The Plelepun's sudden change in demeanor sent a ripple of unease through me. Its words hung in the air, heavy with an ominous warning. My heart raced as I exchanged a worried glance with Zest.
G.A.I.A. Online!
> — Eldriyssals Documented!
>
> — Species: Sornakar
>
> — Sub-Name: "Burrow Scourge"
>
> — HOSTILE ⚠️ ELDRIYSSAL
>
> — HOSTILE ⚠️ ELDRIYSSAL
'Not even near, and there's already a warning message… a new one at that.' This made me tremble slightly as the G.A.I.A.'s sudden and urgent warning made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
"What are the Burrow Scourge?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. The thought of encountering yet another dangerous adversary filled me with dread. "And how do we defend ourselves against them?"
The Plelepun's eyes darted around as it emerged further from the ground, seemingly torn between revealing itself fully or seeking refuge below the surface. "T-the Burrow Scourge... they're ruthless predators that dwell deep underground," it stammered. "Yo, and they possess formidable pincers and the ability to navigate the underground tunnels uncannily well… A-and their primary prey are Plelepuns, but they won't hesitate to attack and devour any creature that crosses their path, yo." Its ears swiveled and twitched as the Plelepun resumed to listen intently to its surroundings.
Zest stepped forward, their gaze sweeping from me to the Plelepun. "I have heard of the Burrow Scourge, fearsome creatures they are. We best find a secure spot this very moment, away from their reach. Somewhere they cannot follow." Zest's eyes narrowed, its antlers crackling with electricity.
Zest proceeded to gesture its head. "I know a location not far from here—a network of ancient tree roots that intertwines above the surface. It should provide us with a temporary sanctuary."
Before we could react, the ground beneath us began to tremble. The once serene rainforest fell into an eerie hush, disturbed only by the distant rumble of earth shifting and claws scraping against stone.
"They're here," the Plelepun whispered, fear etched across its face. "We must find shelter now!"
With no time to spare, Zest and I sprinted through the dense undergrowth of the rainforest, our hearts pounding in our chests. The Plelepun, who had warned us, skillfully navigated the terrain using its burrowing abilities.
Amid our frantic search for shelter, I noticed a peculiar opening in a nearby tree trunk, its roots twisted and gnarled while granting us some elevation. It appeared to be a hidden hollow, just large enough for Zest and the Plelepun to squeeze into— a sigh of relief escaped me, given my current compact form. Without a second thought, I motioned for Zest and the Plelepun to follow as we hurried toward the refuge.
As we climbed the gnarled roots and cautiously slipped inside the hollow of the ancient tree, an eerie silence fell upon us, casting a veil of anticipation. The inky darkness enveloped us, broken only by feeble streams of sunlight that timidly filtered through the narrow cracks. With bated breath, I strained my ears, every nerve on edge, desperate to catch even the faintest whisper of the approaching Burrow Scourge.
Minutes stretched into agonizing hours, each second ticking away with excruciating slowness. My heart pounded in my chest, its rapid beats echoing in the cavernous hollow, as the world around me faded into a blurred haze.
And then, like a malevolent whisper carried on a chilling breeze, a faint scratching sound tiptoed into my ears. It began as a mere tremor of unease, but gradually swelled into a dissonance of imminent peril, amplified by the relentless thump-thump-thump of footsteps resonating through the hollowed heartwood.
The Burrow Scourge were drawing near our fragile sanctuary, their predatory presence palpable—as if the very air had turned hostile.
Wide-eyed, Zest and I exchanged frantic glances, our unspoken worries etched upon our faces, knowing that our time was running out. The scratching intensified, reverberating through the very core of the hollow tree, its rhythm a countdown to our impending doom. The Burrow Scourge, merciless hunters of the subterranean depths, were on the brink of breaching our refuge.
