Panic flared in Areion's chest as the first of the bat-like creatures swooped towards him, its elongated jaws gaping, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. The cavern filled with an unnerving, high-pitched screeching that grated on his senses. He dodged, his movements still hampered by his body's reluctance to obey, barely avoiding the creature's attack and stumbling against the rough cave wall. But there was no respite; more of the grotesque beings followed, their milky eyes fixed on him.
He Instinctively reached out a hand to swat one away, but to his shock, his hand passed right through it. A strange, tingling sensation spread up his arm, leaving faint blue, ephemeral marks wherever the creature made contact.
[No, it's bad. This blue thing… no, I can't touch them; it's bad.] A primal fear gripped him. These weren't ordinary creatures.
He continued to evade their clumsy lunges, his limited stamina draining with each awkward movement. Finally, at the cost of a scraped knee and a pounding heart, he managed to scramble behind a large, jutting rock formation, hoping to break their pursuit. The screeching echoed as the horde blindly followed the direction of his last visible movement.
[These things look like bats, so their vision should be bad. These things have large ears too; I understand it now.] A sliver of understanding pierced through his fear. He quickly severed the flow of paranh to his eyes, plunging his immediate surroundings back into near darkness.
[Good, but how can I go that way, and if these things are alive, that means there is food and water nearby… don't tell me I have to go past them.] The thought of facing them again sent a fresh wave of anxiety through him.
He leaned against the cold, damp rock, straining his ears. Amidst the rustling of wings and the faint, rhythmic breathing of the creatures, he could discern other sounds: the whisper of wind, and… yes, the unmistakable rush of a waterfall.
[Yes, I was right; it is beyond these creatures.] A surge of hope mingled with trepidation. He carefully edged out of his cover, moving with deliberate slowness, trying to blend with the deep shadows. The bats, their milky eyes glowing faintly blue in the gloom, remained seemingly unaware of his presence. He took a few more cautious steps, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he closed within ten meters of the clustered creatures, a chorus of whimpering cries erupted once more. He froze, forcing himself to remain utterly still. He glanced down at the faint blue marks still shimmering on his arms and shoulder.
[Shit, don't tell me they can sense me.] His breath hitched. He stood as rigid as the rock behind him, every muscle tense, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. A few of the bat-like things detached themselves from the ceiling and drifted closer, their lidless eyes fixed in his general direction.
[What should I do? If I move, they'll attack me; if I use magic, they'll attack me, and if I stay like this, I'll die of thirst.] Desperation clawed at him.
[Fuck this.] A surge of adrenaline coursed through him. He unleashed his shaktih, not as a focused beam, but as a raw enhancement, flooding his entire body with power. In a blur of motion, he dashed through the startled creatures with immense speed, their ethereal forms brushing against him, leaving trails of blue light in their wake. The screeching intensified as they turned to pursue. He ripped his scarf from his neck, the knotted ends flying open as he flicked it wildly, sending a burst of the paranh-imbued stones scattering towards the bats. He simultaneously shifted his gaze towards the direction of the waterfall, a desperate plan forming in his mind. As several of the stones tumbled on the cavern floor, their stored paranh erupted in a series of blinding flashes, illuminating the entire cavern in stark, momentary brilliance. The bat-like creatures shrieked and stumbled, disoriented by the sudden light, crashing into the walls and each other. In that fleeting moment of chaos, Areion saw a faint, brighter light ahead. He couldn't be certain if it was the end of the cave, but he didn't hesitate. He poured the remaining paranh into his legs and ran faster than he ever had before. The cavern around him began to groan and crumble, the impact of his enhanced speed destabilizing the fragile rock. He knew he had to get out. He burst from the collapsing tunnel, not realizing it led to a precipitous dead end.
He found himself on the edge of a cliffside, the sun's rays blinding after the oppressive darkness, illuminating a vast ravine below. He glanced back just in time to see the cave entrance collapsing in a cloud of dust and debris. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he leaped into the open air.
Splash…
[Ahhhh, I can't swim….] The icy water enveloped him, stealing his breath. He flailed his arms and legs uselessly, his small body sinking. He patted his hand frantically on the unseen waterbed and was immediately swept away by the strong current. [I can't control myself… Aghhhhhh.]
He realized the relentless flow was carrying him directly towards the thunderous roar he'd heard earlier. [Oh shit….] He briefly touched the slippery waterbed again, desperately trying to transmute it into solid granite, but the sheer force of the water and his panicked, inefficient magic caused the newly formed rock to crumble instantly. [Shit… Not good.]
He tried again, focusing with every ounce of his will, attempting to solidify the water itself into granite as it fell, creating a temporary barrier. It slowed his descent momentarily, allowing him to be swept closer to the riverbank, just as he'd hoped. With a surge of desperate energy, he imbued both of his hands with paranh. He slammed one hand into the slick rock face beside him, creating a precarious grip, then with the other, he punched repeatedly at the wall, trying to create handholds to climb against the relentless current. [Ahhh, water is getting in my nose and ears… aghhhhhh.]
He continued his frantic ascent, his strength fading with each desperate move. With a final burst of adrenaline, he punched hard at a seemingly weaker section of the wall. The rock cracked, then shattered, and a torrent of water erupted from the opening, slamming into him with tremendous force and shooting him out into the open air, towards the edge of the waterfall.
[I'm dead… Second time…]
.
[Dark….]
[Hmm… Am I dead again?] A strange sense of detachment washed over him.
[I can't feel my body….] Panic began to set in again.
With a monumental effort, he willed his eyeballs to move, his eyelids fluttering open, his vision blurry. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the soft, diffused light. As his sight cleared, he saw something utterly bizarre.
[A… a giant crystal…?]
"So you finally woke up… Can't move?"
His gaze swiveled towards the source of the voice, his mind reeling. He was staring at a colossal crystal, a breathtaking formation of shimmering pink hues, resting on an ornate golden stand as large as a one-story building. And it was speaking to him.
"Don't force your brain to make sense of it."
[Did he just read my mind?] The thought was involuntary.
"Yes, I did." The crystal seemed to resonate with a gentle hum.
Areion could only stare, his eyes wide with disbelief, his limbs still unresponsive.
"I think you've been paralyzed by the impact of the water washing you out; thankfully, I sensed some huge commotion up there."
[I can't open my mouth to speak.] Frustration welled up inside him.
"You can just think like that; I'll converse with you."
[Hmm, where am I… Who are you… How can I get out of here…?] The questions tumbled through his mind in a confused jumble.
"Hey, hey, wait, wait, young elf, I can't answer that many questions with one breath." A white, circular point appeared in the center of the crystal, pulsing gently, as if it were the focal point of its consciousness. "Let's get to the introduction… My name is Akupara…"