Bab 52: Caught

Finn's vision was blurry after smashing into the cavern wall. Dust, dirt, and chunks of fallen rocks knocked loose from the impact fell on his body.

It doesn't hurt... Oddly enough, the incredible pain he had been expecting did not rear its ugly head. The adrenaline rush had dulled the agony he should be feeling into a tolerable burning sensation.

A good portion of that was coming from his tail. Finn didn't even want to look, knowing what a mangled mess it would be.

Grrrrr...

A deep and low growl immediately caused Finn's vision to refocus as his eyes narrowed to vertical slits. Although he had been separated from the powerful humans, he was still not alone in the cavern.

As he struggled to stand, Finn took deep breaths realizing that there wasn't much time to think. The surrounding air that was still fully saturated with ambient fire energy was now giving Finn a feeling of suffocation.

Managing to sit up despite the intense vertigo, Finn let out an uncontrollable whimper when he saw the fire drakes methodically making their way towards his position.

They didn't appear to be in any hurry, but that only made Finn feel worse. By moving slowly, they were basically telling Finn that they believed he had no hope of escape.

He was cornered. Behind him was the cavern wall, and his left and right were not viable options either. If he started to circle the perimeter, the two drakes would slowly work their way to trap him.

What can I do? Panic was beginning to set in, and each second he wasn't moving was another second he felt he was wasting.

From his position, all he could see was the massive spire in the center embedded to the brim with fire crystals that generated an ominous glow. Beyond that, there was another possibility of an exit at the other end of the cavern, but it would require him to somehow make it past the two fire drakes.

The growls were getting louder, and Finn began to feel the earth tremble as the first massive fire drake approached. A deep rumble from its throat rattled Finn's skull.

By this point, Finn had already circulated his dwindling energy throughout his body, focusing it all on fixing any injuries that would hinder his speed. Many cuts and bruises had to be ignored, including his mangled tail. He needed to conserve what little power he had left.

Finn internally grimaced. This was such a foolish decision in hindsight. Why had he followed the two humans underground?

Finn had not known that the cave the creature had been living in went so deep into a mountain. Even so, he had still followed them because he believed in their strength.

However, now they were separated. Finn began to wonder if they had already fled and left him behind. The dark and gloomy thought dampened his spirits even more.

Finn shook his head, dispelling any unhelpful and distracting thoughts.

Regardless, I will do my best to survive... This hope was slim, but as long as he was alive, there would always be opportunity.

Although he wasn't afraid to die, Finn did not want to leave behind any regrets. There were still things he wanted to do. This world was new and fascinating, and he wanted to explore it more with his boy.

Hmm? Finn noticed that the first fire drake had stopped about a hundred feet away. Tensing up, Finn debated whether or not he should act now, before the other drake approached. Before he could decide on anything though, the fire drake opened its mouth, and flames appeared in its maw.

Like a cat, Finn crouched low and stretched his muscles taught, ready to jump in any direction to dodge the incoming flame attack, however, Finn soon noticed something odd.

Where is it aiming? The fire drake released a stream of deadly fire off to Finn's right side. It wasn't close, but it wasn't far away either.

The fire drake turned its head, drawing a certain shape with the fire. It ceased, and then created another stream of fire on Finn's other side.

Oh no... Finn quickly realized what it was doing. It's cutting off my escape! Finn was now surrounded by a crescent ring of fire. The only space not burning was where the fire drake was standing.

Looking left or right, Finn realized that any chance he had now of running had been snuffed out. The flames that were blocking his escape were turning the rocks they burned on red hot.

Finn quickly wondered how the flames were able to sustain themselves without fuel, before remembering that the air was currently saturated with fire energy, meaning the flaming walls on either side of him would not go out on their own anytime soon.

This was truly the worst case scenario. It didn't take long before the other fire drake approached and stood next to its companion.

It gave Finn a menacing look that was only amplified by the arrow still sticking out of its eye.

Huh! Finn watched as the first fire drake nudged its head against the one with the arrow in its eye. As if complying, the drake growled and lowered its head.

Rip!

In one swooping motion, the first fire drake grabbed and ripped out the arrow out of its companion's eye, causing it to roar in pain before it started licking the fresh blood off its face.

It almost would have been a touching sight if both these vicious monsters weren't out to kill him.

There was a brief moment of peace as the two fire drakes merely observed their trapped prey. A calm before the storm. Finn had his senses dialed to eleven as he waited for them to make a move.

Grrrrr! The fire drake that had the arrow in its eye removed let out a low growl as it stepped forward. As it approached, it began to crouch lower and lower, a threatening fighting stance that Finn instinctually understood.

That being said, even crouching down, the fire drake was still much bigger than Finn. It was a case of David versus Goliath, only Finn did not think David could have won agaisnt two Goliaths.

Finn's blood was roaring in his head, and his mind was firing off at a mile a minute. Why weren't they using flame attacks?

