[FIN] Hidden ambitions (Xelloss and Gaston)

[tefla]

Talismans? That was what Xelloss wanted so badly that he would risk tangling with a bear? Gaston snorted softly and shook his head. Even if there was sentimental value attached to the talismans Gaston wouldn't blindly charge into an unknown area to get them back. The stallion rolled his eyes at his own mental musings. It seemed as if he were going to do just that though. It didn't seem to make a difference that it was for someone else that he was doing this seemingly stupid mission.

Gaston's subconscious sniggered at him before tutting softly. It seemed as if it found the whole idea ludicrous as well. Gaston ignored the jeers before following after the kalona.

"So Xelloss ... can you tell me a little about yourself?"

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Though the distance was short to the cave, Xelloss was starting to realize that this was going to be a long walk. He started to wonder if maybe he should have found someone a bit less curious. The story he told Gaston was one he had used many times. He told Gaston that he was a traveling priest from an ancient and arcane order. His imaginary order was one that dealt with scholarly pursuits and fascinated with the idea of ancient magics. He was one of few kalonas in this made up order, though they accepted all kinds. Through many repetitions, Xelloss liked to think that it was a pretty solid account.

Just as he was getting to the part about how the head of their order had tried and failed to teach himself to read, they reached the cave. Xelloss happily ceased his storytelling to eye that dark entrance. "Much as I'd love to continue," he said. "We have other things to think about now. Things like treading carefully to avoid drawing attention."  

[tefla]

Gaston glanced into the dark entrance of the cave. He'd found Xelloss' story interesting. The stallion had kept silent on his own past though as they had traveled to the location indicated by Xelloss. Now that he stood facing the blackened mouth of the cave Gaston gave a tiny shudder before mustering his courage. He heard Xelloss's words as if the other stallion was whispering them into his ear before nodding silently.

"That would be a good idea. How far in do you think we need to go Xelloss?"

Gaston took a cautious step forward. His eyes scanned the interior of the cave and took notice of the stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Hopefully those were secure enough. To have them drop onto his back would be rather painful.

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

"I... don't really know," said Xelloss honestly. He had the feeling that the talismans wouldn't be easy to get to. If they weren't some level of obnoxious, someone else would have wandered off with them by now. He stepped forward cautiously in the cave, pupils dilating to make use of all available light.

He put one hoof down and immediately drew it back again. The brittle cave floor beneath had completely crumbled away, revealing the black chasm beneath. Right. This was the reason he had brought with Gaston in the first place. It was his job to test things and possibly fall to his doom, not Xelloss'. He looked back to Gaston and then ahead into the dark cavern passage before them. "Only one way to go. Shall we get started?"  

[tefla]

Gaston stepped uncertainly passed Xelloss in time to see the part of the floor crumble away. He peered at the giant hole in the floor before gently testing the edges of the circular depression. Would he now have to keep an eye on both the floor and the ceiling? To think that the ground had crumbled away that easily triggered a silent warning in Gaston's mind. What else could be lurking in this cave besides Xelloss's bear?

Gaston swallowed a nervous lump before negotiating a path of sturdy floor. His motions were very tentative as he gently tested each step before committing the rest of his body to follow. He sighed in relief as his path seemed to hold under his weight. He glanced back towards Xelloss before speaking quietly.

"If you follow the steps I took you shouldn't have to worry about more floor collapses."

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

"Well, you know best," said Xelloss, conceding Gaston the lead. It was exactly as planned. As requested, he followed only where Gaston already tread, but even that cautious strategy turned out a little more exciting than anticipated. Gaston's weight caused several more small collapses of the floor, but they were able to easily avoid those delicate places. It was things falling from above that provided the real challenges.

The noise and vibrations from their walking were apparently too much for the fragile cave to manage. They had three instances of stalactites falling suddenly from the ceiling, one of which Xelloss almost caught directly. He managed to barely pull his head back as the falling dagger of rock shot by in front of his nose. The further they went in the more unstable things grew. They were soon both covered in a layer of gray dust and Xelloss had to take a few minutes break after a forceful sneezing fit.

"I think we're almost there," coughed Xelloss, though he wasn't as sure as he tried to sound. At least there was light now. The ceiling was broken by vertical shafts that reached up to the surface, letting slices of light filter into the dark cave.  

