Loomian Legacy Veils of Shadow

Corrupting All With One Stone

Important Authors Note: Before we start, I want to say something. I was really looking forward to this chapter, and I had a great time writing it. I apologize deeply for this delay. This chapter was all ready to go for Sunday last week, but when I woke up to publish it, my internet was out. I thought that it would be back within a few days and the delay would only be a few days, but I barely got my internet back today. Fortunately, we also got new wifi from a different provider, so these random blackouts will hopefully be a thing of the past. That's all from me, have a great day everyone, and enjoy!

Thane winced as he felt jagged rock scrape against his back and legs through his clothes as he slid down the slope. He had leaped over the railing of the bridge and was now sliding down the steep and jagged edge leading to the path below, and to the entrance of Igneus Hollow. Embit clung to his arm for dear life as Thane slid down, to his left, Twittle was swooping down, and to his right, Slugling was using his vines to swing down from the bridge and Geklow was full-on sprinting down the rocks. How did Thane's day end up becoming so weird? First, the battle with Ventacean, then Thane's new hair color, and now this. Thane let out a groan as he landed on the grass with a soft thud. Beside him, his Loomians landed much more gracefully. Thane quickly stood up and brushed the wet grass off his pants. "Let's go!"

As Thane approached the black entrance to Igneus Hollow, a wave of heat hit his entire body. He hadn't even entered Igneus Hollow and already he was boiling. He tore off his jacket and threw it on the ground. He would come back for it on the way out. Thane then turned to look down at his Loomians. All but Embit was clearly uncomfortable with the furnace-like heat, most notably Slugling. "I'm going to return you all to your disc," Thane told them. "It's too hot for you to be out here. I'll send you out if I need you." Slugling looked like he was about to protest, but before he could, Thane recalled him, along with Twittle and Geklow to their disc. He turned to Embit and stretched out his arm, to which Embit hopped on quickly. "Let's go."

Thane thought the heat was bad enough out there, but inside Igneus Hollow felt like he was being melted from the inside. He panted heavily. "Come on! Come on!" He repeated through breaths. Sweat was already beginning to stick his clothes to his now-wet skin. "We have... have... to find them before they die in here!" Embit looked up at his trainer With concern, to which Thane responded with a small smile. "I'm okay, Embit. Just a little hot in here." He reassured. There was no way Thane could let his other Loomians out in these conditions. He just couldn't. He and Embit would have to be enough. He tried to lean against the walls for a moment, only to jump back with a pained yelp. Thane looked down at his shoulder, now sporting a burn mark. "Come on," Thane said through deep breaths. They had to end this as quickly as possible.

After Thane caught his breath, he and Embit made their way further into the volcanic cave system. Thane and Embit quickly skidded to a stop when they heard a loud moan around the corner. It was animalistic and savage, not human, and not Loomian. Thane and Embit looked to one another, and then rushed forward, skidding to a harsh stop and peeking around the corner. Thane was careful not to grip any of the rocks. He could feel the heat on his feet. He would have to replace his shoes after this, but for now, he ignored it. Thane and Embit peaked around the corner, and froze. One of the monks was methodically staggering around. He was tall and bald. He staggered purposelessly, but with purpose, as if he was patrolling.

The monk moaned again, his head moving around and scanning his surroundings. Could he even see? Thane asked himself as he looked at the red tint that had overtaken the monk's pupils, now coated in the red glow of the cave. Without thinking, Thane stepped out of his hiding place. Embit let out a noise of confusion, and tried to call him back. "Excuse me, sir..." Thane trailed off as the monk whirled around to face him. His red, dead eyes landed on him, and he let out a shriek. Suddenly, Thane's back burned and his skin sizzled as he landed on his back, the monk on top of him, his entire weight pressing down on Thane. Thane let out a cry, but couldn't move, no matter how hard he squirmed. Then, as the monk raised a fist to strike Thane, he was kicked off by a Hop Kick from Embit. Thane quickly pushed himself up, not caring as his hands took the heat from the ground.