If he had been alone or had only Hotaru with him he might have forced the issue, seeking to free the Ursurs and clearing out the cannibals, at least for a little while before more cropped back up, like cockroaches in the ice. It was frustrating to back away from the darkness within the heart of the mine, far more loathsome than any lack of light. He was not so foolish as he had been a year ago, though, desperate to push on in the face of overwhelming odds. There had been no indication that any other lives were immediately at risk, at least; those in the boxes wouldn't care, and there was no sign of anyone begging for mercy or trying to escape. The nest would need to be cleaned out sooner rather than later to avoid the murder of other travelers, but for now? For now it was the better part of valor to escape unharmed and return with their findings to the man who claimed this land beneath his rule.
The trip back, at least, was uneventful. They had remained undetected, avoiding trouble by luck and cautious wariness both, and this time they all made it across the bridge unharmed. It was, however, a much subdued group that slipped away from the cursed village and headed back towards the portal in the Fangs. There would be nightmares a-plenty to go around after this, Jigano knew, and he felt pangs of mixed pride and regret that Maea and Evie had made it through, yet been scarred by something they could never unsee again.
{Finished}
The trip back, at least, was uneventful. They had remained undetected, avoiding trouble by luck and cautious wariness both, and this time they all made it across the bridge unharmed. It was, however, a much subdued group that slipped away from the cursed village and headed back towards the portal in the Fangs. There would be nightmares a-plenty to go around after this, Jigano knew, and he felt pangs of mixed pride and regret that Maea and Evie had made it through, yet been scarred by something they could never unsee again.
{Finished}
