Chapter Nine - Cavern of Nightmares

Chapter Nine

Falling is scary enough as it is, but falling into darkness with only the light from the sky above and no idea when the plummet is going to end is ten times as terrifying. Instinctively, I tucked the glowing fruit into my pocket as we fell. Grace flailed through the air frantically, trying to get closer to me. She was definitely as scared as I was, but her screams were lost in the howling wind as we fell. I extended my hand towards her. She grabbed it instantly and pulled herself into my arms.

On the other hand, Drew was doing cartwheels in the air completely unable to find his balance. I would have laughed if this was not going to be the end of my very short-lived life. We made a huge splash as we landed in a body of water, and intense pain shot through my back. Water enveloped my numb body as Grace and I sunk deeper into the darkness. My hands flailed wildly, attempting to reach the surface for breath.

Slowly my eyes started adjusting to the murky darkness. I could faintly make out the shape of Grace's face. Grace and I swam desperately to the surface. I broke into the fresh air with a gasp. Then searched around for Drew, but I couldn't see him. Panic set in, and I frantically turned around searching for Drew. Tiny sparks flashed underwater nearby.

"That has to be Drew," I screamed, without thinking dove under the dark waves, leaving Grace alone above. The flashes of light were slowly getting smaller and less concurrent.

I pushed myself deeper into the water, I made the mistake of trying to yell out Drew's name, but air escaped my mouth. I fought to hold my breath as I struggled to get to Drew who was sinking. By the time I reached Drew, his body had gone limp, completely unconscious. I desperately kicked upward, frantically trying to reach the surface. I was desperately trying to save my only friend.

Leo! You cannot lose him too. I needed air, I concentrated intensely on my Aether, desperately

Visualizing air Aether, but underwater there was simply no air Aether to draw on. Could it be because we were underwater? I focused my water-boarded eyes on Drew. Even though I could barely see him, the frantic movement of his outline was enough to make me realize he was barely holding on. His movements slowed, and he stopped moving.

"Drew!" I thought to myself, shaking my friend, still attempting to swim to the surface. It grew harder and harder to swim. It was as though something was drawing us towards the bottom of the lake. Slowly I too slipped out of consciousness, I struggled right until I passed out.

*****

I felt a sting on my cheek, followed by Grace screaming.

"Leo! Wake up!" I grunted and opened my eyes to see Grace on top of me, ready to slap me once more. Drew stood behind her holding a small flame in his hand. When he noticed I was awake he extinguished it. I opened my mouth to talk, but I threw a coughing fit. After relieving my lungs of the water that had invaded them, I attempted to look unbothered and cool, failing once again.

"I seemed to be getting slapped a lot lately," I smirked, promptly receiving another from Grace in response.

"You idiot! Don't you dare scare me like that again!" Grace screamed, I had never seen her that way with me before. For the first time, I feared her.

"I'm sorry," I muttered under my breath and looked away from her, Drew, on the other hand, was quiet as he chanted another small fireball and played it.

The shoreline we’d found ourselves on was jagged and damp, coated in slippery moss that glowed faintly with bioluminescence. The lake before us stirred restlessly, as if whatever lived beneath was annoyed at our rude entrance. Stalactites hung ominously overhead, dripping moisture that echoed like ticking clocks. Although I could barely see anything, the black water left small waves and splashes to fill the silence throughout the cavern we had landed in.

Grace still hovered over me, watching me intently. I tried my best to avoid her gaze, but it bothered me that she warned me about this. And we were lost.

"Thanks for the save, Leo." Drew looked down, ashamed. He didn't know how to swim. I remember back during gym class when the whole grade went to a water park. Oliver and I skipped the class because we didn't want him to feel left out or embarrassed. I opened my hands for a hug. He scoffed and turned away. In front of us was the rippling water, almost as if it were alive.

Behind us, I could make out a small tunnel leading to what seemed impossible. But a deeper and darker part of the cave.

"Where are we, Grace?" She studied the tunnel. No doubt looking for something that she recognized.

