And soon, we found ourselves in a long hallway with doors along the walls. To get here, we walked through a door at the end of the tunnel we ran though moments before and as soon as we walked in, Maria closed the door behind us, breathing heavily. The hallway must have once been a nice place for the samurai to stay but now the dark place was nothing but decay. Human remains were scattered across the ground and the walls were smeared with blood. Tables, and large rocks were stacked by some of the doors nearby and Maria slowly pointed to them.
She whispered softly. āWe should stack those against this door. Hopefully that will slow down that monster if it wakes up.ā
I slowly nodded and I quickly started to help Maria carry a table to the door. I wasnāt much help for I was weak, but Maria was able to carry a lot of it to the door to block it off. After several minutes, I placed a table against the giant pile we had against the table and I breathed out heavily.
Maria noticed me breathing a lot and she looked at me worried. āDo you need to rest? W-We have been moving around a lot.ā
I quickly shock my head, stumbling against the wall. āN-No, we need to get out of here. I⦠I can continue walking. Donāt worry about me.ā
āIām going to worry.ā Maria looked back at the blockade that we built up against the door. āWe might be able to afford a few minutes. Come letās go sit down.ā Maria slowly took my hand and despite me shaking my head, we walking into one of the first rooms in the hallway.
It was dark, so we couldnāt see much but through the light of the lantern, we saw a few things. A low table and lines of mats on the ground along with many supplies scattered across the ground that must have been for medical purposes. I guess we were in the healing quarters, but did that really matter at this point?
Maria lead me to a mat and slowly lowered me to it so I could sit. Maria sighed and sat nearby, crossing her legs in front of me and gently grabbed my leg in encouragement. She weakly smiled to me and I slowly returned it back. This made Maria smile a little more and it made me grin too.
Maria looked around and tried to joke around. āYou know⦠when I said I wanted to bring you to Japan, I wanted you to meet my family not see all of this.ā Maria weakly chuckled.
I smiled a little at this. āW-Well, um⦠if we make it out of here, youāll have to bring me there sometime.ā
āWhen we make it out of here and sure. That sounds like a lot of fun. I would love for everyone to meet you andā¦. And umā¦ā
I spoke softly. āAnd what?...ā
Maria quickly stopped herself and looked away. āHow are you feeling?ā
āTired⦠I⦠I wish I could sleep but thatās a bad idea. Just this is all so hard. I want to get out of here, Maria. I just want to leave. And⦠and⦠I w-wantā¦ā As tears swelled in my eyes, my throat tightened and I was no longer about to speak. I started flapping my hands, trying to calm myself down and get myself to breath but I couldnāt. I couldnāt do this anymore. The dragon was still alive, the cave was falling apart and we didnāt know how we were going to leave.
āW-Weāre going to die. Weāre going to die.ā I said this softly to myself, not meaning to say it out loud.
Maria quickly hugged me when I said this. āNo, no, weāre not going to die. I would never let you die like that, Penny. I could never let that happen to you. You need to know that.ā I slowly looked away, but Maria slow and gently made me look back at her. āNo, you need to know something, Penny⦠I wonāt let you get hurt. I would fight through heaven and hell before something harms you. Okay? Please understand that. You will be safe and you will get out of here without a scratch.ā
I still couldnāt speak but I understood Maria, I just wished I could do the same for her. I wish I could be strong and brave like her. I wish I could have done something. Maria did everything for me and⦠and I leached off of her. I took everything from her without doing anything in return.
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Penelope slowly sat down on her stool and started shaking a little, hugging herself. The story was becoming overwhelming for her and she began muttering to herself about Maria. Drew straightened himself up and watched in worry while Mr. King slowly stepped back, not knowing what to do since he was a stranger in all of this.
Ā Alzena quickly went over to Penelopeās side and gently took her shoulder in encouragement. āH-Hey⦠hey⦠itās okay. Maria was your friend, right? And you canāt just say you did nothing. Why would you think that? You probably did a lot more then you think? R-Right?ā
āNo⦠you donāt understand⦠y-you donātā¦ā Penelope spoke softly, holding tightly to her clothes.
As the two talk, Penelopeās rising voice was getting the attention of other customers who was there. And it only perked Claytonās attention more for he was already watching this. Slowly, he took out the ring that was still laying in his pockets and he considered something. As soon as he thought about it though, the sooner he dismissed the idea and quickly put his ring away.
