[2913] [13757] As High, So Below [Watchers p2]

After the gruelling race, Pyrrah’s legs throbbed, reminding him of every sharp turn and climb he’d pushed through. Now, perched high above the Beneath on a narrow ledge, he took his first shift as a lookout. The post was precarious, wedged between two jagged rock faces that offered a sweeping view of the underground realm below. Far beneath them, the familiar glow of bioluminescent flora scattered across the canyon, casting everything in a dreamlike shimmer that made even the shadows seem alive.

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Alright, looks like it’s just us, the quiet, and the cliffs tonight…” 

The darker chaser muttered, leaning against the cool stone wall behind him. He shot Theneras a glance, trying to push down the nervous energy that always came when things got too still. It was always fairly suspicious.

He turned back to the vast expanse, letting his gaze wander over the towering fungi forests and glowing river veins weaving through them like liquid light. It’d be all too easy to get lost in the scene, or worse, nod off to the lull of silence. He shook himself awake and smirked.

Pyrrah-Vos~ “So, are you keeping watch or just enjoying the view too?” 

He chuckled, then lowered his voice dramatically. 

Pyrrah-Vos~ “What d’you think we’ll even see out here?? Think we’ll be fighting off cave beasts or... Just our own tiredness? What do watchers even watch for… We’re underground! And we’re probably the biggest new thing they’ve seen in… Forever. Bet they get real bored real fast.”

Theneras- “The whole thing just sounds like a secret way for them to make out, honestly.”

Theneras shifted his paws on the stone beneath them, trying to ease the lingering ache from the race, and to ensure he wasn’t going to be falling off any time soon. The view before him felt almost unreal- deep shadows, glowing rivers, and forests of bioluminescence casting strange light over the rocky landscape below. The underground world stretched wide, alive with faintly pulsing colours, but everything else was quiet, save for the calls of creatures neither of them could ever hope to understand.

Theneras- “I don’t like it up here. I don’t like heights.”

He sniffed, shuffling back until he could feel Pyrrah’s flank against his.

Theneras- “I know they told us to keep watch but surely there’s a better way to do it than up here. Especially for us, we don’t have wings like they do! Or the dexterity in our legs to climb! Insanity. My death will be on their conscience.”

With a sniff, Theneras moved to lay down beside the other chaser, his claws latching onto the rock, as if that was going to stop him from falling should he start to. Everytime he peered over the edge he’d skitter back to Pyrrah’s side, which- after a couple of times, he decided was just embarrassing himself even more. So he stopped.

Theneras- “You carry us this time, Pyrrah. It’s only fair-”

Pyrrah chuckled under his breath, trying to keep his laughter low enough that it wouldn’t echo into the silent valley. He’d never seen Theneras so on edge, clinging to the rock like it was his only lifeline. The chaser shifted his weight a little to give Theneras space, grinning. Theneras, in turn, seemed to gravitate with the other chaser- like a magnet.

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Hey, at least they didn’t send us off with anything too dangerous to watch for, right?”

Probably not the most reassuring thing to say to poor Theneras.

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Man, they really know how to pick a spot, huh?” 

Pyrrah glanced over at Theneras with a smirk. 

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Watchers live for this, I guess. Perched up here like statues with nothing but the cliffs to talk to. You think they do it just to make us suffer the same way??”

Part of him wanted to take in the beauty of it all, but the other part—well, he was getting restless now. For all the training they’d been through, it felt strange to just sit here, waiting for… What?

Pyrrah-Vos~ “You know, they didn’t even tell us what to look for… Or watch for, I guess.” 

Pyrrah sighed, his voice dropping as if the stone itself might carry his words down into the depths. The walls might as well have been listening in this clan. The mention of having to watch for something in particular, instead of just standing guard, rattled Theneras’ nerves some more.

Theneras- “Would we even realise if it’s something good or bad?”

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Could be some creature the size of– I dunno’– for all we know.” 

Pyrrah raised his brows, shooting Theneras a mischievous look. 

Pyrrah-Vos~ “Will you fall asleep first, or will some big monster show up? I’d really have to carry, then, if you were asleep and I had to fight off some– cave beast.”

Theneras- “Shut up. I’m not going to fall asleep this high up, you’ll push me off.”

The Chaser held his head low to the rocky ground beneath him, at least thankful that if he did that, all he had to see were the treetops and lakes.