Eshanai glared at the catfish, hissing with fangs bared. She launched herself at the big spirit. She was done talking, not wanting to give it time to come up with any more plans to trap them. The catfish yelped in fright, and it quickly turned around to flee through the double doors and into the corridors beyond.

“After it, before it gets any new bright ideas,” Eshanai yelled to Sikhez, and they both hurried to try and catch up. Eshanai left the glaive behind, not wanting to anger the hoarder again. “Can’t wait to get some pockets,” she muttered as she snatched up the flute in a rush, figuring it was never given to the hoarder, so it would probably be fine. It turned out she was right as no coins came alive to roll after them when they passed out of the treasury. Eshanai breathed a sigh of relief. That was one less thing to worry about.

The catfish was nowhere to be seen, but its smell was easy to follow. Tongues flickered as the two Naga picked up the trail, the twisting corridors flying by as they slowly caught up, the scent growing stronger. Eshanai grinned, enjoying the hunt, and she was glad to see that Sikhez seemed to be enjoying herself too, eager for the kill and to finally be out of here. Their smiles turned to frowns as they ran into a wall where the trail stopped.

“It’s like it went straight through,” Eshanai said as her fangs retracted, making it easier to speak. She pried a couple of stones loose, revealing only muddy sediment. Her tremor sense showed no hidden entrance or revolving door as she had thought.

“Or it changed,” Sikhez laid a hand against the wall, looking thoughtful. “I did not pay much attention to our surroundings in our pursuit, but I’m pretty sure this is where the stairs we came down from used to be.”

“Tricked again,” Eshanai hissed through her teeth, “so it can just decide where everything appears?”

“Or at least influence it. Either way, we are trapped down here,” Sikhez shrugged like this was expected.

“No, there has to be another way,” Eshanai grabbed Sikhez and dragged her away from the wall. They explored the hallways, but they were always led back to the treasury no matter how far they went. The paths changed, but the destinations were always the same. “Bah! That cheating witch's tit. Show yourself so we can kill you already,” she shouted as they came upon the immense doors for the fifth time.

“Maybe we should think about this when we have had some rest,” Sikhez suggested, laying a hand on Eshanai’s shoulder. Staring listlessly up at the doors, Eshanai thought that was a good idea. They were both tired, wet, and hungry. The treasure wasn’t a comfortable place, but at least it was dry and wouldn’t disappear from under their scales if they fell asleep.

They dined on fresh fish that night. It was hard to tell the time with no sunlight, but with tiredness setting in, it didn’t really matter. The fish were eaten raw, with no fire to prepare them. There was no point getting fancy. Eshanai and Sikhez simply descaled them before swallowing them whole. With a full belly, Eshanai leaned back against a pile of gold, eyelids growing heavy. It would not be a comfortable rest but was better than the floor. Sikhez did not join her. Instead, she paced restlessly, throwing the occasional furtive glance at Eshanai, wringing her hands.

“I can see you have questions,” Eshanai sighed. “Ask them before you bore a hole in the floor.” Sikhez stopped, looked down at her hands, and deliberately separated them. They stared at each other for a moment before Sikhez too sighed.

“I am just worried. The plan failed, and now we are trapped with no way out. We might not fall into the lake in our sleep, but we should still take turns watching. The great spirit might attack at any moment,” Sikhez looked like she would buckle under all her worries.

“I would welcome it to try. That would solve your first worry, in fact,” Eshanai put on a confident smile for her sister's benefit. The truth was she had her own worries, chief among them being that if it weren’t for her little passenger Eshanai would have likely died to the hoarder, leaving Sikhez to face the catfish alone.

“And what was that root or vine or whatever shooting out of your belly?” Speak of the devil Eshanai chuckled at her little sister's timing. “It’s not funny,” Sikhez snapped and turned away. She hugged herself like she was cold.

“No, no, it’s not,” Eshanai said soberly. She was perfectly aware of how close things had gotten. Eshanai was not afraid to die, she didn’t seek it, but she would not shy away from it either, not with how long she had lived.

“I thought, I thought you were going to die,” so had Eshanai, but she couldn’t die, not now that she had a purpose and a little sister to protect.

“It would not be ideal, but I would have preferred to die rather than giving in to that spineless little shit’s demands,” Sikhez was hunching her shoulders and ducking her head in shame at Eshanai’s words as the older Naga rose from her resting place, coins clinking. “My only regret would have been leaving you alone down here.”

“You think I’m weak,” Sikhez scoffed sullenly. “You would have fought with every ounce of your being and been out of here already if you were in my place or died trying.”

“Yes,” Eshanai answered, not trying to mince words, and the younger Naga cringed at her frankness. “But you are still young. It would be unseemly for you to seek an ending so readily. I, on the other hand, have lived a full life and seen enough loss to last multiple lifetimes,” Eshanai trailed off, letting her words hang in the air as she slithered up close behind her little sister. Sikhez turned around to face her, eyes brimming with tears that she quickly wiped away.

