Escaping and Horrors
It’s been more than a several years since I’ve last seen sunlight; the warmth of the sun, the ability to see nearly everything around me, and a colorful outside. If anything, I’m worried about the oncoming storm, figuratively of course; can’t really get into danger of rain, snow, and even thunderstorms. Damn, I just hope I can at least leave. I could actually feel my stomach growl. Wait, I smell something; scorpion, the only delicacy here in the underground lair. I should find some water, my mouth feels dry.
Feeling tired, I yawned. With nothing better to do other than wait out until someone find me, that and wander the lair for umpteenth time. It’s been how long? Been how long since I’ve been trapped here? I don’t quite remember. I turn my left as I hear a scamper of a scorpion behind a rock. I’m surprised these creatures lasted this long, considering how long I’ve been eating them.
I lunge at the insect, and do my usual killing routine; grab the stinger to rip it off as I remove my sharp rock spear made out of a broken stalactite—or was stalagmite?— to stab through the head. But I missed, on purpose, to give the bug a chance to try and attack me. Watching it pathetically freak out got me chuckling. I lodged the spear into the space between the head and the thorax, having it fall limp.
Satisfied with my kill, I pick up the large scorpion. I stand back up, looking for nicks and signs along the cave surfaces so I can head back home. Seeing a symbol ‘pointing’ right, I started towards my home cave pocket. With sense of time gone, and nothing to tell me when it was tomorrow or today other than sleeping, I made no rush.
Today is going to be a good day, but if only I remembered to cook this arthropod before sleeping.
…
Later, I awoke to loud noises of banging and clanking. It’s been a while since I’ve last heard something new, must be miners who’ve forgotten that this cave is inhabited by ferocious monster—a name I’ve been given by the local village who call me nothing but a dog; an animal out of all things. Glad that they decided that hunting me was a bad idea.
I head towards closest wall I can get to the source. Finding the wall nearby the collapsed entrance, I prepped myself by standing at a distance from it in case of anything explosive. Not too far, nor too close to be seen right off of the bat. The noise suddenly stopped, and was replaced by the unmistakable sound of metal striking the granite and limestone boulders. I crouched lower behind the rock I hiding behind and stared.
After several minutes of the repetitive dinging sound, the little beam of light shone through a small hole in between the rocks. Suddenly, it plugged up. I then ran from behind my rock, and leaped into the corridor that was out of the way of the entrance. A loud boom sound erupted followed by rocks falling to the floor, proving my suspicions; they use explosives and they’re pretty determined.
I ran back to my chamber and threw on some old armour forged together from the various hunters and mercenaries. Seeing how they were of all a different species each time, most of the armor didn’t exactly protect each part evenly. Hopefully I don’t have to put it to the test with arrows; or anything for that matter.
I then grabbed my little butterfly knife, an old favorite of mine, and snaked my way back to the entrance. I pressed my back to the wall, trying to make myself as small as possible and peered around the corner; several creatures smaller than me wearing hard hats and planting lamps at various parts around the large chamber. Not a good idea if they brought in some mercenaries to protect them—caves were always filled with nasty bugs and whatnot.
I continued to watch them for a while until they saw their first scorpion. They yelled, and some even tried to attack the large insect with what they had; poor weapon choices of shovels and pickaxes. Hearing the faint thunk sound of an arrow hitting its target, I cringed—they were armed and most likely willing to kill anything that opposed them.
Seeing the scorpion fall limp and dead after several more arrows, the killer appeared through the entrance and analyzed the insect. I retracted my head back to safety, not wanting to be seen as another creature that wants to be killed. I peered back around slowly, and studied the mercenary; armored with what looked like thick metal protecting vital organs, and a crossbow being carried in his forelegs. I squint my eyes and found that he was a pony—a pretty dominant creature within the country, not that I’m worried about the species.
I watched him smirk and take a deep breath; most likely glad he’ll have the chance to take me down, that is, if he knew I was last seen here. I threw a rock to the other side of the chamber. Watching them turn their heads at the noise, I slunk deeper into my tunnel and left the entrance, hoping that they don’t find me when I start packing up my vital instruments and belongings.
…
My world, completely different from what I remember now, all because of the day that these ponies decided to enter my home cave; I couldn’t wander the caverns so carelessly now, could get caught and hunted down by the mercenary; I couldn’t hunt for my delicacy on the opposite side of the entire chain of caverns, they were mining that specific area as I watched from a distance; I couldn’t even rest easily now due to the fear of them finding me.
Often, more than once, I thought for a minute they found me while I watched, but they only heard a coworker of theirs entering the side opposite of the cavern. Thanks acoustics, you saved me more than I could count.
