The clang of tools echoed through the cave, lit by flickering torches and the soft, moon-like glow of the moonstones embedded in the walls. The cave was spacious, with towering ceilings and an uneven terrain full of sharp rocks, loose gravel, and deep crevices. The air was cold and damp, carrying the earthy scent of wet stone and metallic tang of ore. Each breath was a mix of musty cave chill and the faint sulfuric whiff from deep within the mine. Shadows danced as miners worked, chipping away in the dim light.

"I found a vein! Over here!" someone shouted.

Zerek wiped sweat from his forehead, his pickaxe resting on his shoulder. He turned to see the commotion—one of the beastfolk miners was making a fuss about finding a moonstone vein. His booming voice, rough and deep, carried through the cavern, filled with raw excitement. It reverberated against the sharp, jagged rock formations, adding to the sense of urgency and thrill.

The cave itself was expansive, with ceilings that arched high above, giving the impression of a vast underground cathedral. The ground was uneven, covered in sharp stones and loose gravel, making every step a potential hazard. Stalactites hung precariously from the ceiling, and stalagmites jutted up from the ground, creating natural obstacles. The air was thick, damp, and cold, with a constant chill that seemed to seep into the bones.

"A vein? In here?" Zerek muttered to himself.

He found it hard to believe. He had been mining in various spots deep in the labyrinth of cave systems for days, and he only managed to find a few stones here and there before the ambient light faded. The good spots were usually claimed by those who could guard them. He could see a few beastfolk and other miners protecting their chosen territories. Zerek spotted a few Gloths—massive figures, likely orcs or goblins—working alongside the other miners. Some were stationed as guards, keeping a watchful eye. Among them, he noticed shardfolk moving silently, their presence almost imperceptible.

"Moonstones emit a faint glow, so it's usually easy to spot where to mine. But this is suspicious," he said to Lieon, who was working beside him. Lieon dropped his pickaxe and slumped to the rough ground, panting heavily. His limbs trembled from exhaustion, his gaunt frame barely able to keep up with the grueling labor. Every breath he took was ragged, and his face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes from lack of rest. The cold air in the cave made it difficult to endure. Zerek glanced at him with concern, but there was work to be done. His own cart was only half-full.

Maybe I should give him one of the bigger moonstones. He looks like he's barely holding on... but why didn't he just ask for help?

Zerek sighed internally, annoyed that Lieon hadn’t asked for help sooner. He didn’t have time for this, but seeing the vampire struggling sparked a pang of guilt. Would he even survive the day without help?

"I know. If a vein was really here, we would've found it long ago. Why announce it and make yourself a target?" the vampire replied, his red eyes glinting in the dim light. Lieon struggled to stand again, his body gaunt and his clothes tattered.

Zerek frowned. He took a moonstone from his cart, one roughly the size of his palm, and tossed it to Lieon before resuming his work. Lieon looked at the stone in his hand, a mixture of shock and gratitude on his face. He wanted to argue, but he didn't have the strength. He caught a glimpse of Zerek smiling faintly as he went back to mining.

Lieon looked down at his emaciated body, sighing. "I can't refuse this," he murmured to himself. He clenched the moonstone tightly.

"I'll repay you, Zerek. I vow that on my name," Lieon said, bringing the moonstone to his mouth. He bit down, crunching it between his sharp teeth. Slowly, he ate the shards, his pale skin gradually regaining some color.

"This should keep me going for a few more days," he muttered, chuckling softly. I'm eating my own money, but what choice do I have? The camp doesn't even have the fruits vampires eat. I can't keep working like a dog on normal food.

Zerek continued mining, venturing deeper into the cave as he pushed his cart. He worked for hours, the constant effort making his muscles ache. Eventually, he filled his cart, securing the lid before heading back. As he approached the exit, he saw Lieon calmly pushing his own cart. Zerek couldn't help but chuckle, the scene reminding him of his old drill sergeant—gruff, relentless, but always getting the job done. It was almost fun, drifting back into those memories, he thought. He glanced at the moonstones in his cart. . He grabbed some moonstone dust and rubbed it onto the tearing on his arms, feeling the slow, comforting tingle as the wounds began to heal.

They weren't just currency; they were practical resources too

"Feeling better?" Zerek asked, straining to drag his own heavy load up the slope. He was behind Lieon, having a very hard time even tailing him. He looked over, noticing how much easier his cart suddenly felt to push, which made him peek over at Lieon curiously.

Lieon was there, pulling both carts—his own from the front and Zerek's from the back. "Doing better than before," Lieon replied without looking back. A smile crept onto Zerek's face.

"Show-off." Zerek smirked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll carry the tools. No need to embarrass me," he added with a chuckle.

Lieon handed him the tools—sub-space pouches, pickaxes, ropes, and other essentials—and together they slowly made their way to the exit.

A sudden, bone-chilling screech echoed through the cave, causing everyone to freeze. The torches flickered out, plunging them into consuming darkness. Zerek's instincts flared, his muscles tensing as he braced for the worst.

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"Monsters incoming! Zerek, stay sharp and cover me!" Lieon shouted, his voice tense but unwavering. He bit down on his finger, drawing blood, which swirled and morphed into the shape of a sword, gleaming with a dark, crimson hue.

Zerek saw the glimmer of eyes in the darkness—a creature plunging down from the ceiling towards Lieon. His heart pounded as fear collided with determination. Abandoning his cart, Zerek's adrenaline spiked—he vaulted onto it, seeking a better angle. He gritted his teeth, gripping his pickaxe tightly, and swung with all his strength just as the monster lunged. The force of his swing sent a shock up his arm, and for a split second.

