Dillyweed | Röl / Söl

As they moved away from the smiling and frowning door it slowly became quiet again. There was a small tunnel that they didn’t choose the last time and they all figured they could go through that one this time around. Hopefully there would be a place where they could set up their gear again. Söl was once again walking last of the group. He carried a bunch of stuff but it wasn’t the reason for why he was the last of them. He just liked being last, if he stopped to study something the whole group didn’t have to stop. Strohimer usually held up a bit to make sure that he didn’t get lost or anything. But he was usually quite quick at getting back to the group. He was quite sure that his insect studies would one day benefit the Courser society.

Röl was walking close, but not too close, to Senbonzakura. He had found himself almost feeling like an apprentice to the Courser. Of course he would never actually say this to the Courser but rather keep it as a secret. It was probably not too hidden either way so he made sure to keep a distance to Senbonzakura that was respectful enough that the other Courser wouldn’t get annoyed with him.
They had to squeeze through a smaller piece of the tunnel. The pygmy drake on Röls back hissed annoyed as it also had to squeeze to fit in besides the walls and the gear that Röl was carrying with him. In the end they all managed to get by easily. Röl helped Söl get the insect cages into the smaller space. They were thankfully covered by a cloth. He thought it was for the group's benefit but as Söl explained, the bugs felt more comfortable when they were in the darkness. Röl did not complain. At least he didn’t have to actively watch the moving bugs.

They took a right at a fork. There was a light at the end of the tunnel that led right and they figured that usually meant something good was at the end of the tunnel. As they arrived at the light there was only a grate that covered the passage.
“Should we rip it out?” Röl said, with his normally brute-force way of thinking.
They debated the best way to get the grate out. It was a strong grate, but it couldn’t possibly be stronger than the four of them if they worked together. It was more a debate on if it was worth the energy. They could walk back after all. At the same time, the three of them argued with Söl, that whatever was behind the grate would probably be worth quite a bit. Söl didn’t see the appeal but he also didn’t want to argue against them. He got what he wanted, there was no problem for him to play into what they wanted.
“I am fine with it.” It felt like the other three were on the same side and they felt obligated to try and convince Söl that it was the best course of action. But Söl was already trying to make it clear that he agreed with them. They put their stuff down on the opposite side of the passage so that they would have a clear way. And as they were trying to get a rope around the gates to use it to help get the gates up.
Before they could try and pry it open a shadowy figure had suddenly appeared on the other side. It looked, at a first glance, quite like a regular Courser. It begged them to let it join them. But there was something off with the Courser. It was at a second glance not truly alive. It was boney and the head looked as if it did not have any flesh or skin at all. As if it was just a skull.  Röl took a step closer but before he could get too close he was stopped. Not that he had planned on walking too close to it either way. Something about it was off.

688 words.

AberrantKapro | Strohmeier / Senbonzakura

The group moved along and made their way through a previously unexplored tunnel. They could feel exhaustion creeping up on them, a safe place to camp would most likely benefit them all. 

Senbonzakura couldn't help but observe the inexperienced Röl sticking suspiciously close to him, he didn't necessarily mind, as long as he didn't get in his way. He did find it rather amusing that anyone could willingly warm up to him, as normally others didn't like his harsh tone. He smiled a little to himself. It felt nice to be appreciated for more than his skill in battle.

Kinka started to frantically sniff the floor as the group approached a suspicious grate blocking their path, and Micke wasn't far behind either, tailing after the shiba and also sniffing after whatever she had picked up the scent of. 

Strohmeier wasn't too pleased with this hurdle, but solving problems was his expertise. He didn't have time to take a proper look before Röl suggested attempting to rip the grate out of place. Surely there were better options, but in all honesty, the black courser was way too exhausted to look for them now. 

Before the group had time to attempt their simple and brute plan, a suspicious courser appeared before them. 

“Oh, fellow adventurers!” the strange courser said and approached them, revealing a skeletal head and torn up apparel dressing its body. 

Everyone had backed off slightly from the sight and Senbonzakura blocked the party from getting any closer, he didn't want to risk any casualties. 

“Ohh p-please, I mean you no harm! I am but a lone dungeon diver just like yourselves. I would love to join such a strong looking party such as yours, I promise I won't let you down.” the skull headed courser said, doing its very best to convince the group of four to let it join. 

Senbonzakura cleared his throat and puffed out his chest a bit to appear more tough. “As much as we appreciate your enthusiasm to accompany us on our adventure, I am afraid we do not have the resources to feed another mouth for this adventure. Nor do we have time to figure out a way for you to get through to us. Surely, you understand.” he said, trying his best to have a kinder tone. He didn't want to risk upsetting whatever beast this could possibly be. What if this was the mimic they had heard before? He shuddered as that thought struck his mind. 

“Well then..” The skeletal courser said before it rushed forward and pressed its head through the grate bars, lashing out towards Kinka who was too close for comfort.

“Kinka!” Senbonzakura yelled and quickly threw himself forward to push his pup away from harm, and unfortunately got caught in the crossfire in the process. The skull headed courser got a tight grip over his crest and bit down hard, piercing his skin. 

486 words