Competition: Starfall: Beneath the Surface

Enjoy.

The caves were damp, dark, and cold. The only visible light came from the helmet light Delak had confiscated from one of the miners before heading into the cave system. He was looking for the kyber crystals that they had been sent to acquire. He needed new ones for his weapons and wanted to extract them before Xen sent the mining teams looking for them.

“This cave is huge,” Delak thought to himself. He continued the slow walk deeper into the underground wary of where he stepped. He had heard rumors of beasts that lived deep underground in these natural caverns. They were called Delkren Dogs. These dogs were said to have razor sharp teeth and giant claws. They could rip flesh from bone with one swipe. He hoped that he would never have to meet one.

The cavern opened up like the jaws of a rancor as he ventured ever further into the darkness. Stalactites and stalagmites hung from the ceiling and grew up from the floors like razor sharp teeth. The smell of sulfur could now be detected by his senses. The smell began to burn his nose as he pushed further and further after his objective.

Audible growls and a low howl could be heard from further into the cave opening. Delak slowly grabbed for his lightsaber. Feeling the cool metal cylinder in his hand he flipped to activation switch and watched as the purple blade of Shiny and Chrome sprang to life. The purple hue spread throughout the cavern and red eyes could be seen reflecting the glow back into Delak’s heart. He could feel it pounding ever faster. The day he dreaded had come. He could see three sets of eyes starting at him closely. They didn't move. They just sat there fixed on his own eyes. Out of the corner of his eye something else was reflecting his blade like a piece of glass. It was the kyber crystals. He had found what he was looking for but now it was a life or death mission.

The beasts stared into Delak’s very soul. Fear had gripped him and he almost didn't realize he was being surrounded. The Force was his ally, and his warning tool. The attack came swiftly from behind. The Delkren were pack hunters and had trained themselves to distract t the prey while they swung around from behind. Delak ducked underneath the lunge of one of the beasts and as soon as he had finished his roll another beast attacked him. Delak came out of his roll and pressed off with his feet into a huge leap from the ground. He flipped once in the air and landed on his feet. He flung bolts of lightning from his fingertips and landed a couple strikes against the beasts. They recovered and continued their attack. The beasts lunged again this time catching Delak in his mechanical arm leaving a huge gouge in the metal plating. He looked over the damage quickly and realizing that it was superficial attacked the beast with his lightsaber. He sliced through the skull of the first beast and watched it drop to the ground dead as a stump. The smell of roasted dog hair filled the cavern. He was invigorated after the kill and chased after another of the beasts. He jumped at the animal and landed a kick to its midsection knocking it off its feet. He landed and pounced onto it stabbing it through the heart. The final Delkren looked his direction and was about to run away. Delak threw his lightsaber with the precision of a Wookie Bowcaster. He watched as the purple blade hummed through the air and met it's target. The blade easily passed through the four legs of the animal dropping it quickly to the floor. The blade hit the ground and turned off quickly. Delak reached out for the lightsaber and within seconds felt the warm handle in his palm.

Delak once again ignited the lightsaber and felt it's warm presence. He looked towards the wall that held the kyber crystals he was seeking. Finding the crystals stuck solidly to the wall and realizing he lost his mining tools he took his saber. With his saber he cut three times in a triangular pattern to dislodge the crystals from the wall. They fell to the ground and he scooped them up quickly stowing them in his backpack. He began the long slow walk back out of the cavern system. Back towards daylight

Lucyeth
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