Just as panic threatened to consume us, a flicker of inspiration ignited within me, a glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. With a voice trembling yet resolute, I beckoned to Zest and the Plelepun. "Zest, Plelepun, follow my lead," I whispered urgently, the words barely audible over the mounting tension. "We can use the Plelepun's tunneling abilities to our advantage."
Zest nodded, their eyes filled with faithfulness, while the Plelepun stared at me, its expression a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Plelepun, can you create a tunnel from within this tree trunk to lead us to safety?" I asked, my voice filled with urgency.
The Plelepun hesitated for a moment as it blinked, but understanding the dire circumstances, it nodded, its trunk curling with resolve. Momentarily, the Plelepun focused its energy. The sigils on its body gave off a faint glow. With the shuffling of its feet and a surge of earthy magic, the interior of the tree trunk began to shift and transform.
The wood softened, turning malleable under the Plelepun's power. Slowly, a tunnel took shape, extending deeper into the ground.
While observing, I concurred that it seemed as though the Plelepun's connection to the earth itself guided its every move, effortlessly carving a path through the solid trunk and terrain. Its natural skill—[Terrain Engrave].
Zest and I exchanged hopeful glances, realizing that the Plelepun's tunneling abilities were versatile and enabled it to maneuver in a variety of terrains necessary for escape. With cautious yet swift steps, we followed the Plelepun into the tunnel, leaving the safety of the tree hollow behind.
Knowing time was fleeting, we ventured deeper into the earth, the tunnel snaking beneath the Uvosath's rainforest floor, the dreadful clattering of the sinister Burrow Scourge faded into the distance. We traveled in near darkness, guided by the faint luminescence of Zest's antlers and the Plelepun's innate connection to the subterranean realm.
Time seemed to lose its grip as we journeyed through the underground labyrinth. The air turned cool and damp, and the earthy scent filled our nostrils. The tunnel expanded, branching into numerous passages, each tempting us with its mysterious destination. Strange crystals jutted from the walls, lending an otherworldly touch to the scene.
Continuing its path through the underground domain, the Plelepun's instinct led us deeper into the intricate network of tunnels, skillfully navigating the twists and turns. These tunnels were undoubtedly its domain, and we were but guests in this subterranean world.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath our feet, shaking the tunnel walls. Dust and debris showered down from above, clouding our view. Startled, we stopped in our tracks, uncertainty and fear gripping our hearts.
As the dust settled, a chilling realization dawned upon me—the tunnel had collapsed behind us, cutting off our retreat. We were now trapped in the depths, cut off from the world above.
A deep unease settled over me, for we were not alone in this desolate realm. The sinister chittering of the Burrow Scourge echoed ominously through the labyrinthine passages. They had discovered our presence, their presence foreboding and palpable.
With my Merecritt ears straining, one gripped tighter around my spear, I readied myself to confront the encroaching adversaries, prepared to battle against the imminent threat that loomed ever closer.
G.A.I.A. Online!
> — Eldriyssals Detected!
>
> — Species: Sornakar
>
> — Sub-Name: "Burrow Scourge"
>
> — Rank: F+
>
> — Classification: Common
>
> — Type: Predator
>
> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED
>
> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED
The first Burrow Scourge emerged from the darkness, its monstrous form sending shivers down my spine. It was a hulking creature, its chitinous exoskeleton gleaming with a sickly green sheen. Its pincers clacked menacingly, ready to rend flesh and crush bones.
Zest's antlers crackled with electricity, casting an eerie crimson glow in the dimly lit tunnel. The eldritch deer exuded an aura of power, its crimson lightning flickering with anticipation. I clenched my Merecritt ear, summoning my resolve, and readied my crystal-tipped spear.
As the Burrow Scourge lunged toward us, I sprang into action. With a swift, fluid motion, I extended my stretchable ears, using them as pseudo-arms to maneuver my spear. The crystal tip glinted with deadly intent as I aimed for the creature's form.
