Alaster awoke with a gasp, for a second he believed he was stricken blind and soon realized it was just the lack of light. Nothing felt broken. First good thing in a while Alaster thought to himself with an almost silent chuckle. Alaster reached into the darkness till he felt the cold flat wall and sat down against it. There was an itch on his temple and with a reflex to scratch was met with a stabbing pain, a hot but quickly cooling liquid had been left on his fingers. That rock had hit him harder than he first assumed; which explained why he had passed out. Alaster reached for his knife instinctively, drew it out and with his free hand followed the stitching to the bottom of his cloak. Once he found it, he went back about his thumb’s length and cut it to make a makeshift bandage. After tying it down he stood up, one hand bracing the wall for direction. After two steps forward, his hand made contact with another wooden support. Feeling for the front his hand found the cold metal frame for a torch to sit.

“Thank the goddesses” a torch was in the mount; out, but only half used up. Alaster grabbed the handle and rotated the torch in inspection.

Setting it on the ground in front of him, Alaster reached into his belt pouch and felt for his flint and steel. Another fortune, and from what he could tell he had lost nothing else either. He struck the flint and could see the cave for a brief moment then darkness yet again. He tried once more, this time the torch caught fire and Alaster feverishly picked it up to get a perception of his surroundings. The tunnel was recently cleared, and as Alaster looked closer he realized the walls were made of time worn marble and they gave off a warm cream color in the torchlight. Hieroglyphs and ancient paintings of what appeared to be Inamians and massive creatures Alaster could only make out to be dragons lined the walls. Every dragon’s eyes gave him unsettling feelings of being watched. There was a doorway down the hall that rested ajar and judging by the broken cobwebs, was opened recently. Alaster looked behind him; massive rubble blocked the entrance I’m not going back that way. He faced forward and started walking. This was his only hope of escape.

Getting out was proving harder than he thought. Corridors had numerous entrances and exits, some even lead him to previous rooms. Books and scrolls lined aged shelves coated in gray dust from centuries of neglect. Alaster felt as though the slightest touch would make everything crumble. Even so, frustration started to get the better of him and in his anger he kicked over a stack of books with his foot after reentering a room from earlier. He looked down gathering his thoughts when something on the floor caught his eye. It was a set of footprints, they looked fresh, judging by the disturbed dust. But, more importantly they were of a large animal most likely an Inamian. If this would lead to a way out he was going to take it. Hopefully, he would learn what they were after as well. Cautiously he started to follow the tracks. It wasn’t long till he started seeing rooms he had not been in yet. Alaster entered a large chamber that had a chasm to the left and was emitting a sound of rushing water. A great underground waterfall cascaded down from the rocks forming a rainbow from the light that cracked through a gap over five-hundred feet up. There was no way to reach it so Alaster pressed on sidestepping a narrow part of the floor. He passed a large crag with a crack in the wall that held an abysmal darkness in it, light seemed to not penetrate. Unknown to him, eyes revealed themselves as he moved on.

The waterfall could still be heard as he entered the next hallway muffled but still a presence. Ornate wooden pillars lined the hall. Seeing around them took more time than one would like; their shadows fleeing the light of the torch. A red light gleamed on the ground in front of alaster. As he walked up to the object it began to shimmer like a mirror. Kneeling closer he realized it was a small pool of blood.

The waterfall was growing louder but it wasn’t possible. Alasters reflexes saved him again. Drawing his sword off his back, he narrowly blocked a pair of daggers aimed at his neck, sparks danced along the point of impact. A cloaked figure had attacked from above and landed on the flat of his sword with a feather like elegance. It spring boarded off as he swung in retaliation landing away with ease and waiting for his next move. Alaster charged forward and swung at his opponent’s head. Burning pain erupted from the right side of his ribs. Whoever they were was fast. He didn’t realize his opponent had moved when he swung at them the first time. He paid for his bullheadedness, holding his side to staunch the flow of blood. The leather and chainmail he wore held off the blow from being too deep, but just barely. This time his opponent was on the charge. Alaster readied himself at the last possible moment. A flurry of swings rained down on Alaster. Only being able to block the first few attacks, a couple more started hitting his armor. Alaster powered through, striking with the pommel of his sword to their chest and sending his adversary staggering back.

His opponent limped on their right leg for just a moment explains the blood Alaster thought. He took advantage of the moment charging in like before but he was ready this time. The hooded figure ducked, avoiding Alasters strike, he smiled in triumph as the bait was taken. Alaster followed through with his swing, bringing it around full circle and down towards his crouched target. His sword smashed into the floor, the shade dodged to the left staggering on it’s bad leg. Leaving his sword standing in the ground Alaster tackled his enemy disarming one hand and wrenching the knife from the other as he pinned them to a pillar. Using the dagger he reared back for the finishing blow “I KNOW THE WAY OUT!” the dagger rang with its strike missing the target by inches pinning the hood off the wearers head revealing their face.

