As Natasha and Yuria’s Madness survey the area strange sounds flutter around them.

Natasha: Do you hear that?

Yuria’s Madness: Keep your guard up

Natasha: That rock, is it moving?

Yuria’s Madness: It’s not a rock. Seems like a strange

Natasha: Toad! It’s a toad. These must be the species Xilo told us about. The one that incubates the eggs for the Cockatrice.

Yuria’s Madness: We need to find the nest.. but first what is that maddening sound?

A strange and cruel laughter echoes throughout the cavern. It appears to be in harmony with the bubbles of the pools. A familiar figure flashes before both their eyes.

Xilo: You’re going to die down here. You’re already dying hahahah

The laughter doesn’t sound natural.

Natasha: I already killed you once

Yuria’s Madness: He’s already dead. Something is wrong here.

Xilo’s laughter continues. The sound makes the air heavier and both of the women find themselves struggling to breath.

Natasha: STOP LAUGH- *She gasps for air

Yuria’s Madness grabs her companion and charges back towards the entrance. Back to where the snake had chased them before. As they get closer to the entrance the sounds from earlier subside and the air becomes easier to breath.

Yuria’s Madness: Bastard. He almost got us killed.

Natasha: That stupid grin, before he died.

Yuria’s Madness: His mask.

Natasha: What about it?

Yuria’s Madness: He must have had some filtration system to keep out the poisonous air.

Natasha: We don’t have time to head to a town for supplies.

Yuria’s Madness: We don’t have to. The land provides.. besides we’ll need to eat. But first, stay here.

Natasha: Don’t go back in there?!

Yuria’s Madness: I’ll be quick this time.

Yuria’s Madness emerges, and let’s out a huge gasp. In her hand are 3 arrows. Their tips discolored and soaked.

Natasha: What do you plan to use those on?

Yuria’s Madness: Remember the large beast that chased us into here?

Natasha: From one danger to the next..

After taking down the Serpent, the two companions go to work.

Yuria’s Madness: This shall provide plenty of meat.

Natasha: Its’ intestines can be used to make a filtration apparatus to traverse the pools and it’s skin can be woven into a flask.

After collecting their supplies, the two prepare a camp outside the entrance to the Langor Pools.

Natasha eager to test out their new equipment makes a trip in search of the Cockatrice nest while Yuria’s Madness cooks their food over an open fire.

To be continued..