Discovery

Having friends join you on an adventure made things more interesting, fun, and brought more to the table. There was a saying that went the more the merrier. What most don't usual mention when exploring with a group is having to play babysitter, or at least keeping up with everyone. Reporter George Newman got out of the large jeep with Cameron the journalist still in the back seat, their driver Morgan at the wheel shutting off the engine, Kate and Phil were just now waking up after the long ride.

“This looks like the place.” George said taking a look around they had stopped at.

The day had gone into late evening with the sun setting to the west behind the hills and trees. Demon's Claw or Draconic Peninsula rested on the southern coast with the sea running between the claw shaped peninsula like water between fingers. Here Journalist/Explorer Cameron and Reporter George hoped to find the place where so many people had gone missing over the past three decades. George was skeptical about bringing Kate and Phil along at first. These two had been here numerous times since the academy years. For years these two kept coming over here despite dangers, and the history of people disappearing around the area.

“Let's just hope we don't catch the eye of the authorities.” Phil said looking over his shoulder half expecting someone to be there.

“Pppfffff like they even know we are here! The only authorities that exist in this part are mostly three Rangers, a hermit, and a couple coo coo druid wannabes!” Morgan scoffed at Phil's overly comprehensive ideas.

“Go choke on it!” Phil snapped back at Morgan.

George shook his head wondering why they brought them along. He actually wanted it to be him, and Cameron at first. Yet with just the two of them it would end up in some form of catastrophe. A catastrophe they would get tired of each other quickly, and neither of them had their licenses. Both went speeding through a few villages and local residential complexes catching the eye of the authorities. That was several weeks ago right after the latest disappearance of a Barber's son who went hiking here all alone. The nearest village was just four miles away to the west.

“Guys, guys just cool it there is no need to raise our voices over that issue. If any Rangers or the like approach us we will handle it and say we're on our way to Everwoods Hall where the Baron is hosting a festival, again.” George said hoping to get them to shut up already. He walked towards the direction of the rock formation at the beginning of the claws. Where did these people disappear? George thought to himself. His mind raced with many questions as he took pictures of the landscape.

“We should start searching the “First Finger” I read an article that one of the missing was last seen heading over there.” Cameron suggested from behind George. With his camera George snapped a picture of Cameron then turned around to get another of Kate and Phil. Morgan was in the background next to the Jeep having a smoke.

“Okay is every one ready?” Cameron asked shouldering his back pack.

“Yep!” Kate said cheerfully.

“Yeah, I am ready.” Phil said walking to where George stood.

“I am ready as well!” Morgan shouted as he approached the group.

“Yes I am.” George replied.

“Then let's go down that trail!” Cameron said with a gusto of excitement.

He led the group off the dirt road where they parked the jeep to a trail marked with stones, pebbles, and smoothed out rocks. Some of them had the shape of roaches whereas the rest had abstract shapes, and the typical shapes of rocks. For several minutes the five friends took the trail towards a patch of wooded area on the knuckles of the peninsula. The trees gave off a weird atmosphere that said they were hiding something together. It felt a little eerie, but not as eerie as a haunted place, or a graveyard. Being in an eerie place like that made his skin crawl a little. Just being around the dead scared him enough. What never helped with anyone conjuring that sort of fear were the dead rising, wandering zombies, and those flesh eating ghouls that prowl around. An hour passed in their hike on the trail and the trees started to changed forms. They became gnarled, knobby, and started to form arms and hands out of branches.

George's excitement had disappeared an hour ago when they came to the eerie part of this trail. Was it the fact that people disappeared in this part of the peninsula or was it the woods? He desired to be in a cottage or in the safety of his own apartment where he knew everyone and the streets. To his own dismay he chose to come here it was as though he changed his mind about this ordeal.

He looked around at Kate, Phil, Cameron and Morgan who showed no sign of fear at all as they progressed further into these woods. George's focus went from friend to friend feeling a bit more secure. Bringing them along brought more security in case something happens. After several more minutes the group of friends started talking as a way to pass the time. This trip transformed into a hike then a search since they found nothing for a whole hour.

