Sunman was attempting to attend to everyone's injuries. Tobias leaned against the wall. His eyes on the bed where his long time friend had just been. Turned into something unrecognizable. This was not even in his nightmare.
“Ah, hah. Glad you are still alive. Doing first aid is not my specialty.” Said the Sunman.
“You have some stitches in there. Be careful now. I did have some rather potent gel, got that on you as well.” The sunman said, to Maxwell. His skin was torn by the barbed flesh.
“Thanks again. What do I owe you?” Maxwell said.
“Oh nothing, nothing, my friend. You are my guest. Can't have people dying in here, along with the other strange things going on.”
“I see. I promise we won’t be in any more trouble.”
“I sure hope so. Now if you would excuse me. I will leave the rest in your hands.” Sunman tipped his cap and vanished.
Grant shifted in his chair as he left. With a staggering step he stood over the bed. His welding helmet was still on.
“I’m gonna get this out of the way. What the hell was that thing?” Metlock said, still gripping Lockjaw.
“That must have been what Solace had seen in his nightmare.” Tobias said, he walked over to the bed and placed a hand on it.
We will get you back somehow. Through whatever cost, even Graylands technology if we must. Tobias thought. He drove the blade through the center of the bed and cut it in half.
Maxwell came over and placed a hand on his shoulder. He gave Tobias a slow nod. Tobias grip on the sword loosened and he hung his head in defeat.
“Okay folks. This is getting out of hand faster than we thought. We need to find that strider, today. If the Tulere Piscus comes, so be it. Same with that Xeanoss freak. If we can. We need to beat the hell out of that thing. To bring Solace back into existence. Maxwell said.
“Agree with you there. This place is reeking with some hidden malice. Let’s get out here.” Grant said.
“When we see that bastard. I’m going to be the first one to get payback. So stay back.” Grant said, he put on his welding helmet and stormed out of the room. Blood dripped from his hands and down his hammers.
Everyone quickly gathered their things. Tobias noticed eralars arms before she lifted her sleeves. The color of her tattoos were getting bolder. His hand stammered for a moment. But he managed to reach out and touch her shoulder. It was tense. She was angry at something. Before he could say anything, she slouched away and bolted out.
“Sorry.” The words barely escaped her.
Tobias just watched her for a moment before going after her. Just to see if she was okay.
Eralarl had turned into a room and stood in front of a mirror. Her reflection was different. Her eyes had changed. Kaleidoscopic black and blue, rotating and changing shapes. Everything ached, as the tattoos pulsed, leaking down and off her arms. Thoughts were intact, but this was a newsensation. Gripping the sink, hands grabbed at nothing. It was too late. It was already crumbling to pieces. Crouching and grabbing her she tried to focus her thoughts. Breathing in and out. Thinking of home. Even though it was a place that she was indifferent to, it brought forth the most peaceful memories. Where the tides stretched farther inland. Small whirlpools filled with life, fighting to be born. Watching the newborn coiled fish feel their way through shallow pools. Onyx had followed her.. Staying put just outside the door. Eralar let out a hand to him. His head leaned to the side.
“Don’t worry boy. I am alright.”
Cautiously he approached and opted to investigate her hand. He was taken aback by the smell it was emitting. Taking a step back he playfully swiped a paw down. He wasn’t going near that.
With a chuckle her eyes began changing back. The ink on her arm sinking back in and the pain fading.
“Can’t blame you there, boy. I don’t even have the guts to give myself a whiff after that.”
A knock came from the outside wall. In a rush she didn't even bother to shut the door. Luckily whatever was happening to her body had left.
“Hey Eralar are you okay in there?” Tobias asked.
“Yes, I am fine.” She said, stepping out patting her sides.
“What happened back there and what were you sorry for?”
“Couldn't tell you. My body was just reacting to that thing. It happened more than once. In the library as well next to your friend.
Tobias put his back against the open door. He watched her with concern. Her yellow dress, now spotted with bits of blood and torn in places.
Something was off. I'm sorry I didn't notice the threat and remove it sooner.”
“No need to be sorry. Solace was just sick. He was no danger to us.”
