CotFF-Fight
From Create Your Own Story
You bend down and reach for anything you could use as a weapon. Your hand wraps around a stalagmite that has broken off. It's only about half the length of your forearm and feels as though it might crumble in your hands, but its better than nothing. You slash at the bats and push forward toward the sound of wind, hoping it will lead you to the cave entrance. The bats are tenacious and you are attacking blind. Though your makeshift weapon makes contact with a few of them, the nocturnal creatures have the advantage. It is odd, though. Since when do bats attack humans so boldly? And aren't bats supposed to be blind? Then again, if they are relying on sound to locate you, you are making plenty.
Bat claws scrape your legs, arms, and back hard enough to draw blood. You swipe wildly at one that has gotten its claws tangled in your hair and end up clubbing yourself with your weapon. The panicked bat pulls free, taking a clump of your hair with it. You hear another swooping down on you from behind and take a swing at it. Unfortunately, you miss it completely and end up smacking your weapon against the cave wall instead. The stalagmite fragment crumbles into fist-sized chunks and your momentum causes your knuckles to slam into the wall too, eliciting a yelp of pain from you. The relentless bats don't miss a beat and swoop in to take advantage of your momentary defenselessness. You stumble back and your head strikes the wall hard enough to make your vision swim. You sink to your knees and clutch your head with a groan.
You can't give up now. Not when you're so close you can practically feel the cool breeze on your skin. You crawl forward, occasionally swiping feebly at the swarming bats. The sound of their screeching and flapping fills your ears, overwhelming you. A bat flies up in your face and you bat it away, but not before the clawed tip of its wing opens a nasty cut on your cheek. You realize then that the area around you seems a little brighter and you can see the shadows of the cave's natural features and the dark shapes of your attackers. It seems you weren't blind after all, just trapped in an extraordinarily dark cave. Heartened, you push forward toward the light.
You turn the corner and catch a glimpse of the source of light. A statue rises up before you, nearly as tall as the cave ceiling. It is a naked young woman with two pairs of wings sprouting from her back, one set outstretched as if in flight, the other set wrapped protectively around her body. In her outstretched hands is a small green gem that glows with a faint light. You find yourself reaching toward that light. Despite everything, the sight of it fills you with peace and...hope?
You glance behind you and catch sight of a tall figure approaching you out of the shadows. Is it a man with...horns? You turn back toward the light and drag yourself closer. If you could just reach that light, you're certain you'll be safe. The light seems to glow brighter for a moment, then there is a flash. Behind you, you hear a sound halfway between a groan and a howl, but you lack the energy to turn and look. Your body feels heavy as lead. Your shaky arms give out and you're laying face down on the cave floor before the angel statue. You realize that the bats are no longer attacking you, their screeches pained and distant. Your vision slowly goes dark once more as you pass out on the cave floor.
