Page 69 of Orc's Redemption

In. Hold. Out.

“I can’t see,” I choke. “It’s too dark?—”

“I’m lighting a torch,” Z’leni mutters, urgency threading his voice. “Just… stay still.”

A spark flares ahead and then the tunnel suddenly lights up in flickering orange. It’s still narrow, but it’s not as small as my mind made it. Now that I can see the illusion shatters, a little.

“You’re safe,” Ryatuv says. “It’s not a trap. You’re not trapped.”

Z’leni’s silhouette is ahead, holding the flame like a beacon. He’s crouching, in a space that is bigger than this tunnel and he’s reaching one hand toward me.

“Come on,” he says, softer now. “I’ve got you.”

I crawl forward, still shaking, still weeping, and Z’leni grabs my hand. He pulls me through the last few feet into a hollow wide enough to breathe again.

I collapse into Ryatuv’s arms, my legs giving out. I sob against his chest, fists clenching his cool scales, while Z’leni kneels beside us, resting a steady hand on my back.

No one says anything.

They just hold me.

And for the first time in hours, I feel something solid beneath me that isn’t just stone. It’s them.

Z’leni—reckless, sharp, brave. Ryatuv—silent, strong, loyal.

They’ve risked everything. For me. And we’re still not safe.

I blink tears from my eyes.

“We’re not free yet,” Z’leni says, as if he read my thoughts.

“We must continue,” Ryatuv agrees. “You can do this, Elara.”

Clenching my eyes tight, I nod, though every fiber of me wants to say that there’s no way I can. That they’re both idiots and they can fuck right off. But then what? Sit here in this tiny space with no food and one torch that will only last so long?

I draw strength from the two of them. They will protect me. If they have to, they’d dig their way to the surface. I know it with absolute certainty and that is the only thing that gives me the strength to continue. I wipe my tears and we move apart.

“I’ll keep the torch lit,” Z’leni offers, watching me closely.

It’s clear he’s trying to gauge if I can keep going. I don’t know the answer either. I don’t think I’ve ever been particularly claustrophobic before, but something about this… I nod, jaw tight.

No point in dwelling on the negative.

“I will be right behind you,” Ryatuv says. “You will be safe.”

His words ground me more than I want to admit. I force a smile, still trembling, and press a hand to the wall. The cold stone doesn’t feel quite as suffocating now. I can move. I have to move.

Z’leni crawls into the next tight tunnel. I wait until all I can see is the sole of his boots before I crawl after him. One hand, then the other. My limbs are stiff, my movements jerky with leftover fear, but I follow.

Z’leni leads with the torch, the flickering flame throwing strange shadows on the walls. The narrow tunnel glows with soft orange light, just enough to keep the blackness at bay.

Behind me, Ryatuv follows, close but not crowding. His presence there, not touching, but… present. Solid. Every time I start to shake, I focus on him. On the low rasp of his breath. The quiet strength in the way he moves. On the memory of his hand on my calf, grounding me when I was sure I’d break.

“Just a little farther,” Z’leni says ahead, his voice softer now, more careful. “This bend widens up. There might be a chamber.”

Might. The word lands heavy in my gut, but I keep crawling.

I don’t know how much time passes. My knees burn. My elbows ache. My muscles scream with every inch we drag ourselves through this cursed tunnel. Slowly it widens and the pressure on my chest eases. There’s air. Not much, but enough.

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