by Ky Tyrand
Ki’ara burst out of the bloodied passage, back into the cavern filled with stalactite columns, as Sylor tromped thunderously on her heels.
Smaller and more agile, the Princess was able to weave her body this way and that, zigzagging herself through the rocky pillars, dodging her pursuer’s energy whips as they lashed out at her. She kept running, trying to ignore the sound of Sylor’s laughter oozing into her ears.
But once she was through the obstacle-filled chamber, Ki’ara had nothing to use to her advantage. She knew that there was no way she would be able to stay ahead of him forever. Not with his long legs chasing her down. After the fatigue of climbing the cliffside, there wasn’t a chance she could outpace him all the way back to Stronghold.
So instead, she turned right – straight toward the tunnel her mother had made a point to avoid.
With Sylor breathing down her neck, Ki’ara threw herself into the tunnel opening, landing and rolling as rocks above her head began to shift and rumble.
The trap had been triggered.
An instant later, the ceiling collapsed.
Boulders and rubble dropped all around the Princess, sending her from side-to-side as she fought her way forward, through a growing cloud of dirt, dust and debris.
Sylor’s laughter ceased, replaced by shouting and cursing.
Ki’ara didn’t let up. She kept running, dodging boulders and chunks of ceiling and walls as it all dropped around her, knocking her this way and that.
It got darker with every step as Sylor’s orange glow diminished, blocked either by rocks or the thick cloud of dust that filled the air.
The girl pressed on at full speed, even after everything went completely black, and the roar of falling rocks was behind her.
She tried again for her Night Vision, but it still wasn’t functioning. Neither were her Niksuru.
Everything on her was weakened by Sylor’s Dark Matter.
Nevertheless, the Princess couldn’t stop herself from charging ahead. She needed so desperately to get away.
It took a solid rock wall in her path to stop the girl. And stop her it did, crumpling Ki’ara to the ground in an unconscious heap.
28
The man pushed another rock aside, cursing the little Witch and her unbelievable luck.
How many hundreds of tons of stone had fallen?
Even with the energy bands, which were far more powerful than he ever would have imagined, fighting his way out was a challenge. He’d been lucky that such a big boulder had crashed directly to his side, and the space between it and the wall had formed a tight enough gap to prevent anything substantial from crushing him.
The heavy stone wedged above Sylor would have been more than enough to kill him; with or without armor.
Lucky.
Almost as lucky as the girl.
His biggest fear was that she had been killed by the falling rocks. Or was buried so deep under this crap that he’d never find her.
Sylor immediately checked his scanner. Her beacon showed up bright and clear, but she’d made it much farther than he would have guessed.
He wondered how far this rockpile went, and if there was any way to dig through it. Some of the boulders were much too heavy to move on his own.
If it weren’t for the energy devices these “New Gods” had given him, and his ability to manipulate the plasma tendrils with his fingers, he wouldn’t be able to make it out from under this rocky grave. He’d be lost down here, and that little Witch would have won.
He couldn’t let that happen. She needed to be punished. They all did.
Sylor made up his mind to take the path of least resistance.
Catch the Witch’s friends, and the little Princess would surely come straight to him.
“Unghh.”
Ki’ara’s eyes slowly opened – or at least she supposed they did.
Everything was still black.
She tried to sit herself up, discovering all kinds of places that hurt. Mostly her head. And her chest. And her back. And her butt.
Though her visor had been shut, and her armor was still in place, it didn’t feel like the suit had done a single thing to protect her. Sylor’s Dark Matter had weakened her shell to the point that it absorbed little of the impact, leaving her rattled to the core.
But she was alive. That was a plus.
And she wasn’t being tortured. Another plus.
In fact, Ki’ara no longer felt the pins-and-needles pain that Sylor always brought with him. It was the one thing that didn’t hurt right now.
The excitement of not sensing Dark Matter was enough to prompt Ki’ara to try her Night Vision.
It was working! Not a hundred percent, but enough.
She could even feel the Blue Energy on her wrists.
How long was I out for?
The girl forced herself up. She’d been covered in a layer of settled dust, which drifted off her as she stood.
There was still a thick fog of it in the air, making it difficult to see, even with the Night Vision. Ki’ara wondered if her Niksuru would make it any easier, but she didn’t want to go waking anymore Pit Crawlers – or whatever was lurking down this particular tunnel.
She felt terrible about what Sylor had done to the gray beings she and To’mas had disturbed. Though they’d frightened her, Ki’ara didn’t wish any ill will toward them. Certainly not death. It was hard not to feel sick at the feeling of responsibility. If she hadn’t awakened them, they would still be alive.
Can’t go back in time, Ki’ara.
The one thing she knew was that the tunnel behind her was filled in and impassable; not so much a wall of rock as it was a spilled dumping of everything from boulders to pebbles, spread throughout the tunnel from top to bottom. Based on where the rumbling had started when she’d triggered the trap, Ki’ara could only assume that the heap of rubble filled the entire passage from end to end.
