Prison of the dead (Labyrinth of Monsters' sequel) A hermitcraft/3rd life fanfic

Chapter 8 - Cleo

Taurtis.

I know that name.

I heard it before.

Where did I hear it before?!

It's all I can think about, even as zombies and skeletons continue to attack. Lightning strikes a nearby tree, setting it on fire. I scream, but it's put out in seconds by the torrential rain. I scream again as an enormous spider appears, and throws itself at me. Unarmed, all I can do is try and kick it away, even trying to bite at one of it's hairy legs. An arrow hits it and it falls down. I back quickly away, looking to see Impulse, bleeding and holding a bow. I smile gratefully, but the spider attacks again. 

This time it's Taurtis that saves me, slicing fearlessly at the creature's legs. I get out the way, seeing how outnumbered we all are. Goosebumps run up my arms from the freezing cold. I can only imagine how Impulse is feeling, having lost his top. My own one is badly torn, and threatening to fall off as well. 

Taurtis has slain the spider by now, but more have taken it's place. He I fumble in my pockets for some kind of weapon I can use. Finding nothing, I curse. 

'Taurtis, do you have any spare weapons?' I ask quickly. He hands me a knife, and I thank him, turning back to face another spider. I cut it down surprisingly quickly, before turning to stab a zombie in the chest. It too falls. Cub's facing several mobs at once, and is somehow doing alright. It looks like the rain is slowing down a bit, and it soon stops, with a final flash of lightning. 

Another tree is set ablaze and I watch is blaze, realising that's the way we need to go. The rest of the zombies and skeletons begin to burn as well, turning quickly to ash. I look back at the other three. Cub's looking alright, but Impulse is badly hurt. He looks up trying not to wince as he hobbles over to us with a broken leg. 

'Are you ok?' Cub asks him worriedly. He nods, swearing loudly at the sight of the fire. A tree collapses down the path back.

'This isn't good...' Taurtis states the obvious. Impulse quickly turns on him.

'Oh really? I hadn't realised that. Well, thank you for telling me.' 

'Impulse, it's not his fault! Now, Taurtis, how did you get here?' 

'I... can't remember. But there was a maze. I was sent into it... and something killed me. I don't know what. But it did. And I woke up here.' 

'We were all in a maze as well.' Cub explains, frowning. I look nervously at the approaching fire that the others are coolly ignoring. The heat is almost too much, as it spreads. I finally mention it again.

'How are we going to get back?' I ask. 'Because... the fire...'

'We're going to have to go through it.' Impulse limps towards the flames. Cub grabs his hand.

'No way! I'm not risking anyone's life in that thing!' 

'Get OFF me!' Impulse pulls his hand away. Cub quickly apologises. 

'So, how will we get back?'

'Run? It's coming closer, so if we don't do something now.'

'I can't run.' Impulse quickly pushes away the idea. 'Damn zombie got to my leg.' 

'I'll help you.' Cub volunteers. I look between the two. 

'No, I'll just follow behind.'

I gulp, and with a nod to the others, run into the fire.

It burns. A lot. Black smoke blocks my vision, flames tear at my top, and pain runs down my body. I hear a crashing behind, and Cub yell Impulse's name. I can't look back. Taurtis tells me to keep going, but I trip on a fallen tree and land, howling as I clutch my burnt leg. Everything's burning. I can't keep my eyes open from the blinding light of the flames. I feel my skin almost peeling away. A hand grabs my arm and I scream in pain. Taurtis pulls me to my feet, and I stumble along behind him, coughing, gasping, feeling like someone's stabbing my lungs over and over and over and-

We burst free from the forest, and I fall the ground. I feel like everyone's watching me. They probably are. I look up, squinting. Blood pours from every part of my body. I hear Joe desperately call my name. I can't reply. My throat feels like sandpaper. I realise numbly that Cub and Impulse aren't here. 

Where are they? 

WHERE ARE THEY?! 

I shriek as a bucket of water is upturned on my head. My wounds howl with agony, but it seems to help in some kind of way. I also realise I'm mostly naked as well, but by the powers of the author not wanting any non-PG imagery, I'm still somehow decent. Keralis is also there. Xisuma's asking questions. Taurtis is trying to answer them, but failing, as he doesn't know too much. Someone's thrown a blanket at me, and I huddle up in it, not even trying to get to my feet. 

'Cleo? Cleo! Are you ok?!' Joe asks desperately. 

'Me? I'm... I'm...' I pause, not sure whether to lie or not. I decide against it. 'S***.'

'You'll get better, right?' Keralis questions. I nod back. 

'Eventually, I think.'

I hear a yell from what's left of the forest, and turn around quickly. Joe and Keralis help me to my feet, and I watch as Cub stumbles into view, clutching in his arms the unconscious body of Impulse. 

And... another bad chapter! Hooray! >:(