Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Chapter Four: Beneath the Waterfall

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That next day, the waterfall was easy to find. Smiling, Seto walked forward, having left Blue Eyes back at the usual tree that the two most often rested under. This time, things were different. He had met another human. Of course, he’s seen many humans. This human, however, was not of his people. The other, known as Katsuya, had perked Seto’s interest.

He made his way down the rocks, listening to the peaceful drumming of the waterfall as he did so. He saw no signs of Katsuya, and pondered the idea that, perhaps, the man would not show. Seto was a patient man. He’d wait. He journeyed to the bottom of the rocks, and stepped onto the lovely grass below.

It is as he sat when he noticed something strange. He closed his eyes, just listening. No sounds of life reached his ears. No birds. No insects.

Nothing.

‘That’s strange,” Seto thought. ‘It’s as if this place is inexistent.’ He opened his eyes, eyeing the waterfall. ‘Perhaps it is. Perhaps this area of the forest is part of another world.’ At that, Seto chuckled. He was not a superstitious man. ‘Nah. That’s ridiculous.’

Seto leaned back, allowing himself to fall into the grass below. With no insects to bother him, the grass was most comfortable and soft.

Over minutes passed, and Seto became lust with anticipation. He found himself frowning, still lying there with his eyes shut. ‘He’s not coming…’

“Hey!”

Swiftly, Seto opened his eyes. A shadowy form peered over him. Adjusting his eyes, Seto gazed over the form of a very familiar someone.

“Hey,” Katsuya glared. “Wake up!”

“Katsuya,” Seto said, his eyes wide. He sat up, and stood to his feet. “You came.”

Crossing his arms, Katsuya stuck up his nose. “Yeah, well, think nothing of it.” He turned his back to Seto, and moved over to sit beside the spring. “I had nothing better to do today, is all.”

“Right,” Seto smirked. He followed, and sat next to Katsuya.

For a while, both men kept silent, listening only to the pouring waterfall. Both kept their eyes on the spring, as well, hoping that by some miracle a fish would jump.

To his own surprise, Katsuya began conversing first. “So, what are you wearing, anyway?”

“Hmm?” Seto turned, seeming confused by the question.

“That,” Katsuya said, pointing to Seto’s robe. “What is that?”

Seto touches his robe. “You’ve never seen cloth before?”

“Cloth?” Katsuya shook his head. “Nope. Never heard of it…” Katsuya looked up at Seto. The other hid any emotion of seeming surprised. Growing brave, Katsuya reached out, and he touched his fingertips against the interesting material. “Damn, it’s so soft.” Pausing, Katsuya lifted his head, taking notice that Seto had not stopped staring at him. “Is it comfortable?”

Seto answered by nodding.

“Hmm,” Katsuya mumbled. He continued to rub at the material, hardly taking notice of just how close he was to Seto. But Seto allowed Katsuya to touch. He kept very still, watching as those dirty hands left bits of soil on his robe. He did not mind. He always got a bit dirty when he journeyed into the forests. Eventually, Katsuya took notice of his rude trespassing, and he backed off. “S--sorry…” He stood to his feet.

“You’re curious, is all,” Seto said, standing. “Nothing to be sorry for.”

Feeling flustered, Katsuya turns away. “I--I should probably go…” He puts one foot forward. And then, he feels Seto’s hand reach out to grab his shoulder.

“Why the hurry?” Seto asked.

“Hey,” Katsuya yelped. He turns, pushing Seto off of him. “Let go!”

“You’re too shaky,” Seto stated. “Relax.”

“Relax?” shouted Katsuya, taking a step back. “How can I relax when ya won’t let me be?”

Shaking his head, Seto steps forward. “Stop acting like a frightened puppy. I said I wasn’t going to hurt you.”

Smoking mad, Katsuya takes another step back. “I’ll relax once ya stop touching me.”

“Fine, I won’t touch you,” sighed Seto. “So, will you stop acting idiotic?”

