Tar slowly edged her Spectre forward into the cave, careful not to disturb the vines on either side. The tunnel ahead narrowed quickly, so she proceeded in front only until a person could just about squeeze past either wing, then stopped and powered down the vehicle. The canopy hummed open and she clambered out, leaving her carbine in its holster. “We’re alive.” she reassured Yalu.

Tar walked a few paces further into the cave, until she was nearly swallowed by the darkness. She then silently unhooked one of the blades from her back and turned it on. An eerie red glow threw long shadows on the walls, exposing thick vine trunks that dug into rivulets on the floor, walls and ceiling. There were pink flowers even here, despite the lack of sunlight.

She gently moved her sword closer to one of the vines on the wall, and with a distant sound like bloody innards slopping from a stomach wound onto the floor, some of the flowers turned to face her. “This Tengmaa is awake. Do not touch the vines. It may try to constrict us.” Tar growled softly, looking around to see if any of the other boughs were moving.