Alzena hugged Penelope tightly as tears swelled up in her eyes, and Penelope slowly hugged back, shaking a bit as she muttered. āTh-The story⦠I need to continue with the storyā¦ā
āNo⦠take a break for a moment. No one is rushing you. Itās fine.ā Alzena gave Penelope an encouraging smile, but Penelope didnāt see it as she stared at the floor. āMy friend⦠Maria, I would do anything for her. W-Why did she⦠I loved her. I loved her so, so much. S-She was great and loving and I want to protect herā¦. B-but I failed. I failed.ā
Mr. King stepped back from them when he heard this and stayed a reasonable distance away from the two as Alzena softly spoke to Penelope. āHey, hey⦠what are you talking about? Iām sure Maria still loves you even if you couldnāt do a few things. You donāt have to say that.ā
āBut⦠Butā¦ā Penelope was unable to speak as she pulled her hair a little.
Mr. King felt tears swell in his eyes as his teeth grinded together when he listened. āDo anything for them...ā He mutters something softly as he buried his hands into his pockets and looked behind him, trying not to get attention towards himself but this was all in vain.
Suddenly Drew was next to him, patting his back a little. āYou alright there, mate? You look a little sick⦠or upset.ā
āNah⦠Iām fine. I was just reminded of a few things.ā
āOh⦠sorry to hear about that. If you want I can-ā
āYou donāt have to do anything. That was a few years ago, Iām mostly over it.ā Mr. King shrugs and brushed his fingers through his hair.
āThat is exactly what someone who is not doing okay would say.ā
āOh? And if I was really okay what should I say some no one mixes up my being okay and my really not okay but trying to cover it up?ā
āThat is a good question but I can see it on your face. I own a bar so I can see when someone is here to have fun or when theyāre in a runt.ā
āAnd what are you going to do with this information?ā
āIām going to offer you a drink for free.ā Drew pats Mr. Kingās back and walks over to the bar to start making a very fruity drink for him.
āYouāre too kind. Thank you so much.ā Mr. King smiled weakly and slowly sat onto a stool closest to Drew and the two talked softly as Alzena tried to encourage and comfort Penelope.
Alzena was speaking softly and tell Penelope about the time she went camping with Daniel, saying how they almost got lost on a trail and had smores at a campfire. Penelope smiled a little at these stories. āWhenever we visited each other at work, we came up with so many excuses to say there longer so we can see each other. We spent so much time together and I love her so, so much⦠s-so much.ā
āYou two sound like very good friends.ā
Penelope smiles slightly. āW-We were. Yeah⦠we were the best.ā She slowly wiped the tears away from her eyes. āI think Iām ready to continue the story again⦠if thatās okay.ā
Alzena glanced over at Drew and Mr. King who were talking for a bit but at these words, glanced over. Drew looked between Alzena and Penelope for a moment before he sighed and nodded a little, allowing them to continue. Mr. King quickly finished his drink and was moving the tip of his finger along the top of the glass, staying quiet.
Penelope took a moment before she sat up straight, her thumbs circling around each other. āO-Okay⦠alright. Iām ready. The story is almost over so⦠you donāt need to stay here for longer. I promise.ā
As Maria finished reading, she slowly stepped back from the scroll and she glanced around. As darkness fell over her eyes, I knew that she was expecting something to jump out of the shadows and eat us but nothing did.
I looked between Maria and the scroll, my body trembling. When I tried to speak, the words were caught in my throat. I quickly swallowed my fear and stared at Maria. āW-What? What happened next? It just canāt end with āHopefully I will return to bring good-āand it stops. Please, it canāt. Maria⦠what happened next? He got out of it okay, right?ā
Maria stared at me, trying to find the right words. āIt⦠It ends there.ā When she saw my look of fear, she quickly backtracked on her words. āB-But I bet theyāre fine. It stopped because at that very moment, the researcher looked over and noticed the deadly creature at the foot of the cave! The researcher quickly backed away as monster jumped out at him and swiped his deadly claws at him, splattering blood everywhere! But the man wouldnāt go down that easily. They started a battle to the death where only one will win! It was long and gruesome but eventually the researcher came out on top and defeated the beast! And because of this⦠everyone congratulated him and gave him the recognition he deserved and everyone was okay. And the beast is-ā
Before Maria could finish her attempt to help me feel better, something trembled above us. The two of us stared at the roof, trying to figure out what happened as some loose pebbles in the roof lodged itself out and fell to the ground, bouncing.
