Ignoring the many eyes fixed on me, I led the group toward the old workshop.
Zeera had made quite the fuss about wanting to join, only relenting after I promised to take her along on the next hunt. Her extensive knowledge of wildlife would undoubtedly helped a lot.
Therra, on the other hand, while he had some understanding about the fauna, his expertise lay elsewhere—specifically, in resource allocation and logistics.
Dualsages were vital to society, their roles spanning a broad spectrum: advising settlement leaders on resource management, overseeing infrastructure development, ensuring community well-being, and innovating tools, weapons, and devices to improve survival odds. They also preserved knowledge, passing it down through education and training, ensuring future generations could build on their work.
Finally, we reached our destination.
As we stepped inside, the five of them froze, their eyes widening in disbelief at the sheer abundance of steel weapons scattered across the floor of the abandoned workshop. It was a treasure trove of forgotten craftsmanship, the sight leaving them momentarily speechless.
Vorrin was the first to move, his gaze settling on a sturdy hammer that seemed to fit perfectly in his hands. Therra followed suit, picking up a well-balanced steel sword, testing its weight with an approving nod. Zorrik gravitated toward a lance. Kaelith chose a mace, its spiked head promising devastating impact, while Sylrik hefted a heavy shield, its surface scarred yet dependable.
After selecting their weapons, the group didn't stop there. They began gathering as much as they could carry, eager to bring the spoils back to share with the other broodmates.
I waited for the group to return before we began our hunt.
At the settlement's entrance, guards intercepted us, their eyes narrowing as they took in the gleaming steel weapon we carried.
"Where did you find those?" one of them asked, suspicion lacing his tone.
"We came across them in the abandoned workshop."
The guard exchanged a glance with his companion but didn't press further.
With a curt nod, they stepped aside, letting us through.
"Be careful out there."
The atmosphere lightened as we walked toward the hunting grounds. The path ahead was familiar, winding through dim-lit caves and occasional patches of bioluminescent flora. We talked to pass the time, the weapons slung across our backs clinking softly as we moved.
"You've really changed, you know," Therra said, breaking the comfortable silence. His voice held a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Back then, you were… well, let's just say no one expected much from you."
"Yeah," Zorrik chimed in with a grin. "You've gone from being the laziest in the brood to someone people actually respect. What happened?"
I shrugged. "I suppose things changed when survival became the priority."
"True enough," Kaelith added, his voice quieter. "But it can't be easy. How are you holding up… you know, with your mate missing?"
The question lingered in the air for a moment, heavy with concern.
I paused briefly before answering. "I'm managing. Worrying doesn't bring anyone back. All I can do is keep moving forward."
"That's a good mindset," Therra said thoughtfully. "But you're not alone. Don't forget that."
The conversation shifted, Zorrik's teasing grin returning. "Speaking of not being alone… Zeera, huh? She's been sticking close to you lately."
"She's practically glued to you," Vorrin added with a laugh.
"She'd make a great mate, you know. Smart, resourceful, fierce. And let's be honest—she doesn't seem to mind your rough edges." Kaelith smirked.
I rolled my eyes at their antics. "We're just broodmates. Don't read too much into it."
As the hunting grounds drew closer, the air grew cooler, the sounds of the settlement fading behind us. It was time to focus.
---
The sight before me was breathtaking.
The route we had taken during the evacuation, carved by a giant worm, had been efficient and safe but entirely unremarkable.
But here, the world opened up in a vibrant display of life.
Before me stretched a sprawling ecosystem, a hidden sanctuary beneath the earth. Towering tree-like fungi loomed overhead, their glowing caps casting a soft, ethereal light that bathed everything in hues of green and gold. Thick carpets of moss blanketed, and was especially thick near the subterranean river and its branches.
Creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed the area.
A mold-like being shuffled near the base of a fungal tree. Its squat body sprouted four arms ending in claw-like appendages. It had no eye, but it moved with an unsettling precision.
Further ahead, a pack of spindly, insectoid creatures skittered across the forest floor with theirs thousand legs.
Above, something soared gracefully between the massive fungal caps—a serpent-like creature with feathered wings. Its scales glistened like liquid metal, and its long, sinuous body weaved effortlessly through the air. Tiny tendrils trailed behind it, releasing faint trails of shimmering spores as it moved.
Near a bubbling pool of iridescent liquid, a creature resembling a boulder began to stir. Its rocky exterior split apart, revealing a set of stubby legs and a mouth filled with jagged teeth. It lumbered forward, scooping up patches of moss with a tongue that shimmered like glass.
Closer to where we stood, a sleek predator prowled through the undergrowth, its six powerful limbs gliding across the mossy ground with an unnerving silence. Its long, sinuous tail, tipped with a spiked club, swayed behind it like a pendulum of destruction. Two luminous eyes glowed in the dim light, scanning its surroundings with sharp, predatory intent.
It was massive, easily the size of a Ford Raptor, every muscle in its sleek, scaled body coiled for devastating impact.
Then, its gaze locked onto us.
In a heartbeat, the creature exploded into motion, closing the distance with terrifying speed. The air seemed to ripple with the force of its charge and before I could react, its scaled head lunged toward me, jaws wide, teeth glinting like jagged knives in the glow of the fungi.
'Shit.'
Luckily, while I was mesmerized by the beauty of this underground paradise, my broodmates remained vigilant.
"Sylrik!" Therra yelled.
Sylrik yanked me backward by the collar just in time, pulling me out of the beast's trajectory. Without hesitation, he stepped into my place, raising his heavy steel shield in defiance. The creature's jaws slammed down with a deafening crash, sparks flying as its teeth scraped against the unyielding steel.
"You owe me a back rub," Sylrik grunted.
The rest of the brood sprang into action, weapons drawn and determination etched into their expressions. Vorrin and Zorrik flanked the creature
The rest of the gang sprang into action, weapons drawn and determination etched into their expressions. Vorrin and Zorrik flanked the creature.
Kaelith raised his mace, the steel head gleaming ominously, while Therra stood at the ready.
The predator snarled, realizing it had underestimated its prey. Its glowing eyes darted between us, sensing the tide turning in our favor.
I tightened my grip on the steel sword I'd picked up earlier.
"Fine," I said, stepping forward, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "I'll give you a back rub—while you're chewing on its meat."
'Wait, that sounds wrong.'