My favorite one to pony-watch was the mercenary; not sure what he exactly does in the scheme of things, other than kill the extremely large scorpions within the chamber they needed cleansed, I watched him as he sat nearby the miners on a rock occasionally checking his arrows and polish what I assumed to be his sword.
I smiled for the first time since I’ve found out that there are naturally hot rocks in what is now my hot springs and water source. I knew that I could finally escape; I just needed to know a way to leave without alerting the horde, so to speak.
I retreated back to my chamber as I concluded today’s usual tasks of pony-watching. I then reached for my used duffle bag and threw the strap over my head as I walked back towards the entrance of the cavern.
Seeing no one guarding, or even awake near the entrance, I walked past the sleeping bunch of ponies, being extremely careful not to awake a single one, even more so when the floor changed to wood and the area changed into a shack. A quick creak of the floorboards behind froze me in a shock. I slowly turned my head and looked at the source; a sleeping pony who drunkenly stumbled to bed; I worried, but not too much to stop me. I gently tiptoed to the front door of the shack to find the mercenary with his back towards me, doing something I cannot recognize as something publicly accepted.
I opened the door slowly, watching the armored pony as I did so, and exited to the outside world.
“Any updates on the site sergeant?” The younger changeling spoke as he clambered up the tree. “The queen wants to know if this is going to affect the hive at all.”
“Only one update,” She replied, looking through her issued recon binoculars. “There seems to be a biped creature with some sack on its back heading south, presumably what appears to be in the same direction as our main hive would be.”
“But sarge,” the littler one responded. “Should we take drastic measures in case it finds where our entrance would be?”
“No,” The changeling then lowered her binoculars and looked into the direction it was heading. “If it were to head in a straight line, the wastelands will take care of it. The ferals will kill it, if not dehydration.”
…
After what seemed like forever, I finally came across a water source. Definitely not the best, but it’ll have to do. “At least I have a strong immune system,” I chuckled to myself, drinking from the running brook. I gasped, and quickly covered my mouth, surprised at how much my voice ‘matured’. “I sound like a ghoulish creature. I guess it has been too long.” I searched for a pool of a sort to wash myself.
A howl from the distance caught my attention; I looked around for movement and pulled out my rock spear, ready to kill in defense. After having to hear nothing, I relaxed a little, and turned back around to continue drinking.
Not even ten second later until I hear grass rustling behind me. I lurch forward into a roll and turn around to see a black, equine-bug creature of horror; teeth bared with lust for blood. With a primeval growl, I jabbed my spear directly at the creature’s abdomen. It juked to the side and leaped, mouth gaping like an attacking dog. Reflexively, I swat with my forearm to send to the ground, hard. I then lift my spear again and strike again into the hind legs, crippling it as the rock went through the broken exoskeleton—wait, exoskeleton?
The creature then shrieked in pain before giving up and falling limp. “Probably died of shock,” I concluded, muttering under my breath. Looking at the spear, I pull it out and looked into the inside of the shell.
Seeing how that there’s supposed flesh, I start to tear apart the shell revealing that there’s indeed possible edible flesh. Looking around in case they came in packs, I prep myself for another attack. Sensing none, I start to build a fire.
“I guess this is where I camp tonight,” I whispered as I watched the unrecognizable star patterns slowly swirl around the sky.
“Sarge, did you just see that?” The changeling said looking from behind a ridge, watching the bipedal creature.
“I did indeed,” she replied, looking through her binoculars. The changeling then scribbled some notes into her field journal. “This is more important to report to the queen. Private,” the smaller one stood at attention. “Send this piece of paper to the queen and come back, I do need someone send these reports.”
The youngling looked at the piece of paper and read what was on the page. “So it’s carnivorous, able to fight, and resourceful?” He looked back up. “Is it possible to say that it’s sapient?”
The sergeant shook her head. “We can’t, not yet,” She peered back into her binoculars. “A very high possibility, but we just say that yet. Just give the queen the report and come back; I don’t think I’ll be able to converse with it alone if it isn’t sapient. You saw what it did with the feral.”
He snorted. “But that was only with an independent one, imagine what would happen if a pack came along,” The changeling smirked and shook his head. “He wouldn’t even last five minutes.”
“Yes, that’s why you need to hurry!” She snapped. “We could have a very important creature on our hands, and it may be only one of its species! If there were more, and were sapient, we could have a powerful ally on our hands. Now hurry! We don’t want another dead changeling on our hooves; especially if they got sent to the Pit.”
The changeling private never dashed so fast in his life for the fear of the Pit.
