A Breakout

Quinella's footsteps slowed as she came upon a wider chamber, the oppressive narrowness of the pathways giving way to a space both vast and eerily silent. The cavern here opened up into a domed hollow, its ceiling high above and draped in a dense weave of roots and vines. The light from the crystalline formations was faint here, but enough to highlight the grotesque beauty of the chamber. A large central pool glistened with a sickly green hue, its surface reflecting the jagged formations of stalactites above. Around the pool were cages—dozens of them—each containing Faune captives.

Her breath hitched as she approached one of the cages. Inside was a young Faune woman, her long ears drooping and her face gaunt from exhaustion. The magic-infused bars shimmered faintly, and when Quinella reached out to touch them, an electric pulse shot through her fingertips, forcing her to pull back.

The woman's hollow eyes turned to Quinella, a faint glimmer of hope flickering in her gaze. "Please," she whispered, her voice cracking from disuse. "Help us."

"I'll find a way to get you out," Quinella promised, her voice steady despite the unease creeping through her. She scanned the room, her mind racing. What kind of magic was this? What kind of creatures could take pleasure in such cruelty?

The answer revealed itself almost immediately. From one of the shadowed corners of the chamber came the sound of approaching footsteps—light, deliberate, and unnervingly graceful. Quinella's hand went to the hilt of her blade as a figure stepped into the dim light.

It was a Fae.

The creature's appearance was as captivating as it was unnerving. She had a slender frame, her bark-like skin gleaming faintly under the cavern's glow. One eye was a vivid emerald green, glowing faintly, while the other was as black as the void, seemingly absorbing the light around it. Her long, claw-like fingers trailed over the cage bars as she moved, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

"Well, well," the Fae said, her voice melodic yet laced with malice. "Another visitor, drawn in by our little feast, I presume?"

Quinella tightened her grip on her blade but didn't draw it yet. "Release them," she said, her tone firm. "Whatever twisted game you're playing, it ends now."

The Fae laughed, a sound that echoed unnaturally in the chamber. "Oh, my dear. You think you can simply demand and I'll comply? How adorable. But I must admit, I do love your spirit. It will be such a shame to see it broken."

Quinella's stance shifted, her body tensing as the Fae stepped closer. She knew this wouldn't end without a fight. The Fae raised a hand, her long fingers moving in intricate patterns. The air around her shimmered, and dark energy began to coalesce into a weapon—a slender blade that seemed to drink in the light, much like her void-like eye.

"Let's see if you're as strong as you are bold," the Fae said, lunging forward.

Quinella sidestepped the attack, her blade meeting the Fae's in a clash of steel and shadow. The sound echoed through the chamber, drawing the attention of other Fae who emerged from the shadows, their cruel laughter filling the air. Quinella's heart raced as she realized she was outnumbered. She needed to think fast.

"Time to test your mettle," the Fae taunted, her movements fluid and unpredictable.

Quinella dodged another attack, countering with a swift strike that forced the Fae to retreat a step. "You'll regret underestimating me," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos around her. She spared a glance at the cages, noting the fear and desperation in the eyes of the captives. She couldn't afford to lose here—not with so many lives at stake.

As the fight continued, the Fae's movements became more erratic, their dark magic lacing each strike with an unnatural force. Quinella deflected a blow that sent a shockwave through her arm, but she held her ground. With each clash, her determination grew stronger.

Finally, she saw an opening. The Fae lunged, leaving herself exposed. Quinella seized the opportunity, delivering a precise strike that sent the Fae sprawling. The creature let out a hiss of frustration, her form flickering like a dying ember. The other Fae hesitated, their confidence wavering.

"Leave," Quinella commanded, her blade pointed at the fallen Fae. "Or I'll make sure none of you walk out of here."

The Fae glared at her, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes. With a sharp whistle, she signaled the others to retreat. One by one, they disappeared into the shadows, their laughter fading into the distance.

Quinella wasted no time. She turned her attention to the cages, examining the magical seals. She would need help to break them—perhaps Strawberry's wires could disrupt the magic, or maybe there was something in this cavern that could serve as a key. For now, she focused on comforting the captives.

"You're safe now," she said softly, her voice a stark contrast to the strength she'd shown moments before. "We'll get you out of here."

As she moved from cage to cage, checking on each captive, she couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. This place was a nightmare, and she knew they had only scratched the surface of its horrors.

Far above, in the heart of Faerie, the Fae King Nyx watched through a mirror of shimmering water. His expression was unreadable, but his dark eye gleamed with interest.

"This one has potential," he murmured, a faint smile curling his lips. "Let's see how far she's willing to go."

Quinella moved swiftly from cage to cage, examining each one for any sign of weakness. The captives were a mix of Faune and a few unlucky players who must have stumbled into Faerie and consumed the enchanted food. Their expressions ranged from despair to cautious hope as they watched Quinella work.