“Idiotic,” Katsuya shook his head. He pumped his fists as he takes one final step back. “You ass…”

Suddenly, Katsuya is cut off. He felt himself falling. He looked down, watching as the floor crumbled beneath him. As he gave off a sudden shout, Seto flung forward to grab him. He felt Seto’s arms wrap around him as they both plummeted into the depths of the earth.

--

Darkness surrounded them. The fall had seemed long-lasting. Katsuya had screamed halfway down, but he found that his voice had grown dry as he and Seto plummeted towards soft, solid ground. As their feet touched the solidness below, both Katsuya and Seto gave out identical gasps. They fell forward, landing on their bellies.

Dry earth reached their lungs, causing them both to cough.

“F--fuck,” Katsuya cursed. His hands and knees both stung. From behind him, he could hear Seto moving about. Finally, he heard Seto ask if he was alright. “I--I’m fine,” he answered, wishing he could examine his hands.

When a sudden blue light lifts the darkness, Katsuya blinked to focus his eyes. He stood, turning to see that the light was emitting from Seto’s right hand. Startled by the dazzling magic, Katsuya tilt his head to the left. He was bedazzled. “How…?”

“I’ll explain later,” Seto interrupted. He turned to the right. “Come on. Let’s follow this tunnel, and see if we can find a way out of here.”

Staying silent, Katsuya nodded in agreement. He slowly followed behind Seto as the two begun walking.

The tunnel was rocky and dangerous. Katsuya took each step with care, trying to stay as close to Seto as possible. The taller man seemed to be walking across the rocks much easily. Of course, Seto held that mysterious light in his hand. It flickered a pleasing warmth, and kept Katsuya somewhat relaxed as they traveled down the cramp darkness.

“I--I don’t like this,” Katsuya whispered. He rubbed at his arms, and he stepped over a large rock. “I’ve heard stories, ya know? My teacher has warned me of monsters that live below the ground. Called them trolls, I think.” Katsuya moved closer to Seto. “D--do you suppose we’ll run into a troll?”

“Who knows,” added Seto. “Trolls do love dark and scary places. Sunlight hurts them. We might.”

Katsuya gulped, suddenly finding that he was sweating wildly. “A--are you serious?”

“My father once met a group of trolls,” Seto told. “Long before I was born, he had told me of a travel he made with some friends of his. The three of them had gotten lost in some rocky areas of a mountain. A group of salvaging trolls found them, and chained my father and his friends. My father had to watch three of them get eaten alive. Bones and all…”

Stomach growling from fright, Katsuya stepped even closer to Seto. “H--how did your father escape?”

“He got lucky,” Seto continued. “Somehow one of my father’s friends had broken loose of his chains. The man had killed the guard troll, and took the key. They escaped through a small tunnel. Sort of like this one.”

“Creepy,” Katsuya said.

They continued onward. Shortly, both men were beginning to feel uncomfortable. The thickness of the tunnel’s walls were excruciatingly tight, making both men feel close to claustrophobic. But not long after did they come to a dead end.

Sighing, Seto whispered, “Perfect.” He turned his attention on Katsuya, and he glared. “If you hadn’t been so stupid, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“What?” Katsuya gasped. Growling, he stepped into Seto’s face. “How dare ya blame me for this! You’re the one who wouldn’t stop being so fucking interested in me! This is your fault!”

“Hardly,” Seto argued. “I was merely interested. You are the one who kept stepping back. Of course, if I hadn’t of been there to wrap my self protectively around you, you might not have survived the fall.”

“I can survive anything!” Katsuya shouted. He growled viciously, challenging Seto with his fist.

Sneering, Seto turned to examine the wall. He touched it with his unused hand, feeling around the soft, plump dirt. “Hmm, this isn’t good.” Suddenly, Seto noticed a tiny clearing to his left. It was a smaller hole. He assumed that he and Katsuya might be able to crawl through. Turning to Katsuya, Seto pointed towards the direction of the hole. “Listen, mutt, we’re going through there.”

