Discovery at Nerwolix

by C. G. Coppola

  The brother and sister nod at one another and Ehan steps closer. “We were just informing the humans that we have the Vermix closed off. Nerwos block the south and are currently pushing the enemy north. The Zingfinolds hold the east and west, cutting off the escape. Their only advance is to the northern Hylas where the rest of our forces wait.”

  “A choke point?” Qippert’s brows rise.

  “At the border separation,” Ehan nods. “Once they are secure, we will hand them back to you and the Zingfinolds.”

  “Do you think that wise?”

  “We do not see why not. Some have already fled… many have been killed. It will be a smaller force. Easily contained.”

  “But an ally retreat at the end does not guarantee victory.”

  “It is not retreat,” Norhra says. “The king does not wish to be part of this conflict. He only wants to be involved minimally.”

  I toss Able a look and my chest aches. He’s been at the city this whole time and judging by his exhausted appearance, it didn’t go any better for them. One of his eyes is swollen and there is blood splattered all over his full-body black and brown hide covering. Werzo, standing next to him, doesn’t look any less affected. I want to get a report of how things went, how Pratt and Mae are doing and why they’re not here now. Instead, I keep my feet planted and listen to Qippert’s reply.

  “My pardons,” he inhales, “but this ‘conflict’ involves everyone; all three Worlds are affected by Reuzkimpart’s desire to obtain the Three Gifts. He will not stop; he will not surrender. If there is a chance to end his quest, we must to do it now before anyone else need die.”

  “We are only instructed to stop the ambush and corner the assailants,” Ehan frowns. “King Thias wants the Hylas cleared—that is all. You may do what you wish with the intruders but the king wants our involvement ended there.”

  Qippert nods, glancing from Reid to the Rogues to me. Finally, he looks back to the brother and sister. “I see. I will relate this to King Hozfin and the Fychu. Shall we attend to the Vermix in the north and end this then?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five: Tunnel Keeper

  The fighting is just as bloody.

  We were somewhere in the middle of the Hylas before, but now we’re all the way up here, near the northern most tip of the mountain. And all I see is red. Broken Dofinikes litter the grass; patches peeking through limp bodies that lay sprawled over one another with bits of heads and talons and skin blown off. Blood soaks into the ground, which is covered in Nerwo-Vermix duels as orange blasts light the early morning sky. It’s still dark, but the sun is slowly starting to creep toward the horizon, casting a bright pink glow over the chaotic scene.

  “It is better than I expected,” Qippert nods.

  We’re grouped with the northern forces, our backs to the rocky part of the mountain and watching as the Nerwos surround the Vermix army that spills through the valley toward us. We’re over by Nhazual’s Pass where Tucker and Walker had to go to complete the second challenge of becoming a Zingfinold tribesman. It’s also where the Vermix spies originally came looking for the Gift two days ago.

  “I expect their surrender once the sun fully rises,” Ehan looks to Qippert. “If they are not all dead by then.”

  “Hopefully this can be ended today,” he inhales. “And there will be peace again in the Three Worlds.”

  “Ehan,” a young Nerwo rushes up to him, blood splattered across his brown wear. “We have them surrounded but several are fleeing south again. They are relocating to the shore to come up behind us.”

  Ehan looks at Warze a moment, a decision made. “Take half the southern force and meet them further in the south. Help the Zingfinolds cut off their retreat. They are to make no advance.”

  “Yes, Ehan,” he bows, quickly jetting back through the chaos.

  “Mighty Warze,” the Nerwo turns to him, “are you able to notify the others of this? Have them prepare for the Vermix return?”

  “Zingfinold already know. I secure shore with others,” he nods. With a look to the rest of us, he races back across the field, disappearing.

  “So they’re not leaving…” Able sighs with an eye roll. “Why would they? It’s not like we want to end this or anything.”

  “I will let the Fychu know,” Qippert says. “He may wish to join the others south of Zinnollo.”

  “I thought he wanted to stay with Hozfin?” I frown.

  “He does, but if the Vermix are not in full retreat by this point, he may want to leave the king for a bit and assist where he is most needed.”