…
Honestly, Black Bug Horror Kabob actually tasted good. Tasted like scorpion tail, but better than the tingling taste it left me from time to time. I don’t think it was pretty smart to go ahead and eat a random creature’s flesh, but if I die, then I die. At least I can die as a myth used to scare little ones. I chuckle at the thought, imagine a creature that just wanted to buy a hat and maybe once or twice jokingly teased what are the leaders of such country. I completely regret nothing.
I look at my golden Pimp-Boy 3 billion poking out of my duffel bag. A stupid thing to make, even back then; I never actually had an idea on how it worked. Either way, the dumb books I’ve read about nuclear fallout describing this device as an ‘item you never live without’; stupid books.
I fiddled with the little switches, buttons, and the gearwheel. Honestly, it worked for about ten minutes as a giant watch, but broke due to me hitting it on a wall to try to get it off. Besides, magi-tech was rare come by, so no need to repair it. Gold was relatively easy to find, thank Lord Helix, but so hard to repair.
I look around the dark, looking for an excuse to start moving. Of course there was nothing. I suspected some kind of raiding party to come by and attack me, but that was just paranoia. Hearing rustling again, I stood up and intensely stared where the source came from, hoping to scare anything away. Seeing nothing, I sat back down and went back to watching the fire with my hand firmly gripping the spear.
Looking from side to side, I set up a torch and placed it a distance away from the main fire. That should prevent some stray eyes, and mouths. I finally head back to the larger fire and fed more wood. That should last me for the rest of the night I hope, no need to actually cause a wildfire.
I lay down on the ground, and propped my head with my duffel bag. Just hope no one comes by.
Several hours later found me waking up a very bright light. Bird Jesus, please dim the light! I can’t see. And just like that, it dimmed. I then opened my eyes and finally saw what I’ve been walking through last night; a wasteland of red dirt, cacti, and hills of rock. I sigh, and look around to find what I presume what was my supper last night, a dead and black carcass of a used-to-be horror.
I take a closer to look to find that it looked very much like a bug creature of some sort. “Must be an evolution,” I mumble, “But for what exactly?”
I shrug it off and grabbed my duffle bag. I then fill a couple of scorpion poison pouches with water. It wasn’t really difficult to cleanse the poison stingers, but it definitely took several trial and errors to successfully create one without breaking the exoskeleton. I trudged on, in the same direction as I did last time.
My logic was that, if I walked in one direction infinitely, then I’ll eventually hit some kind of civilization of settlement; or at least a river so I can get to a road. They do have roads here, right? It’s been too long.
I walk to my first ridge and start climbing. I need to get to the highest point to I can at least see. As soon as I reach the top, suddenly the sun grew harsher and I recoiled. Never in my life have I thought living in that cave would ruin my eyes. I then turn my hands into a visor; now that’s being a smart cookie. I searched for a life of civilization. Seeing none but wasteland, I then continued my journey.
It’s going to be a while.
…
The female changeling watched as the bipedal creature walked away from the ridge where she just was ten minutes ago. She cursed under her breath and quickly rushed to gain some space between them.
“Come on private,” She muttered. “Get here quicker, the hive isn’t even that far!” She mentally slapped herself for cutting her connection to the hive mind, would’ve gotten things done quicker.
Hearing shuffling directly behind her, and light buzzing of wings, she quickly turned and found her companion standing directly behind her. “Good morning sarge,” He groggily saluted. “The queen wanted me to sleep at the hive, but I disagreed and decided to sleep nearby the creature.”
“What?” She hissed. “Do you have any idea how foolish of a decision that was?” she frowned as her temper simmered. “At least you didn’t get caught.”
“I know,” He yawned. “But I’m here now, so what’s the update?”
“The update is that we’re behind!” The changeling flew up the ridge and landed on the top, to find the creature sitting ten metres away; eating what remained of the feral on a stick. “Also, it’s eating again, so please be careful and try not to be seen,” She whispered into the youngling’s ear as she pulled him behind a bush.
Several seconds went by before the silence was broken. “So what did the queen think of the report?” The sergeant mouthed.
“She said it was very interesting and that she’ll look into it,” He replied. Sensing the disappointment of the sergeant, he continued. “It wasn’t until I told her that it has a possibility of being sapient and was heading towards the hive that she decided to take action.”
“Which was?”
“She wanted to meet with the creature personally to test the theory of being sapient, despite how much her advisees next to her told her not to,” He bit his lip. “Even after I told her it ate one of our own for food, she decided strongly that she wanted to meet with it.”
The female changeling chuckled and peered over the bush; it didn’t move. Good. “Nothing can stop the queen after making a thoughtful decision,” she frowned. “Even when it came to the decision of the invasion,” she sighed and peered back over the bush; the creature is getting ready to move.
