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Chapter 13: A Single Bloody Shard Part 2

Painfully the shocks cut and burned into my very core. Forcing a struggle up; the lightened whip cracked again, striking me clean. Lashed and covered in blood, I felt the sun roast above; staring, the sunlight was a flame of orange signaling the sun's rest.

'Damn it.'

The remorseful and repeated phrase which made the hours of this fight made it feel like we were hold forever within locked combat. I could hardly focus on anything but my racing heart and burned body. Shooting back, the small form tackled fourth with the clasp of electricity striking against my body. Stunned and broken, I forced up again, teeth bared and body shaken. The scent of burning flesh; the figures strikes was worse than the fire of hell itself. Countering, I dodged and struck forward, only to be grasped by light again and slammed to the blazed sand below. Another cry out, the sound filled with venom and rage. Faced off, staring into the youthful and naive face. Another spark, yet to me; I noticed how it died out. It attacked once more, hardly static striking me. I began laughing and knew my opponent couldn't fight. My eyes narrowed and I hardly placed thought before tackling it down. Claws held like a blade around its throat, I heard a cry out. Something strong and starting that brought me to my senses. Looking towards the sound, a silhouette; larger and stronger than me struck the black bars of the gate. A metallic ring created shocks that struck and bounced light and whips all around. Another sound, Whimpering and a youthful cry back. Attentive, she stared into me; something that struck guilt and regret. Both their eyes wide and fearing what would happen. A submissive thought or a lick of instinct took me away from the pup. Looking to the north, a figure stood; curiosity within his eyes, and a twisted smile for his heart. He stood, studying the situation. To his left was another figure, in which he spoke in silence to. An inhuman screech, and the gate slid open; just enough for her to crawl under. The tips of the gate were razors and refined to a spear's point.

'What the hell are they doing?'

Looking back into the twisted smile of the creature above; I had a fatal guess. Bolting to the gate, I slid under placing my hind legs onto it; as the gate slammed clean down upon us both.

...My eyes closed.

...My body shook.

...My thoughts shed fear.

...But I still breathed.

Opening sight, I stared into the blue eyes of a dark-furred face. She was helping hold the gate, the metal groaning to the weight of gravity. Looking around, others were helping, the gate held strong; and the pup from the battle now back inside the catacombs of sandstone; nothing but a single voice was heard.

"Open the gate."

The figure spoke.

"What?"

A voice replied.

"Do it, and feed our friend down there."

Razered edging upon his words, the blackened spears began to rise. I breathed slowly as eyes studied me in the oddest of ways, whispers and other sounds of isolation arose, speaking in question and wonder.

"What kind of dog is that?"

I could hardly sense the soft voice that was carried over my pounding heart. The patter of footfalls came around as I turned to only meet her eyes for only a second more. She resembled so much like Kiyoko, and for the oddest reason I heard my heart cry out. Empty and barren, my thoughts only came within the wisp of shadows. A voice; hers, sounding through the forest's night. I hardly knew her, but I could sense only what fool would create. My voice was held, locked without the chance of speech and freedom. The words were lost and wouldn't stop digging in even as I was pulled away from a cloaked figure. The hooks, the scars, and the hooded shadow; yet no, I saw the blaze of whitened silk underneath. The lost light within darkness that hinted underneath the pattered and puncture ridden cloak above it. The caller's grasp was soft almost soothing, yet it was deceiving and hid its devilish power. Sandstone, something I saw before darkness crept to me.

'My injuries.'

A shock of sudden fear and concern, how bad could they be? I could hardly feel anything, not the shard of fear; not the sudden loss of way, but only thought and isolation. Being brought to the sounds of a bolt, opening and closing, I stared from a thin set of bars; staring into oblivion itself. Nothing came, as if everything was forgotten once again. A rasped and violent cough came from behind me lightening my heart and thoughts.

"You're still alive!"

My voice barked out the echoing stone.

"Of course I am you've only been gone for the day."

Hacking between segments, he spoke; voice shaken, torn, and dry. Staring around the shadows, I looked at the other rested figures within the room.

'A light?'

Staring hard, a blue and faint light appeared to be ahead. A sound was lost in the room, like the breath of another was taken.

"What the fuck!?"