"I have no idea, Leo. There are many caves and dungeons scattered all over Purgatory, but usually, they have torches and paths that are artificially made. This almost looks like some sort of beast burrowed through the wall of the cave. But I have never seen anything like this."

A rumble echoed across through the cave,

“Drew, seriously? We’re trapped in an unknown dungeon, probably about to become monster food, and your stomach chooses now to demand breakfast?”

"Stress makes me hungry, okay?" he looked away sheepishly. Leave it to Drew to make a dangerous situation funny.

Grace's stomach rumbled in response. We couldn't help but burst into laughter. Then it hit me. Right before we had fallen, I grabbed the fruit off that glowing tree. It wasn't much. Instinctively I pulled it out. Even in the dark, it glowed brilliantly. Veins of gold flowed through the skin like a maze. My friends watched me, both salivating at the mouth.

“What the hell is that?” Grace stared.

“It was on that tree at the top of the hill. Right when I grabbed it the ground gave away and we fell, "Breaking it into three pieces, I tossed the slices to Grace and Drew.

"Thanks" Grace smiled at me before eating the entire piece in one bite, "Umm... Leo?" As Grace called out to me, Drew and I dug into our piece. My body began to instinctively lay back and it felt as if I had just received a shot of adrenaline. It felt like when I cast magic, but instead of using Aether from my soul, it felt like my entire body was sucking in the Aether that surrounded us. The golden fruit dissolved on my tongue, exploding with sweet energy that surged through my every nerve, igniting pathways I didn’t even know existed. For a heartbeat, my Aether Soul expanded violently, like filling a balloon too quickly, and then slowly settled.

"Grace, what was that?" Drew asked. Her face was dumbfounded.

"I have no idea. I have never felt anything like that. My Aether Soul is larger. That’s impossible, but whatever that was gave me an incredible amount of Aether.”

I had almost forgotten that Grace had been in Purgatory longer than us. I always meant to ask her about her life, but I was still too nervous to talk to a girl privately.

I am a late bloomer, give me a break.

I was just a boy from a small town who never had much luck with girls. Not that I was attracted to her, right? Drew caught me blushing, he gave me a slight nudge.

“Hey, buzz off,” I mumbled.

"We can figure that out later. First, we need to find a way out of here, or else whatever that fruit did won’t mean much because we will be dead." Drew interjected. After Grace dried our clothing with a small fireball that she held in her hand, we headed toward the tunnel. I swear I could feel traces of a dangerous aura emanating from the entrance, it felt similar but less powerful than the aura that clouded my constant nightmares.

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The flame from Grace's hand cast just enough light for us to see what was nearby. The light bounced across the slick dark walls of the tunnel we were shuffling through.

"Well, the silence makes this one hundred times scarier than it needs to be," Drew joked, while my snickers echoed through the winding hallway, only lending to the ominous atmosphere. Grace led us deeper into the darkness. The sound of footsteps echoed loudly against the walls.

"I can't tell if those are just our footsteps or someone else's," I whispered, waiting for an uplifting response.

"Or something else's," Grace returned. Her soft voice was quiet and firm. Her mood often swayed between strong, powerful, and captivating to a shy schoolgirl. I found myself staring at her as we walked, she was shrouded in mystery.

"What? Is something on my face?" I quickly averted my eyes. After Grace's grave expression warned us something might be lurking deeper in the tunnel.

Drew's face was brazened and cold, with no emotion. He was intensely focused ahead, fists tightly clenched.

"Hey, lighten up, fire boy!" I put on the sincerest smile I could muster.

"Shh--" Grace shoved me against the wall. I couldn't help but be a little impressed with the strength behind the push. No impressed is the wrong word, surprised that Grace had that much strength in her. She extinguished her flame instantaneously. Our shallow breaths quieted, none of us daring to make a sound. My heart pounded against my ribcage as if trying to escape. What had Grace heard?

A minute passed… Nothing.

Complete silence. Drew pushed himself off the wall with a grunt. Obviously a little unhappy with being pushed around.

"Nothing is there, Gra-."

"Hisss," We all turned in the direction of the noise behind us.

