Jason couldn't see the end.
The sunlight of the surface looked like a pin prick from here. He had fallen too deep in. 'They' had fallen too deep, he reminded himself.
Eriam wasn't doing well. He had noticed her delirious eyes long ago. She fought to hide it from him but had failed. Jason made no mention of it. He didn't need too it would change nothing.
Father would be coming but it'd take time. So... he could do but one thing. Press forward. Rip through any Osa that got in his way. Get Eiriam to safety. Everything else didn't matter. Not his wounds nor exhaustion. The spear in his hands lit up.
A soft blue glow illuminated the dark tunnel. Growls came from the front, behind, below, above. Sounds of delight from creatures far terrible than man or beast. Yet faced with the impossible Jason smiled. He didn't realise it.
His eyes which glowed with the same blue as the spear were set dead ahead. Eiriam did though. Her gaze was clear now. He would bring her out. His name was Njosa of the Mahandi clan.
And to the Onjaka, Mahandi meant trust.