Might and Magic

By Sammie Spitz

Chapter 8: Underground

As they made their way through the cavern, it became darker and darker. It got to the point where no one could see their hand in front of their face. After a while, Babylon pulled out a branch he'd gotten outside and said, "You're a magician, right?"

"Right?"

"So," He handed him the branch, "Think you can help shed some light on this situation." Rainer looked at the branch. His eyes glowed red and a flame appeared on the stick.

"Thanks." Babylon said as he walked ahead of them. They were walking on a downward slope that had a low ceiling with a few stalagitites every so often. It was basiclly a typical cave, stalagtites and stalagmites, the sounds of dripping water almost dominating everything else, a few loose rocks here and there. Juno found it difficult to travel through the tunnel. His hooves were making it hard to get a footing on anything. It didn't help that the floor also had a thin layer of mud on it, thanks to the dripping from the ceiling. It was also too dark to see the loose stones on the floor. He stumbled a few times, but was either caught by Lupus or Babylon.

"Nothing personal," Juno said, "But the sooner I get back home and change back, the better."

"Ditto." Vela sighed, "I'm getting home sick."

Lupus was about the whimper in agreement when a loud howl suddenly erupted through the cavern. Vela listened a little closer, and noticed that it seemed to be a cross between a howl and a roar. She commented, "Sounds like we aren't the only ones having a shitty time down here."

"And if that's who I think it is," Rainer started, "we're going to have quite a mess on our hands." He shook a little then continued foward with the others following him. As they got further down the path, it finally opened up. It was a very big, with stalagtites and stalagmites covering it. There was the sound of dripping water, as well as moving water, suggesting that a river or lake was nearby.

Everyone started getting their weapons ready. This cave was also typical for dragons and other monsters to make their homes; a very good incentive to have a weapon ready. Juno couldn't help but notice the other sound that seemed almost constant: a strange sound that almost seemed like breathing.

"Hey, bro." Vela whispered, "It's this what usually happens before someone gets attacked by a dragon or something?"

"If it's in here, don't give it ideas." Juno whispered back. He happened to feel Vela shivering a little on his back and added, "Whatever lives in here must be pretty tolerant."

Out of all of them, Rickeena seemed to be more nervous. Her gaze darted around the room, as though she were waiting for something. Vela tapped her on the shoulder, causeing her to jump a little. Vela asked, "Something wrong?"

"Well, my grandfather was killed by Alpha in a situation just like this. A dark area where it is easy for someone to hide."

"Alpha's long gone. Don't worry."

"But, I also heard a legend about a demon wolf that lived in this cave. Legend has it it breaths fire and smoke and destroys any living soul who dares set foot into it's dwelling."

"Guess that guy learned the hard way." Vela commented, pointing at something next to a boulder. Babylon went to see what Vela found...and was shocked along with everyone else.

A skeleton. It was burnt black and was wearing a burnt helmet and chest plate. Even from the burns, they could see that it's feet were actually hooves. Juno struggled to back away. Meanwhile, Rickeena happened to notice a bow and a full quiver of arrows nearby, as well as a shield. She picked them up and noticed that they were in good shape.

"Say, Juno, didn't you use a bow and arrow once at our grandpa's house?" Vela asked.

"Yeah, wasn't helf bad, either." He said, "Not exactly Robin Hood himself, though."

Rickeena handed him the bow and quiver and said, "Maybe you could still make use of them."

As Juno slipped the quiver on and tried to figure out how to put on the shield, Vela commented, "Yeah, that guy sure isn't going to."

"Vela, that was just plain rude!" Juno scolded her, "Don't make jokes about dead people like that!"

"Sorry. It's just to take the depression out of it. If we didn't tell a joke here and there after our parents died, we'd both be wreaks."

Before the discussion could continue, there was a sudden roar. As the group ventured further into the cave, they discovered a large underground lake. On the other side, near a natural bridge that went over the lake, was a cave, that seemed to have air coming from it. Everyone was clearly nervous, between a few gulps and some shaking. Juno decided to try and take a few quiet steps foward, but the clopping of his hooves made stealth difficult.

There was a loud roar from the cave, enforcing the idea. Suddenly, a giant, red flash darted at them. They scattered, Juno accidently dropping Vela in the process. Upon realizing he dropped her, Juno was about to go back, when the creature stopped in front of her and they all got a good look at it.

Vela looked up at it in shock. It looked like a red German Shepherd, but about as big as an elephant. It had devil horns, a harpoon end on it's tail, two saber teeth and a dragon-like ridge along it's back. It stared at Vela with yellow, cat-like eyes, growling. She quickly held the sword out and said, "Just try it, pal!"

The animal glared at her. She kept the sword up, not really sure what else she should be doing. Suddenly, it lunged foward and Vela desperately flung herself into the lake to avoid it. It looked back at the lake and growled even louder, turning around and searching the lake. However, it didn't seem to have any intention of actually going in after Vela.

Juno then began thinking of something. He quickly pulled out the bow and aimed an arrow at the back of it's head. When it hit, it let out a high-pitched howl and spun around to face him. It's eyes started to glow and Juno's mind started to click on him again.

'The shield, damnit, the shield!' He quicly pulled the shield off and held it up just as the creature unleashed a breath of fire at him. As he continued to hold the shield up, it started getting warmer and warmer, but he kept trying to tell himself that, sooner or later, the thing would run out of breath. Finally, it stopped. Juno looked up and noticed something that he didn't notice before. A red jewel, located right between it's eyes. As it was catching it's breath, Juno quickly fumbled with the bow and arrow and shot an arrow up at the jewel. It reared up and howled in rage and pain. Suddenly, it started to fall backwards anmd tumbled into the lake. However, it happened to hit Juno with a flailing paw and knocked him out cold against the rock wall.

Steam rose from the lake, so much that it made it difficult to see in the cave. After the steam finally settled down, Juno immediatly started worrying about Vela. He saw her go into the lake when the thing tried to lunge at her. But, he was worried that it might have fallen on her when it took the swim and hurt her.

Suddenly, something broke the surface of the water. It was Vela, with another amulet in her hand. This one had a red ribbon and a flame carved onto it. She swam over to the group as they came to the edge and showed them the amulet.

"I swear to God," She told them, "This whole mess so much like those Legend of Zelda games that Halley plays. What is it, you kill a monster and it drops something?"

Juno got her onto his back as he replied, "I think that's how it worked."

"Well, if that's the case, we'd better hold onto these things. They might be some key or something with this Crozen guy."

Rainer, meanwhile, had been peeking through the cave that the demon dog had come from. He came back to the others and said, "I think that's the way out. Hurry!"



The armored werewolf slunk into Crozen's inner sanctum, located in a huge tower of his fortress. Though he'd served him even before the begining of his reign, he'd never actually seen what he looked like. All he ever saw of him was the figure he was kneeling before now. A shadowy figure in a plain brown robe that dragged to the floor. He couldn't even see his face of hands, since his sleeves were usually tucked together.

"Your highness." He said, hoping Crozen would have mercy and not throw him out the tower window and into the moat for bringing the report.

"Yes?" Crozen asked, staring out the window.

"Um..the rebels...they got through the caves and are, as we speak, coming to the valley." He hesitated a bit between parts.

"Is that so?"

"I'm afraid it is."

"Well...I suppose it is time to see if Phantom is any more successful than the others. Go back to your post."

There wasn't a word in his language that could have expressed his gratitude, except, "Yes, sire. Thank you." Then, he left.

To Be Continued...