by T. A. Uner
Twenty/Viginti
After he heard the laughter, Tullus knew he was being watched. He had hoped to catch a glimpse of whoever, or whatever, had announced its presence in the cavern. Whatever it was, Tullus suspected it wasn’t human.
They left the cavern and found themselves in another tunnel. It was a bit too cramped for Tullus’ tastes, causing him to lower his head, but eventually the tunnel filled out and he was able to stand upright again. Tullus smiled at Celestra.
“Be glad you don’t walk on two feet, Girl,” he told the Leopardess.
A second tunnel branched out in a separate direction from the main passage. Tullus thought he heard a hissing sound coming from the other tunnel. Celestra growled and turned her head toward the entrance of the other tunnel. The hissing sound grew louder and louder until Tullus’ ears began to ring. Celestra stuck her head inside the tunnel and growled again.
“What is it, Girl? Find something?”
Celestra shook her head indicating that she hadn’t, then turned her attention back to the hissing sound. The tunnel was dark except for two red lights that had suddenly appeared. Tullus didn’t like the look of this. He drew LeopardClaw. The two red lights grew closer. Tullus ordered the light sphere to enter the cavern. As it did he could see the outline of the tunnel as the light continued its search. The light stopped. It had found something.
A small silver snake was coiled inside the tunnel. Its red eyes glowed menacingly before it looked up at the sphere and hissed at it. Celestra, intrigued by the sudden appearance of the snake, crept towards it. She was in hunting mode. The snake saw this. From its eyes erupted two red energy beams aimed at Celestra. The Leopardess was able to cast the Contego spell and the red beams were absorbed by her shield. Celestra wasted no time in rushing the snake, which uncoiled itself before opening its hood. Both Celestra and the snake met each other, head on, followed by a bright flash which enveloped them both. Tullus ran toward the spot and called out for Celestra.
The Leopardess was gone.
He looked around and sheathed LeopardClaw. Tullus felt his pulse beat against his neck and he wiped his brow.
“Celestra?” he called out again, but no answer came. He knew something evil was at work here. He cast the Periculum spell and waited for it to take effect. It was as he feared.
The spell was alerting him of enemies nearby. He tried locating Celestra, but no luck. The spell wasn’t designed for tracking. However, it did warn him Celestra was in danger.
At least she’s alive, Tullus thought.
Tullus left the tunnel and returned to the main passageway. His thoughts were still with Celestra and he hoped they would be reunited soon. There was nothing else to do but remain calm and let events play out, whatever that may be. The tunnel led to another cavern room. Tullus found a crevice and sat down. In the center of the cavern room, a rocky ledge overlooked a chasm. He took deep slow breaths, his pulse slowed and soon he felt better.
The sound of a dislodged pebble bounced against the cavern wall before hitting the ground. Tullus stood up and looked around.
Was there someone else in this room?
Tullus took a sip from his waterskin. The water refreshed his dry mouth and tasted sweet. Then he considered his options. He could backtrack to the tunnel where Celestra had disappeared and go from there, or he could continue to make his way through this cavern. He heard a grunting noise coming from above. He looked up and saw something glint in the darkness before it launched itself at him. Instinctively he raised Leopardhide before something slammed against it. Tullus took cover against the cavern wall and eyed the object that had hit Leopardhide. It was a dagger. Its jagged blade was sharp and angular while carved skulls decorated its hilt. The skulls leered at Tullus.
He heard a grunting noise. It sounded like a boar. Moments later the owner of the voice emerged from the shadows.
{II}
Tullus studied his opponent for any weaknesses he could exploit. He reminded Tullus of a rhinoceros he had seen once at the Circus Maximus. The man carried a large shield that was forged in the shape of a skull’s face, while his other hand gripped a large mace where a spiked ball resembling a skull dangled from a chain. His face was concealed behind a spiked, skull-shaped mask. He wore a spiked harness, black breeches and studded boots. His arms were rippled with muscles and he wore spiked gauntlets and greaves. His fearsome stature reminded Tullus of Blackcat Barros.
