Chapter Text
Finally a bit of fresh air for the hero, he took a whole week to do absolutely nothing else but sleep after he had sent the Dark Teensies far to a piggy's ass, he was now stretching his limbless body in a walk through the woods, going nowhere exactly, he just loved to explore his home when there was no one threatening to destroy or conquer it.
He yawned the sleepiness away while contemplating the rocky view of the mountain's base, he had walked arround here before but he hadn't noticed really the amount of cave entrances this one had, he wondered if they lead to any interesting place inside the mountain, maybe a shrine or a temple or even a sactuary not even the fairies had knoledge of, after all, the Glade had as many secrets as Polokus.
Rayman walked close to one of these entrances curious. He peaked inside, it was dark, really dark so he summoned a magic sphere on his hand and kept it there to shine his way inside.
Rayman walked a bit until he noticed claw marks on the cave's walls, who could've done this? An animal? Or a nightmare?
He soon found diferent paths, he should have stopped there if there was something dangerous deeper but he wasn't a chiken and not very smart either, so he kept walking.
When he thought it was enough exploration he turned and walked back to the exit, trying to follow the path from where he came from but what a surprise he got when he couldn't find his way out the cave. He walked and walked and for a moment he thought he was walking in circles.
He just lost his way out and face-palmed himself at the realization, now what? He could call for help but he doubt even Polokus could hear him soo deep in the mountain, he still had nothing to lose by trying.
— Hey! Anybody can hear me?! — He screamed as loud as he could, the echo of his voice traveling through the paths, nothing. He tried again, a third and fourth time, still nothing.
— Who's There?! — Suddenly another voice echoed in the caves, Rayman's eyes filled with hope.
— Me! Rayman! I'm lost! W-Where are you? — Replied the hero, turning his head arround trying to find whoever was with him. He got no answer back but instead he heard heavy steps going his way, his eyes focused foward, he was so sure this person was coming from this way.
— What the hell are you doing here? — A deep menacingly voice talked just behind Rayman, scaring the shit out of him and losing his balance, falling on his butt and letting go of the magic sphere from his hand, this one bouncing on the walls until hitting the other person with him.
— Auch!! — Whined the guy, soon a puple light illuminated the place by a magic sphere summoned by a now visible Raymesis who was rubbing his snout with an angry frown — You idiot! — Rayman stood up and shook the dust from his sweatshirt.
— I-I am so sorry, you scared me! — he lifted his hands and tried to reach Raymesis one to check on him — Are you okay? — Before Rayman could even touch him, Raymesis kicked him back to the dirt — Ouff! —
— Besides being an idiot, you're stupid— Raymesis sighed and lowered his hand, letting Rayman see a small burn on his right side of the nose. Rayman stood back up, now keeping his distance from the other thingamajig — What are doing you here? — asked again.
— I was just exploring! I was curious about this place and so happens that I got lost — Rayman gestured a shrug and let his hands hang loose. Raymesis smirked, was this really funny to him?
— This caves extent through all the mountain and their paths cross to other entrances and ends — Raymesis explained. He then turned and started to walk, expecting Rayman to follow who he did — I'm not surprised you got lost, I also did a long time ago, but now I know this place better that the palm of my hand —
— You did? — Rayman asked and quick his step to walk side by side with him — Curiosity? — He raised a brow with a playful smirk.
— Punishment — Raymesis spat, not minding to see Raymans face who erased that smirk and changed to be concerned.
— Jano? —
— Mr. Dark —
They fell silent, only the sound of small rocks crunching under their shoe soles.
— Why are you here then? — Rayman cut the silence.
— It's dark and quiet and fresh. It's better than the dark, loud and hot oven Mr. Dark calls his castle — explained Raymesis — Plus no dream or nightmare dares to walk further the claw marks — He then shoot a glance to Rayman annoyed — Except you, of course — Rayman nervously smiled.
— Guilty- wait, you did the claw marks? — Rayman saw him surprised.
Raymesis rolled his eyes while stopping, Rayman mimicked. He then bit the tip of his glove from the hand not casting the light and he pulled free from his glove, he then sliced the cave's wall, making a clear demostration that he can do claw marks and even more, which should be scaring Rayman but he was actually amazed.
— Your nails are this strong?! Raymesis, I swear mines are as soft as berries! I wish I could have yours — Rayman admired this skill his companion had and Raymesis genuinely smiled at the complement. He took the glove from his mouth and chuckled.
— You're still the Hero without them —
They kept walking until they finally saw a light crack coming from the end of the path, they hurried and soon they were out of the caves but in a different place from where Rayman initially entered.
— Finally out! — Exclaimed Rayman, lifting his hands up in victory, he then turned with an excited smile — Thanks Raymesis! — Raymesis was about to say something when-
— Rayman! — The aforementioned turned and saw far away Barbara's twin sister, Elysia, pulling a wooden wheelbarrow full sacks. Rayman waved at her and she returned the gesture. When Rayman turned back to see Raymesis, he was gone. He probably went back inside the cave to resume his break.
Rayman didn't tried to go back to the caves, he instead find his way back to his friends with Elysia's company.