Chapter 3
*The Year is 102 ACC*
They dive apart as the Worm strikes, its head smashing into the ground where they stand. The impact sends shockwaves through the cavern, destabilizing the delicate crystal formations.
Elizabeth's hands weave complex patterns, conjuring barriers of shimmering energy. The Worm's next strike glances off, but the force of the blow sends her stumbling.
Harith scrambles across the uneven terrain, Salaun bouncing painfully on his shoulders. "We need an exit!" he shouts.
The Worm rears back, its body pulsing with an eerie light. The veins of crystal throughout the cavern respond, glowing in sync. With a sickening lurch, the very walls of the cave begin to shift and flow like liquid.
"It's controlling the cave!" Salaun yells. "We're trapped!"
The tunnel constricts. The Worm presses them to crawl on their hands and knees. Harith's breath comes in torn gasps, his muscles burning from the exertion of carrying Salaun. GROOWWRR! The Worm's roar reverberates through the stone, growing louder with each passing second.
Elizabeth's eyes narrow in concentration. She slams her palm against the nearest wall, sending a surge of magic coursing through the stone. For a moment, nothing happens. Then, with a grinding CRACK, a new passage opens.
"This way!" she calls.
They plunge into the narrow opening. GROOWWRR! The sound of the Worm's furious roar echoes behind them, playing with the tunnel, twisting it and turning it, making it a defier of regular geometry. One moment, they're running upright; the subsequent moment, they’re crawling on hands and knees as the passage rotates around them. The passage drops away beneath them. They tumble through darkness, a tangle of limbs and startled cries. They land hard on a slick, crystalline surface. Harith scrambles to his feet, pulling Salaun up with him.
"Look!" Elizabeth points ahead. A vast cavern stretches before them, its walls glittering with veins of luminescent crystal. Stalagmites rise like jagged teeth from the floor, while stalactites hang menacingly from above. In the center, a pool of shimmering liquid reflects the ethereal light, its surface rippling with otherworldly energy.
CRASH! The Worm bursts through the wall behind them, showering the group with debris. Its massive body pulses with an eerie glow, and the crystals throughout the cavern respond, pulsating in sync.
"Run!" Harith shouts, dragging Salaun toward the far side of the cavern. Elizabeth follows, her hands already weaving protective spells.
The Worm's magic surges through the cave. The ground beneath their feet begins to undulate like waves on an ocean. Crystalline spikes erupt from the floor, forcing them to dodge and weave. The stalactites above shudder and drop, transforming into deadly projectiles.
Elizabeth throws up a shimmering barrier, deflecting the falling spears of stone. "We can't keep this up forever!" she yells over the din of shattering crystal.
Harith's eyes dart around frantically, searching for an escape. He spots a narrow crevice in the far wall. "There!" he points.
They sprint toward it, leaping over newly formed chasms and ducking under arcs of crackling energy that leap between crystal formations. The Worm pursues relentlessly, its massive body flowing over obstacles like water. It's one eldritch eye glows.
As they near the aperture, the floor beneath them liquefies. They sink to their knees, the stone becoming a quicksand-like substance. Harith struggles to pull Salaun free while Elizabeth's magic crackles ineffectively against the transforming rock.
The Worm looms over them, its maw gaping wide. Tendrils of energy writhe from its body, reaching for the trapped humans. Salaun's eyes widen in terror.
"No!" he shouts. To everyone's surprise, a pulse of raw magic erupts from Salaun's body. The liquefied stone instantly hardens, catapulting them toward the crevice. They tumble through the narrow opening just as the Worm strikes, its massive head slamming into the wall with a BAM!
***
*The Year is 100 ACC*
"Focus, Salaun," Old Martha's voice is gentle but firm. "Feel the rhythm of the jungle around you."
