“Well, of course they are!” Though Morrigan’s real alchemical talents lay more with poisons and elixirs with any odd random function than healing tinctures. Kvasir was the medic between them, and he had an uncanny knack and patience for the precise measurements and care it took to construct healing elixirs. Morrigan was personally just glad that their own potion had done enough to get Flynn back on his feet.

“We take this to our graves.” Morrigan’s voice was deathly serious as they mimed closing their lips and throwing away the key. There was no need to give Kvasir yet another unnecessary heart attack, but they felt pride knowing that they had at least kept both of their legs intact this time. They’d probably never hear the end of it if they seriously injured themselves while the healer was not around to help.

And then Flynn started describing his plan, which honestly didn’t sound bad, but… “Where are you going to get some rope? Do you have any on you?” They couldn’t see any on his person, but perhaps Flynn was hiding something up his sleeve that Morrigan didn’t know about.

They didn’t get to inquire about this plan any further, as that was the moment they stumbled upon the researcher, huddled in the crevice made between a couple of rocks in the ravine, barely conscious enough to sit up once the two tieflings approached. As Morrigan thought, their face and clothes were too soot-covered to determine whether they were attractive or not, but that wasn’t important right now. Right now, they had to focus on making sure their charge was safe. The researcher rubbed at his eyes when he spotted the two figures getting close, slumping over in relief.

“Do my eyes deceive me? Are you two real, or simply the last mad visions of a heat-addled brain?” The researcher rasped as Flynn knelt down to give him some water. Morrigan grinned, revealing a line of sharp teeth as they pulled out their fan to hit him with some cool air while Flynn gave him some water.

“Oh, I assure you that we’re very real, sir.” Morrigan insisted. “And very grateful to have found you in one piece. "Tell me, how did you find yourself down here?”

The researcher coughed weakly as Flynn pulled him up onto his back, settling his head on Flynn’s shoulder. “I was… investigating volcanic rock in a cave. We have reason to suspect that the volcano might erupt soon…” He let out another series of dry coughs. Morrigan hastily pulled out their second healing potion, which they offered to the researcher, who was so desperate for liquid that he drank it without a second thought.^[1] Immediately, a little more life came into his eyes, enough that he was able to finish explaining his situation.

“I was tasked with studying the rock to determine the activity of the volcano. But somewhere along the way, I ran into… a foul beast in the system of tunnels I was investigating, and took a wrong turn. I found myself out here in this ravine, with no way to find my way back through the tunnels.” With a still-shaky hand, he pointed to the crevice that they’d found him in. Morrigan narrowed their eyes, surprised to find that upon closer inspection, the crevice actually seemed to be a narrow opening in the stone.

“Wait. You came from these tunnels?” Morrigan asked, whirling back around to the researcher. “As in, they lead back up to the top from this pit?”

The researcher shrugged. “Supposedly. But the system is complicated and I don’t quite remember my way around…”

But that was the best option they had. Morrigan turned to Flynn, icy-blue eyes sparkling in excitement. “Flynn, this might be our ticket out of here! We just have to take the tunnels, and we’re home free!”

---

1. Potion of Minor Healing (2/2)

Hearing the researchers question he chuckled “we may be attractive enough to to be delusions but we are real friend and we are here to get you out of this mess” he responded as he listened while carrying the other “I see. Well good thing that beast left you be once you were out” he remarked before stopping near the cave entrance “a way out or a way into trouble” he thought some

He looked to the researcher on his back “do you know what kind of beast it was friend? Or any characteristics it seemed to have?” He asked trying to size up what could be in there that they could possibly run into. He was a bit worried of how well he could fight with the weak researcher on his back while defending both him and morri. He glanced back hating to ask but knew it may be best than to test this “can you carry him? I’d like to be prepared in case we need to fight something and all my weapons are for close up fighting..” he replied hopefully as things would be stacked against them in this current situation especially being injured a bit still. He waited for a reply before they would enter

“Beast…?” The researcher furrowed his brows as he tried to remember exactly what kind of beast he’d encountered. “It was so very dark, and in my haste to find safety, I did not get a very good look at it. It seemed to hunt by sound, but that was all I was able to glean before I had to flee.”

Morrigan wrinkled their nose. “If that’s the case, we should be able to avoid it entirely, if we remain quiet.” Which, for anyone who’d spent any decent amount of time with Morrigan, would know that for Morrigan to keep their mouth shut for a while was a herculean task in of itself. But Morrigan really didn’t want to fight whatever nasty beast was lurking in these tunnels… they supposed they’d have to make the sacrifice of denying the world their voice just until they’d made it through the tunnels and gotten out of this ravine.

Speaking of…

“Do you know if the beast was, perhaps, draconic in nature?” Morrigan asked with a dangerous glint in their eye, one that the researcher would have missed while he was still woozy. “If so, you’re in luck, good sir. I happen to be the creator of a product that might be able to help us out.”

“Draconic?” The researcher growned. “No, it looked like it was covered in fur. Some kind of mole creature…”

Damnit. Well, Morrigan couldn’t say they hadn’t tried to pawn off even more Dragon-Be-Gone stock.

