14 - Pits

Something felt off about these tunnels. Sariel wasn't used to the caves of the Underdark - that was Nathxena's domain - but she had seen enough caves in her life to know this wasn't a natural formation. It was evident by the smooth, repeating pattern of the wall and the near-perfectly circular shape of the tunnel that it was artificial.

The ground shook, and Sariel's legs buckled. She put a hand against the smooth wall, steadying herself. For once, she was hoping that was an earthquake.

The shaking got stronger, louder. This was no earthquake. Sariel took off down the tunnel, hoping to find a path branching away or a natural cave. At the very least, she could outrun whatever was causing the tremors.

The ground opened up before her, creating a yawning chasm in the floor. Without hesitation, she leaped forward. Her chest impacted into the lip of the other side, and though her armour caught some of the blow, it winded her. As she pulled herself to the ground, she looked down. Rows and rows of spiked teeth. This was no pitfall trap.

The ground shook again, and Sariel lost her grip. She tumbled backward, bouncing off of the sharp teeth and landing in a hot, wet, pulsating mass of flesh. She barely had time to react before it pulled her in.

The muscle of the worm's throat crushed her. The acid stung at her. She was being dragged deeper in. She hyperventilated. Was this how she died?

No, no, there had to be some way of escape. Wait, yes! Dimension door would work, if only she could remember how far it was to the tunnel! She shouted the words to cast the spell, but nothing happened. She had screamed them. The intonation was wrong. She held her breath, and tried again. Thin blue lines appeared around her, surrounding her, and dematerialising her. A split second later, she reappeared in pain. She had tried to teleport into solid rock. Her distance was wrong. She only had one more chance.

She closed her eyes, took another breath, and said the words.