Page 18

18

Kroaicho

I pull in a deep breath of above-ground air as I berate myself for the things I said. Why did I say zha was broken? Zha’s body and face instantly changed to that odd way zha could be. It made me realize that what zha was showing before——in zha’s exhaustion——was the truth.

Why did I say something so terrible? Why did I bring back the lie? The way zha looked changed so quickly. Emotion colors would make this so much easier.

How do I even know it’s the lie, though? My skin is a swirl of purple self-hatred and blue. My zhann did not prepare me for this. Well… aside from being very firm that a hoard did not include pets.

I let out a series of clicks. Olivia isn’t a pet. There was no wisdom passed down that could ever help me right now. My mistakes are my own.

A snap of a branch brings me out of castigating myself. Then I hear a language I hoped I never would hear again. Manticorid.

My skin instantly lights up red, but I try to mute it. I would be a beacon in the darkness, but it is hard. I have never been so terrified.

“I know I smelled a human, my Ree,” comes the harsh voice, and I swallow thickly when I recognize a native speaker. “And I just heard clicks and smell a new type of prey.”

If I don’t run, I’m going to die, but then something else catches my attention and a different emotion rises up amid the fear. A human…

They want to take Olivia. Just like the pink human wanted.

Anger starts to displace the fear, but it doesn’t make me reckless. I creep slowly back to the cave entrance.

“There…” a roar comes next, then the sound of breaking branches, rapidly coming toward me. I can’t help the flare of red and I abandon stealth, instead dropping to all six limbs, running as fast as I can deep into the cave. It’s cavernous here. Far too open to block off, not to mention dangerously stupid to try.

I increase my pace, heart pounding, making my way toward the smaller tunnel I just dug.

Another voice calls out, this one with an accent that suggest they aren’t manticorid. “We just want to talk,” zha cries out.

No manticorid just wants to talk. My zhann passed on the stories. I run faster, recklessly crashing through pillars of minerals, relieved to finally see the fresh dirt of my tunnel.

The next frantic movements I barely remember, except that I spend far more time collapsing the tunnel in my panic than needed. I’m still panting, the cave section I’m in lights up brightly with my red fear when I get back control of myself.

Something catches my eye, my mind more than willing to focus on something else besides terror. I’m piling rocks into my arms frantically a moment later.

Then I crouch down, gazing at a delicate tangle of glowing vines nestled in the crook of the stone wall, their light casting a soft glow across the cave. The way the light plays off the jagged rocks reminds me of a childhood memory, a distant echo from when my zhann would lead me through the caves of my home world, teaching me how to spot treasure.

The vines seem like a perfect find—almost too perfect. They thrum faintly, in sync with my heartbeat, drawing me in like an insect to a pulsing trap. The tendrils reach into the rock, as if they are embracing it, bolstering it, as if the story of its existence is to integrate itself with what is around it. Fascinating.

A part of me longs to pluck them from the rock and add them to my growing hoard so I can study how they integrate, but I'm already carrying too much. The pile of gleaming rocks balanced precariously in my arms shudders with every slight movement, and one more item might topple the whole lot.

I chitter in frustration, my skin flashing light purple as the irritation mounts. The soft flicker of color reflecting off the cave walls only amplifies my annoyance. I shouldn't be this bothered, but the thought of leaving these glowing vines behind gnaws at me. They could make a beautiful addition to the growing pile—a glowing centerpiece that would outshine everything else. I shift the pile of treasures I'm holding, trying again to wedge the vines in between two of the larger rocks. For a moment, I think I've managed it, balancing them just so. But as I take a step, everything teeters dangerously. A stone clatters to the ground, and I hiss under my breath.

"Demiurge curse it," I mutter, the sound low and bitter, echoing off the cave walls. The sound feels strange in this stillness, the silence of the cave swallowing up my voice almost instantly. I'll just have to come back for the vines later. For now, I need to secure these treasures back in my hoard. With a few more muttered curses about the inconvenience, I make a mental note of the vines' location. My memory is flawless when it comes to treasure. I'll be able to trace my way back easily, and when I return, they'll be waiting for me. I hope.