“He could have been. I know he is your friend. In Duneweave i’ve lost fellow friends to the waves and sands.”
“I would have stopped him. He could be a little gun shy and scared. No way he –”
“You don't know that. If something happened to me. Or any of your friends. In the worst case scenario, be ready to mercifully end them.”
Tobias looked at her stunned. The idea never crossed his mind. Danger only came in the forms of things trying to devour, or kill him. The threat, not even once did he think would come from people close. Grael was rather quiet. Tobias sensed something from within his core. The words had struck him. Must have had to do it before. Wouldn't be a surprise since he has been around for ages.
“I…Thanks. I will be more careful.” Tobias said.
“Have you ever seen anything like that?” He asked.
“Back home there are depictions of monsters. Some look to be human, others not. It was believed that it was just displaying a form of sleep paralysis. Nothing more.”
“Based on that ugly ass thing, it is certainly something more.”
“Agreed. My body wouldn't have reacted the way it did, if it were nothing.”
A light breeze accompanied everyone as they got outside. Overcast skies ruled the morning. Didn't look like it was going to change. Tobias looked back to the canopy’s and the buildings. Branches swaying, leaves dangling and falling. Everything else had been still. No shadows danced from inside the hotel rooms. That was a good sign at least. Onyx stayed close and on guard.
“I shouldn’t do this but I’m too curious.” Tobias said.
With a knee on the slick deck, his hands dipped through the water. Or tried to. Stopped by the feeling of a tough clay, almost hard enough to be rock. This was much different than what they had found at the shack. So strange, had this been out here much longer than the others? The acid or whatever was falling yesterday was fresh enough. With careful steps he and Onyx got back on the boat. Sitting down at the helm, he took out his holoframe. Everyone was probably eager to get going. So setting course, The Snapper started up. Onyx came and laid beside him.
Maxwell came out and stood next to him, looking out in the distance. Migrating birds mixed with stragglers flew above. Both of them stood silently as the boat traveled.
They had been close to their destination, which wasn’t far. Mounds of earth began to peek out of the waters as they passed. The snapper made an odd noise as more islands rose out around them. Twisting his torso Tobias leaning over the front. Slick slopes with trees lined his sight. Small white sandy beaches also dotting along the sides. This is where their search would begin. Most of the islands were very small. There is no way that giant thing wouldn't be visible. Not enough cover on some of these patches. Grant and Metlock came out with their weapons ready.
“There is not much out here is there?” Metlock asked.
“Afraid there isn’t.” Tobias replied.
“Well guys I don’t think we will need to do too much searching.” Eralar spoke up, staring off to the east.
“Why is tha-?” Maxwell was about to finish his question, until he saw the obvious.
In between all of the migrating birds, there was another swarm circling one of the islands. This one was much bigger in size. The group all went over to the side to get a view. As they did this Tobias silently adjusted course.
“What is that god awful smell?” Grant asked.
He could smell it through his welding helmet. Tobias, Maxwell and Lydon knew the scent instantly.
“N-NO-” Lydon couldn't hold himself back. Puke flew out of his mouth into the ocean.
Tobias chuckled and held a hand over his mouth. It wasn’t as strong as last time.
As they closed in on this island, birds began dropping into the water. The Snapper now began to slow. In the water, corpses of all kinds of animals gently bounced off sides. Dark and clear blue colors left them, as the waves looked to carry giant foamy balls of the sludge the creatures had left. The apparent bubbles did not break against the ship.
“Looks like we found our spot! What a stench!” Metlock said, waving a hand in front of his face.
“This is unbelievably disgusting! Is it coming from the animals?” Eralar said, staggering
No. It’s not coming from the animals. It's coming from everywhere. Grael said, to Tobias. The water, the air, plants, animals, all life.
The erosion of Heatherweald. Her roots spread far. I can feel the last embers of power, everywhere.
With a terrible screech, all motion stopped as they breached blackened sand. A beached whale lay not far from them. Tiny bits of flesh remained. Most of it had already been stripped. Just the bones remained, some of them looked like they were about to fall off or be swallowed by the sludge. Lydon stared blankly at the scene, his glasses starting to fog up.
