As the World Change

Chapter 3 - Through Darkness, Through Mud

Note: This is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real events or people is purely coincidental.

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Through Darkness, Through Mud

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Keyos gasped awake, his chest heaving as he fought for air. The sharp pain in his lungs was a familiar burn, but it didn't matter—not right now. His body trembled, barely able to move, as the pounding of the monster's claws echoed through the tunnel. The creature was close—too close. The thin wall separating them trembled under its relentless assault.

He pressed his ear against the cold, jagged stone, feeling each strike vibrate through his bones. How much longer? He could feel the rock weakening, cracking. Another few minutes, maybe less, and it would shatter. There was no time.

Keyos's eyes darted around the narrow tunnel, searching for a way out. His body, all skin and bone, barely fit through the tight space, but he kept moving. His hands scrambled over the rocky floor, clawing for anything—anything—that could save him. His fingers sank into something soft and slick.

What...?

It wasn't soil. It felt like mud—thick and gooey—coating his hand. The texture made him hesitate, but desperation didn’t leave room for fear. Without thinking, he smeared it over his body like water, sliding through the tunnel's narrow passage, trying to fit his skeletal frame through the gaps.

Behind him, the wall cracked again. No time.

He dug into the thick mud-like substance, letting his body glide deeper into the tunnel. It was suffocating. The space around him grew tighter, pressing against his chest and ribs, crushing what little breath he had left. He couldn't see, couldn't think beyond the need to escape. The mud seemed to suck him in, and for a terrifying moment, Keyos thought it would swallow him whole.

His heart pounded in his ears, louder than the monster’s claws. The mud pulled him down, his strength fading. The world spun as his lungs screamed for air, his head heavy with exhaustion. He fought for breath, for life, but his body refused to obey.

Suddenly, his hand broke through to something—a small pocket of air. A bubble. Tiny, barely enough for a gasp, but it was there. Keyos sucked in the little air he could, but his strength had already run out. The darkness around him deepened, and his vision blurred.

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He was standing on soft grass, a warm breeze playing against his skin. The heat of the day wrapped around him, soothing his battered body. Ahead, the sky glowed with the deep hues of sunset—orange, pink, and gold, like the last embrace of daylight. In the distance, he could hear laughter—light and free—the kind that echoed happiness he had never felt.

Keyos’s eyes followed the sound, drawn toward the silhouettes of people in the distance. Their forms danced in the warm air, carefree. He squinted, trying to see their faces. Who were they? They seemed to be playing a game, their voices mingling with the laughter, creating a symphony of joy. He could almost feel the warmth of their smiles, the camaraderie of their shared moment.

The laughter tugged at something deep inside him, a long-buried longing he had forgotten. For a moment, he felt peace. Could I have been there too? The thought was distant, unreal, like a whisper from a life he never had. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the sun bathe his face, imagining himself joining their laughter, their games, their lives.

He wanted to go to them, to feel that warmth, to be part of their world. But no matter how far he walked, they were always just out of reach. The sun continued its slow descent, and Keyos stood, watching it fade away, a bittersweet ache settling in his chest.

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Keyos woke with a jolt, his body still wedged tightly in the narrow tunnel. The pounding of the monster was gone, but the pressure on his chest remained. He gasped, his breath shallow but real. He had survived. Barely.

He forced his body to move, inch by inch, pushing himself through the last stretch of the tunnel. Every muscle screamed in protest, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. With one final, desperate push, he tumbled out of the passage and onto soft grass.

The sudden change in texture startled him—the cool blades of grass a sharp contrast to the suffocating mud. His body collapsed onto the ground, trembling with exhaustion, but alive.

He blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness around him.

It was then he noticed it—the faint, luminescent blue light glowing softly in the distance. It moved, calm and steady, like a guiding star.

Keyos struggled to his feet, his legs weak beneath him, but he kept moving. The blue light was so far away—farther than he expected. Every step felt heavier, his body dragging itself forward, determined. When his legs finally gave out, he crawled, clawing at the ground to keep going.

The closer he got, the more the light seemed to pulse, as though calling to him. He dragged himself the final few feet, the edges of his vision darkening with exhaustion. And then, he saw it.

A small, pristine spring, nestled within the rock, glowing faintly with the blue light. The water was so clear, so clean. Keyos could only think of one thing.

I can finally drink.

With shaking hands, he reached out, cupping the water and bringing it to his lips. The cool liquid washed over him, soothing the fever that had raged through his body. He drank deeply, the water giving him the strength to breathe again, to think clearly, if only for a moment. The light danced around him, calm and serene, as though watching over him.

As he drank, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, a sense of hope that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was alive. He had survived. And he was ready to face whatever came next.

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I’ve made a few minor changes, and I truly appreciate your time in reading this! I hope you found it an enjoyable experience, as that was my goal. Your support means a lot to me—whether it’s through reads, votes, comments, or kind feedback. Thank you so much for being part of this journey!

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©Mari√
lazyscorpii