The youngling watched. “Whelp, time to move,” he stood and was suddenly hit by the cactus above him. He loudly yelped, getting the attention of the bipedal creature.
The sergeant watched it unfold before her very eyes, and knew that the changeling’s yelp was the trigger.
I watched as black horror rubbed its head and quickly hid behind the bush once it noticed me. I grew wary about the past hours that went by. Could they’ve been spying on me the whole time? I grunted in disbelief then shook my head. How long could they’ve been watching? Since I exited of the cave? My mind blanked as I remembered why there was a mercenary; he was there for their protection, not for the creatures. No wonder why he had thick armor and was well-equipped.
So are these the raiders I have to worry about? Are they sapient?
I holstered my rock spear—or at least, used it as a walking stick—and started slowly in their direction. This might be a dumb move, but it might just work. As I get about two yards away, I start to hear hushed whispers, like as though they were calming themselves.
“Hello?” I quickly ask, wondering hopefully they can understand. Someone on this planet has got to understand my language, right?
“Ye’shing?” the bush replied, or the horrors inside replied. “Cust yoin’ah jundasteend?”
Surprised at the fact they can hear my voice and actually reply got me excited. “I can somewhat understand, but it sounds like a person with a terrible accent,” I then crouch down and try to get a good look though the bush. My eyes failed due to my terrible eyesight in this hellish light. “Maybe if you can get from behind to bush so I can actually see you.” More hushed whispers.
“Ja,” it replied, sounding feminine. “Juuz doo’ta hoot tosh.”
A fairly short horror—why I keep calling them that?—walked from behind the bush and looked at me with large, blue eyes. Unlike the soulless, onyx black eyes I’ve seen on the horror last night, this creature had feeling behind it, as though it was a young child so scared that it might’ve dropped bricks at the faintest disruption. It looked fairly young, despite the fact I’ve never seen an adult version of it; might’ve been pony-watching for a bit too long.
Then, the second one appeared, obviously older due to the height difference and apparent build. Looking very similar to the smaller one next to it, it had apparent features with made more different; it had more apparent curves around the abdomen area, the mane—or hair thingies—had a volume to it and looked stylized. I assumed this was the feminine voice one.
I stood and saw how high they stand, which was about to my belly button. Last I checked I was about a hundred and seventy eight centimeters, pretty tall compared to my parents. The tallest one gave me a face that reminded me why I’m talking to them in the first place.
“Why were you spying on me?” I said bluntly, just wanting to get this over with.
“Uhh” The older one started. “Whee shpee’d onii yoin’ah be’cushii whee sween yoin’ah ah’ti ze mi’inne.”
“Err,” I paused, trying to figure out the cryptic message. “You saw me at the mine and followed me the whole time from then? Thanks, I really ‘ppreciate it. But if you can guide me to civilization, then I’ll just be on my way.” I turned.
“W-wai’tisha!” The littler one spoke, having me turn back around. “J’ower Kweenish wattentah tou talkishay tou yoin’ah!”
“All I heard was queen,” I crouched back down. “So I’m assuming you’re going to bring to your queen, right?” The creatures nodded. “Alrighty then, let’s go,” I stood.
“You lead the way,” I gestured as I watched the black creatures walk in the same direction as I was heading earlier. That might’ve been the reason why they followed me, maybe.
…
After climbing another ridge and nearly tripping over several roots, the land around me had increased in the frequency of flora; grass, trees, and even a couple daisies and desert flower patches. Eventually we walked up to what seemed to be a really old cave covered with creepers and unrecognizable blue flowers. I steered clear away from them, no harm in being extremely safe right?
The taller creature banged its foot against the rim of the cave opening, causing a hollow sound. I raised a brow at the idea of hollowed rock, but shrugged it off as I saw more horrors appear from the depths of the cave. I looked around for a spot to sit down, and watched as the group of horrors converse in the language I can mostly understand.
The younger one sat next to me and looked at me with a vigorous look of curiosity. Not that I blame him, my species have never been seen before my forced move to the cave. Which reminds me, what happened in the past several years? The outside looked like it needed serious TLC with some rain. During my escape, it was a fairly vegetated land. Did I survive a war? Or was it just like the Garden of Eden story—where the vegetation was forever lost and the area around was just wasteland? I’ll never know.
Hearing a whistle, I looked up and saw them waving for me to follow. I stood and obediently followed for the sake that I’ll never find another group of species again, or even survive the odd vegetation out here.