It would have been like shooting fish in a barrel. Finn had no where to run. The walls of flame to either side of him were impossible to push through unless he was willing to be cooked in the process.

The fire drake was getting closer. Finn's eyes narrowed. Screw it!

Opening his mouth, a black hole appeared where Finn was compressing the light. It was the same trick he had used multiple times before!

The fire drake's one good eye widened in surprise, knowing full well what was coming. Immediately, it ceased its approach, closed its eye and turned away, awaiting the flash of light.

However, it was never to come. Finn ceased control of the black sphere which fizzled out into nothing. It was a feint!

Finn did not have enough energy to use his flashbang tactic, but he could fake it to fool the drake!

Seizing the opportunity, Finn barreled past the fire drake at high speed, raking his claws along its hind leg in the process. The fire drake roared in pain and fury, but Finn only became more despondent.

Finn had channeled his light energy into his claws for that swipe, an ability that dramatically increased his claws cutting power at very little energy cost, but it only left a flesh wound behind.

It only reminded Finn of how outclassed he was by these giants. Both his instincts and his reason were in agreement. He could never win against these things on his own.

Having brushed past the first fire drake, Finn once again started to create another black sphere in hopes of fooling the second one. However, his hopes were dashed as a fireball came hurtling towards him.

The other fire drake was not going to give him the chance. Finn tried to halt his momentum to dodge, but the fireball came too suddenly, and there wasn't enough time.

A wave of agony enveloped Finn's shoulder as the fireball struck his body, causing him to unwillingly release a screeching roar. It felt as if millions of needles were being stabbed into his body all at once, continously.

Before he could regain control of his senses, an overwhelming force slammed into him from his side causing him to collapse to the ground. The fire drake he had clawed struck Finn with its tail.

Finn attempted to stand back up, but before he could, his head was slammed into the ground again. Finn let out a whine as he felt teeth digging into his neck. He was pinned to the ground, despite trying desperately to struggle.

In one quick motion, the fire drake that hit Finn with a fireball jerked its head with great force.

Snap!

A horrific crunch could be heard all around as all Finn's movements ceased. The horrible pain from his neck was offset by the sudden loss of feeling of everything below it.

Finn's pupils shook as he realized that he could no longer move his body below his neck. Terror gripped him as the horrible truth became obvious.

His neck had been broken. He was now paralyzed. Finn was completely at the mercy of these two monsters.

Somewhere in another tunnel, two small figures were moving at high speeds.

"Hein, we need more light!" Orn huffed as continued to run down the tunnel.

Frowning, the flames in Hein's hand grew bigger as he channeled more energy into it, causing the tunnel to grow brighter.

Hein followed right behind his father, as the two struggled to navigate the labyrinth that was these tunnels deep in the mountain.

They suddenly came upon a fork that led to two separate tunnels. Stopping, Orn closed his eyes as if he was focusing on something.

"This way!" Orn opened his eyes and declared as he continued running down the left tunnel, Hein in tow.

As they ran together, Hein continuously glanced at his father's broad back. Hein did not understand what his father was doing. After they had been cut off from the magical beast when the cave entrance collapsed, his father had begun running.

It became clear to Hein that his father was searching for another way into the cavern, but Hein could not understand.

"Father..." Hein decided he could not just obediently follow behind anymore. Orn ignored him as they kept running.

"Father!" Hein raised his voice. Orn continued on ignoring him as he made a sharp right. Hein began to get angry.

"Dad stop!" Hein roared as he lost his temper.

Orn slowly came to a halt as he sighed.

"Yes son, what is it?"

Hein glared at his father. "What are we doing?"

This time it was Orn's turn to frown. "We are looking for another way in."

Hein looked deeply into his father's eyes. "Why are we doing this? That magical beast is probably already dead. Even both of us are no match for two of them. We should be heading back home so we can evacuate far away permanently. We have to abandon this mountain."

Orn met his son's gaze with a stoic expression. After contemplating for a brief moment, he spoke. "Son, that magical beast saved your sister's life as well as the lives of many others. Now... I don't know how or why, but that beast possesses a spirit. It is not mindless, and it even agreed to help us of its own free will..." Orn looked around the tunnel before returning his gaze to his son.

"Leaving it... leaving the creature known as Finn behind after everything he has done for our tribe. What kind of Chief would I be if I did so?

Hein let the words his father said weigh on his mind before replying softly. "Is it even possible to defeat those monsters?

Smiling bitterly, Orn clasped his son on the shoulder. "We came here to kill one flaming bastard. What's another one? If it comes down to it, I will hold them off while you flee back to the village."

"What about the magical be- what about Finn?" Hein couldn't help but reply.

"If he is still alive you will escape along with him. Let's keep moving."

Orn began running once again. After a brief moment of hesitation, Hein followed after.