Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

Friend and Foe

The harsh rustling draws near: the sound of twigs snapping, branches being shoved aside, bulk upon dry undergrowth. In the dark, and in a rush, whatever fast approaches Naoko and I takes no care in stealth or surprise. Alia prepares herself as if readying to pounce, Vuitton stands frozen on the edge of light, his paw on rapier, eyes darting about.

Yet I fear we stand no chance, Naoko and I are trapped down here, deep in trouble. Something has sensed our presence, or caught sight of the low burning embers of our fire even tucked away behind a wall of stone as it is. Perhaps something has always known we would be here, our cubbyhouse and previous trespass a sign we would return one day. 

Whatever the story, it's too late to run now. It dawns on me: the reasons this cavern made such a good hideaway are the same reasons it's a deathtrap. Cornered, we have nowhere to flee, our backs are stuck to the steep walls of the cavern behind us, the only exit being where the waterfall flows in from Moloch's destruction, and the old stairs we found as children fifty yards off.

So we duck behind the makeshift stone walls that barely reach our waist, and wait for the enemies to find us.  The man of shadow? More boars? Moloch? Or maybe the bullies found their way into our hideaway?

Loser, their voices echo, loner, stinky. It was stupid of me to think I could do anything down here but flee, and caught up in my adventure with Naoko, I've trapped myself off from doing that. I frown and shake my head, I'm such an idiot!

The instinctive crackling of undergrowth beneath footsteps draws very close, any moment now I'll catch sight of our doom. Whoever, whatever, it is, there's definitely more than one. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, readying my bow and nocking an arrow. Between the brush, wall, and I, there'll be just enough time to get one shot off. Two if I'm lucky. I don't feel very lucky.

And in the darkness our stalkers appear: the outlines of one figure; not long after followed by two more. Silhouettes once again, materialising on the edges of my sight, fast approaching.

I take a deep breath and hold it anxiously, give myself a moment to see who our enemy is. Only the slightest tremble threatens my grip, but I've gained enough strength to manage to hold my arrow true enough. I will not clumsily drop it into the dirt this time.

The first silhouette to gain form in the slight light is much taller than I. Hidden in the half-dark, it's a being of mottled, muddy fur and well-worn leather armor. It wields a large, dangerous battleaxe, well-used and ready to split my head in two.

Wait. I know who it is! We've met, all those years ago, above, in the forest. His caring, weathered eyes fall on me, and he leans forward to study us closer.

"Halt, strangers!" Vuitton dashes forward brandishing his rapier, "be thou friend or foe?

Vuitton's rapier instantly drops, little puffs of dust bouncing about his feet, and he takes off his wide-brimmed hat as he bows, keeping his head low.

"Chi!" Naoko chirps beside me, singing joy, "you're alive!"

I instantly lower my bow, the arrow loosened, free from trembling. So close. I came so close to letting loose. Chi raises his hands and looks at me apologetically, as he realizes what might have just happened.

"The children of before," Chi's face lights up, his eyes go wide, his ears twitch uncontrollably, "I remember you!"

Chai, covered in old and fresh scar alike despite his heavily-battered black plate, lowers his great-sword and sighs heavily. His eyes linger on us but a moment, study the walls and cubbyhouse a fraction longer, before turning away to stare at the darkness surrounding us