His voice was fresh with fear, and he stepped to the back of the pen.

"What?"

My voice held confusion, but all he did was shake within his wake.

"You- yo- you're glowing."

He was frozen, lost within the sudden sight unexpected sight.

"What are you talking about?"

A large wooden door swung open; and the blue light faded. A scent came; strong and fresh.

'Food!'

Finally realizing how my stomach was nipping and complaining, I stared at a face that stunned me. A very young black cat stood, his small paws holding a small metal tray and bowl.

"Ere' you go."

He spoke in a quiet and cheery voice, but still slowly and cautiously opened the gate, and put both tray's down.

"Oi' my master's taken a likin' to you he has."

Closing the gate with hardly a sound, he went to the pen next to me.

"I swiped somethin' for you."

He pulled some scraps out, and put them into the dog's cage.

"You best eat all dat you ere', if me master found out he'd beat me good he would."

A voice called out a name, something quick; I couldn't catch it.

"Be right there."

He called out as silently as he could.

"I 'outta go, Mister Calistakai is calling."

The door closed with hardly a whisper of air. The room dark and the stone cold, I looked for the light once more.

'Nothing.'

The startled voice before lost his attention; just focused on the food in front of him. I simply lay down, staring into my reflection from the dark water. Studying every change; every scar, cut, and burned piece that made me now. One fight did this, and whatever that thing was, I hoped I wouldn't need to fight it again.

"Why didn't I black out?'

The words teased my mind before that stranger spoke again.

"They gave you food and water?"

He must've just realized that I received both.

"Well... Yes."

"Why would they do that?"

He whispered to himself.

"Your fights, how did they go?"

Silence, all his question was replied with.

"Well, I only fought twice."

"What? How di-"

"Yeah, I was supposed to fight a female, but they sent a creature out instead."

He went dead silent, nothing but the breathing of sleeping souls within the room.

"Was it scaled?"

"Yes, I killed it."

Hardly able to see the expression on his face, I knew that the conversation took a different path.

"You killed a demon? One of their demon's?

"Yes."

My reply held no emotion, only was it attentive and quiet. He stared, studying my face and body; as if wondering if the supposed light would appear again.

"I've seen one of those before."

He shivered; a repressed memory must've risen for him.

"Yes, it tore apart the first pup that came here."

Bringing my head down upon the bowl, the sight of my face and body stunned me. Gash's burns and cuts began the figures for scars around my body. Ignoring the sight, I lapped some water up; leaving some in the bowl.

"God, he was shaking the night before. I told him he'd be fine, and -"

He broke away, only sighing out with a dry throat. I kept an attentive ear, and started eating the food in front of me. Leaving a chunk of meat on the tray, I turned to him. His eyes studied the sun's final blaze of light that dissipated into darkness. Silence that repeated sound that rang through the room.

Studying the bolt in front of the cage, the locking mechanism seemed familiar to me; the inscriptions and symbol placed on the outside was recognizable. The inside was visible, and I noticed the pins that sat within it; the design was simple and appeared rusted over.

'A good knock should open it.'

Striking the lock with a tackle, the metal echoed through the stone; the sound offset the click of the lock opening.

"What in the lord's name are you doing?"

The gate sprang open; hardly any sound came from there. Inspecting his cage, the lock was exact to mine. Knocking his lock, the bolt remained in place. Knocking it again, it popped open.

"What are you doing?"

His voice dry and rasped, I brought the bowl over.

"Helping you. How long have you gone without water?"

A blank expression was what I stared at.

"About two days."

A cough sprang up, and it appeared to hurt him. A soft sigh, then- by surprise the bowl was place in his cage.

"I want you to have that."

It's all I said before I turned my back, and faced to the stars that came in the skies. Moonlight, what I awaited for; the only sign of thought and wonder I could create out of this.

Footsteps and the sound of a voice were heard outside of the room. By now, the stranger finished what water that was left in the bowl, and had faced down to rest. Grasping the bowl; the footsteps came closer, and when I just put the bowl in my cage, the wooden door swung open.

"What th-"

A tall figure, voice young and shadow almost towering over mine. She stood staring into my golden-amber eyes, and shooting a glance to the cage. A long wait; frozen she studied every movement I created. With her flinching at my sudden step forward, I stared back at her. She started to relax, keeping her guard.