The magical seals on the cages pulsed faintly, a testament to the Fae's dark sorcery. Quinella bit her lip, trying to piece together a plan. She wasn't a mage, nor did she have any advanced skills that could counteract this kind of enchantment. But she wasn't about to leave these people behind. Not after what she'd seen.

The young Faune woman she'd spoken to earlier clutched the bars of her cage, her knuckles white. "They'll come back," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They always do. You have to go before it's too late."

Quinella shook her head firmly. "I'm not leaving anyone behind," she said, her tone resolute. "There has to be a way to break these seals."

The Faune's eyes welled with tears, but she said nothing more, simply watching Quinella with a mixture of fear and admiration.

Quinella turned her attention to the cavern itself, her sharp eyes scanning for anything that might be of use. The glowing crystals that dotted the walls caught her attention. They seemed to be the source of the faint light in the cavern, but Quinella had a feeling they might serve another purpose. She approached one of the larger clusters and reached out, her fingers brushing against the cool surface.

The crystal pulsed faintly under her touch, and a soft hum filled the air. Quinella's eyes widened. It wasn't just a light source—it was connected to the magical energy of the cavern. If she could disrupt the flow of energy, it might weaken the seals on the cages.

She glanced back at the captives. "Hold on," she said. "I think I've got an idea."

Carefully, she drew her blade and began chipping away at the crystal. The material was surprisingly tough, but Quinella's strikes were precise and deliberate. With each piece she removed, the hum grew quieter, and the glow of the seals on the cages dimmed slightly.

"You're doing it," one of the captives said, their voice filled with cautious hope.

Quinella gritted her teeth, focusing on her task. The sound of her blade against the crystal echoed through the cavern, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the Fae would return at any moment. She worked faster, determined to finish before they were interrupted.

Finally, with one last strike, the crystal shattered. A wave of energy rippled through the cavern, and the seals on the cages flickered before disappearing altogether. The captives gasped as the bars of their cages vanished, leaving them free.

Quinella stepped back, breathing heavily. "Let's go," she said, gesturing for the captives to follow her. "We need to get out of here before the Fae realize what's happened."

The group moved quickly, their footsteps echoing in the cavern. Quinella led the way, her blade at the ready, while the captives stayed close behind her. The air was tense, and every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat.

As they neared the entrance to the cavern, a faint sound reached Quinella's ears. It was a low, melodic hum, growing louder with each passing moment. Her heart sank. The Fae were returning.

"Keep moving," she said, her voice sharp. "I'll hold them off."

The captives hesitated, but Quinella's fierce gaze left no room for argument. They nodded and hurried toward the exit, their footsteps quickening.

Quinella turned to face the approaching sound, her grip on her blade tightening. The shadows shifted, and the Fae emerged, their eyes gleaming with malice. The one she had fought earlier stood at the forefront, her void-like eye locking onto Quinella with a mixture of anger and amusement.

"You're persistent," the Fae said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But you're a fool if you think you can defy us."

Quinella raised her blade, her stance steady despite the odds. "Try me."

The Fae hissed, and the group lunged forward. Quinella met them head-on, her blade flashing as she deflected their attacks. She moved with precision and grace, each strike calculated to keep the Fae at bay. But they were relentless, their dark magic giving them an edge that Quinella struggled to counter.

As the fight raged on, Quinella's thoughts drifted to Strawberry and Muffin. She hoped they were safe, wherever they were. She noticed that Strawberry tended to get into the strangest situations. The thought gave her strength, and she fought with renewed determination, her blade cutting through the darkness. She needed to return to Strawberry and Muffin. They brought so much joy to her life. Especially after... her sister.

Finally, the captives' voices called out from the entrance. "We're safe! Come on!"

Quinella let out a breath of relief and disengaged from the fight, her blade slashing through the air to create an opening. She sprinted toward the exit, the Fae's angry cries echoing behind her.

As she emerged from the cavern, the sunlight blinded her for a moment. The captives were gathered nearby, their faces filled with gratitude and relief. Quinella allowed herself a small smile.

"You did it," one of them said, their voice trembling with emotion. "You saved us."

Quinella sheathed her blade and nodded. "We're not out of the woods yet," she said. "Let's get as far from here as we can."

The group set off, leaving the dark cavern behind. As they walked, Quinella couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Fae wouldn't let this go unpunished, and she had a sinking feeling that the Fae King Nyx was already aware of her actions.

But for now, she focused on the present. She had saved lives today, and that was enough. For now.

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Hiya, just wanted to give a shout out to all my readers who have been supporting my work so far. I really appreciate all the love. So thanks. You guys are awesome. I

My goal for this story is to reach 1 million views, right now. Let's work hard, yeah?

It's been awhile, but here's a poll:

What character from Canon should Strawberry meet next?

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