The barrier sent us through to the inside of a dark, damp cave. Dim, glowing Stalactites hung from the ceiling and stalagmites protruded from the ground, some giving the appearance of feint blue fangs, adding to the already ominous feeling of the cave. A metallic smell hung in the air wafting through my nostrils, It was familiar yet somehow wrong. I sensed the presence of death mixed with a hint of aged rot. I looked around, while clinging tightly on Liam’s shoulder not wanting to slip and fall through a never-ending crevice that could, for all I know, lead to another isekai world. Once was enough for now. I was still figuring out how this world worked.


    <b>Shuffle</b> <b>Shuffle</b>


    The sounds were quick and startled me. I dug my claws tighter into Liam’s shoulder, not realizing that I had pierced through his skin.


    ‘’Relax, Dave. There’s nothing here. That was me, I was just adjusting my trousers. I got a wedgie ok.’’ Explained Liam as he adjusted his nether region and returned his focus on navigating through the darkness before us.


    ‘’Too much info, Liam,’’ I whispered nervously as, we pushed forward through the darkness, my whiskers on high alert for the faintest of changes in the air.


    Elaine and Liam were quiet while walking. It made sense though. They both appeared to be deep in concentration. The ground was slippery and treacherous. They needed to watch for damp patches and jagged rocks. It left me bored, with nothing to do or even say. My anxiety ran wild as a result.


    ‘’Where are those bats?’’ I questioned. ''''By now, we should have seen one or at least signs of them.''''


    Liam didn’t answer. His eyes were focused on checking the ground before him.


    ‘’Little Mouse right. I no see flying mouse anywhere.’’ Grunted Elaine as she awkwardly pushed herself through a narrow space between two rocks.


    ‘’Bats are not flying mice. We are completely different,’’ I replied.


    ‘’You have whiskers?’’ she asked.


    ‘’Yes.’’


    ‘’You have, big ears?’’


    ‘’Yes’’


    ‘’You have hair on your body?’’


    ‘’Yes?’’


    ‘’You flying mouse, only no wings.’’


    ‘’They are bats! And I’m a mouse.’’ I responded angrily.


    ‘’Shhh, quieten down,’’ Liam interjected. ‘’You might wake your brothers and sisters.’’


    I walked over to Liam’s Ear and blasted water straight through the opening. That was a bad idea. Liam yelped and lost balance, immediately slipping and falling to his butt. He began to slide uncontrollably and took me along for the ride. We swerved left and then right on what felt like a children’s slide. The speed picked up and I struggled to hold on. My cheeks began to look like loose rubber over my face, exposing the inside of my mouth to the elements.


    ‘’Agghhh’’ screamed Liam.


    Our journey continued for a further few seconds, eventually breaking us out of darkness to reveal a rapidly growing light.


    ‘’Hold on tight’’ Shouted Liam.


    ‘’You sure? I allvready Vamm.’’ I shouted with my mouth distorting uncontrollably.


    I dug my claws in even tighter.


    ‘’Too much.’’ Screamed Liam as we finally flew off the edge of the slide and went flying forward. Time slowed as we hit the peak of our ascent and then rapidly accelerated as we began to descend.


    Thinking fast, I quickly checked my interface and activated the first skill that appeared before me.


    <b>Wind</b>


    ‘’Wind’’ I shouted as it activated. I didn’t shout it because I needed to, it was out of relief that a useful skill had been at the top just when I needed it. What luck.


    I let go of Liam’s shoulder and let the wind cushion my landing.


    ‘’Owww.’’ Cried Liam who landed with a thud next to me.


    ‘’You could have helped me.’’ He whined.


    ‘’What do you expect? It’s a level-one skill for a tiny mouse. It can carry me. I’d probably have to level it up to three thousand before it can carry your backside.’’


    Before we could continue, we were interrupted by a giant scream.


    ‘’Wheeeeeeeee.’’


    Liam and I both turned as the dread of what was to be, kicked in. We gulped simultaneously…


    <hr>


    ‘’You laughed at me for buying a chastity belt. You’re being paranoid you said. She won’t hurt me you said. Blah blah blah squeaky squeaky squeak.’’ Whined Liam as he attempted to taunt me into agreeing that he was right for buying the chastity belt.


    ‘’This right here.’’ Continued Liam pointing to his belt. ‘’This right here, saved me.’’


    ‘’I sorry.’’ Said Elaine who was apologetically moping around on the floor as Liam continued his tirade.


    ‘’Shhhhh.’’ I gestured to Liam.


    ‘’I have balls of stee…’’. Liam quietened as his eyes followed mine.


    Around us lay a vast green field teaming with life. Greenery for as far as the eye could see, lit up by a pale orange sky. Insects buzzed and birds sang. Our mouths hung open as we took in the sheer size of the expanse before us. Wherever we had landed, it was beyond comprehension. The dungeon was a living ecosystem.


