You descend the layers of darkness within the hydra's den, barely able to see five feet in front of you. The towering rock walls glow with an eerie light cast off by the radiant green moss clinging to the cracks. You dare not touch the plant life, knowing that most of it is poisonous. Even if this stuff isn't, you'd rather not chance it.
Glancing back, you faintly see the outline of one of the three, pale moons hovering in the eternal night sky above. The galaxy's sun hangs low on the horizon, barely larger then the largest moon. That would explain the cold, you think to yourself, turning your blinded gaze back to the tunnel.
A chorus of shrieks echos around the corner, revibrating off the walls. You swallow back a lump rising in your throat and hesitantly edge towards the sound. A warming glow of wall torches lights the corridor you turn onto. Though thankful for the light, the calm and nearly unmoving flames offer no help to calm you.
"Greetingsssss...." A chorus of sibilant and deep voices hiss. You jump in surprise, freezing on the spot as the massive creature comes into view. The hydra laughs deeply, his three black tail snapping against the ground like whips, one after the other. Thirty heads swivel and twist around each other like a nest of snakes. Five remain motionless, their crimson eyes focused on you. Each head ends in a sharply pointed crown, two silver, two black, and one gold. One black stone gleams in the golden crown, circled by two sapphires, one amethyst, one opal, and four diamonds. Glittering points of light on the other crowns reveal six sapphires, two more black diamonds, four white diamonds, and six rubies. The hydra lowers it's five main heads to your level.
"A small morsel but still edible." His voice is deep, booming your fate around the cavern. Hissing laughter ripples among the many heads. He pauses, inches from your face. "Unless, you've come here for other reasons."
You nod stiffly, your mouth hanging open in silent shock. All the blood had drained from your face, leaving you cold and numb. His voice is like thunder and you can smell the rotting meat from his last meal, wafting on his warm breath.
"Well?" The hydra growls irritably, obviously upset at having lost a meal. The heads retreat slightly, leaving the gold crowned one hovering just above your small, insignificant head.
"I- I- the... den." You stutter. There is no more feeling in your body. Only the fear which feeds this beast.
The hydra rears his heads, twenty-five voices laughing shrilly. His fiery red eyes fix on you with smug contempt. "Very well, human. I am Toth, King of the hydras and ruler of this place." The last he hisses, as if vengeful at the walls themselves. "Know it well," he continues in a mocking purr, "because it may be your death someday. If you wish to visit my mate, Vienna, follow that path. Perhaps you stand a chance of Joining with one of our children." Six heads swivel eagerly towards a dark tunnel, unlit by the warm torches lining this room. You nod mutely again, forcing your limbs to work as you quickly head towards that dark tunnel. You can feel Toth's eerily knowing gaze following you as you enter the darkness.
Rules (Read these or you will not be accepted!)
Hatching Den
Records
Mating Caverns