“We really got to get off and check this out don’t we?” He asked, shaking.
“Come on partner, let's go. We don’t got all day!” Grant said, and jumped into the sand.
Metlock jumped off the boat, Lockjaw in hand. Racing out in front of Grant.
He had always done stuff like this when they were younger. Charging in headfirst. When they all decided to go search for rare gems from the stalagmite caves from the mountains, he was the first to slide feet first into the dark. Luckily that day, the “Bloody thirsty Bat king” had been asleep. Having the nerves of molten iron, he climbed up the sides. He took a small ax and hacked away at a section of brilliant topaz hidden away.
Tobias jumped off onto the sand as it made a strange crackling sound. Maxwell just looked at everyone in horror as he tried not to lose his stomach. Clumsily, he leaned forward and fell off the boat. Barrel rolling against the grain, he just coated himself in black dust. Tobias kicked him in the side and then offered him a hand up.
Begrudgingly, he took it. It was hard to tell what was what, as the sludge covered and seemingly ate away and coat everything. Life that remained squirmed in the muck, soundless. Functions stopping, some sinking below into the endless grains of sand. Luck had it for them, the smell of salt dampened the true horrors of the beach..
Lydon tapped on his glasses. His satellite access was no longer working. No access or control points out this far. With what data that was already stored, he got topography of the island. Not much had been mapped out. It was about the size of Underbite. A cave entrance had been marked.
Tobias winced as he got a closer look at the rotten whale.
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“I have good news, everyone! There is a cave of unknown horrors for us to explore!” Lydon shouted.
“Fantastic, we have our lead. Be careful going forward. Things could get nasty.” Maxwell said.
“Well I will meet you guys there!” Metlock cocked Lockjaw and kicked up a trail of sand.
“Man those birds back at his stall must have really pissed him off.” Tobias said, smacking Maxwell on the shoulder and hustling after him.
Maxwell wanted to stop him but couldn’t. Avaron could be behind this. The others would not be pleased if he was actually here. He doubted that thought. Metlock could tell the others when he was ready.
Across the sand, mud made its entrance as their shoes dipped in. The greenleaves shielding them from the bit of wind that was stirring up. The path ahead looked seemingly untouched. If that thing was here, it did not come stomping across land. No fallen trees, footprints, or husk of octopus. That could have been its only source of food. Who knows if it had eaten the remains of the whale on the shore. The Island was free of mist. A good omen perhaps?
A quiet march, everyone had been silent and on alert. Nothing to be afraid of as the entrance of the cave came into view. It had been a straight shot in, had to be at least a mile and a half walk. A canvas of rock opened up as they stopped before it. A giant opening, still too small however. There was no way that thing could fit inside. Metlock who had marched on ahead was standing in front of the cave holding something up.
“Look here. Ovoroth. They left their things scattered.” Metlock said.
Tobias, Maxwell and Lydon gave quick glances. Getting a closer look at what Metlock was holding, they silently thought. A closed locket with the Ovorothian symbol etched on the front. Some supply crates had been opened. Stashed with rope, weapons, lights and some rations. Odd things to simply leave behind. Eralar came forward and snatched the locket out of Metlocks hands and observed it.
“Hey! I would have handed it to ya, if you asked.”
“Sorry, I got excited there.”
“Ya-huh. About what, this relic?”
“Yes! Don’t you know these are only carried by the highest ranking officers in Ovoroth? A gift for feats only known to them.”
“No, I did not. Aren't they special? Let's take a look inside. Gotta be something of value in there.”
Metlock snatched it back and tried to pry it open with a hand. No luck. He grit his teeth and stared at it dumbfoundedly. Pulling in his lips, he handed it back to Eralar. She gave him an eyebrow raise and tried her like. The same result. It would not budge. It looked to be in perfect condition, well taken care of. No rust, strange it would not budge open. Lydon picked up some tattered clothes lying in the mud. Unraveling them resulted in more Ovoroth symbols. Anchors and a giant whale extending on each of the sleeves. Shifting his gaze slightly, the chain still wrapped around his wrist. Could this have come from there as well?
