V1 Incline 14: Nin

Coming to a silent stop, the woman surveys the fork in the tunnels. I cannot see anything even with the wisps offering their light, but, she's the opposite. Almost as if she can just see in the dark outright. All of these tunnels are near enough pitch-black, there's no way of telling how long they go on for!

Staring at one of the wisps, I back away slightly and try to swat it again. Leaning against the nearby dirt wall with one hand, I try to smack it with the other. I still have no idea what these things are and I still do not want them near me. I'm mentally exhausted and I just do not want to put up with them...

Going at it more vigorously, my supporting hand slips and I fall through the wall. Unharmed, I try to pull my hand out of it. Feeling a hand touch me on the other side, I tear my arm away and smash against the opposite wall. I look at the woman as she snaps around towards me and I point at the first hole I made.

She turns with me to look at it.

The hole's a gateway to the suffering that had otherwise been muffled for us. Whimpers and tears, it's all there past the hole, all these horrible sounds. Eyeing the woman at first I watch her back away in an almost shameful manner. I step towards the hole as quickly as I can and look through it.

With the light behind me and the surprisingly plentiful light within the otherwise dim chamber, I'm able to get a decent enough look. I'm thankful for it, as it is keeping my imagination in check and, miserable as it is, I am able to focus. Whatever is beyond the hole, it has to have been women or something, pained as they are, they have a light-high pitch to their pain. They're not human, however, and most of the light in this chamber seems to be from pairs of things dangling on their heads.

It is better than more bugs, I suppose.

Pulling my head back to check on the woman, I find myself thinking. When I was in that frame, I only saw and heard men. In this chamber, I only see and hear what I think are women. What is the reason for it, why are we kept separate...?

Hearing movement on the other side of the tunnel, I return my gaze and come face-to-face with something. Restraining the need to jump back in fright, I dig my hands into the wall and expand the tunnel accidentally. One of the things on the other side of the hole is looking right back at me. It has somewhat bright, yellow hair that comes out in many thick strands and its eyes are completely devoid of white or colour...

Unsure of what to make of the hysteric-sounding noises it is making, I reach for the woman. She comes to the hole and I step aside to let her see if she can understand any of this. Suddenly, a large, ridged and brown object is thrust out at us and the sound of choked-back tears comes with it. Watching the woman, I see how she is utterly shocked by the item and she carefully hands it to me.

"What am I supposed to do with this...?" I let out as I make a point of not adjusting my grip in the slightest. If this thing is fragile... But, upon closer inspection, I find myself confused. This is a giant plant seed?

Somewhat long and elongated, it thickens up on one end as if it has a helmet. It seems to be a lighter colour and this helmet has a different feel to it as well. This thing ends at a point and there are several grooves travelling to the point. Oddly enough, there is also a slight piece of fluff coming out of the top like a plume.

The woman's hand touches me and she brings me to the hole and I look through it again. Focusing on the creature's strange eyes, I pick up on some similarities with a regular person. I understood nothing it says, but I understand the kind of eyes they have. She's begging and pleading with all she has...

Unable to find the ability to say 'no' inside of me, I nod at the creature and make way to leave. Stopping instantly, I let her reach out tenderly for the seed so she can tenderly rub it. The creature is reluctant to let it go but it is abundantly clear that we are its best chance... But, what is this seed anyway?

Taking the seed away from the hand, the creature shuffles to cover the hole as chitters fill the air. Making a silent prayer for the creature, I shuffle away from the hole and keep an ear out for the chitters. No claws are bursting through to grab us, so, we have a chance here to make it out... The mere thought, though, makes me shiver fearfully.

"Hey, uh, maybe you should take this? I can't even walk properly..." I tell the woman as I keep on shuffling ahead at an even slower pace than before. She does not understand a word I say, but, she seems to understand as she stares at me offering her the seed. Thankfully, she seems to understand me and she tenderly takes it into her hands. Oddly enough, she seems to be holding it almost like a mother might hold a child...?

