Chapter 76 - Going Down Part 1

"That thing will swallow us whole!" Vera shouted. "I know so relax your hands so I can save you already!" Ariana shouted. "It's too late!" Vera screamed as tears flowed from her eyes. The gigantic snake's head was coming closer as the milliseconds passed by. Ariana looked up and releasing Vera's jaw.

It happened so fast, she could see the tongue shaft located in the giant snake's mouth, it was just a foot away from her face. it's fangs were out venom was already dripping down as it's forked tongue retracted only a bit. They were going to get eaten, this was the end, a battle finished in a draw, there was nothing she could do but wait for it all to be over. Ariana refused to avert her gaze, she tightened her legs around Vera's body and gripped her shoulders, if she was going down so was Vera but she was ready to use Vera's claws to cut her way out if she had too. Suddenly the scene change, Ariana felt a rush of air run down her entire body as everything blurred infront of her. She no longer saw the pink, fleshy colour of the snakes mouth but blue, open sky. Something had sent them flying upwards but why?

Her sense of time slowled to a fraction of a breath. She looked around with her eyes as her heart roared within her body. She saw a pink stag keeping the snake's mouth open by shoving his antlers in between its jaws. "VASU!" She screamed as her and Vera started to fall back towards the ground. 'Stay alive.' He said as he held back one of the giant snake's head while the other started to position itself to strike. "Nooooooo!" She cried as she plunged into the gorge with Vera.

They sank into the dark, raging waters. Ariana wrapped her arms around Vera's chest and held on to her for dear life while Vera started to claw at Ariana's arms and legs. Blood spread out in large clouds around the surrounding water as Ariana screamed in pain, air bubbles carried her voice only a short distance above. They started sinking further into the water and Vera gave up her assualt and started to swim instead. She was able to break through the surface of the water, to only find that the water above was just as relentless as it was below. They both gasped for air as Vera tried to keep them a float, the sudden plunge into the water didn't give her enough time to collect air into her lungs so drowning was a huge possibility. She needed air, lots of air if she planned to drown Ariana instead.

The water was moving too fast and with the extra weight on her back, she struggled to keep her own head above water. An idea hit her when she saw the rock formation up ahead, she moved her tail left then right, trying to find a way to maneuver with a handicapped body. When she got the hang of how to spin her body in command, she quickly calculated their distance and adjust her tail.

She made themselves spin as they closely approached each formation allowing Ariana to be the only one who got hurt when they collided into the rocks. Ariana would gasp every time her body slammed into each rock, her body stung as pieces of the jagged rock sliced into her skin. She could feel her arms and legs starting to go numb but she refused to let go instead she tightened her grip and let out a cry every few feet.

"At this rate... cough, cough... we will both... cough... drown! Let go... cough, cough, cough... already!" Vera yelled as she took a chance and dug her one clawed hand into Ariana's arm. Ariana screamed in blood curdling agony. She gritted her teeth and refused to budge. "Don't be... cough... stubborn... cough... give up!" Vera shouted as she inhaled water every time she opened her mouth. The rapids were relentless and unbiased to whom ever it swallowed, the raging waters dragged them down into its dark depths.

Ariana held her breath while Vera released Ariana's arm. Vera began to swim upwards with great difficulty as Ariana's blood dispersed throughout the water. The smell and taste of her blood was both exciting and horrifying in that moment. They were at the mercy of the rapids and nothing was going to save them.

Ariana pushed herself upwards and coughed violently. Cold, droplets of water fell from her fringe as she brought her pale face upwards. Her vision was blurred, she felt weak and cold. Her heart was slowly thumping in between her ears as she took shallow breaths. She felt the sun blazing above her head and the warm earth under her finger tips. She thanked the heavens that Vera was able to pull them out if the rapids.

She tried to find something to focus her vision on and saw a dark blob. She steadied her ahead, hoping that it would finally focus her sight. The blob started to become clearer, the light was fading into the background and she saw Vera slowly raising her body, one joint at a time, as if she was some sort of corpse being brought back from the dead.

Ariana smiled to herself as she tried to stand but failed miserably, buckling under her own wait. "You're insane… give up." Vera said as she watched Ariana continuously struggle to stand up. Blood freely flowed from her open wounds, down her arms and legs, dripping into the small pool of blood and water around her feet. "Why should I give up?" Ariana asked with a hoarse voice. "W-w-why?! You're… familiar is dead, you're done!"

Ariana could feel a fire lite in her belly. She refused to let anyone tell her what to do. She lived a life of solitude, remorse and regret. She didn't believe in anyone or thing, especially herself but after living so long in this world. The memories she had with her friends, family and beloved Lumas she found the inner strength to raise her head and stand up straight. She looked at Vera with a fire blazing in her eyes. "Shut up! Vasu is strong! He's fine! I'm fine and I will win this battle!"