"Well, that's never a good sound," I squealed before Grace thrust her palm forward, lips moving silently through a quickened incantation only possible at Veilbreaker. Flames erupted from her fingertips, illuminating veins of molten Aether across her skin, the fireball roared through the tunnel, devouring shadows and roasting whatever was there in its wake.

A loud screech followed the fireball, I could see what it was but the noise it made was so loud that I felt its pain. Whatever it was, it was being burnt alive. Screeches and hisses echoed through the tunnel as its body flopped around. Finally, the sound died down, and Grace once again lit the tunnel with her impressive Aether control.

As we kept walking, we heard several hissing sounds from behind us. The sound of writhing monsters as they scraped against the stone pierced my ears. Goosebumps popped up all over my body.

Remember when I said that the Hodag was the scariest experience I had ever had? I lied. This was far worse.

Grace’s light illuminated them just enough for me to get a better look at them. Their twisted rooster heads jerked and snapped viciously, crests bright crimson and razor-sharp. Serpentine bodies writhed rhythmically beneath slick scales that shimmered sickly in Grace’s firelight, reflecting a hundred tiny burning eyes, each pair locked on us hungrily. Now this may seem like they would not be very scary, but I promise you. When you see a swarm of blood-lusted rooster snakes, you won't be laughing for very long.

"Run!" Grace screamed, sprinting forward deeper into the tunnel. Drew and I wasted no time and ran after her. The sounds of monsters seemed to be multiplying even more. Just how many were there!?

"These shouldn't be here! They only appear--" Grace cut herself off. "No, no, it can't be." She continued sprinting through the now disturbingly loud tunnel ahead of us.

"What is it? Where are we?" I asked as we broke through the end of the corridor two giant statues with flaming goblets stood at their feet. Between the black stone statues was a white stone door with a purple flame silently burning in the center. Grace broke her run and came to a sudden stop."No, no..."

"Where are we, Grace?" I screamed. The monsters behind us didn't care that we stopped. They continued their pursuit. She opened her mouth, searching for words. We couldn't wait. I cast Wind slice and pulled her towards the giant door with Drew in tow.

"Where are we?" Drew yelled; fear scattered across his face. Grace was usually calm under pressure, but even her eyes widened with panic at the sight of the door.

"We-- We are at a dungeon, and this is the boss room."

Drew and I stopped in our tracks.

"Well, that's not good," I shivered.

"That's not good? Is that all you have to say? That's not good. You are the reason we are stuck here in the first place you idiot," Drew screamed at my face.

"I am the reason? Are you really doing that right now? Whose fault is it that Oliver died? That was you, if only you listened to us we wouldn't have ended up fighting a battle that was going to cost us our friend. And here you are, pointing fingers at me you hypocrite," I retorted.

"Stop both of you," Grace said coming in between us.

Drew’s voice trembled with rage and guilt. “One more word, Leo, and I swear I’ll torch you myself. Oliver’s death…that blood isn’t on my hands, and you know it.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

"Not if I split you in two first," I said

A low growl echoed against the stone walls. For a long moment, nobody dared to move or even breathe. The silence stretched thin, broken only by the distant drip of water from the cavern ceiling.

Drew, please tell me that was your stomach again,” I whispered, my voice trembling despite my attempt at humor.

“Not this time,” Drew replied tightly, gripping his sword with knuckles white with strain.

Grace swiftly moved behind us, a globe of fire swelling between her hands, casting flickering orange shadows that danced across the cavern walls. But no matter how much light she created, the darkness at the edges of the cavern seemed determined to swallow it.

My pulse quickened, every heartbeat pounding like a drum in my ear, my Aether senses stretching outward. They could feel something, but I couldn’t tell what.

“Move!” Grace shouted suddenly, unleashing her fireball. Drew and I barely leaped aside in time. A flash of white fur streaked by, so fast it was barely a blur, narrowly missing Drew’s neck. My mind struggled to keep up.

“What was that!?” Drew gasped, spinning wildly.

Before Grace could answer, the creature was upon her. It crashed into her like a speeding train, slamming her brutally into the cavern wall. She crumpled to the ground, dazed, her flames sputtering out of her hands weakly.