Shaking the idea out of my head, I start to move once again and I trail behind her and the wisps. Feeling the breeze against my face, I sneer at the whistling lights before they flow out of the way. Still feeling a weak breeze coming at us, I stop and try to block out the wisps. Squinting my eyes, I try to focus on the far end of the tunnel.

There's light at the end of the tunnel! There is light!

"Light... Light. Light!" I repeat to myself as I start to lose control of myself. Passing the woman with an uncontrollable leap and flop, I get back up and throw myself ahead. The light ahead is getting brighter! It isn't much and night seems to be approaching, but there is light!

Ignoring the woman as she calls out to me, I throw myself at the exit and hit the ground with a smile. Standing up, I look around the forest I seem to find myself in and breathe my relief. Taking a shaky step forward, I take it all in, every tree, every blade of grass, all of it. Bending down, I prepare to leap as high as I can to get away from here.

A roar fills the air and I lose my form as I leap. Crashing just before the trees, I turn onto my back and watch as a bug charges me. Covering myself, I panic as the bug starts to flail and swing its claws, whimpering as dull thuds cover me. It roars again and again, I panic and my hand suddenly goes through the ground.

"Huh!?" I let out as I fall into the trench I somehow dug with that one movement. Feeling a pair of claws grab my ankles, I freeze up as the bug roars in exertion and it pulls me out. Going with the momentum, it tears me out of the small hole and I go flying towards a tree. Smashing through it, I roll through the splinters until I am able to stop myself.

Watching the bug charge me again, I prepare to move.

"N-N-No!" I stutter as the bug quickly closes the gap. Absorbing the initial blow it strikes me with somehow, I go up into the air. Whimpering as its claws lock around my throat I look down its arms and at it. Looking around for something I might be able to use as a weapon, I spot the woman!

But, she is just standing there, having put the seed down. What is she doing, she is just standing there! Why... Why is she just standing there!?

A boom in the air.

Following the noise, I spot a cloudy trail coming towards the area, towards her... Following the object the whole way, I suddenly thump to the ground with a pair of lopped-off arms on me. Powerful winds wash over me and my eyes follow it, I find the rest of the bug in two separate pieces. The woman is over there as well...

"W-What the..." I quiver as I stare intently at the sword she now has. That is the item she was just standing there for...? Whatever the reasoning, though, I panic and scramble backwards and go off flying. Crashing into the mountain, I stare at her bloodied blade as she turns around with a heavy pant.

Shards of stone fall down around me and my head starts to hurt. Staggering out of the wall crater with heavy, powerful steps, I look around. The trench I was just in and the tree I had been smashed right through. Patting my shoulder gently, I hear the bits of rock crunch and crack and I watch the dust in the corner of my eye.

Rock shards just showered me...

Breathing heavily, I look at the woman as she plants her sword into the ground before she bends over. Turning towards the seed, I contemplate going to maybe get it before a snapping branch catches my attention. Something jostles on a harness and I watch as a small shadow comes into the evening light. Out comes that furry creature, the one from...

Anvil-Peak!

"YOU!" I roar as I acknowledge how it is all this creature's fault. Starting up a mad rush, I charge her. A bang and flash of smoke appear and I come to a stop. My head's stinging all of a sudden and that's it...

Confused, I rub the spot where I had been shot and frown. Bits of something come right off of me and catching some, I bring it down. A bullet hadn't even broken upon my forehead, it is something else -something larger- and it has these little glowing spots on it. Whatever it once was, this should've punctured my skull and gone on to shred my brain before it maybe popped out...

Laughing hysterically, I drop the pile of shards. Rubbing the spot again, I quieten down as I think about it. I had been shot in the head... And I am alive...

I was shot in the head and didn't die!

"HOW AM I ALIVE!?" I roar as I fall to my knees. Growling and glaring, I bring a fist back and punch the earth. Feeling and seeing the ground explode in my face, I feel the want to laugh again. But I don't.

Punching the ground again and again, I keep on going as my body heats up.

Catching my fist, the woman stops me without the slightest hint of strain. Going up to my feet at her behest, I stare back at her as she shakes her head. Tugging at my still-caught hand, I try to calm down. Looking down at my hand, I ponder...

