Author's Note: The description of the monster the three Bretheren face came from the Dungeons and Dragons 5.3 version of the Monster's Manuel. I figured that if they were going down into the underdark of Faerun, if was only fitting that they face a beast that exists on that world.

Chapter 27: Down Into the Depths

Within minutes the three mages were winding their way down a deeply sloping tunnel. Cadderly assured them that the component, a fungus that glowed with a soft purple light, could be found deep within this cave, a few moment's worth of a wind walk spell away. He'd warned them, however, that many 'underdark' beasts ate the fungus, and their predators knew this fact. Dregan, after assuring himself of his magic's return by conjuring up a few light spheres, dismissed it, claiming to be no stranger to maneuvering in tunnels or dealing with their denizens, and if Vivi needed the plant, then they'd get it, end of story.

Now they were well in route, Dregan leading the way using his elven eyes, the others' steps lit by his spheres.

"Hopefully these lights will scare off any hostile beasts," commented Zentarou in a whisper, walking with his sword unsheathed.

"Trolly-molly, I hope so," agreed Orko. "After all, we don't know what we'd be dealing with." Dregan was silent, focused on their surroundings, seeming to be falling into himself, tuning in to a hidden facet of his life.

"There are dangerous creatures that live in the depths of my world," he warned. "I've faced several personally, and barely escaped. Most likely the same would hold true here, for to survive in places of little light, a beast must be a capable hunter. I dismissed the threat to Cadderly because we simply have to get the plant, but it is very real."

"I've faced several underground monsters too," Orko said. "I'd say we all have, in some form or fashion." He gripped his wand a little tighter. "There's no way we'll lower our guard until we're safely out of here with the plants, and on our way back to Vivi."

"Yeah, we can handle it," Zentarou finished, ears twitching. "We've got to."

"Light up ahead," Dregan suddenly announced.

"I see it too," echoed Orko. "Faintly, at least." The closer they got, the more apparent the glow became, a soft lavender illumination. Creeping along, they reached the mouth of what bloomed into a huge cave. Here and there along the walls and floor grew the fungus they'd sought for, along with several animals, moving passively and grazing upon it, looking like nothing they'd ever seen.

Dregan motioned the other two to stay put and keep watch, then slowly moved towards the nearest patch of plant life, his elven eyes more adapted to such conditions. For a moment he shuddered, recalling his flight through the mining tunnels near his birth city, where he'd been underground for days on end. Then he pushed it aside. No time for such weakness now. Once he reached the fungus he began carefully pulling it off the wall to place in a bag that Cadderly had given them for this purpose. He worked quickly but carefully. And for the most part, past a few curious looks, the animals already there ignored him.

"That's it," he whispered softly, more to himself than to any beast there. "Just pretend I'm not here. I'll be gone in a moment or two."

Suddenly the beasts lifted their heads up, and became perfectly still. Dregan, sensing their alarm, began to pick up the pace.

"Hurry, Dregan," hissed Zentarou. "I don't like how they're acting." Dregan, just to be sure he had enough, grabbed one final handful and stuffed it into the bag, then closed the flap and grinned at the others.

"Got it." Even as he whispered, the beasts suddenly cried out in a low moan, and hurried as fast as they could out one of the many side tunnels.

"Dregan!" Zentarou shouted. "Get out of there!" The Dunedi made a break for the exit, as a huge monster charged into the cave.

It stood more than sixteen feet in height, a hulking, powerfully built creature somewhat resembling a great ape crossed with a beetle. A low, rounded head, dominated by a massive pair of mandibles and rows of triangular teeth, held two big compound eyes like a beetle's. Two smaller, ape-like eyes are situated between the larger ones, and armor plates covered virtually all of its chitinous body, who's scattered feelers resembled course hair.

"Trolly-molly, what's that?"

"I don't know," Zentarou tightened his grip on his sword, "but it's not getting Dregan! C'mon!" The pair rushed out and began firing off spells, trying to distract or slow the beast and Dregan ran. The agile elf easily darted to his comrades.

"Lets get out of here. The beast shouldn't be able to fit in the tunnel we came in." The three turned and fled. But to their amazement, it chased them, ripping through the stone of the smaller tunnel with those massive arms as if it was simple brush, widening the tunnel so it could fit.

"Make for the exit," Zentarou gasped, panting for breath as they ran. "Maybe it won't like the light, and we'll at least have room to fight otherwise." Dregan glanced back at it, and as their gazes met the elf felt a tiny bit disorientated. He stumbled and nearly dropped the precious bag, but Zentarou caught his arm, Orko the satchel, and they pulled him along as he shook off the feeling.

"There's the entrance," Orko cried. They increased their speed, the monster crunching through stone just yards behind them. They burst out of the tunnel and into the sunshine, but didn't stop fleeing until they found cover behind some nearby stones. There they crouched and watched as the beast crept to the edge, peered around, then either decided to hunt easier prey or was satisfied it had chased them away, and returned to it's lair... and collapsed the tunnel behind it.

"Phew." Zentarou collapsed to the ground. "That was close - Dregan! You're leg!" Dregan looked, only now feeling the stab of pain, to see blood wetting his calf.

"Must've been hit by a shard of rock," he mused. "But it's minor. We've got to get back to Vivi. Zentarou, call Natar. Cadderly said the Spirit Soaring was due east of here. We've got a brother to save."