As a chill went down my spine, Maria continued to speak, quieter this time. āAnd even if that didnāt happen. That monster is dead. He couldnāt have survived all of these years so weāre safe.ā
āA-Are you sure?ā
Maria slowly nodded and I took a few steps towards her to give her a giant hug as my body shuck. Ā
Maria hugged back tightly, and as I slowly looked up at her, I could see that she was blushing slightly as she glanced around. The moment she saw me staring, she quickly let go of me and took a step back. āWe should get out of here quickly.ā She grabbed the lantern that was still resting on the table, and looked around, her breath heavy.
I almost fell over when Maria stepped back but I quickly regained my balance. When I registered what Maria said, I walked back to the door that we came in through and looked into the hallway. The pillars from the deathtrap still covered the entire room. It would have been impossible to walk out through there.
āThereās no way we can get out through there.ā I squeaked in fear as Maria spoke right in my ear, and I glanced over at her as she continued to speak. āI, um, think that the only way out is through that small tunnel.ā
I spoke softly. āYou mean the tunnel that the dragon was making to try to get out of here?ā
āYeah⦠the scrolls said it led to the training room, which should lead us back it the room we came in. It may be the only way to get out of here.ā Maria noticed the fear on my face and she whispered softly to me. āIāll protect you.ā
āOkayā¦ā My voice was barely auditable.
Maria took my hand and the two of us slowly turned towards the tunnel at the back of the lab. Hopefully this will be our way out and we wouldnāt have to remember this ever again. We ignored the rumbling above us as we slowly made our way to the tunnel.
Once there, Maria quietly asked, āYou ready?ā and I only nodded in response.
Maria slowly got onto her hands and knees, still holding the lantern, this time it hung from her mouth and I did the same. I didnāt dare to be the first to enter the cave for I didnāt have the safety of the light, so instead Maria went in. She disappeared into the tunnel and I counted to three before I slowly started to follow.
I held my breath as we crawled down the slimy and wet cave. The only way for us to see was by the lantern that Maria held close to her and in a response, a stayed close to my friend. The dark walls felt like they were caving in on us and my breath was heavy due to this. How much longer until we were in the next room? It wasnāt long; I could already see the end of the tunnel from where I was but the crawl over sharp rocks and against jagged walls made the journey feel so long. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and when Maria noticed that I was having a difficult time making my way though, she gently started giving me some words of encouragement.
It would have helped me if the shaking didnāt start. The ground below us started to shake violently, as a piece of the tunnel wall behind us broke off and collapsed onto the ground, blocking the way we can in, bring forth a wave of dust into the cave. I slowly glanced behind us and I froze.
Off in the distance, I saw something. Two glowing orbs were pass the fallen rocks and debris. Through the dust I thought I saw eyes.
I squeaked and I quickly attacked hugged Maria as the tunnel continued to shake, threatening to fall down onto us. I doubted Maria saw the eyes as well because I was blocking her view and when I tried to tell her what I saw, I couldnāt speak from the dust clogging my throat.
Maria hugged me closely, and used her hand to cover my head, to protect me from the falling pebbles around us. I held my breath and closed my eyes tightly, clinging onto my friend. If we were going to die in this tunnel, at least I had Maria close to me. But even then, I couldnāt let my friend be hurt here. I couldnāt. We needed to get out somehow. But how can you do that when even the earth was trying to tear you down?
I whimpered softly and counted to 20 before finally, the earthquake came to an end and everything was still once more. We were safe for now but how much longer until the next danger came our way. We needed to get out here quick but even now we couldnāt retreat back into the lab. We could only continue forward.
Ā I slowly let go of Maria and looked up at her, shaking. Maria glanced around and gently brushed my hair before whispering to me, āAre you ready to get into the training room? Weāre almost there.ā
I slowly nodded and soon Maria picked up the lantern and continued on, crawling the short way until we were in the next room.
Once we made it through, Maria stood up and glanced around, using her light source to be able to see. Maria was unable to see the other side of the room from where she stood, but what she could see made her shake. āOh crapā¦ā
This made me worried as I quickly stood up next to Maria when I exited the tunnel and looked around with her.
The room was large and dark. The ground alongside the walls was scattered with broken pieces of wood that once was torches. I inched closer to Maria and hugged her arm, shaking as we looked at the terrifying sight in front of us. Across the rocky and misshapen ground, there was several holes that fell into a great abyss and dried, old blood was scatted across the rocky landscape. Broken samurai helmets were tossed carelessly across the ground and the remains of broken swords were sticking out of the ground.
