protection in this insane place.
Cons:
The plane carrying me to visit my father in Japan was attacked and crashed by one or more daikaiju—AKA giant monsters, AKA dragons—leaving only me alive.
I’ve had to constantly flee for my life through dense forests and underground fortresses from monsters, ogres, and dragons ever since!
All this has been orchestrated by a mad, would-be world conqueror who may or may not still be alive.
I lost the magic sword, my only protection in this place.
I’m still alive, and so most likely will have to endure more of the above!
No doubt about it, the cons definitely outweigh the pros here!
“Raymond-sai,” Kitsune says at last.
“I’m okay, Kitsune.”
“We must back out of here and re-enter the labyrinth.”
“I figured as much.”
“Do not worry. It is not much farther to the Toho village.”
I work my way to our tunnel’s entrance, having to shimmy backwards on my hands, feet, and belly. The action is awkward. Never having been accused of possessing grace, I accidently slip and plunge my face into the mud beneath me just as I reach the tunnel exit.
Angry at myself, I climb the rest of the way outside and wipe the muck from face and eyes.
I gasp at what I see.
The cavern has been hollowed out to such a degree that a mountain could now pass through it with ease. Boulders, rubble, and mounds of earth now carpet the ground. Claw marks the size of field furrows criss-cross the cavern walls, dividing them into haphazard grids that disappear into darkness as they stretch for the ceiling.
“Kumagor’s wake.”
I turn and see Kitsune standing beside me, covered head to toe in dirt.
If she is that filthy, I must be a walking fudge-sicle.
“This way, Raymond-sai.”
We follow Kumagor’s trail for a time then turn off into an adjoining cavern that takes my breath away. Its walls, ceiling and floor are covered with crystals that shine every color of the rainbow, glittering with some unknown light source.
Just when I’d dismissed the deep labyrinth as an ugly, terrible place—POW!—incomparable beauty everywhere! It makes me wonder what other untold treasures and unexplored wonders might exist within Ryuu’s lair.
“Amazing!”
Kitsune gives a perfunctory smile.
“Come, Raymond-sai.”
She takes my hand and leads me through a maze of crystal pillars running from ceiling to floor. The pillars bandy for room among an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites comprised of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
We enter an especially large cavern with gigantic twin holes centered in its floor and ceiling. Sunlight shines down through the latter from a distant opening in the earth miles above. I realize it’s the infinitesimal refraction of the sun’s rays by the crystals that causes them to glitter. The light gives me hope that Kitsune and I might actually get out of this place alive after all!
I turn my attention to the hole in the cavern floor. It’s every bit as deep as Doragon’s Mouth. But instead of blackness, a soft, undulating aurora borealis dances within its depths. Like the crystal-shine, it’s both beautiful and frightening.
I stand at the hole’s edge, gazing into the dancing light. “What’s down there?”
Kitsune answers, her voice equal parts awe and fear.
“That is the heart of Ryuu. And as such, it is the heart of all things.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“It is the beginning and end of all beginnings and ends. It is where the deep labyrinth is, well, deepest.
“It is from Ryuu’s heart that all daikaiju truly spring.”
I jump back from the hole’s rim as though something had leaped up at me. I’ve had enough of the labyrinth’s dragons for one day, and so have no desire to accidently rouse Kumagor or some other daikaiju!
Apparently Kitsune feels the same way.
She hurries us out of the cavern back into the crystal maze. After a time, the crystals peter out and give way to the familiar gray rock walls. Relief strikes me
Cons:
The plane carrying me to visit my father in Japan was attacked and crashed by one or more daikaiju—AKA giant monsters, AKA dragons—leaving only me alive.
I’ve had to constantly flee for my life through dense forests and underground fortresses from monsters, ogres, and dragons ever since!
All this has been orchestrated by a mad, would-be world conqueror who may or may not still be alive.
I lost the magic sword, my only protection in this place.
I’m still alive, and so most likely will have to endure more of the above!
No doubt about it, the cons definitely outweigh the pros here!
“Raymond-sai,” Kitsune says at last.
“I’m okay, Kitsune.”
“We must back out of here and re-enter the labyrinth.”
“I figured as much.”
“Do not worry. It is not much farther to the Toho village.”
I work my way to our tunnel’s entrance, having to shimmy backwards on my hands, feet, and belly. The action is awkward. Never having been accused of possessing grace, I accidently slip and plunge my face into the mud beneath me just as I reach the tunnel exit.
Angry at myself, I climb the rest of the way outside and wipe the muck from face and eyes.
I gasp at what I see.
The cavern has been hollowed out to such a degree that a mountain could now pass through it with ease. Boulders, rubble, and mounds of earth now carpet the ground. Claw marks the size of field furrows criss-cross the cavern walls, dividing them into haphazard grids that disappear into darkness as they stretch for the ceiling.
“Kumagor’s wake.”
I turn and see Kitsune standing beside me, covered head to toe in dirt.
If she is that filthy, I must be a walking fudge-sicle.
“This way, Raymond-sai.”
We follow Kumagor’s trail for a time then turn off into an adjoining cavern that takes my breath away. Its walls, ceiling and floor are covered with crystals that shine every color of the rainbow, glittering with some unknown light source.
Just when I’d dismissed the deep labyrinth as an ugly, terrible place—POW!—incomparable beauty everywhere! It makes me wonder what other untold treasures and unexplored wonders might exist within Ryuu’s lair.
“Amazing!”
Kitsune gives a perfunctory smile.
“Come, Raymond-sai.”
She takes my hand and leads me through a maze of crystal pillars running from ceiling to floor. The pillars bandy for room among an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites comprised of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
We enter an especially large cavern with gigantic twin holes centered in its floor and ceiling. Sunlight shines down through the latter from a distant opening in the earth miles above. I realize it’s the infinitesimal refraction of the sun’s rays by the crystals that causes them to glitter. The light gives me hope that Kitsune and I might actually get out of this place alive after all!
I turn my attention to the hole in the cavern floor. It’s every bit as deep as Doragon’s Mouth. But instead of blackness, a soft, undulating aurora borealis dances within its depths. Like the crystal-shine, it’s both beautiful and frightening.
I stand at the hole’s edge, gazing into the dancing light. “What’s down there?”
Kitsune answers, her voice equal parts awe and fear.
“That is the heart of Ryuu. And as such, it is the heart of all things.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“It is the beginning and end of all beginnings and ends. It is where the deep labyrinth is, well, deepest.
“It is from Ryuu’s heart that all daikaiju truly spring.”
I jump back from the hole’s rim as though something had leaped up at me. I’ve had enough of the labyrinth’s dragons for one day, and so have no desire to accidently rouse Kumagor or some other daikaiju!
Apparently Kitsune feels the same way.
She hurries us out of the cavern back into the crystal maze. After a time, the crystals peter out and give way to the familiar gray rock walls. Relief strikes me
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