I jolted awake as the carriage stopped. I must have fallen asleep since it took a long time. My neck went stiff. I rotated and massaged my neck for a good five minutes, then cracked my neck. I looked around to see Ari still sleeping on both of my arms. Her body was going up and down as I breathed. How did she sleep through that?
'Ari.' She didn't show any signs of waking up. She let a small noise, then turned in sleep. 'Ari!' She still didn't budge. I wonder if she can even hear my thoughts. I guess it only works whenever she was awake.
"Ari." I made my voice as soft as possible. Her ears moved, and she slowly opened her eyes. Ari let a small yawn and came over. She started to lick all over my face as soon as I smiled. at her. Then suddenly, she stood up straighter. Her ears started moving even more as if she could hear something. After a couple of seconds later, I started hearing a conversation, meaning they were getting closer. From the voices, it was Aston and dad. Their weapons and other stuff were right next to me. I needed to get out of here fast before they noticed me. I opened up the lid, hoping to see if I had a chance of getting out before they found me. But Aston and dad coming right towards me and there was no time to get out without them noticing. Damn, if I had woken up sooner, I would have had the time to get out. I looked around to see if there were any other doors, but there weren't any other doors. I was trapped.
I closed my eyes, prepared to hear dad's scolding. Dad would be so angry since he even told me that I cannot come. Mom would even get angrier than him. I have to make a good excuse before I got back to the house. As the lid opened, I opened my eyes ready to face them scolding head-on. I knew the consequences when I got in, so I might as well face them right now. I saw Aston and dad look in. I took a deep breath, wondering what they will say when they see a seven-year-old kid in their storage box. I even made eye contact with them. I was surprised they weren't even shocked when they saw me. They didn't really say anything, instead, they just reached over me and got their stuff. That was definitely weird. I was confused about what happened. I put a hand and waved it right in front of their eyes. Nothing. They didn't even blink.
'Baba, they can't see us. I blocked us out of their vision, so the only thing they see is their luggage.' So Ari was doing this. She was quick-witted.
'Good work, Ari. You are definitely getting some good dried beef.' Ari hummed in response, excitedly. The door quickly opened that startled me. They must have heard Ari when she responded to me. Aston looked inside for a good five seconds. It was enough for my heart to stop beating.
"What is it, Aston?"
"Sorry, I thought I heard something." Aston looked one last time before closing the lid. I let out a breath that I unconsciously held. I looked out again. Once the coast was clear, I got out and stood in the group. I looked at the huge cave entrance. There were two manabeast statues on either side. Both of them looked like they were growling or snarling. Those statues made me a little wary. It looked like their eyes were on us.
I didn't have any weapons, but I still had my magic. I should have at least brought a dagger or something. I was in such a hurry that I forgot all about it. I watched as Arthur practice some swings with his sword. He looked pretty nervous. It was showing through his swings. He had a dagger too. Dad went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He said something into Arthur's ear. Arthur nodded and calmed down immediately. I was too far away to hear him. Aston clapped his hands to get our attention.
"We are going together, so that means do not stray from the group." He made that pretty clear while looking at Arthur. Arthur looked at him, nervously. Aston must have noticed it. "Arthur, I want you to be in our eyesight every second you are here. Understand?" Arthur nodded. "Okay, we should go in."
As we went in, I felt like we were being watched which means whatever that was living here knew that we were here. The cave was huge and lit up well, but I couldn't see any beasts. I got myself ready, just in case. I just wished I had a weapon since that was what I was best at.
'Baba, it's dangerous in here.' That wasn't a good sign.
'Why?' Ari's ears started twitching. She gave out a low growl. I jumped myself as I heard her growl. She doesn't do that often.
'We are surrounded! There are too many of them. We need to get out of here.' Probably she was exaggerating a little.
"There is something here. I just heard a growl." I watched as they circled around Arthur, in a defensive stance. They had their weapons out. Aston looked around, then back at Arthur.
"Arthur, have your sword ready." Arthur took out his long sword. His hands were trembling. It was his first time in an actual battle. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That must have been what dad said to Arthur outside the cave.
'Baba, we have to get out of here.' I watched as Ari cowered in fear.
'Do you know what they are?'
'They are insects. I don't know what type though.'
'Do you know how many there are?'
'There are too many to count.'
'Give me a rough estimate.' Ari took a moment before answering.
'Hundreds.'