“It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak and the duty of the weak to become strong,” the glaive suddenly piped up from somewhere among the piles of gold, startling the two Naga and bringing them out of their serious mood.

“I think that is the first comprehensible thing that glaive has said,” Sikhez chuckled, smiling.

“Yes,” Eshanai laughed with her. “And I agree with it.” Her eyes Suddenly raked over Sikhez’s covered form in disapproval as a new mood settled over her. “Let’s get you out of that stupid dress so we can have some fun,” Eshanai’s hands reached out, intending to rip the garment right off of her, but Sikhez stopped her.

“Let’s not, um,” Sikhez cleared her throat nervously as she fended off Eshanai’s hands and backed away from her. “We need to be ready in case the great spirit shows itself. Plus, you’re all bloody, and you know me, the weakling that I am, I can’t stand the sight of blood,” Sikhez smiled stiffly at her own obvious deflection as Eshanai frowned at her.

“Fine, we don’t have to fuck, but I could have washed up if you’re really that squeamish. There’s plenty of water down here,” Eshanai might do that regardless. Blood covered the lower part of her face and upper body. It had dried and was beginning to itch. “But you should still take off that dress,” The two Naga struggled with each other until they fell to the floor. Eshanai could easily overpower the younger Naga, but she held back, intending for the young Naga to admit it herself.

“No, stop it. I actually like it,” Sikhez tried from under Eshanai.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I thought it restricted your breathing. Why would you wear something that’s actively hurting you?” They stared at each other in their tangled embrace before Sikhez looked away.

“You know why,” she said in a small voice. “He’ll be angry.”

“It,” Eshanai emphasized, not liking how much respect Sikhez was showing the catfish still. “Will be turned into so much fertilizer once we are through.”

“But, I, he,” Sikhez flailed after some excuse she could throw up as a shield, but Eshanai interrupted her with a kiss.

“You say you want to escape, but do you truly mean that?” Eshanai said gently, leaning her forehead against Sikhez’s and stroking her cheek. “The catfish still has a hold over you, even if you deny it. You should do what makes you feel good and right, not let someone else determine your fate, not even me. Be free,” Sikhez stared up at Eshanai, her struggling going still. She closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth before giving the slightest of nods.

“Do it,” she said as her arms fell limp at her sides. She turned her head away, eyes still closed tight as if Eshanai was ripping out an arrow and not removing a simple garment.

“With pleasure,” Eshanai grinned as she began to rip the dress down the middle, freeing Sikhez’s breasts and exposing the supposed torture device wrapped around the young Naga’s lower chest and waist. It consisted of a flexible yet sturdy material that cinched tight around the body, forcing Sikhez to take short, shallow breaths to get enough air.

“Wait,” Sikhez said and laid her hands over Eshanai’s as she was about to rip the useless thing off. She had opened her eyes and was actually looking at Eshanai. “No more fear, let’s do it together,” they both nodded, smiling, Eshanai finding it a good sign that Sikhez was willing to take part in her own disrobing. With the sound of ripping fabric, the thing was torn off and flung away into some corner, and Sikhez could finally breathe normally again.

“What a relief,” she said as she sat up, surrounded by a halo of red cloth. She breathed deeply, chest heaving, and Eshanai admired her naked form. “Still up for some fun?” Sikhez smirked as she noticed Eshanai’s stare.

“Yes,” she said with enthusiasm as they both stood up, more red cloth falling away to pool on the floor. “You keeping the jewelry?” Sikhez took a moment to inspect the bands around her arms. She fingered the necklace, looking thoughtful.

“I think I will, even if it was the spirit that gave them to me. It is still my decision, and they are pretty. No one could deny that, not even you,” she poked Eshanai in the chest, and the atmosphere grew suddenly hot. Sikhez’s hands traveled up to Eshanai’s face, she brought her own face closer, and Eshanai expected a kiss. Instead, Sikhez’s brought her hands to Eshanai’s nose and, with a pop, quickly righted it into place.

“Ow,” Eshanai yelled and jerked back, involuntary tears coming to her eyes from the pain.

“I’ll wash you off first,” Sikhez said with a smirk as she slithered towards the doors. “Then you can help wash me too,” she winked over her shoulder and giggled as Eshanai quickly followed after her.

Eshanai was very impatient, to say the least, but Sikhez wouldn’t let her get to the fun bit until she was adequately clean. Sikhez slapped her hands away and tutted admonishingly at her every time Eshanai would try to speed things along. The washing was taking a suspiciously long time, and Eshanai suspected that Sikhez used it as an excuse to feel her up. Eshanai decided to indulge her for now. Allowing herself to be pampered and teased was nice. She had waited a long time. She could wait a little longer.

Eshanai sighed in contentment and closed her eyes as Sikhez ran her fingers through her hair. She found herself having to hold back tears at the simple, intimate contact. It had been so long, it was no wonder she had missed this, but her reaction surprised her. Was she getting soft in her old age? She didn’t think so. Eshanai had never reacted like this during any of the other separations of the tribe. Was it simply her different mindset this time around? Pondering such things had never been Eshanai’s strong suit, so she decided to simply enjoy the attention her little sister was lavishing upon her.