With his mouth gaped open, Katsuya blinked at Seto, unsure if he had heard the man right. “W--what did you just call me?”

Seto smirked at Katsuya, bringing the light down to a simmer. “You heard me.”

Katsuya felt ready to pounce Seto, but the taller man had already began to crawl through the smaller space. Sighing, Katsuya followed, deciding he’d hit Seto later. Getting on his hands and knees, Katsuya crawled after Seto. The two just barely fit through the smaller entry. They each took their time, moving to the sound of their knees and hands hitting against mud, tiny rocks, and sand. Katsuya could feel his hands getting moist.

He was bleeding.

Positive that Seto was getting scraped, as well, Katsuya kept from cringing aloud whenever a new rock would scrape against his skin. The tunnel seemed as if it’d never end, dragging Katsuya and Seto through endless emptiness. But shortly, Katsuya and Seto began to feel weird, stringy substance sticking to their heads and faces.

Katsuya tried pulling at the stuff, but it only stuck to his hands. The stickiness tightened against the wounds on his hands, making Katsuya groan. It stung.

“S--Seto,” Katsuya began. “W--what is this?”

“Don’t ask me,” Seto answered. “Oh! W--wait a minute. I think the tunnel’s coming to an end.”

Sure enough, Seto took a final crawl forward as he and Katsuya reached the end. Stopping, Seto could feel Katsuya bump into him. It makes him jerk forward, and he holds back a tiny growl. He could hear Katsuya mutter an apology before asking if Seto had found something. Indeed, Seto had. There, Seto glanced upon a large, rocky cave. He turns his head, eyeing Katsuya. “There’s a small drop. It doesn’t look to bad. Cling to the walls, and climb down using your hands.”

“W--what?” asked Katsuya.

“Just watch me,” Seto sighed. He added in a whispered, “Idiot,” before beginning his descent down the short wall. He clung to what he expected were vines. He had trouble making out the stuff with only a small portion of light for support. Slowly, Seto shimmies down the wall, using his hands to lower him to the floor. He rests against his stomach, making sure to keep from injuring his body even further. Once he was securely spread across the rough floor, Seto stood.

Re-increasing the blue light, Seto was able to look around. The sticky he and Katsuya had felt were not vines, but cobwebs. Millions hung around the rocky ceiling, swaying like ghosts by invisible air. Shivering, Seto turned to Katsuya. He watched as Katsuya struggled to climb out of the tight space, even though Katsuya was imitating Seto’s strategy.

“Do you need help?” Seto asked sarcastically.

“Shut up,” Katsuya yelled. Half his body dangled from the tight spot, as his other half was still trapped within. “I can do it myself.”

“Suit yourself,” Seto smirked. He stood, waiting and watching Katsuya struggle to escape the tight space. Katsuya was shorter, and a tad heavier than Seto. The sight humored Seto. He found himself enjoying watching Katsuya inch out from the dark tunnel.

Shortly, Katsuya had fallen. He silently cursed, looking up to see Seto staring at him. Katsuya was sure he was blushing. Thankfully the darkness covered it. He quickly stands. “See? I can handle myself.”

“I see,” Seto said.

“Ouch,” Katsuya gently whispered. He glanced at his hands, them bruised and scraped. “Damn, that hurt…” As he gently rubbed his hands, Katsuya walked over to Seto.

Both men began examining their surroundings. Katsuya grew chilled from the cobwebs. He looked up, noticing a certain cobweb. It was much fatter than the others, and curious as he is, Katsuya reached his hand out towards it. Touching it, Katsuya stepped back as the cobweb broke apart. A large, beastlike skeleton fell from within, it dangling just before Katsuya’s face. As he was about to release a terrified scream, Seto’s hand covered over Katsuya’s mouth, blocking any sound trying to escape.

“Shh, be quiet,” whispered Seto. “And listen very carefully. There is a large cave heading to our left. We are going to find a way out of here, but you need to stay calm and as quiet as possible. The spider that lives here must hunt food, and where there’s food, there’s sunlight. Where there’s sunlight, there’s hope for us to escape. Understand?”