[tefla]

Gaston's sides were heaving. It shocked him a little that he seemed out of shape. Of course one normally didn't expect to be constantly bombarded by falling objects from the ceiling or almost plunge to their death with one misplaced hoof. Why had he agreed to this adventure? Gaston shook his head ruefully before a burning sensation brought his focus back to the cave. He couldn't see it but obviously that last object to strike him had lacerated his side. He grunted with the lancing pain before hearing Xelloss's words.

The light from ahead made the stallion toughen his resolve to push on. He took a step forward if only to make it to the light in order to examine the wound on his side.

"If we are almost there ... where is this bear that you spoke of?"

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

"The bear? Ah..." Xelloss strained to think of a credible excuse for the lack of bear while attempting to fight off another impending sneeze attack. He managed to regain control of his nose after only a few sneezes this time and blinked moisture out of his dust-irritated eyes. "The bear is..." He paused, squinting ahead. As perfect as a painting, one of the rays of light was shining on a flat pedestal of rock not too far ahead of them. It was an unusual sort of formation but what caught his attention was what sat upon it.

It was a small burlap sack. It looked old and decayed, unremarkable in itself. In one place the bag was slightly frayed and something deeply red glittered beyond the fibers. It was the talismans.

"The bear is... probably hiding," muttered Xelloss absently, moving forward single-minded toward his lost treasure. The floor was stable here. Even though he strode ahead of Gaston now he was in no danger of falling through. He looked down at the sack. His talismans, barely visible, seemed to glint with a demonic inner light in the shine from above.

"No, that's not true." He didn't turn around, but the change in his demeanor was still readily apparent. "The bear doesn't exist. Neither do most of the things I've been talking to you about." His wings were partially open, casting sharp shadows beneath him. He slowly wound his tail around the bag, nestling it securely in his coils.  

[tefla]

Gaston hadn't even seen any indication that there was an creature of ursine nature residing in the cave but he had been a little preoccupied and it had been too dark to pick out any sort of habituation that proved that a bear had called this place home. No he had been too busy avoiding falling projectiles. He shook his mane and craned his neck to peer at the rip that he found in his garment. The frayed edges had been dyed red with blood but that didn't bother him too much. He would have a scar to impress the ladies with.

It was at this point that Gaston realized that Xelloss had moved past him to secure a burlap sack with his tail. He caught the odd glimpse of a reddish hue from inside and sighed with relief. His friend had found what he had been looking for. It was at that moment that Gaston perceived Xelloss's words.

There was no bear?

Gaston took in Xelloss' changed demeanor. For a moment he felt like he had been punched in the gut. "What are you saying Xelloss?"

The stallion took in the burlap sack that was coiled tightly amongst Xellos's tail. The other stallion's pose had turned menacing. What exactly had he walked into now?

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Xelloss didn't answer Gaston immediately. He studied the ceiling, noting the hole directly above him. It was a much larger gap than the others they had passed. If he had judged the size properly, it would be just barely large enough for him to escape, assuming he was able to be precise with his wings. His eyes flicked next to the rock formations surrounding the gap. There was one to his side that looked less fragile than the others, but with a well-placed kick...

After another moment of silence, Xelloss turned. He smiled wickedly at his duped minion. There was no purpose in disguising his intentions now. "I'm saying that you did your job well. I wasn't inclined to be hit by rocks today and you filled that position nicely." He eyed Gaston's bleeding injury without sympathy. "That must sting."  

[tefla]

Gaston stood in shock. He'd been used? The words that he wanted to use failed him as he continued to stand motionless. A hoof tested the ground before him before he lunged suddenly towards Xelloss. No sound escaped him as he saw a little bit of red. It was the second time that he had been duped and he cared little for the feeling of being tricked. He slammed against Xelloss in rage.
----
Gaston blinked. He'd just imagined attacking another being. The result would probably led to his demise and Gaston knew that it wasn't in him to be that violent. Words had failed him though. He stood with his mouth open before he responded to Xelloss's comments. "It stings yes. But not so much as your betrayal it seems. I helped you secure your talismans. What do I get from aiding you in this task?"

The stallion bunched his muscles before wincing. His eyes scanned the area that they stood in before his eyes traveled upwards towards the roof. His attention shifted back to Xelloss. What thoughts did the treacherous stallion have in mind now?

