Their breaths echoed with their footsteps. The air was wet with water rushing at their side. Adrenaline was loud in Illysa's ears, her heart thumping like a terrified foal. Her eyes were darting from one side of the cavern hall to the other, wondering if she could glimmer the shadow of the beast that hid within.
All she saw was a floating leather boot in the water and some shreds of fabric that drifted along. Illysa shivered and tried to adjust the Doctor's weight against her body. The thin cloaks they were still failed to protect her from the chill, goosebumps forming on her flesh.
Julian laboured to keep his balance steady but aside from that his breathing and heartbeat was relatively calm, unalarmed in a way that Illysa could only aspire to. Though Leonel was silent and composed as always, he was an Inquisitor, a warrior whose career was one lived in constant danger. In comparison, Doctor Julian was frail, weak and disabled. How he could be so collected was a secret that Illysa could only dream of knowing.
But the ledge they were walking on came to an end as well. Illysa's heart was in a panic.
Leonel sneered with annoyance, "What now?" He asked pointedly.
"No need to rush me now." Julian huffed and then pointed forward where the water rushed down further into the tunnel. "The exit isn't far. It's just down that way!
Illysa paled, and Leonel glared at the Doctor like he was an idiot, "And how do you suggest we go down that way? I don't suppose you can swim with that lame leg of yours."
"Don't underestimate me," the Doctor puffed out his chest and then laughed, "but you're right, I wouldn't be able to get far with my lame leg in the water. I can't stay afloat in these waters for even a second!"
Even in a situation like he was laughing.
Leonel had enough of it, stomping his feet against the ground to get their attention, "First of all, Doctor," he made sure to enunciate the word slowly and clearly as though mocking, "How do you even know the exit lies that way? I don't exactly feel inclined to believe you at this point."
"..." Illysa was silent but also stared intently at the Doctor. She wished to believe him. Though he was a little strange, Doctor Julian had proven rather kind in action. He was patient and tried to help her where others have turned away.
"Simple," Julian shrugged, "I came down this way before, you know? With my trusty Blueiron armor. The water used to be lower though and if you look closely, there's a ledge on the other side, though it's submerged now."
He raised his hand, a blue magelight bubbled from his palm and danced to the other side of the cavern. With Leonel's superior eyesight, he could indeed see the barest outline of the ledge just underneath the water's surface. He scrunched up his nose but nodded.
"So how do you suggest we get out of here?" Leonel asked, though he still had a rough idea of what the Doctor was going to suggest. Somehow get across the rushing water to the other side of the underground river and walk along the narrow, submerged ledge.
It was suicidal but also their best chance, he supposed.
But Julian's eyes were sparkling with youthful mirth, that made Leonel almost forget this old man's age. "How about we capture that giant lizard and have it give us a ride?"
"Yes, let's do that--" Leonel said without thinking until he suddenly stopped and realized the words that left Julian's mouth.
"Doctor," Illysa spoke up, "I think you're…crazy."
"You think!?" Leonel hollered, "He's completely insane!"
Julian's laughter echoed down the caverns.
Which was apparently just the right kind of call that invited the giant man-eating crocodilian to surge out of the water, it's maw gaping and ready to snatch a chunk of human meat. Julian's reaction was quick, but his magic was lackluster. Without the surplus of mana to enhance his spells; the blue sparks could only bounce off the creature's thick hide, startling it a little but ultimately doing no damage.
Julian's smirk was strained as the creature's teeth came down at them. But the fear was but a shadowed flicker. Because he trusted the Inquisitor to dash forward with his massive sword. The Witch Slayer's black blade came down on a wide arc, slashing at the creature's jaw. And when it snapped down, barely missing the Doctor by a mere centimeter, Leonel wedged his sword right into the creature's cheek. It tossed and turned, slamming into the cavern walls.
Julian made sure not look away for even a second while Illysa had ducked down in fear, squealing from freight. She jumped when Julian's hand came down and yanked her up by the sleeve.
"Jump!"
Illysa's eyes went wide; a giant reptilian tail was barreling her way, and without thinking, she really did jump!
Not high enough to altogether avoid the blow but Julian had slid on top of the appendage as well and grabbed hold of it. Illysa followed suit, grabbing the scaled tail like it was the right thing to do.
She didn't get the time to contemplate her decisions because the next thing she knew her world was submerged in water, her vision obscured with bubbles and panic. Somehow, she could still hear Julian's ringing laughter, surely just a spark of her wild imagination…
Clouds of dark blood sputtered in the waves. The creature flailed, twisted and turned, and they tunneled through the waters. The scales were slippery, but they hadn't a choice but to hold on tight.
Leonel busied himself with the beast's face, forcing it to keep its attention on the Inquisitor and not on the two free-loaders.
A lot was going on, with the thrashing, the desperate struggling and serrated teeth, the barreling through rushing waters that stung the eyes and stole one's breath. You'd think that Leonel's mind was narrowly focused on fighting the monster.
But no! His thoughts were in chaos, full of inward curses and biting complaints. Who was the one that said they'd really follow Julian's plan? How the heck did such a thing even come about? It was all too late now; because three whole idiots were now latched onto one thrashing beast. He could only do his best at trying to steer the damned thing with the sword wedged into the monster's face.
In short, this entire scenario was utterly absurd.
And yet, Leonel's heart was humming wit excitement.
He'd never admit that it was almost kind of fun.
The skidded through the underground river and with a pop! Came down a sprouting ledge. The stream of water poured down into a waterfall. Realizing that their freedom was won, Leonel yanked his sword free, letting out a large gash of blood. The creature thrashed with the last of its strength, but it was futile. The Witch Slayer came down, stabbing down into the center of its skull, piercing the brain. Life was snuffed out of the large crocodilian while they were thrown down a tall, rushing waterfall.
Illysa's screams echoed throughout, shaking the surrounding trees. But she was not loud enough to deafen Julian's laughter.
Even now, he was laughing!
The Doctor was truly insane!
Leonel thought with complaint as they crashed into a small spring below.
Water rushed and filled his eardrums, Leonel's superior eyes could easily make out the wyvern pup crawling out of Illysa's shirt to swim up to the surface. The girl was quick to follow after the creature, swimming her way up to the surface.
But Julian did no such thing as he floated in the water's depth, eyes veered up to the reflection of moonlight that danced above in a dark sky. Leonel did not know what kind of daydream he was having in a situation as such. He shoved the reptile's giant body aside and kicked toward the surface, arms wrapping around Julian's waist on the way.
They gasped for air when they broke out of the water, Julian coughing as he laughed, leaning into Leonel's shoulder for support. His eyes were a lot more striking without glasses upon his face.
He was insane, but when he looked up through long lashes and a mirthful grin, Leonel secretly thought, he might actually have been attractive once. Pretty.
The spell was broken when the Doctor teased, "Don't pop a boner now, I'm afraid I'm not up to helping you at a time like this."
Leonel instantly abandoned the old man and swam to shore on his own.