Page 42 of Alien Healer's Touch
The tunnel eventually opened into a narrow fissure hidden among dense vegetation. We emerged into late afternoon light, the twin suns low on the horizon. Around us, the forest appeared undisturbed, though I noticed subtle signs of the tremor that had brought us underground—fresh cracks in tree trunks, disturbed soil where roots had shifted.
Kavan oriented himself quickly, identifying our position. "Hammond's camp lies southwest, perhaps three hours' journey in good conditions."
I looked toward the western horizon, where dark clouds were already gathering. "And those aren't good conditions approaching."
"No," he agreed grimly. "That is the leading edge of a seismic storm—the first major one of the season. We need to find suitable shelter before it hits."
The markings on my wrists pulsed as I calculated our options. The medicine we carried could save lives in Hammond's camp, but the approaching storm might make delivery impossible. Yet heading for the Nyxari settlement meant an even longer journey through increasingly dangerous terrain.
"We need to try for Hammond's camp," I decided, securing my pack more firmly. "They need this medicine, and we're closer to them than your settlement."
Kavan nodded, though concern lined his features. "We may not reach them before the storm hits. Seismic storms move quickly once they begin building momentum."
"Then we'll find shelter along the way if necessary." I met his gaze directly. "But we have to try."
His golden eyes held mine for a long moment before he inclined his head in agreement. "Then we move quickly, and hope the storm grants us time."
As we set off through the forest, I felt the weight of the crystalline containers against my back. The integration had given us shared medical knowledge and an unprecedented connection, but now we faced a race against Arenix's deadly weather—with lives hanging in the balance.
The first distantrumble of thunder sounded as we pushed forward, the dark clouds on the horizon growing more ominous with each passing minute. Within an hour, the wind had picked up dramatically, bending trees at dangerous angles and driving the first stinging droplets of acid rain against our skin.
"We won't make it to Hammond's camp before this hits full force," Kavan shouted over the rising gale.
I nodded in grim agreement. "We need shelter—now!"
Kavan pointed to a rocky outcropping ahead where a narrow opening suggested a cave entrance. "There! Natural caves often penetrate deep enough to provide protection from both acid rain and seismic activity."
We sprinted toward the cave as the storm intensified, rain now falling heavily enough that each drop sizzled when it struck exposed skin. The entrance was narrow but opened to a larger chamber within, the darkness absolute after the fading twilight outside.
"We should be safe here until the storm passes," Kavan said, activating a small piece of bioluminescent fungus from his healer's pouch. The blue-green glow revealed a modest cavern with a sandy floor and solid ceiling. "These formations have withstood many seasons of storms."
KAVAN
The storm hit us with the fury Arenix reserved for the unprepared. Wind howled through the reshaped landscape, driving stinging droplets against our skin. The first distant rumble of thunder had quickly escalated, and the dark clouds overhead unleashed their fury.
"We won't make it to Hammond's camp before this hits full force!" I shouted over the rising gale, shielding my eyes against the downpour.
Selene nodded in grim agreement beside me, her smaller form buffeted by the wind. "We need shelter—now!"
My eyes scanned the treacherous terrain, searching for refuge. There—a dark slash against a rocky outcropping, suggesting an opening. "There!" I pointed. "Natural caves often penetrate deep enough to provide protection from both acid rain and seismic activity."
We sprinted toward it, the ground slick beneath our feet. Rain fell heavily now, each drop sizzling where it struck exposed stone. The entrance was narrow, forcing us to turn sideways, but opened into a larger chamber within. Darkness enveloped us, absolute after the fading twilight outside.
"We should be safe here until the storm passes," I said, retrieving a small piece of fungus from my healer's pouch and activating it. Its soft azure light pushed back the shadows, revealing a modest cavern with a sandy floor and a solid ceiling. "These formations have withstood many seasons of storms."
We settled in, sagging in relief. Selene spread our still-damp clothes on drier patches of rock while I shared the last of the food from my pack. Outside, the storm's power intensified. Lightning flashes illuminated the cave entrance in strobing bursts, followed by thunder that reverberated through the very stone around us, a deep vibration felt in the bones.
"At least the medicine is on its way," Selene said, leaning against my side. Her warmth was a welcome counterpoint to the cave's damp chill. "That's what matters most."
"Yes," I agreed, my arm wrapping around her shoulders instinctively. The weight of our discoveries, the knowledge we carried, felt immense. "Though I regret the delay in your return to your people."
She turned to face me, her silver markings showing faintly in the dim fungal light. "Perhaps the delay isn't entirely unwelcome."
Her gaze held an intensity that resonated deep within my lifelines, sending warmth spreading through me despite our precarious situation. The connection forged between us in the ancient facility remained, a silent current beneath the surface. We eventually drifted to sleep in each other's arms, the storm raging outside, the weight of the day finally claiming us.
Sleep offered little respite. The storm raged on, and the tremors that had shaken Arenix for days grew in intensity throughout the night, vibrating through the stone around us. I awoke instantly as a vibration unlike the others ripped through the cavern floor—not the shudder of a distant quake, but the groan of imminent failure. Rock dust rained down as the ceiling began to fracture.
"Selene, wake up!" I shouted, pulling her from the sleeping furs just as the first boulders crashed down where we had lain. Chaos erupted. The roar of collapsing stone deafened us as the stable shelter disintegrated.
