Day eight

Lim sat tied up in the dark, and time stretched like eternity. His hope was almost extinguished, and despair settled in his soul. He felt like a mouse caught waiting for the cat to come. He wasn't so sure that Rake would come for him, that he didn't forget about him.

And so, at dawn on the eighth day, he heard footsteps. They approached slowly and ominously, and Lim got cold.

He thought it was Turella who came back for him to carry out her terrible plans. But the steps were different, easier, and Lim realized that it was not Turella, it was one of her creatures.

The creature entered his cell, and he saw it in a dim light. It was one of Turella's cubs, but it was different from the others. His body was thin and elongated, and his limbs were long and thin, like a spider. His skin was pale, and sharp thorns were sticking out of his back, like sinister jewelry.

Lim held his breath, waiting for his death. He thought that the creature came to eat him, to tear him apart, like those rats he had to eat.

But he was wrong.

The creature approached Lim, and he trembled. She didn't growl or hiss, she just looked at him with her empty eyes, and there was not a drop of compassion in her eyes.

She leaned over to him and began to untie the ropes. Lim was confused, he didn't understand what was going on.

When the creature freed him from the shackles, he didn't have time to be happy. The creature took him by the hands, lifted him into the air and turned his back to her.

Lim was scared, he didn't understand what was happening, he began to swrith, trying to break out, but his efforts were in vain.

And then Lim realized what the creature was going to do. She began to pull his pants off, and horror and despair filled his soul. He cried, realizing what was waiting for him.

It was worse than death. He already wanted to just be eaten.

But suddenly there was a sharp scream, and another creature broke into the cell.

She looked like a spider with two hands, and she flew into the first one, like an angry fury. The creature with four paws and two hands clung to the first creature and threw it aside.

Lim, taking advantage of the opportunity, slipped out of the creature's paws and, without thinking for a second, rushed to run.

Lim ran without looking back, his little legs worked like pistons, he was in a hurry, not knowing where. He was running through the dark corridors of the cave, his heart pounding in his chest like a caught bird. He heard screams and blows behind, but he couldn't stop. He had to run while the creatures were fighting, until he was back in their paws.

He didn't know where he was running, but he understood that he needed to get out of this place. He made his way through sticky stalactites and stalagmites, jumping over puddles of incomprehensible liquid that flashed in the dim light.

The cave seemed endless, and he felt his strength leaving him.

And so, when he already thought that he would never get out of here, he saw it.

He ran out into a huge hall, and his eyes widened in surprise. It turns out that the creature that attacked Turella's cub is not alone. There were dozens, if not hundreds, of people like her, and they fought other creatures, Turella's cubs, everywhere.

It was a real battle, and it unfolded right in front of his eyes.

He saw how long, how the spider paws of the creature dismembered their enemies, how the sharp thorns of the creatures cut through the air and left bloody wounds on the bodies. It was a cruel sight, but it was also a chance to save Lim.

He realized that this was his chance. He was in the center of the battle, but if he is careful, he will be able to escape.

He began to make his way through the battle, trying not to attract attention, slipping between the fighting creatures. He was small and dexterous, and his inconspicuousness played into his hands.

He was walking, looking for a way out, and he realized that he had to hurry before the battle was over, until he became a victim of this massacre.

He ran past different rooms, looking into them, but never found a way out. But in one of them he heard a familiar voice.

- Anyone, anyone!

Lim froze. He heard that voice, and his heart beat faster. He recognized him, it was Reik's voice.

Hearing a familiar voice, Lim froze. My heart was pounding wildly. Rake! It was Rake, he was alive! Hope, a faint spark, flared up again in his chest.

He carefully, trying not to attract attention, sneaked to the room from where the sound was coming. Seeing Rayk tied up, Lim felt a sting of guilt, a sharp regret that he could not protect him.

Rake, noticing Lim, nodded towards the dagger on his belt. In his eyes, Lim saw despair and at the same time a call to action. Lim understood without words.

Lim took out a dagger with his small, trembling hands. The feeling of sharp, heavy metal in his hands caused anxiety, but he remembered that Rake trusted him.

Lim began to cut the ropes uncertainly, his breathing became superficial. A few attempts - and the ropes finally gave up.

Rake, freed, moaned softly with relief. His eyes shifted to his sword. He nodded at him, making it clear that it was time to leave.

They left the room. And then Turella was waiting for them. There was anger on her face, reflecting the rage raging inside. She noticed not only their attempt to escape, but also the reason for this - the attack of other creatures.

Irritation turned into an angry intention.

- Do you think I'll let you go? - Turella roared, her voice full of hatred. - I'll kill you both. Right here and now.

Turella roared, her words burned like ice. Lim recoiled, squeezed against the wall, looking for protection behind Reik's back. Rake, seeing the frightened boy, stepped forward, obscure him with himself.

- Baby, hide behind me, - said Rake, his voice was even, but he felt a steel determination. - I'll deal with this creature.

Lim, obeying, hid behind Reik's back, feeling small and defenseless. Rake snatched his sword, and the blade shone in the dim light. He stood like a stone statue, ready for battle.

Turella, with a shrill scream, rushed at Reik, her claws dug into the stone, leaving deep scratches.

The fight was brutal and fast. Rake moved with grace and strength, his sword danced in the air, cutting through the air and leaving traces on Tourella's body. But Turella was strong, her claws and teeth were sharp, and she didn't give up.

Lim, holding his breath, watched the battle, his heart was pounding wildly, with fear and excitement. He saw how Rake repelled Turella's blows, how he parried her attacks, but also how Turella inflicted wounds on him.

The battle seemed to last forever, until finally Rake, having gathered his last strength, struck a decisive blow. His sword pierced Turella, and her body trembled in dying agony.

But when Turella fell to the ground and her body stopped moving, other creatures broke out of the corridors and caves. These were Turella's children, the very creatures that fought other monsters.

They saw their mother's death, and anger and rage filled their hearts. They attacked Reik and Lima.

Rake, seeing the impending danger, quickly picked up Lim in his arms and rushed to run.

- Hold on, baby! - Rake shouted, his voice was tense. - We need to get out of here!

He ran like the wind, making his way through the battle, dodging the claws and teeth of the creatures. Lim held on to him, trying not to disturb him, his heart was ready to jump out of his chest. He understood that if they stopped, they would die.

Rake, looking for a way out, saw despair trying to bine him. He ran, but he knew that he wouldn't last long, he needed to save this boy.

And so, he saw him. A hole in the rock leading to freedom. Without hesitation, Rake jumped. Together with Lim, he flew out of the cave and began to fall down, right into the water.