Wings and Webs 2: Discovery

Yukinaru ~Underground~ 7

It doesn't take me long to get a makeshift hut built near this cursed tree. It seems to have its own little barrier that keeps the area relatively secured. Though the shadows seem to be more alive here, ai always feel like something is watching us..
I haven't sensed or seen that other creature either. Perhaps, as Haiji suggested, it has moved on to another area. Regardless we have been exploring the surrounding area diligently. Noticing a miasma that spreads more and more each day, it is slowly taking over the woods.
The landscape becoming void of all life, eerily looking more like the Shadowscape surprisingly. After a few days of our stay, the cursed aura seems to have reached as far as it can, about 80kms in all directions.
To the west of the tree is a rocky moutain but the peaks seem to move slightly, nearly swaying to and fro. I can't help but eye it curiously, some unknown pull calling for me. Driven by the unknown pull, I head for those distant mountains. It takes many days but soon we arrive at the base of the middle moutain.
It is the only snow capped one amongst the three and the tug is stronger with this one. There at the base, I step into the dimly lit entrance of the underground cave system.
A chill sweeps over me and even Haiji bristles, a shiver runs down my spine.
The air is thick with humidity, and the faint, earthy scent of damp rock fills their nostrils. Shadows flicker and dance along the walls, cast by the fluttering light of jewels leadin into the depths of the cavern.
Glancing up, I notice the ceiling is lined with glistening stalactites. Some of them have a strange glowing substance dripping from them. The stalactites have sharp edges that glimmer like teeth add the final touch.
The rest of the atmosphere in the cave creates a sense of unease within me. Faint echoes reverberate softly from the distance, as if the cave is whispering secrets of an ancient time.
The shadows seem to come alive the deeper in we go, swirling and shifting with every flick of Haiji's tail. Further in, the narrow passageways weave through the rock. A few of them seem to be leading to vast chambers where massive boulders loom like silent sentinels.
Following the odd sensation in my chest, I take the left at a forked path. I know ai am going the right way as the shadows here deepen more then previously. I can see them pooling in the corners, tantalizingly out of reach, as if hiding something from sight.
Occasionally, a soft rustle or the distant drip of liquid shatters the silence around us. Even Haiji has been silent this entire time. Suddenly Haiji tenses up next to me, putting me more on edge. I catch a glimpse of movement up ahead, it was such a fleeting shadow darting between the stalagmites. I can't even be sure of seeing anything with how brief it was.
The shadows around me begin to pulse with intrigue, drawing me deeper into the cave's mysterious embrace. My hearts race in unison with the low hum of the shadows. My imagination ignites with the possibilities of what can be lurking.
*Is it a batcy cat flitting through the cavern, or something more elusive?*
It doesn't take long before something else catches my attention however. "Haiji do you see what I see?"
I question him softly as we round another corner. Something most definitely lurking in front of us now. His response is no more then a low growl, confirming that before us is a beast. One I have only heard stories of from Uncle Renji, it is a Boulder Molo.
This peculiar creature stands about 6 feet tall and it has a sturdy, rock-like body that is covered in a mosaic of earthy tones. Varying shades of ashen gray, rich browns, and flecks of mossy green.
All of which help it to blend nearly seamlessly with its surroundings. The Boulder Molo's rounded, rugged exterior resembles a weathered stone over all. Seemingly worn smooth by the elements, yet it pulses with an aggressive energy.
Its tiny, beady eyes peek out from a crevice in the rocky surfaces of its face. Six powerful limbs protrude from its sides, three on each. The limbs themselves are equipped with sharp claws, perfect for carving through the hard stone of the cave. The Molos create elaborate tunnels through these moutains. As it burrows, it emits a low, rumbling sound reminiscent of distant thunder.
Alerting would be victims to their location but the beast have a unique ability. When it feels threatened, it instinctively curls into a tight, protective ball, camouflaging itself perfectly with the surrounding stones.
After side stepping the sleeping cave beast as quietly as possible, we travel further down a carved out tunnel, a slight breeze pulling me in forcefully.
A blacken stone the size of a boulder sits in the center of the room.
Black ooze is spilled around the base, all manor of whispers and distorted voices rising up from it. As the duo approaches blacken vines suddenly shoot from the ground. In a split second both Haiji and myself are trapped, the black liquid slowly working itself up our bodies. I struggle but it does no good. Casting a glance to Haiji, my eyes fill with horror as he is completely engulfed.
Just as the ooze nearly swallowed me completely too, a blinding burst of light shatters the dim cave. The encroaching shadows fade, freeing me. I drop to the ground and hastily rush towards Haiji. He is crumbled on the gravel but breathing at least.
I turn to the source of the light and to my surprise I see the stranger who saved me last time standing there. His focus though is on the black stone, still ominously rippling. I can't hear his words but as he speaks the gem stone explodes.
The stranger rushes over hastily taking both me and Haiji in his arms, fleeing the cavern as it begins collapsing. I still can't find my voice and just as I feel the fresh air hitting my lungs, I begin to lose consciousness.
Those damn shadowy vines sucked nearly all my engery leaving me even more weakened. I catch a glimpse of the stranger leaning over Haiji, pouring something into my pet's mouth.
I begin to stir after what felt like weeks, my body feeling the weakest I have ever been. Parts of me ache I didn't even know that could experience discomfort. I bring a hand to my head, groaning as a pounding headache grows.
"You are finally waking up, that's a relief." A familiar tone yet it belongs to a very unusual man.
"You again?" I question, my hoarse voice startling me.
"Easy now, you are lucky to be alive. Finding trouble seems to be a common trait for you." The stranger chuckles as I hear his foot steps approach.
I drag myself upright, opening my eyes to look at the one who saved me yet again. This time I really try and get a good look. The stranger is wearing a plain grey robe, draped over a white shirt though the hood is lowered this time.
He has messy dark hair and deep brown eyes. To be honest he looks slightly like Gon but much older in many ways. His pants are baggy but look heavily worn and he has long, skinny black crew boots. He appears simple overall, however I can tell this man is anything but that.