There was no circumnavigating this behemoth. He had to get past him without getting too close to the chasm ledge. Tullus ordered the light sphere to charge the man. Hopefully it would distract his opponent long enough for Tullus to get in the first strike.
Tullus drew LeopardClaw before the light sphere whisked toward the man. He saw it andgrunted before swinging his mace at it. Tullus seized the opportunity and charged. He lifted LeopardClaw above his head before bringing it down on the man. Glimpsing Tullus, the large man raised his shield to deflect Tullus’ attack.
Despite his size he’s surprisingly fast, Tullus thought.
Tullus saw the mace flash before him, and he ducked to avoid the spiked skull ball as it whizzed past Tullus' ear, making a sound resembling an angry wasp. The man twisted his wrist expertly and set the mace flying back toward Tullus, who raised LeopardClaw in time to parry the attack. The mace chain wrapped around LeopardClaw’s blade before the man jerked the mace back, sending Tullus sprawling to the ground. His wrist felt like it had been twisted off. He quickly regrouped as his skull-crazed opponent was about to slam him in the face with his shield.
Tullus saw the man’s eyes behind the spiked mask. They stared at him murderously, two black irises surrounded by burst blood vessels.
“I don’t know who you are, but I mean you no harm,” Tullus said.
“I am Chaos Spikeskull, former Skull Order assassin,” the man replied as he advanced toward Tullus, “and I mean you harm.”
Tullus ducked to avoid Spikeskull’s spiked gauntleted fist, while a skull-faced greave nearly took off Tullus' right ankle. He lost his balance and fell on his arse, dropping LeopardClaw. It was like fighting an armored bull. Spikeskull picked him up by his chainmail. Before Tullus could regroup, Spikeskull picked him up over his head. Tullus anticipated the move and cast the Contego spell right before Spikeskull’s knee slammed into his back. Ripples of blue energy engulfed Spikeskull, who was caught off guard by the spell. He grunted in pain as the energy waves dissipated. Tullus rolled away from Spikeskull and LeopardClaw leapt into his hands. He brought the blade down towards Spikeskull’s meaty neck. With surprising agility, Spikeskull’s shield rose to meet LeopardClaw causing a “tkkklllaaaangggg” that echoed throughout the cavern.
Tullus had underestimated Spikeskull. The hulk’s athleticism was matched only by his aggression. But Tullus could not waste more time on this brute. Spikeskull charged him again and Tullus cast the Contego spell for a second time. The giant was unable to avoid the shield and collided with it. He grunted more loudly this time and landed on his back. Spikeskull’s arms and legs flailed around like an overturned beetle before his armor absorbed the Contego spell. Shaking off the last traces of blue energy, Spikeskull rose to his feet.
What in Orcus’s name is Spikeskull made of?
Tullus focused collected his thoughts and cast the Saxum spell. A large rock inside the cavern broke from its spot, transforming into an Elementus, a stony face situated above a thick neck and torso where two craggy arms and legs had formed.
“Who has summoned me?” the Rock Elementus asked in a reverberating voice, before its vigilant eyes fell on Tullus.
“I have,” Tullus answered. “Elementus, deal with that opponent.” Tullus pointed at Chaos Spikeskull, who sized up the rocky creature. Spikeskull did not look intimidated and hurled his mace at the Elementus. It ricocheted off the Elementus’s massive palm before clattering harmlessly to the ground.
Either Spikeskull’s reckless or overtly brave, Tullus thought. Probably both.
The Rock E
lementus marched toward the skull assassin, and Spikeskull hurled his skull shield at it. The Elementus whacked the shield aside as if it was an annoying insect. Spikeskull’s spiked gauntlets scraped against the Elementus’s hide, but inflicted no damage. The Elementus grabbed Spikeskull and hurled him at the cavern wall like a child’s toy. Before Spikeskull could regain his composure the Elementus grabbed his ankles and dragged him toward the edge of the precipice. Spikeskull struggled to free himself in vain before the Elementus punted him into the chasm. Tullus walked to the edge of the precipice and looked into the chasm. There was no sign of Spikeskull.