'N-now how did you get out?"

The voice was a stuttered and weary sound that seemed to bounce from the walls around us. She didn't pose a threat, in fact, she seemed scared from something entirely different. Footsteps and a set of voices caught her attention.

"Shit."

A young male spoke a couple feet away from the door, a reply of another with the flame that burned beyond it. The lights wavered to the movement of shadow and wind.

"Of course she would."

She mumbled something to herself, a disapproving growl that lightly arises within darkness. Walking into the shadows, I concealed myself within the darkness of the moonlit night. My eyes were caught by the crystal beams that shone like the sun, and mystified the darkened stone. Dust separated and shattered the light around, giving the illusion of small shadows with the sky and air.

"Do you know where she is?"

"No, she wasn't anywhere near her corridor."

"Let's try back there tomorrow, she'll probably be there.

"I bet that cat told her we'd be there, if I find that little thing I'm going to kill him."

"Oh no."

She whispered to herself, a lost sigh that brought a thought to mind. Listening to the voices fade, she slowly came to me.

"Now come."

Her voice was slow and soft, paws reached out with open arms, and before I could know she already lifted me up, and put me back into the cage. The gate closed with a familiar sound, and from there she had a hurried pace out the door. Staring back at the iron poles in front of me, the moonlight touched through to my cage, a beautiful shot at its quarter shone within a black and star-filled sky. Lying down, his voice whispered from the pen.

"I'm sorry."

The sound of a distressed call came from the sands, something that sounded young, along with the sound of a female.

"I'm so sorry."

Teary eyed, I could see his sadness. Slowly a single drop came from his eyes falling towards the hard floor. Watching him shift, a sight caught my eyes. A small bracelet on his left short- haired paw, beaded with gold, amber, white, and black. Light brown links were across every seven beads giving it a repeating pattern. He only lied down from there figuring that I was already asleep, and only slept himself. Hearing more calls the howling sound in the winds cut them short, throwing them to more of the unknown. My eyes weary and my body tired; I was thrown within a memories milestone not too long afterwards. Water was the darkened and flowing wind that I struck within, gasping from the sudden loss of air and warmth. A fatal panic, the force of air into my lungs whilst I careened down the current stopped my heart. Smoke the scent that stung and brought tears to my eyes; complimented by the dancing sight in the distance. Nothing but a towering inferno stood so far away, the sight of its shadow paved against the mountains stone; and all around me was only the coniferous trees that reached for the heavens; all that and the very sight of death and darkness itself. A blur of light stung my head, and her face was in front of mine once more. Eyes a lightening blue and her fur as white and soft as the snow around us, I stared into her as she did to me. Violently, I shivered my wet pelt and body hardly able to keep my sight straight.

"Hey, are you all right?"

Her voice warm like a fire's rest and as soft as the finest of fabrics my shivering ceased and I just focused on the guiding voice. Howling, the cold November's wind cut down into my pelt, hitting the skin underneath.

"We should move blizzard's coming in soon."

She urged me on my feet, staggering I place a small step forward.

"You're very lucky, only an otter could swim through that."

A lively step of energy emitted from her as she walked on. Staying back her eyes only gave a small glance to me; just studying my stagger and confusion. Everything was black, locked and destroyed. I couldn't remember my name, who I was, or even what. Looking down gold fur was soaked and frozen from the snow, weighing me down, my feet was the least of my worries. Nothing was what I felt, not the cold, or the sharp and painful snow upon my legs. Another shiver that lasted what seemed like hours was all I needed until smoke was ahead. Small and controlled, the flames raised high into the night.

"Up here. We're almost there."

A rocky step that almost caused a fall, biting into the trail, I pulled myself through the final stretch, and saw a place that was gravely familiar. It looked like a traveler's camp, only much larger. The entire village was literally carried and brought around lands for travel and trade. Everything was a sudden peace, walking within the surprisingly busy village. Only simple skins and sticks all sewn and matched together, that created every house and place within the village. The cold wind was year round there, for they always were derived to the northern and southern territories, yet for the east and west; desert, and nothing but it for endless miles. One dog, a mutt; possibly a Retriever Husky cross caught my eye; he held his expression in the oddest of ways, just staring into my frozen and shivering wet body.

