Andrellia

10. Maya

Maya's heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. The air in the abandoned mine tunnels felt thick and heavy with each labored breath. She had to get out. Her mind raced, replaying the moments that led her here. The crumbling support beam, the deafening crash, and then... darkness. Now, trapped and alone, she had to find a way out of the labyrinthine tunnels before it was too late.

Suddenly, a bunch of men's voices echoed through the oppressive darkness. One, rougher than the others, sent shivers down her spine. "Mace Mulligan, you sure about this? Sounds like something The Rook would be interested in." Another voice, laced with fear, replied, "I swear on me mum's grave, Lenny. Glowing eyes, the whole package. Didn't stick around to see if The Rook would actually follow up."

Panic clawed at Maya's throat. Glowing eyes? The Rook? What had she gotten herself into? It wasn't just about escaping the mine anymore. It was about survival.

As Maya crept forward, a glint of metal caught her eye. It wasn't an escape route, but a cage. Inside, huddled in the corner, was a creature unlike anything she'd ever seen. No bigger than a kitten, it had fur the color of twilight and large, luminous eyes that looked at her with a mixture of fear and hope. A whimper escaped its tiny snout, and Maya's heart melted.

This wasn't just about escape anymore. This little creature, trapped and scared, tugged at Maya's adventurous spirit and newfound sense of protectiveness. She couldn't leave it behind.

With a surge of determination, Maya inched closer to the cage. The metal bars were cold and rough against her fingertips, but her focus was solely on the latch. How could she...

A loose rock beneath her sneaker betrayed her. With a startled yelp, Maya lost her balance and tumbled forward. Her flailing hand knocked over a stack of dusty artifacts on a nearby table. The crash echoed through the cavernous tunnels, shattering the silence with a deafening cacophony.

The sound hung in the air for a heart-stopping moment before a voice, laced with street-smarts and barely concealed annoyance, echoed off the damp stone walls. "Yo, what the heck was that?"

This wasn't some shadowy figure out of a nightmare. This was a common thug, all baggy clothing an earring and a snake tattoo on his neck. Slowly, Maya peeked open one eye. The man was still a silhouette, but the faint moonlight filtering through a crack above glinted off a silver chain around his neck. Then, her gaze fell upon the overturned cage and the man's amusement vanished. His face contorted into a mask of rage. "You messed up, kid! You just messed up big time!"

Maya's heart hammered against her ribs like a drum solo. The thug's voice echoed in the darkness, laced with a fury that sent shivers down her spine. But even as fear coiled in her gut, a spark of defiance flickered alongside it. She couldn't let this creature, this little spark of wonder trapped in a cage, go back to these men.

Suddenly, the sound of more footsteps crunched on the gravel floor, a chorus of approaching menace. Several figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured but for a single, unifying feature - a slithering black snake tattooed on their forearms. One hulking figure stepped forward, his voice a low rumble. "Leave her," he growled, his gaze fixed on the trembling creature huddled beside Maya. "She's not what we're after. But you," he continued, his eyes narrowing at Maya, "you can't let her go now. She's seen too much."

Mace Mulligan. The name sent a jolt through Maya. This wasn't some random group of thugs these were seasoned criminals, and she was trapped in their web. A desperate plan began to form in her mind, fueled by the pounding of her heart and the luminous eyes of the tiny creature beside her.

As if sensing her resolve, a glint of light snagged the edge of her vision. Amongst the scattered artifacts knocked over by her fall, a single object glowed with an otherworldly luminescence. It was an ornately carved shield, ancient symbols swirling across its surface. A voice, faint yet strangely clear, seemed to whisper in her ear, only audible to her. "Grab me, little one. You have a noble heart! And that is worth protecting."

Mace Mulligan. The name sent a jolt through Maya. This wasn't some random group of thugs; these were seasoned criminals, and she was trapped in their web. A desperate plan began to form in her mind, fueled by the pounding of her heart and the luminous eyes of the tiny creature beside her.

As if sensing her resolve, a glint of light snagged the edge of her vision. Amongst the scattered artifacts knocked over by her fall, a single object glowed with an otherworldly luminescence. It was an ornately carved shield, ancient symbols swirling across its surface. A voice, faint yet strangely clear, seemed to whisper in her ear, only audible to her. "Grab me, little one. You have a noble heart! And that is worth protecting."

Hope, unexpected and exhilarating, surged through Maya. Could this be some kind of... clue? A strange weapon to face down a group of thugs, but maybe, just maybe, it was more. In a daring move, she snatched the shield, its surface warm beneath her touch, and held it protectively in front of herself and the creature.

Then, in a flash of blinding light, the shield dissolved. In its place stood a woman, tall and radiant, with fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders. She wore gleaming armor of a bygone era, and in her hand materialized a longsword that shimmered with an otherworldly light. Her eyes, the color of molten gold, blazed with righteous fury as she surveyed the men.

"I don't know what you scoundrels are planning," her voice boomed, echoing through the caverns, "but harm will not befall this child under my watch!"

Mace Mulligan's bravado faltered. "I-it's not what it looks like!" he stammered, his voice laced with panic. "We were told... it was just a replica!"

Another thug was pale "They soul-bonded already! I thought these weapons were supposed to be all replicas of the artifacts!" A collective gasp went up from the group. Fear, raw and primal, replaced the malice in their eyes.

With a snarl, they turned and fled, their boots pounding a frantic retreat down the tunnel. Maya, speechless, stared at the woman who now stood beside her, a radiant beacon in the darkness. The warrior woman, Joan of Arc, turned to Maya, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "You have a kind heart, child. And a brave one. Remember, even the smallest light can push back the greatest darkness."