    We got to our feet and moved away from the dark monotone shades of the cave behind us. The feint orange light radiated warmth all over our bodies with each step and drew us into a vibrant world of colour and life. It was exhilarating to feel alive.


    Every step was filled with awe and wonder. Tall grasses teemed with insects of every kind. Some with long beautiful wings that resembled dragonflies, others with shodragonflies bloated bodies that resembled flying leaves; probably for camouflage. We had unwittingly entered into an ecosystem, probably not meant for our eyes.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    <i>Maybe we’d find the bats  somewhere here</i>. The thought gave me hope that we would be able to leave soon.


    We continued our walk, pushing aside knee-length grass for over an hour until the scenery began to show signs of change. The tall grass gave way and opened to a flat plain that eventually led into a dark forest. Not knowing where to go and seeing nothing but trees to our left and right, forward seemed like the only choice.


    I took out some blue cheese and a cracker to munch on while Dave continued to walk.


    ‘’Could you not wait till we sat down somewhere to rest? That stinks.’’ Said Liam.


    ‘’I’m scared ok, and eating makes me feel safe. This is my comfort food. It’s either that or have me pee on your shoulder. Which do you prefer?’’ I offered.


    ‘’It’s Ok. As you were.’’


    I watched as the trees grew darker and gloomier than before. The sky seemed to turn a darker shade of green and brown. Wherever we were, it didn’t seem like the same, safe grassy fields we had just come from. This place seemed like a place of death.


    ‘’We should turn back,’’ I suggested feeling somewhat unsure about the looming darkness ahead.


    ‘’Not happening, do you remember why we’re here?’’ asked Liam.


    I thought about the entry requirements set by the Adventurers Guild. We needed 5 bats, meaning we had little choice. Or did we?


    ‘’What if we’re not cut out to be adventurers? This does not look safe, who knows what kind of monsters might be inside that place.’’


    ‘’No problem, Dave.’’ Let’s head back he said, stopping and turning his face to look at me. ‘’You can go and become a professional chef. People here love your kind. Why not have a rat chef too? I’ll stay he…’’


    I didn’t let him finish. I wasn’t going to let him mock me for being scared.


    ‘’You are such an ****’’ I shouted and jumped off his shoulder not wanting to be anywhere near him and began to walk towards the trees to prove that I wasn’t scared. ‘’What is wrong with you?’’


    ‘’That’s right, run away and see if I care.’’ Shouted Liam as I walked away. I wasn’t going to let him belittle me. I thought we were friends, yet at every opportunity, he was still being an Ass.


    Not wanting to lose face, I continued to head deeper into the woods, alone.


    ‘’Little Mouse. It no safe.’’ I heard Elaine call. At least she cared. Liam didn’t call for me once, but soon, even Elaine’s voice disappeared. I didn’t look back. Not once.  I didn’t want to see their stupid faces. I wanted to be alone.


    Anger fuelled me as I walked further not knowing how long I had been walking, or when It suddenly became so dark. I stopped for a moment to look around and realized that I was almost in complete darkness. The canopies of the tall trees allowed no more than a few specks of light through. Gnarled branches gave rise to twisted and deformed shadows. Wood creaking echoed all around me. The sound of chittering became all too loud. The fear of being alone suddenly brought me back to my senses. I shouldn’t have let my anger take over.


    <b>Chitter Chitter</b>


    The ground rustled and moved beneath my feet. I was not alone. I stretched my hands out in front and felt around trying to get some idea of what was happening. I felt the paralysis of fear fight to take control of my legs.


    <b>Chitter Chitter</b>


    The sound was now closer. I felt the warm breath of something around my neck. I needed to act quickly, but my legs didn’t budge. The warm breath moved from the left side of my neck to the right, leaving a cool sensation as it did so. I managed to move my tail and activate my interface. As sweat dripped from my forehead and the deadly sense of impending doom grew unbearably strong, I quickly activated tail hop.


    I sailed through the sky, out of reach and into safety… Or so I thought.


    Something smacked me from the side and knocked the wind out of me. The last thing I remember was a large tree trunk growing closer and closer with incredible speed.


    <b>Thud</b><hr>


    When I came too, I saw light fill my eyes once again. The bright orange sky, the green grass, and the peaceful humming and buzzing of life. <i>I’m alive and safe</i>, was my immediate thought. How wrong I was.


    I tried to stand but quickly realized I couldn’t. Where my legs should have been, lay two bloody stumps. I tried to shout out, but no words came out. I tried to scream but I caught my breath, and the world suddenly began to spin. This was surreal. <i>I have legs, where are they hiding</i>, I thought to myself. I didn’t want to accept this reality. This new cruel reality didn''t add up. Life had been fun and pleasant until now. Who would write such an evil twist of fate for such a fun-loving and whimsical character such as myself? Tears began to roll uncontrollably.