"Shakshira."

The name began pounding my skull, reminding me of the figure back at the tavern. I couldn't tell how these memories came or began, but could only bear witness to the ever founding shard of literature that forced its way through my thoughts and repeated itself again and again.

"Lost within shadows, the form took place; tearing all light around him."

The start of a psychopath, speech dark and holding a permanent wound to every word. The voice wasn't mine, and wasn't at all recognizable.

"Blood; a pulsating shudder from the risen bow that struck against the threads of solitude and only awakened the Akuma within."

The voice shattered my memory, glass shot shrapnel across the darkness.

"NO!"

My voice? I never opened my mouth to speak, nor had I even thought of it. Shadows, smoke, and flame. A beautiful stone wall built to the top of what seemed to be a church or a noble's landmark. I don't know where I was staring, just into the shadows of appearing fire. There was a village below us; we being so high up a mountainside. Blaze reached so high, I could swear the heat was enough to burn me. Battle or war? The question didn't stay for too long after the swords gleamed from a darkened path, piercing the shadows around me. A hoarse voice was yelling above, another language I could barely understand, though some words stuck with me.

"Lord, Kisheviria, and soldiers."

Adrenaline was already pumping into me at the sight of their swords, yet when I saw them; armor thick as castle's wall, and the engraved, glowing runes all over; the realization that these weren't normal people pounded into my fears. A red knight, probably the largest of all of them, and holding a blade twice my size, and just as thick, walked forward and from there it was just instinct to run. I couldn't tell how long I did for; all I knew was that it felt like my heart would break my chest open. That's when I awoke to the sound of voices.

"So, what kind of dog is it?"

A young voice, it almost sounded like the one from the night before.

"How should I know? Looks like some mutt to me."

A vulgar reply, sounded like the person was pissed.

"Look at the fur though; what kind of dog has fur like this?"

"Probably a wolf."

Opening my eyes towards the light of the sun, I sluggishly stared into a shadowed face.

"Look at his colors, what kind of animal has colors like this?"

"I don't know. Uh... a German shepherd mix could."

"Aren't they usually darker though?"

"Just stop stalling and get the damn dog!"

The cage opened, screeching rusted metal upon one another. The high pitched scream dug into my ears, making my head throb. The feel of his cold hands shocked me, like struck by another beam of lightning; I was wide awake and ready.

"O- Okay, j- just don't move."

Being picked up once more the figure stopped dead in his tracks; his eyes studying me with curiosity and thought.

"Hey, do we have the right dog?"

"Yes, get over here!"

"He doesn't have any scars on him though."

'No scars? I should be covered in them.'

A willful ponder entered my thoughts, something that only aided in my

"So, after today he will."

He laughed to himself a chilling and stone cold sense of mockery before we started back down the open and frozen corridor of sandstone, and reached a light that drove pins into my eyes. The sky was clouded; the sand was cold; and the room silent. A form was within the shadows of stone; his teeth visible, his growling loud, and his form huge.

"You have got to be kidding."

We both said it, one shaken, the other one laughing. A sound of engagement; he had the first bolt forward, and aimed for the legs. Jumping over him and landed just behind, then tackled him. He hardly moved from the strike. Mockery and laughter came before his strike. His jaws were the size of my skull, and they hardly missed me. Narrowly escaping I jumped back, and he bolted around in an arc. Matching the movements, we both collided, a jump with claw and tooth bared. Fur shot off, color of black and gold. A cut was formed over my muzzle, yet his body was unscathed. His laughter was already pissing me off, yet I knew he was only trying to make me blind. Charging at the larger dog, my fangs hardly skinned his face, before a quick movement countered mine. I flew back, landing awkwardly on the cold sand. The ripple of pain struck around my legs, causing a breaking factor for them.

"It's only a sprain."

His tackle was immensely powerful, the only thing that I could fear besides his muzzle. Razors stared into my heart, the only gleaming sight that struck forward. Fangs struck for my throat, though a quick jerk left made them miss. Though, I was pinned to the ground by him.

"Sorry for ending this so short pup."

Before being able, his paw dug and twisted down my throat, chocking me, and holding me down. Taking his other paw, he placed a single claw upon it; holding it there.

