I move against the wall and try to slide behind the waterfall, I manage but still end up drenched from the spray. It is nowhere near as cold as I was expecting but still being soaked isn't much fun. Unfortunately, I left the cleansing stone back at camp so I just have to suffer I guess.

I have to bend over nearly double to fit into the cave opening, the crystal I saw from outside is the ceiling of the little cave, it is emitting a soft blue glow that lights up the cave. The crystal looks different from those in the roof of the cavern, besides the color the structure seems different too. I reach up and touch it and it feels smooth like glass and is slightly warm to the touch.

I stay hunched over and follow the small tunnel for about twenty feet before it opens up enough for me to stand up straight. It is kind of nerve racking knowing I am now under the lake. But curiosity wins out and I continue following the tunnel to see where it goes.

I can't help but think if Ruby wasn't resting she would probably hit me for this, for some reason the thought makes me smile. I'm distracted from such thoughts when I spot a shiny spot on the wall, a closer look reveals it is more Armatite ore. Oh, I wish I hadn't found this, the idea of mining down here is not very thrilling, but now that I have found it, I want it.

Later, I will have to come back with my pickaxe, for now I should finish exploring. So I follow the tunnel as it twists and turns but generally heads east, further under the lake, up ahead I can see the glow brightening. I reach the end of the tunnel and it opens out into a large chamber. The first thing I notice is the ceiling, it is a dome of the blue crystal and beyond it I can see fish, so that is the bottom of the lake.

Then I notice a pillar holding up the dome, except it looks more like a tree than a pillar. The trunk looks like grey stone, but there are brown branches coming off of it, there are blue, yellow, and red leaves on the branches. On a couple of branches there appears to be light green fruit kind of like pears.

I take a couple of steps forward drawn by the tree, I want a closer look, but then something moves. What I had thought was a large rock by the base of the tree stands up and turns towards me, it is large and long, has four legs and a tail. As it faces me, I can see why I missed it, its back is covered in overlapping plates that look like grey stone.

I notice its eyes are glowing, and as I make the mistake of meeting its eyes there is a flash and suddenly the world goes black. I am still awake, I can feel my body, but I see nothing. I'm blind!

I try rubbing my eyes and blinking rapidly but it doesn't make any difference, I see nothing at all. I can feel myself starting to panic so I force myself to take long slow breaths and calm down. I listen, I can hear the creature moving towards me, running away seems like a good idea, but knowing my luck I will knock myself out on a rock I can't see and wake up as I am being eaten.

So I draw the greataxe and set my footing, then I concentrate on my hearing. I remember that I am on a downward slope but I don't remember if there was anything close by that I could trip on, so I need to stay fairly still. As I listen I can hear water dripping faintly somewhere in the room but I tune that out, I focus completely on the noise of the creature moving closer.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

It is slowly moving closer, I can hear each step it takes, it is only a few feet away. It's armor looked hard, I can't see to target a weak spot, my only option is going to be power, so I raise the greataxe over my shoulder and get ready for an overhand swing. As I listen for it's next step I tense up my muscles and put all my strength into my arms.

When it takes the next step closer I grunt and swing the greataxe with everything I have, I feel the greataxe bite into something and I quickly pull it back and slide backwards carefully.

*THUNK*

I raise the greataxe back into a ready position as I move back a couple of feet, then I freeze and listen for the creature. I hear several rapid steps and then feel a burning pain in my calf.

You have suffered a bite attack! Damage 57HP!

*DING*

You have been poisoned!

HP: 890/947

The pain of the bite is intense, but now I know where its head is. So I picture the creature and guess at where it's neck should be and let loose another swing with all my strength. I can hear the wind whistle around the axe as it comes down and then I feel the blade bite into something softer before passing through it and hitting the stone floor.

*CRUNCH* *CHINK*

*DING*

Congratulations! You have acquired the combat skill Blind-Fighting!

Blind-Fighting

Level 1

Wis +2 Awareness +1

You are not helpless when blind.

I stumble back and fall on my backside, my left leg isn't responding well and there is extra weight on it. Reaching down carefully I feel the creature's severed head still locked onto my calf. I pry the jaws open and toss the head away from me, but I feel dizzy, I can tell something isn't right.

'Ruby!'

Ruby thinks "I'm here, but I'm still fairly weak. What do you need?"

'I'm blind and poisoned! I need your help!'

Ruby thinks "WHAT?!?"

The next thing I know I feel Ruby's hand on my cheek, I suddenly feel less scared now that I am not alone. Strangely her hand feels a little cool as she strokes my face.

Ruby says "What is that thing? Where are we?"

"I'm not sure what it was, at a guess I would call it a basilisk. We are in a cave under the lake. I need you to guide me out and back to camp if you can."

Ruby says "Okay, I see an exit, can you stand?"

Before I even try I set aside the greataxe, then I take the shield off my back and put it down, I also remove my katanas and the war hammer. Then I remove as much of my armor as I can, no need to carry all the extra weight when I am not sure I can support myself. Then I slowly attempt to stand up, my left leg doesn't want to hold any weight so I end up balancing on my right.

"Stand, kind of, walk, I doubt it. Dancing is out of the question so don't ask right now."

Ruby says "Was that a joke? You cracked a joke? Uh oh, this must be bad."

I attempt to hobble towards the exit but Ruby quickly stops me since I am heading the wrong way. She comes up to me and tucks herself under my left arm to try and help support me, then she leads me to the exit and up the tunnel. Despite all the pain all I can think is how good it feels having her pressed up against my side.

The next thing I know I am crawling through the last section of tunnel towards the waterfall. I remember thinking how good the cold spray from the falls felt on my face and then nothing. That is the last thing I remember.