Not wanting to become spider food, Katsuya nodded.

“Good,” Seto said, speaking ever so softly. He removed his hand from Katsuya’s mouth, glad to hear no sound come out. Nodding, Seto turned, and grabbed a large skeletal leg. He wrapped cobweb around it, and using his power, he lit the cobweb to make a torch. The blazing light continued to shine blue. “Now, let’s get the hell out of here.”

Agreeing with Seto’s plan, Katsuya walked side by side as he and Seto make their way through the endless cobweb covered cave.

--

The passageway was long, dark, and cold. Katsuya kept by Seto’s side. He dare not stray away from the warmth of the blue light, nor the warmth of Seto’s body.

“This is never ending,” Seto whispered.

“M--maybe there is no exit,” Katsuya said, doing his best to keep his voice low. He’s hardly done so, always being so mischievous and cocky.

“There has to be,” replied Seto. He came to a halt.

Concerned, Katsuya turned his head. “W--what’s wrong?”

“Shush,” Seto quickly answered. Turning to look behind him, Seto tried to make out any shadows in the dark. He was sure he had heard footsteps following. Perhaps a victim to the spider? Or, perhaps the spider itself?

“S--Seto…” Katsuya shivered. “Y--you’re starting to scare me.”

Angered, Seto made sure to turn, and give Katsuya a perfect evil eye. “Will you be quiet? I’m trying to listen.”

“Well, if you’d answer,” Katsuya spat, “I’d shut up!”

“You are such a pain,” Seto grumbled.

Grumbling, Katsuya replied, “So are you” as he felt something wet touch against his shoulder. He turned, staring at thick, green goop oozing down his shoulder. “What the…?” Katsuya looked up. And as he does, his face paled with fright.

There, hanging upside down, was a queen spider. Furry brown hairs clung over her entire large body, covering over her legs, prosoma, and large, round abdomen. She had multitude of black, beady eyes and eight furry legs. Two large, poisonous fangs scratch back and forth. She hisses, angry that Katsuya and Seto have intruded into her home.

“S---Seto…” Katsuya whimpered. He tried remaining calm.

But as Seto leaned towards him, and as Seto whispered, “Run,” Katsuya took off.

Both men swiftly turned, and ran opposite of the spider. They could hear her squeal with rage, and her scattering legs followed to catch up.

“Run Katsuya,” Seto shouted. “Go! Go! Go!”

Katsuya ran. He did what he could to control his breathing, listening as Seto ran behind him. He was positive Seto could take lead, but he assumed that Seto was trying to keep him protected. Katsuya was fine with that.

A single stone, sadly, caught Katsuya off guard. He fell forward, yelping from shock as he scratched against the rough ground. Seto had moved a few feet ahead of him, not expecting Katsuya to fall. Katsuya looked up to find Seto running back for him. Katsuya was thankful, gladly accepting Seto’s arm as the other tried to help pull Katsuya up.

“Fuck!” Katsuya gasped. His attention focused on his right ankle. “I--I think I twisted my ankle.”

“What?” Seto asked, his voice shaky and exhausted.

A sudden shriek from the following queen caught both men’s attention. They look up, watching as the spider trampled towards them. She was hissing with rage, eager to make her unwelcome guests her dinner.

“Katsuya,” Seto screamed. “Get up!”

“I--I can’t,” Katsuya wailed. His ankle hurt badly, and he had trouble moving it.

“Lean on me,” Seto ordered. “Lean on me, damn it!”

The spider drew closer. Seto pulled Katsuya against his body, trying to give Katsuya support. And as Katsuya wrapped strong arms around him, briefly Seto’s right arm rubbed against Katsuya’s left.

A light commenced, shining brightly before Katsuya and Seto. They stared in awe as the spider was blinded. She struggled against the sudden greenish blue light, backing away. The spider used her front legs to rub her eyes. Katsuya and Seto watched as she rammed into the wall, desperately wanting her sight back.

