Creatures Caves

Day 10 and 11 - A Grendel and Possible Plan

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I fell over after bumping into the..the Grendel. My norn instinct kicked back into gear and I grew frightened, trembling, and got up as fast as I could.

First a Shee-Dragon, and now this! Will I be able to return to Bearthing?

But the Grendel didn't growl at me or try to hit me. He looked as confused as I, then began talking to me in a normal voice, saying that his name is Mahk Mako, and that he was trapped in this tunnel along with us.

"Are you in the same situation as us? Trying to survive the Arctic like we are?" I asked, still wary of him.

"No, I am simply a reporter. I followed you two down here, and got trapped too," he replied, picking up his notebook and writing utensil.

"What..? A reporter?" I questioned, completely lost.

So...it turns out that Mahk Mako knew all about this whole thing, about us being thrown into the Arctic to survive. There were even other creatures on the same land, going through the exact same thing.

I felt my anger rising. "Whose idea was this?! Did they think it was some kind of a joke? To throw us out here, playing Shee, while some out there could be starving while we speak?"

"The whole thing isn't that bad, honestly," Mahk Mako said. "The losers aren't left out here to die, they are sent back on a vessel to their home. It's like a game, you see."

I thought all of this seemed odd...so whoever's idea this was, they must have contacted my caretaker, as well.

Mahk Mako was merely a reporter. I had gotten angry, but I realized attacking the messenger would do no good. He's also a Grendel, and if I made him angry, well...I didn't want to know what would happen.

I decided to get to the point of what was going on right now.

"Did you see that dragon?" I asked him. He replied that he had, and run away from it, himself, and that's when I smacked into him while trying to get help.

"My friend is stuck back there, the Shee-Dragon trapped her! I don't know how I'm going to even get help...that creature is huge." I voiced my frustrations.

"You could just leave her behind and survive on your own," Mahk Mako suggested.

"No, I'm not doing that! After all she's done for me...I will not. And...I don't care if this is a game or not, I don't even care about winning. I will get her out. I...just don't know how."

I really didn't know what I was going to do.

The Grendel reporter asked me how I managed to get out. I explained about the dragon considering me one of its own, and showed him the map, as well. While doing this, I realized maybe there was a way I could turn back, and convince the dragon to let my friend go.

"I've got it." I said at last. "It's a very simple plan, but I don't know what else would work. And if that weren't to work, I'll just let the dragon keep all the treasure. This is going to take a while, though."

I told Mahk Mako to stay behind, which he wanted to anyway. I went running past him, up the tunnel.

After once again what felt like forever, and losing track of time, I found it. The music box. Now to take the long journey back.

After what was probably hours, I returned. It would probably be useless to the dragon, but maybe I could negotiate with it. Mahk Mako looked confused at the music box, but I was determined.

I ran into the cavern. "I'm back!" I announced.

Bearthing turned to look at me with an expression of confusion and what I think was...relief. "With a Box of Boom?"

"Yes!" I replied, relieved that she was still alive. The Shee-Dragon turned to me, puzzled. "And what do you plan to do with that?"

"Listen. I don't want to have to fight you. And honestly, there's no way anyone could, I think. But please let my friend go. She's tough, but not bad. I'll even give you this music box as an offering. It's not made of gold, but it plays wonderful music."

I hoped that the Shee-Dragon would understand. Or at least, let her go regardless.