“Where did these people go? It's not like you can easily get through those trees without tripping on roots.” Kate said looking around with a confused expression.

“Maybe there is something in these woods.” Phil suggested looking up at the barren branches almost expecting something to be there watching them.

“If it was something like a creature it would leave tracks or clues.” Morgan said.

“Well sounds like no one is going to assume it was a creature because I see zero tracks.” Kate insisted.

“Are you saying it was done by a serial killer?” Cameron asked Kate. She shrugged her shoulders in response.

“One of the victims had a hand woven piece of fabric she wore, and the rangers found it just somewhere along this path.” George said recalling what he read in early reports.

“And the kid, did they find anything of him?” Phil asked George.

“His flask, but that was about it. That was towards the beginning of the trail. Remember guys these people who disappeared were alone.” George reminded them. They acted like they did not hear him at all.

“Hey was is that over there? Look behind those trees!” Kate pointed out with a finger.

George looked at where Kate pointed further up the trail. Behind some trees lay a strange looking mound of rocks, dirt, and soil packed together. Within the mound was the mouth of what appeared to be a cave covered in moss and branches.

“It's a cave!” George shouted in disbelief. Seeing a cave here was a little strange since most caves would be found in the coast line, beaches, and the mountains. At least that is what he perceived.

He approached this cave with his traveling companions.

“Do you think this is where all those missing people went?” Kate suggested peering inside the cave. She had to step over roots and parts of the trees in front of the cave. George, Morgan, Phil and Cameron joined her in peering into a dark cave that went deep in to the earth.

Several of them got out flashlights and shined them down into the cave. The illuminating lights showed a long tunnel leading downward. In order to get down they would have to climb down a steep looking stair like ladder. It was made from some type of metal that was unfamiliar to them. This metal had a strange grayish color to it and showed signs it had been here longer than a few decades. A few places were rusting, but this ladder appeared sturdier than most rusting ladders.

“You know Kate this could be where those people went to look for safety.” Cameron said placing a hand on his head and rubbing his fingers through his hair a little.

“How many went missing again?” Phil asked looking away from the tunnel to Cameron and George.

“The figure said about eight, but I think it was really thirteen people had gone missing.” George said looking down this dark tunnel.

“Let's go then.” Kate said climbing into the cave.

One by one the several friends climbed down the ladder. Just as he suspected the ladder was a bit rusty, but it felt strange in his hands. This ladder took them down several stories deep in the earth. After several minutes of climbing down they found the bottom of the ladder making footfall on a hard even surface. Each one turned their flashlights on to get a better look at where they had ended up.

“Holy ectoplasm this is no ordinary cave it is some kind of bunker built in the earth!” Cameron exclaimed aloud. All their lights flash and illuminate the area revealing concrete walls and a tunnel that led through the earth.

“Okay this is something new I was not expecting to find a bunker in the ground.” George said looking at the walls wondering how long it had been here. His other friends were speechless and too busy looking at the walls. Leaning against the walls they found strange looking weapons that appeared to have been left there as if rendered useless.

“These are cool I wonder where they came from.” Phil said picking one up and examining it. Morgan picked one up as well then put it back down. Cameron and George took photos of the weapons and the area they were inside. Kate ran her fingers all over the walls as if studying further. Her hand must have hit something as lights flipped on shining light on the tunnel. On the floor they found the remains of someone. It lay in tattered rags nothing more than a skeleton that had been there for several years. This gave them all a start causing a few of them to jump. Kate did not scream at all she was too horrified by something else she discovered, another body on the floor against the wall. It clutched a medallion in its hands.

Cameron and George took photos of the bodies as well hoping it would be evidence for the authorities to look at. These would surely add more pieces to the puzzling mystery. However these strange weapons added more questions along with the tunnel hidden in the woods. No one said a word as they were too shocked and scared by what they just discovered. The notion to leave did not cross their minds as they were too focused on finding out the missing pieces.

“Should we go back and report-” Cameron about suggested when something down the hall caught his attention. George, Kate, Phil and Morgan looked at him with fear, worry, but the sense of curiosity winning over their fears. They made a pledge to help him and George out.

