Shield of Fire

For how long they kept walking underground, Crini couldn’t know. She had lost the essence of time since she was transported back from the illusionary realm. Dawn and evening and night, all were tangled like a giant ball of wool. Tadal was following - behind when the tunnels got too narrow, or beside her when the space could permit - marching slowly to match his pace with hers. He was still limbing but his wounds were in better condition after Crini did some tending to them.

Pushing forward, Crini was looking desperately around for a way to move up to the level before the earthquake. Down here, the temperature was still up, making breathing difficult for such a small creature as her compared to prince Tadal. He was looking withered as well but Crini was feeling like she’d faint any second now. Every breath was harder to get and dizziness was paying her frequent visits at times. But now, she was not alone.

Xepo was there, giving her strength with his essence and words to push herself beyond her limits. He also told her the facts of the fight with Exalos at that time and what he had spotted that could help in his defeat now. Crini showed genuine interest in his teaching. And trust when Xepo insisted to keep moving forward. However, there was nothing new ahead and no possibility to exit Friki mountain alive.

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” Crini had asked once whispering as low as she could and the growl from Xepo was enough to make her not question him again.

After they found a small open space, Tadal took a seat leaning on a rock while he made a gesture with his arm for Crini to follow his lead. “There’s no time for rest Tadal.” she sighs exhaustedly. “If we spend the night here, I’m afraid it will be our last one. We can barely breathe.”

“I promise we won’t take long. Just to grab a bite and we’re moving.” Tadal breathlessly responds and Crini gets surprised that he didn’t make any sour comments about not referring to him by his title as he hardheadedly insisted all this time. “Is there any Loza’s left?”

Crini grabs a short rope hanging on her shoulder and brings it in front of her. On it, a series of dead small creatures - a combination of chicken and lizard - hangs. “We have three left.” Losing the knot on the rope around one’s tail, Crini hands over the carcass to Tadal. The latter brings it on his face before he tears open its flesh with his sharp teeth with one large bite. Getting one for herself, Crini sits down with crossed ankles and open knees trying to eat it. The skin was very hard for human teeth, so Crini had to take off the skin using her sword which was not convenient at all. Thankfully, those creatures could be eaten up fresh, because finding woods to set up a fire to cook would be a guaranteed death for them. That was a luxury they couldn’t have at the moment.

Even chewing this thing was draining her energy and after a couple of bites, Crini left staring at the path ahead idly. Tadal was murmuring something but it was a noise in the background as her mind and body began to operate in hibernate mode.

“I think I’m hallucinating.” she laughs at herself. Her statement catches prince Tadal’s attention.

“Why do you say that?” he spits in suspicion.

“Are those roots?” she slowly speaks rising with difficulty her arm to point in the distance. Tadal narrows his eyes as if there’s a haze that blocks his vision.

Suddenly, his brows arch up in surprise and his eyes grow wide. “You’re right, they’re roots!” he exclaims. Sitting up hastily the prince starts walking towards it. Crini places her hands on the floor pushing her aching and drained body up. Tadal looks in bright spirits. With his long strides, he has already approached the roots and spread his arms to test them. When Crini approaches, Tadal’s arms are wrapped around a thick root, pushing it down with as much strength as left in him.

“I think there’s open space above” Crini smiles after a very long time. Finally, a string of hope shows on the horizon. Tadal catches another root around his other arm, and once he’s confident that they might hold his weight, he lifts one leg up against the sidewall. Pushing himself, his other leg leaves the ground and plants on the sidewall, while his arms pull tight on the roots. With careful steps, prince Tadal brings himself up and closer to their escape.

Crini just stands there, unintentionally clenching her fists in agony as she watches Tadal ascending and praying he’ll make it. Not because she cares for him - on the contrary, if she had options she would choose to stay as far away from him as possible - but because she has to cooperate with him to stay alive as the events turned out.

With a loud grunt, Tadal rolls up to the upper level, out of breath. He made it. Before he sits up, he turns to look at Crini, who’s still standing below, waiting for him. The roots are barely long to reach them. Tadal gives her a wary look, making her agony convert to panic.

Is he going to leave me behind?

The seconds between their gazes stretch for too long, making her body tremble in fear as his eyes were examining her. Finally, he stretches his right arm down for her to grab. With one hand on the roots and the other on Tadal’s strong grip, the latter gives a push, pulling her up like a raged doll. They both stay on the ground trying to catch their breaths, with bright smiles painted on their faces. One step at a time.

Crini could feel the difference. The air is much lighter and she can breathe easier. The temperature is lower - almost normal - making her body feel less sore. Giving her a push to keep going. Once they have gathered some courage and brawn, they stand up and drag their feet, not bother dusting their clothes from the dirt covering them.

Taking deep breaths they push each other spitting orders to give them courage. And they seem both doing just fine. Unexpectedly, a light breeze washes over them. They momentarily freeze looking at each other with high spirits. Pushing their bodies to the max, they start running with high hopes and joy that they’ll actually make it. A bright spot appears in the distance, making them gasp a laugh.

The bright spot, turns into a big circle, getting bigger with each step. Their way to salvation. Stepping outside, they meet with an unforgivingly bright sun causing them to stop short on their feet, bringing their hands up to cover their eyes. Blinking a number of times, until they become used to the bright sunlight, Crini slowly removes her hand to look at the inarticulate voices suddenly reaching her ears. A wave of relief overwhelms her as she sees familiar faces running toward them.

However, some are not here.