The Watchers - 1/3

Grizz landed heavily on a protruding rock outcrop and paused momentarily to catch her breath. Her muscles screeched in protest, her paws trembling with fatigue. All she wanted to do at this very moment was collapse, to let her poor strained body rest. But there was no time for that. Since arriving in the Haedian caverns, the three Vayrons had been through a veritable gauntlet of tasks. 

She was starting to think this was less about gaining favour and more about proving themselves. But proving what? That they could go toe to toe with a being three times their size?

Loose rocks beside her scattered as Otho alighted beside her. The smaller puller was having a much easier time navigating these tight corridors, though even his fur was marred with tangles and damp. He panted, leaning his muzzle on Grizz’s neck.

“Is there.. even an... end to this Grizz?” Grizz huffed in response, adjusting her body weight slightly so it was more comfortable for her companion to rest against her. 

“Surely there must be.” She mused, “They would not send us on such a futile task.” Although she sounded sure of herself, a small part of her resolve faltered. Maybe this was just a way to get rid of them? Intruders in their hidden refuge.

“Where is Mari?” Otho’s question pulled Grizz back round to the present, her ears swivelled as she scanned the caves.

“There,” she announced, pointing her nose further down the winding tunnels, “Ahead.”

Up ahead Mari hopped from perch to perch, flitting like a Tyrian between tiny rocky protrusions that looked like they shouldn’t be able to support her weight. She stopped once she reached a platform that was finally big enough to fit all four paws, looking over her shoulder to meet her partner’s gaze.

She must be close to the finish line, and yet…

She waited. Bright orange eyes sparkling with encouragement. 

“Come Otho,” Grizz shrugged her shoulders, pushing Otho back into standing on his own four paws. “Not much further now.”

Mari watched her partners, heart swelling with pride as the pair took flight again, pushing their weary bodies to the finish line. She would be lying if her own body wasn’t wracked with tiredness, but she had a point to prove and she was stubborn to a fault. These Watchers would see that the Reoseans of topside were a formidable force - one that would make a powerful ally.

Mari crouched suddenly, forcing her body into the stony outcrop as a huge shadow zipped past her. If she’d reacted any later it would have slammed into her, sending her spiralling to the depths below. She grit her teeth, upset at the unintentional slight. It did however give her an idea, she quickly stepped out of the shadows onto the platform proper, meeting her partner’s eyes and directing their gaze to the second Haedian that was fast approaching their position.

Grizz cocked her head in confusion as Otho turned to face the oncoming threat. Mari bounced up and down on her front paws, hoping the pair would get the wordless hint.

Otho snapped his head to look at Grizz, “Grizz I think she wants us to jump!?” he panicked. Grizz however, nodded in understanding.

“That makes sense, it’s the quickest way to make up time. We’ll never be anywhere close to finishing the race otherwise.” Otho trembled in trepidation, knowing exactly what Grizz’s next step was going to be. She grasped the scruff of his neck in her jaws - despite his vocal protests - and in a surprising show of strength for a Vayron that was only a foot taller, tossed him at the Haedian that zipped past them. 

“Grab on!” she yelled, but she didn’t have to tell Otho twice as he dug his claws deep into the hide of the Haedian, who roared in pain. She smashed into the wall in an attempt to dislodge her painful hitchhiker, lashing her tail in fury. Otho hung on as long as humanly possible, before taking his chance and pushing off the back of the Haedian as she attempted to slam into the wall yet again.

He alighted a bit worse for wear on a ledge just short of the finish line. His ears perked up seeing the glowing torches and he barrelled forwards. Mari - now behind him - quickly closing the distance. Grizz the slower of the three lumbered cautiously after them.

Otho’s paws alighted at the cavern exit, laughing in glee. “I made it!” he crowed as Mari joined him, followed by the battered Haedian who scowled at him as she passed. “We made it!” he announced again, as Grizz finally joined them at the apex of the race. She nodded, breathless, but smiling nonetheless.

“Nicely done Pothos, I was worried for a second we’d lose you in the crevasse.” she gave him a playful barge with her shoulder. Otho scoffed,

“No thanks to you! You’re lucky I have a sense of self-preservation.” Despite this dig, his face betrayed his joy at finishing the race.