"Do you need anything from here before we leave?" SJ asked.
Aletheia smiled. "No, I have nothing here to take. I am me, that is all."
SJ looked at Fas. "She has no goggles to protect her eyes, for when we reach the desert."
Fas turned to Aletheia, frowning. "That's a good point."
"My eyes will be fine," Aletheia said.
"The desert is a hostile place," Fas stated.
"And I am a true gila. No environment affects me."
"None?" SJ asked, a little taken aback.
"No. Not that I am aware of. You must consider that I am not part of the system. Its choices or inclinations do not control me."
The whole situation was still a jumbled mess in SJ's mind. She had gone from searching for a gila beast to potentially help protect Killic to now having a being of unfathomable means that was happily accompanying them on their journey.
The party slowly made their way back toward the surface. The journey seemed to take even longer as they climbed out from the depths of the underground world. The tunnels were changing as they progressed further from the sanctuary, returning to their drier, hostile form. SJ had returned the tablet to her inventory, and Kibble sat happily on her shoulder, occasionally chirping or clicking. Aletheia burst out laughing at one point, which made SJ jump in the relative silence.
"Sorry. Your companion is amusing," Aletheia said.
SJ looked at Kibble, frowning. He just tilted his head as though proud of the comment.
Kibble reacted before anyone else, letting out a low, deep growl as they neared the upper tunnels, nearing the entrance. He poked his head out from under SJ's hair and stared down the tunnel. It was then that SJ and Fas both picked up on something; their senses must have been triggered at almost the same time.
"This doesn't feel right," SJ said.
"No. I sense something, but I can't tell what," Fas replied.
Aletheia looked as serene-faced as she had been, casually walking alongside them; she didn't look around or show any concern.
Cautiously, they continued up the tunnel until they reached the large opening through which they had initially entered. The sun was still bright outside, and they had initially planned to wait for dusk. This was no longer an option. The beings that stood in the cave entrance were unlike anything SJ had seen before. Dave's previous description didn't really do them justice, as the salt slugs grunted and pawed the ground where they stood.
"Salt slugs." Fas sneered. "I have never seen so many together before."
"We could always fly past them," SJ said.
"We could try, but they have a ranged attack as well as the trample damage they cause from charging."
"What ranged attack?"
"They fire salt spikes from their tails, and the cavern isn't high enough for me to fly over them, nor to allow me to open my wings fully. It would be virtually impossible for me to avoid them once transformed."
SJ peered at the closest beast and noticed its swishing tail; it had a spiked appearance.
There was only one way to describe the beasts in front of them, and that was abominations. They stood approximately seven feet tall at their shoulders, with giant heads. They didn't have the horns of a rhino, but instead their bodies were coated in layers of salt crystals, covering them in spikes. The strangest sight was that they didn't appear to have eyes. Instead, they sniffed the air with large, broad nostrils. As they mulled about near the entrance, one of them turned to focus on the group. Its wide nose sniffing the air.
"They are blind. They are attracted to scents only," Fas added, confirming SJ's thoughts.
"They're obscene," SJ said, shuddering at the horrendously looking, malformed beasts. Every part of them looked as though it would skewer anything near it or at least rip it to pieces with the sharp-edged crystals that coated their bodies.
SJ focused and identified the closest one.
Salt Slug
Level: 39
Hit Points: 653
Mana Points: 230
Attacks: Stomp, Charge, Projectiles
"They are powerful," SJ said.
"Yes, and their sense of smell is exceedingly good. It will have been our passage in the salt plains that has drawn them here, although I have never seen so many gathered before. They may be blind, but they will know exactly where we are. The only bonus is that they reach high speeds when charging, which we can use to our advantage. Be warned, though, they are still very agile, even for what they look like."
Aletheia listened to their exchange without interrupting.
"Can you do anything to help?" SJ asked, looking at Aletheia.
Aletheia shook her head. "No."
"No! Why not?"
"I can't interact with them directly. Their intelligence is too low, and they don't belong to my brother's line. They are the system's creations, not mine."
That comment surprised SJ. "I thought you were all-powerful?"
Aletheia frowned. "What makes you think I am powerful?"
