Tremble

It would take Asher at least a minute to get through the flooded tunnel, but that was not a guarantee. If there was any mishap, or if the path was longer than previously, Asher would be in great trouble. In order to avoid that, Asher hoped that he could hold his breath for at least two minutes.

That way, even if he couldn't get past the flooded tunnel in a minute, he would at least have enough time to turn back and take another breath.

He didn't know when the Guards would come to take him, thus Asher continued to practice until he grew too tired and slept. 

But while he slept, the cave trembled. It was a normal thing for most, but the intensity seemed to be increasing. Though for the sleeping Asher it went unnoticed.

~Crack~

Unknown to him, a new crack appeared on the roof having.

~drip~drip~drip~

And the next day he was woken up by water dripping on his face.

"Ugh…" Asher groaned and wiped the water from his face.

Rubbing his eyes, he opened them, looking at the darkness all around him. It almost made no difference whether he even opened his eyes or not, as the darkness in the Trench Rot cave was all-consuming.

~tremble~

~Ripple~

A small pebble fell from the roof and caused the puddle next to him to ripple once more. 

"Why's there water falling on my face now?" Asher said with confusion.

When he had slept yesterday, he had specifically chosen a position where the water didn't fall on him. But now there was water dripping on the place he was standing on too!

"Damn it… it only gets worse." Asher cursed his luck.

In the Trench Rot Cave, it was normal for new puddles to form, and new cracks to form from which the water would drip down. It only seemed like Asher's fortune didn't seem to improve for now, as he was forced to endure the water dripping on him.

He didn't have any other place that he could move to either, as the chains limited his scope of movement.

'At least the rate of dripping is slow.' Asher tried to see the silver lining.

He now hoped that the guards would come to move him to Mine number fifty soon. 

It was almost ironic that he was now wishing to be moved there, when most people would simply dread even thinking about that. It was after all, one of the worst places in the Crude Lands.

Unfortunately for Asher, that day was not today.

All he could do was to practice holding his breath again, until he was tired enough to sleep.

~Crack~

While he slept, the crack on the roof spread further. 

~drip~ drip~drip~drip~

This caused the rate of dripping to increase as well. Asher was fully drenched in water, but because he had already gotten used to it over the last day, he didn't really notice much and slept through it.

~CLANK~

That was until he was woken up by the sound of metal clanging against rock.

"Huh?" Asher opened his eyes, this time actually seeing some light.

It was coming from far but with how dark it was, that faint light still managed to reach this far.

'Are they finally here?' Asher wondered.

His heart beat faster, the brighter the light got. After a certain point, he started to hear the footsteps too, as they echoed through the tunnel.

And after a minute or so, he finally saw it.

A man dressed in the leather armor of a guard appeared, holding a torch. He had an irksome expression on his face, which only got worse once he saw Asher.

~tremble~

"Stand up!" The guard said out loud.

Asher did as told, since he was in a hurry to get out of here. It was best for him if he followed the guard's orders, as they tended to have a short temper.

If the man got irritated and injured Asher, it would only put a wrench in his plans. After all, escaping while being injured would be several times harder.

"You are being moved." The guard spoke in an irritated tone. 

His nose wrinkled from the stench, but he had to endure it for the time being. He didn't like the fact that he had been sent to escort a prisoner at all. But since it was an order from a superior, he had no option but to follow it.

"Where am I being brought?" Asher asked, to confirm that what Berk said had been correct.

"Mine number fifty." The Guard replied with a slight smirk. "The place where your kind belongs."

Asher showed no reaction on his face but internally, he was relieved.

"Now turn around," the guard ordered before taking out smaller chains to restrain Asher's hands with.

"Okay." Asher said, doing as ordered.

~tremble~

But just as the guard was about to put the restraints on, the cave suddenly shook.

"What?" The guard narrowed his eyes, looking up.

Asher was surprised too and realized that there was more water dripping from the roof than before.

~Crack~

But this was just the start, as soon a cracking sound was heard.

"This…" The guard's eyes went wide as he too realized what was about to happen.

~TREMBLE~

And sure enough, the cave started to shake and rumbling sounds could be heard. 

~CRACK~CRACK~CRACK~

The roof and walls started to crack, and small rocks started to fall from the roof.

"SHIT!" The guard understood that the tunnel was about to collapse and decided to run.

"NO WAIT!" Asher's heart raced, as the fear of being crushed to death fills his being. "WAIT! RELEASE ME!" He shouted.

Unfortunately for Asher, the guard was not going to risk his life for him.

~RUMBLE~

But just as the guard had moved a meter from Asher, a loud rumbling sound was heard and the ground quaked heavily. It made Asher stumble and fall to the side.

~CRASH~

Then in the next moment, a large rock from the roof fell!

~SPLAT~