Maria swallowed her fear and pulled a sword that was broken in half off the ground, in order to protect the both of us. She took a step forward and something cracked underneath her. Maria slowly brought the lantern down to her foot and froze when she saw that she was standing in a pile of moldy, rotten bones. Maria quickly stepped back away from it, pulling me back with her and glanced around.
Her eyes widen, she held her breath at the sight. We both got a closer look at the floor and fear struck me. Across the floor was piles of bones, none of them with any meat on them. Was that from the decay after several years from it being here or from something else?
Mariaās voice was quiet. āThey must have had a training session when that monster came here. Most of them were here and they should have been good at fighting but⦠they were all taken down and so gruesomely.ā Maria nervously chuckled. āI-Itās a good thing that the beast is probably dead, right?ā Ā
I hugged Maria tightly, shaking. My friend could feel my fear, āP-Penny? Is everything okay?ā
I spoke, my voice barely being able to be heard. āI saw it.ā
Maria stared down at me, āW-What?ā
āWhen we were in the tunnel, during the earthquake⦠I looked behind us and I saw two eyes staring at us. W-Whatever it was is probably trapped in the lab but weāre not alone⦠What if that beast is still alive?ā
Maria stepped back at this and made a small noise of fear. But this look of fear only lasted for a moment as she knew that I must have been terrified. Her face hardened and she took my hand, deciding that she would be brave for me. āThen we must get out of here quickly.ā
I slowly nodded. āY-Yeah. Yeah. We should. We need to.ā
Maria tightened her handhold and nodded. āIāll lead and if anything comes out, Iāll protect you.ā I nodded again, unable to speak, and Maria slowly walked across the large room, trying to find the exit.
I tripped over a helmet but managed to stay on my feet as I took in the surrounding and was horrified the more, I thought about what happened here. All these men were made to be strong and fearful fighters. All of them. Yet one animal was able to sneak up on all of them and put an end to their lives. If the dragon found Maria and I then we were all doomed. There was no question about it. None of us could fight so what advantage did we have over the monster?
It was trapped in the lab. That was the only thing that kept me from fainting or giving up entirely. We were safe. Right?
We were. We had to be.
Soon enough, Maria finally found the exit of the training room, took one more glance at the room and walked through the old door. I thought I heard something right before we entered the long hallway that resembles closely to the one that lead us to the lab.
[The researcher found himself in an empty space. As far as he could see, there was nothing except for the white abyss around him as the soft hollows of a calm wind could be heard. Shaking, the man stepped back and hugged his arms tightly, trying to remember what happened.
He was in a panic, writing quickly, trying to get his thoughts clear. He should have stopped writing. He should have run off to help the moment he knew something was up. He should have stopped all those days ago. He should have stopped with his silly and dangerous plan. He should have stopped when he accidently broke the coral.Ā
He should have stopped when the sickening touch of vanity started to wrap around his soul. But he didnāt and now he was stuck here. Wherever here was.
The researcher, slowly brought his fingers up to the side of his neck and a chill went down his spine. There was no heartbeat. He still breathed but it didnāt feel like it was doing anything to keep him functioning. His skin was cold and pale and he tightened the hug on himself.
This couldnāt be happening. He needed to save those people but⦠was he really dead?
Was this his fate? To perish from the hands of his own work? What kind of cruel fate was this?Ā
The researcher still deserved this. He knew that. He was the one who casted that monster out into their hideout so it only made since that he shall die from the same creature. Why did he do this? Why was he so stupid?
Pink flower petals, that were carried by the wind, started to brush against the manās leg but he didnāt notice this. Shaking, he fell onto his knees, weeping. His sobs echoed around the area, as snot ran down his face. He had failed everyone because of his selfish needs.Ā
His version started to blur from this overwhelming feeling. Then when he felt someone touch his shoulder and he looked over; he couldnāt see who it was at first. The sweet scent of flowers filled his senses, as he heard the humming of a song that he heard weeks ago. The researcher quickly wiped his eyes and his version focused on a beautiful woman who was standing overtop him.
