The Gallows – Part 5

To read “The Gallows” from the beginning, click here.

…

We awoke and had a small meal before setting out again. Linzer was ripping into the flesh of a rabbit he had caught but urged us to eat quickly as more creatures would surely be tracking us. 

“So you’re tasked with protecting this temple?” I inquired after swallowing the last of my salted meat. 

Linzer nodded, blood on his snout, “From those with ill intentions, and my kin are already weary of humans as it is, they must sense something.” I noticed the subtle look he gave Dyanis as he continued, that look left a knot in my stomach, “But you Aleryn, I believe, have the best of intentions.” 

…

As we continued through the woods towards the temple, I was mulling over the conversations, there was certainly something Dyanis was hiding. But, just as I had mustered up the courage and the words to confront him, I noticed several pairs of glowing eyes in my peripherals watching us through the trees. Linzer’s fur stood on edge. 

“We are close,” he growled under his breath “They have gathered for our arrival. Please, stay near me and I will try to converse with them.” I nodded and eyed Dyanis, we both stepped closer to Linzer but stayed behind. 

The eyes kept pace with us on either side of the pathway we were taking, and finally, we emerged through a clearing in the trees. A large temple made of stone and twisting trees loomed in the distance. An eerie glow emitted from the entrance. As we approached dozens of the creatures surrounded us, halting us in our tacks. 

“You will go no further.” A creature even larger than Linzer, with glistening onyx fur, stood firmly at the front. 

“Galart, please, this young human, Aleryn he is called, wants to help. Wants to help us all and I believe he can.” Linzer stepped forward, snout mere inches from this Galart. I was on edge but impressed. 

“What about him?” Galart snapped towards Dyanis. “He is here to support this journey and-” 

Before Linzer could finish Dyanis stepped forward and with a dramatic wave of his hand said “I am here to take the trial first, a decoy if you will, in case I fail Aleryn will have better odds!” 

I could sense something, an eagerness from Dyanis, and my heart dropped a little, the pieces falling into place. Dyanis wanted the artifact for himself.

Galart got low and began to growl at this, which startled Dyanis into stepping backward behind me, “NO!” the onyx creature snarled. Now I was afraid. 

Linzer gave Dyanis a cold look that pierced like a freezing wind. He urged Galart to speak with him more privately, and they moved further away discussing in hushed grunts.

I turned to Dyanis, his head hung low, “You want the artifact for yourself, don’t you?” I asked point blank.

“I…” He trailed off for a moment, “Yes. I did. I’m sorry Aleryn, I realized the moment you gave that speech you were different, pure of heart in a way that you could access the artifact. But, you are just that, pure of heart. I have confirmed that on our journey together. You will do good things with this artifact, I’ll step aside. Please, forgive me.” 

I ignored him for the time being, deep in thought. I approached Linzer and Galart, “What is this trial?” 

Galart eyed me cautiously but after a nod from Linzer, they escorted me to the front of the temple. The glowing entrance opened up into seven other pathways. At the front of five, there were mangled bodies, mutilated from some unknown source, a few were still decaying, some simply skeletons with bones contorted in inhuman ways. A sweat broke out on my brow, this did not look fun.

“These are the few who dared to try before, if you choose incorrectly the temple slaughters you and spits your body back out as a warning. We have no idea what’s in there, or what is beyond these entrances.” 

I swallowed hard, “At least there’s a 50-50 chance of making it through, right?” I attempted a joke but my voice fell flat. Galart still gave a snort, “Maybe he will be fine!” Whatever the temple did, it looked painful, but I had to try.

“Wait!” Dyanis hurried towards us, “Before you go, Aleryn, there are tales that the artifact comes with a cost. You may gain unimaginable power, but you will lose something of great value.” 

“I have nothing left of value,” I said numbly.

“What about yourself?” Dyanis urged, and I was taken aback. Maybe he did care?

I looked towards Linzer for guidance, and he nodded “Dyanis is not wrong, there is told of a cost, a great cost, but in our histories, we have never learned what exactly it is.”

“Maybe I can help Aleryn, I think you are the one to bring change, let me at least improve your odds.” Dyanis pleaded, his eyes no longer held any lies. Galart was still on edge about him, ready to pounce.

Fucking great. I thought to myself, but what else was there to do?

I lifted my chin high and made my decision. “Dyanis, we both go, but we go together.”

…

What do you think of the story so far? What do you think the trial will be like? Let us know in the comments below! Keep reading to find out what happens in part 6!

Thank you so much for reading!

-Clever&WTF