  “On the battlefield,” Reid nods.

  “Correct,” Qippert says, “although he has been thoroughly guarding the city when the Vermix attacked it. The Fychu has been….almost like Zinnollo’s own personal protector. Do not misunderstand me, Blovid, Vix and I assisted as well—”

  “And we did, too!” Werzo says.

  “Yes, all the Rogues assisted in the defense, but the Fychu made sure the attack never made it quite so north and quiet so inland. At this point the city is safe, so he may wish to lend his assistance in helping end the outside fight.”

  “Unless Reuzkimpart brings in more forces,” Jace scratches his chin.

  “And that could very well happen. If—”

  A pack of four Vermix rush forward. Blood trickles down their torso, their yellow eyes narrowed and focused. Blasts of orange shoot straight in our direction but before we even have time to fire back, the group leaps overhead and makes for the tunnel behind us.

  “How do they know?” Ehan shoots his sister a terrifying look, racing after them. Norhra shakes her head, quickly following her brother into the darkness. The rest of us take off after the pair, leaving the open valley behind as we narrow into the black tunnel.

  Reid is swiftly at Ehan’s side. “I thought you said it was covered?”

  “It is—we have the exit blocked on the other side, but I did not think they even knew about this Pass. I had hoped we would not have to chase them through here.”

  “Can’t they just go over the mountain?” Able pants.

  Ehan shakes his head. “The Nerwos are stationed on top of the mountain and at the other side of Nhazual’s pass. It is a blockade to keep them from entering King Thias’s territory. And we only used it as a precaution.”

  “Thank God,” Werzo huffs.

  The darkness is overwhelming except for the brightly shining Callix wound around my wrist. And with the early morning light, only a few rays make it into the bare entrance of the tunnel, leaving the rest of it to the deep black depths.

  “I will seek the others ahead,” Qippert says, about to jet forward.

  “No!” Norhra grabs his wrist before he can flee. “We will seek them when we have a chance. Right now we must prevent anymore from entering this pass.”

  “But how—” Able’s question gets cut off by the sound of explosions rippling through the tunnel walls.

  We all turn to find a hoard of Vermix rushing forward, their Traxpires already blasting at us. Ehan and Norhra race forward, slicing straight into the herd as whelps and screams cry out, filling the tight passage. A few Vermix jet up the cavern walls but they’re shot down, crashing to the ground with a loud smack. Mostly we’re a unified force, firing right into the thick soup of Dofinikes and trying not to hit the brother and sister pair.

  One Vermix dodges our attempts and leaps overhead, landing behind us. I think he’s going to start shooting but doesn’t. Instead, he takes off in the other direction, racing into the darkness and disappearing. I think about going after him but Walker grips my wrist. “Forget him.”

  We keep firing at the impending Vermix while Ehan and Norhra slice through their group, effectively disabling them one by one. Once the brother and sister have worked their way back toward the tunnel’s opening, they jet out into the early morning light and for a second, I think a new batch of Vermix are about to pour through. But the siblings return along with a string of other Nerwos, keeping to the tunnel’s o
pening.

  Vermix whelps and hisses fill the pass but Ehan and Norhra glide over them and head for us.

  “We have the pass blocked,” Ehan says. “There should not be anymore able to get through here.”

  “That’s good…” Jace glances to the darkness behind us. “But what about the others that got through?”

  Walker wipes his brow with his forearm. “The other side is blocked, right? So what does it matter?”

  “We cannot allow them to hide here,” Norhra says. “If the other side does not confirm they have detained five Vermix, then they will still be hidden in here somewhere. We cannot allow any Vermix to remain alive or unfound.”

  “So we would have to find them,” Qippert says.

  “Unless the Keeper does.”

  “Who?” I ask.

  “The Tunnel Keeper,” Ehan says. “The creature who has lived here for thousands of years. He keeps watch over the tunnel and all that pass through.”

  “He uh… friendly to Nerwos and friends?” Walker raises a brow.

  “No,” Norhra shakes her head. “Not particularly.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are we safe?” I ask.

