Return to Jorgaldur Volume II: the druid archer

Chase in the tunnels (III)

When the lynx had opened her eyes, the elf and the goshawk had breathed in relief. The feline felt somewhat numb, but also comfortable, as she was lying on her sister's lap. She would have lain there a bit longer, but they weren't in a situation where they could waste much time.

"How long has it been?"

"More than three hours," the elf had answered.

"Let's go, I just need to stretch a bit while walking."

Her sister had looked at her reluctantly, but it was true that they had no time to waste. So, although somewhat dizzy, the feline had risen to her feet and prepared to resume her escape.

"There're traps. Let me grab you for a bit," Goldmi had stopped her.

She had used Float while picking the feline up, which was quite larger than the elf. For a moment, she buried her head into her sister's fur, as she regretted not being able to let her rest.

"Yes, you have set a lot of traps..." the lynx had noticed, surprised.

"There is more on the other side..." the archer had confessed, somewhat embarrassed. Perhaps, she had overstepped a bit.

"Haha. I hope it stops them for some time. Let's go."

She had started walking, a little hesitant at first. Little by little, her steps had become firmer, and she hadn't been slow to tell her sister to ride her. However, the elf had refused until the lynx was truly fully recovered. Only then had they resumed their cruising speed, and moved away from their pursuers.

The bounty hunters looked quite annoyed at the time lost in traversing so many traps, although it was far less than their prey had lost. They had had to activate them and wait for their power to run out. Only the last ones they had simply gone across them.

"About two hours," the tracker estimated, once they had passed the trap area.

The arachne nodded furiously and, without a word, she resumed her march, followed by her partner.

It was easy to lose track of time while trapped in a tunnel without access to sunlight, or the presence of stars. Nevertheless, it didn't matter too much how many hours they had been, but the fatigue, the distance to their pursuers, and if there was a way out.

For who did have a sky above her wings, time seemed to take forever, as she feared every moment for her sisters. She had been searching for the tunnel exit, but so far the goshawk hadn't found anything that looked like it. The only thing she was sure of was that they had traveled several hundred kilometers underground.

In addition, they had lost several hours in different forks that led to dead-end tunnels. Undoubtedly, they would have been caught if the difference in speed hadn't allowed them to gain distance from their pursuers.

For their part, the bounty hunters needed only a moment to study the tracks, to know where their preys had come and gone, and where they needed to go. They were animated, as it was evident that the distance was decreasing, quite the opposite of the pursued ones.

Both sisters were worried that they would catch them up, and the fact that the rest of the paths had led to tunnels blocked for one reason or another. It made them fear that it was also the case with the one they were following. However, they couldn't stop.

In fact, when they encountered a level 61 black beetle, they attacked it with a Wind Trap and quickly moved away. When it freed itself, it tried to follow them, but they soon left it behind.

The two bounty hunters weren't so lucky, as they were forced to confront the huge insect, which desperately fought for its life. However, the experience and level difference was abysmal, and it barely stopped them for a couple of minutes.

"It's a shame to waste it. The cuirass can be sold at a good price," the tracker told herself, as she was used to seizing any opportunity. Unfortunately, on that occasion she couldn't afford to stop the pursuit.

"We're going up," the feline announced hopefully.

Although gently, the terrain was sloping slightly upward. Goldmi could now feel the still weak connection to the plants on the surface growing, little by little, stronger and stronger. In fact, some roots were even sticking out of the tunnel ceiling.

They had returned from another dead-end fork not so long ago, so the novelty was a much-needed morale boost to their low spirits. However, their hopes were soon found shattered. Stones and rocks blocked the way, and there was nowhere to go back.

They looked at each other, worried and scared. They were trapped, and at any moment their pursuers would reach them.

"It's dangerous, but maybe..." the archer druid began to consider.

However, at that moment, they were interrupted by two unwanted arrivals.

"You've made us chase you for too long. You better surrender, or it'll have to be the hard way," the visibly impatient arachne threatened.

She would have attacked directly, but the reward was for the elf alive, although it wasn't something that the prey knew.

"Why are you chasing us?" asked Goldmi, who dreaded the answer.

"I don't know what you've done to the Engenak people, but they've offered a nice sum for your head. Now, surrender," the arachne demanded and stepped forward, while the opossum-woman lurked just behind her.

"Don't get any closer, or it'll be very dangerous for all of us," the elf threatened, while wielding the bow.

"Haha. What can someone of your level do against us? Come on partner, it's time to finish this."

Each on one side, they slowly approached elf and lynx. The arachne wielded a spear, in addition to a large number of spiders that were expanding. Some were poisonous, although they soon understood that they couldn't cross the Wind Ring, nor the Cyclonic Barrier. Nonetheless, that wasn't an impediment to the two bounty hunters.

"Get into my shadow. It'll be less dangerous if it's just me," Goldmi asked her sister.

While the nervous and extremely worried goshawk was flying over the area, the lynx disappeared. It surprised their enemies, who became extremely careful, as they feared that she could appear at any moment behind them. While it wasn't much of a threat, a surprise attack was always dangerous.

Despite that, they didn't stop moving forward, they were carefully approaching their prey.

"There're no traps," the tracker whispered.

They were a little surprised when three arrows stuck around them, until the mana came out of them to activate a Wind Trap. Soon, three more followed, thus creating a Light Trap.

They were weaker traps than the Abyss ones, and it took them only a few seconds to get rid of them and face their prey, who seemed to have no way to fight them.