In a blur of motion, I unleashed a barrage of strikes, slashing and piercing with my lightning-imbued weapon. The Burrow Scourge reeled from the onslaught, its chitinous armor cracking under the force of my attacks. But it was far from defeated. However, I confirmed that I can handle this F+ Eldriyssal.
Stolen novel; please report.
The Burrow Scourge retaliated with a ferocious swipe of its pincers, aiming to tear me apart. I deftly evaded, my body and Merecritt ears contorting and twisting to dodge the deadly claws.
I retaliated with a focused burst of lightning, channeling the [Doom:Zap's] electricity through my spear while my long, stretchable ears snapped forward, coiling tightly like springs, and with a powerful flick, I unleashed a devastating strike towards the approaching predator—[MereEar:Twist]!
The Burrow Scourge was caught off guard as it howled in pain, its chitinous armor no match for the surprising strength of my Merecritt ears. It was sent sprawling backward, crashing into the tunnel wall with a sickening thud.
But there was no time to revel in my victory, as more of the creatures swarmed forward, their chittering growing louder and more frenzied. In that critical moment, Zest poured and unleashed their own electrical onslaught, bolts of crimson [Doom:Zaps+] arcing through the air, striking the approaching predators. Of course, I joined in with my own bolts of lightning.
Resilient as they appeared, the Burrow Scourge were relentless, undeterred by our offensive. The insectoids surged forth, their numbers overwhelming.
I fought with all my might, using my ears to slash, punch, and pierce the foes while delivering lightning-infused strikes that found their marks. Whereas Zest's antlers crackled and sparked, illuminating the horrid creatures. The lightning bolts struck the Burrow Scourge, its electric tendrils snaking through their armored bodies. The creatures screeched and convulsed, temporarily paralyzed by the overpowering shocks.
It was our chance to capitalize upon this opportunity.
Together, Zest and I fought back within the tight confines of the tunnel, a symbiotic dance of lightning and lashing might as we tore through their ranks. With swift, precise strikes, I resumed to unleash a flurry of slashes, thrust, and punches, each of my ears delivering powerful blows upon the stunned predators.
The tunnel echoed with the sounds of impact, a dissonance of chitinous shells cracking and shattering under the force of my attacks.
Zest's [Doom:Zaps] surged through the tunnels, once again illuminating the darkness and crackling against the chitinous armor of our adversaries.
One-by-one the Burrow Scourge fell to our onslaught. Their particles drawn to us with each defeat.
But despite the defeat of this wave, another wave of insectoid beasts emerged. They regrouped and aided their wounded companions, and soon their onslaught gradually grew more ferocious and gruesome to hold at bay with each passing moment. Their pincers snapped, their mandibles clacked, and their eyes burned with a ruthless hunger.
I began to feel strain as Zest and I fought back at our utmost through the darkness—pangs shrouding me here and there.
Time seemed to stretch, the tunnel becoming a battleground of survival. Yet, with each Burrow Scourge felled, another emerged from the darkness. It was a fight against overwhelming odds—a test of our resilience.
‘Tenacious creatures!' I jabbed and wounded a Burrow Scourge that neared me, leading it to crash into another behind it.
Amidst the turmoil, my mind rushed to obtain an idea to secure at least a minor advantage to overcome these buggy beasts. ‘Plelepun… what are you doing?'
I remembered the Plelepun, our guide and ally. I glanced at the elephant creature, its eyes wide with fear, its trunk curled protectively around itself.
However, relief washed over me as I acknowledged that it had stayed by our side, yet it stood only as a spectator to this unfolding battle!
A plan formed in my mind, a desperate gamble. I locked eyes with the Plelepun, and darted to strike down a Burrow Scourge's upper body with a [Mere:TwistPierce], before conveying my intent. "Get a grip over yourself, you're our lifeblood in this battle. Dig, Plelepun!" I hoped it understood, as I barely had time to keep myself occupied with it as a Burrow Scourge's pincers swiped at me.