"You're an ancient being, and you borrowed Fas's skill to transform."
"No. I am three hours old. Yes, I can borrow skills, but I don't have skills, as you know them, and I may have my brother’s memories and be able to do several things, but I don't have the power or ability to combat such beasts."
"Then how can you possibly interact or help with the lizards?"
"They are intelligent beasts, even with their limitations and diabolical system creation, and they are unfortunately from a similar line. These beasts aren't. If they didn't smell you, they would stand still. This is the closest they have ever come to the cave, as I recall my brother's memories. They never paid him any attention."
"So what can you do to the lizards then?"
"I already told you. I can remind them of my brother. I may not be as strong as he was, but in time I will be, and they won't want me hunting them down." Aletheia shrugged.
SJ furrowed her brow. "You think the thought of the future will stop those lizards? I have seen how ill-tempered they are."
"And you never saw my brother fight. Those lizards would be like newborns compared to him."
One of the nearer salt slugs again sniffed deeply, grunting and lowering its massive spiked head. It then took a slow, cumbersome step forward. Its heavy step sent a vibration through the cave floor. They were like living tanks. There were over twenty of them clustered around the entrance to the cave system, and based on the hit points of the one that SJ had identified, there was no way they could take them on. SJ wasn't even sure if her claws could penetrate their encased bodies, even with her puncture skill, as the crystalline layers appeared so thick. It was not just penetrating the layers of protection, but also being able to hit them without being skewered.
Kibble let out a low growl and flattened himself against SJ's shoulder.
They were well over a hundred feet from the behemoths that blocked their exit, the brilliant sun still beating down outside the cave's mouth.
"Even if we flew out, we would be in the sun," SJ said.
"Yes. I had hoped to stay here until dusk, but I don't think we will have much choice now."
"If you say you can't transform to try and fly past, what can we do?"
"This cave is too narrow for my wings. The only thing either of us has on our side is to draw them in and then use the shadows to pass them. You, in your miniature form, should be fine. A beast of that size is unlikely to pay you much attention compared to me, and the same applies to Kibble as well. Then, once past them, I can transform, and we fly out, hoping to find shelter as soon as possible. We may locate a shaded area on the salt plains as the sun lowers."
"And how long do you think we will last trying to fly in the sun?"
"Not long, but we don't have much choice."
The nearest slug again sniffed deeply, taking another step. It shook its head violently from side to side, showering the area in crystalline fragments.
"Watch it!" Fas yelled as it flicked its tail towards them.
Kibble squeaked and took off from SJ's shoulder.
SJ watched as the projectile flew from its tail towards them. It travelled like an arrow from a bow. The missile was pure white, formed from the very salt crystals that adorned its body. The distance between them was still great, and the missile started to peter off and drop short, but not by much. SJ had stepped to one side, but the fact that they were able to identify their location, and even attempt to attack, sent a shiver down SJ's spine.
"That's unpleasant," SJ said.
"Very. Now do you see why I wouldn't be able to transform and fly past them without being struck?"
"Would they do that much damage if they hit you?"
"Yes. Those projectiles are pure salt. Even my immunity to poison couldn't cope with the potency of such an attack."
"Can't you transform into something smaller?"
"I could, but doing so would drain my reserves."
SJ again frowned. "What do you mean by reserves?"
"I know I am a dragonling, but there are many things you don't know or understand about my race. Yes, I can transform into different beings, but each one takes a toll on me. It does have limitations."
"I thought you could just change at will?"
"I can and I do, but there are still limits. Also, the smallest I can go would still be my current size. I can't go miniature like you."
"I thought..." SJ trailed off.
"I think when we are back in a safer location, I need to explain to you some of the problems we dragonlings have."
Aletheia again had not interrupted and just listened.
"Should I wait outside?" Aletheia said.
They both turned to look at her.
"They aren't here for me," Aletheia shrugged.
"How can you be so sure?"
"They would have to smell me, and I don't give off a scent. I could walk right up to them, and they wouldn't even know I was there."
