Chapter 39: Domain of Fiends
As Aster’s group neared the exit, Rust’s anxiety got the better of him, and the young fox rushed ahead towards the light, leaving the prince and the stumbling human behind to yell out cautionary measures that the cub just wasn’t hearing.
Rust stopped dead in his tracks as he came up from within the mouth of the cave. Aster tensed, fearing he may face another opponent in his condition right before they were finally clear of the godsforsaken natural oven, but soon heard the fox yell out words that made his heavy limbs feel lighter than air as the fox darted forward to embrace another figure instead.
"AUNTIE STAHL!"
The she-wolf’s attention was jerked from her conversation about scouting for survivors with the other beasts presently gathered near the main cavern entrance by the call. By the time the she-wolf had turned around to see the fox, Rust had already latched on around her cleavage in a trembling embrace.
"RUST? HOW- ARE YOU ALRIGHT? ARE YOU HURT?" Of all the people Stahl had been silently praying would make it safely through the tunnel, she never even considered her nephew should be counted among them. The fox was sobbing in relief again but managed to get out his answer between stammering breaths.
"I-I’m ok. I was scared, but- but Aster saved me..." The she-wolf’s heart filled and drained of blood all at the same time. Aster was here. He was alive, but was he alright?
"Saved you? Does that mean... Where is he? Is he alright? Did something happen to Aster, RUST? IS-" The small fox flinched back and released his grip on the she-wolf from the tone his auntie was using. She sounded angry or worried, but the fox managed to point towards the entrance with a shaky hand.
Stahl was running off in that direction immediately, her heart pulsing faster than she felt it should be able to as she closed the distance and disappeared into the mouth of the sweltering cave. She immediately saw Aster and Prince Tyfin nearly to the exit, but the she-wolf was already running to them.
Aster felt like taking a page from Rust’s book and letting out sobs of relief when the pretty face of the she-wolf appeared in his view, but he was far too tired for even that. The light streaming in from outside of the cave framed the sprinting silhouette from behind with dazzling imagery and symbolism that just felt right to him.
Stahl was alive. It was definitely her. She had made it. She was here for him, and for a second, that was all that seemed to matter to the depleted human. The she-wolf was nearly to Aster when he felt his body finally give way to his exhaustion, his knees buckling beneath both his own weight and the subconscious acceptance that his duties had been fulfilled.
Both of his charges were safe now.