Hopefully Sylor was under it all.
She wanted so badly for him to have been caught up in it. To have been crushed and flattened – squished like a bug. But Ki’ara knew that she could never be so lucky. The Gods hated her too much for that.
The Princess had no idea how she herself had made it past the tumbling rocks without being crushed. Even through the dusty haze she could tell that there wasn’t a gap big enough for a person her size to squeeze between, no matter how far back onto the rockpile she looked.
Even if Sylor managed to escape it, there was no chance of him getting through. Not anytime soon.
That in itself felt like reason to celebrate.
But Ki’ara knew that wasn’t an option. Not now. She had to find a way out of here.
If Sylor was still alive, her friends weren’t safe.
And, until Ki’ara found the girl who could heal Sir Grue’gan, her Guardian was no better off.
Checking for the Inuwuru, Ki’ara was both thankful and surprised when she found it safely attached to her upper arm.
She’d moved the little box higher up during her climb, fearing that she might knock it loose. Unlike her Niksuru, which she could keep track of and eventually retrieve, Ki’ara feared that if she lost the Inuwuru she would never see it again.
Confident that her gear was firmly attached – which at this point only included two Niksuru and one box of memories – Ki’ara began searching for another way out.
She soon discovered that the wall she’d run herself into was a corner – kind of a pinch – in the passage, but that it continued around the bend.
The decision to follow it was easy… There didn’t appear to be any other choices.
29
“What was that?” asked Petch, as the floor around them began to settle.
“I’m not sure,” admitted Je’nna. “But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was Ki’ara getting herself into trouble.”
“With an earthquake?”
The girl shrugged. “I’m just saying that it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“What are we go
ing to do?” asked Petch.
Je’nna didn’t have a good answer. Going back and getting captured by Sylor didn’t feel like a sound plan. “Look,” she said. “The passage is getting wider.”
Petch was about to tell her that he couldn’t see beyond his feet, only to realize that he could…
Though it was still quite dark, the boy could see what Je’nna was referring to. Not only was the passage getting wider, there were also signs of light reflecting in, if only a little.
Je’nna and Petch sped their pace, soon finding the tunnel opened to a span wide enough to fit thirty people abreast, before it rounded a corner to where the walls were gone completely, having spread to become part of a much larger chamber.
Though it was considerably smaller than the valley they’d discovered earlier, this new cavern was still massive, and had the same feeling of being outdoors. It was lit by similar jagged crystals that protruded down from the ceiling, contributing a mix of glowing colors that combined to cast clear white light all the way to the ground.
With no need for the Night Vision, Je’nna opened her helmet.
The pair were on a small plateau that filled a gap between a vertical mountainside heading straight up, and a ledge overlooking a steep cliffside dropping straight down.
Blocked by ups-and-downs and ins-and-outs of both smooth and jagged rock formations, it was hard to tell how far the plateau continued in each direction. But it wasn’t a dead end.
Straight ahead of them was another natural bridge formation, similar to the one they’d just crossed but without the stepping-stone teeth combing the top. It led from the ledge they were on, over to the top of a cliff on the opposite side of another steep crevasse.
The surface of Avalon was littered with deep canyons and fissures, so it didn’t seem completely out of place down here. But this one was different than the steep fractures in the world above. Unlike the dark, shadowy cracks that carved through the jungle, this chasm appeared to be lit from the bottom, casting light upward from the canyon floor.
As Je’nna and Petch cautiously made their way forward, they could tell that the base of the gorge was filled with the same luminous crystals that littered the ceiling. But they weren’t scattered about, down there. The entire gap was filled with bright crystals – mostly orange and blue – scintillating both warm and cool light upward.
And it was intense. Far brighter than the ceiling.
“It’s beautiful,” expelled Petch.
“Yeah,” agreed Je’nna, before adding, “I guess if you’re into that sort of thing.” Her rifle was in hand and functioning properly again. She wondered how long that would last, as she directed it around, pointing at various spots; using the scope for a closer look when necessary.
They couldn’t go much farther without moving out into the open, exposing themselves to anyone – or anything – that might be lurking in this vast underground world.
She was paying particular attention to the bridge that spanned the light-filled canyon. It was much wider and safer looking than the one back in the floorless chamber. And though it appeared substantial enough that even she would feel comfortable crossing, Je’nna couldn’t help but think that it looked too good to be true.
Bridges that weren’t terrifying just didn’t exist in Avalon.
Ripe for a trap.
With a much smaller ledge on the other side, there didn’t appear to be much over there. But through her scope Je’nna could see that the path continued into another cave opening. There was no telling where that passage led, but it could possibly be a way out.
She scanned the mountainside above, spotting numerous ledges and outcroppings – any one of which could be holding something spooky, just waiting to pounce.
There were no easy places to climb, but with the Land Mags, she could get up there…
“What are you thinking?” asked Petch.
