Chapter 127: The Eyehole
Kestrel and Ren had ventured deep beneath the Earth. Down there, where darkness was ever-present, even the faintest light shone brilliantly.
As they moved, they encountered creatures that were downright strange. None of them had eyes, and their shapes were peculiar. Some had eight arms, others had bald tails. It was as if they were looking at a combination of humans and various creepy underground critters.
In this depth, they felt isolated, with very few explorers around them. For Kestrel, it felt like an eternity since she last encountered another human. The surrounding silence was unnerving. The pure darkness combined with haunting echoes from further below had sent shivers down their spines. However, Kestrel wasn’t overwhelmed with fear. Instead, she felt an odd warmth inside her, a rush of unexpected excitement.
"There’s movement over there," Ren had whispered, tugging Kestrel towards it. They navigated around numerous obstacles until they found themselves facing a lowered area.
Their only source of light came from a cluster of luminescent rocks in a damp corner. These were Hades Stones, and there was a significant number of them, glittering mysteriously.
The designs on the Hades Stones were intricate and captivating. Their dome-like tops emitted a soft glow. They reminded Kestrel of the eyes of alpha when they were in combat. These stones, grouped together, looked eerily like numerous eyes observing them from the shadows.
Their gentle light revealed a part of the environment.
Kestrel discerned possibly four—or maybe three, they were all twisted together—of the peculiar "Eyehole" creatures. They had surrounded an alpha which was smeared in red. The alpha’s eyes shone with defiance, and he made desperate, angry sounds, trying hard to push back his attackers.
Amongst the clash and noises, Kestrel heard a distinct crunching sound, reminiscent of bones being gnawed upon.
Hidden in an even darker nook was another monster, this one with an elongated tail. It was voraciously eating something.
A pool of dark red had formed under its tail, and Kestrel didn’t sense the vibe of any living human in its vicinity. Clearly, the creature was feasting on someone who had met a tragic end.
Without wasting a moment, Ren had removed his gloves, unsheathed his blade, and leapt into the confrontation.
The melee concluded faster than anticipated, and it wasn’t as intense as they had braced themselves for.
The creatures, despite their number, appeared worn out. Clearly, they had faced some hardships before this encounter, each bearing serious injuries, almost on the verge of collapse.
There had been two alphas there earlier. They had been ambushed by these beasts. One had met a grim fate, and the other was severely injured. The surviving alpha, having been rescued, limped with a fragmented weapon in hand. He dragged out the corpse of the long-tailed creature and vented his rage, smashing its skull with the shard of his weapon. After that, he had cast a sorrowful gaze towards the blood-streaked corner.
Kestrel could read the emotion in his eyes - a deep sadness that seemed to pour out like waves crashing on the shore. The icy melancholy felt real, so palpable that it changed the atmosphere, sending a chilly tremor down Kestrel’s spine.
There, in a dimly lit spot, was a small group of mesmerizing Hades Stones. Disturbingly, a thick, crimson flow of human blood ran between them. The glow of the stones revealed a woman’s arm, resting atop the bloodied crystals. Most of her body was hidden in darkness, but that arm, seemingly reaching for something, was tinged with red.
The badly hurt alpha couldn’t tear his eyes away from that glowing arm. With a heavy heart, he painstakingly dragged himself over and lifted a battered body from the blood pool. The wounds were so severe that it was impossible to make out her original features - a terrifying sight.
He cradled her close, his head lowered, and his arms shaking.
Seated amongst a wealth of gleaming gems, soaked in blood, he cared nothing for the riches beneath him. His entire focus was on the wounded body in his embrace.
It was possible that they had been best friends, battle buddies, or even more than that. But now, this dark place would separate them, and the cold, shining stones seemed to mock their tragedy.
"Take these and go," the alpha finally spoke, his voice raspy, sounding like he’d been crying. Yet, his face was dry, without a tear, only caked blood.
His spirit seemed shattered, too broken even to cry.
"Was she your love?" Ren asked.
Mating with each other was unusual among alphas, as it wasn’t widely accepted and often led to mockery. Many couples, even if together, chose to hide their relationship.
"No," the alpha responded, his eyes never leaving the lifeless form he held. "We never had the chance. I always believed we had more moments, that there was no rush."
"Do you realize? My biggest regret is not telling her my true feelings while she was still with us."
"How could I have been so naive... so incredibly blind..."
His voice faded with each uttered word.
