A Strange Noise [Open]

Hikaru moved quietly along the stone floor of the underground passage. She had her senses flared out to catch any coming enemies. She didn’t trust the underground. Every time she had come down here she almost always ended up in battle with the Dark Clan. They often had scouts and troops patrolling the area to defend their borders from surface dwellers. It made it difficult for people to gather the rare resources that could only be found in Namek’s underground.

There were many medicinal items that could be found in the underground. Various mushrooms, and subterranean creatures that couldn’t be grown or bred above ground. There was something special in the environment found in these dark tunnels that couldn’t be replicated on the surface. And so the surface dwellers were forced to spelunk for the items that made some of their most potent medicines.

Mollau had began to run low in some of his medicinal stores and Hikaru had refused to let him go. She argued against him getting hurt, in spite of the fact that he had gone before. The healer had agreed if only because he thought this would be a good practice for Hikaru to identify and gather her own medicinal supplies. So armed with a thick textbook on identifying the creatures and mushrooms of the underground, and her hoi-poi capsule Hikaru trekked through the underground.

She started in the areas closer to the surface where the creatures that traversed between the dark and light lived. Insects, arachnids, and a few gastropods. Hikaru had to spend the entire first day of her quest simply gathering in the surface levels. True to the Namekian peaceful way, they believed in sparing life when they could. So a lot of the medicine that could be gathered through milking venom and other such methods were required. This made the project EXTREMELY time consuming. But Hikaru kept at it determinedly.

When she finally capped the last jar of venom, she sighed in relief. It was actually rather satisfying to complete the project. Hikaru then stood back and tossed out her hoi-poi capsule, and with a flash of smoke a large crate appeared. She carefully stored the jar inside with the other supplies she had gathered, and then placed everything back into the capsule, and stored the capsule in her pocket. Mission accomplished, Hikaru fished out the map Mollau had given her. It would be a bit before she would have the underground paths memorized. She examined the directions that would lead her to the bioluminescent caverns, then folded the map and stowed it away in one of her many pockets.

A few hours later the glow of mushrooms began to peek into the tunnels and Hikaru turned off the lantern she had brought with her. The light was bright enough that she could see her pathway and avoid tripping. She held the medicinal textbook Mollau had given her open in one hand, splayed out. The compared the mushrooms she saw to the ones in the book, surprised at just how many varieties there were, and how similar some could be. What could be a powerful anti-inflammatory was almost exactly like a mushroom with a powerful neurotoxin capable of death within minutes.

Hikaru felt a thrum of ki.

She blinked and straightened up. She spread her senses out. A Dark Clan patrol? She could sense two power levels, but they were moving away from her. Hikaru made a mental note to keep track of their position so that she could retreat if they decide to engage her. It felt as though her power level was higher than theirs, so she wouldn’t have any trouble if they did attack her. But she shouldn’t assume. There were those who wore weights like her, and those capable of suppressing their power levels. It was better to err on the side of caution…

There was another ki, but it was alone. A lone ki in these caverns wasn’t as common. Patrols often had a small crew, and even scouts often at least were a party of two. Hikaru’s brow furrowed just a tad as she tried to read the ki signature in a little more detail. It seemed to be Namekian, and fairly strong. They would be able to manage alright in the caverns, so long as they weren’t surrounded or attacked by a large party. But still…

Hikaru shifted in direction, and began to make her way towards the ki signature. They might be a healer out gathering supplies like her, and if that were the case, she wanted to help them. It was dangerous under here, no matter how strong someone was.

Suddenly a bizarre voice carried through the caverns to her ears and Hikaru stiffened. That voice was too loud, too close. How could she not have noticed some one? Were they suppressing their ki? But if that were the case, why announce their presence with such a loud… cackle? What was going on?

Hikaru took a deep breath, and continued down the pathway to investigate.

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Word Count: 851

Power Level: 34,145
Weighted Power Level: 8,536

Hand wrapped tightly around the steel door handle Jhelks rotated his grip downwards and a subtle click hinted at the doors locking mechanism unhinging. The young warrior was stunned that the impressive barrier was not externally locked? Perhaps the door was by design only sealed closed from one direction? The thought of being on the unsealed side of a ki sensing proof jail could only make Jhelks wonder at what danger was trapped within the next room. With his thoughts came his caution. The warrior was no coward, but perhaps whatever was behind this door should stay locked away forever?

Deep in thought on the matter Jhelks visibly flinched as a shock of power flashed through his mind, his ability to sense ki picking up on a powerful reading behind him. The energy registered at nearly twice the warrior's own strength, and though they were a distance away the source of that power was edging closer. Once again Jhelks sense of caution called for him to abandon his self imposed quest as he stood between the unknown and a power far greater than his own. In the end however the warrior realized he had trapped himself, both directions could land him in unavoidable danger. "Fortune favors the bold." Jhelks whispered to himself, a quote often spoken by PTO trained soldiers when they knew a situation had grown beyond their control.

With a great heave Jhelks pushed the steel barrier inward, the heavy portal groaned loudly with strain as it slowly opened fully. The light of the glowing cavern flooded the small chamber with azure glow, treating the warrior to a view of a well crafted box shaped cell. Chains dangled from small holes in the walls of the otherwise unadorned chamber, only a single lever and a solitary prisoner broke the solace of the lonely jail. Yellow eyes stared out at the dark Namekian, wide like saucers and glinting with intelligence. The being before Jhelks flashed a smile of fanged teeth as he chattered away with greetings and questions, the being was unlike any creature Jhelks had met before.

"I simply wanted to see the rumored terror for myself. To be honest I expected more." Jhelks replied in answer as he stepped into the cell, positioning himself next to the lever. With the steel box opened Jhelks could sense the creatures ki signature, but it was faint in a manner that suggested something was wrong with the jovially dressed figure. "I had hoped to learn if you would be of use." Jhelks added while he examined the lone lever, certain it was the key to freeing the creature.

From out of the corners of the cell two figures step out from the shadow. Their dress was enough to make Jhelks freeze in place. The pair were stoic and clad in robes of brown and yellow. The warrior recognized the sensors as Namekian Headsmen, the elites of the Dark Clans current sitting elder. Worry began to rise in Jhelks throat as the pair took position to either side of the prisoner, for Jhelks could not sense the Headsmen's ki. "I see you already have guests, that's going to be a problem." Jhelks stated as the full scope of the situation grew ever worse for him.

Making a sudden lunge for the lever at his feet, Jhelks barely even managed to bend his waist before a wave of energy from one Headsman blasted into his chest. The scarlet beam lifted the warrior off his feet and blew him full out of the small cell. Landing among a pile of mushrooms Jhelks rolled in a awkward jumble along the cave floor, coming away battered and bruised from the powerful attack. "This is going to be a bad day." he muttered to himself as he pushed himself back to his feet. Jhelks knew his only chance lay in freeing the prisoner and joining forces with them against the Headsmen. Worse still the dark Namekian could sense the previous power was near to arriving!

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WC: 669
Total WC: 1,323