Phew… okay. So this is just an attempt at horror 'involving' a Music Disc 11 theory. The disc itself isn't mentioned, but it's implied. c:
A little warning – it is just a little graphic on the gore factor. Not too bad. This is NOT an overly important chapter so if you like you can skip it and not lose any huge gaps in the storyline.
Ari leaped from one rock to another, catching the edge easily and hauling herself up. She was almost to the top, and once there, perhaps she'd be able to find away into the cave inside of the hill. She could hear running water – and where there was water, there was usually something good she would like to have.
She found her opportunity as she stumbled across a human-sized hole at the top, just big enough for her to fit through, a ladder on the wall.
Had somebody already been here?
She shook her head slowly and crawled on the ground, catching hold of the ladder and climbing down. The running water grew louder and the girl held her pickaxe over her shoulders, wiping sweat from her brow. Damn, it was so fucking hot down here…
Lava. She'd nearly run straight into it, she had been so preoccupied with her thoughts. She backed away quickly and winced, looking around her. There didn't seem to be more… but the water was close. Though she found it odd that both water and lava seemed to coexist here, she kept moving, watching her step. She could see various bones of animals, frowning in sympathy. Poor things… Turning as the source of water became louder than ever, she rounded a corner.
The sound of the waterfall stopped.
She let out a piercing scream.
Vreagon sprinted to the hill and made his way to the top, Mor and Renel following just as fast. "Ari!" Vreagon shouted, looking around for her. The scream still echoed – whatever the girl had seen or heard, she seemed… petrified.
"Ari! Are you down there?" Mor shouted, and the screaming stopped suddenly. Not even an echo. They waited for a moment before Vreagon jumped to the ladder, hurriedly climbing down it. The heat was almost unbearable but he managed, moving swiftly, following the footprints in the dust down a narrow passage, his eyes falling on a trembling figure in the room ahead. He ran forward, stopped suddenly, a disgusting stench reaching him. "Oh, shit what…"
Mor covered his mouth and nose, wincing. "Must be a dead animal. Saw a carcass back there, so there's probably a few more."
Renel had stayed behind, leaning against a wall. "Hurry it up, will you? I'm starving."
Vreagon snarled at him but kept moving, coming up behind Ari calmly and quietly so not to startle her. "…Ari…? Are you alright?"
The girl looked up slowly, holding her stomach as she wretched, coughing violently as if she were about to get sick, but nothing happened. She crawled into the passage slowly, moaning and covering her eyes.
Curiosity killed the cat, Vreagon supposed. He took a quick peek and gagged, pulling back, pulling his brother away before he looked, as well. "…found the source of the smell." He started, shielding Ari from the room with his back to it, facing the girl.
He didn't think he'd ever get over that image, the human man scattered across the room, blood on the walls and flies flying around him, maggots feasting over the decaying flesh. What bothered him the most was that there was far too much blood – this poor victim was probably not the only one. Vreagon did not care to check. He noticed various tools and ores scattered across the rooms all around, materials thrown haphazardly.
Why was it such a mess? So many things that could have been used, why did they throw them?
Perhaps they were trying to ward their attacker away?
A shudder made its way up his spine, lifting his friend quickly as the girl trembled, eyes wide. They carried her away from the scene, and as soon as they reached the top and Vreagon carried Ari toward her home, Mor paused only to destroy the ladder, preventing them from getting down any time soon.