Eyes in the Shadows - The Watchers: Part 1

Eyes in the Shadows
The Watchers: Part 1

   The Druids threw the fresh Guardians of the Wood a feast, after which they had an invigorating sleep. Meline and Aethone started to feel the toll on their bodies of the dark caves and lack of sunlight, they already gave up on trying to keep track of the time they’ve spent down here. Having learned about her husband, Hesfe thanked them for the info and headed back to the Tranquil to look for him, while Cailu eagerly dragged Meline and Aethone onward.

   Near the edge of the Druids’ territory, a red and blue patterned Haedian came across them, greeting with a slight nod. Looked like it was heading back to the dens with a plentiful harvest on its back, but as Aethone and Meline passed by, the Mpyrian’s tail caught the Haedian’s attention. Having stopped and observed it for a moment with great confusion as they moved further on, it shook its head, not believing that she had anything to do with the angered spirits that appeared a few days ago, and carried on with its daily tasks.

   The caverns grew darker as they headed on, now presenting a complex maze of openings, columns, stone bridges, various sized and shaped speleothems and tunnels leading to unknown places. What was even more disturbing was the silence around them, their noise that came from their soft steps was almost deafening.

“Cailu? Is it safe here? I don’t feel very secure.”

   Meline used a quiet voice, but the emptiness around them still enhanced it. What prompted her to express her concern was Cailu’s behavior - he was often nervously looking around above them as if looking for something, instead of his usual energetic and relaxed trotting. Cailu didn’t break his focus when whispering back.

“We’re safe, don’t worry, I’m just… having trouble seeing them.”

“Seeing who?”

   Aethone didn’t like the secrecy and wished for answers, but Cailu hushed both of them to stay completely quiet from now on. This kept the topsider on their toes as they also tried to spot something unusual in the dark but given how little glowing crystals there were, Cailu obviously had an advantage thanks to his adaptation to underground life.

   All three froze on their spots when they heard a hushed rustle and soft patter of paws approaching them from behind. Not daring to move, Meline held her breath while staring in the darkness while Aethone slowly lowered in a defensive position, hoping she’s still bigger than whatever was coming for them. Whatever it was, it was moving fast.

   The sounds reached closer, soon surrounding them. Aethone and Meline frantically looked around as they could spot multiple shadows moving past them in the dark, but couldn’t tell for sure what or who they were. They didn’t notice how Cailu was deviously smirking as he observed the action. However, it seemed there was indeed no danger, but the topsiders weren’t sure whether the unknown creatures were running from something, and to their horror, something was galloping in the tunnel they had come through before.

   To their great surprise, a fluffy Vayron appeared in the dim light of the sparse crystals illuminating the tunnel exit, running as fast as its legs allowed.

“Hey, get moving! You’re going to lose them!”

   She shouted with a whispering voice, loudly enough for Cailu, Aethone and Meline to hear it over the action around them. Cailu didn’t need to be told twice, he swiftly leaped up to one of the maze’s paths and followed the shadows, while Meline and Aethone managed to take off only after the new Vayron had rushed past them.

“What’s going on?”

   Meline hoped that the Runner had some answers, but the Angora girl kept her focus on the movement in the dark all around them. Now that Aethone was galloping, the cavern path beneath them shook whenever one of her massive paws touched the ground.

“It’s a race” -pant- “of the” -pant- “Watchers.” -pant-pant- “They’re” -pant- “really fast” -pant- “so” -pant- “keep up! I’m” -pant- “Elyse, by the way.” -pant- “Nice” -pant- “to meet you!”

   Not getting much wiser, but seeing how a small runner like Elyse chased the mysterious figures without fear raised some curiosity in Meline. She had trouble keeping up with the pace, and whenever she tried to fly to make up for the lost distance her wings scraped against the walls of the narrow space. The cavern was clearly spacious but thanks to all the densely distributed obstacles, Meline started to struggle. Aethone wasn’t having the best time either as she grazed against the rocky formations multiple times when choosing a new path suitable for her size. Only Elyse seemed to navigate her way around the course with minimal issues, slightly slipping here and there but staying in the middle of the racing Haedians around her. A few times they could catch a glimpse of Cailu, who briefly checked on them before disappearing from sight again.

   The course continued through the whimsical terrain that Meline and Aethone wished would end, as Meline’s wings were sore from constantly colliding with the columns in their path. Aethone was covered with minor scratches and bruises as the environment wasn’t meant for a creature her shape and size. This resulted in the two staying slightly behind, while Elyse was ahead of them, actually having a chance at winning it until she came across a wide bottomless crevasse. Slamming her paws on the ground and praying that her paw pads manage to create enough friction to stop her inertia, Elyse managed to stop right at the edge of the straight fall down, witnessing how several small pebbles from her breaking disappeared into the darkness. On the other side, a spacious area meant for landing was nicely lit with the crystals, revealing the entrances of new tunnels and paths behind it. The Watchers spread their wings and glided across with ease, while Elyse measured the distance and tried to make up her mind whether to risk it or not while getting increasingly nervous from the anxiety twirling in her chest.

   As she watched the Haedians glide past her, her attention was caught by heavy stomping coming behind her. It was Aethone who had reached the same spot, out of breath and looking quite roughed-up. She measured up the distance, trotted some distance back and then forced her muscles to give their all to build up enough speed for the jump. Elyse got out of the way and watched in anticipation how Aethone pushed her heavy body off the ledge, flew through the air for a couple seconds and then landed on the other side, a thunderous thud announcing her arrival. The whole open cavern echoed from her mass hitting the ground, the walls shook, and part of the ledge crumbled, sending rocks rolling down in the pit.

“Waaahhhhh!?!?”

   Elyse’s heart nearly skipped a beat when Meline’s surprised yelp came next to her. The Empyrian had arrived just at the moment of Aethone’s successful performance and the sudden loud noise startled her. Behind her appeared Cailu, and without losing a moment he lowered down and gestured with his head for Elyse to climb on his back.

“Get on!”

   While Elyse hesitated, Meline understood that Cailu will take care of the little Runner so she smirked and spread her wings as they were finally useful. She took off and flew across the chasm, further from the landing pad which allowed her to get ahead of the few last Watchers making their jumps. She saw Aethone’s tail disappearing into one of the entrances and followed her there, hoping she could at least keep up with her large companion.

   Seeing how others got ahead, Elyse decided to take the risk and hopped on Cailu’s back, holding on as tightly as she possibly could. Cailu didn’t waste a moment - he used his hooked claws to swiftly climb a bit higher up, after which he turned around and pushed off towards their destination. Elyse didn’t dare to look as she closed her eyes and pushed her face against Cailu’s neck, squealing from fear. Fortunately they made it across just fine, and without stopping, Cailu rushed on while having Elyse still on his back. The Runner held on for her dear life as her ride attempted to catch up with the others despite having additional weight on him.

   Since the tunnels got smaller again, Aethone and Meline found it troublesome to catch up with the fastest of the Watchers. It also didn’t help much that the labyrinth’s floor seemed to go upward, meaning their stamina was put on a serious trial. The reappeared obstacles gave Cailu the chance to catch up with them, Elyse still clinging on him and peeking around to see where they’re going. She helped Cailu take the turns and curves by slightly leaning to the appropriate side, which made it easier for the Haedian.

   The tunnels started showing more glowing crystals as they also grew wider, which evened the odds for Aethone and Meline. Using their last ounces of strength they pushed on towards the light in the end of the tunnel, which seemed to come from a spacious area. Cailu barely managed to slip past the two while Elyse hoped that this light ahead marked their finish line.