    ‘’My legs.’’ I cried.


    The whistling of doom filled my ears as shock gave way to searing pain. I felt movement where there should be movement and yet, there was none. I was speechless and lost. How was it possible for a mouse with a mouth as big as mine to be lost for words? The cruel irony.


    ‘’Damn you, fate. Write me a happy story. I deserve at least that after everything you’ve put me through. Haven’t I tried to be positive through all of your trials and tribulations?’’ I shook my fist at the sky not expecting an answer. I knew there was someone out there listening to me. And I also knew that he didn’t care. He had already determined my fate. My story was a closed book to him. A means to self-satisfaction. My suffering most likely nothing but a stepping stone to his success. Damn it. Damn you.


    ‘’If you won’t help me, then I’ll help myself,’’ I shouted.


    I felt for my tail, fortunately, it was still attached. I painfully maneuvered it from under so as to not touch the remains of my legs. I activated the interface and checked my health. It was at 9 percent. basically dead, I laughed.


    ‘’See that, Liam. Your pest problem is finally solved. Happy now. Where will you be without me? I was the funny one. All the good in you, that was me!’’


    I continued to look for options on my interface. All my skills were greyed out. No chance of healing myself then. Internal resonance was at 4 percent too. I didn’t even realize that it could go down. This was me at my lowest point. I decided to resign myself to whatever was meant to be. I unclenched my fist and smiled, enjoying the peace and serenity of the sky above.


    My heart ached and I didn’t even know why. I just wanted to cry uncontrollably. As painful as waking up and realizing that I had no legs was, it was all the worse for knowing that I was alone. All alone. I didn’t want to die like this. I wanted someone with me, anyone. Elaine. Liam. Heck, even Bodger would be good right about now. I could sure use his ‘power’ to predict how or if I’d survive this dire situation. Maybe I should give it a try, all I had to do was release my inner Bodger. First, I let my eyes roll upward toward the sky. Secondly, I scrunched my face like I needed the bathroom. And finally, I hummed and buzzed as if some higher entity was channeling itself through me.


    I continued like this for 30 seconds to no avail. Realizing that nothing was going to happen, I quickly gave up.


    ‘’Ha ha,’’ at least I was still funny. Even if no one was here to appreciate my humor.


    More tears spilled down my cheeks as self-pity and regret tore through me. Snot ran rampant down my nose. I lifted my head to look around to see anything or anyone. The hope gave me the courage to at least try.


    Lifting my head higher, sorrow quickly shifted to panic. Beady black eyes rose before me, followed by a large shell-like face with two large mandibles and several thousand teeth. A long-segmented exoskeleton body followed with thousands of legs. A Gigantic man-sized millipede stood at my feet, or where my feet would have been had they not been eaten. Its red outer skeleton glowed blood red in the orange sky.


    I coughed up blood, knowing that this was it. It had already eaten my legs. My lower abdomen was next. It had been savoring me as a snack to be relished and eaten slowly.


    I suddenly felt feint as the two large mandibles neared my torso and obsidian eyes watched in delight. The monster wanted to savor every moment of devouring me alive.


    ‘’Not even a hello, Just straight to the main course? What kind of first date is this?’’ I laughed as blood filled my mouth.


    ‘’Liam,’’


    ‘’If you can hear me. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being the funny one. You had your moments. Well, what I mean to say is that I was never laughing with you, I was laughing at you. Having said that, you were still a good friend and I forgive you.’’


    Glimpses of our brief new life flickered before me. Hazy snapshots of the good, the funny, and the scary. As short as our friendship had been, it had meant something.


    Through fear and exhaustion, my eyes began to close. I felt the cool breeze blow on the damp fur around my face. I felt serene. It would be over soon.


    The mandibles crunched on the upper bone of my right thigh and then the right. I felt warm blood ooze around the fur of my stomach. Pain was no longer a thing. I was too far gone.


    ‘’Quick, It’s not too late! Archers Fire.’’


    Life was cruel. Even now in death, it mocked me with the cruel hopes of being saved.


    ‘’Liam, why do you sound feminine?’’


    ‘’Mages cast heal. We must stop the bleeding.’’


    ‘’Goodbye, Liam. It was fun while it lasted.’’


    More voices filled the air. The sound of crunching stopped and was replaced with that of a battle.


    I didn’t know what was happening. I had already begun to fade in and out of consciousness.


    Words began to mix and became more incoherent.


    ‘’We’re lo sim.’’


    ‘’Tek im…’’


    The light was so bright. Peace. No pain. So close.


    Silence.


    Finally.