āM-Mom?ā
A sad smile emerges from the womanās face. āSon⦠I am so sorry.āĀ
The man stood up and quickly hugged his mother tightly, his hands shaking. āMom⦠I am sorry. I⦠I failed you. I failed our family⦠I deserve nothing but shame. Cast me out. I donāt matter anymore after what I have brought upon my fellow men⦠I-Iām so sorryā¦ā
The mother gently laid her palm on the manās cheek. āShush, relax my child. Donāt talk like thatā¦ā
āBut⦠our people⦠our ancestors-ā
The mother quickly interrupts. āThey were aware that you would fall since the beginning. I was sent to help you⦠for when you joined us.ā
āB-Butā¦ā
āI forgive you my son⦠Now, come with me. Itās time to rest.ā
The researcher slowly nodded as he hugged his mother again. The mother gently embraced her child and hummed softly to him. The song swelled around them, and the wind seemed to dance alongā The petals spinning gracefully around them. As the song slowly faded to its end, the two spirits slowly faded away as well, disappearing from our world.]Ā
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The first task was to set up security in my lab. I couldnāt allow any of the samurai around accidently walking into my lab and seeing that I was setting up to have a creature living here. What would they think? Something tells me that they would turn me to the emperor and I wouldnāt be able to defend myself before the sword comes down onto my neck.
I needed to keep my entire plan secret. This wasnāt difficult since no one cared about what I was doing for this country. I will prove to them that they should have paid more attention. Just watch.
It took me a while, but I have managed to set up a defense mechanism in the corridor leading to my lab. I used a fine orb that I found in my travels and used it for power along with a mechanism to shut it off at the front of the corridor, I put up a sign, warning people from entering. Yes, this may have all been very dangerous but I had no choice but to go with these measures. The more I push back on the others here, the more I can work in peace. Even if it meant someone getting injured because they didnāt listen to my instructions.
I doubt that would happen. I am started to be very thankful that less and less people come here.
Now, as I sit in my lab and glance around, I mentally prepared for what I am planning to do. I still have a few supplies to get but every day of work is just another step closer to accomplishing my plan. Hopefully this turns out well.Ā
I think I have everything. I do not know how big this creature is, but from watching the seas from a distance I decided that the creature couldnāt be any bigger than I was, which is a blessing.
Stealing some materials from the other rooms, I have managed to wield a metal bar cage where the creature would be kept. There arenāt any extra mats to lay on the bottom of the cage for the creature to relax on but that is fine. I doubt it will need much comfort.
I have also spent the day yesterday, fishing. I have a decent amount of food that the creature would. I also have water if the creature starts to dry up. And I believe that is all I need. I will get the rest I need for tonight and in the morning, I plan to sneak out to do my tasks.Ā
Hopefully the gods will bless me yet again and I will be successful.Ā
I didnāt realize how difficult it would be to find the creature in the first place. I left for the sea just as the sun was starting to rise and I didnāt get a sign of anything until the sun was beating overtop me. I stuck around the fishās community until I finally saw a tail in the distance. I quickly paddled my way towards that direction.
What happened next happened at such a speed that it is hard for me to remember the exact events? Writing down an exact account of what happened would be difficult. And if I did decide to write down how I did it might cause some trouble. During my battle with the creature, with nature, I used so much methods that the emperor would feel against by that if he ever read this, I may lose even more then my status. To protect my life, I will not say much except for two things.
First, as I fought with the creature, its front claws tried to strike me down. It managed to claw across my arm and I am still in pain now. I was in fear for a moment that my arm would fall off. After looking at my injury though, I know that it will sting for a few days but I should be fine.
This does not matter though as we go into my second point. I have caught it. It almost felt impossible at one point but thankfully I have played around with some chemicals before this and I have made a liquid that will make anything asleep and now I have the creature in my procession.Ā
As I write, the creature is sleeping in the cage that I have created for it. It has struggled a lot by I have managed to make it fall asleep and carry it here without anyone noticing me. It is a miracle that I have managed to do this and I cannot help but thank my ancestors for guarding me specifically.
Currently, I feel my heart pounding and my hand shakes as I write. I have managed to do this- me! I feel a sense of pride overcoming me and why should I not be happy about this? All the other people here believed that they were better than me but what if I am the better one. My ancestors are watching me so I should be happy for this accomplishment. Ā
As I write this, I cannot help but look at the creature curled up in the cage, resting. It is such a beautiful creature. The more I look at it, the less I want to call it a creature and refer it to a Mizuchi for it appears to be a water dragon. Its long snake-like body is not any taller than I am, and its curled up tightly into the cage so it can barely fit with some comfort. Itās covered with scales that are shimming in a green-blue color, with some highlights of a darker blue color. It has two sets of short legs with sharp, dark claws at the end of its fingers and toes. Along its belly and undersides, the scales are more pronounced and isnāt as shiny as the rest of the body. Its fins along its back, tail and elbows are dark, flowy and thin like paper and its pointed in several areas. When I look at its fine features on his face, I believe it to be a fully grown adult, as its whistles on its short snort is long and flowing and its horns are short and sharp. Some of its sharp, and deadly teeth pokes out of its mouth and some more whiskers are on to underside of his chin. Its ears are large and floppy, with darker scales on it and its striking eyes are blue and pink.
