She grabbed him and ran towards the entrance that had been opened for them, only to collide into a wall of dirt. She slammed a fist into it. "DAMMIT. We're stuck." And then the panic started to settle in. Shit shit shit shit. Not now. Please not now. She was locked in. Underground. No escape. She stumbled back, eyes unfocused as she wrapped her arms around herself. Locked in with no escape. Locked. Locked. Lockedlockedlockedlocked.
He, however, was calm. Well, as calm as you could be in this situation. "There's gotta be a way out," he mumbled to himself, pacing back and foth in thought. I can't do anything without Tess casting a spell, and I doubt she's in any position to do so.
(Will the titans attack them, or no?)
(some might, some won't. There are three specific Titans that know Tess because they're Jamir's family–another Vanguard member)
"Follow me, came a whispered voice. A vague shadow formed next to Runner in the shape of a tall woman. She seemed to be carrying two children in her arms, but it was hard to tell."
(traveling in the earth, not shadow powers)
"Mother Earth," he whispered in a breathless voice, starstruck for a moment. The sound of footsteps broke the momentary distraction like a child stepping on a stick. Runner turned to Tess and grabbed her by the hand, half-dragging her into the tunnel without a second thought. Now is not the time for a mental breakdown, dragon girl, he thought angrily.
A small chuckle. "I appreciate the flattery, but I am just an ordinary Titan. Quickly now. I know a secret exit." The woman continued to run through the walls, holding the surprisingly calm children in her arms. Tess mutely allowed herself to be dragged along, fighting back the haunting memories and cold sweats and blackout threatening to knock her ass out.
He could tell that at this rate, Tess was slowing them down with the fact that her feet barely even moved in her panic. So, in one swift motion, he turned around, pulled her close, and lifted her up bridal style. He resumed running after the woman, moving his legs as fast as they'd go.
Tessa briefly was snapped out of her panic as Runner picked her up. But then her vision swam, and she clung to him and buried her face against his chest. Her body was trembling. Why oh why did she insist on coming to a world were its residents lived underground? She hadn't thought much of it, just thought of the Titans' home as another sprawling city that she had found beautiful. It probably helped that she was remembering the giant and open caverns that made up most of this underground civilization, making it seem impossible to believe that this was all underground.
The woman continued running, whispering in a foreign tongue to the children clinging to her. "The others are following," she said with a frustrated tone. "We might not make it."
He could feel the energy of dozens of others chasing after them, and it just fueled his adrenaline even more. He barely felt the weight of Tess in his arms as he ran, watching the woman speak to her children in slight confusion. What is she planning…?
The woman released the children, and they instantly emerged from the earth. They both had striking earthen green eyes and dusty brown hair. One was a girl while the other was a boy. They had to of been at most 6 years old. They stopped in the middle of the tunnel and pressed their palms against the ground. The earth trembled in response, then the tunnel began to collapse right behind the children.
The woman appeared as well. She had dark, mud brown hair that fell to her waist and was pulled into a messy braid, yellow large eyes, and tan skin. She was tall but muscular, and she held herself proudly. "Come. We've been given time."
"Remind me to send them a thank you card, please," he said, looking at the woman expactantly. He didn't even notice the fact that Tess had her face pressed into his chest.
She smirked and beckoned for him as she took off once again. "Titan children are rare and precious, and childbirth can be deadly. We care about children far too much to put them in danger. Nadya and Aydan have been adopted by my brother, and they have his fighting spirit. The others won't hurt them to get to you, so you should be safe for some time."
He chased after her, using his shoulder to wipe off the sweat from his forehead. "Where are you taking us?" Runner asked, "'Cause Tess has essentially shut down."
The woman shot a look towards Tessa. "My brother told me about her trauma. I'm honestly surprised she even came down here." She shook her head and flung out an arm. A tunnel sprouted where her hand was pointing, and she made a sharp turn into the new tunnel. "I'm essentially taking you to the back door of this place."
He took a worried glance down at Tess before taking the turn into the tunnel. "Why the hell is the entire world after us?"
"Agdrin, the bastard, rules by fear and empty promises," she spat angrily. "Lies, deceit, and manipulation are his playgrounds, and fools are his pawns. Unfortunately, there are more fools than the wise."
He winced as the sound of the demon lord's name. "Is there anywhere safe for us? Both of our ideas nearly got us killed."
"I'd say Clojiynn, but that would be the first place he'd expect you lot to hide." She pinched her lips as she thought. "There's an empire that couldn't be completely bested by one of his generals–Kali. The only catch is, their empress isn't a fan of Theresa nor anyone different. But if you can get the Kings and Queens on your side, her word can be overruled."
He shook his head. "We don't have the time to jockey for political position We need an isolated place to train without getting bothered by anyone."
"Then the Isic empire. They're just getting back on their feet and are generally forgotten since their fall centuries ago."
Runner nodded, glancing down at Tess once again. "We're almost outta here, dragon girl," he said quietly. "Just hang on for a little bit more."
"You say that as if you care," the woman pointed out, slowing down to a stop to get her bearings. She pressed a palm against the wall and lowered her head, eyes fluttering partially closed. "We're close," she said quietly, mostly to herself. "Just a few more paces."
"She may be a bitch," he said, frowning. "But she saved my life. Her acting like an ass doesn't change that."
"Have you considered that there's a reason for her behavior?" the woman asked, her pace picking back up to a brisk walk.
"That's why I haven't taken anything too personally," he said, taking the moment to catch his breath.
"Word of advice?" she said, turning to look back at Runner. "Push her buttons. Rile her up. She's an Aries, fire demigod, and a dragon–one helluva hothead that loves a good challenge. Keep up with her, and she'll warm up to you. She hates pushovers."