With the vines abandoned for the time being, I begin the trek back to the main cave, my six limbs working in unison as I move through the narrow tunnels. The rocks underfoot feel more jagged than usual, each step pressing the uneven surface into the soft pads of my feet. It's not painful, but it's enough to distract me. I adjust my hold on the treasures again, feeling the weight of the stones pressing into my chest.

As I walk, my mind drifts to the earlier conversation with Olivia. I still don't understand why zha’s words sting the way they do. I've dealt with biting remarks from others before—zhannel who thought they were superior to me, mockers who ridiculed me after my zhann passed on—but Olivia? Zha lights my skin purple in a way I can't explain. It's as if each sarcastic comment zha throws at me sticks somewhere deep, making my skin flash with irritation that I have to fight down.

"Stupid human," I grumble, adjusting my grip on the stones as I navigate a tight turn in the tunnel. The walls close in here, a narrow passage I've walked countless times before, yet today it feels suffocating. Zha is probably still sitting by the fire, glaring into the flames with that angry look on zha’s face.

The image is oddly amusing, and I feel my skin glow briefly with white before it returns to a more neutral hue. I should have left long ago—treasures wait for no one, after all—but something about the way Olivia clacks, the way zha refuses to back down, keeps me circling back to zha.

Why do I even care? Zha is the most chaotic, difficult to keep, disruptive treasure imaginable. Zha has zha’s own ideas about treasure and I should simply let zha go to gather zha’s own hoard of “wit” and “freedom”. Zha’s own sense of value does not match my own.

I pause in my stride, shaking my head at the ridiculous thought. Zha is not a treasure. Not even close. I've spent enough energy on zha for one day.

As I continue through the tunnel, something catches my eye—small, freshly drilled holes dotting the cave wall. I stop, my limbs going still as I lean in to examine them. The light from the vines, still visible from the distance, flickers faintly against the dark stone, casting an eerie glow on the strange markings. The holes are uniform, lined in neat rows, and I can smell something acrid lingering in the air, like the faint scent of burned meat.

My skin flashes dark purple, and I pull back, uneasy. These tunnels weren't here before. I know this part of the cave system very well, and there's something wrong about these holes. Something… too new. Too fresh. And that smell. It's biological. Unnatural.

A shiver runs down my spine, my skin flickering between colors as I take in the sight. I've never encountered anything like this in my years of exploring the caves. The thought crosses my mind that something new has entered this space—something dangerous, perhaps. My breath catches for a moment, and I find myself considering what sort of creature could have made these. Something new to the cave? Something that could pose a threat to my hoard? My skin darkens further as I contemplate the possibilities.

I should check it out, but—

"KROAICHO!"

The scream hits me like a physical blow, echoing through the tunnels. My head snaps up, my heart pounding as Olivia's voice slices through the cave. The panic in zha’s tone makes something tighten in my chest, an uncomfortable, foreign sensation. I freeze, torn between continuing my exploration of the tunnels and rushing back to the human.

It's just a human. The trouble is likely one zha found. Zha is not part of my hoard. Zha is not valuable.

I shift on my limbs, the pile of treasures still balanced awkwardly in my arms. I could drop them. I could run faster without them. But I just collected these… I need these.

Another scream tears through the air, and my decision is made before I can even think it through. With a growl of frustration, I let the stones clatter to the ground, some of them shattering on impact. My skin flashes a deep violet as I hiss, angry at myself for abandoning the new treasures so easily. I'll have to come back for them later. But Olivia's screams echo again, louder this time, and I push aside my irritation, spinning on my many limbs and racing toward the main cave.

The tunnels blur as I move, each step sending a jolt through my body as my limbs carry me at full speed. The acrid smell from earlier clings to the air, but I shove it out of my mind, focusing instead on the path ahead. I don't know what's happening, but Olivia sounded terrified, and that tight feeling in my chest refuses to go away. It's a strange sensation, a gnawing discomfort that I can't quite name, but it drives me forward nonetheless.

