The Gallows – Part 6

To read from the beginning, start here. If you missed Part 5, click here.

…

Dyanis smiled at me. “I was right about you Aleryn. You are truly noble at heart.” Behind the smile was a sadness I couldn’t understand until he continued. “But you’re naively optimistic. We both know the logical choice here.”

Before I could stop him, Dyanis ran for the path to the right. I tried to follow, but Linzer put a paw in front of me, shaking his furry heads. There’s a flash of light from the tunnel, and I hold my breath, waiting for Dyanis to emerge.

He comes flying out of the tunnel. I rush forward. Dyanis falls to the ground, doubled over on his hands and knees. I rush to his side. He’s shaking…with laughter. “Are you coming or not?” he lets out between heaving laughs.

I smack him on the back. “You old fool.”

“More like a lucky bastard.” 

I huff a laugh at that, as I help him to his feet. “Let’s go find that artifact.”

…

While the air in the forest was thick with humidity, the tunnel is cool. Goosebumps appear on my arms as we trek through the dim cramped space. Neither of us knows what lies ahead; no one has made it this far before. 

After what feels like hours, the tunnel begins to widen gradually. A few times we have to duck to avoid stalactites piercing down. Ahead, I hear steadily dripping water. The tunnel bends, and we round the corner.

In front of us is a massive open cavern with a pool of clear water in the center. Droplets form on stalactites and drip into the pool. But it’s what surrounds the pool that stops me dead. 

Glittering crystals in vivid colors sprout from the ground like weeds. They twist around each other, some forming pillars that bend over the water, almost as if shielding it. Dyanis gasps beside me and points with a shaking finger to the middle of the lake. 

In the depths of the center of the pool, a greenish glow is visible. It emits from a large double-headed axe made entirely of silver metal—the artifact. 

I observe the cavern but see nothing that would hint at whether there is another trap to prevent me from reaching the axe. All I can do is take my chances.

I strip down to my underclothes and hand Dyanis my outfit. I take a deep breath, then dive into the water. The cold shocks me, and for a moment my limbs lock up. I shake my head. I don’t have time to panic.

I force myself to swim deeper, guided only by the eerie glow. I will there to be nothing more to this than a deep dive through frigid waters. Just when my lungs begin to strain, my hand closes over the metal handle. I yank it free, then flip and push off from the bottom of the pool as hard as I can. I need to get to the surface. 

I swim as hard as I can with the heavy axe weighing me down. My lungs are burning. At last, my head pops out of the water, and I inhale sharply. It’s only when I take my next gasp of air that I realize Dyanis is screaming.

As exhausted as I am, I set into motion again. I start to pull myself out of the water when I’m struck in the chest by something rock-hard. I fall back into the pull, nearly losing my grip on the axe. I glance around to see what struck me, and I’m horrified.

The crystals around the pool no longer seem beautiful to me, as they tangle around Dyanis and swing for my head; they are deadly. I strain to lift the axe out of the water and bring it down on the crystal snake trying to strike me. It shatters into hundreds of blue shards. 

I swim to the edge of the lake again, but swing the axe in an arc around my body, breaking the crystals barring my way. I heave myself out of the water before more can reach me. I roll to dodge the next shimmering battering ram.

I turn my head towards the sound of screams and bolt in Dyanis’ direction, dodging and swinging as I go. I ignore the stabbing pain in my feet as I step over crushed shards of crystal, bringing the axe down on any glittering vines that reach for me.

By the time I reach Dyanis, he’s stopped screaming. 

I don’t hesitate at the sight of his red face or the crystal tightening around his neck. I swing with all my might and shatter the purple crystal that holds him hostage. Dyanis falls to the ground amidst a pile of broken shards. 

I shake him with one arm, while I whack away at any more gemstone vines that reach for us. Just when I think I’m going to have to drag him out, he coughs and gasps for air.

“Get up you old fool. It’s time to go,” I say hurriedly.

Dyanis’ eyes widen at the sight of the still-swinging crystals, and he scrambles to his feet. “Really feeling like a lucky bastard right now,” he replies, rubbing his throat.

“Run! I’ll cover you with the artifact.”

Dyanis nods and runs across the cavern, disappearing into the tunnel. I back away, swinging wildly, until I reach the tunnel. I strike a couple more times until there’s an opening, and then dart down the tunnel. The gemstone branches do not follow.

…

What do you think of the story so far? What do you think the cost of the artifact will be? Let us know in the comments! Subscribe to emails to be notified when we post part 7!

Thanks so much for reading!

-Clever & WTF