My focus returned on the Burrow Scourges, Zest and I fought back with everything we had, our strikes fueled by desperation. As the Burrow Scourge closed in, I unleashed a blinding [Zap:MereSphere], a concentrated orb of lightning that crackled and hissed through the tunnel, clearing a path.
In that fleeting moment, the Plelepun seized the opportunity, its trunk extending with surprising speed. Like a nimble architect, it carved through the weakened ground, creating a tunnel beneath the feet of the Burrow Scourge. The ground crumbled beneath them, swallowing the predators in a tumultuous cascade of earth and debris.
Without a word, we wasted no time and made our escape, darting through the opening, with the Plelepun leading the way. Behind us, the tunnel collapsed, sealing off our pursuers, at least for the time being.
We continued our desperate escape, following the Plelepun deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels. The distant chittering of the Burrow Scourge echoed through the underground, a haunting reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
But we pressed on, driven by the will to survive and the flickering hope of finding a way back to the surface. The subterranean realm held its perils, but we were determined to overcome them, united in our quest for freedom.
And so, with the Burrow Scourge hot on our heels, we ventured into the unknown, our fate hanging precariously in the balance, as we delved deeper into the heart of darkness.
◇ ◇ ◇
Hurrying deeper into the dark tunnels, our breaths turned heavy with exertion, yet I couldn't help but marvel at the Plelepun's tenacity and resourcefulness. Its trunk swung back and forth, the tip occasionally brushing against my leg, as if assuring me that it knew the way.
"Yo, just a little farther," the Plelepun's voice echoed in my mind, its tone both reassuring and motivating. "We gotta keep moving if we wanna make it outta here."
Zest and I exchanged glances, its gaze mirroring my own weariness and determination to escape this predicament. We had come this far, and turning back was not an option. The Burrow Scourge remained a constant threat, lurking in the shadows, their chittering growing faint but never truly fading away.
"Do you have any idea where this tunnel leads, Plelepun?" I asked, my voice echoing through the damp cavern.
"Yo, I got this," the Plelepun chimed in, its voice carrying a hint of confidence despite the dire circumstances. "I know these tunnels like the back of my shielded head. We'll throw 'em off our scent."
The Plelepun's ears twitched, capturing the slightest vibrations in the earth. "Yo, this tunnel should eventually lead us to the outskirts of the rainforest," it replied. "It's one of my secret escape routes, just in case things go south."
Relief washed over me. We had a destination, hope guiding our steps. We pressed on, our resolve renewed as we followed the Plelepun's lead. "Lead the way, Plelepun," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I trust in your guidance."
"Yo, you got it, Aera!" the Plelepun replied, its ears flapping excitedly. "Just stick close and watch your step."
The tunnel twisted and turned, occasionally opening into larger chambers where luminescent fungi illuminated the walls with a phenomenal glow. I could barely see a thing, and felt squeamish traversing through these regions.
Yet, the Plelepun maneuvered through the labyrinthine passages with remarkable agility and confidence, its hardened tusks grazing the tunnel walls but leaving no room for error. Its oversized ears, now folded to avoid obstruction, swiveled with an uncanny precision, ever vigilant for any signs of danger.
Our steps continued to be made with haste, with the air gradually became colder as we progressed, carrying the scent of damp earth. Drops of moisture dripped from the ceiling, forming small puddles on the uneven ground. But no matter how far we traveled, the tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly before us, an unending maze of uncertainty.
Turning another tunnel, we navigated the winding bizarre passages. While remaining at the vanguard, the Plelepun's oversized ears twitched once more, seeming to have picked up a faint rumbling in the distance. Its eyes widened with concern.
"Yo, we got company," the Plelepun warned, its voice laced with urgency. "The Burrow Scourge are catching up. We gotta pick up the pace. The sound of their steps are also drawing near over there." It pointed its trunk to a corner that I had just came to notice.
