It rushed toward the gate and the legionaries around made futile attempts to save the woman.
The beast pounced, however, unfortunately for the beast, the woman was faster.
*Bang!* *Crash!*
In a rapid series of movements, the woman just managed to snatch the lock from the ground, shutting the gate and clicking the lock back in before the full weight of the beast came crashing against the gate.
It desperately swiped out its arms furiously in an attempt to claw out her face, but she had pushed back in the nick of time.
In the flurry of activity, her hood had fallen back and her dark, back length hair came flowing back.
She had a fair complexion and her features were generally soft.
An eye patch over her left eye gave her a mysterious vibe, but her right eye, which was a fierce blue, made her intimidating to approach. Overall, she appeared distant and aloof. But hidden beneath the fierceness in her eye seemed to be a sadness only she could know.
Panting as she walked backwards, she subconsciously raised an arm up to touch a space over her eye, when it came back there was blood...
Blood, which was slowly beginning to flow down her face. In the end, she wasn't fast enough when she drew back, and the beast managed to nick her brow.
Sighing with disappointment, it was only then that she noticed the deafening silence. When she glanced around, she found everyone staring at her in disbelief.
Her head tilted slightly at this, and momentarily, there was a questioning look in her eye, but in the end, she decided not to speak, merely continuing her stride past them and toward the cave. She approached a young legionary standing before the cave—one whom she had noticed staring at her since she arrived on the plateau, and stopped before him, matching his height.
The legionary gulped, and unconsciously stood straighter.
The woman glanced around before gazing at him again, this time intently.
"Have you seen my sister, legionary?"
She asked in a stable, authoritative tone.
The legionary made to speak but hesitated. Thinking back, he was told to expect a pair of mercenaries, not one. However, before he could reply, the woman strode past him.
"You haven't. I can tell."
She noted, walking into the dark cave.
"I do not feel her presence...typical."
The legionary anxiously glanced at his officers, who subtly signaled for him to follow her, and with a start, he did.
Meanwhile, the woman continued her stride as she spoke.
"Not that I am surprised—Cassiona always did what she wanted. Even when I pressed on the importance of being early to see mother..."
She momentarily glanced to check if he was following before looking away to survey the cave.
It was wide and dark, despite the torches intermittently placed across its length, vanishing into a shady bend in the distance. The torches attached to the train of horse-drawn wagons also added to the light, combating the darkness.
"It won't surprise me if she got distracted, and chased a butterfly into the jungle at this point."
She muttered in annoyance before coming to an abrupt halt, looking around.
The legionary also came to a stop, his armor clanking.
"Legionary..."
She called lightly, however, the anxiety in her tone was much too apparent. So the legionary came closer, gripping his spear tightly.
"Is there a problem..."
She glanced back at him.
"Vindica."
"What?"
"My name is Vindica."
She clarified, and the legionary nodded.
"Is there a problem... Vindica."
"Yes."
Vindica acknowledged, looking around in uncertainty.
"Or no, but I have a bad feeling... Where are...the mushrooms?"
Vindica lightly inquired; however, the subtle heat in her voice was palpable.
When she had first arrived, journeying through the sprawling cave system, she remembered that the cave system was filled with giant mushrooms that glowed in shades of ghostly purple.
It was a memorable event because she was awed by their beauty. They lit up the path, making the cave as bright as day as their twinkling spores gently floated into the air.
She remembered how joyous Cassiona looked then...recalled that she called the place, 'Magical'. A strange term she hadn't heard before, but strangely knew what it meant.
She looked around the bare soil and was rather thankful Cassiona hadn't arrived yet.
She would be so devastated by the sight. Vindica reckoned.
The legionary looked around and said.
"The governor saw little use for them here. Two months ago he ordered that they be harvested... I heard rumors that they were cooked because of their medicinal properties...but mostly given as brib— Ahem."
The legionary cleared his throat, realizing that he'd said too much, but Vindica had heard enough.
She closed her eye and took in a deep, calming breath. When she opened it again she turned and walked toward the wall.
"...It is never wise to change the habitat of a place so severely—and utterly abruptly."
She placed a hand gently on the humid wall.
"But...sadly, I am not surprised that men would do this. No, it is only typical of your race."
There was a certain weight to her tone that made the legionary frown in worry.
Vindica's eye grew distant.
"Over the months, I have learnt many things from my experiences to and from my campaign with the Legio I Adiutrix..."
There are habitats where unique plants grow and accommodate certain types of creatures; they feast from them, make homes from them, and even sometimes go as far as nurturing them."
Then her expression tensed.
"...Contrary, there are others which serve to drive out—other types of creatures, monsters. Creatures which operate seasonally."
She glanced at the legionary, curiously.
"You say it has been months since the mushrooms were havested? And nothing has happened?"
The legionary thought briefly and nodded.
"...Yes, Vindica. We have never encountered monsters here."
She scoffed and looked away, shaking her head in disbelief.
"It is no wonder security here is so lacking. This has to change. After this, relay my recommendations to your superiors. Have more men patrol these passages not just the exits, exchange these little torches for bonfires, and have gates built intermittently across the length of the cave system."
"...A fortified gate has been built at the mouth of the cave, Vindica."
The legionary informed.
"Of ropes and logs?"
Vindica questioned, and the legionary nodded hesitantly.
"Yes... Would that not be enough?"
"It won't."
She said without an once of doubt, and added.
"I have seen creatures, large enough to break down the gates of the main colony itself! It would be folly to leave the lifeblood of the soldiers here vulnerable to be occupied by monsters! If it is taken—"
Vindica froze suddenly and gazed at her palm, still resting on the wall.
She frowned and closed her eye.
"Vindic—"
"Shhh!"
She focused for a brief moment and felt for something. There were subtle vibrations, and when she drew her ear against the wall, her expression turned grim.
She snappily turned to the legionary and ordered with urgency.
"Go! Inform your legate that I need at least two centuries here, now!!"
The legionary's eyes widened in panic and he quickly nodded and ran back.
"Yes, Domina!"