Aletheia deliberately walked towards the nearest of the salt slugs. She strolled without a care, her footsteps almost silent as she crossed the distance towards them. SJ's heart was in her mouth as she watched until Aletheia was practically close enough to reach out and touch the nearest being. As she neared, her footsteps drew the attention of one of the slugs. It turned its head, dipping slightly before simply turning away again. She paused, looking tiny standing next to the massive, spiked monstrosity. Without a care in the world, she continued past them, and the beasts seemed to step out of her way.
"At least Aletheia is safe," SJ whispered.
"Yes. Now we need to draw them in and then pass them. You should shrink and get yourself safe. I will attract them and then use the shadows to pass them, before I transform."
"I can't leave you here alone," SJ said.
"Of course you can. I'm your guardian; you aren't mine."
SJ went to argue, but Fas turned and moved further back into the cave.
Kibble let out a low squeak from where he hovered, his wings beating gently.
"Bah," SJ hissed as she transformed. As soon as she was miniature, she took off and hovered next to Kibble. "I'm not happy with this," she huffed.
A loud crack came from behind her, and she watched as Fas struck the cave wall with a rock. The cracking sound echoed through the cave, immediately drawing the attention of the slugs. They turned in unison and focused on the area where Fas was. Loud grunts could be heard as several started to move forward further into the cave's shadows. As the group moved, they covered a significant area. Almost filling the cave's width. One walked too close to another, and their spikey protrusions clashed, causing the other to snarl and thrash its head sideways. These beasts weren't very sociable, given their actions.
Fas continued to strike the rock wall. The resounding echo filled the cavern as the slugs became more agitated.
SJ and Kibble rose towards the roof of the cave. From the entrance to where they now stood, the roof was only about thirty feet at its highest. From above, SJ peered down. The salt slugs shifted restlessly. One brushed the cave wall and struck out at it with its head, sending splinters of salt cascading to the ground.
SJ watched as one of the lumbering beasts snorted and started to pick up speed. The added sound of its feet as it did, making the air in the cave vibrate.
Fas watched as it accelerated. SJ was surprised at just how fast the beasts could move. Another two also lowered their heads and snorted before charging. Fas continued smashing the rock against the wall as the beasts neared. They must have only been within twenty feet when Fas shadow stepped across the cave to the other wall. The first of the three beasts careered headfirst into the wall where Fas had been standing only moments before. The sound of such a huge beast hitting a solid object created a ripple effect as it let out a high-pitched wail. It wasn't a sound SJ had expected to hear.
Fas again struck the wall, drawing their attention. The beasts were able to identify Fas's movements even over the noise made by the others.
"Watch out," SJ called, as she saw at least two of the beasts flick their tails.
Spikes flew towards where Fas stood, and again he shadow stepped, this time along the cave wall. He was now almost amongst them as they had continued to approach. As soon as he appeared, one of the nearest must have smelt him and turned its head towards where he now was. It flicked its tail immediately, releasing a spike.
Fas ducked just in time as the crystalline missile shattered on the wall behind him. SJ felt panic rise in her chest. There was still a horde of these monstrous beasts between Fas and the entrance.
The width of the cave and the area the beasts covered were limiting what Fas could do.
"This is stupid," SJ whispered to Kibble.
Kibble squeaked and suddenly moved. He flew with speed towards the sloped walkway that led deeper into the caves and towards the sanctuary, and then let out an almighty shriek. SJ had never heard him shriek before, and it did what Kibble had hoped. The salt slugs that had been focusing on Fas turned their attention to where he now hovered.
More grunts filled the cavern as the beasts lumbered forward. Fas again shadow stepped, his skill must have cooled down again, and this time he appeared nearer the entrance.
Kibble continued to shriek and started throwing bolts of lightning towards the beasts. Several of the beasts flicked their tails, sending projectiles towards him, but his lithe, agile form swerved and dipped as they did, avoiding them.
Fas was now behind the salt slugs, and SJ watched as his body shifted. SJ knew it took him several moments to transform into his dragon form. A slug at the rear turned towards where Fas had begun to transform. Snorting and aligning itself towards him. These beasts may be slow most of the time, but when triggered, they really moved quickly.
The salt slugs had fanned out, covering a vast area of the cave's floor.
The chaos being caused by Kibble, with lightning crackling harmlessly from what SJ could see across the surface of the nearest salt slug, brought the confusion her companion had hoped for.