Tobias went through some of the boxes and stopped. His hand flew into his pocket and he brought out the coin Mathias had on him. Over the glimpse of the coin, underneath clothes, he saw the same coins. Was his friend a high ranking official? That happy smug, fool? He looked at the others and stashed the coin again. No. He did not have enough information. He would have to look directly into Ovorothian records, if they could. Grant took a flashlight and took off his welding helmet. Eyes weary, he rubbed his mustache and let in a deep breath.
“I’m gonna take a quick peek in here, while you all look around.” He said, descending down into the cave. His bald head disappearing out of sight under the moss and plants.
“Any thoughts of this gear left behind Maxwell?” Tobias asked as he kneeled down looking in the mud for any kind of tracks.
“Yes of course. An officer. Left behind supplies. Paired with minimal damage to the surrounding area, what were they looking for?
“Probably trying to track this thing down I’d imagine.”
“I doubt that. They would surely ask for help. Trying to keep that thing a secret across the ocean would be difficult.”
Tobias continued to look around as the others all went out of view. Listening to the wind, ducking behind trees. Tracks were absent. If anyone had bothered to explore this island, they were long gone by now. Clutching one of the dark blue and gray uniforms, he held it up. It was definitely older. The art on the shirts had been peeling away. Filled with holes, falling apart. Tossing it back into one of the crates. The cave awaited him. Slabs of slick stone and moss bowed into the dark.The entrance got further and further as Tobias went down. It was surprisingly well lit. The terrain under him slowly morphed into rock. Shallow water ran to the side of him. Slick shoes made their way across wet rock. He followed the cave path with feet in the water. Light spewed in from holes in the ceiling. Revealing huge white and brown stones. Taking in the view, he squeezed in between a boulder in the middle of the stream. Onyx had been by his side, quiet on their way here. That was a good sign at least. If something was off, that would not be a welcome sign. Through what felt like miles of silence, treading on through the water.
“Into the depths, maybe a part of the starlight is down here?” Grael pondered.
“You know much more about these fragments. Could one be down here, causing damage to the sea? Or just that creature?” Tobias asked.
“I'm afraid, as I said before, they are one of the same. If there is one here, it wouldn't cause as much damage as that beast is doing.”
At this point his feet began to go deeper into the water. Time to step out. The light was also beginning to fade, so it was time to take out the holoframe. With the light ahead of him, he stopped as something caught his eye. It was that black sludge. Leaking down the earthen wall. Where it drew down something appeared to have smashed against it. Scattered outwards, definitely not anormal cave characteristic. Flat rocks were a welcome, as the stone piercing his shoes was making things rough.
Onyx was probably thankful as well. Up ahead, he saw everyone hunched next to each other looking straight down. Must have found a huge drop and were unable to continue on. Maxwell turned, as he heard their footsteps. The expression on his face, couldn’t mean anything good.
“Down there.” He said quietly as Tobias crouched next to him.
The tracker had been correct. Before them the tunnel widened and the walls got higher. Whatever it was they were hunting, seemed to be asleep. Antennas still moved tapping the ground as its body heaved with each breath. Most concerning was the presence of what looked to be egg sacks. They were all black and sludgy.
There is no way this thing could have laid them. From what he had seen, it would ultimately kill whatever it touched. Dozens upon dozens of eggs filled their vision.
“Stay low, let's not do anything rash just yet.” With the back of his palm, Maxwell wiped sweat off his forehead.
“This thing is huge, though it would be a tad smaller from the holograms.” Eralar said.
“From all the books, scrolls and paintings you’ve seen, I’m surprised you haven’t seen anything like this.” Tobias said.
“Do I look like an old sage or hermit to you?”
“No, not an all knowing sorceress perhaps?”
“I like the sound of that much better. Let's go with that.”
“Hey Lydon, are you getting a signal in here?” Maxwell asked.
“Haven't checked since we reached the island. Didnt have one when we landed. There might be a spot beach there. Did have a ping, ignored it though.”
“Okay, thanks I will keep it in mind.” He motioned the others to gather around. “I’m going to try and let the CGA know we have found our target. They should send out one of the giant scrap ships, should we manage to capture it.”