Kestrel stepped backward, observing something unusual. The woman’s hand, submerged in the blood pool, twitched ever so slightly. An unfamiliar, pallid arm was slowly emerging from her body, signaling a transformation into something entirely non-human.
"She’s changing," Ren remarked swiftly, still with his calm tone. "You need to let her go. Step back."
He extended a hand to help the grieving alpha, but the alpha’s hold only grew more determined, embracing the mutating body.
"Just leave," he whispered, nestling his face into her bloody body, "I’m staying right where I am."
Kestrel spoke up, her voice soft yet filled with urgency, "She’s mutated, not who she used to be. If you stay here, you’ll be lost to the darkness too. You won’t ever be able to go back up, never feel the warmth of the sun on your face."
Kestrel’s figure seemed to meld with the shadows, tendrils eerily emerging from the ground around her. With her special ability, being a beta, she could sway and influence the emotions of those nearby. She had the power to lighten heavy hearts, help others forget pain, but this alpha just sank his head lower, almost as if he was rejecting her comfort.
"Missing out on sunlight? That doesn’t bother me. If turning into one of those creatures means I can be with her, then so be it," his words were but a whisper, yet the tendrils, like antennas, picked up on his deepest emotions.
"All I wish for is to remember her after I change. To remember what I couldn’t tell her when we were both human," the alpha murmured.
Through her tendrils, Kestrel sensed his feelings — raw, unyielding, filled with heart-wrenching grief, but also a stubborn determination.
She realized the alpha’s mind was made up. He chose to stay, to be with the one he loved, even if it meant joining her in death. There was no convincing him otherwise.
With a silent, heavy heart, Kestrel looked over at Ren, giving a small, resigned shake of her head.
Ren observed the couple. The gentle gaze of the alpha fixated on his beloved, her reflection dancing in his eyes thanks to the glint of the Hades Stone.
In the end, Ren carefully carved out a small piece of the Hades Stone using his knife, gently took Kestrel’s hand, and guided her away, leaving the alpha to his solitary vigil in the enveloping shadows.
Ren took just a tiny fragment of the Hades Stone — even though it was immeasurably valuable, it was also quite hefty. They had a long journey ahead, and he didn’t want to be burdened by its weight. He was aware of Kestrel’s true mission: to delve deep into the Eyehole, not just gather some stones and head back. Therefore, even these precious gems didn’t hold much significance to him.
They continued on, navigating through an expansive tunnel. Reaching another level, Kestrel looked up, catching a glimpse of a ghastly sight. The body of the departed female now grew several ghostly, thin arms.
These chilling arms slowly reached out and wrapped around the alpha’s neck. He seemed to quiver briefly, but continued holding onto the creature that once was his love.
Silently, Ren took hold of Kestrel’s hand, guiding her away, making sure she didn’t see anymore.
Even after covering a significant distance, Kestrel felt echoes of sounds from that scene. The chilling noises, a mix of shrieks and laughter, seemed to haunt her.
She knew she shouldn’t be hearing these sounds from such a distance.
The sounds were both mournful and oddly joyful. They hinted at agony, yet also an odd sense of happiness. She realized that the alpha was no longer alive, as her tendrils could no longer pick up the consistent feelings humans have. Yet, the image of him holding onto that mutating alpha, even in his final moments, would remain etched in her memory
The soft, almost ghostly whispers continued to haunt Kestrel’s senses, like an eerie lullaby that refused to fade. With each passing second, the weight of those voices bore heavier on her, like a looming storm cloud pressing on her very soul.
Rubbing her temples, Kestrel winced. It felt like a distant call, something deep within trying to reach out, whispering to her, tugging at the very strings of her being.
"I feel out of place here," Kestrel admitted, clutching her chest. "It’s like a heaviness pressing on my heart, and it’s far from comforting."
From the encompassing darkness, Ren’s voice emerged, a beacon of solace, "I promise to protect you, no matter what."
"We entered this place side by side. We’ll discover what you’re looking for, and then we’ll exit the same way."
The steadiness in his tone resembled a rock in the midst of a turbulent sea — firm, unyielding, and grounding. His words brought Kestrel a measure of relief.
Kestrel often found herself puzzling over Ren’s character. Outwardly, he was the epitome of rationality and maturity. In a conflict, he showcased unparalleled wisdom and strategy. Yet, beneath that calculated exterior, there were moments when he showcased raw, unbridled emotion, putting faith in seemingly impossible hopes. For instance, believing that they could navigate the treacherous darkness of the Eyehole and come out unscathed.