Zest and I exchanged glances, it appeared that the eldritch deer had only spotted it as well. Without a word, we hastened our steps.
Coming to an abrupt halt, the Plelepun's ears swiveled, seemingly detecting something else in the distance. "Yo, something's up ahead. We're near an underground river, I can hear it!" it exclaimed, its voice instilled with excitement and caution.
I began to feel hope at the mention of a river. For our sake, water could be our salvation—a means of escape or a barrier to deter our pursuers at the very least. "Lead the way, Plelepun," I urged.
The Plelepun nodded as it quickened its pace, its large feet moving with surprising agility. It weaved through the labyrinth, its ears occasionally brushing against the tunnel walls, as if mapping out our path.
Finally, we emerged into a vast cavern, where the distant sound of rushing water filled the air. Before us flowed an underground river, its dark waters glistening under the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi and sparkling crystals that dotted the cave's ceiling and floor.
"Yo, we made it! The river should provide us some cover," the Plelepun exclaimed.
Zest and I exchanged glances, relief flooding our weary bodies. But we couldn't linger for long—the Burrow Scourge would surely follow our scent and track us down.
"We need to cross the river," I said, my gaze fixed on the swift current. "But how?"
Zest stepped forward, their antlers emanating a soft, pulsating light. "Aera, use your lightning abilities to create a bridge. Channel your energy into the water, and let it guide you. We will do this together."
Without a second thought I nodded, and taking a deep breath, I centered myself. With my spear in paws, I extended my stretchable ears and focused my energy. [Lightning] crackled and danced along the surface of the water, guiding my movements as I focused and listened to Zest's directions as the eldritch deer, too, performed the same task.
Carefully, I sent tendrils of electricity into the river, shaping them into a bridge of shimmering energy. The bridge spanned the width of the rushing water, providing us a pathway to the other side.
[Electro-Manipulation: Bridge]
"Now, let's move quickly," Zest urged, their voice tinged with urgency.
We stepped onto the bridge, the Plelepun leading the way once again. As we made our way across, the current tugged at us, threatening to sweep us away. But with each step, I resumed to channel my energy, reinforcing the bridge and anchoring it to the riverbed.
Finally, we reached the opposite shore, breathless but relieved. We stood there for a moment, catching our breath, our hearts still pounding with the adrenaline of our narrow escape.
But how long would respite last?
In the distance, the chittering of the Burrow Scourge echoed through the cavern, growing louder with each passing second. They had caught up to us once again, their hunger driving them ruthlessly forward.
Suddenly, a distant rumbling echoed through the tunnel, vibrations reverberating under our feet. The Plelepun froze, its ears perking up in alarm.
"Yo, something's coming," the Plelepun whispered urgently, its voice laced with a mix of caution and concern.
Zest's antlers crackled with electricity, casting eerie shadows on the tunnel walls. "Prepare yourselves," Zest warned, their voice steady but tinged with anticipation. "We might be facing another challenge."
My grip tightened on my crystal-tipped spear, the reassuring weight grounding me in the face of impending danger. We huddled together, ready to face whatever awaited us in the depths.
The rumbling grew louder, accompanied by a low growl and slithering that seemed to emanate from all directions. Shadows danced on the cavern's walls, flickering in a disorienting pattern.
And then, from the darkness, emerged pairs of glowing eyes, piercing through the gloom like ethereal beacons.
G.A.I.A. Online!
> — Eldriyssal Detected!
>
> — Species: Venolisk
>
> — Sub-Name: "Violent Basilisk"
>
> — Rank: D
>
> — Classification: Unique
>
> — Type: Predator
>
> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED!!!
>
> — DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED!!!
>
> — AVOID AT ALL COST ⚠️ DANGER!!!
>
> — AVOID AT ALL COST ⚠️ DANGER!!!
My spear fell with a thud upon the cavernous floor, echoing the despair and fear ablaze within me…