Rebirth: The Shadow Of Greed

... Odrunn asked his voice trembling slightly, unable to mask the fear from the sight of the giant ape.

"Very simple, our goal is not a head on collision with the ape, but rather escape from the cavern, there is no need to fight with it head on, but rather using the things we have at our disposal to lure it away."

Z picked up a rock as he walked back to his location.

"When the doors open, I'm going to throw a rock to distract the ape once that happens, Odrunn you grab Soli and dash straight out of the door. Don't turn back, even if I'm not out after you just get out through the door."

"But boss! We're in this together! We won't leave you behind again! Right Soli?"

"Zero, you can't always bear the pressure of facing the enemy alone, with us around we'd stand a better chance of getting out together. You have to trust us."

Soli said, her eyes staring piercingly into Z waiting for him to give her a reply.

Z paused as he thought it through,

"Okay, the minute the ape is distracted, you freeze it in place, buy us the few seconds we need to get out of here together."

The rest nodded, this plan was much better, or so they thought, they didn't want to sacrifice Z, and the best way was teamwork.

'rumbleee' the heavy stone door started to open as the great ape became ever so vigilant, it stood in place looking left and right, in an attempt to see if there are any who would dare escape his cavern.

Z looked at Odrunn and Soli as he stretched his arm back and swung it full force to the corner away from them.

'Crash!' the rock hit the glowing rock wall at the side causing some sort of loud bang. The great ape turned its head as it immediately moved from its position to check out the ruckus.

Z gave them the signal, it was now or never, the instant they stepped out and started to make a run for the door, the Great ape's ears pricked up, ignoring the ruckus it immediately dashed towards the door in a bid to intercept the escapees.

"Soli! Now!"

Soli launched her attack, with pinpoint accuracy, she started to freeze the ape in the joints of its knees making it stumble. The great ape now enraged, started to use its large hands to smash the ice on its knee caps as it started to lift itself up and started to charge forward more fervently.

"We're not going to make it!"

Odrunn shouted, lifting Soli up as he tried to run even faster to the door.

5 meters, 4 meters, 3 meters. The distance between the door and the trio was shrinking, but the great ape was also catching up.

With Odrunn and Soli in front of him, Z used his psychic blast to send Odrunn and Soli flying through the door.

"Nooooo! Boss!"

Odrunn shouted as Soli and Odrunn both exited the cavern with ease.

After crash landing, they immediately dashed back into the cavern trying to rescue Z, but unfortunately all that remained were emptiness, the terrain and landscape in the caverns had changed. It was nothing like its original form, or perhaps they were delirious and it was all an illusion.

Soli fell down to the ground on her knees and started to cry, her tear drops rolling down the side of her cheeks. Odrunn stood beside her holding back her emotions, one person crying is enough, he needed to be on guard in case something bad happened.

After crying for a bit Soli finally regained her composure, and even though Z was gone, she had to get Odrunn back safe, she had to get back to her family safe.

Walking out of the caverns, they noticed a particular silhouette on the grounds just outside the caverns.

Lying on the ground outside, was Z sprawled out and breathing deeply.

Soli rushed forward with great speed as she pulled Z up and hugged him tightly.

"Go easy on me! I broke a few ribs and bones."

Soli blushed as she panicked and released Z dropping him on the floor.

"Boss! How did you get out of the cave? Did you win the Great ape?"

Odrunn asked Z who was slumped on the ground.

"No I didn't, it caught hold of me and slammed me a few times, after which it threw me straight through the door and out here. I've been lying here for awhile now. Can I get some water?"

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Back in the caverns, deep within the cave, the Great Ape had returned to its dwellings after the door had been closed.

Entering the cavern, a beautiful girl was looking into a mirror, only she was not just a girl. Her legs were replaced and what was in place was a long tail with scales that moved delicately, swaying as she looked into the mirror.

"Did you manage to meet them?"

The snake lady asked looking at the great ape from the side of her vision through the mirror.

"Yes seer, I have given him a gift as well, but are you certain that he is the one that will liberate us from our curse?"

The great ape replied scratching its head fervently.

"My visions, though few has never been incorrect, he will be the one who one day releases our brothers and sisters from this accursed formsss..."

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Z took a half a day to be able to sit up again, at this time, Soli had been keeping vigilant watching over him like a hawk, Odrunn had been out hunting for food gauging the strengths of beasts he could tackle and those he could not. In these coming days, Odrunn had learnt an important skill, the skill of self preservation. He fought what he could and ran away when he couldn't, his senses were keen and he knew how to avoid danger. These were all skills that was needed in the battlefield but could only be gained through first hand experiences.