The soft snoring was heard again. This time a little louder than before. The voices that emerged from the dark and eerie silence of Iddhurun Cave made William shudder in horror.
He had received a warning, not to ever underestimate the scary creatures that live in this cave. The creature might be asleep, but if he was too rash and tried to approach it carelessly, and thought he would be able to kill it easily, then the time of his death was clear. He would die, in no longer than his usual lunchtime.
The skulls and bones along the passage were proof that the warning wasn't bullshit. There were seven human skulls scattered in various places, some of them far apart from the bones of the body. Pieces of armor, swords, bows, or daggers were also scattered everywhere, covered in mud or cobwebs.
They were the poor people who had tried their luck killing this creature. Fools, maybe they should be called that. And William at this moment felt he might be the next fool.
"Shh," a low whisper came from behind his back.
William turned his head to look at the tall, yellow-haired girl who was standing behind him. In the dark the girl shook her head, ordering William to move to the right side of the cave.
The young man glared, wanting to argue. He understood Vida's plan. If the creature was really in the middle of the cave, they could attack it from both directions, and probably wouldn't end up as pathetic as all these idiots. A good plan actually, but was it easy to cross the cave without being seen by the creature?
"Come on," Vida whispered in a southerner language that was more fluent in her mouth now. "You didn't come all the way here just to suddenly become a coward, did you?"
"Hey, can I give you one more opinion?" William retorted.
"What?"
"Why don't you bring Svenar and Gunnar here too? If the four of us were here maybe our chances of dying would be reduced."
"I told you, let them stand guard with Freya and Adhril in front of the cave," replied Vida. "If this creature manages to escape us, they can intercept him there. After that, we can lock him up from both directions."
William shook his head, dissatisfied. "First, you haven't told me clearly. As usual, you always make your own plans."
"I already explained. You're too lazy to listen."
"Did you? When? I can't remember. And I don't think this creature will run away. He'd rather eat us. Or at least eat you. Your meat should be tastier than mine."
Vida frowned. "Is this some kind of bad joke from the south? To say I'm weaker than you?"
"No! Never mind."
"Then shut up! Proceed. Hurry up!"
William muttered. The girl was always right. Now was not the time to lose courage. Hadn't William already fought hundreds of fierce warriors from Hualeg, and won? Why did he hesitate? There's only one opponent now, and this creature shouldn't be intelligent compared to humans.
Still, that doesn't answer why these people died here. Certainly not because they were so stupid. There's always something more dangerous than human ingenuity, that's why.
William pressed his back against the cave wall, peering slowly over the rocks on the left. In the middle of the cave which was no longer dark once his eyes got used to it, he saw a black figure curled up motionlessly.
The shape of the head, body, or legs of the creature was not visible. They say it looks like a bear. But William had never seen a bear alive. He had only seen their form when they had become coats. Does it look like a bear? Or, are bears really this dark?
He understood, he's afraid because he did not know what kind of creature he would face this time. But he had also learned that fear was as good a friend as courage. Fear alerted him so that later he wouldn't just act recklessly.
He stepped. No sound. His feet hit the wet cave floor. His sword was tightly gripped in both hands. William took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. His gaze was completely fixed on the black creature.
He made it to the other side of the cave. He was relieved for a moment, before realizing that the snoring was no longer heard.
The dark creature's head was raised now. His eyelids opened. His pair of red eyes were fixed on William.
The creature's snort was heard, then it let out a terrifying growl.
William cursed. He should have just admitted that he was just as stupid as all these people who had already died.
The creature roared. Its voice shook the whole cave. The thick layer of hair that covered its body stood up straight, revealing its tough skin and gleaming green. Its figure was visible now. Four-legged, sturdy with twice the height of an adult's body. Its nose and mouth were short, but its fangs were large and sharp.
The creature jumped. Its giant claw flew from the side. William tried to ward off with his sword. However, his strength was no match to that creature. William's body was pushed against the cave wall. He winced at the pain that radiated from his back.
Another sharp claw came from above. William rolled under the giant's body. He slashed at the closest part of his enemy's body: his right front leg. Blood spurted profusely, but the attacks and wounds seemed to have no effect. The animal kept wagging its legs, forcing William to roll away again.
Sharp stones hit his arms, waist, and back. William winced in pain. Mud and various kinds of dirt covered him. In front of him, the creature twisted its body, preparing to attack once again.
Suddenly the animal screeched in pain. Its body swayed left and right as if trying to get away from something.
William saw that Vida was already behind the neck of the giant creature, thrusting her sword. William didn't understand how the girl got up, but it was clear that she managed to find the beast's weak spot, on its neck which was not protected by its thick green skin.
Vida struggled to hold onto her sword, and suddenly the beast swayed its body in two opposite directions. Vida was thrown into the air. The girl's body floated with her head down and slid heavily against the cave wall. She fell with a thud on the rocks, then lay motionless.