“W--what happened?” Katsuya asked.

“Who cares,” Seto replied, forcing Katsuya to stand. “Come one!”

The two continued on, racing to escape the caves of the queen spider.

Katsuya could feel his ankle pulsing. It made him feel ill. He allowed Seto’s arms to balance him as they scampered into a new area. The caves were becoming less dark and scary. Seto could make out the gray in the rocks, and he knew that they were growing nearer towards light.

“S--Seto,” Katsuya suddenly said. “I…I need a rest.”

“Can’t you hold out?” Seto challenged. He did not wish to force Katsuya’s ankle, but he did not want to get eaten, either. “Didn’t you tell me that you were strong, and that you can handle yourself?”

Katsuya kept quiet. He pondered why Seto had to be so mean, especially during such a devastating crisis.

“We’re almost out,” Seto said. “I know it.”

Abrupt rumbling sounded. Seto glanced up, listening intently as the rocks around them shuffle. “Now what?”

Katsuya listened, too, ignoring the pain he felt in his ankle.

As both stood, their nightmarish struggle worsened as the cave began to break apart.

“Shit,” Seto yelled. He pushes Katsuya forward. “Go, Katsuya!”

To the best of his ability, Katsuya stumbled forward as Seto helped. Their feet scurried, both in pain and misery as the men flee from falling, tumbling rocks.

Feeling the cave collapsing around them, Katsuya and Seto leap forward, attempting to prevent getting smashed.

The collide stops. Dust brushed from the rocks polluted the air.

Katsuya, letting out a desperate cough, opened his eyes. He was still alive. Grateful, he listened carefully for any sign of Seto. “Seto?” He does his best to stand, still feeling his ankle throbbing. Surprisingly, it hurt less. Katsuya assumed because it was not his major worry, at that time. “Seto? Seto!”

“Stop shouting,” Seto growled from behind. “I can hear you.”

Turning, Katsuya gasped by what he saw. There, Seto lie with lots of rocks covering him. Most were small, thankfully. However, Seto was bleeding from a wound on his forehead. Blood trickled down his head and neck, mixing with soot. Also, Seto’s robe was caught between two large rocks, forcing Seto between. Seto is able to stand, but he could not move forward nor backward. He glared down, and he tried forcing his robe from between the rocks. “Damn it. I--I’m stuck!”

“Seto!” Katsuya cried, rushing over. “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” Seto said, feeling the cut on his forehead.

Examining Seto’s situation, Katsuya asked, “C--can you get undressed?”

Seto gave the plan a try. Sadly, he was unsuccessful. “I--I can’t. It’s stuck too tight between the rocks. I can’t slip underneath.”

Just then, a familiar hiss caught their ears. It was a familiar sound of the queen spider, tracking their trail. Seto looked to Katsuya, and from behind Katsuya, something caught Seto’s attention. “Look.”

Katsuya obeyed. He looked, noticing a tiny hole covered in lush green.

A way out.

Turning back to Seto, Katsuya could see the panic in Seto’s eyes. However, Katsuya also saw a hint of bravery, and of determination.

“Go,” Seto spoke.

Mustering that word, Katsuya shook his head. “What?”

“Go,” repeated Seto. “Go! Get out of here why you still have the chance!”

“N--no,” Katsuya argued. “No! There’s no way I’m leaving ya!”

The hissing drew closer. That very sound made Katsuya and Seto shiver. Breathing heavily, Seto prepared to stare straight into Katsuya’s frightened brown eyes. When their eyes lock, Seto could see Katsuya’s own fear. He saw Katsuya’s body trembling uncontrollably, and still he refused to let Seto die.

“Listen to me,” Seto said. “You can still escape! Freedom is only five steps ahead! Now go!”

“Shut up,” Katsuya shouted. “Just -- shut up!”

