They stayed on guard as they made their way through the endless winding tunnels of the cave.

"We cannot be far from the lair of the ant-lion…" Edward assured them more than once as they slowly and painstakingly plodded through the tunnels.

Cecil nodded half-heartedly…those words sounded familiar…the candles were becoming few and far between now as they pressed deeper into the unexplored parts of the cave…At last when it seemed that they would have to give up, they arrived in a tremendous cavern…strangely terraced…the sand was fine and powdery…like ashes…Cecil instantly knew that they must be standing in the lair of the ant-lion…

"Wow Edward!"

Rydia's voice shattered the somber silence.

"This is the --"

"Rydia!"

Edward shushed her hastily with a fearful look around the chamber.

"The ant-lion without a doubt enjoys it very much if those who enter its lair remain quiet --"

The prince was standing motionless in the dim candle-light, and Cecil noticed with some alarm that he had a long gash in his side, beginning near his ear and terminating at his ribcage…He never mentioned getting injured badly, Cecil mused…but he did not demand an explanation…Wouldn't the prince know whether or not he were hurt too badly to continue?

"A sand ruby should be here in its nest…"

Edward started toward the center of the room, making his way with caution down the steep terraces. Cecil watched him for a moment then started behind him…

The knight leaped back in shock when a sudden hissing rippled through the dark chamber…clouds of dust sifted around them, and Cecil gaped at two black beady eyes peering from the sand…

"Edward?"

Rydia's frightened voice whispered urgently to the prince. Cecil instantly drew his sword, descending rapidly behind the young man…However, Edward gestured for him to stop…

"There is nothing to fear --"

Edward indicated the hidden dome-shaped head with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

"--The ant lion is tame…"

Cecil stared at him in amazement.

"Tame?"

Edward nodded with a shrug.

"I suppose it is due to the miners and such --"

Cecil didn't like his uncertain explanation…

"--Anyway, it will not mind if I take a sand ruby…"

The beady eyes shifted, watching the prince closely…Studying him…Cecil wasn't sure if he would have taken the step Edward took…The prince knelt in the sand near the cowering creature…he did so without fear…

He scooped a reddish stone about the size of his fist into his hands…sand puffed from the ground and Edward leaped to his feet hastily…

It was obvious that he did not want to test his claim about the creature's mild behavior…

"I have it!"

Edward displayed the ruby triumphantly. Cecil couldn't help but sigh with relief as the prince backed away from the nest, ascending the steps, unharmed…

"Now if we could only get --"

Edward was interrupted by a sudden wheezing breath…the sand beneath his feet churned violently, and the prince's eyes opened wide…

Cecil spun around in surprise…

The cry from Edward's mouth was cut short as a spear-like projection hurtled with blinding speed from the sand behind him, gouging into the back of his leg. Edward pitched forward in the sand, his face pale…the sand ruby fell from his hands…

With a loud curse Cecil was at his side, snatching his arm to drag him away from the huge creature in the sand…The knight shoved Edward aside and raised his sword high above his head, meaning to strike the ant lion…threatening to slash it to pieces…

"Wait!"

Edward's voice was strained from pain and fear.

"Your blade will do nothing to its thick skin!"

He gasped and stared around to locate the sand ruby…

"We must leave quickly!"

Cecil didn't hesitate a second longer…The prince of Damcyan crawled up the terraces, moaning each time he moved. Cecil whirled around and dashed toward him…his pace quickened as he heard a thunderous hissing…sand spouted from the ground and rained over him, making an odd tinkling on his dark armor…he shook it away and lunged forward, grabbing Edward by one arm, half-dragging, half-carrying him up the terraces…

"The sand ruby!"

Edward's voice screamed in Cecil's ear above the fierce squealing behind them.

"It's too late!"

As much as he hated to admit it, they could not attempt to turn back and get the stone…he leaned toward Edward urgently…

"Where's Rydia?"

The look on Edward's face couldn't have displayed his answer any better. Cecil held Edward's arm tightly as they looked around in desperation…God, where was she?

At last in the semi-darkness Cecil glimpsed the little girl…

She was crouched in the sand very near the area where the ant lion was last seen…

"Rydia!"

Cecil screamed, releasing the prince of Damcyan and pounding toward the nest of the ant lion…

"For God's sake get up here!"

"Cecil!"

Rydia held her hand high to display the sand ruby victoriously. The sand around her sifted.

"I found the sand ruby!"

A waxy dome-shaped head, equipped with two razor-sharp pincers, rose from the sand just as the little girl scurried toward Cecil.

Cecil knew she would never make it to him before the ant lion attacked…with a vicious oath, he leaped down the terraces so fast that he nearly tumbled head over heels to the bottom…He grabbed Rydia by the arms and snatched her aside the instant the ant lion lunged toward her. Sand washed over them…Cecil coughed feverishly and squinted to keep it from his eyes…Rydia shrieked and Cecil clutched one of her hands, dashing toward the prince of Damcyan…

Edward stood in the tunnel of the cavern, gesturing wildly for them to hurry. Cecil dimly heard sand swirling behind him, and a sinister hiss rippled under the ground…

"Run Rydia!"