"What's happened to me?" I beg her to somehow answer as everything rushes to the front of my mind. I can now leap metres into the air when I am trying to walk. Trees and rocks make way for me, I do not break on them... A bullet was shattered to pieces on my forehead!?

It is exhausting, all of it is. Collapsing to my knees, I start to sniffle as the stress gets to me. It is all made worse by the fact I feel like I should be able to handle it. I should be able to handle it!

Bad things have happened to me throughout my life. I am, was, a grounder, as rough as it got in Tobaballe. It's a cutthroat, unstable place that speaks so proudly of merit and how it leads to your ascension in life. I made my way from nothing like everyone else in that city, in my home...

Why am I not able to keep calm here, though? I should've been able to at least keep it to myself, no? No... I am whimpering like a baby instead...

"Tabaaabaaaliaaan, we need ta mave fram here." the shooter tells me. But, with everything that is going on, I find myself glad she at least speaks the same language. Even then, though, I look up at her with a spiteful glare. Yet, despite this, they feel safe enough to lower their gun.

Lingering on the ground at first, I get up as the woman coaxes me to my feet. Letting out a long, drawn-out sigh, I shuffle after them and enter the cover of the trees. Snatching up some leaves, I try to use them to clean my face of the worst of the muck. Fed up with them breaking, I stop and just follow the other two.

At least leaves breaking easily is normal...

Noticing the grey trails in the air, I sniff it and follow the other two with growing uncertainty. There is a thick cloud of smoke up ahead, almost like a fog of the stuff. Me and the woman come to a stop as this much smoke is not anything good. The shooter, however, just keeps on walking towards it.

Taking one final glance back at the mountain, I follow the pair into the smoke. Burning at my nostrils and sealed lips, the smoke drys them out and my eyes water some more. Metal shakes and glass crunches beneath my boots. Loose sheets of something rattle and I nudge them out of the way.

I can't see a thing, thankfully, the woman tries to at least part the smoke. The shooter, however, doesn't like it and she starts to yap at them. Whatever the argument is, it makes the woman stop without a fuss. I guess that means it is here to keep the bugs away.

Watching the other two step out of the smoke, I slow down and blink. Taking another step, I stagger out of the smoke and into an open, clean area and I blink again. There's some kind of invisible dome that keeps the smoke out of here. I am assuming it involves the loud, smoke-choking machine I can now hear as well.

Shaking my head, I carry on shuffling ahead and glance about the area. Smashed boxes and torn-open bags are all over the place with the bags glistening for whatever reason. Around the edges of the dome, there are white tubes of some kind. Shattered, dark blue glass is somewhat brushed up against them.

To me, they look like they are intended to be barricades. But, looking at everyone present, I find myself doubting the idea as there just isn't anyone here. I only see three people here if I discount the woman and myself... The bugs would have no problem attacking us if the smoke doesn't in fact scare them off.

Maybe I should just try and escape... But, where would I even go?

I want to hope that someone here at least knows where we are, but... The only one I can speak to has shot me on two occasions now, so if I would speak to her is its own issue. I can't speak to the woman at all and she cannot understand me in turn. Even looking towards the edge of the camp at the floof who was Iishar's guide, I doubt I'd be able to understand them either.

The last member of the group is injured as well...

Watching as the seed gets put down, I look for a seat of my own. The shooter hurries to the injured member of the group and they get to work helping them. Spying a torn-apart tree, I go over to it and lower myself down. Hearing the trunk crack and break under me, I frown as I follow the trail of whatever gouged this tree apart.

A piece of metal is right inside a split tree, there's dried blood as well.

Turning to the campfire, I stare into it as the others talk in whatever language it is they speak. Looking at the injured one, I watch as the shooter fusses over them before I look back at the fire. I don't want to look anywhere, it's all horrible. Everything is just debris or churned-up earth and shredded plant life with splatters of dried blood.

How exactly is my future looking like right now...?

I am lost in some unknown land, possibly trapped in an under-protected camp next to a hive of monster bugs. Is it even going to be worth the effort to try and escape? Do I really just want to leave just to die elsewhere?

