Strange lush plants which resembled those upon the surface and yet were somehow unique and different - potentially adapted to the underground caverns and low light conditions within - adorned the walls, hung from the ceiling and seemed to create its own branching structures within the tunneled network. A beautiful mixing of nature and ancient abandoned halls interspersed with the evidence and remains of what could have been civilized life within the walls.

Derki, a Tark'ee determined to find out more about these mysterious bunkers and therefore the history of his people, led the way through the thick jungle beneath the surface. Bruno followed closely behind, adjusting his spectacles regularly as he attempted to jot down a map as they traveled for clearly the group would get incredibly lost on the way back.

"Do you all mind slowing down?" a small voice came from behind, a feline creature followed and lagged behind due to her smaller stature. Luckily her nimbleness lent itself to being useful as she gracefully jumped over thick roots, weaved among the large leaves, and generally was able to keep up if it were not for Derki's intense motivation to get through as quickly as possible. "Not all of us are large brutes, you know."
"Apologies, Lexi." Derki sighed, sitting down to allow the smallest member of their group to catch up. "I should be more mindful, you are right."
"You know, Lexi" a deep and soothing voice sounded as the large Lomicon approached from his own pathway through the jungle - the strange stone beneath their feet unsettled Lomicons senses to he opted to weave in the thicker overgrown parts instead to avoid touching it. "I could carry you if you wished."
"Ugh, please!" Lexi agreed, leaping elegantly up along a tree and finally jumping down to rest among the soft mane upon Lomicon's back. "It is about time someone acted the gentleman." she snarked, attempting to jab at the pride of the males around her - yet none took the bait.

Feeling defeated at being ignored, Lexi huffed softly.

"Come now, we should continue now that we are all caught up" Bruno urged, his scribblings surprisingly legible considering how fast they had traveled until now. "However Lexi is right, a little slower would be great. I do not want to miss any details." Bruno continued, tapping his screen with the pen he used to draw.
"Why are you making a map anyway?" Lexi asked dismissively.
"Because, dear, if we or anyone else are to return to this place, it would be pertinent to not need to explore from scratch. This way we can get deeper and deeper into these ruins each time." Bruno adjusted his spectacles once more, distracting himself from his own impatience at Lexi's questioning him.
"Admit it" Derki started in a jovial tone "you do not trust me to get us lost."
"You are correct. I do not trust you." Bruno agreed harshly, causing Derki's playful expression to lessen and deflate as the words hurt him.

Lomicon and Lexi merely watched, uncertain about the exchange and where they should fall on this. After a few awkward moments, Lomicon cleared his throat "well, we should continue our exploring expedition. You know, before it becomes too dark." the day had only just begun, this fact was not lost on the others in the party.
"We can make our own way, if you need to explore alone?" Lexi added, eager to get away from whatever it was Bruno had going on.
"Oh please do stay!" Derki almost begged "I - I mean - We value your company."
"Agreed. And besides, if something goes wrong it would be best to stick together." Bruno added, the hint that Bruno would himself not be the most useful in an emergency was also not lost on the rest present.
"Very well, let us continue this journey then." Lomicon urged, beginning to walk and lead the way through the lush green jungle. Bruno followed closely, alternating between scribbling rough notes and lines on his map and looking around and taking in everything around them as best he could. Derki, however, brought up the rear and began to scruff his claws into the dirt and drag it along stones as they went; dejected and hurt by Bruno's words.

The jungle growing within the walls only seemed to get larger and denser as they continued, whereas sections of the flooring had clearly been eroded away over the years; be this due to rust in some sections causing the smooth flooring to give way to scaffolding, or stone sections completely fallen by roots weaving and pushing their way through. These sections seemed to have a dark hole below, one which caused them to feel uneasy at being unable to see what was lurking below. The air seemed to get heavier with damp and a thick aroma of decaying plant matter and mildew filled the air as they traveled ever deeper through the labyrinth.

Suddenly Lomicon stopped, a low and intimidating growl sounded from his throat as he wordlessly lowered his body into a ready position. Something was ahead, and that something was deeply unsettling. Bruno backed off a little ways, eyes darting in an attempt to see what was eliciting such a reaction from the Brute, but Derki moved towards the front to be closer to Lomicon and Lexi, staring off into the darkness which had so wrapped the big felines ire.

There was indeed something lurking in the darkness.

And that something was deeply unsettling.