Cecil urged her forward, nearly slinging her to the dirt.

"Hurry!"

The little girl stumbled once with a cry, and Cecil wasted no time in scooping her into his arms by her waist and struggling up the terraces with Rydia bouncing against his side…

"Cecil!"

He heard her voice, broken as she bounced left and right.

"I…got…the…sand…ruby!"

Cecil nodded and risked a glance back…to his horror he saw sand spray all around them…the creature was burrowing beneath the sand directly behind them…

"Oh God!"

"Cecil!"

Edward screamed, hobbling toward the approaching figures…They were only a few yards ahead when the ant lion attacked again, sending Cecil sprawling to the ground in a cloud of dust.

"Edward!"

Rydia extended her hand toward the prince, who grasped it and jerked her away…He drew her close, shouting frantically:

"Go directly…into…the tunnel…behind…us!"

"But Cecil's --"

"Now!"

Edward pointed toward the tunnel and Rydia had no choice but to obey…she dashed to the dark tunnel, gazing back fearfully.

Cecil groaned, shaking his head groggily…his side hurt…his head hurt… he turned around and saw the ant lion's beady eyes glaring at him…empty…emotionless…

Cecil rolled over in a flash and scrabbled toward Edward…

"Cecil!"

Edward dragged himself toward the knight, extending his hand.

"Forget about me!"

Cecil kicked back frantically as sand spurted around him.

"Get out of here with Rydia!"

Edward shook his head and moved closer.

"I won't just leave you!"

Cecil lashed out with one leg at the pincers, knocking it aside as the ant lion screeched and lunged at him again.

"I'm on my way!" he assured the prince, who froze in horror as he watched the ant lion's approach.

"Run now! I'm coming!"

Edward stared numbly at Cecil for only a second longer then he fled into the tunnel where Rydia stood, catching the scene wide-eyed…Edward stooped over, breathing deeply and clutching his leg. When he looked toward the ant lion's nest, he saw Cecil dashing toward him and Rydia…

Thank God…

"Run!"

Cecil motioned earnestly.

"Keep running!"

His last words were muffled by the ferocious hissing of the ant lion…

At last they stumbled into the cavern where they had previously been ambushed, and Edward collapsed weakly…his face was deathly pale and his teeth were clenched in pain…

"I am…sorry!"

He leaned back on the ground in agony, his breath coming in quick gasps.

"I…must…rest…for a…moment…"

His voice quivered; Rydia was at his side instantly.

"Edward?"

She watched him intently.

"Are you okay?"

The little girl seemed genuinely concerned as he nodded, sucking in painful breaths of air.

"The…ant lion --" he stammered. "--It…has…never…attacked…anyone!"

He gazed at Cecil, wide-eyed. Cecil shook his head helplessly…

"I…don't understand…what is happening…" Edward admitted, leaning back wearily into the sand. "--I would…have never...endangered our lives…if I knew this…would…happen!"

Cecil folded his arms over his chest thoughtfully…would I have done it, knowing the risk? For Rosa…yes…I know I would have…

"But we didn't know this was going to happen --" He surveyed the dimly lit cavern skeptically. "-And those creatures in here…"

He shrugged, letting his words trail off.

"It's…too much…for me…"

Edward nodded, not really hearing the Knight's words as he tore strips of his shirt and wrapped them tightly around his leg to stop the flow of blood…

"Something's definitely going on here --" Cecil claimed, clenching his fist…he didn't know what else to say…it felt that he should have added something else…

Rydia remained kneeling by Edward’s side and produced the scarlet gem from behind her back.

"I got the sand ruby!"

She beamed proudly but frowned at the prince of Damcyan.

"After you dropped it, Edward!"

The prince was somewhat chagrined but managed a weak smile. Cecil bowed his head with a sigh or relief.

"God, I hope Rosa’s okay…"

Still alive, he thought glumly…but, I shouldn’t even imagine that she’s not…I know she’s okay…

Edward nodded as he struggled to stand on his feet…his face was drawn with pain…his legs wobbled but he did maintain his balance…After a moment of experimenting whether or not his legs would still remain under him, he even smiled again…but it was a faint smile…a pained smile…

"I am afraid I will greatly hinder our exit from the cave, but –"

"We can help you, Edward!"

The little girl bounced to him, clutching his hand gleefully. The prince shook his head kindly.

"I think…that I shall…be okay…" he assured the girl, who was noticeably disappointed. However, she did release his hand and pranced into the tunnels ahead of them.

"The sand ruby’s safe with me!"

Her voice drifted from the darkness. Cecil watched her disappear with mixed feelings of apprehension and impatience…good God, there’s no telling what will happen before we get out of here…and there she went, bounding ahead in the darkness, heedless of what might happen to her…

"Let’s go cure Rosa!"

Her shrill voice insisted again, and Cecil had to agree…yes…we need to go cure Rosa…

The Knight started behind the little girl quickly, shouting for her to wait…Edward silently plodded behind them…wishing desperately to leave the candle-lit chambers and dark tunnels, eager to see the sunlight again…