[A continuation. Sadly they failed]

Before Meyla could add another remark, a faint noise echoed through the newly opened passageway—high-pitched and eerie, like distant squeaking. Teryn’s ears twitched, and his eyes widened. “Do you hear that?” he asked, stepping cautiously forward.

The sound grew louder, and suddenly, from the shadowy depths of the passage, a mass of wings erupted. Dozens—no, hundreds—of bats shot out of the doorway, their leathery wings flapping wildly, creating a deafening roar. The bats swarmed toward them, squeaking loudly, their red eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"Dracula bats!" Mason shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaotic screeches. The bats dived at them with sharp fangs bared, and the three reacted immediately.

“Run!” Teryn yelled, turning on his hooves and bolting for the nearest corner of the chamber. Mason followed suit, but not before swatting away a bat that had latched onto his neck. Meyla reared back, narrowly avoiding a wave of the vicious creatures before kicking off into a full gallop, hooves pounding against the stone.

They raced across the chamber, the swarm of bats hot on their tails. The creatures darted around them, nipping at their legs and wings flapping in their faces. Meyla felt the sharp sting of a bat’s bite on her flank, and her frustration boiled over.

“This is your fault, Mason!” she shouted, her voice seething with fury as she dodged another dive-bombing bat.

Mason barely had time to respond as he bucked wildly, trying to shake off two bats clinging to his mane. “How was I supposed to know this place was infested with them?!”

“Because you never think things through!” Meyla shot back, swatting away a bat with her tail. “You just charge ahead and drag us into this—now we’re running for our lives!”

Teryn, struggling to avoid the bats as he led the way, called back over his shoulder. “Focus! There’s a tunnel ahead—let’s lose them there!”

The three galloped hard, Meyla’s anger fueling her speed as they headed for a narrow side passage at the far end of the chamber. The bats continued to swarm around them, but with a final burst of energy, they dove into the tunnel. Teryn braced himself and shoved a nearby boulder into the entrance, sealing off the passage behind them.

Breathing heavily, they slowed to a stop as the last of the bats screeched outside, unable to pursue them further. Meyla was still fuming, her eyes locked onto Mason. “I can’t believe we came this way because of you!”

Mason, still catching his breath, glared back. “I didn’t hear you offering any better ideas, Meyla!”

Teryn, standing between them, exhaled sharply. “Enough. We’re all safe for now. Let’s just focus on getting out of this place in one piece.”

Meyla snorted but said nothing, the sting of the bat bites still fresh.

The three stood in the narrow passage, their sides heaving from the run and the battle with the bats. The squeaking had faded, leaving only the echoes of their ragged breathing. Meyla’s coat was matted with sweat, and the sting of the bat bites on her flank and legs made her wince. Teryn, though trying to stay calm, had several scratches along his neck and back, while Mason was nursing a bloody cut just above his left eye where a bat had clawed him.

They lingered for a moment, letting their racing hearts slow as the reality of their escape set in.

"We can't stay here," Teryn finally said, his voice steady but tired. “Those bats could find another way in.”

Meyla flicked her tail in irritation, though her anger was beginning to simmer down. “Great, so we barely make it out, and now what? We head back the way we came, covered in cuts and bruises?”

Teryn gave her a soft look, his blue eyes filled with concern. “We’ll make it. Let’s focus on getting out of these ruins and getting you healed up.”

Mason, shaking out his mane and wincing as he brushed against his cut, looked toward the entrance they had come through. “I’ll head back on my own,” he said, his voice curt. “No point dragging this out longer. You two should just get back to Meyla’s place.”

Meyla opened her mouth to argue, but Teryn shot her a warning glance. They didn’t need another fight now.

“You sure?” Teryn asked. “You’re not in great shape either, Mason.”

Mason huffed, his pride more wounded than his body. “I’m fine. I’ll patch myself up when I get home.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and began to limp down the dark tunnel, his figure fading into the shadows.

Meyla watched him disappear, biting back another biting comment. “He’s impossible,” she muttered, turning to Teryn. “Always thinking he knows best.”

Teryn sighed softly, nudging her toward the exit. “We’re all a little rough right now. Let’s just get you back and rest.”

------

It wasn’t long before the cool evening air hit their coats, a welcome relief from the damp, suffocating air of the ruins. The sky had deepened into twilight, and the path ahead was long, but familiar. Meyla and Teryn walked in silence, both exhausted and battered.

By the time they reached Meyla’s house, her legs ached with every step. The small, cozy cottage sat nestled at the edge of the forest, its wooden beams glowing softly in the evening light. She nudged the door open with her nose and stepped inside, the familiar warmth of home washing over her.

Teryn followed, gently closing the door behind them. “Sit,” he said softly, his eyes scanning her wounds. “You need to clean those cuts.”

Meyla, despite her frustration, did as he said, sinking down onto a soft cushion near the hearth. Teryn moved about the small house with quiet efficiency, grabbing bandages and a small vial of healing ointment from the shelves. He returned to her side, dabbing the ointment onto the worst of her wounds. Meyla winced but said nothing, the stinging pain a reminder of the day’s chaos.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” she muttered after a moment, glancing at him.

Teryn smiled softly as he wrapped a bandage around her leg. “I know. But I’ve got your back.”

Meyla’s tension slowly eased, the familiar comfort of Teryn’s presence soothing her nerves. She glanced at him, his blue eyes focused as he worked carefully. “Thanks,” she finally said, her voice softer than before.

Teryn’s gaze met hers for a brief moment, and he gave a quiet nod. “Anytime.”

As they sat together, the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth, Meyla allowed herself to finally relax. Mason may have gone his own way, and the day had been far from easy, but here, in her home, with Teryn by her side, she felt a sense of calm return.

Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, they could rest.