The putrid smell of sulfur filled the air with a thickness that was hard to shake, even when attempting to cover the nostrils and mouths of those who entered. The rocky and uneven ground beneath footfalls grew hotter as they progressed further through the tunnel and towards one of the chambers they had heard about. According to reports from survivors escaping the heated chasms, beyond the doors within the idealic almost utopia the Aerobic Tark'ee had made for themselves, laid a group of Tark'ee so fierce and deranged that they attacked anything on sight. Be it due to desperation, protection or sport, no one could say. However the Tark'ee dubbed as Volcanics were a powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with, and an incredibly huge hazard which needed to be neutralised.

Kareena led the way, dark cloth covering her face and a soft blue glow from her laser staff in stark contrast to the hot browns and reds which adorned the walls of the tunnel. Far'lan, her mate, brought up the rear similarly draped in heavy fire retardant cloth and wielding his plasma blaster at the ready - alert to their surroundings for desire to get the first shot in before one of these Volcanics could attack.

Both walked in agreed upon silence, signalling to one another as needed when a rock protrusion or blind corner needed to be checked before continuing on their way. Kareena stepped carefully, practiced in the art of stepping quietly on the surface during her hunts; however moving in a rocky tunnel adorned with heavy boots was a novelty to her, and as such her carefulness proved to not be enough to prevent accidental loud noises on occasion. Each one caused both her and Far'lan to pause and wait, hearts beating fast in their chests as they listened for any sound which could cause alarm.
However no such noise came.

Successfully making it to the end of their tunnel, the heat from lava flows almost knocking the wind out of them both, Kareena and Far'lan were greeted by the tunnel opening up into a decent sized chamber. The walls of this chamber appeared both constructed from and also carved out by volcanic falls which pooled into fiery hot rivers which moved at a very slow pace from one end of the chamber to the other - cutting off their access to both adjoining tunnels on the other side of the chamber.
Progress halted, they made their way behind a pillar - an old frozen lava fall creating beautiful statues, or columns, reaching to the ceiling. Their brief respite was short lived as a screeching roar echoed through the chamber, loud enough to hurt Kareena and Far'lan's ears despite their covering them.

"Who dares enter my chamber." came the snarling words from Maddison's beaked maw. A deep rumbling and unnerving clicking filled the air, echoing around the chamber causing the location of the source to be obscured.
Kareena gripped her staff in her hands, knuckles almost turning white with how hard she was holding on. Far'lan quickly made sure his blaster was loaded and charged before they both exchanged a nod, signalling their readiness for the inevitable fray that was about to occur.
"I SAID" Maddison snarled, somehow louder this time "who DARES enter MY chamber!?"
Suddenly the column behind which they hid crumbled with a loud boom, Maddison's claw crashed through the rocky formation and destroyed it with an impressive show of force. Kareena flinched as rocks fell around her whereas Far'lan had swiftly stepped away and took aim with his blaster, shooting for Maddison's now exposed side during her attacks follow through. The hit caused her to cry out in a pained rage, giving opportunity for Far'lan to reach down and hoist Kareena to her feet. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kareena readied her weapon, bracing the staff's handle against its holster.
With another breath, Kareena leaped forward giving off a battle cry as she charged towards her target. Maddison turned to face her, roaring and moving her tail as if ready to strike with the already bloodied spikes adorning it. Offering cover, Far'lan unleashed a bombardment onto Maddison's side, causing her to shift her focus to minimising the damage caused by his ranged weapon as he ran around the rocks and pillars - beginning his move into a flanking position.
This cover created the distraction and opening needed as Kareena plunged her weapon into the fearsome Volcanics shoulder. Letting out a cry of pain, Maddison swatted Kareena away causing the Tsabhua to fly off until her trajectory was stopped by a rock wall.
Maddison's eyes glowed, reflecting the hot lava around them but also the boiling rage she felt inside. "You will pay for that!" she snarled, pulling out the staff from where it was embedded in her shoulder. Blood oozed out, but Maddison seemed to be unbothered by this fact as she put her whole attention and rage towards the near unconscious Kareena. With a final roar - she ran forward.

"Kareena!" Far'lan's panicked cry echoed through the tunnels as he began his sprint forward in an attempt to beat the beast to his mate.
Tears streamed down Far'lan's face, whether due to intense emotions welling inside him or the sulfuric air choking the area was unclear. Blue light from his blaster lit up his angered features with every shot. Almost without thinking, Far'lan picked up Kareena's staff from where it lay discarded on the hot ground as he passed it, taking aim, and throwing it in a beautiful arc towards Maddison's back as she ran. He hoped beyond hope for the staff to land and stop Maddison in her tracks.
Kareena groaned, pain shooting through her body as she attempted to move. The world seemed to be slowed somehow. She looked up, greeted by the sight of Maddison's hulking form barging through the cavern towards her, she saw Far'lan's throw of her staff.

Kareena closed her eyes, tears escaping down her face.

"I love you." She whispered.