Salaun closes his eyes, inhaling deeply. The rich scent of damp earth and vibrant flora fills his lungs. Beside him, Eighth Horn sits cross-legged, eyes closed in concentration. The jungle clearing pulses with life – insects buzzing, leaves rustling, unseen creatures scurrying through the underbrush.
Old Martha's silver hair catches the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. Her warm brown eyes crinkle with a smile as she watches her young charges. "Now, reach out with your senses. Can you feel it?"
Salaun's brow furrows. At first, there's nothing but the ambient sounds of the forest. Then... a whisper. A subtle undercurrent beneath the cacophony of life. His eyes snap open. "I can hear it!"
Eighth Horn grins, their green eyes shimmering with excitement. "Me too! It's like... a song?"
Old Martha nods approvingly. "Very good. The Three-Headed Snake speaks in vibrations, colors, and patterns. It's a language as old as the Atherton itself."
Salaun's heart races with a mix of fear and exhilaration. "But... isn't it dangerous?"
"All creatures can be dangerous, child, but danger is not evil. The Three-Headed Snake is ancient, powerful."
She gestures, and a shimmering image appears in the air before them – a massive serpent with three distinct heads, each adorned with brilliant plumage. Its scales shift in mesmerizing patterns, reflecting every color imaginable.
"Whoa," Salaun breathes, reaching out to touch the illusion. His fingers pass through it, sending ripples across the magical construct.
"The key," Martha continues, "is to approach with respect and an open psyche."
Eighth Horn leans forward eagerly. "How do we start?"
Martha gestures for them to stand. "First, we attune ourselves to the jungle's rhythm." She begins to sway gently, her arms flowing like branches in the wind. "Move with me, children. Feel the pulse of life around you."
Salaun and Eighth Horn mimic her movements, their bodies swaying in sync with the rustling leaves and chirping birds. Salaun feels a warmth spreading through his chest, a sense of connection to the vibrant world around him. He catches Eighth's eye, and they share a grin of pure joy.
"Now," Martha continues, her voice taking on a melodic quality, "we weave our intent into the fabric of the forest." Her fingers trace intricate patterns in the air, leaving trails of soft, golden light. "Repeat after me: kevap pa seshuts she chuph kasitchu."
The young apprentices stumble over the unfamiliar words, but Martha patiently guides them through the pronunciation. As they practice, Salaun feels a tingling sensation in his fingertips. The air around them seems to thicken, charged with unseen energy.
"Excellent," Martha praises. "Now, focus on that energy. Visualize it flowing through you, connecting you to every living thing in this jungle."
Salaun closes his eyes, concentrating. In his mind's eye, he sees threads of light stretching out from his body, intertwining with the trees, the earth, and the very air itself. He gasps as a new presence makes itself known—ancient, powerful, and undeniable.
"I... I think I feel it!" he exclaims.
"Me too!" Eighth Horn chimes in, their voice filled with awe.
Martha beams with pride. "Open your eyes, children, but maintain that connection."
As Salaun's eyes flutter open, he gasps. The clearing has transformed. Every leaf, every blade of grass, seems to glow with an inner light. And there, coiled around the massive trunk of an ancient tree, is the Three-Headed Snake.
Its body is easily as thick as Salaun's waist, scales shimmering with iridescent hues. Each of its three heads turns to regard them, eyes glowing with otherworldly intelligence. Salaun feels a moment of instinctive fear, but an overwhelming sense of wonder quickly washes it away.
"Remember," Martha says softly, "speak with your heart, not just your words."
***
*The Year is 102 ACC*
The three are hiding in the small crevice. The Worm, with its eye, hunts them; Salaun feels the cold stones and the life in the cave. And he remembers old Martha’s words: danger is not evil.
Harith and Elizabeth exchange bewildered glances as Salaun's voice takes on an otherworldly timbre.
“kevap wus wov shitche she wo khasfo sepushav she chunkhis sit” Salaun says. The Worm pauses its relentless pursuit, its massive eye swiveling to focus on the bound prisoner.
