Zanzabarr made his way through the cave, while his eyes adjusted to the darkness, sniffing the ground, catching her scent. As he came across the first trap, still activated, he didn’t know what to do, backing away, watching the spikes fly from one wall to the other. Laying down, hoping it would cease, he raised his head noticing a space leading underneath the cross-bolts that were too low for a moral to maneuver through. He was an intelligent animal to begin with; he judged the narrow measurement of the space, then began inching forward along the ground, feeling the lowest row of cross-bolts grazing his black, sleek fur, before scraping close to his skin; he released a loud yelp but continued forward. Making his way through, he stood, shaking his fur.
Afterwards, sniffing around the ground catching her scent, he turned, watching as the water flooded through. Ripping off the booties, he tossed them away then ran ahead through the tunnel, coming to the walls of fire that startled him, as he felt the heat emanating closely to his face as he sniffed the fire. Whining loudly, releasing short barks, he paced nervously eyeing the flames, when suddenly he stopped, looking through the bright fires, seeing a figure that stood within them. Growling deeply, holding his head low, he listened as the figure spoke to him in a language that sounded ancient and unfamiliar to the wolf but shaking his fur, feeling water pooling around his paws, he backed away then turned, facing the closest wall of fire. He released a howl before running forward, leaping through the flames as if they had no effect on him and once landing with singed fur that steamed fiercely, his leather harness snapped from around his girth.
“She would be proud.” a male voice proclaimed.
The wolf shook his fur once more, then turned, watching as the rain flooded through the tunnel, running over each of the trenches and as the water made contact with the Greek fire, it sizzled loudly like fireworks cracking and sparking brightly. Holding his head low, making sure the last trench had been extinguished, he turned, following the water flowing through the tunnel behind him.
What felt like hours, I started gaining consciousness, hearing Erik’s frantic voice calling out my name. Opening my eyes, I turned my head upwards, seeing his head carefully peaking over the edge, as well as the beam of his flashlight shining in my eyes.
“Erik?” I whispered telepathically.
“Oh thank god…” he praised in relief, “Keeps?”
I said nothing more, laying my head down, moaning deeply in discomfort as I tried to move but each attempt, ached every part of my body.
“Lay still…” Molock spoke to her, “I can’t help you, not now, but you must fight. You must be strong.” he urged her, “You are not alone, and you’re not going to die, not here. Not now. Not today.” he reached out his left hand, gently stroking her cheek, before disappearing.
“Hey!” Erik shouted, seeing a figure in the pit near her, “Hey!” but as he moved the flashlight around, the figure disappeared just as loud howls erupted from the tunnel across the bridge. Erik looked up, watching as Zanzabarr emerged, with a thick mud on his paws from the waters flowing in from behind him, into the pit below, “Zanzabarr?!” he hollered in surprised.
The wolf barked in response as he searched for her, and as he approached the ledge glancing down, his yellow eyes caught the glimpse of her laying unconscious. He didn’t think twice about what to do, he jumped down into the hole landing next to her, in an awkward shuffle. Whining, he gave soft kisses to her cheek, knowing she never liked his tongue that close, and as he nudged or pawed her, he tried waking her, but she did not reply. Raising his gaze, he watched as the figure paced.
Watching as the wolf laid next to her, Erik worried how he would get not only Yzavela out of the pit, but now her wolf. Watching as the pit filled with murky water, he hesitated to jump in, but knowing her wolf jumped in risking his own life, he breathed deeply before leaping off the ledge, splashing into the water that rose quickly. As he landed, spitting water out of his mouth with a horrible metallic taste, he looked toward Yzavela who floated slightly in the waist-high water, while the wolf began swimming around, trying to hold onto the walls for support. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Erik pressed her back against his chest, laying her head upon his shoulder, keeping her from ingesting any more of the soiled water. Shining his flashlight around, feeling the water levels rise, he could barely touch the bottom of the pit with his feet.