Sharp, spiteful eyes gazed at Alaster, rich with a golden yellow hue that pierced the darkness of the room. She was a feline Inamian, her fur was a dark almost black, grey that practically blended into the shadows.

“What?” Alaster asked, studying her face hard

“I said I know a way out of this dungeon.” She replied, somewhat irritated he didn’t hear her the first time.

Her cat like ears flat against her head “The way we came collapsed did it not? My guess is you only got here because I accidently left a trail for you to follow.” “You probably figured out by now that this place is a labyrinth.” An amused grin appeared on her face “I’m amazed you didn’t set off any of the traps this place has housed-”

“How do you know the way out?” Alaster interrupted.

She pouted mockingly as if she were a child that wanted to play but was denied. She sighed “Straight to the point then, do you see the markings on these walls? Its ancient scripture, directions and instruction on how to navigate this place and right now, I’m the only one here who can read them.” Alaster thought for a short moment then nodded

“Okay” he pulled the dagger from the pillar releasing her hood and letting her land back on her feet. She staggered and fell on one knee, the wounded leg unable to support her. Alaster offered a hand.

“My name is Alaster, what’s yours?” It was knocked away.

“I don’t need your pleasantries.” She rose on her own and started walking forward past him.

Alaster could tell it was a matter of pride and let her by. He could see a makeshift bandage around the wound. A large scarlet blot trailing down the off white bandage. He admired the amount of composure she had, despite the pain she was no doubt feeling.

Alaster looked at the dagger in his hand, it was elegant but simplistic no ornate gilding or jewels just bushed gray steel and a dark almost black oak handle. He remembered its twin; looking up he could see the Inamian standing over it. Alaster tensed his body in preparation for a possible attack. She looked back at him, and with mutual understanding she placed one padded foot on top of the blade and kicked it back to him. He relaxed his stance and picked up the dagger, placing both of them inside the back of his belt. She was already on the move into the darkness ahead when he looked back up he quickly grabbed the torch off the ground and jogged to catch up to her.

She stayed three steps ahead of him as they navigated the halls, stopping occasionally for her to read the rune engravings. After a while her breathing started to become heavy she braced an arm against one of the walls.

“Do you need a moment?” Alaster asked genuinely.

“No… I’m fine…” she started to fall backwards.

Alaster dropped the torch to catch her as she landed against his chest.

“I’m sorry I have been so withdrawn. I didn’t think a human like you would have been as merciful as you are.” She looked up at him with doe-like eyes. Her face suddenly contorted with shock and surprise.

“Nice try.” Alaster responded.

Behind his back Alaster had grabbed her tail which had been snaking its way toward the back of his belt where the knives were tucked away.

She smiled scathingly “You’ve had this happen before I guess?”

Alaster sarcastically smiled back “You could say that.”

He pushed her back on her feet and picked the torch back off the ground, she started walking again this time without dramatics.

After what seemed like hours they reached a wide opening. The room was empty save for a blue torch near a large stone door which was across a large gap. The floor had eroded away so the only traversable land was six inches of floor still clinging to the wall. The Inamian moved to the ledge without delay and started sideling across. Alaster followed somewhat reluctantly as the floor was slick with water. The slightest slip would send them off the edge. Alaster gazed down at the dark pit that had no sign of a bottom that he could see. The Inamian was just in front of him as she glanced back, amused by Alaster’s reluctance.

“You’re a lot braver than I thought, honestly.” She said “Not many humans would-”

The last step she took had given way! She immediately lost balance and started to fall. Alaster quickly let go of the torch, just barely grabbing her wrist. Behind her the torch fell into the abyss quickly being swallowed by the darkness. They could still see thanks to the torches near the door and were close enough to the other side they locked eyes and nodded in agreement. Alaster started to swing his arm left then right. He released his grip at the peak of his swing. She landed on the other side easily. Alaster made his way there from the edge

“…thank you…” she said as if she had eaten something fowl.

“Don’t mention it.”

They walked up to the door, large runic symbols adorned the stone but as far as Alaster could see there was no way to open it.

“Now what?” he asked, without speaking a word she pulled out a stone cylinder with strange glowing engravings from behind her leather chest piece. As she approached the door an opening appeared for it. She inserted it and twisted to the right the door cracked open releasing ancient dust and air that desperately wanted to escape. When it cleared, they saw what was in the room. Ancient treasures of lost ages, weapons, armor, and gold glittered through the dust. It was however, the very center of the room that caught their attention. Hanging in the air by some sort of ethereal force, was a golden amulet in the shape of a dragon with its wings wrapped around itself; a crimson gem hidden beneath the wings, giving the room a pale red light.