The ancient words resonate through the cavern, sending ripples through the crystalline structures.
Salaun's eyes glow with an inner light, and his body trembles as he channels energies beyond mortal comprehension. The air around him shimmers, and reality itself bends to his will. Tendrils of ethereal light stretch from his fingertips, intertwining with the pulsing veins of crystal throughout the cave.
"What the fuck?" Harith whispers, his grip on Salaun's arm loosening in shock. "What's he doing?" Elizabeth silences him with a sharp gesture. Her eyes narrow, "He's... communicating with it," she breathes.
The Worm's body undulates, its scales shifting through a kaleidoscope of colors. A low hum fills the air, vibrating through their bones. Salaun's voice rises and falls in response, weaving a tapestry of sound and light.
His consciousness expands, merging with the living stone around him, and he feels —The weight of eons. The gradual grind of tectonic plates. The patient's growth of crystal formations. The ancient presence of the Worm at the center of it all.
Images flash through him - the Worm, young and small, burrowing through soft earth and centuries passing as it grows, feeding on the magical energies deep within the planet. The cataclysm of the Great Wizard War shook the very foundations of its home. And now, these intruders are disrupting its long solitude.
Salaun's voice changes, taking on a multi-layered quality that seems to come from the stone itself. His words flow faster, “pa siv efsheph fokinu, chunkh wo pa nown natti shap fiwfiws.“
The cavern trembles with the force of Salaun's words. Crystalline formations pulse in sync with his voice, casting prismatic light across the chamber. Harith and Elizabeth watch in awe as Salaun's body levitates, suspended in a cocoon of shimmering energy.
The Worm's massive eye dilates, its pupil expanding until it reflects the entirety of the cavern. Within its depths, Salaun sees flashes of ancient memories—continents shifting, oceans rising and falling, the birth and death of countless species. He feels the Worm's loneliness, its primal hunger, and its deep connection to the living stone.
Salaun's voice rises to a fever pitch, each syllable resonating with raw power. “pau chu kews wupitchu, paspo nownu chosh ta phashpap chafech.”
The air crackles with arcane energy. Veins of light spread from Salaun's fingertips, racing along the cavern walls and floor. They intertwine with the pulsing crystal formations, creating a vast, glowing web that encompasses the entire chamber. The Worm's segmented body undulates in response, its scales shifting through impossible colors.
The Worm's eye - a swirling vortex of eldritch energy - fixes on Salaun. For a moment that stretches into eternity, human and ancient beings commune in a language beyond words. Understanding flows between them like an electric current.
Slowly, achingly, the Worm begins to withdraw. Its massive body flows like liquid stone, each segment disappearing into the living rock of the cavern walls. The ground ripples in its wake, closing seamlessly behind it. As the last of its crystalline spines vanish from view, a deep rumble echoes through the chamber - not a roar of aggression, but a sound closer to... acknowledgment.
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The web of light connecting Salaun to the cave flares brilliantly and then fades. His body, suspended in midair, trembles violently and falls to the ground. Harith catches him. His eyes, glowing with otherworldly radiance, slowly dim. And his vision sags —slowly—into sleep.
***
“Was the sedate spell necessary? He was already passed out.” Harith grumbles. He is still carrying Salaun on his back as they make their way out of the cave.
“It's just a precaution. You saw what he did back there,” Elizabeth responds. Her magic light casts dim shadows as they walk.
“He saved us from that giant Worm. “Harith argues.
“Yes,” Elizabeth states. Harith sighs. “Why are you like this? Why did you…” He pauses. Then he frowns, debating to continue.
Elizabeth's face turns puzzled. “What is it?” She says.
Harith debates for a moment. Then he says, “Back when we were kidnappin’ Salaun. You came back to get me. You could have left me to die bein’ hunted by the guilds enforcers. But you came back. Thanks. Why?”