A flask appears before me and I look up at the one offering it, it's the woman. Nodding in thanks, I take it and carefully open it up with no effort at all. Licking my lips, I put it to my mouth and greedily chug from it. Closing my eyes and shutting myself off from the world, I ignore everyone else in the camp.

Pulling the flask away, I sigh in relief as the water cleans and rehydrates my mouth. With a lot of water remaining in the flask, I put the lid back on and keep a loose grip on it. My mouth is finally clean of the dust, slime and grime that had worked its way in over however long it's been... Sighing, I rest my head on my knuckles as someone approaches.

I hope there is enough water. With all this smoke about us... We'd be smoked like strips of bacon before the bugs get to us. And with me and four others in this camp-

"Eugh! Get off!" I snap as the floof digs its wet fingers into my ears with an audible snarl. Crushing the flask from the surprise, I shoot around and try to whack her. Thankfuffly for them, though, they are able to get away. Using what is then left of the water, I try to clean my ears.

Why did she do that? That's disgusting!

"Thaaank yau, Vaaadei." the one who shot me says as the floof skulks off with a glare. Despite knowing who just did that to me, though, I glare at the small one instead. Those words imply something quite clearly... She's taking the piss!

Of all the times to start something, they choose now. Why. Why in the name of all the gods do they start issues now of all times!? Oh, I am going to crush her skull!

"Calm down, friend, she didn't do it out of spite." a feminine voice that I don't recognise says on my right. Twisting around to see who it is, I find that it is the woman who I found in the cave that said it... How... How can I now understand what she is saying?

"Y-You could speak Tobaballian this whole time!?" I nearly yell as I stand up, annoyed.

"Relax, please, I am not speaking your tongue. You are, to keep it simple, speaking a tongue luckily shared amongst all of us." the woman explains before she gestures around to everyone.

"What..." I let out quietly as I look towards the floof.

"The oxfuine," the woman starts to say, "have a spell-tradition which lets them apply two benefits. By placing their saliva in your ears, you can understand them. By swallowing it, you can be understood by them." she explains.

"Swallowing it...?" I repeat as I start to try and look at my tongue.

"It was mixed into the water you just drank." she clarifies to which I gag slightly.

"Whatever... Whatever..." I let out frustratedly. Falling back down onto my tree, I stroke my chin as I try to distract myself.

"I understand this all seems to be a bit much for you, so, try to not think about it." the woman insists as I tap my foot again and again and again.

"Oh, sure, don't think about all this strange stuff which has literally just happened!" I answer as my body trembles. Feeling her hand on my shoulder, I stop and look at her as she kneels down next to me.

"If you need something else to think about, then know I am very thankful for what you have done for me thus far." she tells me, smiling slightly.

"I haven't done anything... You got us out of that mountain, you killed the bug..." I sigh as I cover my face.

"You gave me clothes so that I could cover my shame..." she mutters quietly next to my ear.

"You're welcome...?" I say, lingering as I do not know her name.

"Vapooliar, my name is Vapooliar." she answers.

"And I'm Nin." I grumble in response as she removes her hand from my shoulder.

"I aaam Heiya!" the one that had shot me chirps.

The floof growls in response.

"Aaand thaaat's Vaaadei, she daesn't seem ta like yau!" Heiya explains before she goes back to helping the larger, other one.

"Vaaadei?" I repeat as the accent is confusing me slightly.

Vaaadei doesn't seem to like it, though, "It's just Vadei, Ho."

Blinking at the odd, contemptuous nickname, I stand up and look for a quiet spot to rest. Heiya has set a record in the People Who Have Shot Me category. Vadei is just hostile for whatever reason and what is even with that nickname? It is Iishar's surname!

Shaking my head vigorously as I cannot be bothered to deal with any of it. I just want to go to sleep right now. Hopefully, I will wake up in my small, worn-out bed. Ready for another exhausting shift in the depths of Tobaballe.

Maybe I'll somehow find some empty syringe or bottle when I do...