Zanzabarr, continuing to swim around, whined loudly until he climbed upon a large cutout among the rocks to the left of the walls. He continued upward, climbing niches acting like a natural set of stairs leading up and down. Turning to the young man behind him, he barked, pawing at the water in hopes of getting the Demon’s attention.
Listening to the blunt, short barks, Erik turned, observing as the wolf stood on the ledge, pawing at the water.
“Good boy…” Erik muttered, “good boy…” he grunted as the water level was now chest high, making things more difficult for him to swim to the ledge, and hold onto her. Suddenly, he felt as she began gaining consciousness, “Yza?” he prayed in a soft cough, spitting water from his mouth, then he managed to grab hold of the edge. As he tried pushing her out of the water, he watched as Zanzabarr pulled her jacket sleeve.
Coughing violently, vomiting water that filled my lungs, my head felt as if a marching band danced across my skull, and as I opened my eyes, Erik held onto the edge while Zanzabarr sat to my right. Looking around, remembering everything that had happened, I huffed.
“What happened?” I held my hands to my head, feeling a hard lump on the back, then I grunted, feeling a stabbing pain that was racing up and down my lower back and hip.
“Can you move?” Erik urged, moving wet hair off her face.
“I’m not an invalid.” I snapped unintentionally, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, just move.” he urged her upward.
Zanzabarr barked, then turned, jumping up the steps.
Climbing slowly after the wolf, Erik trailed close behind her, releasing deep coughs, as did she, for the iron had soaked into their skin and clothing, with the possibility of swallowing the water that made them both feel nauseous. Crawling onto the dry ledge near the bridge, both Erik and I lay motionless on our backs, breathing heavily as we stared at the stalactites. As I turned my head, looking at Erik, his eyes were closed.
“Thank you.” I whispered.
“No worries love, you would have done the same.” he rasped.
“I would have, yes.” I coughed then sat up, “Are you okay?”
“Me?!” he argued, sitting himself up, “I should be asking you that question, come here let me check you.” he reached out his hands, wanting to examine her head but Zanzabarr jumped to his feet, leaping forward, standing in front of her, growling.
“Zanzabarr, it’s all right…” I pulled him back by the collar, then glanced at Erik, “I’m fine, I think you should just keep your hands where he can see them.”
“Ungrateful mutt.” Erik spat the words, backing away.
“Excuse me?” I argued bluntly.
“He’s an ungrateful mutt.” Erik barked at her, and the wolf.
“We should go.” I pushed aside his arrogance, because what did he expect from me, to jump into his arms and bow at his feet like the Prince he thinks he is? Nah, I said thank you and I meant it, that was it, “The sooner we get through this place, the quicker we can get out. Somehow.” I looked ahead toward the broken bridge.
“We should start a fire so we can warm up first.” Erik advised, as he stood, searching the area for something to build or start a fire with.
“No, we should go.”
“God damn it, Yza!” he shouted, kicking pebbles aside with a great annoyance, “I’m trying to help us and you are just not making it easy, by being such a stubborn f*cking piss ant!” he paused, looking at her, catching the tone in his voice, it was too demanding, “I-I’m sorry, I just…would like you to listen to someone else, instead of being strong all the time.”
Saying nothing, I turned away, knowing he was right, cause I wasn’t a superhero that had answers for everything, nor can I DO everything on my own. I knew my limits, and in this very moment, this was one of them. Nodding agreeably, I knew he was genuinely trying to help, he was a man taking his stand and I admired him for that. Gripping Zanzabarr’s collar once more, pulling his 120 pound bulk back, the wolf wasn’t going to be as cooperative. Standing to my feet, I watched as Erik strolled over, snapping several planks of wood panels off the bridge on this end. Crouching down, laying them in a pile, he broke some of the piece on his knee, creating small shards to burn. Shivering, clattering my teeth, with my hands tucked under my arms for warmth, I moaned, feeling as if we were in the freezers all over again. I closed my eyes, trying to see if I could ignite my inner body heat but the pounding headache made it difficult for me to concentrate hard enough.