“Harith, did you think I am so heartless to leave my comrade to die?”
“Yes,”
“That isn’t funny.”
“I know,” Harith says with a giggle. They walk in silence, their steps heavy with worry. Harith looks at the baggage he carries. Salaun’s sleeping face creates Harith's terror about his autonomy. He turns back to Elizabeth, hesitant, but then, “You aren’t serious about stealin’ a boat. Travel across the Organons sea? If the stories are even half true, then a monster like the giant Worm is a dime a dozen. We won’t survive Elizabeth.” He says.
“We will, Harith. You are an Illusionist. I am a porter. For anyone else, yes, it is impossible, but for us, we can run and hide. We must survive; the stakes are just that high.” She states.
“But...” Harith says. He turns back toward the sleeping Salaun, turns toward Elizabeth, and swallows hard. He decides and says, “This isn’t right. You know this isn’t right. He has a family. We can’t take him away from them. Not everyone gets that chance. It isn't right to steal that from him. I know you like to play the cold, heartless act, but I don’t buy it. I know you are loyal to Luke, and you are okay with servin’ with him. But I have been thinkin’, and I ain’t—especially someone who casually orders kidnappin’. So if I’m goin’ died, then I’m dyin’ in the right. Please don’t stop me, Elizabeth. I’m takin’ him back to the guilds; I owe him that, at least. He saved my life.”
Elizabeth stares at him for an eternity, baffled. Then, unexpectedly, her genuine smile appears, which warms Harith's heart and terrifies him. “You know, I thought you were a petty thief with no morals. I guess you thought I was a cold, heartless monster. I do come across as such, so I am not offended. I promise you I will give the world to Luke, but if he asks me to do what you just described, I won’t. “
“How isn’t this that? Explain, would ya?”
“This is more complicated than it seems. Salaun is an experiment of the Guilds of Unbound Sorcery. A weapon that is made to destroy The Council of Magic and ensure their dominance of magic. The sad part is that the sick bastards are conditioning him to be loyal to them. And the Council is filled with cowards and idiots. Instead of rescuing him, they plan to attack the guilds again to prevent him from reaching his full potential. Never mind that might cause the guilds to use their unprepared ‘weapon,’ risking Salaun's life. I know this situation makes it hard to believe that we are saving him. Luke needs Salaun in half a year because that is when the Council will be ready to attack the Guilds. Luke has a plan to prevent the war and save Salaun's life. I do not have the exact details of the plan, but I trust him. And Harith, those people aren’t Salaun's family. They are monsters pretending to be. Harith, we didn’t trust you. We didn’t think you would join our mission willingly. I wish we did. You are a good sort; sorry for doubting your character. I know it is a crazy plan to cross the Organons Sea, but you and I might be one of the few people who might be able to do it, and the stakes are just that high; we have to try. Do you understand why we can’t return Salaun to the guilds and why we need to take this risk?”
“Elizabeth. I don’t know! Damnit Elizabeth! I wish you were the cold, heartless bitch you pretend to be. Then you would have just called me a traitor, then we would have fought, and one of us was goin’ to walk out this cave with Salaun. Simple! That is what I thought was goin’ to happen. But damn, you just smiled and told me that you are tryin’ to prevent a war. Now, I need to make choices. Again! But how can I trust you when your master literally put a curse on me?”
“I told you we didn’t trust you. Why would we? You are a criminal. Luke isn’t evil. He is just a man who will do anything for the greater good. Sometimes, people get hurt, but he has the best intentions. And you need to admit that our cause is good.”
“ Maybe. If it’s true.”
"If it's true?" Elizabeth's eyes narrow. "You doubt me?"
"I doubt everyone," Harith says, shifting Salaun's weight on his back. "It's how I've stayed alive this long."
A low rumble echoes through the cave. Dust showers down from the ceiling.
"We need to move," Elizabeth hisses. "That worm might have friends."
