The tunnel here was pretty large, and it branched off into various offshoots that presumably opened up into just as many caves. So it should be anything but cramped.

  Yet the bramble was everywhere. In every nook and cranny. Not the massive thing that was growing behind them, perhaps. But it was there, and it would allow the slime to move quickly and surround them if they didn't get moving fast.

  Pity that the only known exit was currently filling up with deadly flesh.

  But focusing on the negatives would bring them no good. Rather, they should make full use of this small reprieve to plan their next step.

  Maybe there would be something useful in the caves around. After all, the little light had shown that they were here for a purpose - to actually get some treasure - contrary to... whatever they'd been doing in the other places.

  Though in its experience what knickknacks would be in a castle like this one would also be entirely too abstruse to use.

  And why complicate things when it had already found a solution? Well, more of a method than an actual solution.

  Unless its panicked mind had played tricks on it, the bramble had truly been receding from those other tunnels, back in that cave. Which suggested that, while huge, the slime had a limit on how much it could spread.

  If the being could repeat what it had just done, it might free the way back. And there was a lot of space here to make the bramble grow.

  Out of nowhere, the little light floated away through some bramble, and soon disappeared somewhere the being couldn't follow.

  ...

  Well, they would have to get separated soon anyway, if the being had to lead this thing into a roundabout chase. Also, if it moved well enough, they could meet back up later, while exploring the caves further ahead.

  Maybe it would even find some treasure on its own before then?

  If 'treasure' meant more, more and even more clutter, then the being certainly did find quite a lot of it.

  Not that this was too surprising. After all, its search had begun on the opposite side from the little light, and the weird thing would know exactly where the real goodies were.

  What was really worrying was that its plan wasn't coming along well.

  Navigating this network of tunnels and caves was much more difficult than expected: the being didn't have a clear picture in its mind of the bramble's configuration, and many times it ended up going in the wrong direction, met dead ends, or circled back towards the slime far too soon. And the creature brought its own bag of problems, as the structure already laid down often made it move in unpredictable ways, so the being could go a long stretch thinking it was making progress, only to find the crawling mass in a completely different place than expected.

  Luckily, a very quick check on the stuff blocking the entrance - after the way back had cleared a bit - revealed that it was, indeed, unraveling... but the situation in the tunnels was getting out of control far quicker than that. If it continued like this...

  Though, there was one promising cave.

  At first, it had looked like the worst place of all, by the amount of bramble around it, forming an almost impassable barrier. But careful looks, getting closer and closer, had revealed the truth: it only appeared like the bramble was denser there, because of the awkward way the material wrapped around that cave. Far too roundabout. Judging by the almost perfect sphere of stuff formed around the entrance, it was clear that the slime was steering very clear of that place. And if there was something inside that could repel the creature, then it might prove vital in getting out alive. At the very least, it meant there would be no bramble past that first barrier.

  But the being felt ill at ease. Whatever could scare this creature... it might mean getting from bad to worse.

  Unless it was more mucus, of course. How unfortunate that the being had ran out of the stuff! It would've been so easy to get out of this situation with some that. But that cave didn't smell like filth. It felt more profound, more like...

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  Baseless speculation was useless. The truth would either come out once it got inside or, hopefully, would forever remain a mystery. Surely the being could hold its curiosity back this time. Yes, it would definitely avoid stirring up trouble!

  It would never step foot inside that cave.

  On that note, it was time to meet back up with the little light. Maybe that floating orb of strangeness had encountered better luck.

  The little light hadn't found a solution. It had found something far better.

  There were spikes here.

  And though they were much smaller than the ones the being had confiscated from the guards, they looked far sturdier and pointier. And they didn't burn its hands when holding them.

  And they were already perfectly placed in a similarly perfect bag!

  And on top of this wonderful finding, there were so many other things!

  The being could restore its stock, and so soon too!

  Alas, upon careful examination, while these knickknacks were clearly crafted with purpose, the being couldn't understand any of them. Even the most simple looking ones, - some kind of big claw? - were weird. Why would one need a claw like that when the being had perfectly fine claws already?

  Which didn't mean it wouldn't take them all away, obviously. Even if they looked abstruse right now, some use could be found later. What if the time came that one of them was needed, but the being had left them here? Unconscionable.

  In particular, there was a very small and sturdy bag, with a handy loop that fit snugly around the hip. Perfect to store its owl's gem.

  There was a sudden note of distress through the connection, so the being turned... and saw bramble growing through the thing the little light was hovering on.

  The slime was here. And looking at all the growths around the room, it had been for quite a while. How much time had gone by, while checking over the room? The being should really learn not to lose track when excited.

  But there was no time to waste on regrets now. They were surrounded! If they didn't move...

  The being threw all its new bags over its shoulders and grabbed as much as it could with its hands, cradling everything against its chest, before hurrying back-

  It almost dove face first into the slime.

  It scrambled back, trying desperately not to touch the creature. That first contact had been enough of an experience.

  Unfortunately, that wish might not come to fruition. Its many loops around the cave must have guided the creature all around, for there was bramble surrounding the only exit.

  It wasn't that dense, but the being didn't think it could manage to fit through...

  It was making the same mistake again wasn't it?

  With deep, deep regret the being dropped some things, and then dropped some more, until the only ones it had left were the bag with the little spikes and the small one containing the owl's gem.

  Those it wouldn't leave, no matter what.

  After that, getting through the encirclement and to the middle of the tunnel was easy enough. But then what?

  The time wasted in that room moving every which way had thrown its carefully laid out plan into disarray. There was too much bramble around, at this point. Entering caves randomly risked trapping them for real, and the little light didn't seem to have a clear direction in mind, just floating around as usual.

  In this situation, there was only one place that was safe. It had tried hard to avoid this eventuality. Really.

  Alas, things had conspired to force its hand!

  The being moved forward, took courage... and wiggled past the bramble barrier for the mysterious cave.

  Then, it turned back to the corridor and waited for the slime, to check if its assumption had been correct and it hadn't just condemned itself to death.

  The way the closest bramble wiggled ineffectively was a good sign, but it would have to wait until the creature was close.

  Luckily, it didn't even take long for something to happen: the slime turned the corner faster than expected and approached, starting to expand, and expand, until it looked enormous.

  The being was pretty confused, and quite creeped out... Until it realized what was really happening.

  The slime wasn't getting bigger. It was plastering itself against some kind of barrier. Whatever was here, it stopped the bramble from getting closer and it even stopped the slime at a far greater distance.

  They were safe, for now.

  But looking at the situation, possibly trapped forever as they were, with the slime slowly building a tighter and tighter cage for them, the being had only one thought.

  If it had moved faster, been more aware of its situation...

  it would still have its wondrous new knickknacks. A whole pile of them!

  As it pushed the plate to the side, enough to squeeze through, it decided to add an important item to the ever-increasing list of things to do.

  In the future, it would find a way to always keep all its things around.