Mikhail awoke to incessant shaking making him groan in protest. He then pulled his head groggily off the pillow in an attempt to trick the person shaking him that he was up before his head fell back onto the pillow.
"Get ready. We're heading out." the guide said as Mikhail wiped off the sleep crust on his tightly shut eyes.
"Nnngh... Mmkay." Mikhail groaned as he sat up in bed nearly falling over back to the comfort of the blankets.
"... Refresh yourself. I'll meet you in 10 at the stables." the guide said as they left the room leaving Mikhail on his own.
Mikhail knew he shouldn't remain in bed as he would most likely go back to sleep. Hence, he forced himself to get up only for his hand to slip which in return made him fall out of bed.
"OW! Ughh... Uhh... At least... now I'm not that sleepy anymore..." Mikhail groaned as he stroked his forehead that met head first with the cold
The cascading rainfall drowned out the sound of heavy hooves crashing against the muddy ground. A horse can be seen galloping towards a secluded cave with a figure of a man clinging desperately to the reins.Upon closer look, the drenched dark green cloak which bore the emblem of Enoch, hugged the frame of the man which turned out to be Mikhail. He had a desperate look in his squinted eyes as he tried to make out his surroundings.Mikhail's vision had begun to grow hazy due to the heavy downpour. The shelter that the guide pointed towards before their group got split up was his last hope in making it out of the thunderstorm unscathed.Please let me make it... I can barely make heads or tail with this weather... The guide is nowhere in sight as well...Mikhail stirred his horse, nudging it north as he hoped it was the right direction. All of a sudden, the thunderstorm grew in intensity. The clap
Mikhail fluttered open his eyelids as he felt a cold drop of water sliding off his forehead, down to his chin. He swipes it off with his hands and finds his clothes still damp against his body.He sat himself up before pulling off his hood and shirt, wringing them dry of water as he searched for a place to hang them. The rain seemed to slow down, falling in a light drizzle as dim lighting came through the hole on the ceiling.As he was pondering on where to dry his clothes, there was another tremor which caught him by surprise. Mikhail gasped as he suddenly remembered what had transpired earlier.Is this a dream?! I'm still alive! I'd have thought the tiny snake was bringing me back as a meal....Just as Mikhail thought that, he was met face to face with a ginormous serpent. It's eyes shone an even brilliant gold while it's scales looked sturdy with a similar copper shine.
"Kyaaaa! A snake! What if it had hurt our son?! Kill it!" a woman shrieked as she grasped her child and swiftly moved to a safer distance, watching an older man combat the snake away from him."This creature! I bet it was the one that fed off of my lifestocks! Death certainly would be too lenient!" the older man growled as he hit the snake until it started bleeding."Calm down! Please! I'll handle it from here! This type of snake can spit poison. If you harm it further it will surely strike back!" a young man said as he held back the older man's arm, taking hold of the wooden branch in his hand."It would?! Goodness me! J-just get rid of that creature! What if my daughter got injured? My grandson even..." the older man said as he quickly reached out to his daughter to lead her away from the snake and the young man.The young man stood still, watching the old man and the woman leave before he dropped
"Where are we?!" a shrill voice screeched, dampened by the rain, yet piercing in close range."In a cave." a curt response was heard in the direction closest to the innermost section of the cave.As if a reflection of said owner's cold tone of voice, a crackle of thunder reverberated in the air as the clouds parted, making way as the sky lit up with thin streaks of lighting permeating through the parted veil."I can see that. What I mean is... why am I here with you?! Where is Mikhail?!" Susie exclaimed as she pointed her index finger at the guide and frowned with disappointment enlaced in her tone.The image of Susie shrieking before the scenery of thunder clapping and lightning streaks across the murky clouds was not exactly a pleasant sight. If you were to relate it closely to a scenario, it would be more akin to a killer finally finding their victim."It seems he
"You seem a little rough for the wear.... but overall still kicking. That in itself is a relief." the guide said as they helped Mikhail back up and headed towards the side of the cave wall."Thanks... so the loud sound was from you both?" Mikhail asked as he glanced towards the guide."Yes. We managed to make our way in here but the entrance we came in crumbled just as we managed to get through. A little later and we'd have gone to meet our maker.""Sounds rough... ugh..." Mikhail mustered before grimacing from the pain."Drink this. Its something to soothe the pain."Mikhail glanced at the flask handed towards him and took it without much hesitation. He gulped down the contents and handed the flask back to the guide as his face gradually grew flushed."This... hic... kind of burns my throat..." Mikhail said slowly as he tried to keep his vision focused.
The scorched path which stretched deeper into the cavern slowly began to descend in temperature as they came close to a lone isle, bearing a single tree with its roots enlaced with blooming flower beds. Mikhail was in awe, gaping at the sea of vivid red as the flower bed closely resembled the lava that they had spent the past hour or so avoiding falling into.The petals of said flowers were patterned as molten lava and its pistil was the colour of dark amber. It looked dangerous to touch directly, yet the urgency of the matter made Mikhail unconsciously move towards it, reaching out to touch it carelessly."Mikhail! What are you doing?! I told you not to let go of my hand!" Soleil exclaimed as she grabbed Mikhail and pulled him towards her, away from the flower."Wh-why? It's right there. We just need one, then we can leave." Mikhail asked as he turned towards the flower then back towards her."This
"The flower you seek... is not merely a flower. It is the essence of One's kind. Each flower symbolises the life of the Keeper." Rachneid said as he glanced to Mikhail."One cannot simply give it away for free. Especially since the fully bloomed one is of One's most precious memory... Quatrapatala is cruel to force me to give up my memories of 'her'." Rachneid said with a sad tone."I... didn't know..." Mikhail muttered as he noticed the hint of sadness it Rachnied's eyes.***Long, long ago, the Keeper was not one of our kind. They were devout followers of Quatrapatala, a direct descendent birth once every century."Haahh~ living in this cave is so boring. There's nothing but lava, lava, lava and minerals. Ugh. Why can't I ever go up unlike the other snakelets?" a girl said as she kicked at the dirt path."Hmm? What's this?" the girl said aloud as she picked
Rachneid stared at Quatrapatala in silence. It was tough to tell what he was thinking but it was clear his emotions were in turmoil."What would you know about Extonia? You were the one who trapped her within this cave, far from the surface. All her tales she would tell me were of tales she heard from you about the surface. Her stories were filled with longing." Rachneid roared as he slammed his tail against the lava in anger.The lava swished and splashed as it ricochet off the surface and splattered onto the ground mere inches from Mikhail."Erk..." Mikhail gasped as he stared at the sizzling spot from where the lava had landed before glancing at upwards at the ominous presence of Rachneid beside him."Mikhail, its not safe there... You should stand back." Soleil said as she called out to Mikhail from the stalagmite she had been thrown onto."Soleil! Are you alright?!" Mikhail