Into the Void
The nearby kings gathered around Zarda, eager to lend their support in the search. Mosiya equipped them with weapons and torches before they embarked on the mission to find Thyron, the warthog prince. Doubts lingered in the air: would they actually be able to locate him? Was a rescue even feasible if they did? Would the passage be too narrow for their efforts? Zarda was burdened by the same uncertainties. He had asked Mires to lead them to the precise location, and the young cub readily agreed, stepping forward to guide the rescue team toward Rock Hill. Zarda shook his head in disbelief; he knew the area well yet had never noticed the cracks and crevices in the rocky terrain. As the familiar landscape emerged before him, a rush of vivid memories washed over him. He recalled the moments he had shared with his brother, discovering the staff he now held tightly at his side. The journey progressed swiftly as the team raced ahead. Purk dashed alongside his friend, closely trailing Mires. When they reached the entrance, Zarda and his companions suddenly halted.
"So, this is what Penelope meant by 'under the rocks," Zarda said under his breath.
Mires heard his comment and nodded in agreement, while they collectively all gazed up at the towering boulders. Zarda gently nudged the cub to enter into Rock Hill. He followed Mires to the precise spot. At the base of the rock, concealed beneath a smaller stone, was the entrance to the hole. Zarda glanced over his shoulder at his comrades. He could see this was going to be a big issue. Considering the size of some of the king's, it was clear they wouldn't all fit inside. It would be a tight squeeze even for him. He turned back to the hole, contemplating the best approach. Time was not on his side; he couldn't afford to waste it on idle thoughts. Without uttering a word, Purk dropped to all fours and attempted to squeeze his large upper body through the narrow opening. The effort was unsuccessful, prompting him to sit back and strike the rocky edge with his powerful fist.
looking at the team he explained, "It's going to require us to blast the hole open if we intend to all go in," said Zarda.
An inpatient Purk grew increasingly agitated by the minuscule opening. He struggled to chip away at the rock wall, his frustration mounting. Zarda had never seen his friend in such a panicked state before and instinctively thought that if it were his own son who was missing, he would react similarly. Gradually, the rocky frame began to give way, and Purk quickly cleared the debris, preparing for another attempt to push through the hole. This time, while his upper body slipped through, his waist became stuck. The only obstacle in his way was his wand belt. He swiftly unbuckled it and tossed it to Zarda just as he vanished into the opening. After a long, desperate struggle to break through, he had finally made it.
"What do you see, Purk?" Zarda inquired. Purk responded, "All I can see is darkness, but I can feel a cold breeze ahead of me. I also hear the distant sound of rushing water. I'm going to venture in deeper." With that, Purk pressed forward blindly. Suddenly, his hand brushed against a smooth, wet surface. The air felt significantly cooler now, and the sound of water was echoing all around him.
He yelled back to Zarda, "I believe I've found where my son is. He's alive—I know it for sure," he asserted.
Although Purk had no concrete evidence, his steadfast conviction kept his hope alive that his son was safe. He summoned his staff, and Zarda threw it into the hole. Grasping for it, Purk secured his staff tightly in his hands. With determination, he held his wand and called out for Thyron, repeating his name multiple times. Despite the silence that followed, he remained resolute. He made his way down the same slope where his son had fallen, venturing further into the chilling unknown. Once he reached solid ground, Purk activated his wand, casting light into the shadows that surrounded him. The blue glow at the wand's tip cut through the darkness, illuminating every hidden corner with ease.
He had the ability to see everything hidden beneath the surface. Massive jungle leaves extended endlessly in every direction. Nearby, he found a water source from a waterfall flowing down from the ceiling. Lush fluorescent plants thrived in the shadows, flourishing in the darkness. The light from his staff revealed their stunning beauty, displaying a vibrant array of neon colors. "How could a world like this exist underground without anyone having discovered it until now?" he pondered.
"How could this be real?" he pondered. Exotic birds squawked and fluttered about, their songs filling the air with a harmonious melody. The sweet fragrance of florals, wafted toward him, reminiscent of a delightful blend of honey and vanilla. If Thyron was here, he must have discovered a sanctuary nearby. Purk watched and listened carefully. The closer the jungle come upon him the louder the animal residence it came alive. Bizarre noises and interesting smells engulfed his senses.