  “Momentarily,” she nods. “But we do not use Nhazual’s Pass. Ever. It is a place from a different time and we respect that by keeping our distance.”

  “So we should be going then?” Able glances toward the opening just a few yards down.

  “No,” Norhra shakes her head. “Five Vermix are still in here. We will chase them to the other side of the pass. We cannot let them roam and hide.”

  “But they’re trapped,” Werzo says. “There are Nerwos posted at both entrances and a…a… gate keeper.”

  “Tunnel Keeper.”

  “Right,” he glances around. “We’ll eventually find them.”

  “We must find them now, before they call others for their assistance.”

  “What if we run into the Tunnel Keeper?” I ask.

  “We will address it if he makes himself known to us. For now, we must locate the Vermix.”

  “Just… chase them towards the other side?” Werzo motions ahead. “Even though they’re probably already captured?”

  “It is the surest way to find out.”

  “We could just go to the other side and see,” Able suggests.

  “It will be quicker this way. Come,” Norhra and Ehan take off in a light sprint.

  We all look around each other. Are we really about to head into the bleak blackness with five loose Vermix and a Tunnel Keeper? We don’t have long to decide because the brother and sister are already disappearing into the distance and before they get too far, our group reluctantly heads off after them, my Callix offering the only bit of light.

  We move swiftly, keeping together and it doesn’t take long to hear muffled hissing sounds. Reid grips my hand as Ehan and Norhra race forward, straight into the opaque dark. Another bellow shrieks and then we’re all rushing, Qippert and the Rogues leading the way until we pass a corner and stumble upon a soft light painting a wall. But I don’t notice it at first. All I see is the slain Vermix in the middle of the ground—both hands severed and a thick gash carved into his neck as a heavy pool of blood seeps into a puddle by his face. His dull, blank eyes stare up into the shadowy ceiling with a final look of terror.

  “Christ,” Jace whispers.

  “The Tunnel Keeper…” Ehan whispers. “He has been here.”

  “Maybe we should leave and let him take care of the rest,” Werzo winces. “Seems to be getting the job done.”

  “We cannot assume he will find them all,” Norhra shakes her head. “We must continue on.”

  “What if he comes after us? Tries…” Werzo motions to the dead Vermix.

  “We will stop him.”

  “Who is he?” I continue staring at the Vermix before looking up to the brother and sister. “You said a creature…”

  “A Nerwo, technically,” Ehan nods, “cast out thousands of years ago. He sought refuge here,” he gestures around, “and never left.”

  “Why was he cast out?” Tucker asks.

  “He was… different.”

  “Different how?” Able frowns.

  “When he was born, there was difficulty in his delivery. He had… peculiar traits. And then his mind… it was never quite right.”

  Norhra steps forward. “Legend goes that once he was banished, he sought refuge here and during the entirety of his life, he only befriended one other Nerwo—Princess Nhazual.”

  “As in the Nhazual flowers?” I ask.

  “That is correct.”

  “And she’s the one who betrayed and saved her kingdom?”

  Norhra nods.

  “How?”

  Ehan and Norhra look to one another. Finally Norhra inhales. “It was not an intended betrayal, but it occurred nonetheless,” she shifts her eyes over us. “She told of the Floating Ruby’s location.”

  “To who?”

  “And what happened?” Able asks.

  A scuttle sounds up ahead and Reid immediately reaches for his Traxpire. Norhra and Ehan move first but the sound dies off in the distance. We’re right behind them, following their footsteps toward a second light. This time, only the Vermix’s head lies separated from his body. It’s a few feet away, as if it rolled there.

  “He’s accurate,” Walker nods. “I’ll give him that.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Able grips his neck.

  “What are these lights?” I start to reach for the single flame but Norhra shakes her head.

  “We do not touch them.”

  “What are they?”

  “Dayres. They drift by way of the wind. Fire on a single, unburnable seed,” Norhra glances around. “He must collect them.”

  “He wants to show us his victims?” Able grips his neck again. “Kinda creepy.”

