The Coming

CHAPTER 7 - THE JOURNEY

…Some really unlucky ones would give grotesque births to their own death in the form of little hellish abominations which were probably inhaled as spores and then somehow nourished on the toxins that were accumulating into their unlucky host's body. The growing Aspects would not give any indication as of their presence until it has time to hatch by eating their way out in an explosion of blood and agony. They may even chose to start eating their host from the inside without the slightest interest in getting out, using the carcass as a cozy edible home, before finally emerging when there was not much more left to eat or hide into…

Journal entry 01-01-03-38 from the Personal records of Ahien the Elder.

‘Come on Cain… I can practically feel myself growing old while I wait for you!’

‘Hey! Now that’s just plain rude you know.’

‘Is it? I thought I was just stating the obvious.’

‘Tell me something. Where you always that sarcastic or is it a newly found side of your character?’

‘What can I say; you bring out the best in me.’

Io gave out a grin of mischief as she gestured with her hand, the one that was still whole, for Cain to hurry up. Today was the day they would make their way back to the Den. Her excitement was too great to hide. So was her desire to tease him. She couldn’t help but comment on each and every move Cain made, as they were getting ready to vacate the cave.

Cain had already packed everything they may need for their journey, mainly dew-sacks and vermin-spores. There was no need to bring fire-fuel with them. If they left early, chances were that they would make it to the Den just after nightfall. In any way it was better to travel light. He also packed his few tools, in a separate sack. Afterwards, he dug a hole on the ground right outside the cave and emptied the contents of a dew-sack into it. He mixed the liquid with dirt until he made a muddy slurry which he used to soak two long pieces of garment, one for Io and one for himself. It would serve as face-masks that filtered the toxins of the air.

‘I am done. We will leave as soon as the face-cloths are dry. You need to be patient.’

‘Fine, but it better be soon. Otherwise I am going to be a really grumpy travel companion.’

Cain couldn’t help it but smiling at that statement. Over the days he got to respect the way Io coped with what have happened to her. Her sense of humor, it seemed, was one of her greatest strengths.

They left shortly afterwards, after Cain had to force her to roll the face-cloth around her face. Io protested and hissed against it but in the end she resigned when she saw there was no way that Cain will let her go without it. They got their sacks and weapons, and exited the cave. As they were going down the hill, Cain turned around and looked at the cave. When he felt Io’s look on him he just nodded at her. Then they were gone, none of them would set foot in that cave ever again.

After an hour or so, they arrived at the lake. They could see a small number of Murklurkers scattered around but none of them posed any threat. Cain stopped, reached to his sack and brought out a dew-sack. He opened it and had a mouthful before he offered the rest to Io.

‘Thank you.’

Io looked around over the area for a few heartbeats. Then she drank the dew-sack dry and tossed the empty vessel aside.

‘Where did you found me?’

‘Over there.’

He pointed towards an area close to the edge of the lake at the opposite direction from the mountains.