As I near the cave, I hear more sounds—growling, the scraping of claws against stone, the unmistakable hiss of something large. My skin flickers between purple and red, fear creeping in as I slide to a stop at the cave entrance. I peer inside, my heart hammering.

The scene before me is chaos. Olivia is backed into a corner, zha’s eyes wide with terror as a massive creature looms over zha, its scales glinting in the firelight. The thing is larger than anything I've ever seen in the caves, its body coiled and ready to strike. Its eyes, glowing faintly in the darkness, lock onto Olivia, and a low growl rumbles from its throat.

My chest tightens again, and without thinking, I rush forward, the glow of my skin flaring bright red as I charge at the creature. I have no plan, no strategy, just an overwhelming urge to protect zha.

It's not about value anymore. It's about something else.

I burst into the cave, my six limbs moving in rapid unison as I skid to a stop, nearly slipping on the slick stone beneath me. The dim light of the cave flickers against the creature's scales, its long body slithering menacingly across the ground. Olivia is huddled at the far edge of my hoard, barely visible beneath the piles of shiny trinkets I've so carefully amassed.

Zha is frozen, wide eyes locked on the creature as its massive, elongated head turns in zha’s direction, its maw stretching open far too wide, revealing rows of sharp, needle-like teeth. The acrid stench of burned flesh clings to the air, and my skin flashes an intense violet in response—fear and anger mingling, coursing through me.

This thing. It's too big. Too strong.

I hiss loudly, the sound echoing off the cave walls, and the creature swivels its head toward me, its two glowing eyes narrowing as if sizing me up. Its body is long, insectoid, with far more clawed legs than should be natural that scrape against the stone as it moves. It's nothing like anything I've ever seen in these caves—more dangerous, more… unnatural.

But Olivia—zha is valuable in a new, mysterious way. One I need to figure out. That thought is enough to push me forward, despite the chill of fear tightening my chest.

I lunge, my bottom four limbs propelling me as my two upper limbs stretch out to grab hold of the creature. My claws rake across its scaly hide, but it's shockingly durable—my hands barely leave a scratch on its dark, iridescent body. With a furious hiss, I throw myself against it, using my weight to drive it back. But the thing is fast. Faster than I expected.

With a snarl, the creature twists its body, whipping its tail at me. I duck just in time, feeling the wind rush past as it smashes into the cave wall. Stone cracks under the force of the blow, sending shards flying in every direction. My skin flashes red—fear pulses through me, but I push it down. I can't afford to falter now.

I swipe at the creature again, aiming for its legs, but it's already moving, darting to the side with an unsettling speed that belies its size. I'm forced to rear back, my two larger arms raised defensively as it snaps its massive jaws at me, missing my head by mere inches.

"Stay back!" I roar, hoping Olivia understands as my skin flickers between violet and red. Zha shouldn't be here. Zha is too close.

I can feel the pressure mounting in my chest as the creature coils and uncoils, its glowing eyes fixed on me now. It's testing me, watching for an opening. Every instinct screams at me to run, but Olivia's still cowering behind the pile of treasure—zha is frozen in place, terrified.

I can't let zha die.

With a frustrated growl, I lunge again, this time trying to drive the creature back toward the tunnel. If I can just get it away from Olivia… if I can just…

The creature moves faster than I anticipate, its many legs scrambling across the stone with an almost eerie fluidity. It darts around me, its tail whipping out to strike. I manage to block it with one of my massive arms, but the impact sends a jolt of pain through my body. My skin flares violet as I stumble, my feet scrambling for purchase on the uneven ground.

I let out a low growl, my teeth bared as I rush the creature, slamming into its side with as much force as I can muster. It screeches, an awful, high-pitched sound that makes my ears ring, but I manage to drive it back toward the tunnel.

"Out!" I hiss at Olivia, jerking my head toward the deeper recesses of the cave. Zha is frozen, eyes wide with panic, but I can't focus on zha right now. I just need zha to move.

