Making her way back down the tunnel, Voska could hear the sounds of breathing long before the light illuminated the feline. She hid her snarky smile with some amount of effort, figuring that had their positions been reversed she probably would have been no better off. Even the toughest of fighters would be lunch for any critter down here without a light to see by. It was a rather cruel trick to play on the man, but she didn't feel terribly guilty for it. He was a pain in the ass, after all. The sound of his voice when he spoke up made her flatten her ears slightly. How does such a meek creature hope to survive down here?

The mercenary stopped just in front of him and cast her eyes beck down the tunnel at his question, her paw resting easily on her slightly cocked hip. "Nothing particularly dangerous or plant-like, if that is what you're asking." She replied, her voice low in the near-silence. 

She stood there for a moment, stock still and looking over her shoulder, then with a deliberate motion she turned back to look at the feline. "Could be a dead end, actually." She raised a brow, obviously wanting to see his reaction. As odd as it seemed to the huntress, the inexperienced feline was the one heading the expedition so it was his call whether to proceed or not. She figured somebody must have some rope, but the rest of the group was some distance behind and she didn't particularly feel like waiting... or dealing with the noisy rabble. "Unless you're feeling brave?" She questioned, a sly smile creeping onto her features. 

"There's a sharp incline just a short walk around that bend. Chances are it leads down to the deeper tunnels which will be much more dangerous and less-traveled. Much more dangerous, but also a good chance for you to see some of the bigger, nastier creatures that live in this hellhole." She smirked. "There could also be some treasure in that direction, artifacts maybe. That steep incline is treacherous, even with climbing gear, I doubt many groups have attempted to take that route." She left out the part about how much more difficult it would be to flee should they run into any trouble up ahead. That was something anyone exploring the catacombs should always keep in mind, there were some things down in the tunnels that no amount of bullets would bring down.

She shrugged, lifting her paws half-heartedly. "Your call, boss." She said the last word in an almost respectful manner. [i]Almost[/i]

----------

Lurking just behind the dark wall of shadows, dark shapes moved along the walls of the cavern, slowly creeping around in the dark. The sound of footsteps brought stillness to the horde of dark masses, a light shining down the entrance to their ancient home. The light didn't reach the cavern, didn't illuminate the piles of bones carefully picked clean, or the giant stalks of the mushrooms growing around the cavern, the slime-covered walls or the dark waters pooling silently in the center of the cavern.

Soon the light faded as the footsteps retreated, and the horde crept slowly back into motion. It had been a long time since any new food had come this way, and the dark shapes began to slowly creep from the tunnel, sliding silently along the walls, ceiling, and floor.

------

As Voska stood there, obviously eager to move ahead with their venture despite the danger, she shifted the light from one paw to the other. The shifting shadows flickered across the cavern walls, revealing dark shapes moving across the walls behind her. Silent as the darkness itself, they moved at a slow and steady pace. As the light touched them several of the creatures froze, but a few more ventured onward, oblivious. They looked like slugs, but each one must have weighed at least five pounds.