Part 1

Dripping water echoed through the cave as Zepper carefully placed each foot with cautious precision so as not to slip and fall on the wet surface. His torch illuminated most of the dark rocky stone around him, giving enough light to weave his way through the dampness.

A low hum reached his ears as he drew closer to the blue light. Slowly, the elderly man crept closer to the glowing door. Eventually, the entire cave was engulfed by the pulsing light. He didn’t need the torch any longer but held onto it tightly as his whole body shook in fear.

The villagers had nominated him to investigate the eerie noises wafting through the mines. A deep growling noise came from behind the door, making the cave seem as if it breathed. The terrifying breeze flowed through the tunnels, whistling at a low pitch. They had not known what made the sound nor why. And so, here he was, his terror mounting with each step.

The closer he got, the hotter it became. The water on the walls had now completely evaporated, causing his throat to dry as the moisture in the air dissipated.

The loud breathing continued behind the enormous glowing door.

Zepper jerked his head to the left as rocks shifted behind him, the crackling of stone echoing through the cave. A nightmare met his gaze. Menacing and dangerous. Two glowing orbs glared at him from the shadows. Its red eyes were level with his.

Several more pairs of eyes popped out of the darkness as if being lit by a fire. Low grumbles escaped the beast's throats, growling at the small frail man.

With all his might, he mustered the courage not to flee in terror but began to back away slowly. He caught a glimpse of the scaly face of a Vog, and his heart skipped.

It was too much.

For a brief moment, he froze, stuck in place as his body refused to move. Another footstep, followed by more rocks bouncing off the cave floor snapped him out of his stupor. Zepper turned on his heel and fled in sheer panic and fear. He never looked back, only sprinting away from the beasts that lurked behind him.

His need to escape overshadowed any other thought.

A low growl echoed through the tunnels, but nothing followed him.

Part 2

Dirty and grimy from travel, Zepper scratched his unkempt beard. Standing in front of the castle gates, he hesitated. His long beard looked nearly black from coal and dirt, his clothes worn and ragged. Zepper had asked for an audience with the king, which had been granted. He was to appear before the king this afternoon but he hadn’t thought of his appearance until he arrived in Vlakias.

Normally, gaining an audience with the king was rare for peasants at best, but Vulkira had changed in the last decade. Their current king was far more welcoming than his predecessor. Inviting the common folk to voice their grievances, was welcome.

“I have to tell the king. Th-the Vog.” Zepper mumbled to himself, now scratching at his scraggly beard.

Zepper arrived early so as not to miss his appointment, for what he brought was grave news. The creatures he had found in his hometown mine had made his village halt trading. Their fear of the Vog outweighed their quota. And so, all mining had stopped in Vori.

“The Vog. I have to tell the king,” he whispered to himself again. “Will he believe me?”

“You there.” a guard at the entrance shouted at him. “Are you going to stand there all day? State your business.”

“I’m here to see King Erik,” Zepper replied, a little nervous. “There’s a V-”

“Are you the man from Vori?” the guard interrupted him.

“Uh, yes. Yes, I am. I bring grave news of-” Zepper began.

“Fine then. Go on in.” the guard interrupted once again. The soldier's suspicious gaze dropped to his dirty clothes and frowned.

“Right. Thank you, sir.” Zepper shuffled past him and entered the castle, ignoring the guard’s rude stares.

Zepper was frustrated by the lack of manners from the guards but that could wait. The castle opened to thin hallways which split off into three paths. The closer he got the more restless he grew.

“Straight ahead.” the guard shouted at him from outside.

Jerking his head around, Zepper nodded and continued forward. He moved through the hall towards another door that had two more guards posted. He stopped in front of them, unsure what to do next.

“Are you the miner from Vori?” one guard asked.

“Yes.” Zepper sighed heavily this time. “I have important news.”

“Yes. Yes. The king is waiting for you.” the man rolled his eyes. “Wait here.” The second guard slipped through the large wooden doors and disappeared.

Zepper could only hear faint voices and mumbling from beyond the door. He waited impatiently, shifting his weight from one leg to the next. A minute passed and the guard slipped back through the doors again and looked at him.

“The king is ready for you. You may enter.” the guard told him.

Zepper nodded then pushed past the guard and strode into the throne room.