Tales from Tabletop

Session 5.5: Beneath

Chapter V: The Trap Shuts

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Selene awoke with a start, sweat beading on her brow. She had the same nightmare as before the attack, but this time it was only the final part. Drowning under the gaze of some awful monster looming above. As she got her bearings, she saw the others beginning to rise as well. Everyone seemed far more rested than before.

Even Argent seemed more energized.

The group quickly passed out quarter rations and discussed their plans going forward.

"We should probably start looking for a way out now," Jezran said in between mouthfuls of dried meat, "Now that we've passed the trap, anyway."

"You think the maze and slimes were the trap?" Ari asked.

"I can't believe anyone would have thought we'd survive that. That many slimes would probably make quick work of a party twice our size, especially if they didn't have any magic."

The rest of the party showed signs of agreement. Argent looked like he wanted to say something, but reconsidered.

"Perhaps you are right, but we'll still need to be careful going forward," Argent cautioned.

The party, upon review of their options, came to realize the path they were now on, did not appear to include any significant deviations. The path behind them was blocked, and every path going a different direction was also blocked. As they passed the final ruined hallway, they realized they were past the labyrinth.

Only another straight hall into the dark without any seeming end.

It was like they were back on the staircase. Every step forward felt slow, and there was no sign they were any closer to the end. Until suddenly, they finally passed through the corridor into an empty chamber, pitch black.

As they entered, the darkness was pulled back, almost like a curtain. The room itself was remarkably similar to the one they found at the bottom of the initial staircase. The ceiling rose high above them, but a walkway appeared high above instead of a balcony.

That wasn't the only dissimilarity.

On the other side of the room dwelt another of the creatures. At first, it appeared to be dead as well, but then an energy thrummed through the fetid pool it lay in. Ripples pulsed through the pool as the corpse rocked back and forth.

Selene's vision could not see any colour in the darkness, but something in the skin changed. It was no longer dry and taut against the bone. Beneath the skin, it engorged as though life blood began to flow once more through it. As if the thrum pulsed life back into the creature.

Slowly, strengthening with each pulse of the thrum, it began to stir. Tentacles moved lethargically, as if rousing from a deep slumber.

A voice echoed in her mind. It was ancient, and came in fragmented pieces.

Meat....

Fresh.

....hunger.

...So...long.

Tentacles flailed and its body thrashed, causing the ground beneath her feet to shake.

During the tremor, the wall behind them shut with a definitive thud.

Now, there was no way out.

The trap was shut.