The Rock Elementus turned toward Tullus. “If there is nothing else you require of me, I shall retire.”
Tullus nodded and the Rock Elementus lumbered over to the far side of the cavern before squatting. Moments later it had transformed into its rock state.
Heeding Hradack’s warning, Tullus took only a small drop of The Breath of Life. After swallowing the liquid, he felt it surge down his chest. For a few moments, Tullus felt as if his stomach was aflame, but soon his tired muscles began to feel better and the soreness in his back from battling Spikeskull dissipated.
After gathering his belongings, Tullus made his way out of the cavern to resume his search for his friends. His thoughts again turned to Celestra and he wondered how she was faring.
{III}
Celestra awoke and found herself alone in a cavern room. She looked around, trying to find Tullus but he was gone. She decided to conserve her Vigor and not cast the Lucis spell. Besides, she trusted her night vision.
She crept stealthily through the cavern. The silver serpent she had fought earlier was nowhere to be seen. She hoped it was all a strange dream and that Tullus would appear. Then she remembered the cold scaly skin of the serpent against her fur during their brief struggle and decided this was real.
She wondered where the serpent went. And where was Tullus? She debated for a moment whether she should emit a growl to announce her presence. Maybe Tullus was near and they would be reunited. Or maybe the serpent was hiding, waiting for her to give away her location.
She decided to take the risk and emitted a low mewl. Nothing. She purred softly, hoping that Tullus would hear her. Again, nothing. She sighed and let out a growl. Its echo reverberated across the dark cavern. She exhaled and waited for a response.
Two red lights appeared ahead of her. The Serpent! A loud hiss followed. Looks like I attracted the wrong attention, she thought.
The hissing grew louder before a voice spoke to her thoughts. “Stupid furball,” it said in a raspy voice.
Was the Serpent talking to me? Celestra wondered.
“Of course I am talking to you. Stupid furball.”
She growled her response before the red lights began to throb. Celestra suddenly felt the temperature in the cavern grow warmer. For a moment she felt as if she was back home, in her native Africa.
The hissing returned. It grew louder until it filled Celestra’s ears. The vibration of the hiss shook the ground around her. She cast the Contego spell in case the cavern roof should decide to cave in on her. Two rays of fire spurted from the serpent’s red eyes and slammed against her shield. It drained her Vigor as she fought to maintain her defenses. The red eyes disappeared and the hissing dissipated.
Celestra waited for her chance to fight back.
After walking a hundred paces, she found a cleft between two rocks where a thin light shaft penetrated the cavern. She headed toward it and bathed in its aura. She cast one eye through the cleft to peek outside and was greeted by Capri’s coastline. Sandy beaches caressed by turquoise waves. A cool breeze filtered through the opening, tickling her nose, and she longed to jog along that beach, Tullus at her side. Remembering that the serpent could be in the vicinity, she turned away from the outside world as her heart beat a melancholy tune.
Celestra padded away from the light and re-cloaked herself in darkness. She turned her head back toward the faint light. Part of her wanted to go back and bathe in it once more, but her instincts told her to seek out the serpent. Celestra never ignored her instincts. Then she heard something stir.
The heat returned. So had the serpent.
She heard a hissing and spun around. Nothing. Her night vision was adequate, yet, she longed to cast the Lucis spell. But the light would give away her location. She fought back the urge and decided to stick with her eyes. Then the two red eyes returned.
Celestra decided to take the offensive. She focused her thoughts on the Ballista spell. The red eyes grew closer, their throbbing threatened to distract her, but she managed to cast the spell, launching two green energy projectiles from her eyes. The projectiles streaked toward the red eyes and exploded against the wall, creating a bright light that chased away the darkness and caused the cavern to shake momentarily. Bits of rubble fell around Celestra. She looked around and couldn’t see the eyes.
Had she killed the serpent?
The bright flash faded and darkness returned.
