Grid: S-1Lord_Of_The_LEGO wrote:Santis, Viktor and Solesstorn eased around the still-deadly poisoned tail and rushed to Storm, Jaythus and Mikelen. Storm was already stirring -- shoving back her visor and blinking rapidly, fumbling for her sword. Jaythus was breathing deeply, his eyes opened. He was stunned, not unconscious. As for Mikelen…
Viktor was cursing rapidly. He removed his hand from Mikelen’s wrist and shut the man’s blankly staring eyes. Storm pulled off her helmet, then stared at Mikelen. Her breath came in shuddering breaths. She stared at Viktor, as if saying, “No!”
“Well, wizard,” said Viktor, biting off his words, “Looks like you're going to get your first expendable. Happy?”
Storm let out a wailing banshee shriek. She lunged at Mikelen and embraced the body that was beginning to bloat from poison. Her sobs wracked her body, echoing in the cave.
Jaythus sucked in a long breath.
"Is he dead?"
"No." snapped Viktor, "But he should be. He was shot with enough venom to take down a dragon."
"He's in a coma?" asked Santis.
Viktor nodded sharply. Solesstorn looked into the burning eyes of Viktor and said, “I didn’t mean it to be like this.”
“I bet.” snapped Viktor, “I just bet. Why didn’t you use your megabloks magic! Why suddenly go all physical! You forget to bring your favorite toad?”
Solesstorn waved his hand about almost helplessly.
“Look around you. Those crystals block magic. I can’t perform magic down here.”
“Absol-tyco-lutly wonderful!” Viktor kicked the scorpion, the exoskeleton crunching, “Then please explain to me, mister useless wizard, how the bloody buildit are we going to get up there!”
Viktor pointed sharply with Santis’ blade, to the hole twenty feet about their heads.
“We don’t.” said Solesstorn calmly, “That scorpion was here for a reason. It was guarding something. And entrance.”
“Wonderful!” said Viktor, “And I betcha there’s more of those where this son of a tyco came from!”
Viktor kicked the scorpion again.
Solesstorn flared up.
“I am not a god!" he shouted, "I'm not all powerful! I can't prevent all the ills that befall us!"
"Then you should have taken greater care so that we didn't befall such ills." retorted Viktor.
Solesstorn brandished his staff.
"I--"
"SHUT UP!" bellowed Santis, smashing his warhammer into the ground, "SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!"
Viktor and Solesstorn quieted, chests heaving.
"This is not the place nor the time to argue!" said Santis, "We've got to get out of here, and the only way I see possible is through there!"
Everyone looked. A large opening in the far wall of the cave beckoned ominously.
"The scorpion was guarding something." continuing Santis, "Perhaps it can get us out of this hellhole. Viktor."
Santis tossed Viktor his warhammer.
"Take that. I'll carry Mikelen. Let's go."
Location: Solitaire Island
Without waiting for anyone to say anything, Santis, stumped forward and hoisted the limp Mikelen onto his broad back. Storm, eyes red, resolutely brushed crimson hair out of her face and snapped down her visor. She yanked her sword from Solesstorn’s grip and turned away. Viktor virtually threw Santis’ sword at Solesstorn and, toting the war hammer, took the lead. The passageway was dark, but a strange phosphorous growth covered the walls, giving them just enough light to walk by. They walked in silence, each wrapped in their own thoughts. They were searching for a way to the surface. They had no way of knowing they were actually traveling deeper and deeper into the heart of Solitaire Island.