Due to the cave being lit with glowing moss scattered around the surface of the chambers, my eyes barely needed to adjust from the bright outside to the dim cavern. Looking around, I found that the pathway was very snaky and fairly descending. It wasn’t until the cavern opened up into a wide, and tall, chamber of green and bodies. Amazed by the sheer size and how much it resembled a city, I sat down and admired. Upon seeing me sitting down, however, the female horror prodded me with her horn and budged me to get moving. I mumbled under my breath and continued following them.
Once reaching the supposed ‘streets’ of the city, the amount of creatures around me grew exponentially as we headed to a large bulbous dome in the center of the city. I looked around and found several of these creatures whispering to each other and caught some hints of snickering. I then felt my nervousness grew within me I got closer to the dome. Once we reached the dome, a pair of what I assumed was guards were sitting on both sides of a doorway. My escorts pushed it open and gestured for me to go ahead.
Biting my lip, I continued and followed the green ‘carpet’ to another doorway again guarded by two horrors. They nodded at me and pushed the door open again. I entered the room, and had the doors shut behind me. I jumped at the sound, and turned towards my supposed destination. Seeing nothing, I stepped forward.
“Is this the throne room?” I said aloud, hoping someone would hear me.
“It is indeed,” a voice echoed. “Now be a dear and wait a second, I’ll get to you.”
I paused, and opened my mouth, “Now you wonder how and why I can speak you language?” I nodded instead, hoping the assumed queen would see. “Good, I learned your language after several humans appeared on our planet and indirectly caused a civil war between the ponies. They’re long gone, and so was I; until I decided to grow my kingdom!” The voice grew more robotic, and scratchy. “Soon, the ponies will now bow to their new queen! That is, if I decide that’s the best choice.”
Feeling a cold breeze on my neck, I quickly turned around and found what would put the horrors outside to shame. It would put all the horrors that I’ve had before to shame. I dropped my walking stick and backed away, fearing what I was seeing.
It smiled, showing glistening fangs built upon a metal, most likely stainless steel, covering of the left side of its face. I analyzed closer and saw that most of the body was made, or covered in the same material as the face. I cringed and backed away farther. It walked closer and brushed the sheet-like strand of metal hair away from her face. Revealing its body showed me that this looked like a modified version of the smaller ones outside, but it had pupils instead of it being a single-colored eye.
“It appears I strike fear within others,” It chuckled. “And that is the look I’m wanting to receive.” It then flew with its wings and landed on its throne, made of silver, wood, gold, and skulls, most likely from those who opposed her and have successfully been dealt with.
“Oh apologies,” The horror spoke after adjusting herself on the crafted throne. “I’ve forgotten introductions; my name is Chrysalis, queen and brood-mother of the changelings. We changelings have been around for many millennia, and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance and your ally.”
Overwhelmed by the titles and sudden friendship, I tried to make up a coherent reply, but only let out jumbled words. The Queen giggled at my attempts. “I know that it’ll be a while to get used to, but just call me Chrysalis,” she coughed, and two ‘changelings’ came directly from behind her throne, equipped with armor contrasting the opaque exoskeleton. “Don’t worry about them; they’re going to be your escorts to your room, one prepared while we were having our conversation. Now, are there any questions?”
I lifted my finger and then cleared my throat. “Is it possible I can get washed up and maybe some decent food, I missed eating fruit,” I looked at my beaten armor. “And maybe some custom designed armor; I don’t like wearing multiple different factions’ armor.”
I looked back at the queen to see her with a large smirk, sending shivers down my spine. Oh boy, this doesn’t look good. “Well, I’ll see about your armor tomorrow,” her metal fang slipped through as she smiled. “But for the rest of the day, let’s just have you rest and feast. I’m fairly certain you’re starving, I know I am.” In less than a second, it felt the room grew unusually cold. I shiver and look at her guards as they shuffle their forelegs, confirming that I wasn’t the only one to feel that.
I sighed, and headed towards the door where it opened as soon as I approached near. I felt a nudge on my leg to see the little changeling from earlier standing near me. “Hey little guy, wanna come with me?” I said as I picked him up.
“I’m afraid he can’t,” Chrysalis said as she walked up next to me. “But I will make sure that he’ll become a close companion when you want to wander around the city; wouldn’t want any changeling thinking that you’re a stray wanderer.”
“I’ll be sure to take that into consideration,” I turn back around and gestured for the changelings to follow and lead the way. “Maybe I could grow to like these horro- er I mean changelings a bit more,” I said, giving my best playful smile I could’ve in a long time. Looking at Chrysalis, I could feel the smile become forced, and crack at my remark. Did I eat a bad scorpion today? It wouldn’t have been the first time for that to happen.
I just hoped Chrysalis didn’t catch the word I was about to say, or what it meant.