“Do you think you can, I don’t know, maybe start a fire?”
“I’m not a firestarter, Erik!” I snapped bluntly, “And even if I wanted to, or could, this headache isn’t letting me think about anything, much less focusing on making a fire.” I shivered.
“Just thought I’d ask.” he nodded then turned, searching for a rock, or two, large enough to spark the flames. Kneeling once more, he ripped the hem of his expensive shirt, using it as the flint needed to start the fire with. Scraping the rocks together, sparks ignited the fabric of the shirt within minutes, creating a fire that provided just enough warmth.
“See? You didn’t need my help after all.” I sat close to the fire.
“No, I guess not.” he sat close to her for body heat.
Looking at him, I worried because I knew all of the iron that was in this cave, on our skin and maybe traces in our lungs, it was taking its toll on him; the shadows under his eyes hadn’t been there before, and since he was a pureblood, it was worse for him, than it was for me, but I still felt the effects. Turning to Zanzabarr who continued shaking the water from his wet fur, he whimpered laying alongside me near the warm fire, it was then I wondered how he made it through the cross-bolts and walls of fire. Stroking my hands through his fur, I took notice of scrapes along his back and the singed fur across his entire body and face.
“My big boy…” I mumbled, petting him, “you couldn’t have.” I tilted my head, “It’s impossible.” I was in disbelief before he leaned his head upward, trying to lick my face before he laid down. Releasing a wolf moan, he closed his eyes taking a deep breath.
“Is he all right?” Erik wondered.
“I hope so.” I answered.
Erik nodded, then looked around the massive cave and pit.
“We should take off our thicker layers, get them dry enough.” he suggested, “What do you think?” he looked at her.
“Yeah.” I agreed.
Removing our boots, jackets, gloves, and shirts, we kept the undershirts, pants and socks on. Shaking out the removed layers, particles and gritty residue of iron and rust from the water flaked off.
Glancing at Erik, I noticed his muscular arms, chest, neck and face had begun to slowly heal from what looked like burns, then glancing at my hands and upper chest, I too, had apparent burns fading. I looked around at all of the water splashed on the rock, I realized it damaged us both externally and internally as well, with cramps stabbing at our stomachs. As I turned, leaning against Erik’s back for warmth, vice-versa, it was quiet between us for the longest time. Glancing down at my watch, it was broken with a shattered screen so I couldn’t tell the time, or judge how long we’ve been in there.
Even Erik’s watch was broken.
Zanzabarr stood, beginning to pace nervously, as he walked in circles, taking in new scents before snorting as if he were unpleased by them but it was he who discovered something his pack mother and Demon needed to find. Approaching her, wagging his tail, releasing low whines as if trying to tell her, he gently nudged his nose beneath her arm, licking her face quickly.
“All right, all right…” I pushed his nose away, “what is it?” I looked into his yellow eyes, “Show me, what is it?” I grabbed one of the flashlights that were luckily waterproof, aiming it toward the large wolf that scampered toward another tunnel that led away from the pit, “Erik…” I tapped his shoulder.
“What is it?” he turned, watching the hounds’ behavior.
“Look like another tunnel.” I groaned. Reaching for my jacket, I searched the pocket for the map but it was nothing but wet parchment in my hand, “Sh*t.” I muttered, throwing it aside in a soggy lump by the fire.
“Great.” Erik huffed, knowing what it was. Looking at her, he shrugged, “Well, since we don’t have the map, Marxus gave us that compass right?”
“Gave me the compass, but yes. However, there aren’t many places to go from here.” I gestured around, then stood, “So it is either going back, or moving forward.”
“Forward.” Erik’s tone was blunt, “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Fine.” I groaned, then turned, following Zanzabarr, “Go…” I urged the wolf forward.
