~ Chapter 4 ~
Secrets shatter, Bonds forge

took the stairs two at a time, the sound of sword against sword from below cut like knives into her conscience. She dashed down a stone passage, leaping out of the way of an ant, she took a side path. Lilly followed the corridor for a while before coming out into a large cavern, and suddenly a giant snake appeared, a level fifteen creature; what the hell is it doing up here!?
She dashed along the wall and ran down another path, taking a different tunnel, suddenly the snake cut her off. Lilly spun around and ran back the way she came, slipping down the first path she saw. It wasn't long before she was cut off again, turning down a side path as the giant fangs bit at her again. After a while of not seeing it, she slowed down, gasping for breath; Lilly leaned against the wall. She looked to her left and almost screamed; the massive head of the snake was coming fast. It’s yellow eyes, with black scars through them, stared directly at her. Its scaly skin was mostly tan with black and gold diamonds speckling its surface. Lilly slipped as she pushed off from the rock, pedaling her hands on the ground as she pulled herself to her feet and ran as fast as she could. She turned down several different paths, but all the while, the scaly scraps, and hissing, hot breath on her heels. Suddenly she leaped into a side hole, the snake slipped past, glaring at her in annoyance. Lilly was once again pretty sure she’d lost it, but that was when she realized she didn't know where she was. Frowning as she gazed around, Lilly walked through a cavern she'd never seen before. Tunnels in every direction. There was an odd sound, like the ticking of a clock.
"Hello!" She called, "I'm lost." Suddenly the ticking grew in strength till thousands of giant ants appeared, crawling from each hole, she reached for the knife, but an ant ripped through her backpack, spilling the contents everywhere. She watched the knife skid beneath an ant's legs. She dropped her bag and ran down a cavern, the skittering of thousands of legs echoing behind her. Please! I don't want it to end here; I know I've been bad, I've done things, gotten people killed, ironically in this exact same way. But I almost have what I need.
Suddenly she skidded to a stop, her soul filled with dread, no, no no no NO!! A dead-end, she turned to watch the ants crawl in after her, she backed against the wall. This is how it ends? I guess I deserve this though. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend Zora. One of the ants lunged at her, pincers dripping with poisonous saliva, and in her fear, she released her magic disguise. Her ears reappeared, popping from her hair, and her tail shimmered into view between her legs. Lilly closed her eyes as they got close, closing off any hope of escape; she could hear its breath and feel it on her face. Suddenly one of the ants screeched, and something dropped into her lap. She opened her eyes and looked down; a queen ants head lay in her lap. Upon seeing the death of their queen, the other ants scattered. Zora stood in front of her; hand held out to help her up.
“H-huh?” Lilly asked, “but, I stole from you, led you into a trap, I even lied to you about being human?”
“Yeah, so and you almost got eaten by ants.” he smiled, “I'm not going to...