BOOM!
The blocked entrance burst apart as 2749 hit it. Stones and warped metal shot forward like a cannon blast, tumbling into the shadows ahead. A rough hole tore open, dust spinning in the lantern's fading glow. The others gaped, caught off guard by the sheer force.
Then the ground quaked. A deep growl rolled through the ruins, walls trembling as cracks split the stone. Bits of ceiling rattled loose, dropping like heavy rain.
Anya reacted first. "Run!" she barked, pointing a finger at the hole.
They scrambled toward it, boots slamming the shaking floor. Borin's scaled arm flexed as he charged.
Elara darted like a spooked cat, the lantern swinging wild in her grip, its dim light bouncing off cracked walls. Her robe flapped, oversized and tangled.
Anya stayed cool, weaving through falling debris with sharp, steady steps.
But 2749 stood there, like a statue.
Elara skidded to a stop near the hole, twisting back, the lantern swinging in her left hand. "Get in there, weirdo!" she shouted.
She then reached out with her soft white hand, gripping his fingers tightly, and pulled him toward the hole. He started moving as her words sank in, urging him to follow, and they ducked inside together, the lantern's glow flickering ahead.
Anya slipped in next, quick and sure, her breath sharp.
Borin barreled in last, his broad frame squeezing through. A slab of stone crashed down right behind him, grazing his heel. He stumbled forward, dust exploding around him as the hole caved in, sealing the ruin shut.
Silence settled over them, thick and heavy, the dust still hanging in the air. They'd made it, just barely.
Borin let out a rough laugh, brushing dirt off his tattered robe. "Oh, finally out safe, I thought that rock was gonna flatten me back there." He glanced over his shoulder at the collapsed entrance, his voice rumbling with relief, like a knot had unraveled in his chest.
Elara, still catching her breath, grinned wide. "Yeah, about time!"
Anya nodded, her blue eyes catching the lantern's faint light and she said, "Yeah, we're alive at least for now."
The three straightened up, shaking off the tension, and turned to face the path. They saw two narrow tunnels stretching into the dark.
Borin stepped forward, squinting at the smooth stone walls. "This feels off," he muttered, scratching his bald head. "Why didn't this collapse too? It's too solid, except for the mess this guy made." He shot a glance at 2749, whose hand Elara was still clutching absentmindedly, then looked toward the scattered debris littering the curved floor, chunks of stone and metal from 2749's punch.
Two paths branched off, one left, one right, but behind them, the way they'd come was sealed shut by rubble.
Elara shrugged, swinging the lantern with her other hand. "Who cares? It's a way out, let's go!"
Anya frowned, her voice steady. "But which way? We can't just guess."
Elara bounced on her toes, eager. "Lets pick right one! Any path's better than standing here, it'll lead somewhere, right?"
Borin crossed his arms, scales glinting. "I say left. Looks sturdier."
"No way, right's the one!" Elara shot back, letting go of 2749's hand to step closer to Borin, her pink eyes flashing.
Anya sighed, cutting in before it escalated. "Stop it, both of you. Here's the plan, we try right first. If it's a dead end, we double back and go left. Simple."
Borin scowled. "Why right first? Left's just as good."
Anya raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "Fine, Borin. You want left? Go scout it solo. Me, Elara, and this guy will take right. Meet back here if you're so sure."
Borin waved a clawed hand, scales glinting in the lantern's faint glow. "Nah, forget it, I can't just let you girls go alone with this guy. Who knows what dangers are lurking ahead? I'll protect you. Let's take the right path like you want, and we should all stick together." His voice came out firm, but inside, he was thinking, No way I'm wandering off solo, who knows what's out there? Sticking with 2749's better than facing it alone.
Elara smirked, her tone teasing. "Oh, don't worry about whether this guy's dangerous or not, he can protect us just fine. You can take that left path if you're so scared."
Borin snorted, crossing his arms. "Yeah, well, I would've, but look, we've only got one lantern." In his head, he added, Even if we had two, I wouldn't split off. Not a chance.
Anya cut in, her voice calm but firm. "Borin's right, we shouldn't go separately. Let's stick together and head right."
