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A colossal claw shot through Kaiyos’ vision as he dived across the cave floor and his knees hit the ground with a sickening scrape. A mix of sand, rock and blood clung stubbornly to his legs as he pulled himself forward. In this moment, his sole aim was to put more distance between him and this humongous crab-like creature. His knees stung like nothing else as he scrambled to a more defensible position.
In the corner of his eye, he saw Poros and Monty weaving their own diversions and attacks. They huffed and stood tall as they tried to stem the flow of now countless crustacean assailants. A seemingly endless stream of razorclaw crab-like creatures poured into the cave mouth, dispersing throughout the space beyond. Each monstrosity had a set of stalked eyes, swivelling as they moved, always keeping the three explorers in their sights. In a moment of clarity, a cold chill ran through the young hero's bones. The creatures were swarming the cave, but they weren't focusing on Monty or Poros, they were targeting him!
Vicious razor claws slammed into his calf, tearing flesh from bone, like a hot knife through butter. Hot blood flowed and coated his foot, soaking the ground below him and his vision began to swim. His wounded staggering sent droplets of blood flying as they created macabre patterns in the sand. Lightheaded, but with the determination he knew a hero should have, Kaiyo stumbled on, trying to reach a nearby ledge and outcropping to the back of the cave. In the distance, it seemed so far away, he could hear Monty shouting something hurriedly, but couldn’t quite make out the words. Panic set in, as Kaiyo realised that he must be in trouble, he had to save Monty! A surge of energy fuelled his movements as he doubled down and course corrected to the shape in the distance that must be his friend Montgomery Crumb.
His leg screamed with excruciating pain and heat and his vision blurred once more. Determined, for better or worse, Kaiyo knew he had to make it over to Monty and save him. He couldn’t let his friend fall victim to these vicious creatures, he had to save him! One wobbly foot in front of the other, hands outstretched in front of him, Kaiyo dragged and stumbled his faltering form closer and closer to the shapes battling nearer the cave mouth. He fell, once, twice. Each fall sent lightning bolts of pain through his legs and up to his spine. The sound of clicking and gnashing claws began to fade as Kaiyo, now on his hands and knees, kept pulling himself closer and closer to his crewmates. Until the objects in his vision blurred completely and the world around him swirled into darkness, no more.
-----
A breath.
Soul splitting pain.
Void within, stomach and mind
nothing to grasp.
Unsteady. Push,
pull.
A shiver.
Rolling, a breath of salt.
Stone-like hands, grip eternity
with grim abandon.
Slowing. Push,
pull.
Silence.
---
“Bring him to me!” Poros shouted across the cave, eyes wide with battle rage and panic. With a grunt, the Giff heaved the young boy over his shoulder, ignoring the smearing of blood all over his coat as he moved. Not bothered, nor paying attention to the droplets on his clothes in the slightest, he rushed through the slick of smashed crustacean on the cave floor.
“No, no, no, it is not yet your time young one!” Monty cried as he laid the boy down on the floor at Poros’s feet. Kneeling down in unison with the Aasimar in front of him, he brushed the locks of hair back from Kaiyo’s face. “Come back to us Kaiyo, your work is not yet done.” Looking up, he caught his crewmate's eye, “You can bring him back, yes?”
Breathing out shakily, Poros lay down his spear and straightened his back. “If Argenon wills it, yes.”
Eyes glistening and hands raised, upturned, Poros closed his eyes and reached deep within. He called out with heart upon the strength of the bull, building steam and heat as his body glowed with magical energy. Monty caught himself gaping as he watched the large marble-skinned man in front of him begin to shimmer with a golden brazier-like radiance. “Argenon, hear me!” he roared, filled with pride and the hope of revival. “This is not the hour of Kaiyo Pearlfins’ demise. Please, we still.. he still has so much good left to do in this world. Argenon, fill his heart with your raging fire, steel his spine with your peerless armour, give him your deepest determination to continue fighting!”
Montys’ eyes widened as the light within Poros’s hands grew brighter and brighter, until he had no option but to raise his hands to his face and shield his eyes. Radiant heat emanated brilliantly from his companion as Poros channelled the might of Argenon into the unconscious genasi.The light around him peaked as the roar of a raging bull filled the silence and with a splutter and a start, Kaiyo’s eyes fluttered open and he drew a deep, waking breath. His voice, though weakened, returned to him, “Did we win Poros?” He winced, trying to turn his head to find Monty, “Is Monty?" he swallowed nervously, "Is he okay?”
Beside him, Poros could feel Monty relax from his watchful pose, as the ageing giff breathed a sigh of pure relief.
“Yes, young one, he is okay,” Poros smiled down at him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “When you fell, you must have dislodged some of the rocks in the wall. The passage to the south began to collapse and it was enough to distract the beasts! Thank the gods, it was perfect timing,” he poked the injured genasi’s shoulder, laughing gently, “for you!”