pharaoh's labyrinth

" Down this way, this passage will lead you to him," the snake nodded, slipping past him.

" Really? Thank you so much!" Peony gushed, stepping alongside the cobra.

The tip of his tail waved over the tom, " Hush now! If the pharaoh hears you, you will be in a big trouble!"

" Oh gosh, he's down here?" his tail curled with anxiety.

" Yes, to right. Some say he has a pharaoh's curse, but me? I do not believe. He has much ego, very much." the serpent spoke in a soft hiss, " He step on my tail, very rude."

" I see," Peony's gaze inadvertently traveled to the other's tail. It was oddly misshapen towards its end, curving like it'd been struck. " I'm so sorry about that," he added sympathetically, " I hope we can make him understand this is screwed up."

" You're being too positive, he will not change," there was confidence in his tone, but it was masked by his somber expression, " I wish it was different, truly."

Peony noted that he'd picked up his gait, following suite. There was so much he wanted to ask, but the snake seemed upset. Pushing him further didn't feel right, and the pharaoh being located right beside them made him extremely nervous. What was the curse, anyways?

" STOP!" the serpent shrieked, rushing ahead at speeds Peony didn't know were possible for a snake, " STOP RIGHT NOW!"

" What? What's going on??" he asked immediately, his body tensing up with dread. Was the pharaoh in the chamber with them?

" There is a creature, small spider!" he cried in a shaken tone, " Don't step on  a creature!"

Peony huffed out with relief, " Okay! I wasn't going to .." the other had slithered all the way down the passage to warn the tom. He didn't know snakes had such great eyesight either - maybe it was just his talent.

" Never too careful to save a creature, very tiny!" he replied, helping the spider along, " We cannot hurt them, they need help. We will protect them always."

" .. Right! I won't step on any spiders," Peony enthused, finally catching up with him, " I like them anyways."

" Good, they are very fragile," he nodded, returning to the feline's side once he was certain the arachnid was in the clear.

" Is he alright?" Peony inquired, his fur grazing the sides of the sand walls as the path tapered off.

" The spider is fine," he murmured.

" No, I mean Viscare, is he alright?"

The snake's face was unreadable, " I do not know. The pharaoh had him in cage, last I saw."

A cage? Does he mean a cell? Peony's ear twitched irritably, " This is a trap. He wants me here."

" Doesn't matter. We will save him," he responded coolly, " and the others."

He froze, " Others?"

" Yes, a bird and dog. Seem angry. Not tall like your friend."

A sinking feeling was growing inside him, his panic was evident, " What do they look like? Do they know each other?"

They emerged from the passage in an open clearing, the sandy night air sweeping over them from above. Peony didn't feel comfortable speaking further, there were surely guards about. What did the pharaoh want with him anyways? This was all so sudden, it was overwhelming; is Viscare okay? The snake's wounded tail came to mind. This pharaoh certainly had a short temper - possibly a sadist. He was so concerned about the other's safety. They had to hurry.

" Here, quick!"

" I don't see any guards," he said briefly, eyes peering out over the land. His arm was yanked forcefully, sending him stumbling backwards behind a wall, " Ugh, what was that for?"

" Shh! Look to the sand."

He nodded, staring out from the rocky hide. Large bumps visible on the ground's surface traveled in patterns.

" The guards are .. under the sand? What are they?"

" Wyrms, snake dragon. They will kill us, just stick to the wall. They are not often fed."

Peony nodded, immediately rushing out from behind the rock and running a straight line along the border.

" WAIT! Not quickly! STOP THERE!"