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Xelloss could see the rage in Gaston's eyes. He prepared for an attack, wondering if Gaston had the bravery to strike him. It looked like not. The look on Gaston's face rather reminded Xelloss of a young bird lying shattered on the ground after suddenly discovering he did not know how to fly. Xelloss licked his lips. It had been some time now since he had slain a soquili. The talismans deserved to be given a taste of blood after so long in the silence of the cave. Xelloss considered it... then decided against a direct assault.

"You want a reward?" Xelloss stepped sideways, out of the beam of light and closer to one of the supporting pillars of stone. "I would be quite ungrateful if I didn't give you something for all your help." Xelloss waited a breath, then delivered two sharp kicks to the column. It was stronger than most of the structures in the cave but could not hold up against such force. It fell apart into two pieces that crashed to the floor, rolling off into the shadows. An ominous thunder of cracking followed and Xelloss' smile widened to see the cave destabilizing before his eyes.

"Your reward... is death." Xelloss sprung from the cave floor and beat his wings as hard as he could. He propelled himself straight upwards through the gap, scrambling with hooves where it was too narrow for wings. He could hear the cavern collapsing below him as he fought his way upwards. He couldn't see any way that Gaston could have survived.  

[tefla]

Gaston's jaw dropped. That was not the reward he was looking for. As Xelloss kicked the support columns his mind woke from the stupor that had momentarily settled into his cognitive center. Gaston took note of the falling debris and hastily scanned the cavern's interior. Heading out the way that he had come in didn't seem like a viable option. Was there another path out of the cave?

As Xelloss disappeared through the ceiling Gaston was left hacking in the dust clogging the precious air. His hooves skittered on loose rocks as he frantically began to search for another exit.

He had almost given up hope when his eyes settled on another darkened hole. Another exit!!! It had to be. Gaston surged towards the darkness and felt relief at the realization that it was another tunnel. Gaston didn't care to test the floor. He needed to get out of here now.

 

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Xelloss exploded out of the rift in the ground in a plume of dust and debris from the collapsing cave beneath him. He was caked in the stuff and landed quickly to try to clear his eyes and lungs. After a moment spent coughing he finally was able to look around. The cave had definitely collapsed. He could see large swaths of earth that had been pulled down, leaving trees leaning haphazardly in random directions. There were a few confused and dazed animals wandering around, wondering what had just happened.

Xelloss himself was still covered in grime, along with a few sluggishly bleeding scrapes, but he had no attention to give to himself. He was entirely focused on the contents of his bag, which he eased gently onto the ground. With his teeth he cut through the layers of ancient fabric, then pulled them away to reveal the treasures underneath.

It was his talismans. Red gems set in silver, they were as beautiful and compelling as he remembered them. Silent, Xelloss contemplated them with awe. It had been so many years since he had laid eyes on them. They were in a heap but he separated them out with his tail. There they were, laid out and...

Missing one.

Xelloss hissed in astonishment, which turned into a growl of frustration. He had three talismans out of four. Where was the fourth? Hurriedly, he retraced his path. He could find nowhere that a talisman might have fallen to the ground and going back into the cave wasn't an option. The narrow crevasse that he had climbed out of had collapsed upon itself. If the talisman was in the cave, he had just collapsed a hillside of stone and dirt onto it. Gaston was dead by now, Xelloss had no doubt... but somewhere near his corpse might be Xelloss' final talisman. Trembling with rage, Xelloss lashed his tail at one of the fallen trees. He carved wooden scars into its length, but that did nothing to return his final talisman to him.

Thwarted and angered, Xelloss went to collect his other three talismans. If the fourth was still reachable somewhere, he would find it.  

[tefla]

For a moment it seemed as if all the stallion could do was cough. Bleary, irritated eyes blinked at the sudden reappearance of light before comprehension dawned. Apparently there had been a second way into the cave. Gaston sucked in a rather large lungful of air before attempting to breathe normally. He moved cautiously towards the mouth of the cave and chanced a peek around the rock formation. Who knew how big the cavern system had been?

Gaston's legs chose at that moment to buckle and the stallion toppled over. Far from dead he had spent a lot of energy in outrunning the collapse that Xelloss had deliberately caused. He would rest for the afternoon before setting out again.

"Never ever will I trust a kalona again."