Chapter 28: Ch28 - A Blinding Light In the Darkness
Nravk was back to staring at the entrance, his unblinking gaze fixed on the twisting shadows beyond. He’s waiting for Eleanor to weaken to a point where she can no longer defend herself. Even if we tried to fight him right now he would most likely retreat into the shadows and then sneak attack us.
Ryan’s eyes darted between the glowing crystal that provided their only light, the narrow tunnel entrance, and Eleanor’s pale face. He had to act soon. Slowly, careful not to draw Nravk’s attention, Ryan leaned towards Eleanor. His lips barely moved as he whispered into her ear, "I have an idea. It requires you to use your psychic abilities on him and may involve us being captured by the elves, but it’s better than staying here. Do you think you could get him unconscious for a few minutes?"
Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly, she was unsure whether getting captured and tortured by elves or being eaten alive by Nravk were better or even if her sleep spell would work. But after a few seconds, she gave a weak nod, summoning what little strength she had left.
With a pained groan, Eleanor shifted, drawing Nravk’s attention. "My... my wound," she gasped, her voice thin and strained. "I think it’s getting worse. Could you... could you take a look?"
Nravk hesitated for a moment, and in that moment, Ryan thought he caught the glimpse something crawling under Nravks skin. Then, in a fluid motion that seemed too smooth for his gaunt frame, he approached Eleanor.
As Nravk knelt beside her, reaching out with his unnaturally long fingers, Eleanor mustered every ounce of her remaining energy. The moment his cold skin touched hers, she grabbed his wrist and locked eyes with him.
"impediendum," Eleanor whispered, her voice carrying an otherworldly resonance.
Nravk’s body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock and fury. A low, inhuman growl emanated from his throat, but he couldn’t move.
Eleanor slumped back, her breath coming in short gasps. "I... I put everything into that," she managed to say. "He’ll only be paralyzed for a few minutes, so we need to leave, now."
Ryan nodded, his mind racing. He gently took Eleanor’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Trust me," he said, his voice low and urgent. Without waiting for a response, he strode towards the glowing crystal lodged in the wall that had been their sole light source.
"Ryan, what are you—" Eleanor’s question was cut short as Ryan’s fist connected with the crystal, shattering it.
Darkness engulfed Eleanor, thick and oppressive. She let out a startled gasp, her grip on Ryan’s hand tightening. "Have you lost your mind?" she hissed.
But Ryan was already moving, guiding them towards the tunnel entrance. As they stumbled forward, he spoke quickly, explaining his plan.
"My affinity to light," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "it’s allowing me to see the closest direction of light from the exit. It’s not much, but it’s more than enough to guide us down the right path. If I left the crystal, then the light of the crystal would’ve distorted which direction to go."
Eleanor remained silent, but her grip on his hand told Ryan she understood. They moved as quickly as they dared through the winding tunnels, Ryan’s eyes straining to follow the nearly imperceptible trail of light.
Behind them, a sound began to build – a low, rumbling growl that seemed to come from the very walls of the cave. It grew in volume and intensity until it became a cackling laugh that echoed around them, sending chills down their spines.
"He’s free," Eleanor whispered, fear evident in her voice. "Ryan, he’s coming."
The laughter grew louder, closer. Ryan could feel the vibrations in the ground beneath his feet. They were close to the entrance now, the faint light growing stronger with each step.
Suddenly, the narrow passage opened up. Ahead, Ryan could see the crevice they had originally squeezed through, a sliver of daylight visible beyond.
"There!" he shouted, abandoning all attempts at stealth. "Eleanor, go quickly, I’m right behind you!"
With the last of her strength, Eleanor shuffled as quickly as possible through the crevice. While Ryan turned to face the darkness, his heart pounding in his chest.
Two, wide, unblinking green eyes emerged from the darkness, inching closer.
Ryan slowly moved backwards, cautious to not keep his eyes off of the black mass infront of him.
Suddenly, Nravk exploded with speed, and practically flew towards Ryan.
Ryan raised his hand, summoning every ounce of mana he possessed and waited until Nravk was only inches away from his palm.
"LUX!" Ryan roared, his voice echoing through the cavern.
A blinding flash erupted from Ryan’s palm, accompanied by an intense wave of heat. The spell, fueled by Ryan’s desperation and his innate connection to light, was far more powerful than anything he had managed before.
For a split second, Nravk’s true form was fully revealed in the brilliant light – a short monstrous creature with six dark green limbs, crooked and yellow jagged teeth and elongated fingers, its flesh began to writhe and shift in the illumination. Then, Nravk let out an inhuman shriek of pain and surprise, recoiling from the light. Its flesh sizzled and smoked where the radiance touched it.
Ryan didn’t wait to see more. He turned and bolted for the crevice, diving through just as Nravk’s claws swiped at the air where he had been standing.
Ryan tumbled out of the crevice, gasping for breath. His eyes darted around, expecting to see Elven soldiers or worse. But the mountainside was eerily quiet. There was only Eleanor, leaning against a boulder, her face pale but determined.
"No elves," she whispered, relief evident in her voice.
Ryan nodded, maybe the humans chased them away.
Still catching his breath, Ryan said, "We need to get you to a healer and quickly."