“I might be able to hold him.” In truth, Morrigan didn’t carry much strength in their short frame, but they’d honestly rather just stay back while Flynn took care of things. He was a capable fighter, and it would be much easier for Morrigan to stay back and support with potions from behind if they ran into any danger. “Here. I’ll hold him and stick behind you.” They grunted as the heavy weight was deposited onto their shoulders, but this was a fine enough tradeoff for not having to be the frontline fighter against some terrifying, vicious blind volcano mole creature. What the hell was a mole creature even doing in a volcano anyways?

It took a moment for the researcher to get settled, and Morrigan’s back ached from keeping a hold on a nasty, sweaty human, but they flashed Flynn a nonchalant grin, acting as if the researcher were as light as a feather. “Well, then. Shall we?”

They waited for Flynn to set off into the tunnel before following after.

Flynn nodded with a thankful look “thanks you two just stay behind me alright?” He asked as he drew his sword beginning to walk forward, his ears perking a little to listen for danger as he led the way in. “Don’t suppose anyone has a torch?” He asked at the entrance quietly and softly. After getting an answer he continued in sticking close to the wall to keep a sense of direction as they went, on high alert with the idea of danger that they could come across. He was determined to protect them and get them out of here.

His gaze swept back and forth searching for shapes in the dark as he listened for movement, checking the ground for any signs and also for anything that was dangerous like a gap or anything that could make noise to alert the creature. It was quite the situation to find one’s self in as he hadn’t prepared for caving. The rope he had was merely if they needed an assist in climbing he had taken from the research centers group. He wished he brought some extra supplies at this point as they went on hoping to see a source of light sooner rather than later to get them to a different exit

They may not have had fire to lead the way, but natural lighting made itself apparent soon enough the deeper the trio ventured into the caves, silent saved the researcher’s labored breathing from the days spent wandering the volcano, and Morrigan’s even more labored breathing from the horrid task of carrying him. Pools of lava lined the cavern walls, some even dripping from the ceiling. The three tried to give the lava a wide berth, but the heat was growing unbearable, and Morrigan wasn’t sure how much longer they could take it.

At least they hadn’t encountered any mole monsters yet. Morrigan thanked the gods for small mercies, considering being killed by a horrid monster while looking like this, with half of their clothes drenched in sweat and honestly ready to keel over any moment, was not a glamorous way to die. Not to mention Kvasir really would bring Morrigan back from the dead just to murder them again if they made it through everything they had in the last few months only for some blind, fuzzy beast to eat them.

All they could continue to do for now was wander silently on Flynn’s heels, doing their best to refrain from complaining about the heat and the weight while Flynn led them through the tunnels. Eventually, they reached a point that must have been somewhat familiar to the researcher, as he lifted his head, whispering into Morrigan’s ear…

“Take a left up here.”

Morrigan tapped Flynn on the shoulder, indicating that they should turn left with as best a gesture they could with both hands occupied.

Flynn was careful on the lava checking on the other two as they went before nodding taking the left, he was glistening with sweat as he went making sure to avoid any trouble as they went hoping to see light up ahead soon for an exit. He didn’t like the space widening a bit however though as that meant more trouble of seeing a creature that could cause danger. He did however see faint light from the other side and began to lead the way towards it with a small thankful look as they continued on, trying hard not to quicken his pace for worry of making sound in the process that could draw the attention of the alleged mole beast.

He however knew morrigan was having some troubles by his breathing and knew that he could carry the researcher again as soon as they got out so the other would be able to rest a bit. He felt bad only being able to do one task at a time but knew it was for the best in this situation. Protecting them was more important than trying to do everything themselves which would just cause more difficulty and a higher chance of failure

With the researcher’s help, they slowly managed to make progress through the twisting tunnels with a little more ease than before, navigating by the light of the lava pools. Eventually, the trio came upon a portion of the tunnel that opened up to a yawning cavern, with a high ceiling and lava that dripped down from the side. What was the most concerning, however, was the slumbering form of the beast that rested right in the center of the cavern.

Morrigan would have gasped if they had any air in their lungs, but perhaps fortunately for them, they no longer had any left to breathe, much less make noise. They felt the situation necessitated a bit of shock and frustration, though. They were so close to the exit! All they had to do was make it to the entrance to the cavern with the researcher and they were home free. They’d gone this long without running into the beast, but now it was the only thing blocking their path to freedom!

This was fine, there was no need to panic- Morrigan forced themselves to calm down. The great beast was still sleeping, which meant they had a chance of sneaking around it, if only they could remain absolutely quiet. They’d have to sneak it around and give it a wide berth, but maybe they could pull it off!

With that in mind, Morrigan began to tiptoe behind Flynn, keeping themselves as quiet as possible, practically holding their breath to avoid waking up the giant slumbering mole creature.

Flynn’s ears flicked back as his tail stopped moving seeing the beast, he held his sword tightly and glanced back with a warning look of being safe and quiet as they passed through. Fighting was a last resort in this scenario due to lava and his injuries along with the other two being unable to fight currently. He currently took a few steps into the cavern going towards the exit on the other side being as quiet as possible. He walked carefully leading the other two stopping to examine the beast for movements and also checking on the others. He would then look ahead to make sure nothing would make the path more dangerous.

