Charlie awoke with a start, his heart beating in his ears as the remnants of the nightmare faded into the dark recesses of his mind. Quickly looking around, Charlie couldn't see nor hear anything, but could feel the rapid approach of something powerful within the range of his [Mana Sense]. It wasn't as fast as a Vitesse in flight, but it was still concerning, as they were far more powerful.

Quickly shaking the sleep off, Charlie got himself ready and primed for battle, and waited. He could feel and hear his heart in his chest, frustratingly blocking out the silence, but even still, he could hear the clanking of metal boots on stone in the distance. Charlie was hidden in the shadowed crack in the floor, but he still felt exposed - especially since there were more and more signals appearing in his [Mana Sense].

Charlie couldn't resist and peeked an eye out of his hiding spot, and almost regretted it. What he saw shook him to his core.

It was an army of warriors approaching him at great speeds. Unlike the warriors at the gates, dressed in a uniform made of metal and leather, these humans were clad in steel and steel alone. He didn't get a great look, but there were some sort of markings on the steel chestplates, probably signifying their allegiance - though that meant little to Charlie.

Whether it was due to misfortune or if they were specifically searching out the lone serpent, for whatever reason, the steel-clad warriors were charging directly to Charlies current hiding spot.

Charlies mind spun, desperately trying to figure out if there was any connection between himself and the soldiers, desperately trying to decide whether or not he should immediately flee, or if that was nothing more than suicide disguised as hope.

In mere seconds, Charlie had decided that it was already too late to run, so instead he would remain perfectly still. While holding his breath, the first of the steel warriors stepped over the cracked floor containing Charlie - and continued onward, without breaking stride.

The legion of armoured warriors followed, and after what felt like an eternity, Charlie was left with his ears ringing from the barrage of steel boots on stone. After finally allowing himself to exhale, Charlie peeked his head out from the crack and watched the fading back of the steel army ascend up towards the gates.

Thank fuck...

No matter how insane and unlikely it truly was, Charlie couldn't help but think the human warriors were somehow after him. Ever since his interaction with Nirina, The Worm of Envy, Charlie felt that he had painted a target on his back and it was only a matter of time before someone came looking. It seemed that today, at least, was not that day.

With his confidence and mind still reeling, Charlie left the safety of his temporary home and ventured outwards for something to eat. Before the legion of humans showed up, Charlie had wanted to visit the human settlement again today, and find a place to camp close-by so he could see if they truly left their homes, or if they stayed inside all day.

It would help Charlie understand the nature of the human presence within the cave, as there were still too many questions floating around in his mind that needed some answers. If the humans left their homes freely, then Charlie would turn tail and run - there was no chance, on this world or the next, that he would be able to escape if he were to be found. Especially if the humans decided that he needed to die, then there was certainly no running from the concentrated and combined efforts of vengeful humans.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Charlie knew that well, as he had to help putting down the many dangerous and grotesque creatures for the safety of the settlement - back when he was still human. Once the decision was made, there was no chance of running, and their death was all but confirmed.

Yet, no matter how badly he wanted, or how badly he needed answers, the sudden appearance of the armoured warriors was an ill omen. Charlie had yet to understand whether or not they were there to help in the efforts of restoring the gate, or if they were called on for some other unknown reason. It was entirely likely that there would be many more, and that the cave would become a far too dangerous zone to traverse as leisurely as he had been.

In fact, it was entirely likely that it was already too late, and Charlie had nowhere to run or turn.

Even his curiosity was unwilling to find the answers to such conjectures, instead Charlie turned around, and made way towards the river without wasting another moment.

The once tepid and slow herbivorous creatures were now in complete disarray, but at least they were fleeing in the same direction as Charlie - away from the terrifying humans clad in their pristine steel armour.

In the presence of such large and hulking creatures, Charlie felt safer - if the humans were indeed coming upon them, they would be the first to fall. It would give Charlie the much needed moment to hide or escape, if it would still be possible.

The galloping hooves struck the ground in unison, sending reverberations throughout the stone and filling Charlie with the sensation that the world itself was rumbling. It played on his already shot nerves, making him feel that the humans were hot on his tail, but he knew it wasn't so, as his [Mana Sense] had not yet picked anything up.

Though, it often proved fatal to harbour such dangerous thoughts of safety. It was as if the world listened, and hated Charlie for thinking so - the first human Mana signature broke into Charlies [Mana Senses] range.

Without wasting even a single breath, Charlie dove into the nearest crack in the wall, and slithered in as deeply as he could. The shadows wrapped around Charlie like thick cloth, but he still felt nude and exposed.

Not a moment too soon, too, as the human soldiers passed by even quicker than before - slaughtering all those in their path like they weren't even there. Blood, viscera, gore and unsightly liquids stained both the floors and the walls in their wake. The Mana that these humans emitted was on another level, too, shining like miniature suns in his [Mana Sense].

The sudden terrified bleats and screeches were immediately cut short, and only the rhythmic echo of steel-plated boots crashing into stone remained.

Then, the world shook.

A deafening crash shot through the caves interior, reverberating through the stone with such force that it made the rocky walls almost seem liquid. Charlie was violently thrown into the sharp corners of the cracked hole, bruising his ribs but never puncturing his Vitality reinforced scales. He could feel his own breath being knocked out of his chest, and struggled to drawn even a raspy breath.

Then, the world shook again - but this time it felt weaker.

The shockwaves traveled through the stone, breaking off large stalactites from the ceiling and crushing the more brittle structures below. Yet, the ceiling at large remained firm and showed no signs of collapse.

Charlie did not dare move, even long after the shockwaves had subsided. Their tremors might no longer assault the cave, but he could still feel their phantom aftershocks wreck his body.

What... in the world... was that?

The powerful vibrations had sent Charlie tumbling, knocking the wind out of him multiple times and reminding him of the time he had almost drowned. Yet, it was not the aquatic creature that emerged from his memories, but the desert basins calamity - it was the only thing powerful enough to have such an affect on the world.

Were the humans enough to repel the creature? Were the humans powerful enough to contend with such a force of nature? Were they stronger? Were they still simply alive?

There were a hundred and one questions, and yet Charlie couldn't find the strength to move, no strength to satiate his curiosity - no will to action out his suicidal desires. Right now, he just wanted a break, he needed a break. Everything felt claustrophobic, like it was closing in on him.

Charlie needed to get out of here, and quick, but he could barely move. His body barely responded, riddled with powerful aftershocks that tore through his entire body.

He felt fear.