The rumble wasn't just sound. It was an ancient vibration traveling through bone, shaking the foundations of the ancient tunnel.
CRACK! BOOOOM!
Giant stones, dislodged from the centuries-old ceiling, plunged downwards like meteors of the earth's wrath. Thick dust enveloped everything, stabbing throats, blinding eyes. Viana staggered, falling to her knees on the sharp debris. Wild flashes of purple energy and dust clouds shrouded her. Only the large shadow of the Beastfolk was visible, charging closer through the chaos.
"Nggghh!" A strong grip clamped around her body, lifting her from the ground. The Beastfolk bit the collar of her shirt, pulling her roughly deeper into the tunnel.
The rumbling vibrations and sounds of collapse faded in the distance, replaced by the Beastfolk's roaring breath and Viana's near-exploding heartbeat.
KRASHHH! CRUNCH!
The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the passage behind them. Viana squeezed her eyes shut, her face buried in the Beastfolk's thick, dusty, sweat-drenched neck fur. She felt the creature's body jerk hard – the impact of sharp debris or a hitting rock.
"Grrrhh!" A suppressed groan of pain escaped its throat, making Viana shiver.
[Fool!] The voice echoed directly in her mind, stabbing like a dagger, filled with pain and pent-up fury.
[You didn't know what you touched!]
Viana lifted her face, teary eyes meeting the Beastfolk's narrowed yellow eyes amidst the dust. Guilt pierced deeper than any thorn from the Deadwood Forest.
"It... it was Whisper's fur," she whispered, her voice hoarse from dust and suppressed tears. "I just... I wanted to know if he was safe... I didn't know..."
[Fur?!] The Beastfolk's thoughts exploded with rage.
[That wasn't Whisper's fur! It was an illusion! A poisonous trap that triggered the seal! You touched bait!]
"A trap? For what?!" Viana shot back, confusion adding to her fear. "Isn't this the path to your village? It should be safe!"
The Beastfolk let out a long, weary sigh, its sharp eyes glancing at Viana with a mix of annoyance and... concern?
[It seems that guardian cat hid many things. Even from us.] Its voice in Viana's head sounded weary.
At the end of the passage they were heading towards, beyond the still-swirling dust curtain, a silhouette appeared. Tall, burly, like a living statue. Dust cascaded off its body as it stepped forward.
[The Labyrinth Keeper's Seal...] the Beastfolk whispered, its growling voice trembling with meaning. [Shattered.]
"The Labyrinth Keeper's Seal?" Viana started to ask, but her words died in her throat.
Because, from the dark depths ahead of them, deep beyond the purple miasma beginning to seep from the rubble and cracked walls, something began to move. Not footsteps. It was a scraping sound, like rough skin the size of a shield grating against wet stone.
Shhhkkk... Shhhkkk...
Slow. Extremely slow. Utterly deliberate. Accompanied by a long, drawn-out hiss of breath deeper, more ancient, more terrifying than Viana's wildest nightmares.
Hissssssssssss...
The hiss vibrated the air, making the miasma around them ripple as if bowing, welcoming its awakening master.
The Beastfolk drew a sharp breath, the fur on its neck bristling. [Hold tight, Lost Princess!] Its command shattered Viana's fear like a whip.
[Forget the fur! Forget Whisper! Forget everything! Now... WE RUN!]
Without further warning, it threw Viana onto its back. Large claws dug into the earth, and they shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Viana clung to the furry neck with all her strength, her face buried once more. For a few seconds that felt eternal, she could still feel the presence of the creature behind them. Its bloodthirsty hiss followed them like a curse, filling the narrow passage. The vibrations from its heavy movements echoed through the walls.
"That... What creature is it?" Viana yelled, her voice muffled by fur.
[Minotaur!] The Beastfolk's answer was short and filled with horror.
[The ruler of Lumare's underground labyrinth. Lucky its iron hooves are slow. But don't be fooled, its strength could topple mountains.]
The journey became a blur of speed and terror. Viana closed her eyes, focusing only on the warmth of the Beastfolk's body and the strong rhythm of its run. Slowly but surely, the tension in the air shifted. The Minotaur's rumble faded to a distant hum. The smell of dust and miasma began to mix with others... different damp earth, and... something warm? Flickering light began to show at the tunnel's end, not sunlight, but a friendly, yellowish glow.
The Beastfolk slowed, its breath still ragged but more controlled. They emerged from the tunnel mouth into an astonishingly vast chamber.
An underground village spread out before her, carved within a giant cavern. Stone houses with arched roofs, smooth cobblestone streets, and everywhere, small lanterns cast warm golden light, creating islands of brightness in the sea of cave shadows. The atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the hell they had just left.
"AOOOUUUUWWWLLL!" The Beastfolk's loud, long howl shattered the cavern's tranquility.
Instantly, house doors flew open. Figures began to emerge – humans... but with unique faunal traits: pointed wolf-like ears, furry tails, eyes gleaming in the dark. They gathered quickly, anxious gazes fixed on the Beastfolk and its passenger.
The Beastfolk carefully lowered Viana. As her feet touched the cold stone ground, something magical happened. A warm, powerful golden light radiated from the Beastfolk's body. Viana squinted, watching the large silhouette shrink, changing shape within the light. Fur disappeared, claws melted into strong hands and feet. The light faded.
Standing before her now was a man. Tall, muscular, with the same unruly black hair as his fur. Two pointed wolf ears stood erect on his head, and a thick, jet-black furry tail hung down behind him.
He was naked, yet seemed unconcerned, his breath still labored. His rugged face, with sharp jawline and the same yellow eyes, now looked at Viana with an expression mixed of exhaustion and wariness.
Viana could only stare, her mouth agape, awestruck and embarrassed.
A middle-aged man with a body as sturdy as rock and similar ears and tail to the Beastfolk who had just transformed, pushed through the crowd. His face was creased with experience, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the Beastfolk man.
"Lycan!" his voice boomed, full of authority. "Report! What happened? Your howl brought ill tidings."
Lycan, the Beastfolk man, nodded, straightening his posture despite his fatigue.
"The Labyrinth Keeper's Seal, Eldric," he said, his voice hoarse yet clear, heard by all gathered. The village atmosphere suddenly stilled. "Shattered. Triggered by... a foreign touch on an illusionary bait in the eastern passage." His eyes flickered briefly towards Viana, who looked down.
"The Minotaur has awakened. It is moving. It won't be long before its path reaches... here." His last words hung heavy in the suddenly colder cave air.
A ripple of fear passed through the gathered Beastfolk. The light of the golden lanterns now felt like fragile candle flames before the ancient shadow just roused from its slumber.