"I have a previous engagement to look forward to."

Adrenaline, fear, and just something more. Swinging my hind legs up to his lower chest, I dug blades clean into his skin before he could end it. From there, I head butted his upper chest with force that knocked him down.

"You'll have to work for it."

A chuckle and he got back up; blood pouring from his deep acute cuts.

"And what would you do with her then?"

He started circling around, a menacing shape in the sand started surrounding me.

"Take freedom."

I held my ground, though my words made him laugh louder.

"You had a chance to hear her bullshit; you don't honestly believe her do you?"

Memories struck me, just a flashing image in my mind. A sword struck through the air, as his claws did. Colliding the steel blade onto it, Instinct drove my claws above his. Slicing his front legs; I only saw a shield bash forward. He tackled left, his body trying to strike mine; though I jumped up, and on him. My jaws dug into his back, and he yelped out; the strong scent of his blood came, along with its taste flowed into me. My fangs were painted red, just the ravenous sight that came from me.

"If you're fighting dirty, I got a couple tricks myself."

I fully saw the ripple of my past; shining armor cut through the moonlit room; a single blade, rusted, old, and covered in thick, warm blood sat in my wielding paw. A wakisashi held there, pointed to it. The same warm liquid surrounded my other paw, which was holding the deep laceration on her chest. Blaze, the cat's fur was no longer colored within it, but only basked in the deepened red that was flowing from her. My body shuddered from the enragement that was caused, and my eyes only studied the armor upon it. Darkened red was paved across it; the chilling sight of a statue that was once alive. Picking her up, I carried her out the stone room, and ended up within the eternal moonlight once more.

It must have been a jump, instinct that took over. All I saw was the flowing river that slowly running and dripped off the sandstone's rounded wall. From there my eyes finally fell towards the gutted figure next to me. Intestines were dragged across the sand from where he originally fell from. His rib bones were visible showing the stomach torn and shredded, and his heart was still virtually beating. The scent made my stomach churn, along with the simple sight of the torn figure. Shaken, I could barely focus my eyes anywhere without seeing it, again and again. My muzzle was drenched with him, his life flowed from my mouth and face, and from there I retched out. Puking and gagging on the thought the taste was so strong that I could sense it, even after the blood was spat out. Everything was silent, just wide eyed and worried for the sickened demon in front of them.

'And only awakened the Akuma within.'

Its voice repeated itself, and I remembered a forced and darkened sight, Runes dark and red, pulsating against jet-black fur.

'Akuma? Is that what I am?'

I was shaking from the sudden moment, almost in tears from what I did; yet the gate opened, and that familiar face came out. She was wide eyed, only stunned and fazed from the sight in front of her. She was twice my size, and terrified for her life.

"Oh god."

Her voice was strong, and she hardly moved. Stepping forward, I wasn't controlling myself.

'No!'

Resisting to my abilities, I shot forward at her; almost hitting her clean. The wolf dodged faster than the dog before it, and showed a beautiful strike to my chest. Being cut, the blood hardly flowed from it; though I could see bone through it. A flash of gold, and the striking rope formed in front of my eyes.

'The chain?'

Gasping out, I forcefully delved myself into my minds shadow; only to see the creature.

"Bastard!"

A full charge led to my grasping the gold piece, and tearing it from it. A darkened wind flew shadows outward, and I was stolen from the sight. Rotted flesh fell from the decaying muscle of bone and the dead. Its eyes were completely paled over, and at that moment I swore the strings of a violin where struck. Everything happened so fast; sound was slow, and sight was clear. Yet within my jaws, Fylakas's chain rested peacefully within them. Dropping it to the ground; a distorted growl came from the demon, and we both locked sights into battle. A crossed circle and we both jumped fourth. Claws tore down the dead flesh; just coming apart like leaves in the fall. The eyes were wide, nothing but an eerie sight from a hell's messenger. Locking jaws, he bit down into my back; it burned, boiling the blood and prickling the skin underneath. Whipping my head back to it, I dug into the neck; striking its windpipe. Nothing, hardly a flinch; so it tore in deeper, just sending the burning grasp of death upon my back.

"ACK!"

