Lucidity

Chapter Eight: A New Perspective

Once Caitlyn had joined the girls in the centre, it didn't take Oburon long to find them. They prompted him to try and open the door, yet unlike the others, he was more gentle. He rested his hand upon the door, seemingly attempting to open it with sheer will. Anwyn had tried something similar just before he'd arrived, so none of them were surprised when nothing happened. Then, unlike Anwyn, who had proceeded by banging her fists against the door until she had curled up in a corner sulking because they hurt by then, Oburon simply sat down.

"Are you even capable of standing for more than five minutes?", complained Caitlyn. Technically, she knew he was, but somehow this habit was starting to annoy her. Oburon paid little attention to her snide remark and started to scratch his elbow as he both examined their surroundings and considered possible triggers for the door. After a minute, he stood up and attempting to rotate a candle, but to no avail.

Hjalmar's arrival did nothing to aid them in escaping the network of tunnels. What he did, however, was begin quietly arguing with Yaz.

"What did you mean, 'deal's off'?", he whispered agressively. He wanted to keep the conversation private, but it was no secret that eveyone was listening in. Normally, he would have tugged off the translator amulets, but what difference would it make with a Gaspa around?

"Look, it wasn't completely off, but my plans had changed. I don't want just the two of us to go on a Lypera saving quest if either of us is chosen, I want to involve everyone. All of these people are talented and deserve a chance," said Yaz, but the fire she'd had before was missing. She was really starting to freak out, it felt as if they were never going to get out. Sure, she was doing her best to hide it, but her body language was starting to betray her.

"Are you alright?", asked Oburon, glancing up from the floor where he was sat once more. Yaz gulped and nodded. She feared they'd judge her for her fear of enclosed spaces and seeming weak would not help her convince them in the least. Then again, if being the chosen one just meant situations like this, she didn't want it. She wanted to go back home.

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Up above ground, Libros seemed empty. The thing was, he'd seemed empty this whole time. Initially, Kosa had been worried, but Hazhil had identified him as magically observing what was going on in the maze. She had then reassured Kosa that it was a common mistake to make, prompting Junior to joke that last time Hazhil had made it, she'd added to her body count. Kosa had assumed this was just a joke because Hazhil would never hurt anyone - though she was kinda creepy, the Vila girl couldn't deny that.

"Uuuurgh, why are they taking so long," moaned Kosa. It had been ages since they had heard anything from inside, the last thing having been Anwyn's cry for her friend an hour ago. This whole chosen one's sidekick thing was really turning out to be quite the let down.

Nokia was also growing anxious, he kept getting up to run back and forth, before dropping back down at Kosa's feet - something that had prompted Hazhil to gradually slide further and further away from Kosa and Junior. She didn't really like dogs.

Once again, Nokia plopped down at Kosa's feet and the girl bent over to pet him. Reassuringly, though in part trying to comfort herself too, she mumbled, "I'm sure she'll be out any minute now, fluff king."

Just as she sat up, Hazhil frowned and the air around her grew cold. Junior and Kosa's attention was immediately drawn towards her.

"What's wrong?", inquired Junior, his hand subconsciously reaching for his dagger. Blushing slightly, she confessed, "I feel like I'm being watched."