"Thyron hang on son, I promise I'll find you." declared Purk.
Realizing he needed assistance, Purk turned back to the slide he had descended. Redirecting his focus to the hole, he called out for Zarda. Unfortunately, Zarda was outside the hole, busy directing the group to prepare the explosives, and didn't hear his friend's shout. Fortunately, Purk's tribute, Roz, was nearby, attentively listening for any signals from his leader. Upon hearing Purk's call for more backup, Roz, along with another tribute, quickly crawled into the hole without a moment's pause, squeezing their bodies through the opening.
Particles drifted softly in the shafts of light that cascaded from the ceiling, resembling a waterfall of sunlight. Before Thyron stood a creature, a monstrous being of colossal size and stature.
'Tap, tap, tap, tap'
Tap!
The sharp sound of pointed feet reverberated off the solid rock path. Thyron's eyes widened in terror. If he didn't meet his demise at the hands of the enormous creature in front of him, his heart would surely give out from pure fear. In the darkness, the being's shape was hidden, but once illuminated, it was fully unveiled. Its body shimmered in a deep bluish black, encased in a tough shell. Two menacing pincers rose into the air, poised for action. In the shadows, its eyes had been the only source of light, glowing with a vivid blue. Yet, under the bright illumination, they shifted to a translucent white. He moved on eight slender legs that produced a cacophony of sound. Behind him swayed a large tail, its tip flicking out clear liquid. This was the telson, recognized as his venomous stinger. There was no doubt about it; the creature was a scorpion. Thyron had encountered one before, but he didn't remember them being as large as a Zebra. The scorpion towered ominously in front of him. Thyron took pride in his knowledge of animals; he remembered that scorpions were not fond of water. They only approached it to drink and generally steered clear of it whenever possible. His only chance of survival depended on dashing past the beast and reaching the water behind it.
How many others were hiding in the vicinity? Were they all as massive as this one? He had no way to tell. Would he come across another creature as fearsome as the scorpion, or even more terrifying? He couldn't be sure. He had never ventured into this hidden realm beneath his own. The creature continued to approach, and Thyron struggled to muster the courage to flee. Without further hesitation, Thyron dashed to the creature's left. He narrowly dodged a swift snap from the monster's pincher, which clashed violently in the air behind him, missing its diminutive target. The scorpion was infuriated; he was neither clever nor nimble enough to pivot quickly. Despite his lack of agility, he compensated with remarkable speed. When he finally managed to turn, he was astonishingly fast. However, Thyron had a head start, giving him a slight edge in timing. Thyron raced forward with such speed and momentum that it felt like he was flying, his feet scarcely tapping the ground. The waterfall was now just a short distance ahead in sight. He was captivated by its majesty as it approached, oblivious to the fact that the ground would soon yield to the water beneath. With a sudden splash, Thyron found himself knee-deep in the frigid, murky depths below.
Thyron continued to wade in until the water reached his chest. Undeterred, he swam farther from the shore, making his way through the dark water. As he swam deeper, he glanced back and saw the scorpion thrashing at the water's edge, its tail flicking in frustration as it snapped at the surface. A wave of relief washed over Thyron; he was now beyond the creature's reach. Soon enough, the tranquility shifted back to fear as something glided silently by Thyron's leg, startling him. Without a moment's hesitation, he began to thrash his arms and legs in a frantic attempt to swim. Thyron surged through the water, setting his sights on the far side. His goal was the ledge of the waterfall, precisely where the water tumbled down onto the rocks, glimmering in the sunlight filtering from above. He had no plans to retreat; he was fully committed to forging ahead and leaving his mark deep within the void.
The more Thyron swam, the farther the ledge appeared to drift from him. It was merely an illusion born from his fear. He was unnerved by the mysteries lurking beneath the water's surface. He couldn't decide what was worse—the scorpion on land or the unidentified creatures hiding in the depths below. As he approached the water's edge, he felt his legs starting to cramp. Relief washed over him when he saw it was finally within arm's reach.