Adriane peered down at the cave, frowning slightly as she tried to sense something-anything-from Zach. Of course this was useless, she couldn't feel a thing. She bit down on her lip. They had searched all through out that cave just the other day. There had been nothing out of the ordinary, though, she didn't exactly know what she was looking for.
"Are you sure?"
Drake looked back at her, nodding lightly before turning his attention back down towards the cave.
"Okay, take us down," Adriane instructed, guiding him towards the base of the path.
"I thought we were just going to look?" Stormbringer asked, a slight groan in her voice.
"W-we are," Adriane turned, folding one leg under her as she balanced in the saddle. She had gotten pretty good at flying over the years. "Come on, Storm. We're just gunna have a look around." Storm remained silent. "If it were me, Zach wouldn't have waited even this long," Adriane told her. "I need to find him."
Storm didn't reply, but the look in her eyes told Adriane that she was on board.
"Okay Drake, let's try this again," Adriane whispered to the dragon, as he landed with as much grace as possible. Adriane reached into the basket, pulling out the elven sword as she slid out of the saddle. Adriane sighed "wait here, Drake," she told him, attaching the sword at her hip. He nodded, pawing at the still-warm sand beneath him. "I'll call if I need anything," She told him, as she started up the trail, Storm and Dreamer at her heels.
The trio climbed in silence for a while, reaching the mouth of the cave in mere minutes. The group exchanged a look, before advancing into the dimly lit cavern. Without another word, Adriane was quickly consumed by a thick mist. Adriane pressed her hand to the wall. The earth was crumbly, and filled with roots. The delicacy of the structure made Adriane anxious. The thought of all that coming down on top of them was enough to make anyone turn back. Adriane bit her lip, pressing on down into the narrowing space. Soon enough, soil turned to rock, which was a little more comforting. Adriane took a good look around the cave. It was deep, deeper than what had been originally anticipated. It looked exactly as she had left it last time, dark, orange-washed walls jutted upwards at odd angles. Rock formations—which would have been strange if they were on earth, but were quite common for this area—extended out of the floor and ceiling in unusual places. There was no other way to describe it than totally and completely cave-like. The only difference, this time, was the addition of twinkly, magic lights that lined the walls, casting dim, golden halos over the rocky terrain.
Adriane inhaled deeply, pushing deeper into cave as quietly as possible. She pressed herself to the wall, ears perking at a variety of scuttling noises ahead of her. The warrior stopped, squinting to get a good look. Sure enough, a sea of shadowy figures scurried around, each on it's own path. Some looked like they were stationed for what she could only imagine to be guard-duty. Others seemed to be doing other tasks. A few dark shapes hurried past her, sending a cold gust of wind towards her. Adriane shivered. She'd never be able to get through that mass of shadow creatures. She was safe under wolf-cover, but for how long?
Adriane tip-toed closer, the last thing she wanted was a fight. The trio was wildly out numbered. Adriane dared to move a bit closer, trying to find a clear path through the group. She took a deep breath, taking extra caution not to bump into one of the creatures. Adriane gasped as something cold, and smooth brushed her arm.
All at once she was on her back, pushing away the thing that had assaulted her. Lunging towards her, the warrior could just barley make out long claws and teeth, just inches from her face. Adriane huffed, pushing the weight from her body as a large black mass leaped over her, pinning the creature to the ground. Storm, following Dreamer's lead, materialized by Adriane's side, teeth bared.
"I guess this means we can't be friends," Adriane quipped, hopping to her feet, she felt for the elven sword on her hip. Adriane spun, slicing two more monsters as they lunged towards her. Dreamer advanced, ripping through the approaching group of mercenaries. Another shadowy-shape leap towards Adriane's jewel, but it was no match for Storm. The silvery wolf clamped her jaws down onto the smooth, scaly flesh of the creature, tearing the monster away from Adriane's magic.
Adriane ducked as three more shadows hurled themselves towards her. Tightening her grip on the sword, she sent out an explosive burst of wolffire, which shook the earth causing wave-like rippling in the rock. Adriane put a hand against the wall to steady the shaking.
"Note to self, don't do that again," she muttered, the fear of a cave in worming it's way back to the surface.
Zach looked up from his spot on the floor, grasping a stalagmite to steady himself. An earthquake? That could only mean-
"Ah. That must be your pretty little girlfriend," the hooded figure in the corner mused, in a voice that made his stomach turn. Zach gave her a scowl. What was she planning, exactly? The woman stood, giving Zach what appeared to be a smile, before rounding a corner down one of the many stone passageways.
Adriane sliced through another scaly body, advancing into the cave at an escalating pace. An arm reached out for Adriane's gem, but was soon yanked away as the creature it belonged to was apprehended by Dreamer. Stormbringer leaped at another approaching assailant. The trio sprinted down through the cavern, taking down anything that got too close. Soon, the cave opened into a large cavernous room, which branched off into dozens of other caves. The far wall was covered in strange rock formations, if fact, Adriane wasn't sure if it even was a wall. There seemed to be a space behind the columns of rock. Adriane approached the area slowly, squinting as she peered into the shadows.
"Adriane!" Zach's voice made her jump. Turning towards the sound, she hurried towards the far end, which was some-what out of sight. "What are you doing here?" Zach, leaned against one of the columns.
"Saving you, now back up," Adriane ordered, sending a well-aimed blast of wolffire from her open palm.
"It's no good, I've already tried-" Zach started to protest, but was cut short by the sound of rock exploding.
"Sorry, what did you say? I couldn't hear you," Adriane asked, putting her hand out for Zach to take. She pulled him through the hole.
"Nothing," He shook his head.
"Your sword," Adriane handed the weapon to him.
The pair turned at the sound of feet on rock, accompanied by fierce, animalistic growls, coming from the tunnel Adriane had come from. Adriane looked to Dreamer and Storm. Whatever it was, it sounded big. Zach took Adriane's hand, pulling her into a random tunnel.
"This way," Zach told her.
"Where are we going?" she asked, following close behind. Adriane glanced over her shoulder, the two wolves were close on her heels.
"Away from that," he replied simply.
Wow. Sorry this took so long to get out. I've just been so unmotivated lately. I guess it's the summer? Making me lazy. Action Action. What did you guys think? Adriane's being kind of sassy, but I don't think she means to be. Adriane's such a BAMF, with the dragon riding and then sword fighting. What do we even need Zach for? Just kidding guys, you know I love Zach. Especially when he's the damsel in distress.