The sound echoed across the walls, circling to the clouds and shadows of what started rainfall. She, the girl was within my sight; studying the quiver I made. My eyes were surged within the pain, becoming narrow; and eventually pale. I couldn't breathe, just feel the Hade's wraith strike against my skin and body; tearing away the outside shell of my body.

"Once in death he holds his heart,

A howl that creates and takes apart,

Destroyed this life is torn away,

To create a better day."

She only said the rhyme before charging forward; tackling the demon from me.

"Don't you dare harm my sister's lover!"

It slipped back up, blood feeding the sand around it.

'Sister?'

"Y-"

A grunt of pain; the indentation of the demon's touch still burned.

"You know Kiyoko?"

She stayed silent; just growling at the demon in front of her. Her breathing wavered, a quivering sound from the strike. Before the demon could arise, I tugged at her; noticing that the gate was still open.

"Come on! We have to move."

She turned in a flash, bolting down the hall; me alongside.

"Wait!"

The voice above, I finally caught a glimpse of his face. I immediately picked him out from somewhere. Lord Kishervia's overseer.

"Senshi?"

The name must've came to him, that when he was struck by realization.

"Stop those dogs! Kill em if you have to!"

A fully fledged run led to following her down the corridor sounds of voices picked up all around us.

"Where are we going?"

"Just follow me."

The sound of footsteps picked up from behind us, from the demon or others, we didn't know.

"Wait."

Passing by a familiar door, I broke into where my cell was.

"What are you doing!?"

She barked out at me. Bashing against the lock; it busted open to the sleeping figure within. The bang of the lock being struck woke him.

"What the h-"

Before he could talk, I dragged him out and to his feet.

"We got to move!"

"What?"

Bolting from the room, she turned the corner up ahead; reaching towards a barren wall.

"Shit."

We were cornered, no way out from here. The sight of torch's came across, just a growing light consuming darkness.

"Go!"

She removed some of the rocks, which revealed a tunnel large enough for us to get through. Crawling under, they both moved underground. Right when I dug under, out of the corner of my eye was a flash; the sight of a wooden crossbow within the darkness, and the bolt that almost struck me.

"Fuck! Get into the tunnels and find them; Kishervira himself has a bounty for that dog!"

I couldn't see my nose from my eyes in here, nothing but the scent of grime and water running through down here.

"Where are we?"

My voice echoed into the eternal darkness, and I reached a huge shaft.

"Holy sh-"

The sounds of rumbling above made rocks fall from the hard packed earth. It looked like an abandoned mine; tracks that led carts out towards a rockslide lay not too far away. It was difficult to breathe, especially with the sight of dust being kicked up every step of the way. I was alone in here, just forced into an unwanted loneliness. Stepping down the rugged and pitch black path, my eyes fought to adjust in the darkness. My front paws struck sharper rocks every now and then, but besides that it was a simple walk; until I saw the sight of flame.

"Find it!"

A coarse voice coughed outwards. Hiding within the shadows, I made a wide circle around. A form, it looked like a small dog came out; just sniffing around and following scent. Only one held a torch, the others held crossbows in their hands; the wood polished to the extent that the flames reflected off them. A sound, drips from the water patting the earth above. Stepping further into shadows, I almost lost my footing to a long fall. Down below a drop came from above, rippling the pond that formed down there. Footsteps and the pattering sound of that dog. Moving off, the torch-light grew further and further away; until I reached a large and open cavern within the mine. More lights formed from the other path, growing with every step they took.

'Shit.'

Looking side to side, a set of rocks dug low within the open cave. Diving behind them, both lights mixed together as one.

"Have you seen anything?"

"No, not a damn thing."

The sounds of sniffs came around, the dog sneezing every once in a while. The patter grew louder, until it was right above me. The muzzle short, the fur black, and the face so easily recognized.

"Senshi!"

His whisper almost sounded like yelling within the cavern.

"Karisif?"

Staring into the darkness of the cavern; the voices grew quieter in conversation. The sounds of rustles were all around us; just intensifying within the shadows.

"What's that sound?"

A slithering figure was twisted and torn with a red color that almost glowed within the darkness. The form looked like a giant worm, except the front was a huge, spiked spear; and there was no back to it.

"Split up, let's find this thing."