I remember when I tried to catch it, its eyes glared at me, promising death but I should be safe with it in the cage. There is nothing to worry about.
I will continue to give updates of anything has happened.
[This next entry has blood scattered across the decaying paper]Ā
It is the next day, and the Mizuchi is finally awake. With the dragon still in its cage, I will attempt to take some samples from it that I was unable to when it was sleeping.Ā
[The biggest blood stain on this entry follows]
I should have expected it to try to fight back. It has struck at my arm yet again and I need to treat this right away. I am sorry for the short entry but I need to rest my arm for the day.
A lot has happened today but first I need to say what had happened in the middle of the night.
As I laid on my mat, I work up in the middle of the night to the sound of a low growl. I quickly sat up and stared at the cage just at the other side of the room, and that when I saw glowing eyes staring at me. This thing wanted me dead. This was clear, but I wasnāt going to let it go. I couldnāt. It was mine now and I was going to use it for my research. Chills went down my spine as I thought about this and fear washed over me.
Shaking, I knew that even if I decided to let this dragon go, I couldnāt. The moment I opened up that door for it to leave, the dragon would rip me to shards. If I dumped it in the ocean, if would only follow me back here and try to kill me. I couldnāt let that happen. Not when the gods themselves want me to successes.
I was far too deep into this mess to back down and I wonāt let those eyes intimidate me.Ā
Later on, I was called for a meeting where everyone dared to ask me several questions due to my absence lately and some people noticing my constant leaving to go fishing. The one in charge stared at me untrusting and dared to wonder if I was actually a spy. After all, I have shown nothing for what I have been sent here to do. I stayed locked up in my lab all day without speaking to anyone so what exactly was I doing here?
Of course, now they care. Of course, they start to wonder what I was doing here. And when they do, the assume the worst out of me. Did they forget that they were the ones who has put me in this position? That due to their failures to notice me, I decided to hide away from them because they donāt care?
Of course, I didnāt say any of this to the leader. I kept my anger and pride in because that would only get them suspense. So, I only told them that I was on the urge of a breakthrough and soon I would show them my work and they will be pleased.
I didnāt mention anything about the creature, for I knew that they would kill me right then if they knew. So, I stayed silent about that and they somehow bought it. The idiots let me go and I have bought myself some more time.Ā
I donāt know how much more time, and I am no where near to a breakthrough but at least I can live another day.
My victory was short lived when I soon realized that my trap hallway had been activated and my skin began to crawl. Who would dare to come into my lab? Was it the others? I should have known from their questioning that someone would sneak into my lab as I was distracted.Ā
I quickly deactivated the trap corridor and run down it to my lab. I manually opened the door to get into my lab and I noticed the blood on it. There was also scales scattered across the ground, but I noticed it too late.Ā
Once I opened the door, I heard a growl and something tried to lung at me.Ā
I barley managed to get the creature sleeping and back into the cage with my life. Sure, I had to use the last bit of that chemical that I had but it was worth it for I am currently covered in scars and my leg is shaking in pain. I know that I will start walking tomorrow with a limp but at least my monster is back where it belong.
The cage is banged up and I am currently fixing it as the creature sleeps. It must be very strong if it can bend metal like that.
From what I have gathered, the creature tried to escape because I have left my lab. It banged up the cage and has slipped through its bars and had ran right for the hallway but had accidently triggered the trap. The creature couldnāt escape through the door because the exit would have closed. Before he could manage to walk back into the lab, some of the pillars got him, leaving behind blood and scales. The creature then ran in here and tried to find another way to escape.
That is why there are claw marks on the backwall.Ā
I was hardly gone for an hour, yet the backwall had a hole in it that my fist can comfortable fit inside. This wasnāt there this morning. In fact, I thought this wall was completely solid when I left so how was this possible? The Mizuchi must have dug it but how was it able to chip away at solid stone? How strong is this creature?
Examining the dirt underneath the creatureās claws, I cannot help but smiles. I have finally figured out my breakthrough.Ā
I needed to go fishing again today. The creature had become very skinny and refuses to eat and the fish I have caught for him has gone bad.
As I went out to get more food, I have left the cage open and I have activated the trap corridor to see what happens when I return.