After clearing the debris she decided to take a risk and cast the Lucis spell. The light sphere hovered above her head, following her as she sought out the serpent. She saw the blast mark of the Ballista spell that had scarred the cavern wall, as mists of smoke rose from the impact area and the scent of burnt rock became strong. In front of her was a pile of rubble. She heard the hissing sound again prepared herself for battle. The serpent’s scaly body rose from the pile, its red eyes glared at Celestra.
“Stupid furball,” it said before its hood opened. It spit at Celestra.
The Leopardess dodged the sticky spit and it splattered against the cavern wall. It’s acidic contents cutting through the rock behind Celestra. She looked around, the light sphere could not locate the serpent.
Where is it?
She terminated the spell to conserve Vigor and moved off.
As she treaded forward, the cavern terrain transformed into an acclivity. The sound of water drops reached her ears and she found herself standing on a rocky crag under a moss-covered doline overlooking a pool of emerald water. A large opening in the cavern roof ushered in a bright spray of white light which glinted off the water surface. She saw movement around one of the stalactites and caught a glimpse of red light reflecting off its silver scales.
Two well placed shots utilizing the Invado spell sliced off the lower piece of the stalactite and the loud hissing sound returned. She watched as the serpent uncoiled itself from the stalactite before crashing into the pool of water. She hurried down the crag, kicking up pebbles as she moved closer to the edge of the pool.
She scanned the water meticulously, and waited for the serpent to emerge.
{IV}
Caltus emerged from the tunnel and found himself in another cavern with flickering sconces.
He did not want to admit it but he was lost. He spotted a mammoth staircase carved into the rock of the cavern and decided to climb the steps. As he did, he heard the sound of clomping feet. He looked down and saw a column of soldiers marching through the entrance of the cavern. He hid the torch from view to avoid attracting attention and peeked at the soldiers.
They marched in double file, an Aquilifer leading them. After they passed under one of the sconces lining the walls his eyes widened. They were skeletons! His grandfather had told him about the Skeleton Marines that fought for the Serpent Cult during the old Crusades. But he never imagined he would actually see one, let alone an entire column. Caltus’ heart pounded against his chest and his pulse quickened. If he was lucky he may get to fight some of them. He wanted to prove to his friend Tullus that he was truly a warrior, and not some squeamish milksop.
If I could defeat one in battle and bring back its weapon. Tullus would see me as an equal.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself while collecting his thoughts. If he acted rashly, he could be discovered by the column, and then he would be captured, or even worse, killed.
He picked up the torch and eyed the column. The Aquilifer
skeleton stopped in front of the cavern wall before the entire column came to a standstill. Another skeleton carrying a large shield with a strange emblem painted on it pulled on a lever built into the wall. Moments later the cavern wall began to rise, creating a sonorous vibration inside the room. The skeletons resumed their march through the passageway, the tips of their spears and halberds poised above their helms. As the end of the column disappeared through the cavern door the wall began to close behind them.
Caltus had to act fast if he was to follow the column. He decided to wait until the last skeleton had passed through before bolting down the staircase, torch in hand. Caltus felt a mixture of fear and excitement as he ran toward the closing wall. Right as he came up on it he tripped over a stone and fell face-first upon the cavern floor. He dropped the torch and it rolled away from him.
Shit!
After rubbing his knee he rolled through the descending door right before it closed behind him.
After catching his breath Caltus surveyed his surroundings. He was in a narrow rocky corridor that was dimly lit by two wall sconces. He heard the sound of the skeletons disappear into the distance and knew, for now at least, that he was alone.
After taking a sip of water from his waterskin, he drew Cutter and slowly made his way down the sconce-lit corridor. As he walked, the corridor widened. He started passing wooden cell doors containing small windows set with thick steels bars. He looked inside one and only saw darkness. He came upon another cell and looked through the steel bar window. Inside it was well-lit and spacious compared to the other cells. There were also four people inside. All shackled to the wall: a muscular African, a tall man with a thick beard and braided hair, a bronze-skinned man with straight black hair. Caltus figured him for an Easterner. The last was a woman with a proud face. She wore the robes of a Potion Mistress. The woman looked up and stared at him. When she did her eyes sparkled, lighting up her cheekbones. Caltus was relieved to have found Tullus' friends alive.
