Trapped

Iris pulled the sword out and chopped at its head until it turned into mush, slumped on the floor panting and gulped, breathless and terrified after the harrowing near-to-death experience. She was exhausted, scared, afraid, and most of all, realised she wanted to live. Through the green goo, something faintly glowed, and Iris slugged through the mush and scrapped at it with its bare hands, trying to find the source of the glow and pulled out a glowing stone that was spent in her hands. The purple light told her that she had found what she had come for. Iris fisted the stone and sighed, relieved.

" At least this much!" Iris grumbled, grabbing the hilt of her sword and sluggishly pushing herself off the ground, groaning at the stabbing pain in her chest.

Iris hugged her ribs, holding tight to the stone began descending the slope through the trees, walking back on her steps, dragging her feet across the forest floor.

" Nest, my ass", she scoffed" Fucking liar!" Iris angrily grumbled as she stepped back into the river bed.

Her gaze settled on a small path that led to the other ridge and she limped her way back up the hill. She didn't know why, but the wētā had gone quiet since she had killed the mother of all wêtā and taken the stone from its head.

Iris stabbed the obsidian blade into one of the rocks to pull herself up the hill, groaning in pain. She looked at the ridge, trying to remember where Amwell had opened the door, but she frowned when she couldn't see anything but smooth rock.

" Fuckers!" Iris grumbled again, stabbing another rock with the sword and took a few more staggering steps up the cliff.

She made her way up the slope with heavy steps. The sharp pain in her chest wouldn't relent. She unfurled when she reached the smooth ridge. Iris pushed the blade under her arm and brushed her fingers across the wall before her. She felt pricks in the tip of her fingers, and a door slid open.

Iris braced herself against the threshold. She hissed at the sharp pain in her palm when she touched the threshold but managed to drag her feet across it, falling onto her knees and huffing. Every single step was a struggle as the pain increased exponentially as the rush of the battle faded.

Iris raised her eyes, panting. There was no trace of the Shaddow Lords. They were hiding again.

" Cowards!" Iris huffed, annoyed, and pushed herself off the obsidian floor, grunting, and hissing in pain.

Iris shuffled her feet and looked around, hugging her chest " Show yourselves!" Iris rasped and screamed in frustration.

Her scream echoed several times, and Amwell finally stepped out of the shadows with a pitying look.

Amwell pulled something out of her hair, looked at the twig in her hand and threw it on the floor.

" That's quite impressive! We thought it would take you longer!" Owston said, approaching her from behind, halting his steps next to her.

Owston looked at her from head to toe and grimaced " You stink!" he huffed and waved his hand before his nose.

" I know!" Iris huffed and glared at him.

" I need to wash and to heal! I think I have a few broken ribs." Iris groaned and hugged her chest, curling up on herself so much that her forehead touched her knees.

Amwell weakly smiled and grabbed her arm " Come with me!" she said as everything faded into darkness.

When she finally could see again, she found herself in a small room while Amwell rummaged in a chest for something.

" Where am I ?" Iris asked, unfurling, and looking around the room for a moment forgetting about that pain that shot through her body.

The room was empty, with no bed, no table or chairs, just a tub and the chest.

Amwell pulled her head out of the chest, holding something in her hand " This is my chamber, dear." she replied, walking to the tub.

" Come!" Amwell urged her, and Iris stumbled to stand but curled in pain again and grunted.

" Where is the bed?" Iris asked with a grimace as she finally gathered enough strength to push herself off the floor and stood up.

" We don't sleep!" Amwell replied with a wry smile, taking the sword out of her hand, and placing it on the floor.

Amwell opened the palm of her hand " I know you found it." she looked at her hand curled up around her chest.

Iris wryly chuckled" I don't think so! You lied to me, so I'll hold onto the stone for now if you don't mind, "Iris accused, and Amwell nodded.

" I can clean myself!" Iris pushed the goo soaked dress off her shoulder, letting it pool at her feet.

Amwell nodded " If you need anything, just call my name." Amwell said and disappeared out of the room.

Iris looked around and slipped into the tub, and shivered as soon as the cold water touched her skin, as the pain wasn't enough. She had to bathe in cold water.

" Haven't you heard of warm water," Iris grumbled, splashing cold water on herself.

Iris uncurled her arm and looked at the dull shine of the purple stone. She had to make it to Ironstone before it was too late.

Edýia had saved them, and now it was her turn to return the favour. Even though she was just a vessel, she didn't deserve to die.

Iris fisted the stone and slipped under the water, trying to wash away the goo in her hair.

" You can't leave the Valley." she heard a muffled voice from under the water.

Iris surfaced, gasping for air, and glared at Owston " What are you doing here? And what do you mean I can't leave the Valley?" Iris threw Owston a dirty look and leaned against the tub.

She looked down at herself, the water had turned green, and luckily, he couldn't see under the water.

" Nobos has instructed us to keep you here," Owston informed and sat on the edge of the tub

" That prick!" Iris hissed

" Watch me! Nobos may command you, but he has no power over me." Iris smirked

" Now, if you could make yourself scarce. I need to get dressed and leave this cursed place." Iris barked, and Owston scoffed.

" Without our help, you can't leave the Valley. Do brace yourself for a very uncomfortable stay." Owston annoyingly pointed out and dissipated into thin air.

Iris let out an exasperated cry and stood out of the water. Her irritation exceeded the pain. She looked around, looking for something to dry herself with.

" Figures! No towels or warm water. This place is a nightmare." she chuckled at her pun, and she wished Ian would be there with her.

" Is it you who doesn't want me to leave the Valley?" Iris sullenly asked and picked up a cloth no bigger than a kerchief and patted herself dry.