Ā I was pleased with the results and I know what I will be focusing on for my work to make our kingdom stronger. Once I managed to get the creature back in its cage, (I managed to find some more chemicals to make the dragon sleep and I am very lucky for that) I noticed that the hole on the wall was now a tunnel. I crawled into it and my entire body was about to sit inside it.Ā
I was impressed by this as my hand slowly moved along the tunnel walls. If I could somehow maintain this fine digging skill then we could cut through anything. The dragon was fast too. We can make our mark anyway and our power will be grand. Maybe I could sell this creature so people can have their weapon and I would be rich and have a high status.
But then I heard something at the end of the tunnel and I panicked slightly. I pressed my ear up against the back of the tunnel and could hear shouts and commands on the other side. There was a reason why the creature decided to dig against this wall. The creature must have heard this when it started. This was the quickest way to an exit.
The creature was trying to get into the training area. But I cannot allow that to happen. I canāt. Not after all my hard work while that army has done nothing. If the creature escapes through there, then he will be spotted and killed by the samurai. Or even worst, they would figure out that I have disobeyed their orders and they will punish me somehow. I couldnāt let that happen.Ā
[The entries that follows, shows the process that the researcher goes through in order to try to tame or harness the creatureās abilities. All of these attempts seem to have failed and the researcher gets more and more upset as time passes on. At one entry, it is along impossible to read his handwriting]
I have made a grave error. As I was out, gathering water supplies and supplies, I had accidently tripped on my way into the cave and I hit my head severely. I must have passed out because the next thing I was aware of was the fact that I was laying in the comfortable mat that wasnāt my old one.
With bandages wrapped around my head, I quickly looked around and a dizzy spell came over me. Everyone around me told me to rest that I had slipped on the way in and my head started bleeding. Some of the people in the background were laughing and seemed to be teasing me. I was knocked out for most of the day and it was unwise for me to move so much.Ā
I felt my heart stop for a moment and I quickly stood up. The doctor by my bed tried to push my back down but I pushed away and stepped forward. I demanded that I needed to look at something and I needed to be let go now. When my request wasnāt fulfilled, I pushed him aside and walked out myself. Everyone tried to stop me but I would let them. I needed to check on the lab. I needed to check on the monster.
As I passed the corridor that lead into the training area, I heard some training going inside it before suddenly the ground shook below me. I grabbed hold of the wall next to me as I almost fell to the ground. The was a rumbling overtop me, as the ceiling shook and large rocks fell from the ceiling. The entire room, no, the entire cave system seemed to shake as parts of the corridor to the living quarters crumbled apart.
What was that?
Did the creature cause this? How was this possible?
I quickly ran to my corridor and noticed that the trap was activated. I had to deactivated it and the few minutes, waiting for the hallway to become walkable again was agonizing. But once it was, I ran into the lab.Ā
What I saw, sent a chill down my spine. The creature was gone again. He had escaped from his cage again. How dare he? I have given him plenty of food and water but this monster keeps on leaving. It keeps on trying to escape and nowā¦
I looked over at the tunnel it was making and my heart stopped. The tunnel has been complete. It was now just a short crawl into the training room where everyone currently was. They would be able to kill it quickly and then I would be punished. That was my fate. Exceptā¦
If the monster could break away at solid rock then what strength did it really have? What speed did it have? I was out of chemicals to make it sleep and no one was unaware of its strength soā¦
Gosh. What have I unleashed in this cave?
How many brutal and painful deaths would befall to all these people here because of me?
I am now shaking and debating on running. I have caused the doom of everyone here. I wasnāt some god among men that I boldly claimed myself to be. I was their doom. I needed to warn everyone right away. It didnāt matter if they killed me. I just needed to-
I just heard a scream.
Gosh. No. It couldnāt be starting already. The monster couldnāt be hurting the people here. I need to stop this now! I am sorry, mother. I will fix this. Hopefully I will return to bring good-
[Before the researcher could finish the line, several large blood stains and ink sloshes covers the rest of the scroll. His research will never be finished]Ā
As we sat on the cold ground, shaking, I looked at my friend. Maria had saved our lives and there was nothing I could do to thank her for this. She really was the greatest person in the world.
Maybe there was one thing I could do to thank herā¦
I leaned closer to my friend and was about to speak when something clanged in front of us. We quickly jumped to our feet, scared that another trap was coming. I hugged Mariaās arm tightly as she slowly patted my head and glanced around. I flinched as the pedestal in front of us slowly lowered into the ground until it was at ground level.
Another clang could be heard before the wall behind the pedestal was slowly lifted towards the ceiling to open an entrance to another room.