“Let's just press forward and see what else we can find.” George suggested not really believing he had just said those words. Unanimously the group decided to press on exploring this structure even further.

He did not know it was foolish to do so according to some people. Yet he still want to see what had happened to these missing people. They had most likely found two of the missing people all they had to do was find the rest or whatever could be found then race back to the jeep and go to the authorities. George was given the lead as the one who orchestrated this adventure. He cautiously made his way to whatever this object was running into cobwebs, stepping into puddles of strange coloration, and some symbols on the walls. Whatever this object was it was shiny and drew much attention. Little rats and critters crawled about it until they approached causing the creatures to scatter. What he came up to was an amulet lying on the floor. He picked it up and examined it. This amulet had the shape of a mermaid on a shell holding an emerald it her arms. George recalled the medallion that had a coin shape to it with sea like symbols all over it and a shell shape etched into its center. It seemed strange that these two would have any relations what so ever. One was found in the clutches of a missing victim and the other on the floor of the tunnel.

“What did you find?” Kate asked out of curiosity.

“An amulet of the sea or something like that.” George answered her.

“It must be an amulet depicting a goddess or one of those decorative jewelry you find in antique shops.” Morgan suggested looking over George's shoulder.

“Whatever it represents it adds a little more missing pieces, but not as much as this tunnel and those weapons back there.” Cameron insisted pointed back with his thumb.

“Okay okay, let's just go see about this tunnel then head back out okay?” George declared to the rest of the group. He pocketed the amulet then marched further down the tunnel with his friends who silently agree to come along.

Going further down this tunnel they came upon closed doors that must have lead to other rooms or tunnels. He only passed these doors not wanting to stray from the path. Behind him his friends jiggled handles and tried to get them open to no avail. They gave up allowing the exploring to continue. As they continued they came upon another corpse that looked alien to them. It appeared very dragon or lizard humanoid like with a lab coat on. In its hands was a strange looking firearm. This corpse looked to be recently dead as if dead for a few weeks. Examining it further they found puncture holes it is back, and a huge gash in its stomach as if something ripped a chunk out of this humanoid. Just across the hall from the corpse lay another corpse just like it hunched over with bullet holes in it. This one appeared to have died slowly from its wounds.

“We should definitely tell people the truth about what's been going on underneath our feet.” Kate suggested she sounded more concerned with what happened here and a little scared.

“Yeah we should, but what is the government going to tell us?” Cameron insisted to the group.

“Good idea, plus Cameron is right our government will just cover this up as if it never happened.” Morgan said scratching his head.

“And yet we still worship dragon gods, and still have toad humanoids roaming about? Our government needs to stuff it already!” Phil snapped at Morgan who was taken aback. Even though they lived in modern age on the planet of Ioculai there were still various races and species deemed to be extinct or myth living among mortals. Cameron and George took photos of these corpses as their friends went further down the tunnel. In moments the two coworkers followed after their companions.

Following the tunnel path they found an intersection as the tunnel split into three paths. One went left another went straight and the other went right. The right path looked blocked by some barricade, the one on the left appeared very dark and old, whereas the one going straight had lights flickering on and off about to go out. A door lay in the path of the straight tunnel. It looked to be opened just ajar inciting more curiosity yet hesitation.

“Hey look what I found a helmet!” Morgan cried out drawing attention from the other paths.

Sure enough Morgan picked up a helmet that appeared old, but from an advanced civilization. On its side was an octopus like figure pained red and gold. This helmet had a bowl/bell shape to it with goggles attached to it. Something sticky covered part of the helmet along with blood.

“Where did you find that helmet?” George asked Morgan who was uncertain of where he found it. Morgan turned toward the direction he picked it up and indicated with his head.

“By those corpses.” He said tossing the helmet back where he found it.

All eyes turned to the wall next to the tunnel they came in through. Five to six corpses lay on the floor against the wall bloodied, covered in stabs, holes, and had a few missing limbs. Three reptilian humanoids, and two other humanoids without noses lay on top of the other. From the way they were positioned they had engaged each other in close quarters combat before getting shot.

