After crushing rocks for an hour, Kaen felt everything was in place.

The others were awake, amazed at how Kaen had never slowed down. Each strike of his hammer was deliberate and precise, rocks cracking and shattering under the force. Yet none of the strikes broke more than it appeared Kaen wanted.

“We need to back up. This might cause a rock slide.”

Seventy yards away, Kaen pulled out his bow and infused the arrow nocked with magic. It grew bright, maintaining a red glow.

Letting the arrow loose struck the point of the rocks Kaen had aimed for, exploding and sending rocks in every direction. A massive noise from the blast echoed through the cavern, bringing a reaction of noises behind them.

“It sounds like the orcs and goblins are preparing to return!” shouted Hagrid as dust drifted from the massive rock slide.

“Let’s go and watch your step!” Kaen shouted, putting up his bow and pulling out his sword.

Their dwarf coughed a few times as the dust bothered his still-healing lungs, but Kaen led them along, moving past rocks that shifted as they climbed over them.

“Up there!” Phillip called out as he pointed to the top of the pile.

Kaen also saw it; they had found an opening at the top of the mountain of rocks.

A massive collective roar came from behind them.

“Those things waited for us to clear a path!” Kaen shouted, pointing at the opening. You three go! I’ll hold them off!”

None of them argued as they clamored over the rocks, making their way up and into the opening that was only about four feet wide. Kaen watched as a horde of orcs and goblins gathered at the base of the rocks, looking up at the four of them as Kaen backed away slowly after his men.

Down below, the number of creatures continued to swell, well over a thousand and more coming by the second.

Pammon, we are about to be coming, and things will be nasty!

He could feel his friend moving and thought there was movement near the mountain's exit.

I’m here. Just make it to me.

Every creature seemed poised to begin climbing up the rocks after him and the others, yet they waited. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Kaen dashed up the pile of boulders and rocks and caught up with the other three, all on their hands and knees, climbing through the gap.

Phillip had a light orb out and was leading the other two, some areas getting tighter to where there was only a few feet of room instead of the initial four.

“Holy elf tits,” Hagrid called out from behind Phillip. “It’s like being in a mine!”

“There is an opening, but it’s going to be tight. Like real tight!”

Already struggling with the space around him, Kaen put his sword away and affixed his shield on his back. Between it and his bow, they were already catching on rocks that jutted each way.

Using his night vision, he could see just how tight things would get.

The other three had the advantage over him. He was thicker than any of them and saw the trouble the tight space was causing.

“You okay, Frederick?”

A grunt came from the boy, but he was obviously struggling to keep moving forward.

“I can’t breathe, it’s… it’s hard to focus.”

“Focus on my back!” shouted Hagrid, hearing the conversation behind him. “It happens in places like this. Ignore the rocks. Keep yer eyes on my back and nowhere else.”

“It’s just so tight… like it’s crushing me!”

The panic in Frederick’s tone was easy to hear, and Kaen squirmed behind him. “You have to go forward. There are over a thousand orcs and goblins behind us. I’m right here. Phillip is in front. Pretend this is just another training exercise and focus like Hagrid said.”

The shouts of creatures coming up the rocks they had just climbed added to the moment, and the young boy shook from his fear.

“Breathe, slowly, in and out. It will be hard at first, I know, but breathe.”

Hagrid’s voice was low and slow. Even over the thundering cries behind them, the dwarf backed up slowly so he was within reach of Frederick.

“Follow me. Focus on me, and we can get out of here.”

Wedged in that tunnel, Kaen knew time was running out. Soon, the creatures would come climbing into the hole, and he would be limited in his ability to fight back.

“Frederick, remember that promise you made all those years ago on the street? You told me you would give everything to be like me. Today is the final test. Show me all these years were worth it.”

A second passed, and Kaen saw the young boy change. His breathing returned to normal, and the tremors that had begun to consume him stopped.

Frederick began to move slowly, picking up speed as the dwarf before him moved ahead.

No one said anything, ignoring the sound of goblins entering the opening about twenty yards behind them.

Phillip was grunting, and Kaen couldn’t see what was happening, but he had an idea why.

Stolen story; please report.

“Moving… a few… rocks…” Phillip shouted. “Wedged good. It’s tight up here, Kaen.”

Already the path was closing in on him and his weapons were catching on to everything.

The same fear that Frederick had a moment ago tried to overwhelm him. He couldn’t turn around, and backing up wasn’t going to be an option much longer. Barely able to look behind him, he saw the creatures and their yellow glowing eyes staring at him, some being forced ahead by whatever monster was pushing them ahead.

Rocks were being dragged away from the opening, widening it up.

“Keep at them. I need to take off my bow and shield.”

Sliding back a few steps, the creatures' shrieking rose in the tunnel, and Kaen ignored them and the pit in his stomach.

Are you ok? Your heart is racing.

It’s tight down here. Worse than you can…

Kaen cut off his words as he reached a spot and finally got his shield off his back. Lying it on the ground ahead, he fumbled for his bow, ignoring whatever had struck him from behind.

I’m working on getting out of here. Just know there are thousands behind me.

Pammon was concerned, but a thread of strength flowed through their bond.

Smiling, even in the darkness of the hole, Kaen felt his friend giving him support.

Thank you.

Always, now focus on what you need to do.

Putting his bow on his shield, Kaen slid them along the rocks, helping them over the spots that blocked the path.

“I’m out!” Phillip shouted, his words echoing through the tunnel.

Kaen could see the light ahead. A few dips and turns blocked the exit he knew had to be between him and the exit.