The pickaxe cleaved into the creature's neck with a brutal crack, blood spraying as the beast let out an ear-splitting screech. Its body convulsed violently, a force so wild it flung Zerek off his feet and into the air. He crashed into the ceiling, pain lancing through his body, and fell, instinctively rolling into a ball to soften the impact. His vision blurred, a wave of nausea hitting him, but he forced himself to focus. The monster, undeterred, opened its massive maw, rows of jagged teeth glistening with saliva, ready to swallow him whole.

"Not today, ugly!" Zerek snarled, drawing a machete strapped to his leg. The beast lunged, and Zerek, filled with adrenaline and desperation, swung at its throat. The blade cut deep, a spray of foul-smelling ichor splattering across his face as he vanished into the creature's gullet.

Suddenly, a second beast lunged at Lieon, claws aiming straight for his head. Lieon twisted, blood whip lashing out to deflect the blow, his eyes catching sight of Zerek disappearing into the darkness.

"Zerek!" Lieon shouted, fear mixing with anger as he struck the monster in front of him. His body moved on instinct, defending his own life while his thoughts were with his friend. He couldn't afford to lose focus—not now. He reshaped his blood weapon, a crimson shield forming just in time to block another strike.

Zerek, trapped within the creature, fought against the darkness. He could feel the heat of its insides, the crushing pressure threatening to squeeze him to death. Rows of jagged teeth clamped down, some breaking as they punctured deep into his flesh, sending waves of pain through his body. The pressure around him intensified, each contraction trying to force the air from his lungs, but Zerek gritted his teeth, refusing to be overwhelmed.

Zerek's eyes narrowed, his expression resolute, filled with a soldier's unwavering determination. His voice was calm, not out of arrogance, but conviction. "You think you can break me? I've survived worse." His eyes blazed as he scanned every crevice, looking for the tear he had made earlier with his pickaxe—a weak point, his only chance to escape. With steely resolve, Zerek used the cut on the creature's neck as leverage, thrusting his machete into the wound and tearing it apart. Blood gushed out, warm and thick, covering his arms as the beast spasmed, thrashing wildly before finally succumbing.

Outside, Lieon fought with a fervor he'd rarely shown, each movement precise and deadly. He wasn't just fighting for his life—he was keeping the other monsters at bay, buying Zerek time. He twisted his body, sending his blood spear through the head of one of the creatures, and for a moment, he allowed himself to hope.

The monster containing Zerek gave a final, violent shudder before collapsing to the ground. Zerek hacked his way out, covered in blood and ichor, gasping for breath. He looked over, catching sight of Lieon fending off the last of the attackers.

""Don't die on me, Zerek!" Lieon screamed, unable to see what had happened. He was preoccupied with three other monsters, each grotesque and mismatched—long grasshopper-like legs, beak-like mouths, and hard, rough skin. The monsters coordinated their attacks, attempting to flank him and strike from multiple angles. Lieon quickly realized their tactic: one would lunge while the other two circled around to cut off his escape.

Lieon fought them off, reshaping his blood into a whip and shield, his mind racing for a plan. He swung the whip, targeting the monsters' legs to make them fall, using their chaotic movements against them. As one lunged, he redirected his whip, coiling it around the creature's leg, and with a forceful yank, he threw it off balance, causing it to crash into another monster.

Lieon's eyes flashed as he morphed the whip into a spear. With a swift movement, he thrust it straight into the throat of the fallen creature, dark blood spraying as it let out a guttural shriek. He could feel the other monsters closing in, their clawed feet scratching against the rocky terrain. Lieon twisted his body, creating a crimson barrier just in time to deflect an incoming strike.

The monsters, undeterred, regrouped and attacked again, their movements eerily synchronized. Lieon knew he had to break their formation. He used his shield to bash one of them backward, creating a small gap. Seizing the opportunity, he reshaped the blood spear into jagged shards, hurling them at the remaining two. One monster fell, impaled by the crimson spikes, while the last hesitated.

Seeing the hesitation, Lieon smirked, his eyes glowing red with a mix of rage and determination. He lunged forward, his blood weapon forming into a long blade, and with a precise strike, he decapitated the last beast. Its headless body collapsed, and the cavern grew momentarily quiet.

The battle was grueling, but soon there was only one monster left. It hesitated, locking eyes with Lieon, then fled.

"Huh, they never run away," Lieon muttered.

Then he heard the sound of a body hitting the ground. He turned and saw Zerek, covered in blood, staggering toward him. Teeth were embedded in his skin, his shoulder muscles torn and exposed, his breath ragged as he struggled to stay on his feet.

"Are you insane?!" Lieon shouted, rushing to his side, his voice filled with urgency and shock. "You could've been killed!"

Zerek gave a weary smile, wincing as he tried to shrug. "No time. Had to finish it off. Someone led these monsters here... We need to hide."

Take out whatever you have in my pouch," Zerek muttered, his voice hoarse. Lieon complied, surprised to see such a wide array of supplies. They weren't uncommon, but carrying all this must have been difficult. Zerek was over-prepared, and it made Lieon suspicious. He looked at Zerek, suspicion in his eyes.

"Where did you get all this? Did you plan for this to happen?" Lieon asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Zerek sighed, his expression weary glancing at the dark corners of the cave. "I knew something was off. After last time... I couldn't risk being unprepared

Lieon's expression soured. Last week had been brutal, and Zerek's foresight now made more sense. Together, they moved quickly to a safer location in the depths of the cave, Zerek leaning heavily on Lieon for support. Each step was agony, the injuries taking their toll, but they pressed on, determined to survive.

As they moved, the distant screams of others and the bone-chilling howls of the beastfolk echoed through the cavern. The people in the mines were fighting for their lives, and the desperation in those sounds made Zerek's heart pound harder.

This was a long setup. One that I didn't expect. But I wasn't unprepared for it. No more surprises—I'll see this through.

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Few days ago..