SJ flew forward towards the entrance, weaving between the stalactites. As she neared, she could feel the oppressive heat from the sun. Another tail flick and SJ shouted. "Kibble, come on," in panic.
Kibble shrieked again and dove towards the nearest salt slug, its head turning instinctively as he did. He let out one final blast of lightning as he soared over its head.
SJ's call hadn't gone unnoticed, and two of the behemoths immediately turned in her direction, aligning themselves exactly with where she was flying. Their tails swished violently as more spikes shot towards her. She squealed as she swerved past the spikes, missing them by a hair's breadth.
"That was way too close," SJ hissed through gritted teeth as she continued to where Fas was finishing his transformation. Thankfully, her call had drawn the attention of the one who had turned to focus on Fas.
"Go, I'm right behind you!" Fas called, as SJ flew over him.
The nearest salt slug turned its focus back towards Fas and, with terrifying speed for its size, lunged towards him. Just as it appeared the beast would reach him, Fas moved, running on all fours as he spread his wings in his dragon form. He was indeed too large to fly in the cave, his wings unable to unfold fully. SJ watched as she saw Kibble zipping over the heads of the salt slugs as he flew toward the entrance. With his neck straight, he was beating his wings frantically to pick up speed. As SJ reached the outside, Kibble came bolting past her, immediately lifting above the cave entrance as a series of spikes shattered on the cave's roof, having been thrown toward him.
Aletheia, while all this had been going on, was standing calmly on the salt plain outside the cave mouth. Fas continued towards her before hurriedly stopping.
"Climb on," he called.
Aletheia looked at him only momentarily before she sprang up onto his back. Immediately, Fas beat his wings, lifting from the ground. SJ had followed Kibble, and the pair now hovered above the cave entrance as Fas took off into the air. The sounds of grunting and stomping from inside the cave sounded like thunder, as the first of the salt slugs reappeared at the cave mouth. Several spikes were hurled towards Fas as he lifted, but thankfully, none met their intended target.
The instant SJ had flown into the sun, she had felt it, and within the few moments as Fas had escaped, it felt like being burned in a fire. There was no way that any of them could stay in the sun, and they had to find shade.
As Fas took off, SJ and Kibble joined him, and Aletheia sat on his back with a broad grin on her face. The sun didn't seem to affect her, and she appeared to be enjoying the ride.
"We need to find shade fast," SJ called. She thought that her wings might melt if she stayed out in the sun too long in her miniature form.
"Yes," Fas called back as he changed his trajectory.
SJ glanced behind back towards the cave, where the slat slugs were still emerging. As they distanced themselves, they stilled, no longer drawn to anything.
As they left the cave behind them, Fas suddenly adjusted his path again.
"There, to the right," he panted.
SJ’s wings screamed as the solar flares of the sun felt as though they were melting through them. Fas let out a guttural growl, not in pain, but effort as they crossed the plain. Kibble was no better, his face tight and jaws clamped shut.
It was the first time SJ had witnessed Fas pant, and the exertion from flying in the sun must have been tremendous. They hadn't previously flown in it at any point when it was so high in the sky. SJ noticed what Fas was heading towards. It was a giant salt crystal formation, and as they neared, SJ could see the shaded side. They weren’t very far from the cave, but they couldn’t possibly stay in the air; her body felt painful as though it were blistered from the brief time in the sun. SJ couldn’t describe the relief as they swooped down, entering the shaded area.
Kibble let out a low growl, turning back in the caves' direction.
"You were amazing, Kibble," SJ said as she hugged his neck.
Aletheia climbed off Fas's back as he transformed back into his elven form, resting on his knees in the shade. His breathing was harried, and his dragon form was not able to stay within the shade of the salt formation otherwise.
As the coolness of the shade enveloped SJ, she shivered, turning and checking her wings for blisters or burn marks before she transformed into her larger form.
"We escaped without injury, all thanks to Kibble," Fas said, smiling at the miniature wyvern.
Kibble chirped happily in response.
As they caught their breath in the crystal's shade, Aletheia stood tall, looking towards the horizon, towards where SJ knew the desert lay. "Something is changing," she whispered.