Karisif and I were frozen in our place, just watching the spike wrap around the cavern walls; and eventually crawl up behind a cloaked figure. Crossbow in its hands, it pointed around him, and when it focused behind him; the worm was attached to the caverns roof. The spike behind him now, it split open, revealing a long needle erecting from its face.

"Hey, I- I think there's something here."

"Shush."

The worm jerked back and shot forward, driving the needle through and through his chest. He could hardly scream before another piece shot fourth, driving itself clean into the spine of him; piercing through once more, and slamming him to the ground.

"What the fu-"

Another part, the worm's body tackled him down to the floor. Crossbow sliding along, the other two cloaks reached for swords. Before even moving; the worms stomach tore in half, opening up with thousands of teeth and drove clean down, shredding, cutting, and tearing him limb from limb.

"Move! Flank it!"

The needle ripped free of the first animal, slicing upwards to a running figure. It cut him clean in half; body, bone, all of it. Another sword, the cloak dodged away from a frenzied strike; driving his sword upon the figure. Yet all that happened was the blade shattered. Hardly able to run, claws where revealed grasping him; and tearing its spikes into his skull. The last two ran, one dropping his torch; leaving the light between the three of us. I couldn't tell why, but I wasn't still hiding, I was in the middle of it; staring into the large round eyes of an odd creature. The body retracted itself, becoming amazingly smaller. It looked just like a worm; the body was like a single bone that used it to move. Cuddling up by the torch, it stayed; not moving or flinching when I walked away shaken and scared.

"Senshi."

Karisif's voice sounded like how I felt.

"D- Did you see that thing?"

"Yes."

Turning to leave, a voice reached to us.

"Where are you going?"

We turned to the worm.

"A- are yo-"

My voice was shaken.

"Of course, who else would?"

I wanted to run, it moved, stretching its body out a bit.

"If you go down there, you'll never get out of here."

"W- Where would we have to go?"

Its eyes were colored oddly, just beautifully reflecting and gathering light. A truly nocturnal creature that stood in front of us within the darkened mine stared back.

"Go down there."

Looking over, there was a set of tracks for the mine shaft hiding behind the shadows of rock.

"Follow the tracks those things make; there's always a way out by following them."

"Thanks."

Karisif spoke in a feigned bright voice, and started pushing me towards the tracks. Walking down into darkness, the sight of the creature still burned in my mind.

"D- Did you see that thing?"

I repeated the question, again and again.

"Are you okay?"

The tracks began to incline, leading upwards into shadows. Listening to footsteps, we landed into an odd split of tunnels, were we ran into something that helped me breath.

"Jiveria!"

Karisif was already over there talking to her. Looking at the other two figures, I was glad they made it.

"You took the wrong tunnel."

She spoke in an annoyed tone.

"I figured that."

I replied quickly.

"Let's move we're almost out of here."

Following her a lot closer now, my mind was stuck of Karisif and Jiveria; what happened to them? Ignoring ponders that wandered, I followed until we reached a long set of tracks, with nothing but the abyss to greet us below. The fall down looked huge, and the track- made bridge looked too old to walk upon; though besides that, sunlight shone on the other side peering into the darkened cavern.

"Nice and slow, this does rock every now and then."

We stepped upon the rugged, wind swaying bridge. Hardly half way through the bridge started to creek, as if buckling under our conjoined weight.

"Hurry, before more of those people finds us."

With everyone stepping off of the bridge, I stopped; a small sounding screech down below.

"Senshi?"

As if pushed, the tracks rocked side to side with me standing within the middle of what would be a huge fall. A creak of agonized metal came from below and everything stopped moving. Moving forward, the sounds of scatter underneath started; then suddenly stopped. The side of the wooden poles holding the tracks was struck sending everything to the right, including me. Bolting forward, everything began collapsing upon itself. Before the final piece fell, I jumped forward; digging claws into the side of rock.

"Senshi!"

The yelling pierced through the sound of the crash's that struck the bottom. Watching down the cliff way, it was slanted just enough for me to slide down if I fell. The vibrations from the bottom didn't help my grip; and before anyone could, the rocks gave way. Another sound of a fatal cry caught my attention before I slid down into the darkened abyss, and landed with something knocking me out cold.

Thanks for reading! Hope you liked Ch: 13.