As he squirmed and weaved through it, the rocks felt like a monster, wrapping its massive hand and fingers around him and squeezing. Breathing was challenging as he saw the opening ahead.

“Grab my shield,” Kaen grunted, struggling to fill his lungs.

Hagrid squirmed into the opening ahead and grabbed it with his fingers, blocking out the light from Phillips's orb.

“Focus on this next spot,” the dwarf warned. It’s tight; I can see it in your eyes. You can do this, just like your student did.”

Wanting to laugh, Kaen just gave a slight nod. The dwarf was earning his reputation at this moment, helping them get through a spot they might have floundered at without his calm demeanor.

Seven feet from the opening, Kaen saw the other three looking at him, the look of concern and hope fighting for space on their faces.

A small area of rocks pinched in tighter.

“You able to widen this?” Kaen asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“Not quickly,” Hagrid replied. “This next part will be hard for you. Do you trust me?”

Looking at the red-headed dwarf and seeing the truth that lay deep within his eyes, Kaen nodded.

“Good. Here’s what we need to do.” Hagrid turned to Phillip. “You need to climb in and be ready to grab his hands. Toss that orb in so it lands near that spot so you can both see. Frederick, you and I will have to pull them both. I know we’re still hurting, but we must do our part.”

Leaning back over the hole that led to where Kaen was waiting, Hagrid smiled. “It’s time to pretend to be a dwarf, Dragon Rider Kaen. When Phillip is in place, I need you to wedge yourself. Get into that spot and keep your hands ahead of you. Use your toes to push. Then, the hard part comes next. You will feel crushed, unable to breathe, but we both know it isn’t true. Once Phillip has your hands, he will tell us, and I will give the call. Now watch.”

Hagrid leaned over and put his hands against his chest.

Somehow, Kaen expelled even more air, his hands not moving and inches appearing between them. For about twelve seconds, he held it like that before he started to shake. Another seven passed as he trembled, and the dwarf finally took a deep breath.

“You will have to do that. You will have to expel all the air from your lungs. It will burn, and your natural reaction will be to take a deep breath. Fight it. You cannot do that while in that spot.

Use your feet and use those toes. Drive as we pull. Do you understand?”

Kaen nodded, calming himself and grateful for the thread of strength coming from Pammon.

“I’m ready.”

Hagrid nodded and pointed toward the opening, where Phillip bent down and tossed the lightstone inside.

The bright light almost made things worse, as Kaen's shadows made the small path feel even tighter. Phillip climbed in, keeping a small smile as he inched forward.

It looked like the young man wanted to say something, but he didn’t; instead, he kept his eyes focused on the man who had trained him. When Phillip was close he held his arms out, waiting for Kaen.

“I’m in position.”

Hagrid grunted and pointed at Frederick, who moved to the other side of the opening and prepared to grab Phillip’s ankle.

“Strong but gentle, don’t jerk,” Hagrid warned as they got into position.

“Ok, Kaen, move forward, and Phillip, tell me the second he has your hands.”

Kaen used his feet, pressing against rocks that seemed to slip as he dug his toes in, his armored shoes feeling like weights now that held him back.

The rocks drug against his dragon-armored chest and legs, but inch by inch, he got closer till his hands were clasped around Phillips.

The world was so dark, even with the light of the orb, as the weight of a mountain pressed every side of him.

“I got him!” Phillip shouted, his voice seeming loud in that chamber of rocks.

“Blow everything out!” Shouted Hagrid. “Phillip, say when!”

Kaen’s breaths were already so short and quick. Barely any movement of his chest or lungs was possible. His whole body screamed, and his mind was raging against him.

Closing his eyes, he focused as Hess had taught him so long ago- on the target before him and letting everything else fade away. His lifestone burned gently, reminding him of the strength inside.

Forcing every bit of air from his lungs, Kaen felt a little space starting to form around him, the smallest amount of room finally there.

“Now!”

Seconds stretched on as Kaen felt his body pulled, his arms lengthening his body and those massive shoulders and traps being wedged against his head. He tried to not crush Phillip’s hands and wrists as he held on, feeling his body get stuck in the tight embrace of stone.

“Pullll!” grunted Hagrid as Kaen fought the urge to try and take a breath. His mind was swimming from needing to breathe, and his lungs felt like they would obey its desires.

His toes dug and pressed, and he was unable to use his legs like he wanted. Only the tiny movements of his ankles and calves seemed to work.

The sound of rocks scraping across his armor filled his ears, as Phillip tugged and twisted his arms, trying to shimmy his mentor through the gap.

Kaen’s eyes watered; even shut, they leaked out as he wasn’t sure if he could hold on much longer without taking a breath. Even if he had wanted to, he knew nothing would come, which would send him into a state of panic as the rocks hugged his chest.

Finally, a surge of him moving forward came, wrenched free from the mountain that wanted to hold him forever. A few feet slid by quickly, and he gasped for air, feeling the constraints against his torso gone.

Stale, dirty, old air filled his lungs, yet every bit of it felt better than he could remember air having ever been.

“There we go,” the dwarf grunted as they continued to pull him and Phillip into the opening on the other side of the fallen stone.

Lying on his stomach, Kaen forced himself to roll over, his lungs filling up as much as possible half a dozen times before he forced himself to get up.

“Remind me I never want to be a dwarf in a mine,” Kaen joked as he saw the other three smiling at him.

“I hear that,” Frederick replied, nodding in agreement.

Collecting their gear, Kaen stared back into the hole behind him and the movement he saw inside.

Slowly, he gathered his bow and and arrow.