The Shapeshifter

'Squeak! Squeak!'

The creatures' eyes were shining and floating like green balls of fire. The eyes were almost at the level of their waist, which means that the creature was a bit small.

It continues to creep closer when it finally revealed itself to the group.

A huge furry creature came out of the darkness. Its grey fur where like thin rapiers, giving out glints in the cave. The claws were as sharp as a sword. Its mouth has bloodstain and blood was currently dripping from it, making it appear terrifying.

The creature was constantly moving its head as if it was sniffing the group one by one.

"A rat!"

"Quickly kill it." Someone hastily shouted.

"No! Don't!", Reynard quickly stopped them. "You fools, you're going to kill us all!"

"Why?"

"Have you forgotten? A mischief of rats could bite people to death. For you guys that is.", Reynard was becoming angry by the minute.

"Not just that." Reynard continued, "The smell of blood would penetrate deep into the cave and also escape outside. I think all of you would know what would happen by then, yes?"

It was as if the pressure of getting everyone out alive was making him lose himself.

"Then we should probably move to the side and let it pass through.", Alex suggested.

"How do you suggest we do that then? Do you think the rodent would just move out of the cave and pretend we do not exist? They are bloodthirsty creatures.", Rezhul rebuked.

"Didn't I just said we move to the side? Then you go look for a solution yourself. Daddy can surely hold back the rat for you as you think of a proper solution."

Being rebuked like that triggered him. He was a bit angry since he only gave a suggestion. It was but a mere suggestion, although it might be a stupid one, the least they could do was try.

Everyone was a bit edgy ever since the situation has devolved into this. They were a bit restless and easily angered. Hence, not making correct decisions and arguing on the simplest of things.

Reynard looked at the giant grey rat who was sniffing everyone out, obviously cautious of the group.

As the one with the highest cultivation level, he was able to subtly discern the level of the beast.

Although the grey rat looked a bit okay on the outside, its breathing was a bit chaotic. Its movements were slightly exaggerated, seemingly afraid of something.

This time, Reynard made the choice. "Do as he says. Move to the side."

He was quite unsure whether it would work or not. It's just that they have to hold on to that bit of hope that the creature would not attack them and continue on its way out the cave.

Once a fight occurred, it would definitely attract the creatures outside and within the cave. Not to mention a mischief of rats, there must be other stronger creatures residing deeper into the cave.

The others quickly moved to the side, nervousness obviously written on their faces.

The giant grey rat got the gist of what they were trying to do and immediately scurried outside the cave.

After warily looking at the huge back of the grey rat, all of them turned their heads back into the cave's depths.

They were waiting for the little rats that could be following the grey rat. They stood there nervously and waited for the rats to come, but after waiting for a while, none actually followed the grey rat.

"Did we just averted a disaster?"

"Hmph. We just got lucky.", Rezhul replied.

"Indeed we got lucky.", Reynard said.

Everyone in the group knew that they did indeed got lucky. Who knew that the creature wouldn't attack them? Who knew that the huge grey rat didn't have a mischief of rats following it?

"Lucky or not, at least my suggestion worked."

Alex still sounded a bit angry. He still can't get over of the fact that he got rebuked like that.

"Enough.", Reynard quickly interjected before he hears the bickering voices of the two.

"Let's head a bit deeper. The huge rat may attract other creatures outside, once it enters back into the cave we are definitely screwed. We can't leave it to luck by then. Come."

Reynard started walking off. He didn't care whether the group of teens would follow him. He was the leader of the group, he gave them a reason and it was their choice whether to follow him or not.

Rezhul was the first to go, since his father, Reynard, was there to protect him.

The teens looked at one another before jogging towards Rezhul who was trying to catch up to his father.

As for Alex, he was standing still near the cave's mouth. He was covered in sweat and his body was constantly trembling. After a few seconds of composing himself, he slowly followed the group with the help of the heavy stick.

He could barely see the surroundings within the darkness. He could vaguely see rock formations such as the stalactites that was hanging on the ceiling like lances that could pierce the bodies.

As he kept on walking forward, he noticed that what should've been a musty and earthy smell has gradually turned into something metallic.

'Is this cave abundant in metals? Weird.'

It was after a few minutes that he finally caught up to the group. The metallic smell was also the strongest at this point.

The group was standing still staring at the scene in front of them.

Since Alex was the last to follow, his sight was currently blocked by the group.

The gory scene entered everyone's sight. Even though it was dark, the outlines of the bodies and the smell of blood helped the teens in imagining the horrifying scene before them.

Numerous body parts were strewn across the ground, just that this time, it was that of the beasts. The bodies were covering the whole path onwards.

The blood of the creatures were like the stagnant puddles of water, yet they emit a strong metallic smell of blood.

The bodies mostly belong to palm-sized spiders similar to the ones that kept on following them around the forest.

The other bodies were dog-sized grey rats. Although they only numbered about a hundred, these grey rats were able to fight against thousands of spiders.

"That giant grey rat should've participated in this battle or the spiders wouldn't have died this easily.", Rezhul said.

'Scratch! Scratch! Scratch!'

But before anyone could say their piece, scratching noises were once again heard on this dark tunnel.

"Oh no! We're trapped, aren't we?"