“Grace!” Drew shouted, rushing forward, grabbing his shirt and yanking him back just as a set of claws sliced through the air where his face had been moments earlier. Drew stared, wide-eyed, his breathing ragged.

“Thanks,” he breathed shakily.

“Don’t thank me yet,” I muttered. My heart hammered wildly. Adrenaline surged through my veins, sharpening my senses. The cave air was cold, yet I was sweating like I’d run a marathon.

We stood back-to-back, circling slowly, scanning the darkness. Grace staggered to her feet, groaning softly. Her hand reignited, illuminating her pale, bloodied face.

“Can anyone see it?” Drew whispered.

“Are you kidding? It’s pitch black, except for that glowing door.” I snapped.

My elbow brushed against something warm and furry.

“Drew,” I gulped, voice cracking.

“Yeah?”

“You didn’t bring a fur coat, did you?” My voice barely audible.

“Unfortunately, not.” He whispered back.

A hot, rank breath blew down my neck. Every muscle in my body froze. “I think our friend is behind me.”

Drew tensed. “Leo—”

“When I say go,” I murmured quickly, trying not to let panic seize control, “throw your strongest fireball upward.”

I’ve never heard someone chant so fast in my life. Drew thrust his palm upward. A searing fireball exploded above us, illuminating the cavern. For a split second, time slowed. I stared in horror at the monster towering over me.

It was massive, wolf-like, its matted white fur riddled with scars. One eye was already blind, and the other glowed a chilling yellow. The beast’s jaws parted, revealing gleaming, razor-sharp teeth dripping saliva.

Without thinking, I started my chant, just as fast as Drews.

“Wind Arrow!”

A sharp burst of condensed air sliced through the gloom, striking the beast squarely in its remaining good eye. The monster howled in agony, lashing out wildly, claws slicing across my chest. Pain exploded through me as I was hurled across the cavern, crashing onto the rocky ground.

“Leo!” Grace shouted desperately.

“Still alive,” I groaned, struggling upright, my chest burning. Blood dripped down my torn leather chest plate, but nothing seemed fatal…yet.

Now fully blinded, the beast snarled furiously, thrashing around in a wild rage. Grace summoned smaller fireballs, hurling them at the creature to distract it. Drew raised his sword, eyes blazing with determination.

“Distract it!” Drew yelled.

I gathered myself, wincing in pain as I unleashed another Wind Arrow, grazing the monster’s flank. It spun towards me, roaring with fury. Drew seized the moment, grabbing a pebble from the cavern floor. With perfect aim, he hurled the pebble against the wall. The pebble exploded with a loud crack, and the monster immediately lunged toward the sound.

“Now!” Grace screamed; her voice strong despite her injuries.

Drew sprinted forward, blade raised. He plunged it deep into the beast’s exposed belly. The creature bellowed, swiping wildly, narrowly missing Drew’s face. Drew ducked, twisting the sword deeper, but the monster refused to fall.

It swung it massive head, knocking Drew aside with a sickening thud. He landed hard, dazed. My vision blurred as I forced myself to stand, pain radiating through every limb.

I aimed another Wind Slice, but the beast lunged toward me again, forcing me into a desperate dive. Its claws raked the stone floor, sparks flying as it missed by inches. Grace quickly fired another barrage of fireballs, peppering its thick hide but barely slowing its momentum.

The beast reared up, roaring angrily, ears twitching as it sought our positions. Drew, back on his feet, yelled defiantly, charging again. This time he dodged its flailing limbs, slashing furiously and opening a large wound along its side.

“Leo, finish it!” Drew yelled, retreating quickly.

Summoning every ounce of Aether left within me, I unleashed one final Wind Slice directly at the creature’s neck. With a gruesome howl, the beast collapsed heavily, twitching before finally dissolving into shadowy particles, leaving behind a faintly glowing, violet Aether Core.

Exhausted and battered we all slumped to the floor, breathing heavily. A silence filled the cavern, punctuated only by our ragged breaths.

Drew coughed weakly, smiling crookedly. “That…was intense.”

“You think?” I groaned, clutching my wounded chest. “Remind me to never get a dog.” I chuckled.

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