My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 79: A Plan

Kace and his group quickly made their way through the jungle. It seemed like the no animals or creatures were anywhere nearby. Kace speculated that they must have run off to avoid Yul.

Explosions and flashes of light were continually going off behind them in the direction of the shore. The group could hear the voice of Yul enjoying himself while playing with the heroes even from this distance.

As they imagined what could be happening, it sent shivers down their spines. Most of the crew could feel their muscles crying out for them to stop.

After everything, they had recently been through and the fast progress they were making. The crew's bodies could not go any further without rest. Raven noticed that his men were reaching their breaking point and had a difficult choice to make.

"Right! Take a breather, lads! We'll continue in a short while." He smiled warmly as his crew uttered their thanks as they collapsed on the ground. Turning his gaze to Kace's small group, he continued. "You lot! We need to talk."

Raven walked a short distance away without waiting to see if they were following. Kace looked at Grugda first, then Sophia. Since neither of them seemed to oppose it, they followed the Captain.

Mr Penny and coincidentally, Mr Thomas had complicated expressions on their faces as they watched them gather together. It stung them a little that their captain was confiding in a bunch of strangers instead of them.

The pair caught each other's eyes for a split second before looking away in embarrassment. Mr Penny, for his moment of weakness and thinking, that maybe it was time to replace the Captain. On Mr Thomas's side, it was believing for a moment that Mr Penny would dare to consider mutiny.

"Right, I may have a way for us to survive this shit storm, but I'll need all of you to make it work." Raven's voice sounded exhausted as he said these words. As if they weighed heavily on his conscience.

"Well, maybe if you tell us first we can make a decision." Sophia sneered at him. She hated the fact that her survival could be entirely in the half breeds hands.

Raven noticed that both Kace and Grugda remained silent. As if agreeing with her. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow before stroking his beard.

"There's a series of caverns that we've been exploring." Raven began. The trios ears perked up, thinking that he was talking about the ones that led to Sophia's old home.

"The entrance is just over there," Raven said while pointing in a direction that did not match where they were expecting. Sophia herself could not remember any caves existing in that area.

"Why would you tell us such crucial information?" Kace asked curiously as his paranoia kicked in. He had noticed Sophia's reaction of disbelief which made him think the captain was setting a trap.

"If something happens to me, I want you to do your best to make sure my crew survives. It's as simple as that." Raven sighed. He finally felt as if he had lived long enough. "Do you remember the wine you wanted?" 

It took Kace a few moments to realise what Captain Raven was talking about. He nodded his head as the memory of the red liquid in the decanter surfaced in his mind.

"It's no drink lad. Now listen carefully. When we enter those caves after a short walk, you'll start to see the walls smooth out. Then you'll notice images have been carved into them. Shortly after that, you'll come to a fork in the road."

Kace was listening intently. Ever since meeting the captain, he had wondered what his goal was in coming here. He had thought it had been solved when he found out he was also searching for Sonja. Apparently, that was only part of the reason.

"The left path will lead to the lair of a creature who is protecting the caves. Avoid him at all costs! According to Sophia, when you were out cold, it was because you had already met him." Raven's words were like a cold bucket of water being thrown over Kace.

"If you take the right path, you'll come to a door. On the wall next to it is a stone basin. That liquid has to be poured into it to open the door."

"It took us a few years to find it, and I have no idea what lies beyond. However, it's the only place I can think of that might be safe from Yul."

Kace took a few moments to look at his companions. He was searching for their opinion on their faces. Neither of them revealed their thoughts, though. They were leaving Kace to decide on his own.

"Fine!" Kace snapped. He did not like feeling as though he was being used. "If you tell me you left the damn key back on the ship though you can forget it!"

"I did." Raven sighed. He was cursing his foolishness. "Luckily Mr Thomas picked up the pack I stored it in though."

The group sighed in relief as all of their gazes landed on Mr Thomas. Who was, in fact, still staring at them. As his eyes met theirs, he quickly turned his head away as he broke out in a heavy sweat.

That brief moment made him feel like he was looking at a group of predators. His mind raced as he tried to piece together why they would look at him as though he were dinner.

"Now that we have that settled, we only need to make sure we survive until then. Luckily those stupid heroes are buying us the time we need." Raven broke out in a vicious grin as he said this.

"Yeah, let's just hope that once we're on the other side of that door, there are no nasty surprises," Kace said, pouring doubt on the plan. 'That and there are enough supplies for us to last...'