Crowds of people walked across the grounds, entering and exiting the ruins. The research team ignored them to the best extent they could. Still, the occasional passerby would stop, and watch them set up.
They had brought out a red and white ball, and pressed a button. It snapped open, unleashing a shimmer of white light that leapt out from within.
The light took shape, materializing into a small, flea-like insect. A layer of purple fur covered its frail body, accenting its large, red eyes. Two long, white antennae stood out of the fur, waving in the gentle breeze.
The insect twitched, analyzing its surroundings while remaining still. Once calm, it brought two of its sandy legs, ones that acted like arms, and began working its fur, cleaning itself.
"Vigil," A man spoke. The insect froze, and turned around, "We're about to head into the ruins. While there's nothing there, remain alert, ok? Just in case something happens." The venonat chittered its response.
The man turned to the other archeologists as they discussed what they were going to do that day. The venonat waited patiently, as it returned to cleaning itself.
Something caught Vigil's attention. Something within the ruins entrance. The insect ceased its cleaning, and stared into the darkness of the tunnel. There was a presence, something watched him, and he could feel its gaze upon him. But there was nothing but the bleak gray walls of stone.
Vigil glanced at the researchers, and back to the tunnel. With a swift movement, the venonat slipped into the tunnel, and into the darkness of the ruins.
He scuttered over stones and dirt as he chased something in the darkness, something he couldn't see. Soon, due to his quick pace, he entered the chamber they had been studying. He looked around, searching for the invisible eyes that watched him so closely.
His antennae twitched, his gaze darting about. A faint whisper, a chant, was emanating from the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. It was the faintest whisper, but was almost booming in his mind. The words, if they were words at all, made no sense, and fluctuated between high pitched notes, to a buzz.
His antennae twitched horribly. Something was happening in the ruins. Vigil bounded from the room. He had to warn his masters.
A thundering boom sounded down the hallway, plunging the far end of the tunnel into darkness. The venonat stopped, raising its body up, staring ahead.
The entrance was shut. The sound was of a stone door crashing down on stone. He was trapped within the ruins, separated from the research team.
Behind him, stone slid open, causing the insect to turn around quickly. The hallway was opening into various doors. He watched as doors opened up along the length of the hallway. A ghostly azure light shone from within as each door slid into an open position. A shudder ran down the venonat's carapace as the light ceased with a ghostly howl.
Vigil needed a way out, and one of the new doorways was bound to lead to an escape. There was nothing in the ruins that could pose a threat to him. He only had the chilling feeling of eyes behind him, watching him as he set down a passage. He knew naught what they were, but even with their presence, he was alone. Somehow, he would escape. He needed only to find it.