In this perilous void, life was as fleeting as a candle’s flame, vulnerable to the slightest breeze. And yet, with unwavering confidence, Ren held onto Kestrel’s hand, pledging their shared journey, in and out.
Feeling his emotions, Kestrel discerned he harbored no doubts — Ren truly put faith in such uncharted hopes.
In the face of the ominous shadows of death, Ren’s logical mindset seemed cloaked, revealing an endearing, unwavering hope in his heart. Kestrel was reminded of a term she’d heard from other people — romantic.
This had to be the essence of romance.
To Kestrel, Ren embodied the spirit of romance. This realization evoked a warmth within her, prompting her to share, "It’s unwise to be so hopeful. We should voice our feelings before it’s too late, so we’re not left with any lingering regrets."
She couldn’t shake off the memory of the alpha by the Hades Stone, consumed by sorrow for all the things left unsaid. That scene weighed on her, urging her to be more open, to share her feelings while she still could.
Possibly the swirling emotions around her were influencing her, but she felt an overpowering need to be transparent with the one beside her.
Feeling Ren’s fingers shift slightly in her grasp, a hint of nervous anticipation, she pressed on.
"I just want you to know how much I value our bond. Thank you for treasuring our connection and for being my exclusive alpha," Kestrel’s words flowed, pure and resonant, piercing the thick silence. They were genuine, a testament to the trust and connection they shared.
The instant she laid her heart bare, Kestrel felt a wave of relief wash over her. The incessant murmurs and chaotic emotions that had overwhelmed her moments ago seemed to recede, replaced by a comforting stillness.
Kestrel realized she had developed a profound bond with Ren. In battles, they moved as one, their partnership cemented through shared trials and close encounters with danger. Ren had truly become one of her dearest friends.
Ren glanced back at her. The dim lamp light glinted off his shoulder, casting his face in shadows. All Kestrel could make out was an indistinct silhouette, emphasized by the bridge of his nose and quivering lashes.
Ren looked like he wanted to say something. His lips parted slightly, but then he hesitated, keeping his thoughts to himself. He merely tightened his grip on Kestrel’s hand, continuing forward. It felt as though he harbored a secret, something he kept deep within, as hidden as a treasure chest sunk to the ocean’s floor, beyond Kestrel’s reach.
"Look at that fish; can you smell it?"
"Absolutely."
"Kestrel would be so impressed if she could see how sweet he’s smelling right now."
"She does rely heavily on her eyesight, missing out on other sensations."
"He is a unique fish. I’ve never seen one like him."
"He reminds me of a juicy fruit, so tempting and delectable."
"I must admit, it kind of makes me want to mess with him."
"I feel the same, strangely drawn to him."
From a tall platform, Ren dropped down, extending his hand upwards. Kestrel, trusting him, jumped, and he effortlessly caught her.
A dim electric light intermittently illuminated the surroundings. Kestrel’s eyes reflected that light, shimmering brilliantly. The warmth from her hand conveyed emotions more vividly than words ever could.
"She seems off, somehow different," Ren pondered, trying to steady his swirling emotions. Recalling her recent admission of friendship, he felt his heart skip a beat. The weight of her words had nearly overwhelmed him.
"She mentioned seeing me as a close friend, cherishing our bond." A blend of happiness and a twinge of melancholy engulfed Ren. Multiple times he found himself wrestling to keep his emotions in check
Ren always believed in being a level-headed warrior. No matter the words or actions of a companion, it was crucial to remain focused, especially given their perilous surroundings.
A chilling gust swept across them, originating from the cavern’s unknown depths. The wind carried faint, eerie noises that sounded like distant, mournful whispers. Yet, upon closer listening, only the wind’s mournful cry could be discerned.
"This place has such a creepy vibe," Ren mused. "The atmosphere is so heavy and suffocating. It’s even affecting Kestrel’s usually composed demeanor. I must be vigilant and avoid any distractions."
The tendrils started to chatter:
"Can you feel it too? Something here is... off."
"For some reason, ever since we entered, I’ve felt an odd sensation, like my instincts are on high alert."
"This place intrigues me. The shadows seem to beckon."
"There’s a strange familiarity here."
"It’s an adrenaline rush. Makes me feel a bit rebellious."
"Exactly. Kind of makes me want to tease and toy with something I cherish."
