The Uninvited Guest

The waterfall, a majestic column of glistening water, cascaded down into a pool at the center of the chamber. Nearby, a large stone pillar loomed, partially obscured by vines and moss.

The massive Donrolf rampaged through the cavern. Its multiple eyes, each one a different size and angle, darted around as it shrieked, causing the cavern to tremble with its ferocious cries.

Its wings, which were also its forelimbs, slammed against the walls, sending debris flying.

Leonardo sprinted towards the stone pillar, his legs burning with the effort. The weight of the crystals made each step a struggle.

He glanced back to see the man darting through the cave, hurling any solid objects he could find at the Donrolf to draw its attention.

"The way it glows, it has to be acidic," Leonardo said over the roar of the beast, his voice strained from exertion.

Leonardo and the man were now racing to reach the waterfall.

The Donrolf, growing increasingly agitated by the assault from the man's projectiles, lumbered toward the hole in the wall where the water flowed.

It was a race against time—if the Donrolf reached the pool before they could set their trap, the situation would become even more perilous.

The man's eyes narrowed as he watched the Donrolf's movements.

"All of you, use this opportunity to run!" he bellowed to the few survivors in the cavern. His voice was filled with urgency as he pointed towards the ladder leading to the exit. "Go! Get out now!"

The survivors, hearing the command, scrambled towards the ladder, their footsteps echoing through the cavern as they fled.

The commotion attracted the Donrolf's attention once more, its eyes swiveling towards the noise.

"Water, water, it's slippery, it's either hard or—acidic! Old man!" Leonardo shouted, struggling to keep his balance on the slick ground. His hands trembled as he maneuvered the natrium blocks, the weight almost too much to bear.

The Donrolf, now aware of the imminent threat, charged towards the pool with surprising speed, creating a gale that nearly knocked Leonardo off his feet. The man, now on the creature's back, managed to steer it away from the pool by stabbing its nape with daggers, pulling backwards harshly.

"Who would have thought those days in the library would pay off," Leonardo muttered, his voice barely audible over the din.

The man tightened his grip on the Donrolf as it veered off course, crashing into the stone pillar with a thunderous impact.

"Uncle, hold me!" Leonardo shouted urgently, his voice tinged with desperation. His eyes were wide with fear as he looked at the man beside him.

The man, catching his breath and regaining his composure, glanced at Leonardo with a faint smile. "Now, uncle?" he asked, his tone light despite the gravity of their situation.

Leonardo's expression softened as he looked at the man, grateful for his presence. "I mean, your back doesn't hurt so that's a relief," he replied, his voice steadier now.

"Alright," the man chuckled, a hint of relief in his eyes.

He carefully lifted Leonardo, holding him securely as the Donrolf, now weakened and thrashing, plunged into the lake with a thunderous splash.

The beast's massive form churned the water violently as it tried to free itself, but its movements were sluggish.

Leonardo, bracing himself, nodded firmly. "And drop!" he commanded, his voice sharp with resolve.

He slowly released the large blocks of natrium into the lake. The blocks hit the water with a heavy splash, quickly beginning their dangerous reaction.

"Go, go, go!!" Leonardo shouted, urgency clear in his voice.

The man clicked his side, the grappling hook taking effect to the other side of the hole—the exit. His heart pounded as he grabbed onto the man's side, both of them racing towards the other exit.

The man, eyes darting around, said, "Hope what you threw works!" but his words were cut off by a sudden, deafening explosion.

"Natrium and water go boom!" Leonardo yelled, covering his face with his cloth as a cloud of acrid gas and steam erupted from the lake.

The explosion sent a shockwave through the cavern, rattling the walls and sending debris flying. The intense heat and force of the blast created a blinding light, making it difficult to see anything clearly.

As the dust and smoke began to clear, Leonardo and the man land in the mouth of the gapping hole in the carven, but their path was abruptly blocked by a group of people running frantically towards them.

Among the crowd, a girl emerged, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation.

"What the—" Leonardo's path collided with the girl amidst the chaos. "Run, run!" he urged, scrambling to his feet and pushing past her as he made his way deeper.

The man, catching his breath, glanced back at the scene. "That boy is something else, i might be his fan," he muttered, watching as Leonardo's figure faded into the shadows.

"Oh, I'm sorry i didn't see you. Also, there has to be a nest in the area—second waterfall, you can't miss it," he continued, his tone more subdued but still urgent. "Be careful. I'm heading out now."

As he started to walk away, the girl and her four guards moved swiftly to inspect the area, and possibly find a nest.

The guards' expressions were focused and determined, their presence a welcome reinforcement in a conflict already solved.

Leonardo's hasty retreat earned him a few annoyed glances and scoffs from the guards, but he paid them no mind. His priority was getting out of the immediate danger zone.

"That was fun," is heard as he leaves.