Sixteen: Into The Caverns 

The next morning, Layre awoke to Mageus drooling, sprawled out on the bed like he had not slept in ages. The man looked incredibly peaceful when he slept, and Layre did not wish to disturb that. However, they were set to leave soon, so it was something Layre decided he must do. Layre decidedly rubbed at his head, ruffling his bedhead into further chaos. Surprised, the man jolts up, hands flying to his hair. The long, white hair the Demi-God sported was knotted and twisted, and Layre found then that he liked to see him when he was not-so-perfect.  

“Dear, you know how long it takes me to brush it!” He complains, which has Layre smirking.  

“I can braid it for you.” 

So, Layre does. Mageus sits at the vanity, and Layre carefully brushes and braids the man’s hair. He adds a cute little ribbon to the end, purple to match his eyes.  

“Thank you. You truly are gifted at that.” Mageus kisses his cheek, and Layre thinks that it is thanks enough.  

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹ 

The women are ready to leave once the men make it downstairs. Anima has her bag swung over her shoulder, and Viessa has her hair tied up tight on her head. A sword is attached to her hip, and a fierce look is already about her face. Layre knew from this alone that she would be formidable in battle.  

“And what is it that we get for helping you on this dangerous quest?” Viessa asks as they leave the home. Anima makes sure to lock it behind her.  

“Freedom to do as you so please. Forever.” Mageus says. 

“I do so, anyway.” Viessa rolls her eyes.  

“Enough, the caverns await.” Layre announces, and the two fall silent. 

The trip to the caverns would not take long at all. They are a well-known location in Vatou, but none like to go to them. For they are too dangerous. They are enchanted and cursed, and it is rumored that none have made it out alive. With a Demi-God on his side, Layre knew they would be just fine.  

When they arrive at the caverns that afternoon, the sight is frightening. The cave-mouth stands tall, much like the Great God Mountain does in Iyelion. Layre flinches as he thinks he sees something move in the shadows, deep into the cave.  

“And you are sure the Sword of Sapphirus is in here?” Viessa inquires, standing wide with her hands on her hips.  

“I am sure. In every book I read, it is stated that the Gods have sealed it away here to ensure its protection.”  

“Be prepared, and do not fall for any tricks if they should present themselves.” Anima warns everyone, and she begins the journey into the depths of the caverns.  

The caverns are beautiful inside. The walls are lined with impressive, shimmering crystal growths. All that is heard is the steady dripping of water and creak of the rocks. A low song is sung wonderfully by the crystals, influenced by the movement of the group as they traverse the cavern. At first, the hollow starts off semi-lit by the crystals, but as they venture further and deeper into its wonders, the cavern grows dark. Anima pulls out the lantern she brought, and it shoots warm light up to the walls and into each crevice and crack.  

They venture longer, tired only when the air gets thick. It is hard to breathe now, but the fight and resolve in their bodies, the promise of getting closer to their goal pushes them, even whilst they are at their limit. Layre clutches his sword at his side, holding the necklace out with his other hand. The necklace shines brighter the closer they get to the sword, so he gives directions. When they come upon a fork, he lets them know which way to choose.  

Eventually, the cavern becomes narrow, and they must travel in a tight line. Layre leads the way with Mageus right behind him, following with Anima and then Viessa. Viessa chose to walk backwards so that she could watch should anything sneak up behind them.  

As they travel down this narrow, horrid passageway, the lantern gives out. The wax which burned for them was too melted. They could do nothing to aid this, so they continued on in the dark, with nothing but the light of the necklace to guide them.  

After an hour more of walking, they come upon a small, iron chest in the middle of a clearing. It is chained down with golden vines that wrap around the top of it. It ensnares whatever is inside, guarding it with its fragile life.  

“This must be it.” Anima comments, and Layre steps forward. He tugs carefully at the vine, but it will not budge. 

“Perhaps we must slice away the vine.” Mageus offers, and Layre takes his sword to the vine. The plant drops away, and the chest glows bright. It illuminates the entire cavern, revealing a horrid, dreadful sight.  

They find they are not alone in this clearing, but instead, surrounded by hundreds of red, beading eyes. This clearing seemed to be home to hundreds of mangled, deformed Blood bats. Normally, this would not pose such a threat, but the size of these creatures had been exaggerated. It was likely that the Gods enchanted them, made them a force to be reckoned with for any who tried to get their hands on the Sword of Sapphirus.  

One swoops down, angrily slicing away at Mageus’ arm. The Demi-God shakes it off, and this movement is enough to activate the entire swarm. In one second, a hundred bats have begun pecking, biting, and gnawing at each one of the travelers. Anima screams, ducking her head and hiding her face from their vicious teeth and claws.  

Layre takes to slicing each one that dares near him out of the air. His accuracy is fine for the most part, and he leaves many dead bats by his feet. The crunch of their bodies makes him feel ill and guilty. They were invading the bats’ home, anyways. Mageus is keeping them off himself, and Viessa bodes just fine.  

Soon, there are only a few left, and they fly away in fear of ending up like the others.  

“If that is all we must face, then this will be an easy trip after all.” Viessa comments, opening the chest now.  

Inside, the sword glows with its ethereal beauty. Layre can tell just by the appearance that it was made by the touch of a God. It reminded him fondly of Mageus, the same smoothness and shimmer, made of pure divine desire. He catches himself staring at the Demi-God rather than the loot, and the only thing that re-focuses his attention is the sound of hurried footsteps and hushed whispers. Someone was approaching, and with haste. 

“Behind me!” Layre orders, and Viessa takes the sword into her possession. She shoves it in her sword holder, standing just to the side of Layre and drawing her real weapon.  

Mageus and Anima stagger backward, behind the warriors. Mageus could put up a good fight, but he had not been trained, and he was likely going to be an integral part of freeing Solmeris. Layre wished to protect him at all costs, even with the threat of his own demise.  

Out from the small way they came, a monster bursts. It is spanning over ten feet tall with huge teeth, red, soulless eyes that drip, claws bigger than its head, and a body so large that it narrowly squeezes by the cave walls. It breathes a hot, foggy breath that heats up the entire clearing in seconds. When the thing sees the four, it rears back, unhinging its mangled jaw to roar right in their faces. 

“Get out... my home!” It screams, barely understandable. 

This would prove to be a little harder than it had first appeared.