Command

"Get it together, Cyrus. We can still get out of here," Sylven hissed "It'll take time for the drake to find a way to us. For now, we need to make as much distance as we can."

Cyrus gritted his teeth, and pulled back his gaze. "You're right, but how do you propose we do that?"

"Lenwillo, Helreos, Felreon."

Cyrus shielded his eyes as a ball of light blossomed beside Sylven, and burst into three smaller orbs. Each one floated forward, lighting the plumes of steam, and jagged stones. The drake growled, and pounced towards another path, landing precariously near the water.

"Let's go before it gets any closer," Sylven said. He dashed forward, leaping over a pool, and landing gracefully on the other side. 

The lights zipped forward as Cyrus chased after, his boots thumping against the stone floor. He jumped as the drake crushed another stalagmite, shattering the crystalized stone. The light from the mushrooms glinted off its obsidian scales, while saliva dripped from its curved canines.

Cyrus hastened forward, clutching his pack tightly as he leapt over the pools, and through the steam. His feet barely touched the ground, and each step vaulted him forward. Sylven stayed a few meters ahead of him, controlling the path of the lights as they ran. 

As they ran, Cyrus noticed the pool diminishing, until only puddles remained, and then nothing. The ground straightened out ahead of them, and the walls grew closer, narrowing the further they went. 

Cyrus pushed himself faster, and caught up to Sylven. "Are we still heading the correct direction? If we need to turn, we should do it soon. We're running out of room."

"Keep going," Sylven said, narrowing his eyes. "I'm certain the way out is just ahead."

Cyrus heeded his words, and focused on the path ahead. Behind them, the clatter of rocks echoed through the cavern as the drake closed the distance towards the edge. Suddenly, Sylven skidded to a stop, and threw out his hand, catching Cyrus as he nearly stumbled into a dark abyss. 

Around them, the lights wavered as Sylven's concentration waned. Sweat beady along his brow as his eyes jumped back and forth. Cyrus stepped back, his mind reeling as he gazed into the darkness below. 

"What- what are we going to do?" Cyrus asked.

Sylven shook his head. "I don't know. The wind… It blows from this direction."

Cyrus bit back a snide remark. Three clicks slipped through the darkness, announcing the approach of the drake. He whirled around, but the shadows enveloped the cavern, hiding the beast lurking within. 

Cursing inwardly, he frantically glanced over his shoulder, looking for a way out. A flicker of light caught his attention, drawing his gaze to the ceiling above. Through the rocks, a single pinpoint of light appeared, smaller than a needle, and cloaked by dark tendrils. 

Cyrus squinted, trying to make it out better. 'Wait… are those?'

He spun around, stretching out his consciousness into the void. Farther and farther he pushed his mind, until it felt like he might lose himself, when finally, he brushed against the roots of an old cyprus. 

It's slow moving thoughts, born from countless centuries, filled him with hope. Eagerly, he grabbed Sylven's arm.

"I think I found a way out of here, but I need you to distract the drake. Can you do it?"

Sylven's eyes widened, but he gave a curt nod and drew his sword. "Leave it to me. Serifel, Delferin."

A brilliant flame burst from his blade, casting their surroundings in an eerie orange glow. Cyrus returned his attention to the roots as Sylven stalked away, revealing the drake waiting in the darkness. 

The ground shook as the two clashed, steel against tooth and claw. Wary, Cyrus retreated from the edge, lest their battle weaken the ground. Once a safe distance away, he closed his eyes, shutting out the clang and clatter, until only the whispering mutters of the willow remained. 

'Awaken, great tree, and spread your roots, breaking loose the stones below.'

He waited, but his call did little more to stir the tree than a pebble tossed into the ocean. Furrowing his brow, he called out again, but only managed to stir the thoughts of the willow, before it droned him out. 

Growing impatient, Cyrus gathered his aether, and used it to batter the willows' thoughts apart, creating just enough of a gap that he could get in. 

'AWAKEN, AND HEED MY COMMAND. SPREAD YOUR ROOTS, SO THAT I MAY REACH THEM!"

Cyrus grimaced as the willows' thoughts lashed back at him, striking at his consciousness. Still, he held on, tightening his grip on the tree's mind as it swayed back and forth. The battle between them continued for what felt like an eternity, before at last, the willow surrendered, and the stone ceiling above fell away, opening a gaping hole which allowed sunlight to cascade down. 

As the britled roots extended toward them, Cyrus's knees wobbled, but he caught himself before falling. Ignoring his exhaustion, he turned around just in time to see Sylven parry the drakes barbed tail, and blast its snapping maw back with a ball of flames.

"Sylven, it's done! Let's go!"

The young man jumped back, scorching the drake with a second blast of flames, before spinning on his heel and dashing towards the abyss. Cyrus's eyes widened as Sylven whisked past, sheathing his blade, and leapt out over the chasm. 

The moment his palms touched the roots, he latched on and twirled around. "What are you doing? The drake's coming!"

Cyrus gritted his teeth, and broke into a run, charging towards the roots. Behind him, the drake regained its sight, and let out a thunderous roar before bolting after him. The distance between them closed in a flash, and its hot breath warmed Cyrus's back.

With one final push, Cyrus leapt forward, throwing himself off of the cliff. Time seemed to slow as he stretched out his hands, grasping for the roots. His mind was numb to the muffled sound of Sylven calling his name, followed by the sharp pain blossoming in his shoulder as the drake's barbed tail pierced his skin.

It all felt so distant, until at last, his fingers closed around the knotted roots, and he clasped on. Snapping back to his senses, he yanked himself up, pulling away right as the drake sailed past him, its dagger like claws inches from his back. 

Then, it plummeted down, disappearing into the depths of the abyss. Cyrus breathed a sigh of relief, and rested his head on his root.

'Finally… It's over.'

"Cyrus? Are you alright?" Sylven asked. He slid down a few meters, and studied Cyrus with a keen gaze. 

Cyrus forced a smile, and nodded. "I'm fine. Let's get out of here while we still can."

Sylven gave a curt nod, and the two ascended the roots as fast as their muscles allowed. Sylven was the first to reach the top, and he rushed over to give Cyrus a hand climbing out.