Man On The Moon

Chapter 19: The Rumbling Approaches

The rumbling sound is now a roar, so loud it's hard to think. The ground shakes violently, nearly throwing the group off balance. They cling to each other, trying to maintain their footing. Robin and Sunday stand together, equally surprised and alarmed by the shaking. Sunday, the Aeon of Permanence, is visibly taken aback, his usually stoic demeanour fractured by a slight look of panic.

Sunday's voice is barely audible over the roar.

Sunday: "What in the name of..."

His words are cut off as the ground suddenly gives way beneath them with a deafening crash. The group screams in surprise as they suddenly find themselves falling, plummeting into the crevice that has opened beneath them. The fall is short but jarring. The group lands heavily on the ground, sprawling in a heap. They lay there for a moment, stunned and breathless, before slowly picking themselves up. Vettel is the first to speak, his voice shaky.

Vettel: "What the hell was that?"

Dan Heng looks around, his eyes taking in their new surroundings.

Dan Heng: "It looks like... We're underground. In a big cave or something."

Firefly gets to her feet with a grunt.

Firefly: "Doesn't look like we're going back up anytime soon."

Jingliu surveys the cave, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Jingliu: "We need to find a way out. And quickly. We don't know what caused that earthquake, or if it will happen again."

The group looks at her, hope glimmering in their eyes.

Dan Heng: "Do you know where the exit is?"

Robin nods, her eyes scanning the cave's tunnel system.

Robin: "Not exactly, but I have a rough idea. Follow me."

With that, she takes the lead, walking deeper into the network of tunnels. The group, having no other option, follows her tentatively. As they walk, the air in the tunnel grows colder and a faint, eerie noise echoes in the distance.

March 7th, who has been quietly observing their surroundings, speaks up.

March 7th: "I have a bad feeling about this place... It feels... strange."

The group, walking silently down the tunnel, suddenly hears a loud and menacing roar echoing in the distance. They all freeze, the sound sending chills down their spines. Vettel, his eyes wide, breaks the silence.

Vettel: "What was that?"

Before anyone can answer, a huge shadow appears at the end of the tunnel, blocking their path. A moment later, the monstrous form of Zhenyx slowly comes into view. Zhenyx, a massive dragon-like creature, takes up almost the entire width of the tunnel. Its scales are pitch black, and its eyes gleam an eerie red. The group stares, stunned into silence. Dan Heng, the first to break out of his daze, mutters softly.

Dan Heng: "We're not in Kansas anymore..."

Before they can react further, Zhenyx lets out another deafening roar, the sound echoing in the tunnel and filling the air with an oppressive aura. Robin steps back, her usually composed demeanour showing a hint of unease.

Robin: "This isn't good. Zhenyx has quite a temper. And it's not fond of intruders."

Dan Heng eyes the creature warily.

Dan Heng: "No kidding. That thing is a lot more frightening than you let on, Robin."

As they talk, Zhenyx begins to advance towards them slowly, its massive body moving with unnatural grace for something so huge. Firefly readies her bow, trying to hide her fear.