They didnt walk far when they found the entrance to the cave buried in trees, moss and vines. They heard birds chirping away and the occasional rustle in the leaves as they passed, spooking lizards and other small creatures. The cave was large and certainly to a child welcoming. Anything could find refuge in here though, making it dangerous for the kid still left here.
"What's the kids name?" Tristan asked from the head of the pack.
"Tyler. Hes about 8." Duke replied. Their voices echoed off the walls along with their foot steps.
"Do we have a torch? It's going to get dark quickly in here."
"It is?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah I can barely see in front of me." Tristan said as he stopped. "Ow. Joey watch it."
"Well dont stop in front of me like that."
"Yugi why dont you bring out your sword? The flames might light the way." Mai suggested.
He did just that and sure enough it did light up the area around them but not by much.
"I can see perfectly fine, let me go ahead and you can follow the sword." Yugi said happily.
"Alright, Yugi you take the lead. Just be careful… wow!" Tristan said as he turned to face them, stopping to look surprised at him.
"What?" They asked and looked behind Yugi.
Atem grabbed him then and turned him to face him gently, blinking in surprise when he did so.
"What, what's wrong?" Yugi asked.
"Your eyes are glowing Yug." Joey said.
"They are?"
"Yeah they're like fire." Atem said in astonishment.
"They're so pretty!" Tea whispered in awe.
"Cool. Maybe another Pheonix perk?" Yugi suggested as he took the lead. "Okay, stay close to one another and watch your step." He noticed behind him lit up a little too and when he looked he saw Atem held a fire ball in his palm and was holding it out slightly so the back end of the line could see their footing. Yugi smiled and started walking.
They walked down a downward slope around winding paths until they reached a large dome room with many path ways.
"What now?" Yugi asked. "There are 4 other tunnels we could take but nothing else here."
"We could split up but we only have two people here who can create light." Duke said.
"Yeah I'm not fond of the idea of walking around in the dark." Tea said.
"Tyler?" Joey called out loudly. His voice boomed off the walls back to them but they heard nothing else after that.
"Joey what if there are monsters in here?" Tea scolded fearfully.
"Relax, if there are any monsters in here I'm sure Yugi will protect you." Mai winked slyly.
"Wait what?" Yugis voice squeaked. Why was she singling him out?
"Are you saying you wont protect her?" Mai said teasingly.
"I mean yeah of course but-"
"See. You'll be fine Tea." Mai giggled.
Yugi had no idea what just happened but as if on queue to save him they heard a small voice call for help.
"Tyler?" He called back. "Were here to help, where are you?"
"Did you hear something?" Tristan asked.
"Shh I heard it too." Duke whispered. "Over here, Yugi can you lead?" Duke said as he pointed in the direction of one of the tunnels. He knew Duke couldnt see the tunnel but he trusted his hearing. He lead the way with Duke behind him and the others quietly followed until Yugi stopped quickly.
"Wait." He said to them. He knelt down and touched the ground. It was wet here and not stone. It was soft to touch, like damp dirt… but something told him it wasnt safe to cross.
"Help me! Some one please! I'm scared!" They heard the boy cry from the other side.
"Tyler! Stay where you are, we're coming to get you." Tea called out.
"What's wrong Yug?" Joey asked.
"The ground here isnt stable. We have to go around I don't think itll support us." Yugi said.
"I can make the jump but I cant see what's beyond." Duke said.
"Are you sure it won't support us" Tristan asked.
"Do you want to test it?" Yugi challenged.
"Let's go around then. There must be another way. If Tyler is on the other side then there has to be another way." Atem said as he turned to lead them back out.
"Atem stop!" Yugi yelled all of a sudden. Immediately he paused as he was told to and froze but unsure why.
"Yugi what's wrong?"
Before him were massive creatures sneaking up on them, but it seemed only he could see them. If they went that way they were bound to be attacked.
"Holy cow!" Joey exclaimed. It seems with his sight he could see them too.
"What is it, what's there?!" Tea asked frightened.
"Guys… come back this way. Very slowly." Yugi warned them. They did as they were told, taking one step at a time backwards until they were a tight group.
"What do we do now Yug?" They cant see them, how are we supposed to fight them?" Joey asked him.
"We dont have a choice. Carefully, one at a time across the path. Stay close to the fall and try not to be heavy on your feet. Atem you first." Yugi said.
"Why me?!" Atem asked, panicked.
"Because you can create light for the others to see."
He sighed grudgingly but agreed. Carefully he stepped onto the dirt and after a few careful steps was able to reach the other side.
"Tristan you next. Tea after him." Yugi said as he kept his eyes on the slowly approaching creatures.
The two of them managed to cross safely and waited anxiously for Mai and and Joey to follow.
"Duke you next when Joey is cleared." Yugi told him.
"You'll be left here alone."
"Not for long, just go." Yugi said.
Once he was across it was Yugis turn. The creatures were close now, and now he could make out the many eyes and tall legs… they were massive spiders, twice the size of him with legs that mandables that could snap him in half.