They quicken their pace, but the uneven ground makes Harith stumble. Salaun's head lolls against his shoulder.
"Look," Harith pants, "even if what you're sayin' is true, how do we know Luke's plan will work? What if we're just handin' Salaun over to another group that wants to use him?"
Elizabeth's jaw clenches. "Luke wouldn't—"
"You don't know that," Harith cuts her off. "You said it yourself. You don't have the details!"
Another tremor shakes the cave. CRASH! Rocks clatter down the walls.
"We don't have time for this," Elizabeth snaps. "We need to get out of here and to the coast. Then we can argue about—"
CRASH! The ground lurches beneath their feet.
"Run!" Elizabeth shouts.
They sprint forward as the cave begins to collapse behind them. Harith's lungs burn, and his legs scream with the effort of carrying Salaun.
The cave mouth looms ahead, a sliver of starlight. Harith's legs threaten to buckle. He grits his teeth, forcing one more step, then another.
"Almost there!" Elizabeth yells over the thunderous rumbling.
CRASH!! A massive chunk of ceiling falls inches from Harith's feet. He stumbles, nearly losing his grip on Salaun. Elizabeth grabs his arm, yanking him forward.
They burst out of the cave in a cloud of dust and debris. Harith collapses to his knees, gasping. Salaun rolls off his back onto the grass.
Elizabeth whirls around, hands raised. A shimmering barrier springs to life. CRASH!!! The cave entrance implodes. Rocks and dust slam against the magical shield, then fall harmlessly to the ground.
For a moment, the only sound is their ragged breathing.
"That," Harith wheezes, "was too close."
***
A Section from “Atherton's Compendium of Magical Fauna, 7th Edition”
Edited by Prof. Lysandra Heart and Dr. Arcturus Blackwood
The Worm (Dracoannelida giganteus)
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Dracoannelida
Class: Megaserpentia
Order: Germancia
Family: Abyssidae
Genus: Dracoannelida
Species: D. giganteus
Note: The taxonomic classification proposed by Heart et al. (99 ACC) is still under review by the Atherton Biological Society.[1]
Common Names
* The Worm
* Abyssal Earth Shaper
* Crystal-Crowned Serpent
Physical Description
The Worm is a colossal serpentine creature, with adults reaching lengths of up to 500 meters.[2] Its body consists of numerous segments, each measuring approximately 10-15 meters in diameter. The creature's hide is covered in iridescent scales that shift color, allowing for effective camouflage in various aquatic environments.[3]
Head
The head of the Worm is its most distinctive feature, resembling a fusion of draconic and cephalopodic characteristics. Key features include:
* A single, massive eye (diameter: 3-4 meters)
* A crown of crystalline spines surrounding the head
* A circular mouth lined with several rows of sharp, regenerating teeth
Body
* Segmented structure similar to annelids
* Powerful muscles allowing for locomotion through water and solid rock
* Bioluminescent organs along the length of the body
Habitat
The Worm primarily inhabits the deepest trenches of the Organons Sea, typically at depths exceeding 6,000 meters. It has also been observed in extensive underground cave systems, suggesting an ability to create and navigate subterranean passages.[4]
Behavior
Locomotion
The Worm moves through water using undulating motions of its segmented body. It can also tunnel through solid rock, though the exact mechanism for this ability is not fully understood.[5]
Feeding
Believed to be an opportunistic predator and filter feeder. Its diet likely consists of:
* Large deep-sea fish and cephalopods
* Microscopic organisms filtered from seawater
* Mineral deposits extracted from rock during burrowing
Social Behavior
Primarily solitary, with no observed social structures or mating behaviors.[6]
Special Abilities
Geokinesis
The Worm demonstrates an extraordinary ability to manipulate its physical environment, reshaping rock and altering water currents. This ability is thought to be magical in nature, though its exact mechanisms remain unknown.[7]
Bioluminescence
The creature's body produces a variety of bioluminescent displays, possibly used for communication, hunting, or navigation in the lightless depths.[8]
Regeneration
Exhibits remarkable healing abilities, capable of regenerating lost body segments over time.[9]
Ecological Role
Despite its intimidating size and abilities, the Worm plays a crucial role in Atherton's marine and geological systems:
1. Nutrient Cycling: Its burrowing activities help circulate nutrients through the seafloor.
2. Habitat Creation: The tunnels it creates provide unique environments for diverse deep-sea communities.
3. Geological Stabilization: Some researchers hypothesize that its activities help stabilize underwater tectonic plates, potentially preventing catastrophic geological events.[10]
Conservation Status
Unknown. The creature's rarity and deep-sea habitat make population assessments challenging. However, its long lifespan and apparent resilience suggest it may not be immediately threatened.[11]
Human Interactions
Encounters with the Worm are rare but often catastrophic for ships and underwater structures. Most documented sightings occur when the creature's territory is inadvertently disturbed.[12]
Research Challenges
Studying the Worm presents numerous difficulties due to its size, habitat, and apparent magical nature. Current research relies heavily on remote sensing technologies and the analysis of geological evidence left by its passage through the earth's crust.[13]
Conclusion
The Worm remains one of Atherton's most enigmatic and awe-inspiring creatures. Its existence challenges our understanding of biology, geology, and the limits of size in the animal kingdom. Further research into this remarkable species may yield invaluable insights into the magical and ecological systems that shape our world.
----------------------------------------
References
[1] Heart, L., Blackwood, A., & Stormweaver, E. (99 ACC). "Proposed Taxonomic Classification for Megafauna of Magical Origin." Journal of Cryptozoological Sciences, 45(3), 178-195.
[2] Deepdiver, M. (97 ACC). "Size Estimation of Abyssal Megafauna Using Echo-location and Magical Resonance." Oceanographic Research Letters, 22(1), 34-52.
[3] Scaleheart, I. (101 ACC). "Adaptive Camouflage in Magical Marine Species." Atherton Review of Marine Biology, 67(4), 412-428.
[4] Caverns, S. & Darkwater, R. (96 ACC). "Subterranean Habitats of the Crystal-Crowned Serpent." Spelunker's Digest, 18(2), 87-103.
[5] Rockcutter, G. (98 ACC). "Theories on the Lithomantic Abilities of D. giganteus." Geological Magic Quarterly, 33(1), 12-28.
[6] Lonesome, V. (100 ACC). "Solitary Giants: Social Behaviors of Magical Megafauna." Behavioral Ecology of Mythical Creatures, 55(3), 301-315.
[7] Earthshaper, T. & Stonebender, L. (102 ACC). "Geokinetic Abilities in Marine Species: A Comparative Study." Journal of Magical Marine Phenomena, 41(2), 156-172.
[8] Glowfin, A. (99 ACC). "Bioluminescence Patterns in Abyssal Magical Creatures." Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 88, 78-95.
[9] Renewa, H. (101 ACC). "Regenerative Capabilities in Magical Megafauna." Thaumaturgical Biology Review, 29(4), 267-283.
[10] Plateshifter, S. & QuakeCalm, E. (100 ACC). "The Role of Megafauna in Tectonic Stability: A New Hypothesis." Geomantic Geology Today, 76(1), 23-41.
[11] Rarebreed, C. (102 ACC). "Conservation Challenges for Magical Marine Species." International Journal of Magical Creature Conservation, 14(3), 178-195.
[12] Shipwreck, J. (97 ACC). "Catastrophic Encounters: Naval Incidents Involving D. giganteus." Maritime Disaster Review, 50(2), 112-128.
[13] Depthseer, O. & Echolocator, M. (101 ACC). "Advanced Technologies in Deep-Sea Magical Creature Research." Journal of Oceanic Enchantment Studies, 37(1), 45-62.