Just then, Katsuya had a plan. He reaches down, finding his pouch still attached to his fur clothing. Opening it, he reached in, taking out his pendant. He peered at it, taking in it’s single pointy edge. The very pendant was triangular in shape. It was a fine metal, and surely… Katsuya had to take a chance. Bending over, Katsuya grabs at Seto’s robe. He places the sharp edge of the pendant against the cloth. Swiftly, he began sawing at the robe.

“K--Katsuya,” Seto muttered. “W--what are you doing?”

“Saving your ass,” Katsuya gleamed. He watched as the robe tore. He peered over Seto’s shocked expression. Using his hands, Katsuya helped to rip the robe, until finally Seto was free. Katsuya smiled at his pendant, giving it a gratified kiss.

Seto stared, utterly amazed by Katsuya’s fine work. Though the lower portion of his robe was torn, Seto was thankful for Katsuya’s assistance. “Katsuya, t--thank…”

“Seto!” Katsuya shouted, pulling Seto forward just as a large claw reached out to stab Seto from behind. The two stare at the large spider. She struggled against the fallen rocks, only able to reach out her long, furry legs between a set of two large rocks. “W--what do we do?”

Notifying Katsuya’s shaky question, Seto began to examine the rocks. He noticed a single rock, it loosely swaying above the spider’s head. “Push…”

“Huh?” Katsuya stared dumbfounded.

Agitated, Seto put his hands against the fallen rocks, and again demands Katsuya to push. Katsuya stepped next to Seto, and together they used what little strength they had to push the rocks, hoping to cause a final avalanche. The pushing worked, causing the large rock and much others to crash down. Seto grabbed Katsuya, stepping back as both watched the spider struggle to flee. However, the large rock moved faster than she, and it fell upon her, completely crushing her.

Greenish blood oozed out of the spider’s shriveling body. With a final short hiss, her life ended.

Katsuya and Seto breath out, both finally accepting the spider’s death.

Taking Katsuya’s hand, Seto whispered, “Let’s go,” as they exit through the lit hole.

--

Smells of fresh trees and plants floated into their nostrils as Katsuya and Seto descended above ground. As the fresh dawning of night poured over them, Katsuya and Seto collapsed over the cool, fresh grass together.

They turns heads, and they stare at the other.

Katsuya found himself bursting out in laughter. “S--shit…”

Seto did not laugh. He only smirked, quite surprised by Katsuya’s laughter. Laughter, in truth, suited Katsuya well.

“Y--ya know,” Katsuya said, taking a deep breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such -- danger in all my life!”

“Never have I,” Seto calmly spoke. “It was almost exciting.”

“Almost?” Katsuya chuckled. He sat up. “We almost died in there! I mean, fuck! That was so wild!”

Raising a brow, Seto stood to his feet as he shook his head. “You are very strange.” Looking down, Seto’s gaze fell upon Katsuya’s ankle. “How’s your ankle?”

“Huh?” Katsuya glanced down. “Oh. It hurts like hell.” Laughing, Katsuya smiled up at Seto. “How’s your head?”

“I’ll live,” Seto answered, touching at his wound. Bending over, Seto helps to pull Katsuya to a standing position. It is then that both men heard the large running of water. “Come on.”

--

Hardly a minute walk found Seto and Katsuya back at the waterfall. They stared in disbelief, finding it humorous how they had gone in an entire circle just beneath the waterfall.

“I need to get back to the village,” Katsuya said, hardly caring that Seto heard. “They must be worried sick.”

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Seto nodded. “I must return home, as well.”

Frowning, Katsuya directed his attention on the ground. Playing with his fingers, Katsuya softy whispered, “Seto. I--I wanted to thank you for saving my ass in there.”

And ever shortly, Seto replied, “Dido.” Hearing Katsuya chuckle, Seto shifted his head to face Katsuya, and as Katsuya smiled up at him, Seto smirked back. “So -- see you tomorrow?”

Raising his head to the sky, Katsuya rubbed at his chin to think. His smile widened, and he gave Seto a slight nod.

“Sure.”

-End of Chapter Four-

Yay! Excitement!