  “It is more like he is leaving a trail of where he has been,” Qippert looks to the brother and sister again. “And you think it is wise to continue?”

  “Yes,” Ehan nods, “…but it would be smart to stay behind us.”

  “Are there lots of tunnels down here?” I gesture to the walls, “or just this main one?”

  “Supposedly there is just this one… but no one has been down here for thousands of years. Keep close,” he says, starting into the darkness. “We have three Vermix left to find.”

  We travel for a bit more until another shriek roars ahead and like before, Ehan and Norhra take off. When we reach the lit scene behind them, we find two more decapitated Vermix, both eyes blank and staring into the dark ceiling above.

  “One left,” Walker says.

  “Good,” Werzo nods. “Then we can get the hell out of here and back into some damn daylight.”

  “He must be smart for having survived this long,” I mutter, glancing at Reid next to me. He tries offering a half smile but I know he’s just as uncomfortable being down here as I am.

  “Actually,” Ehan says, “it is quite the opposite. The Tunnel Keeper had difficulty grasping simple concepts. Match that with his…unique appearance and you will understand his reason for leaving.”

  “They cast him out because he was handicapped?” I frown.

  “It was three thousand years ago…” Ehan emits a tone of guilt. “I assume those that were unique were treated somewhat differently then.”

  “But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s at least somewhat smart. He’s stayed alive this long.”

  “He is waiting for her.”

  “Waiting for who?”

  “The princess,” Norhra says. “He is waiting for her to return.”

  A loud explosion rips overhead, the familiar orange blast lighting up the tunnel. Reid aims his Traxpire but Norhra and Ehan are already sprinting in the Vermix’s direction, chasing him up the walls. He races across the ceiling, about to launch himself at us but instead, turns and shoots the fiery explosions at both Nerwos. The brother and sister dive apart, just missing the Traxpire blast
before flipping backwards and onto the ground. Still clinging high on the wall, the Vermix directs his weapon on us. Ehan and Norhra are about to leap toward him when a shadow appears further down the wall. I’m not sure I’m even seeing correctly but then the look on the Vermix’s face changes. Tightens.

  He starts to swallow when blood gushes from between his whiskers, spraying the rocky ground at our feet. Reid jerks me back, shielding my body with his, but I can still see. Still see the terrified expression turn blank as the Vermix’s eyes roll back in a head that suddenly falls forward, toppling over his body and hitting the ground in a loud mushy thud. The rest of him falls from the wall next, joining his head in a loud muddy smack.

  Ehan and Norhra move to the front of our group, placing themselves between us and the dead Vermix. The shadow crawls to the ground.

  “Tunnel Keeper,” Ehan says in a calm, even voice. “We mean you no harm. You have done us a great service in removing the five Dofinikes. We thank you.”

  Silence stretches as the shadow waits, scurrying from side to side. Finally, after a long beat, a low, gravelly voice comes out of the darkness.

  “Do you know?”

  “Know what, Tunnel Keeper?”

  “Do you know?” he tries again, shifting between both walls. “She says Nerwos are friends. She says not to harm them… even though they harmed Curhio. She never harmed Curhio. No, no. She never would. She would never harm Curhio. She and Curhio are friends. Tell secrets,” he whispers, scurrying to the other wall. “She passes through… she will come again. Do you know?” he stops. “Do you know?”

  “We are not here to answer your questions, Tunnel Keeper,” Norhra shakes her head. “And we apologize for invading your home. We will be going now.”

  “NO!” the shadow leaps forward and into the glow of my Callix.

  I stifle a gasp.

  The Tunnel Keeper stands maybe four feet high, the majority of his body hunched over, rounding out like a question mark. The curve of his back sits higher than his head which is pot-marked brown and hairless, except for the few silver strands growing on both sides of his face. Some sprout from his pointed ears and a small bunch round his narrowed chin. A long, elegant nose is smeared to the side like it was folded over, never to regain the proper shape again. It sits under a set of large, glassy blue eyes and his mouth is a tight wrinkled line, creased on either side by thick sets of wrinkles.