Chapter 54: The Troll Cave

Guided by the massive python, Kael and Gandalf left the murky swamp behind, plunging deeper into the shadowy eaves of the forest. The python, it turned out, was an incessant chatterbox. Famished and impatient, it spent the entire journey attempting to persuade Kael to offer up his elderly companion as a meal. Though Gandalf could not understand Parseltongue, he saw the serpent's head flicking toward him time and again and had a fairly good idea of what was being discussed. He wasn't offended; in fact, he seemed rather amused. "Kael, my boy," he said with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling. "What is our guide saying to you? I can't help but feel it keeps looking at me as if I were a particularly tempting morsel." Kael had no desire to spare the python's feelings. "He's a simple creature," he replied, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "He's trying to convince me to trade the trolls' treasure for my permission to let him eat you." Gandalf stroked his beard, genuinely entertained. "Is that so? To be valued as highly as a troll's hoard... I am flattered." After another hour of walking, the python suddenly coiled to a halt, its great head held low as it eyed the path ahead with caution. "The stone-men's lair is near," it hissed to Kael. "Their eyes are sharp. I go no further." Its tone shifted to one of pitiful concern. "Do not get eaten, wizard! You promised me a meal. I have slithered far... so hungry... I will waste away..." "I know. Be quiet now," Kael hissed back softly. He instructed the python to wait for them, then turned to Gandalf. "The troll cave is just ahead, according to our guide." Gandalf deferred to his companion, a quiet trust in his eyes. "What is your plan?" Kael was already prepared. "We'll sneak in first and assess the situation," he proposed, his voice low. "If there are survivors, we rescue them. Then, we deal with the trolls." "Then we shall do as you say," Gandalf agreed, allowing Kael to take the lead on the rescue mission. With Gandalf's approval, Kael wasted no time. Pointing his wand at himself, he whispered an incantation. An invisible wave of magic washed over him, startlingly cold, like a bucket of icy water poured over his head. A shimmering film spread across his body before he faded from view, his form blurring into the background like a heat haze. It wasn't true invisibility, but a powerful Disillusionment Charm that bent light and perception around him. A swift movement would still betray a faint, distorted outline. The charm, however, was not enough to fool Gandalf's keen eyes. His gaze remained fixed on Kael's position. "Marvelous," he breathed. "Cast it on me as well!" Kael obliged, and soon two invisible figures crept silently toward the trolls' lair. Their dwelling was an immense natural cavern, its entrance a gaping maw in the rock face. From the deep darkness within, the faint, flickering light of a fire could be seen. Without hesitation, they stepped inside. The moment they entered, a putrid stench assaulted them—a thick, gag-inducing mix of filth, rot, and stale blood that nearly made Kael retch. The cave floor was a gruesome mosaic of bone fragments, some animal, but many disturbingly human. These leftovers from the trolls' feasts were strewn everywhere, their foul odor mingling with the smell of excrement. The air was thick enough to taste. Forcing themselves to endure it, Kael and Gandalf ventured deeper into the mountain. They soon arrived in a vast cavern hall. A bonfire roared in the center, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Around it sat five trolls. They were colossal creatures, standing five or six meters tall, with mottled green skin as tough as scaled hide. A large cauldron hung over the flames, and one of the trolls was lazily stirring its contents with a ladle the size of a shovel. Beside the fire lay a pathetic pile of blood-stained clothes. "Is it ready yet? I'm starving!" one of the trolls bellowed, its voice a low rumble that echoed off the stone. Its stomach gurgled in agreement. The others grunted impatiently, their greedy eyes fixed on the pot. Kael's gaze fell on the pile of clothes, and his heart turned to stone. The contents of the bubbling stew were sickeningly clear. "First, we must look for survivors," Gandalf murmured, his voice a faint whisper beside Kael. Kael gave a slight nod. He retreated slowly, keeping to the shadows along the cave wall as he scanned the dim hall. Several smaller tunnels branched off from the main chamber, leading deeper into the darkness. Gandalf and Kael split up, each choosing a passage to explore. The tunnel Kael entered was long and winding. At its end, he found not prisoners, but the trolls' hoard. Piles of rusted armor and blunted weapons lay in heaps—human, Elven, Orcish, and Dwarven alike. Scattered amongst the refuse were glittering mounds of gold and silver coins, along with chests overflowing with jewels and other valuables. While the treasure was a welcome sight, the mission came first. Kael backed out of the tunnel, making a mental note to return for the loot after the trolls had been dealt with. He moved on to the next passage, where he met Gandalf emerging from the darkness. "Any luck?" Gandalf whispered. "No people. That tunnel is their treasury," Kael replied, shaking his head. "What about you?" Gandalf's tone was one of profound suffering. "I wasn't so fortunate. The tunnel I chose... was their privy. A true nightmare, Kael. An absolute nightmare." Despite the grim situation, a flicker of a smile touched Kael's lips as he pictured the wizard's predicament. They decided to proceed together, entering the last unexplored tunnel. This time, they finally found what they were looking for. At the end of the passage, a section had been barred off to create a crude, massive cage. Locked inside were the missing villagers. They were gaunt and hollow-eyed, their faces masks of terror, despair, and a chilling numbness. They huddled together like soulless husks, beyond even tears. As they heard the faint sounds of Kael and Gandalf approaching, a fresh wave of fear rippled through them. Mistaking the wizards for trolls coming for another victim, they shrank back, their expressions sealed with the certainty of their doom. Seeing this, Kael and Gandalf sighed, their hearts heavy with pity. Kael canceled the Disillusionment Charms, and their forms materialized in the gloom, illuminated by a soft, magical light from Kael's wand. The villagers stared in disbelief. To see two humans appear from thin air was a shock, but in their surprise, a fragile seed of hope began to bloom in their desolate hearts. "I am Gandalf the Grey," the wizard said, his voice imbued with a warmth and strength that cut through the despair. "And this is Kael. We have come to rescue you." (End of Chapter) *** [Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl] [+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]