is right. We will surely... will surely..."

Her words were cut short. Her enthusiastic expression twisted into clear terror. Her teeth chattered.

Arabella, confused at first, realized something was wrong. She clenched her teeth and turned around. At a glance, she saw four Velociraptors rushing toward them. Without hesitation, she cast her spell.

"[Fire Ball!]"

Balls of fire shot forward but not fast enough to hit them. The Velociraptors accelerated and dodged with ease.

As the monsters neared her, Arabella grinned. She struck the ground with all her strength.

"[Wall Fire!]"

The ground ahead erupted, creating a thick wall of fire that blocked their approach.

One attempted to charge through but was thrown back with severe burns across its hide.

"Run! This spell will not hold them for long."

All four sprinted toward the southern doorway.

The dense darkness hindered their sight even with Night Vision. Emilia stumbled several times, forcing Arabella to hold her tightly.

Their breath grew ragged. Each step felt like a heartbeat struck thousands of times. Their sweat was wrung dry. Every passing second carried them toward death.

A glance behind revealed the raptors’ silhouettes. Once more Arabella used Wall Fire to slow them. But they needed to escape soon because her mana was nearly depleted.

She clenched her teeth. Two more times...

Suddenly, she saw her other two friends stop ahead with magic circles glowing before them.

"[Ice Lance!]"

"[Fire Ball!]"

Their spells shot forward. In the dim light cast by the flames, Arabella saw four raptors blocking the path ahead.

The attacks hit, yet... nothing happened. The monsters still stood proudly without a scratch.

"Impossible..."

Her shoulders slumped. The knees of her three friends sank to the ground.

The fire wall behind her weakened faster than she expected. Now they were trapped between two sides.

The raptors moved slowly. Drool dripped from their blade like teeth. Their claws scraped the stone and pierced the air with shrill noise.

Was this the end?

Arabella felt her strength drain. But she refused to give up. No. She would survive until the very last breath. No matter what, she would live.

She clenched her teeth tightly. Her fists trembled. And then...

"[Fire Wall!]"

Walls of fire rose on both sides. Crimson flames roared without pause. The raptors touched the fire and recoiled instantly when their skin burned.

"Take that, ugly lizards. You think you can just eat us? Try crossing this fire, you cursed beasts. I bet you cannot, right, right?" Her wicked laughter echoed through the cave walls.

"Grrrrr..."

The lizards growled softly. Annoyance was clear in their expressions. But they did not leave. They simply sat and waited. As though they knew the spell had a time limit.

Damn. I nearly forgot how smart these monsters are.

Her breath rose and fell unevenly. Sweat poured from her entire body. Her defensive technique drained enormous mana. She had to carefully alternate between strong flames as barriers and weaker flames as distractions.

Even then, her stamina was nearly gone. Every second forced her veins to squeeze out the smallest drop of mana. It was a miracle she could still stand. Her vision blurred. Her lips trembled.

Damn it... when will they leave... I have reached... my limit.

Seconds passed. Arabella’s body swayed. The fire walls wavered.

Emilia caught her. "Hold on, Arabella. Help will come. Please... we must survive."

Arabella’s vision faded. Emilia’s voice broke into fragments in her ears.

Her lips... shaking? Emi... she is... scared? What is she saying? Why can I not hear her? Wait... is she crying?

Her hand moved on its own, brushing away Emilia’s tears. "Calm down, Emi... we... will survive. They... will find..."

Before she finished, Arabella collapsed into Emilia’s arms.

The fire walls vanished. The waiting raptors rose and strode forward. Their wicked grins widened, showing swordlike teeth.

In her weakened state, Arabella glanced at them.

So... this is it... how annoying...

Her eyes closed, but a familiar voice reached her faintly. A voice she despised. Someone who had once crushed her pride. Someone who always seemed to hinder her from being the best.

Why? Why am I hearing that cursed rabbit at a time like this? Maybe I am only hallucinating at the end. Some people do experience that.

Strange rumbling sounds followed. She could not make sense of them. The noises were messy and chaotic.

Is this what dying sounds like?

Srak... srak... buk... krak... woosh... khiiikh

The more she listened, the deeper her frown grew. This was too chaotic. What was happening?

Then a gentle touch patted her cheek. Emilia’s soft voice whispered, "Hey, Arabella. Wake up."

She wanted to wake and see what was happening, but her eyes felt too heavy. Her body hurt everywhere.

"Let me help!" another voice rushed in. It was soft and familiar. They had worked together earlier to place the markers.

Warmth began to flow through Arabella’s body. Slowly, her strength returned. Her eyes opened. "I-Imaria..."

The girl smiled gently, as warm as the green light flowing from her hands into Arabella. "Calm down, Lady Arabella. Everything is fine now."

Arabella turned. She saw their senior and Elysia’s group striking the raptors. In truth, only Senior Syrene fought while the others cheered from behind.

But when she turned the other way, her eyes widened at the sight of four raptors reduced to frozen sculptures. There was no need to ask who had done it.

"I did not expect Lady Elysia to freeze them so easily. Ah, she also attacked first before Senior Syrene fought them. Is she not amazing?" Imaria whispered with gentle admiration.

Arabella turned her gaze toward Elysia who stood with her back facing them.

How strong was that girl, truly?

No... that was not what weighed on her heart. What hurt was remembering all the things she had once done to the white rabbit who resembled winter itself.

Why did she still save me?

What is she thinking... truly?