2199 Extinction

The Dream

           The cave is located about a day's walk from the school. Last night, I scaled the left side of the cave and hid amongst the rocks. Getting eaten alive, while I slept, was not the way I wanted to die. When my death comes, it will be in battle, at least that's what I hope.

          Now I stand facing the cryptic abyss. I know it is inside, but that's all I know. How deep is it? Exactly where, inside, is it? Will it attack me straight away? Or will it lure me into a false sense of security and then attack? Should I cross the threshold, or should I abscond?

          I have come this far; I might as well go ahead with it. Besides, if I flee now, I will be called a coward. And that's a fate worse than death. Besides, I want to see this creature for myself. I want to see if it really does exist or if it's just a legend.

          I push my fear down deep inside of me. I will not allow fear to rule my life. I reach into the bag that I laid at my feet and pull out the large glass jar. It is filled with a glowing orange powder, called Pulsis. It reminds me a lot of the sands of Telkan that I saw, once, in a book. I unscrew the lid and toss it back into the bag.

          There should be enough in here, to get me in and back out again.

          I close the bag, with my free hand, pick it up, and sling it over my shoulder. I take a deep breath and cross into the inky blackness. Every few steps I reach into the jar and grab a small handful of Pulsis, and toss it onto the ground. The effects are instantaneous, I know have a small lighted path, showing me where I've been; and the cave floor looks like it has been littered with sand.

          I strain my ears, as I walk, trying to hear the creature so that it can't surprise me. From somewhere in the darkness, I can hear the steady dripping of water. I also hear a faint scurrying sound, more than likely from some kind of small, furry, pest. Makes sense that this cavern is full of furry pests, the creature probably snacks on them. When it isn't eating the occasional, unlucky, Talfarian.

        Suddenly, ahead of me, I see two glowing purple eyes, coming my way, and fast! There it is! The creature! I set the glass jar down, in the middle of the orange powder; then I quickly pull out my Raptor and hold it steady until it's nearly on top of me. I swing my blade at a downward angle. I can feel it connecting and slicing through something. A loud thump echos around me and the purple eyes disappear. I hold my Raptor in one hand, and with the other reach down and grab a handful of Pulsis. I toss it out in front of me and it lands on a dead body.

         I re-sheath my blade and toss more powder around, only to discover that it wasn't the creature I was after. It was just a Blavata. A large, bald, winged creature, that makes its home in the caves of Lila Luna. Ugh! I thought I had it! Oh, well. It's a good thing I killed it, those things are known to be poisonous.

          I pick up the glass jar and continue on my way. I'm not sure how long I have been walking when I get a strange feeling. Like I am being followed. Like, someone or something is watching me! It's got to be the creature! Carefully, I draw my blade, again, and walk slowly forward. This time I am going to be sure, before attacking. I listen carefully as I move forward, and sure enough, I hear the most important sign, the sound of a large something scrapping the ground and heavy breathing from behind me.

          This is it! The moment of truth! They are masters of camouflage, so I need to act quickly. I carefully set the jar down, grab a handful of Pulsis, and in one quick motion, I spin around and sling the powder where I judge the eyes to be. I am rewarded with a loud roar and am just rolling out of the way when a hot stream of fire is hurled in my direction. The streaming fire hits the powder that I knocked everywhere when rolling out of the way. The powder blazes hot and bright, temporarily blinding me and hopefully the creature as well. After a few moments, the light dims down but it's still bright enough that this entire area of the cave is lit up.