Chapter One: The Grubling

"We'll be back soon." Dolorosa smiled at the other of her blood-colour. They were a small class, whose only duty was to care for the mother grub. Once in a while, a few would need to leave the small caves they called home in search for materials, medicines, or other things the mother grub required. Alas, they were never allowed to leave the caverns, except for this, which meant that certain things were taken away from them, to ensure they would return. What kind of world awaited them beyond the rocky walls of the caverns? Beyond the dim glow they called light? For Dolorosa, this was the first time she would rise into real sunlight, to feel the wind on her face, the sun beating down upon her.

For this errand, she and two others were to collect some berries, which when crushed, created a powerful remedy that could cure almost anything. They were told exactly where they were, and how to get there, but to be very careful. Monsters lived in the area, and they wouldn't mind a tasty troll for a little snack. Dolorosa chewed at her lip, grasping the small basket in her hands tighter. Monsters? Hungry monsters? Why was she going then? She was more than happy staying back here looking after the mother-grub. More than happy. "Dolorosa?" Dolorosa blinked, turning quickly to see who was talking to her. Once of the girls going on the errand with her. "Are you okay?" The girl reached out a hand towards Dolorsa, but she simply shook her off.

"I'm fine. Lost in thought was all." Dolorosa gave her a small smile, then started off. She wasn't fine though. Her heart was racing so fast within her chest, she thought it might break free. Every step she took, she felt like the thrumming of it against her ribs could be felt in the ground beneath her feet. But no one seemed to say anything about it. Maybe they were all just as scared?

The world outside the caverns was very bright, Dolorosa thought as she shielded her eyes from the sun. It was also very...barren. It looked just like the inside of the caverns, only more laid out. How were they supposed to find a forest? Or anything green like the elder trolls had explained? What even was a forest? Dolorosa sighed, making a face. They'd told them to turn their backs to the sun and start walking. Eventually they would see it on the horizon, but Dolorosa felt like they'd been sent to die, even though she knew she was wrong about that thought. Many had done this before her, and it was very rare when a troll didn't return. They were always so careful, watching out for eachother, keeping their ears open to any unusual sound.

Dolorosa ended up falling behind the other two, playing with the small blanket in her basket, meant to keep the berries clean. It was worn around the edges, which meant it had been used years before she recieved it, and would continue to be used years after she was done with errands. Her basket on the other hand, looked perfect, almost like it was new. There were a few nicks, stray branches and worn out parts on it, which showed it wasn't new, but it was still in better condition than the blanket. "Dolorosa! Look!" Her head shot up, looking to see what was so interesting. Both girls wore giant grins on their faces, one waving her hand towards Dolorosa while pointing off in the distance. They were at the top of one of the many hills they'd climbed, so from here Dolorosa saw nothing, but she still ran to the top to see what they were talking about.

What they were so excited about, was the greenery infront of them. Everywhere. It expanded so wide across the plain, she was sure it never ended. Tall wooded greenery shot up from the ground, millions of them. Were those trees? Then what were the smaller ones she could make out at their bases? Grub-tree's? Like little ones that would grow into trees? "We're here." Dolorosa whispered. Excited as she was, she couldn't manage an octave any higher than that. This was amazing. "And we're coming back tomorrow?" Dolorosa asked, sounding more excited that time.

"The next five days actually. It takes a lot of berries to heal a sick mother grub. And with so few in our class, they coudn't send everyone and have it done in a day." The first girl, the one she'd talked to when they left put her hands on her hips, sighing a little. She must feel the same way about having to leave the mother grub. "C'mon. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get home and call it a day. Right?" She smiled and started down the hill at a jogging pace. Dolorosa couldn't help but smile and chase after her.

The air in the area smelled fresh and inviting. Something she couldn't really put her finger on as a more exact description. It smelled of freshly fallen water droplets, moss and life. It was wonderful here, and it didn't make your nose itch with the smell. All her life she'd only ever known the smell of dirt and dust, which she figured could be concidered the same thing. Her nose had always itched with the smell, but she'd grown use to it. But this? Was it ever possible to get use to such a smell?

"I think we should split up, but stay withing eye shot of everyone, that way we're not picking eachother's berries." This was the second girls idea, and for lack of a better thought, Dolorosa thought now might be a good time to figure out names for these girls. The first was Maeskra, the second Janiespa. Odd names for the two, concidering they didn't really seem to fit them. But then again, neither did she. Her name meant something along the lines of 'weaping,' but she never was. She was always happy. Always.

"Alright. I'll go this way then." Dolorosa said, pointing to her left. It was closer for her to go that way anyways, and she wasn't about to fight with the girls. Maeskra nodded in agreement, deciding to take up the middle, while Janiespa took to the right side. She'd always imagined picking berries to be far more entertaining, but it wasn't. It was very boring and time consuming. Each bush held so few berries on them, that she found herself moving further into the forest at a rapid rate. By the time her basket was half full, she'd lost sight of the other two, which she knew was a bad thing. If a monster came out, no one would be around to help her. Not that she figured the other two could save her anyways. None of them were fighters.

Dolorosa chewed her lip. Nothing seemed unusual and she'd found the mother load of berries. More than enough to fill her basket in a matter of minutes. But she needed to go back and find the others. What did she do? Stay a little longer and finish her basket, or go back and find them and continue on closer to them? "I guess I'd better go back." Dolorosa sighed, turning her back on the over-flowing bushes. She'd just started to weave her way through a clump of bushes when she heard something. Her heart stopped, veins turning to ice. Was this it? Was this the end of her? On closer inspection, she realized it wasn't a monster, but something else. A small whimper. Confusion swept over her face, as she turned, searching for the noise. She realized this probably wasn't a good idea, but she just couldn't leave it alone. It was coming from the bushes with all the berries on it. Slowly, Dolorosa crept her way towards it, laying down her basket as she slowly pushed the branches apart.

In the middle of a bush, layed a small grubling, probably no more than a few days old. But it held no sign and its colour was so unusual for a troll. A bright candy-red. Dolorosa looked around worried, hoping that no one saw the little grubling. He wouldn't survive out here like this, but at the same time, she couldn't bring him back with her. He'd be killed because of his mutant blood. Plus, those of her class didn't take too kindly to having other blood colours around, no matter their age. "What am I going to do with you?" Dolorosa whispered, reaching out to the little guy. She quickly drew her hand away, hearing the calls of the other two. They must be done now. "Coming!" She called back to them, before turning back to the little guy. "Stay here, stay strong. I'll be back tomorrow for you. I promise." With that, Dolorosa tore a small strand from her cloak and tied it to a branch on the bush. It would be easier for her to find the young one this way.

"What took you so long?" Janiespa inquired, sounding very upset. Then she noticed the small amount of berries in her basket. "You didn't even fill up your basket!" Now she was irritated.

"The bushes weren't very full until you got further in, but I was worried about you guys, since I could no longer see you." Dolorosa explained. "I'd just found a good bunch when you called." There was no need to inform them of the grubling. They'd have it killed in an instant.

"Well...its too late to let you finish picking. I guess you'll just have to gather more tomorrow." Maeskra said with a sigh. "I'll talk to the others and see if they'll lend you an extra basket. C'mon, we need to be back before nightfall."

"Right."