"Yugi come on." They begged.
He knew as soon as he moved to cross the spiders would attack, but perhaps he could use the trap to his advantage. Spiders could climb walls though, even if they fell theyd find a way to follow. But… perhaps they didnt like fire.
"Duke do you have any oil on you? Or something flammable?" Yugi asked.
"Yes but why?"
"Can you make a line alone the floor please from one wall to the other?"
"Alright but again, why?" Duke asked. He heard him doing it regardless though.
"Done Yugi now will you please get over here."
Yugi turned, jumped as far as he could across the dirt without making it fall and then touched the oil with his blade, quickly making a wall of fire the Spiders could not pass through. They hissed and screamed angrily as their pray evaded them and his friends stood back in fright as they finally saw them.
"Woah!"
"Ahh, no! No no! I want out now!" Tea screamed.
"We have to save Tyler. If those spiders are bereft then theres likely more." Yugi said as he watched the spiders walk away.
"We have to be quick. I dont particularly want to be snuck up on again." Atem said.
Yugi lead the way, jogging now to find Tyler as his friends were close on his heels.
"Help! I'm scared!" They heard him call.
They turned a corner and finally found an opening. A hole in the roof lead to the surface, allowing sunlight to light the room. Here they could see the walls were lined in thick webs, holding skeletons and recently dead animals, armour and various sizes rocks.
They found a Tyler webbed to a stone pillar, his head free but every inch of him otherwise wrapped like a mummy.
"Help me!" He cried as he struggled to get lose.
Yugi cut the webs with his sword, lighting it on fire and it burned. The boy was free and hugged him tightly but they heard hisses and screams as the webs danced.
"That's not good." Tristan said.
"I think we just took their food." Duke said. They stood back to back, the boy clinging to Yugis robe behind him.
"Ah, I think we are their food." Mai said.
"Tyler which way did you come?" Yugi asked him.
"That way, the way you came." Tyler sniffed behind him.
"Okay…"
"That might be the only way Yugi." Atem said.
"Yeah…"
"Yugi, it's the only way we know of. We have to take the kid across the-"
"I know. Okay. Tyler, take my hand. Joey lead the way. Tristan ca-"
A loud screeching echoed off the walls as the spiders surrounded them. Tyler buried himself further into Yugis back, nuzzling into his robe so he couldnt see.
"I'm sorry!" He cried.
"Tea can you take him?" Yugi asked her.
"Yeah. Come here Tyler. I'll protect you." She said sweetly as she touched his shoulder. He took her hand hugged her deeply.
"Dont worry kid, well get you out. Everything's gonna be fine." Joey said strongly.
"We have to fight them." Yugi declared.
"Right." Atem said as he summoned another fireball to his palm.
"Okay… if I can just." Mai said quietly to herself. She held up her hand to one of the spiders and began whispering something in a language he didnt know. The spider buckled, almost bowing to her, closing its eyes and seemingly trying to resist her until eventually it shook, like a dog in water and it approached her.
"Its okay, hes mine now." Mai declared exasperatedly. The spider turned to face the other spiders, standing over them protectively and hissing at its former allies.
The spiders hissed and pounced, resulting one another and the others attacked too. Joey swung his sword at one of them, making it jump back hissing.
Atem threw a fireball at his own one, hitting it square in the face. It screamed and buried its head, trying to put out the flames but he threw another and another until it fled.
Duke disappeared in smoke only to appear on top of one of them to stab it abdomen with his daggers. It screamed and shook him off but Tristan swung at its legs, taking one off and causing it to fall heavily.
"They may look scary but these guys ain't so tough." Tristan said proudly.
Mais spider finally killed the one it had been wrestling with and waited for its next command. As Tristans and Dukes one died and Joey's fell soon after they were finally alone. But it wouldnt be long until more came. They needed to leave now.
"Let's go!" Yugi said as he lead the way back to the tunnel theyd come through.
They found the fire and instinctively he held his hand over it and absorbed it, leaving not even an ember to burn.
"That was cool." Joey said, impressed.
"Carefully over the dirt. Joey first, Tea and Tyler next." Yugi ordered.
They began to cross when he heard more coming.
"Crap, go. Over the thing, carefully." He said as stood protectively between them and the spiders.
Mais spider stood over him, clacking its mandables as the other spiders entered the tunnel.
"My spider will hold them off, Yugi." Mai declared while she was crossing.
"Good thank you."
"Let's go." Atem said to him as they were the last to cross
"Right. You first." Yugi told him. Atem didnt argue, knowing better than do that. He crossed carefully but quickly and Yugi followed, only there was a heavy crash as Mais spider was thrown to the floor by the others and it caused him to step carelessly on the dirt, making it crumble beneathe him. He yelped as he started falling but Atem was there to grab his arm and pull him the rest of the way.
He smiled at him in thanks, grateful and together the whole party ran quickly out of the cave, along the path until finally they were at the side of the road in the daylight.