Marxus kept searching the skies for Axeon but the dragon was nowhere to be seen, and it was beginning to worry him on top of everything else. Retreating back into the cave, out of the rain, he glanced down at his watch, knowing both the young man and woman had been in the cave for three hours. It shouldn’t have taken them that long, according to his plans that had been preset before their arrival. Beginning to think the worse, and with no communication, the Immortal slowly approached a puddle nearby. Kneeling down, waving his left hand above the waters’ surface, he closed his eyes, needing to concentrate on those he wanted to find, then opening his eyes, he stared into the stillness of the water.
Sarah, growing curious, started taking steps toward him, but felt a hand gently grip her arm. Turning around, there stood Nathan, shaking his head quickly.
Marxus began seeing images appearing within the reflective surface of both Erik and Yzavela walking through a tunnel as they came across the last course. Sighing in relief, he lowered his head with a faint grin, then lifted his head, seeing shadows gathering around behind him on the wall in front of him. As he turned, glancing over his shoulder, there stood the others, wanting to know what it was he had seen.
“What is it?” Jonathan wondered.
“Are they all right?!” Anthony worried, “Is Yzavela all right?”
“Yes, and yes.” Marxus answered, “See for yourself.” Marxus waved his hands, moving the images to a large puddle for all of their eyes to see, “They are well.”
“I see them…” Sarah pointed, then turned to Nathan who sat on one of the platforms, smoking another cigarette, giving everyone a leery stare. Shaking her head, watching as he blew the smoke in their direction, she huffed softly then glanced at the puddle, watching her friends.
“SO WHAT?!” Nathan thought, flicking away the ashes into the flooding rain that swept through, “IF SHE DIES WITH ERIK, ALONG WITH HER BLOODY WOLF, SO BE IT. I DON’T CARE, SHE’S JUST ONE FLOWER I NEVER...” he sighed with disappointment, “HAD THE CHANCE, OR PRIVELEGE, OF PLUCKING.” he raised his gaze, catching Marxus’ piercing, and intense, stare. Gulping, he lowered his line of sight, knowing the Immortal had heard his words.
The images remained long enough for the others to see that Erik and Yzavela were safe, before they faded into the water that then rippled from a new flow of rain from outside. As the others turned, Marxus continued watching when suddenly, a burst of flame replaced the images of the young woman and man, and within it, was a horned Demon with a female figure, concealed within the flames.
“You fool!” her voice spoke in a feminine guttural tone.
Jumping to his feet, backing away, he was startled for he had never seen something so threatening, and he had seen quite a lot during his time but nothing like this. Glancing around, he noticed everyone was occupied with their own thoughts while pacing nervously. Approaching the puddle, the flames weren’t there, only his reflection stared back at him. Turning away in swift steps, stepping outside once more, standing beneath out of the rain, he stared at the clouded sky once more, thinking maybe the figure had been Yzavela’s demonic guardian, for it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if she had one. Glancing out across the vast green landscape below he thought, placing his hands on his hips, “AN ANCESTOR, PERHAPS? SHE IS PART DEMON AFTER ALL, SO IT COULD BE QUITE THE POSSIBILITY.” he turned, glancing at the others who paid no attention to him, “HOWEVER, BEFORE I LEAVE THE ISLE IN HER CARE, I MUST KNOW WHAT THIS IS, BECAUSE I’LL BE DAMNED IF I AM GOING TO…” he huffed, closing his eyes, “LEAVE IT TO A LEGION OF DEMONS.”
“Marxus, you can’t believe that.” Jonathan reached out to the man’s mind, knowing he could hear him. Approaching him, he stood next to the Immortal, sharing a stern expression, “I don’t know why you’re doing this, any of this really, and to be honest, I really don’t want to know or care, but I swear if both Erik and Yzavela get trapped in there, mark my words Marxus, I will bring this mountain down on your head with them.” he warned telepathically, then finished verbally, “And yes, that was a threat and a promise.” he spat at the ground.
Say nothing, Marxus bowed his head, adhering to the young man’s warning. Knowing he was a powerful Demon in his own right, Marxus wasn’t going to take the chance and find out. Searching the sky once more, Axeon still hadn’t replied.
Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Report
