After passing the lair of the small tiger cubs earlier, the spacious cavern ahead gradually narrowed into a path only wide enough for two to walk abreast.

As Garland walked on, he felt something furry brushing against his head. He stopped Zackary to raise the torch upwards, and to their shock, the ceiling was teeming with bats. The torchlight reflected off their beady eyes in pinpricks.

The bats were startled by the flames and let out high-pitched, ear-piercing squeaks.

"These creatures won't bite unless provoked," Zackary explained. "But their bites can cause nasty wounds that fester."

"I've only heard tales of such caves from elders, never ventured into one myself. If not for rescuing this young lady, I would never dare enter," Garland admitted.

Just then, something disturbed the bats and swarms took flight, swirling above like a black cloud. They had to crouch to avoid being struck.

After circling for some time, the bats abruptly streamed towards the other end of the cavern.

With their great numbers, it was long before the final bat passed. Glancing upwards, only a few elderly stragglers remained, squeaking feebly.

"The bats have flown off to hunt! If they can get out, so can we! Let's follow and escape this place!" Zackary said excitedly.

Easier said than done while carrying the lass, who weighed heavily upon Garland.

After a few more steps, Sagie suddenly slipped, narrowly saved by Garland's quick reflexes. Garland was drenched in sweat from exertion and now cold sweat from the close call with his beloved brother.

The torchlight revealed a sloping path ahead into unfathomable darkness, with beetles continuously crawling out.

"Descending there would surely leave us lost beyond recovery," Garland muttered.

"The bats clearly flew upwards. There! That circle of dim light with specks must be the cave exit!" Zackary exclaimed, raising his torch.

"Thank the heavens, we've found our way out!" Zackary clasped his chest in relief.

Their elation was short-lived. The exit hung tauntingly overhead like a skylight, below naught but a black abyss, sheer cliffs on all sides. A formidable natural fortress.

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"Fret not, if the tiger could leave, we certainly can too!" Zackary reassured them.

His torch was nearly extinguished. Retracing their steps in such dim light would be highly perilous. Garland examined the cliffside and found cracks viable for footholds.

"This path seems traversable with care," Garland said as he laid the girl down. He cautiously climbed up and felt his way to beneath the cave mouth. The sheer drop below offered no handholds.

He shed his jacket and unwound his belt. Bundling them with Zackary's long headscarf created a makeshift rope. After several tosses, he managed to loop it around a rock at the mouth.

"Now we can climb out along this rope," he thought.

"Careful, Garland! Check the terrain outside before descending!" Zackary yelled from afar, his dying torch barely illuminating half his face.

The youth clambered up the headscarf. Reaching out, he found the mouth surrounded by stone. Bracing himself against the boulders, he poked his head out.

Inhaling the fresh air again lifted his spirits. Glancing up, the glittering sky was inverted. Looking afield, dark thickets hindered sight. Strangely, though they had climbed so high, level ground awaited outside! The mystifying cave architecture!

"All's safe, let's get out!" Garland called to his companions below.

With the sparse light, he could only make out Zackary's general direction. Descending again, Garland brought his brother up, then aided Zackary with the girl. Together they all climbed to freedom.

"Phew, we're finally rescued!" Sagie plopped down, exhaling deeply. "Nearly thought I'd kick the bucket!"

He shed his clothes, shaking out several fat worms.

Zackary gently roused the girl. Coming to and seeing herself outside, she finally relaxed.

"It's too dark to see the way ahead. Let's remain here until daylight," Zackary suggested. The others nodded in agreement.

With no food, water or warmth, they had to huddle together. The elder brothers took turns standing watch against creatures and insects.

Sagie and the girl slept soundly. After some time, the moon dipped below the horizon. The stars gradually faded and the sky lightened. Dozing off, the brothers shut their eyes...

Not an hour later, a tremendous roar shocked them awake. The bats were returning en masse to their roosts!

Their multitudes created deafening thunder with the flapping of wings. Mixed within were shrill shrieks. The group barreled straight towards them, leaving no place to take cover. They could only flatten themselves on the ground. Fearing injury to his brother, Garland shielded Sagie's head with his hands.

Finally the horde passed after what seemed an eternity.

Shaken, they got to their feet. Day had broken.

"Hooray, we can finally go home!" Sagie exclaimed happily, clapping his hands. It seemed he had started missing home.

"Yes, now that it's light, we can cut through the thickets and find a way out, then all head home to rest," said Garland, rousing himself for the final leg.

Just as their spirits lifted at the prospect of smooth sailing ahead, a tiger's roar sounded from the distant brambles! Tension gripped them again.

"Brother, we agreed not to kill the big tiger, otherwise the two adorable cubs will starve to death in the cavern!" the girl said anxiously.

Listening closely, Zackary gestured for her to quiet down. "It's not that simple. Hear that? More than one tiger!"

Indeed, the approaching sounds contained a strong and weak roar, of varying pitches. Clearly two tigers locked in combat!