Message #118743

[The Host]

Part Two: Snow Rising
Chapter One: Vastus

Three days after escaping into the Western Range, Crotesius and Scodonius found just how important Vaho was to the team. After being injured by the Last Colony's attack, Vaho had become slower and less able to fight predators.

A large tiger like animal had been following the trio for two days, and it finally attacked. Crotesius was the tiger's main prey,, and as the tiger lurched forwards to strike out, Scodonius was able to drive by on the Kaxium and pull Crotesius away from harm.

Vaho was not there to help. His wounded leg allowed him only to limp to the Cendox and follow Scodonius and Crotesius away from the tiger's hunting area.

"We need a good place to rest. I can't go on much longer in this condition," said Vaho once they were out of harm's reach.

Crotesius and Scodonius both agreed, and the three agori set off towards the peak of the mountain they were on, looking for a cave or ridge they could set up at. Part way up the mountain Crotesius came across a small cave, but upon inspecting it he found it much too small, and it smelled as if it had been used recently. Nearer to the top, Vaho spotted a ridge with a small cave on it. Heading up, the three agori found that this spot was perfect. The cave could protect them from the weather, while the ridge would allow them to spot any oncoming predators.

Scodonius set a flag into the ground and drove the Kaxium into the cave. "Whoa!" he shouted, once in the cave. His voice echoed all the way out to Crotesius and Vaho. Both agori moved for the cave, Crotesius supporting Vaho.

"What is it?" asked Vaho. Scodonius pointed deeper into the cave. The cave extended much further than any of the agori had guessed. A long tunnel wound its way into the darkness, but judging from the sounds of rocks bouncing around(which they had thrown of course), the tunnel opened up a lot along the way into large caverns.

"If trouble comes, the Kaxium and Cendox can both fit in the tunnel. We can leave through here, or at least lose whoever's chasing us," said Crotesius. Vaho began to limp back out to the ridge when a noise caught his attention. Vaho ran, ignoring the pain for a moment, all the way to the Cendox, then returned into the cave.

"Someone's coming. Get into the cave! I'll follow you."

Scodonius jumped into the Kaxium, and Crotesius followed, not even touching his helmet. The red agori grabbed his Thornax launcher and Vaho followed the Kaxium as it went off into the darkness.

"Hello?" called a voice from the ridge. Vaho motioned with his hands to be silent, but in the darkness neither Crotesius nor Scodonius could see. Suddenly, the voice was just to the side of Vaho. The three agori stood still, the motors of their vehicles shut off. They were in a small side cave.

Light suddenly bounced off of the intruder's armour, illuminating him for a split second. The intruder caught a quick glimpse of the agori and his scythe whipped out immediately.

"Vastus?" said Scodonius, quietly. The intruder nodded.

"Yes. It's me. Rascks is on his way, although we came into some trouble with an ex-glatorian by the name of Perditus. Apperently you've run into him as well?"

"Yeah," said Vaho, "We ran into him, and barely escaped."

Vastus. sensing the agori's uneasyness in the cave, slowly backed out. The Cendox' motor roared to life and Vaho followed him out. Scodonius and Crotesius came out last. Vastus was just about to speak and a piece of white armour appeared beside him.

"Run!" he shouted, and Vaho turned to follow. Crotesius pulled out the second Thornax launcher as Scodonius turned the Kaxium to follow Vaho. A white coloured Glatorian jumped behind the Kaxium and picked up his armour before taking off to join Vastus.

"I'll stay behind our convoy. You lead them to somewhere safer!" cried Vastus. Rascks continued to run and Vastus dropped back, repeating the same thing to the three agori. A thornax sped by Vastus' head and exploded just infront of Vaho.

Vastus shot a thornax back at the attackers, causing a few rocks to fall and block the way, giving the five Bara Magnans just a bit more distance.