“It is hard to tell with those eyes. With the antennas, it could be awake,” Tobias stated.
“How would we try and move it out? It's not coming out the way we came.” Lydon said.
“The same way it came in. There must be an entrance under water, or another passage that leads here.”
“No way do we go looking for that.”
“Agreed, we might be dried out dead before they get here.” Metlock said. Lockjaw was prompt at his side. His hand on the rocks, looking for ways in or out.
“Speaking of, no signs of any Ovorothians.” Tobias said.
“Might be inside its belly, or who knows maybe one of these eggs. Lydon said.
Tobias gave him a sly thumbs up.
“Maxwell, ask them to send in a latcher. They need to find the entrance, if they want the body.” Tobias said.
“Sure, I will try and pass the word along.” He replied and disappeared back into the dark.”
Tobias felt a nudge in his side. Metlock had bumped into him.
“So, I got an idea. You down?”
“Throw it at me, what do you got?”
“Back at Mountain's Breath, when we were teens. Just you and I had snuck out to search for “King ivory”?“
“Of course that was fun yet terrifying.”
“Well my friend, I say we do that again right now.”
“You want to try something like that here and now?”
“Yes.”
“We could actually die this time. You know that right?”
“I know this is sudden, but we need to do something. We can't just sit here and hope it doesn't move.”
“You are right on that..”
“Right then let's go get a closer look, shall we?”
Metlock made his way down an uneven rocky path.
“Wait, wait! Where are you going?” Lydon said, moving his sunglasses up, eyes wide and mouth partially open.
“We are going to get a closer look at this thing. See if we can find anything out?”
“You guys are insane. I’ll come with.”
“How about you, Grant and Eralar check out thes eggs? If we need help, well you will hear us yelling.”
“I suppose.” Eralar said.
Down the left side of the cavern, the path looked to have been cleared. Certain rocks had been trimmed down and moved aside. It still had a fair amount of stalagmites rising from both sides. The “Strider” as he called it was still unmoving, besides the antennas. Where it lay, no bones could be seen. Just tattered remains of clothing likely from Ovoroth. Metlock stuck out his index finger motioning him to go the opposite way. Tobias watched its eyes and snuck around and out of view. The blue and white energy they saw back at the hangar was not fully there. Currently, it was only the white making its way up its long legs. Covering his mouth and nose, a stench flowed out as he circled. It wasn’t the normal culprit. Something else this time. On its side, there were several large gashes. It was hard to say what could have made them. Was it cut by jagged rocks on the way in? Boat anchors or propellers? Weapons? Another animal? More but smaller wounds appeared. These looked like bite marks for certain. Some punctures in its oval-like shell. The wings looked to be undamaged as he and Metlock met up halfway around.
“Not much over there. Find anything?” Tobias said, taking careful steps. Attempting not to wake it.
“It has a ton of scars. Go check it out.” Metlock said.
“Will do.”
Nothing else caught his eye. Turning to the water, small flashes of light blue crept through. Thanks to all the holes in the ceiling.
After the short detour around its body, the two met back up in front of its eyes.
“Find anything else interesting from this thing?” Tobias asked. “Not a thing.”
“I’m going to go back and just watch from a distance, see what Maxwell found out.” Lydon said.
“Sounds good. I’d rather not be alone with this thing.” Metlock said. He used Lockjaw as a walking stick and started to go back up.
While climbing back up, he swore he heard distant crackling noises. The strider behind them still motionless. Up top the noise grew louder.Curiously, Tobias bobbed his way around the way they all came.
From the side of its wounds, Xeanoss came into view. Now soaked in black ink, it raised its hands into the air, welcoming them.
“I'm so glad you all made it. Welcome, to the birth of a new formation. A reconstruction of this planet. This is just a taste, enjoy.” It said, its raspy voice echoed off the walls.
Pop pop pop pop!
“I don’t care, just send the fastest ship! Don’t take ANY stops!” Maxwell was heard yelling as he stuffed his holoframe in his pocket.