“Looks like a battle happened here.” Cameron observed snapping another photo with his camera.

George looked around seeing more corpses reptilian and humanoid wearing similar helmets. Many of these humanoids wielded strange rifles, katanas, and other melee weapons. The reptilians had their claws for melee weapons and smooth shaped pistols. None of them touched anything else and huddled together to figure this out.

“Okay we just came across this tunnel that appears to be a base.” Cameron started.

“And at least two of the missing people.” Morgan added.

“Some strange weapons at the beginning.” Kate put in.

“We also stumbled upon what could be the sight of a battle.” George concluded.

Phil added nothing to the conversation he looked down at the floor trying not to gaze at the corpses. He appeared sick to the stomach just from looking at the corpses. One would think the smell would be enough, but somehow he was just now noticing the stench of death. They broke their little formation to find the ajar door had swung open barely on its hinges. It revealed another tunnel leading into the earth. George flashed his light on to the left tunnel discovering even more corpses both reptilian, and this strange nose-less humanoid. Every inch of this tunnel appeared cluttered with corpses, weapons, and limbs. Just the scenery itself was enough to make you vomit. He turned to the door that swung open on its own as if the door was not on its hinges properly.

“Lets follow that tunnel we won't be able to make any headway through that one.” George suggested indicating to the corpses infested tunnel. Each one of his companions looked at the tunnel and nearly vomited, covered their mouths, and looked away immediately. They agreed to take the tunnel with the mysteriously opened door.

George and Cameron took the lead through the doorway to find it had a few corpses, but not as many as the other tunnels. Four reptilians lay face down as if shot or stabbed in the backs. Only one of these nose-less beings lay against the the tunnel wall with claw marks on his chest. It appeared as though these reptilians were trying to get away from the attacking force who gave chase through this tunnel system. Whatever war was going on under their feet in the earth of Ioculai it appeared to be over. Going through the doorway and into the tunnel George felt the wind blow past him. Feeling wind blew past you inside a tunnel meant there was another opening to the surface nearby. It felt like the wet air from the seas. He led his companions through the tunnel whose walls transformed into more earth like surface held back and kept from caving in with metal beams. It snaked through the earth bringing them further towards this opening and across more corpses and signs of fighting.

At the end of the tunnel they came to what looked like an underground submarine base with just one submarine sitting in the water. Every four to five feet lay the corpse of a reptilian or one of those nose-less humanoid soldiers. Past the sitting submarine was the massive cave opening expanding out like huge mouth gaping open ready to eat whatever entered its jaws.

“How does this go unnoticed?” Cameron cried aloud sounding pissed off and excited at the same time.

Something inside George gave him the feeling that whoever had attacked this base had not left just yet. He spied several figures exit the submarine in search of whatever noise they heard. George started to back away to the way they came in. These figures wielded rifles and looked to be on the hunt for something. As he backed away his feet stepped on something causing it to crunch. He looked down at what he stepped on. A hatched open egg lay under his feet. It looked about as big as his own head. This gave him shivers over what could possibly be that hatched from this large egg. More questions than answers entered his head as he forgot about the reason they came here.

“RUUUUNNNNN!!!” he screamed at the top of his lungs scared out of his own mind. He though to himself screw the photos, and the missing people we need to get the fuck out of here. George spun around and pushed past his own friends. He darted for the tunnel seeking to get out here when the figures started to shoot at them. Seconds later his friends raced after him hoping to get away from their pursuers. Like prey running from predators the friends raced back the way they came stepping over corpses, puddles of muck and blood. When they came to the tunnel with the ladders all the doors slowly opened and several large reptilian creatures crawled out of the rooms. Before any of them could respond, or scream these reptilian creatures were on them. George, Phil, Kate, Cameron and Morgan were ripped and torn apart with claws, and teeth as hungry reptilians feasted on their flesh. Their deaths were gruesome as these hungry monsters tore at them started to eat them alive before accidentally killing their meal with pressure from feet and a swat of the claws.