Elara smirked, already bouncing ahead, her excitement spilling out like sparks. She spun back, grabbing 2749's hand again, her fingers threading through his with a playful little tug. "Hey, weirdo, stick close and protect me if you see me in a dangerous situation, okay?"
2749 gave a slow nod, his gaze steady despite the emptiness in it.
"Good!" she chirped, practically dragging him forward. "Let's go!" Her energy pulled him along, and he followed, steps heavy but sure. Anya and Borin hung back a bit, shooting each other a quick look, kinda excited but also a little nervous.
They kept walking forever, the tunnel curving a little left, then a little right, winding back and forth so slightly. The lantern's light bounced off the wet stone walls, making shadows dance around them. Elara started dragging her feet, her big grin turning into a pout. "Ugh, are we ever gonna get outta here?" she whined, kicking a random rock out of her way.
Borin snorted, his scales catching the dim light. "I told you the left path was the better choice. We're wasting time."
Elara spun around, her pink eyes flashing. "Oh, shove it, scale face."
Before Borin could retort, Anya held up a hand, her gaze fixed ahead. "Wait," she said, her voice low. "Look."
As they looked there they saw scattered debris from 2749's earlier impact littered the floor, leading deeper into the shadows. But something was deeply wrong. The rubble from the blocked entrance is the one we left on our right, is now on our left.
Borin and Elara, "What's going on?" they said, almost in unison, glancing around the tunnel.
Anya's sharp blue eyes narrowed as she studied the surroundings. "Guys, I think we might be walking in circles. The paths we thought were right or left, they're probably leading us in the same direction. There has to be another way out of this place, something we haven't found yet."
Elara groaned, letting go of 2749's hand and plopping down on the smooth floor, her oversized Valerius robe pooling around her. "Oh no, we walked all that for nothing! I'm starving, exhausted, and so thirsty. Does anyone have water?"
Anya sighed, reaching into her robe pocket. "Here you go." She pulled out a small, weathered waterskin, its leather worn from use, and handed it to Elara. "Don't drink too much, we need to make it last."
Elara's pink eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, you still had water!" She jumped up, snatching the waterskin from Anya with a grin, then popped the cap and took a few big gulps, the cool water easing her dry throat. She swiped her sleeve across her mouth, then turned to 2749, holding it out. "Hey, want some water?"
2749 shook his head, his face blank as ever. After the blood transfusion, his body wasn't the same, he didn't feel hunger or thirst anymore, just a weird emptiness where those needs used to be.
Elara tilted her head, squinting up at him with a little frown. "You sure?" She plopped back down on the ground, still watching his scarred face, but then as she sat down her eyes accidentally slipped lower, noticing his elephant.
She glanced down at her own robe, her fingers tugging at the hem. "Geez, we really gotta find you some clothes," she mumbled, almost to herself, patting the black fabric of her Valerius robe. "These aren't too bad, you know," she said, looking back up at him with a casual nod.
Borin, who'd been glaring from the side, thrust out his clawed hand. "Hey, pass me the water already," he growled, his patience clearly wearing thin.
Elara shot him a look, her nose scrunching up as she handed over the waterskin with a dramatic huff. "Here, take it, grumpy."
They sat for a moment, catching their breath, the dim tunnel air heavy around them. Anya started scanning the walls, her sharp blue eyes following the faint shimmer in the stone. She tapped a finger against her chin, then spoke up, her voice calm but carrying a spark of hope. "I think we should look for a hollow spot in the wall. If we find one, we can ask him to punch it again, it might get us out of here." She glanced at 2749 as she said those words.
Borin and Elara shared a quick look, then nodded in sync. "Okay," they said at the same time, scrambling to their feet. They started running their hands along the walls, tapping here and there, listening for any hollow echo, their footsteps bouncing softly in the quiet tunnel.
2749 stood still, watching them with his usual blank stare. He didn't understand much of what they were doing, but deep inside, a faint warmth stirred, he felt a little better, a quiet comfort blooming from their kinder treatment.
After a while, Borin stopped, his clawed hand pressed against a spot on the wall. He knocked on it twice, the sound coming back with a faint, hollow thud. "Ladies, I think I found it!"