Castalla//

With their treasure successfully reclaimed and the ruffians chased off, it seemed smart to move their camp, lest they get any more unwelcome visitors. And so they trudged through the dungeon in search of a better spot, bodies aching for rest but determination pushing them on.

Fate seemed to have more in store for the group, for no sooner had they entered another room, it began to fill with an acrid green gaze. It was a foul smell, cloying, clinging, suffocating, stuffing itself down their throats.

“Shit,” Castalla growled - or at least, coughed - nose tucked into her chest as she blinked away the burning tears forming in her mouth. Bile rose in her throat as she gagged on the scent that was far worse than even a worm-filled corpse. 

“Keep…moving,” she managed to choke out, even as the ground seemed to rise dizzyingly to meet her, her head spinning uncomfortably as each step slowed and oblivion pressed in on her vision. Steps unbalanced, she shoved her weight into the closest body, urging them forward - though the green fog made it difficult to tell just who she bumped into.

Wolf//

The green tendrils moved with a sinister grace, spreading outwards and filling the room. Wolf's first instinct was to hold his breath, but the foul stench was already clawing, clawing, clawing its way into his throat and lung. It was unlike anything he'd ever encountered before, even on the streets, even as a squire. It was as if the very essence of decay had been distilled into a single, noxious cloud.

Emberclaw chittered in distress, the lava ant's mandible clicking frantically as it stumbled towards the door.

Wolf’s lungs burned, chest heaving as the acrid green odour crawled down his throat and up his nares. He coughed violently, shudderingly as he staggered forward, head muffled and vision blurring just as his gaze landed on the door. It was mere steps away, but each one felt insurmountable. Somewhere in the haze he heard Castalla curse violently between choking coughs, urging them forward.

Quill//

Panic coiled in his chest as the noxious gas filled his lungs, suffocating as he struggled to exhale. It wasn't for himself as he looked at Walter waddling behind them, head pressed into his chest, sharp coughs wracking his body. 

"Fly Walter," he urged, stopping and lingering for a moment as his companion's wings opened and the goose staggered into the air, teetering dangerously from side to side in flight. Worry kept him frozen on the spot until a firm press from Castalla shoved him forward with a stumble. His movements felt thick and heavy, awkward. The exhaustion only felt worse because of it.

Quill opened his mouth to check on everyone else, and settled into a fit of coughing as he froze again. Castalla was his pillar as she gave him another shove. All he needed to take were a few more steps across the small room, and the gas would hopefully lessen in the halls and they'd be able to take a moment to rest. 

"Almost... There," he called out, trying to be encouraging he fell into a fit of coughing. Staggering as the dizziness threatened to topple him over. 

Elrim//

Behind the others, protecting their flank, Elrim had a moment of warning that the other three didn't as he trailed behind the waddling goose. He had a second to pull in some air, stealing some of the last that lingered before he walked into the haze. The single coated his nostrils, clung to his mouth in a way that he could almost taste it. He suppressed the urge to cough or snort. Someone was stumbling a little ahead; he could hear the sound of their hooves scraping against the dungeon floor, a toe hooking on the vents. 

Bracing himself, he pressed forward, pressing neck and chest against another's flank, pushing them onward as well. Trying to keep them moving before he was forced to inhale, lifting his nose as high as he could when he did. Force of will and determination were the only tools that they had to push through this, the gas already lingering in each of their lungs. 

One step in front of the other. Pushing, shoving, bumping, leaning on, and being leaned on. When Elrim made it through the other side, the only thing holding him back from gasping air into his lungs was pride. 

Walter's honk up ahead caught his attention. The goose held moss in his beak, dropping it at their feet with an expectant look. 

"Thanks Walter... I'll pack it for next time." Elrim heard Quill say as he turned to look at Castalla. She'd be in there the longest, and had the least warning. Quill and Wolf could use it as well. If he was honest, he could too.

"Let's stop for a moment and update our map. That room's off limits." A way for all of them to take a breather before their unfortunate night kept going.