More popping sounds, then more and more until it grew into a cacophony. From all sides of the eggs, claw-like arms shattered the shell and it pulled itself out. It looked nothing like the strider. Pale, blue with dashes of purple. The rotting acid-like substance flowed off its shell.
“Oh, what in the hell is this?” Metlock said. As the last of his words lingered in the air. Without another word, they made a quick dash. More of the beetle-like creatures began coming out from every direction they could see in. They scurried madly to the strider, and dug into it, eating the wound. Trying to wiggle and throw them off, it lunged at the rock just beneath them. With no time to react, it stood up and threw itself right at them. One of its front limbs lashed out and swiped where they stood. Xeanoss stood there emotionless, slowly approached them in the chaos.
Maxwell did not react in time. Making contact with his body, it smashed through rock, his body flung along with it. Onyx growled furiously, gnashing his teeth as a pair of beetles approached them. Grant closed his helmet, gripped his hammers and swung down on one of their shells. It squealed and crunched under their weight. Another jumped at him, swinging back; he managed to knock it back somewhat before it pushed back against him and began to overpower him. It began screaming and shaking.
Eralar had ink rushing down her arms. She grasped it tightly and squeezed. In a matter of moments and brief screeching, it had turned to ash forming a messy pile on his helmet. He remained motionless in surprise as he saw a glimpse of her through the now filthy helmet.
Lydon felt like spiders were crawling up his back. One stealthy had its many claws rolling up his back. Freaking out he dove forward and rolled. The creature hitting the earth with a loud CRACK. His head was throbbing, that was probably a mistake. He wasn’t thinking or worried about how dumb that was in the moment.
Unraveling the chain anchor on his wrist, he threw it forward. Pulling back it wrapped around its legs kicking in the air. The anchor dug into the beetle cutting it open as he raised it out from under its legs. On the back it had cut clean through, a piece of one the legs stuck through it. A shot had been fired. Luckily, it wasn’t enough to make them deaf. Lydon was covered in all kinds of liquid. As Metlock blasted one attempting to jump on him.
He spun around and shot Lockjaw at the strider. Then one at Xeanoss, that missed him. The other hit the strider. An antenna fell off from the hit. The strider lashed against the cave walls in pain. Placing all of its limbs on the ground it flung itself to the cave ceiling. Rocks began to fall and everything shook as a result.
“We need to get out of here now!” Tobias attempted to yell over all the noise.
Eralar had a hand on two separate beetles, their shells collapsing. She let go as she did manage to hear him, and began hauling it to the exit. Grant stopped swinging away at one, its shell completely crushed. The others backed up then hurriedly followed after her. Tobias drew Grael and followed the crumbled rock where Maxwell had been tossed.
Light began to pour in, as the strider kept throwing itself against the ceiling. One of the creatures knocked Tobias over as the cave shook again. Onyx jumped on a beetle's back. Tobias followed up by driving the sword through it. The brilliant green shimmered off the walls and carapaces in the chaos. Tobias pushed himself up with the sword.
Another one came skittering after him. This one he was ready for. With a quick swing part of its head got cleaved off. Maxwell was on the ground and looked to be knocked out. Cap missing and blood coming out of his mouth. The ground shook more and rocks avalanched into the cave as the strider had reached the ceiling. It flung itself out, its four limbs grasping at what it could and hurled out. Many beetles still dug into it.
Tobias picked up the unconscious Maxwell. As they made their way past broken egg sacks, beetles crawled all over the cavern trying to chase after their target. Many had seemingly just fallen to the ground and into the water as the light hit them. The way back was harmless as there were hardly any eggs to speak of.
Stalagmites fell from and the shaking felt like an earthquake. Covered in dirt they grabbed Maxwell by the back of his shirt and pulled him up and slowly out of the cave. The rest of the crew was catching their breath. Two limbs smashed into the mud in front of them as the strider came barreling from atop the cave. As it raced to the shore, it lost its footing smashing trees over. Before it reached the beach, losing momentum it fell forward crashing on the beach.
Maxwell was carefully against one of the crates, everyone looked around in a daze. Tobias drove the blade into the ground panting. Black sand and dust filled the air on the shore. He took a look over his shoulder. Hoping they were not being followed.