A handful of Floreans ran into the trees which stood like so many witnesses to the horrors of the great battle. The Java crashed through behind them, throwing fiery torches at Floreans, catching many of them on fire. Long legs made the Java fast in straight lines, but in the forest the Floreans’ agility was an advantage. The Floreans gained ground.
Tililk found an opening in the side of a hill and they all climbed through into the mouth of a long tunnel. Yilk looked back and saw the Java fires getting closer. A large rock further up the hill caught his eye. He waited until the last of his kin were inside then he rolled the rock down the hill and in front of the opening. He walked away from the hill, waited for the Java and made sure they saw him before he ran. He led them as far away as he able.
Inside the cave the rest of the Floreans shook fearfully as the Java passed. When their bellows were too distant to hear, Floreans tried to push aside the rock but were unable. Despondence plagued the group, now only 18 strong. They sent two men to find another way out. They never returned.
Eventually whole group ventured into the dark depths in search of life and safety. They found it, for a while.
Arum, daughter of Oontep, began singing to console her family and soon they all sang together.
