A Fleeting Desire

[Margrett]

Joran nodded and pulled the lever, facing the door and drawing his sword.

The Door Will Hold Them For A Short Time...Be Ready.

She could hear shouts and yelling on the other side of the door, and then banging as they tried to break it down.

[Tallia]

Again nodding to Joran, she positioned herself close to the ground, sword in hand. If anything was going to happen, she had to make sure she was the one striking first.

[Margrett]

The banging got louder and more insistent as the chain clanking underneath them went on. Joran stood still, waiting. It didn't take long. After a few moments the door cracked, then splintered, then exploded inward, the small doorway only allowing a few men in at once. Joran slashed with his blade, trying to stay near Tallia, but they were coming in fast. As the guards circled around them, Tallia could see him trying to trip them up with his tentacles, black shapes in the darkness, but a few made it to Tallia and tried to pick her up, her small size making them underestimate her abilities.

[Tallia]

Already distanced from Joran, she knew she had to fend herself for a time. Still close to the ground, she pushed downwards and leapt into the air, the wind seeming to guide her as she went. Her blade danced around the men, slicing a few across their throat as she landed behind him. Once she hit the ground, her legs swung simultaneously to trip a few of them up, and then bundled together for her to leap away from the action.

[Margrett]

Joran was slow but heavy, his cloak seeming to turn away most attacks as he cut into the oncoming men with slow, heavy strikes of his blade. He spun and made his way back to Tallia, standing over her, still fighting.

Only A Few Moments More, Child.

His voice was calm and even, despite his movements. As he said it he grabbed one man and snapped his neck like he had the sentry's, and plunged his blade into another even before the first man fell.

[Tallia]

"I expected as much..."

She jumped back into the fray, intending on fighting as many as she could fend off herself. Plunging her sword into the ground, she used it as a base to swing herself around, knocking back as many as she could with her legs. In one fluid motion, she landed, retrieved her sword, and danced among the men, getting in as many blows as she could.

[Margrett]

Just then the metal hatch began to lift. With one hand Joran hefted it up, pulling it far enough for Tallia to get inside.

Quickly, Child!

Once she did he shoved it open with a groan, and jumped down, pulling the chain as he went, slamming the lid on the bodies of the men who tried to come down after them. Grunting a little, Joran slammed it down again, and it shut tight. With one stroke he cut the chain. He stood a moment, breathing deep, and then he turned and looked around. They had landed in a very shallow stream inside a tunnel. It was pitch black except for Joran's eyes, which glowed faintly. She could see him looking down both directions, as if deciding between them, then looking down to her.

I Am Lost.

[Tallia]

She sighed heavily, putting a hand to her temples as she did so.

"Well... at least we can both see in the dark, otherwise we'd be screwed instead..."

Looking both ways, she had to say that they were definitely stuck right now.

"Hmmm... the best thing we could do if we're really that lost is to listen to where the water is coming from... and then we just work our way from there. If that doesn't really help... we can touch-and-feel until we get somewhere, I guess..."

[Margrett]

Joran leaned down and felt the water, then nodded in one direction.

This Way.

As they walked, even Tallia's night vision began to fail her. The darkness seemed thick, substantial.

They Dug Too Deep, Here...Summoned Too Much. The Earth Remembers. It Stores The Darkness.

Joran threw a cautionary look over his shoulder.

Take My Hand. They Are Behind Us. Do Not Look.

[Tallia]

Squinting as they made their way deeper into the cave, she flung her arm out multiple times before finding Joran's, and holding on as tight as she could.

[Margrett]

Joran threw another look back, then spoke quietly.

They Will Be Passing Us. Look Ahead. Do Not Look Directly At Them. Keep Your Breathing Even. They Will Not Harm You.

As he stopped speaking, Tallia could see shadows move past them, black on the black, tendrils grabbing onto the walls and enveloping them. Shapes of black mist moved past them, through them, making Tallia shiver. She could hear faint whispers; they were not hostile, but neutral and barely audible. In the dim light from Joran's eyes, she could see the things move onward down the tunnel, and disappear. But more came from behind them. It seemed like an endless parade of the near-silent, cold, shapeless beings.

[Tallia]

She remained silent, not sure of what she had just witnessed. She was curious about what they looked like... Perhaps they were Joran's brethren...? Either way, she couldn't quite see enough to deter anything in cave. She just hoped they reached a safe point soon...

[Margrett]

The shapes passed, and the whispers stopped.

That...Should Be It.

Suddenly he stopped.

Do You Feel It, Child? Air!

He rushed down the tunnel, pulling her along. At the end of the tunnel they could see a faint light; not coming from an exit, but seemingly coming from somewhere else.

[Tallia]

Tallia squeezed Joran's head as hard as she could, trying to keep up. She was lost without him; she knew not what was happening, nor what was in front of her. If she lost touch of him, it would mean nothing more than certain death. Her heart pacing, she struggled to prepare herself for what would happen next...

[Margrett]

Joran ran with her down the tunnel until they reached a large cavern. Around them were tall rock walls that reflected the light above them. There was a full moon exactly above them, shining in through a hole in the ground. Joran smiled, and patted Tallia on the head.

Not Long Now, Child. We Just Have To Find A Way Up.