The creature's claws scrape across the ground as it regains its balance, its glowing eyes narrowing in anger. Before I can react, it rears up, its massive jaws snapping toward my face. I manage to dodge, but not fast enough. Pain explodes in my arm as its teeth graze me, tearing into the flesh. My skin flashes an intense red as I pull back, hissing in pain.

It's stronger than me.

Fear tightens in my chest, but I refuse to let it show. I can't let it see my fear. I can't let Olivia see.

With a guttural snarl, I release a burst of color—a bright, flashing violet—as I rush forward again. This time, I aim lower, sweeping my claws at its legs in an attempt to unbalance it. The creature screeches again, its body twisting unnaturally as it dodges, but I manage to catch one of its legs, yanking it hard. It stumbles, all of its claws scrambling for purchase, and I seize the opportunity to drive it further back toward the tunnel.

"Go!" I bark at Olivia, my voice harsher than I intend. "Get out of here!"

Zha finally moves, scrambling out of the cave and into the safety of the tunnels. Relief washes over me, but it's short-lived. The creature recovers quickly, its tail whipping out again. This time, it strikes me square in the chest, sending me flying back into the cave wall. The impact knocks the breath out of me, and for a moment, my vision wavers. My skin flashes a deep violet as I struggle to stand, the pain radiating through my body.

It's too strong.

I push myself to my feet, panting heavily as I face the creature once more. It's watching me, its glowing eyes gleaming with something that almost looks like amusement. I grit my teeth, my skin flickering between violet and red. I can't win this fight. Not like this.

But I have no choice.

With a frustrated growl, I lunge again, this time feinting left before darting right. The creature falls for the bait, its massive head swinging toward my fake attack, and I seize the opportunity to slam into its side, driving it deeper into the tunnel.

The narrow passage works to my advantage—its large body can't maneuver as easily in the confined space. I dart around it, slashing at its legs and sides, trying to drive it back further. It screeches in frustration, its glowing eyes flashing as it swipes at me with its tail, but I manage to dodge, my smaller, nimble form giving me the edge in the tight tunnel.

I know I can't keep this up for long. My body is already aching, the pain in my arm throbbing with every movement, but I can't stop. I won't stop.

The tunnel narrows even further, and I finally see my chance. With a final burst of speed, I dart around the creature, positioning myself behind it. My skin flickers between violet and red as I release the knockout gas from my nose, the thick, sweet-smelling vapor filling the air around us.

The creature hesitates, its movements slowing as the gas begins to take effect. I can see it shaking its head, trying to clear the fog, but it's too late.

With a snarl, I lunge forward, wrapping my arms around its thick neck and yanking it toward the glowing blue stream that runs through the deeper part of the cave system. The creature thrashes, but its strength is fading fast.

With a final, desperate heave, I toss it into farther down the cave, carefully away from where Olivia fled.

It staggers, moving away erratically, but quickly, crashing into the sides of the tunnel in its haste to get away.

Panting heavily, I collapse against the cave wall, my skin flickering between violet and red. I'm exhausted, my body aching from the fight, but it's over.

For now.

I take a deep breath, forcing my skin to return to a more neutral hue as I push myself to my feet. Olivia is safe. That's all that matters.

But as I turn to make my way back to the cave, I can't shake the tight feeling in my chest. That creature—it wasn't natural. It wasn't like anything I've ever encountered before.

And I have a feeling this isn't the last time I'll see one of these.

The exhaustion hits me all at once. I can barely feel the jagged stone digging into my palms or the sharp bite of the cool cave air against my skin. I steady my breathing, trying to calm the wild flickering of color that I know is betraying every emotion I've been trying to suppress. My skin flashes between violet and red, anger mixing with fear. But I'm alive. That's something.

I try to focus on the tunnel where the creature left, but my eyes keep roaming back to where Olivia ran. The stillness of the cave, after the chaos of the battle, feels almost too quiet. My head spins, and the tightness in my chest remains, pulsing faintly.

Then, a sound behind me—a familiar sound—small footsteps, uneven, moving toward me. My limbs tense as I spin to face the sound, my body already primed to fight again.