Ā I muttered something in confusion as Maria slowly walked towards this new entrance. I only took a step away from it. Maria tried her best to look inside the room, but it was extremely dim, and I couldnāt see anything inside it from where I stood. Maria thought for a moment before she took a broken glass shard from the ball she broke and tossed in it the dark room. It crashed against the floor but other then that, nothing happened. The next room appeared to be trap free.Ā
Maria gave a sigh of relief as she looked around thinking. āWell, itās going to be very difficult for us to return the way we came. Thereās too many pillars out of the walls⦠Um, I know this might be dangerous but⦠maybe the next room has an exit?ā
A chill went down my spine as Maria said this. I knew she was right, but did we really have to continue? I stared at Maria, who had her head poking in the room. She grabbed something from inside the room and sat down on the floor, near me. In her hands was an old yellow lantern that has red and green stains smudged on it. I was scared to know what this was as Maria started messing around with the lantern.
Maria was right. There was no way we could leave the way we came. There wasnāt. That still didnāt mean that I was terrified to go into the next room. What if there was a trap in the next room and Maria didnāt see it. What if we were killed? It was all a possibility but⦠we couldnāt stay here forever. If we stayed, we would still die as we didnāt have food or water. I drew a shaky breath at this.
Surprisingly, my friend was able to get the lantern to work and its bright light filled the hallway. I had to resist the urge to hug the warm and protective light as Maria stood up. She tightly held onto the lanternās handle and gave an encouraging smile to me.
āAre you ready to go?ā She softly spoke.
After a moment, I nodded slowly, and I took Mariaās hand and squeezed it a little. The two of us stared into each otherās eyes before we gained the courage to walk into the next room.
Thankfully, nothing set off when we walked into the next room. As Maria lit up the area with the lantern she firmly held, it appeared that we were safe. The room was a long corridor and with the mat in the corner of the room it appeared that someone used to sleep here. Used to.
Despite the mat for sleeping in the corner of the room, this room looked more like a working area then anything. Or was this a lab? The back wall had a long, gray table that appeared to be crumbling at the legs and it was covered with strolls and other supplies. There were a few strolls on the ground around the table and one appeared to be open on the table. More Japanese writing was on the stroll. There were other tables as well on the opposite sides of the door that we entered through. There were covered with strolls and other suppliesā small containers, paper, and other things that I had no idea what they were used for.
Along the ceiling was paper-like lanterns that were old and dark. One of them was blacken from being burnt. Over the table with the strolls was a torn-up map of what appeared to be Japan and the ocean and land surrounding it. Far under Japan a red āXā was drawn. It was where we were. There wear also old cabinets and the doors to them where barely hanging on.
There was cobwebs and dust everywhere and I almost choked on some as I breathed in. With closer inspection, I noticed that everything was stained with a red or green color that appeared to be some odorful bodily fluid. I quickly held my nose as I almost gagged from the smell.
Against the far-left wall, in may have once been bare but now a gapping hole laid in the wall, like a creature had dug its way through the rock. The tunnel was pitch black just a few feet in and I didnāt want to know what made it in the first place. Between that wall and the table with the strolls in it was what appeared to be the remains of a cage, its bars made of metal. The top and the front side of the cage has been ripped apart as something probably escaped from it. Inside the cage was what appears to be the chewed up remains of a femur and a faded purple cloth.
I couldnāt help but whimper at this. āNothing good happened here.ā I hugged myself, shaking a bit.
āNo⦠No, it didnāt. What the hell happened here?ā Maria stepped further into the room and used the lantern to examine every inch of it. She reached the deep tunnel in the wall and used the lantern to examine the walls of the tunnel. The walls had deep claw marks on it and soon, Maria backed away from the tunnel, wanting nothing to do with it.
Maria bounced on her feet, trying to figure out a way to get out of this mess. She walked to the table with the strolls and laid the lantern on it so she can lean against the table to get a breather. I slowly approached next to Maria to try to comfort her with a hug. Maria glances over at me and blushed a little as she sighed.
āWe might have to walk through that tunnel but⦠Iām not ready to go further.ā
I slowly nodded, agreeing with her.
Maria sighed again and moved her lantern over the table a little to examine the markings on the bloody, open scroll in front of us. āH-Hey⦠want to do some light reading? It might help us relax before we head forward.ā
I couldnāt help but nod at this. Maybe it would help us if we just sat down for a moment and heard the writings of someone from the past. It may be even cool. Maria took a few scrolls and sat down on the ground and I sat close to her. Maria slowly opened the first scroll, cleared her throat and started reading.Ā