Chapter 81: Lifeline.
Lee had never seen mineral veins like these before.
Shaped as roots of a tree, but gloving in the dark like a flashlight that was about to go out, they stretched along the tunnel walls for dozens of yards. But Dwafex's warning to not touch anything was valid – the cursed ones, the slaves who mined here, all had strange mutations on their bodies.
Swellings, tumors and protuberances were only minor side effects. Many had oversized limbs or exactly the opposite – one or two tiny ones. And most faces were so disfigured at some point Lee felt as if he had stepped into a horror movie.
To see everyone around crippled in one way or another was beyond depressing, and it was easy to guess that the air in the tunnel was definitely contaminated.
Fortunately they rushed through quickly and came to another area where different kind of material was mined. It was surprising how rich the underground was compared to the endless wasteland above. But when they arrived at the next grotto, it became clear that it hasn't always been this way.
Even under the weak lighting one could discern the long, gray beams arching from two sides to the very top, and it took few moments for Lee to realize the cave hall was actually inside of a giant beast's rib cage. It felt too unrealistic, though, and he tried to figure out another explanation why such large girders could be there, when the shorty broke the silence first.
"It's exactly what you think." He said, noticing the direction Lee was looking at.
Everyone, including him, had this reaction when arriving to this place for the first time.
"There are many myths regarding this place and several other that have similar remains, but undoubtedly all are somehow related to Lunax." Dwafex continued, "Some say these creatures were his pets, some say they were ancient beasts who dared to challenge the God. But no matter what – all of them are dead now."
Lee's first impulse was to joke about the beasts eating the world dry and then dying, but he held back to not antagonize his guide. He answered with a nod, and it looked like Dwafex was pleased with the response.
"It should be the time for the prayer now." The shorty said, "We'll eat afterwards."