Intermission Two I

A few days had gone by while Loki and Zero recuperated from the climb. Both of them were pretty in shape and were confused by how they barely could move their bodies how they wanted, seemingly weighed down, and action between thoughts seemed to lag. The Ledge they rested on retreated deeper into the side of the cave than they had expected. They spent the first couple of days searching its limits and realized they had begun to walk for some time when bushes turned into trees that stopped just below the cave's ceiling. They both were more sure now that this had to be artificial as moss stretched over solid stone, only interrupted by strong roots drilling deep into the mountain.

The creatures near the entrance consisted of a climbing and skittering variety. Three horned mountain goats perused the assortments of foliage that took root there. At the same time, rock and flame salamanders hunted the giant centipedes and other oversized insects that kept this ecosystem thriving but deeper into the mountain, where the trees began to sprout and bunch together, creating a reasonably convincing forest within this cave. About an hour's walk in or away from the cliff led you to the beginning of the forest, where intrigue gripped them both, forcing them to make a camp right on the outskirts. The light from the entrance at that point reached far enough for them to tell when it was day or night.

During the day, they would walk as far as the light from the entrance would allow them. In the canopy above, they could make out what seemed like birds at first, long beaks ending at a point with little coos or caws here and there at their presence. As they walked, more and more would appear above them, three keen eyes on each one watching intently. It wasn't until they were separated from each other by a few yards did one swoop down to attack before it could reach Zero though Loki had formed a spear, quickly chucking it, penning the creature to a nearby tree through the chest. The others immediately let out cries of concern as they fled the area leaving Loki and Zero to analyze what they thought were birds at first.

From high up at the top of the canopy, they seemed much smaller as they flew from branch to branch, but up close, they realized these things' wing spans rivaled most lengths of vehicles. What they thought were feathers were really scales that jutted from the body akin to feathers, and their wings were leathery. Three now lifeless eyes seemed to resemble a creature not used to light with a grayish foggy tenge. The beak, while razor-sharp itself, concealed rows of teeth that reached deep into the throat. "They must consume Rock Shell Beatles." Zero added, noting the teeth running deep into the throat. Loki's spear dissipates, allowing them to retrieve the light body. They figured it wasn't a scavenger, so they started a small fire to cook its meat. To their surprise, it was rich and soft, almost sweat, so sweat they craved more, but the smell of their comrade pushed the rest of the flying creatures further into the cave.

On the third day, they moved past the light threshold from the entrance because Zero was adept in elemental Ether. They could form a flaming orb that bobbed just above them as they walked. Darkness enveloped them as the light from the entrance was entirely gone. Now they could only make out a circular ring of light that ended sharply at a curtain of darkness. As they walked, they noticed eyes high and low ducking away from the light or circling the edge before quickly darting away. Unfamiliar sounds bounced off the walls around them. Sometimes they could have sworn the callings seemed specific, as if someone or something was relaying information to each other. They would have continued, but while they walked, something small and solid flew past Loki's head, splitting the skin of his cheek below the eye.

Before they could react, a flurry of tiny objects started whizzing by. They did everything possible to dodge and retreat as the darkness shot more bullets at them. When they finally made it back to the threshold of the entrance light, it had become midday. They fell into the soft orange glow of the sun. As they did, the firing stopped. They watched as eyes reflecting the light slowly slunk away into the darkness. They would spend the next four days recovering. They could see that what was being shot at them now were hollow tendrils coated in an iridescent slime. Loki would collapse with a fever from whatever these poison-covered spikes had on them. The Mothers Mold had already begun fighting it and creating an antidote that would pump through Zeros' veins normally via the Mothers Mold, but Loki's body had nothing to fight it.

Zero worried for Loki, so they collected the spare tendrils to analyze the liquid further. They realized it was venom only being able to take effect if inside the body. They also noticed that a concentrated amount of Ether would dissipate the liquid in mere moments, leaving just the projectile behind. Soon Loki's fever worsened, and Zero realized they would have to share some of the Mothers Mold to counteract the venom and needed to collect enough venom from the source to make an antivenom that wouldn't kill Loki or cause the Mother Mold to rewrite any fundamental part of Loki as an "attempt" at saving his life.

"I'll return shortly..." Zero said, propping Loki against a tree nearest to the campfire. They focus on gathering a good amount of Ether before expressing it outward, along with massive killing intent.

"That way, nothing is coming near this area. At least for the next three days. You can hold out for that long, right?" Zero asked a gruesomely pale Loki, whose eyes fought to stay open.

"y-You just come back to me." Loki struggled, his head slowly bobbing to his chest before passing out. Zero didn't have much time. They turned, heading deep into the darkness, not waiting for the sun to rise, hoping to return before then.