As he walked he kept his breathing even trying to keep their breathing quiet and even and keeping their pace different knowing morri may not be able to hold the researcher for a long amount of time. He was worried about the other getting hurt as they walked getting closer and closer to he exit feeling a bit of relief as they were almost there. He relaxed a little as they went there almost making it there though it had been a slow trek to get there

There it was- the light at the end of the tunnel. Morrigan could see it now, their last stretch until freedom. All they had to do was keep as absolutely silent as possible…

Morrigan was practically holding their breath as they made their way around the slumbering mole, giving them a wide berth. They could see the telltale rise and fall of its chest as they breezed past, the sound of its slumbering breath so deep that it rumbled the ground around them. Just how big was that creature? Morrigan didn’t want to find out. Still, the three continued on their slow, painful trek around the mole, until they’d passed it completely. All that was left for them to do was make it to the surface-

It was at this point that Morrigan’s arms finally gave out and the researcher dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

Immediately, Morrigan went on guard, their entire body stiffening as they turned around slowly, praying to any merciful god in the sky that the mole hadn’t heard the sound, and fearful of what they might see. Of course, fate was not on their side today, as when Morrigan whirled around fully, they spotted the mole creature lifting its head, sniffing the air as it searched for the source of the sound.

Shit.

All pretense of stealth forgotten, Morrigan immediately turned to scoop up and throw the researcher over their shoulder like a sack of potatoes. There was no time for him to get comfortable, no time for anything except to-

“RUN!” Morrigan screeched, immediately turning tail and booking it out of the cavern towards the exit. They didn’t wait for Flynn to react- the pirate was athletic enough that he would be able to make the trek without much problem. All they had to do was make it to the light. The ending was in sight, and all they had to do was make it to their goal- Morrigan sprinted with all their might, the mole right on the heels of the two adventurers, ground trembling beneath them with every footstep.

And then, they made it to the entrance-

Morrigan threw their entire body weight outside, landing on the ground with a soft thud. Both Morrigan and the researcher went sprawling to the ground, the mole getting closer to them. Morrigan braced themselves, eyes squeezed shut as they readied themselves for the impact from its powerful fangs, but…

Nothing came.

Cautious, they opened their eyes, only to find that the mole had not gotten further than the entrance to the cave. Angered, it pawed at the air, but did not get any closer to the two adventurers and the researcher.

“Is it… afraid of light?” Morrigan mused out loud.

He walked carefully with the two and soon began running with the rest, his sword in hand as he ran behind the two trying to make sure they were defended as they went on towards the exit, towards the light ahead. Once out his eyes widened seeing the other trip causing the two to hit the ground. With that he whipped around swiftly with his rapier in hand prepared for an attack that surprisingly wouldn't come as the creature seemed to merely swipe and pace at the entrance

"I suppose not. Well that is quite the stroke of luck... though I do recommend we get away from here before night falls. I have a feeling the situation would be quite different without it." he remarked with a frown. It didnt seem like a creature that would leave home much or go far from it but he wasnt in a state to test that theory in their current state. So with that he sheathed his rapier, helped morri to his feet and picked up the researcher "well then back to the camp we go I'm assuming?" he asked to Morri before looking at the researcher who nodded a good bit at that idea

Morrigan was too winded to nod as Flynn helped them to their feet. The pirate picked up the researcher, thankfully giving Morrigan’s poor, abused arms a break. They brushed themselves off and picked up their fan from their belt once more, alternating between fanning themselves, Flynn, and the researcher to keep them all cool.

“Yes, I don’t exactly fancy sticking around and waiting to see if it will come back once the sun sets.” There were still pools of lava surrounding them, but Morrigan doubted that would be enough to protect them should the beast decide to make an appearance again. It was best for them to make their way back to where Morrigan and Flynn had set up camp at the base of the mountain- the three of them would be safe there, and the researcher could recover and finally get something to eat.

“Not to mention I need my beauty sleep.” They added after a moment of thought. The volcano heat had been nasty, and all that exercise had them working up a sweat. A bath back in one of Darkveil’s inns would be a much enjoyed reward after they wrapped up here- and perhaps a chance to get into more trouble with Flynn while they were here. The day was still young.

Flynn nodded and began leading them back down the mountain towards the camp so they could be paid soon, keeping an eye out for trouble as they went and glancing back to check on morri every so often "You always look beautiful darling" he chuckled with a wink glancing back to the other as they were making good progress

"I gotta say going down is a lot easier than going up" he remarked with a smile as they reached the camp setting the researcher down before sitting as well getting a few things set up for rest "The sooner we get paid the better though" he added looking around. He loved spending time with morri though the desert wasn't really his forte or favorite thing. He much preferred the sea to such things. Once they were sat down he unbuttoned his shirt taking it off to check on where his wounds had been looking himself over

He laid back and looked towards the sky happy to have a moments reprieve from the chaos of the day they had had looking to morri with a grin "Well I must say you take me on quite the adventures luv" he chuckled a little