Arvium [I.L.S. Beta Game #1]

47: Respite

Month 1, Day 4, 18:20:26; Arvium, Wolves Ravine

Aella screamed as the magic broke, and she fell. Above her, fire exploded on the top of the ravine, the heat wave slamming into her as she hit the incline. She slammed into the rocks halfway down the incline, her vision turning black as she rolled to the bottom.

When she hit the ground, she gasped for breath, needles of pain exploding everywhere on her body. She coughed, each effort making a spasm of pain travel through her chest. Rocks tumbled down on top of her, and the pines cracked and fell across the ravine as the fire raged. She glanced up, seeing the faint outline of a dragon hovering just above the flames, fending off magic attacks.

She moved her arm, cold water splashing over her hands and seeping into her armor. She winced as she heard the howls of wolves coming closer. Above her, the women yelled orders and an explosion rent the air, followed by a roar that shook the ground, sending small rubble crashing down. She closed her eyes out of reflex as small rocks pelted her armor.
I have to get out of here.

She gasped in pain as she put pressure on her left arm, shifting so she could push herself up with her right arm. She stood, wobbling as the blood rushed to her head. "Healing spell," she whispered. She stumbled forward, heading toward the bend of the ravine.

The ravine narrowed as she turned the corner, seeing a hole in the cliff wall ahead on her left, leading into the ground. Stalagmites rose in front of the entrance, acting almost like bars of a gate. A faint haze shimmered between them.

"Garron?" she whispered as she stumbled forward. She leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths. Some of the pain had started to fade, and she glanced up, seeing her magic bar dip lower. Where is he?

"Ender?" she whispered, beating her hand on the slick rock.

She moved forward, pausing in front of the cave, then she stepped between two stalagmites and through the barrier. Ahead of her was a long tunnel, leading deeper underground. Torches were spaced along the walls and gave illumination to the cave. To the left was a small entryway leading into a different room. Her eyes widened as she heard a rustling sound, and she saw what lay in front of her.

Fifty feet into the tunnel from where she stood, a pack of death wolves were stepping out of a smoking hole in the ground, their glowing red eyes facing her. The one in the front, it's hide smoky, lowered its shoulders and growled, showing white fangs.

She threw up her hand, shouting "defense spell" as she ran forward into the smaller room.
She stumbled as the ceiling caved in behind her, blocking her in. she blinked, waving her hand as dust filled the room as she looked around. The room was no more than fifteen feet in all directions, the roof curving in a circle and turning into a narrow shaft high above her. There was no exit from what she could see.
A thin beam of light from a hole in the high ceiling gave soft light to the room, and she watched as water dripped onto the floor from above , splashing as it hit the small puddle of water.

She turned around, her shoulders falling as she saw the pile of rubble in the entryway and she moved to her knees, her sword clattering as it hit the stone. I'm trapped. She closed her eyes as the wolves howled in the tunnel just beyond, and the rocks rattled.

She glanced up, feeling cold seep through her body as she saw her magic was only at ten bars, and her health had been lowered to half-full. She crawled over to the wall and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. Low magic, low health. She glanced at her armor, frowning as she saw scraped paint and dented metal. She slowly held her left arm out in front of her. The armguard was cracked in several places, and had bent inward toward her arm. Dark blood lined the deepest gash, and she sighed. I can't take it off without risking bleeding out. I don't know how bad the damage is.

She took a deep breath and winced as her ribs scraped her chest, and sent pain flaring through her lungs. It feels like a few are dislocated. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head against the cool stone wall. Her limbs were heavy, and she yawned, then shook her head. I need to stay awake.

She frowned, then nodded. "Assemble manual and moonflowers."

She glanced down as the book appeared beside of her, and the small pouch of her remaining moonflowers appeared in her lap. She fiddled with the strings for a moment before it opened and she glanced down at the white powder inside.

She lifted it to her lips, swallowing the powder. She winced at the bitter taste and let the pouch fall to the side. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, then exhaling slowly. She opened her eyes, and reached for her manual, pulling it into her lap.

She opened it, seeing the spell tree. She clicked on the first medallion, the Resource profession. The pages flipped, landing on a page with a few spells already written on the first page. Her scouting spell, and two subspells, one with the icon of a blue crystal and another with the icon of a moonflower. She tapped on one, seeing a locator spell for the two.

She glanced up as a few more smaller rocks tumbled off of the pile, and a wolf howled outside. She looked up at the roof as a peal of thunder rumbled overhead, and rain started to pour through the small hole, splashing her legs as it hit the puddle.

She dismissed the manual and leaned back. I'm low on health and have very little magic left. If the wolves get through, I may not be able to defend myself. She clenched her hands, feeling the cold water underneath her skin. I promised. She pounded the floor and screamed. "I promised," she yelled, feeling a tear fall down her cheek, followed by another.
Her voice cracked as she sobbed. "I promised you, Chloe, I would win. I am going to--" She leaned over her knees, her shoulders shaking. I'm going to die. Sigmund was hurt because of me. I left Ender because I was afraid. I don't deserve Garron's help. He has to fight to save his people. Her shoulders heaved as she cried, her breath coming in short gasps.

She winced at the pain from her ribs, and the ache in her chest. She leaned back against the wall, her chest rattling as she calmed down. Her eyes were heavy, and ehr body felt drained of energy. She exhaled, staring up at the exit high above her. I'm a hybrid, no use to anyone. They needed my sister, and I wasn't able to protect her. I can't do the job she was supposed to do.

She closed her eyes, letting her hands fall beside her. She sighed as she felt her eyelids start to close. Why not sleep? I've failed Chloe. I failed Garron and Ender. I failed Sigmund. I don't deserve another chance. She swallowed, her breathing calming. "I don't deserve another chance," she whispered.

Darkness filled her vision as she drifted off to sleep.