Second day, Atop the Mountain
The six adventurers stood at the mouth of a cavern nestled beneath a towering cliff. The entrance was expansive, its flanking walls shimmering with a distinctive green hue. As sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, the mineral gleamed, its emerald radiance captivating. Yet, to their unease, the stone was pockmarked with claw marks and bite impressions, as if some creature had gnawed upon it.
Nia's complexion paled as she eyed the telltale signs. "What do we do now?"
Wesley glanced into the darkness of the cavern, swallowing hard before responding with determination, "We've come this far. We can't turn back now."
Thal lit a torch and took the lead, the others following suit as they entered the gaping maw.
Beyond the relatively well-lit entrance, they soon found themselves enveloped in darkness. The floor beneath their feet was solid rock, making for a reasonably smooth passage, but the green jade that lined the cavern walls was marred by unsettling claw marks, chilling their resolve. Additionally, while the air was still relatively fresh, devoid of staleness, a faint, pungent odor was slowly permeating the space.
Uni drew her sword, moving to walk alongside Thal.
An eerie silence reigned, broken only by the soft echoes of their footsteps. The flickering torchlight cast their shadows against the rocky surfaces.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Thal suddenly halted. Ahead, the path split, a solitary stone pillar standing at the intersection. Unlike the surrounding green jade, this pillar was plain granite, unmarked by any signs of creatures. Nestled within the upper portion was a small hollow, emanating a faint red glow.
The others paused as Thal consulted the treasure map, then announced, "The red light indicates the right path," leading them down the corresponding branch.
The branching passages multiplied, but each junction was marked by a luminescent stone pillar, allowing Thal to navigate based on the map's guidance.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Nia voiced, "If there are indeed monsters here, why haven't we encountered any?"
Charmion, bringing up the rear, replied, "The areas we've traversed have relatively few green jade deposits remaining. The monsters have likely congregated deeper within, where more of their favored food source resides. If we're fortunate, the interior jade has also been depleted, and the creatures have moved on."
Roderick murmured a fervent prayer, "May the Water God grant us such luck, and may the beastly denizens depart with full bellies."
Suddenly, Uni called out, "Careful."
The group tensed as the pungent odor grew stronger. Thal cautiously advanced, torch held high. Rounding a corner, the stench assaulted their senses, and Thal and Uni exchanged a wary glance before proceeding, the others trailing behind.
Stepping beyond the bend, Thal halted, raising the torch to illuminate the space. The others held their breath.
It was a straight, wide passage, the walls lined with glistening green jade. And within the darkness, enormous forms lay motionless.
Roderick's legs trembled as he whispered, "There are so many. We should--"
Uni interjected, "No, that's the problem. They should have detected us by now. Their senses are remarkably keen."
Summoning his courage, Thal moved closer, and as he illuminated the nearest massive shape, a collective gasp escaped the group. It was the decaying carcass of a colossal monster, its flesh withered, evidently deceased for some time. The subterranean environment had seemingly preserved the remains.
Venturing forward, they discovered the other towering forms were similarly lifeless.
Wesley couldn't restrain his bewilderment. "What is this? Did they all just simultaneously perish?"
Nia shot him a withering look. "Would you prefer they all suddenly revive?"
Wesley eyed the immense corpses, shuddering. "Let's just get moving. The stench is unbearable."
As the group pressed on, the incline steadily descended, and the temperature within the cavern grew colder. They encountered two more piles of similar monstrous remains, the sight chilling even Uni's composure.
It was clear to all that even a single encounter with the type of creature they had witnessed would likely prove fatal. The sheer number of high-level monsters inhabiting this place was beyond their worst imaginings.
Wesley whispered, "Could it be the gods have gone to such lengths to ensure we claim the treasure?"
Roderick and Nia scoffed in unison, about to rebuke Wesley's suggestion, when they heard Thal call out, "Quiet, listen."
The group fell silent, the cavern enveloped in an eerie stillness. Then, a heavy, thunderous footfall echoed from the distance, the ground seemingly trembling with each step, the power within palpable.
Faces pale, Charmion urgently asked Thal, "Are we close to the treasure's location?"
Thal anxiously checked the map. "We should be approaching it soon."
Charmion's response was immediate. "Then we must hurry. Once we reach the treasure, we will be safe."
The others did not fully comprehend how the treasure's location could ensure their safety, but with the ominous sounds closing in, they had no choice but to trust Charmion's judgment.
Thal led the way, the group breaking into a desperate sprint. Amidst the chaos, they lost track of the number of branching paths they traversed, but the relentless, thunderous footfalls seemed to grow ever nearer, as if the unseen pursuer refused to be outpaced.
Finally, Thal's voice rang out. "We're here!"
Faces alight with hope, the group surged forward, only to have their spirits plummet as they beheld the obstacle before them - a massive stone door barring their path, the word "Lost" carved into its surface, and a formidable lock hanging from it, its age impossible to determine.
The thunderous steps behind them drew closer, the stench of decay permeating the air.
Wesley rushed to the lock, feverishly examining it before retrieving a collection of metal tools from his pack. As he worked, sweat beading on his brow, the others stood vigilant, ears straining to track the approaching menace, eyes flitting between Wesley's efforts and the ominous shadows behind them.
The footsteps grew ever louder, the creature clearly scenting its prey just ahead. Each step sent tremors through the very ground they stood upon.
"Got it!" Wesley triumphantly cried as the lock clattered to the floor. Pushing with all their might, the group heaved the ancient door open with agonizing slowness, the grating of stone against stone sending shivers down their spines.
As they hurled themselves through the opening, the thunderous steps were nearly upon them. "Hurry!" Charmion urged, and beyond the doorway, they glimpsed a long, straight passage, its walls faintly aglow with some luminescent mineral.
The six fled with all their strength.
The deafening footfalls halted at the threshold, but from the doorway came the grinding of teeth and labored breathing. Yet, the unseen creature refused to cross the threshold.
What lay beyond the door that kept it at bay?