“All done,” Sikhez said suddenly, bringing Eshanai out of her languid state.

“Over so soon,” she said and stretched, opening her eyes to blink lazily at Sikhez. “I really needed that.”

“I’m glad. My turn?” Sikhez was acting innocent, but by her seductive sway and wiggling of her hips, Eshanai could guess what she was hoping for.

“No, still mine,” Eshanai said and chuckled at the way Sikhez frowned in disappointment. “But I think you will enjoy it all the same.” She placed her hands on the young Naga's shoulders and slowly exerted pressure. Sikhez resisted, and Eshanai pushed harder, just enough to overpower her and slowly push her down. Lust and excitement blazed in Sikhez’s eyes as she was overpowered, mirroring the need burning in Eshanai’s own eyes. She stopped resisting when she was at eye level with Eshanai’s crotch but still looked expectantly up at her.

Sikhez wanted to be forced, no needed to be, and with a knowing smile, Eshanai obliged her by pushing her head into her, by now, dripping sex, and the young Naga began to lick at it eagerly. Her fervor only increased when Eshanai wrapped her tail around her, trapping the young Naga’s hands against her body. Eshanai fell to the floor, still clutching Sikhez to herself as she moaned in what would be the first of many releases that evening.

“So many scars,” Sikhez pondered out loud later. They were lying snuggled together on a pile of gold, both satisfied. She was lazily trailing the many pale lines that now adorned Eshanai’s body.

“I got most of them trying to swim down here,” she answered to Sikhez astonishment, and she proceeded to go over them all, having Eshanai confirm from where she had gotten them.

“The catfish?”

“Maybe, it was hard to tell in that darkness.” Eshanai had a hard time believing that the spirit was capable of such violence with how it had used the hoarder to attack them. Standing behind it and letting it do all the work. Perhaps the water made a difference, with Eshanai practically blind and unable to fight back easily.

“What about this one?” Sikhez was up to her shoulder now. She seemed fascinated, green eyes intent as she delicately traced the puncture marks lining Eshanai’s shoulder.

“A Leanesh, or close to it,” Eshanai enjoyed the way Sikhez head shot up to meet her gaze, eyes wide.

“No way, you are just trying to impress me,” the young Naga said accusingly as if she had figured something out. “Swear it. On the mountain.”

“I swear, I swear,” Eshanai laughed before she had a thought. “Well.”

“Well, what?”

“Well, this one was different.”

“Different how?” Sikhez seemed really intent. Was it really so hard to believe?

“I found it curled up in my den, for one. It didn’t seem to fear my scent at all. And it was all slimy, with pale skin like a snail.” Sikhez wrinkled her nose cutely before she sighed and fell back into Eshanai’s arms.

“I’m glad,” she said. “If you had run into a real Leanesh, you would have come away with more than a simple bite mark.” Eshanai scoffed at that but didn’t argue. She had fought them before but with the help of spirits. Now she wasn’t so sure she could take one.

“I still can’t believe that the catfish moved the stairs. You think they are out there somewhere, just moved to another part of the castle?” Eshanai changed the subject.

“Maybe,” Sikhez answered, sounding sleepy.

“We could split up, cover more ground. We’d keep more of the castle solid that way too. The stairs would have to appear sometime.” It all depended on how much control the catfish had. If it simply made suggestions, it surely couldn’t keep the way up away from them forever. They would have to appear, or it would interfere with the memory of the castle or whatever. Otherwise, it would make things difficult.

“If the catfish controls the castle, that is a horrible idea. I suspect we wouldn’t be allowed back to each other if we are separated,” Sikhez explained soberly, making an effort to stay awake. “But we can talk about this tomorrow. Right now, I need to get some rest.” She laid her head on Eshanai’s chest, and within a couple of moments, she was breathing deeply, fast asleep. Volunteering Eshanai to take the first watch.

Eshanai soon grew bored of watching. Nothing was coming down here to bother them, so she might as well get a little practice in. She grabbed her flute and started playing. With no particular theme in mind and not wanting to wake Sikhez, she played softly and slowly. She was in a melancholy mood, and the sound turned sad to her ears, but it still made her feel better, if nothing else. She soon lost herself in the music, thinking about all the friends she had lost, her fingers flying over the tiny holes. She cried by the time she was done and couldn’t continue playing, but this, too, felt good. A release of pent-up emotions she hadn’t realized was tangled up into a little ball inside her gut.

When her eyes were dry, she finally looked up and was startled to see a whole school of glowing river spirits surrounding her and Sikhez. Eshanai jumped, scaring the spirits and making them flee from her gaze. Sikhez woke in the process, and she sat up and stretched.

“What is it?” She asked with a huge yawn, not having seen all the spirits.

“Um,” Was all Eshanai got out. It could be her imagination be she could swear that the painting on the ceiling was moving.