“I don’t know,” said Je’nna, as she continued to scan the area. “That bridge… it just seems… off.”
“Maybe because it goes over a bunch of glowing crystals…?”
Je’nna shrugged. “Maybe.”
As curious as Petch was, he could tell that the girl was thinking – considering their options and putting together a plan – leaving him hesitant to interrupt her with more questions.
“Here’s your map thingy,” he finally said, mostly to break the eerie silence. “I guess I don’t need it anymore...” his voice trailed off, before he added, “That’s weird.”
“What is?” asked Je’nna.
“There’s a light on the screen that wasn’t there before.” Petch frowned and handed the device to Je’nna. “It’s moving …”
Je’nna’s heart jumped as she snatched the gadget.
Though the device had no maps of this underground world, it had been scanning their course through the tunnels – at least in the areas where Dark Matter wasn’t forcing it to glitch out – and now displayed an accurate plan of their route, which included the massive cavern they were currently in.
As Petch had said, there was a flashing blip partway down the screen. It was coming straight toward them, and it was moving fast.
30
“Sylor,” breathed Petch, as he looked around to try and determine which way the blip was coming from. He was pretty good at reading maps, but it sometimes took a bit to orient himself, first.
“That’s not Sylor,” said Je’nna. “That’s…”
A cloud of dust exploded around them as a sudden burst of wind sent loose particles scattering.
With the air whooshing by, Je’nna and Petch both turned with a jolt to find Ki’ara on the ground beside them.
Her landing was fast and solid – still under control, but with enough speed that she crouched to a knee and placed her hand down to help absorb momentum. Her armor was scratched and filthy, certainly worse for wear. And when she stood and turned to them, her friends could see that her face and hair was in no better condition.
“Your Royal Highness!” blurted Petch, as he dashed over to the Princess. “Are you alright?”
Ki’ara nodded but didn’t get a chance to answer before Petch threw his arms around her.
“I’m okay,” she assured him, as the boy nearly squeezed the life out of her.
“We were so worried about you,” said Petch, finally letting go and stepping away.
“Same here,” admitted Ki’ara. “How are you two?”
“I’m alright,” said Petch, “But Je’nna’s been cut…”
Ki’ara’s eyes moved to Je’nna’s. They were softer than they were the last time Ki’ara looked into them. She could tell that the other girl was happy to see her, despite what she might say or how she may act.
“It’s fine,” said Je’nna. “Nothing serious.”
“I saw the blood…” Ki’ara stepped toward her, but Je’nna pulled her arm away.
“It’s fine,” repeated Je’nna. “Where’s your Traveler?”
Ki’ara’s cheeks tightened. “He was still in that pit. I have to go back for him.” She eyed the tunnel opening behind her friends.
“You can’t go back that way,” said Je’nna. “Sylor’s in there.”
“We can’t leave To’mas…”
“I figured you’d say that,” said Je’nna.
Ki’ara watched the pink-haired girl curiously, waiting for an explanation. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting we take care of Sylor once and for all.”
31
“I’m listening.”
A grin touched Je’nna’s cheeks before she pointed at the natural bridge formation. “There,” she said. “We need to get him out on that, somehow.” She glanced around the rocky ridges again, before adding, “I just need enough distance that he doesn’t mess up my rifle…”
Of course. Ki’ara bit her lip and flipped open the small box on her upper arm. She closed her eyes and reached a finger into the compartment.
Immediately, she was edging her way acr
oss the stone structure as it tapered its way to the highest and narrowest point at the middle of the bridge. She was moving slowly, with far more caution in her steps than she was used to.
The fissure below her was deep and treacherous, with jagged quartz crystals poking up from the bottom like sharp, luminous spears. They cast brilliant orange and blue light all the way up and out of the subterranean chasm, splotched only by shadows created by outcroppings and rocky ledges on the far cliff face.
But it wasn’t fear of falling that caused the alarm. What awaited her in the cavern ahead was responsible for that.
Ki’ara warily eyed the cave entrance on the other side of the crevasse, aware that once she was past the highpoint of the bridge, she was no longer safe.
It knew she was here.
The girl reached down to her thighs and drew the short cylindrical bars that she kept there, allowing the blinding plasma blades to escape their small metal confines.
Only then could she see the monster’s huge eyes, reflecting her weapon’s blue light from the shadows of its den. The eyes backed away as the girl approached. Though they remained focused on the Blue Energy in Ki’ara’s hands, layer upon layer of translucent eyelids – at least three – closed before the Princess stepped foot into its smelly home.
The giant lizard hissed as she entered the narrow enclosure, flicking its long tongue at her as she sidestepped around, skirting the edge of the monster’s cave.
Only the bright blue light kept this creature at bay. If it were to go out for any reason, Ki’ara knew she would be devoured in the blink of an eye.
So, she kept the powerful glow of her blades between herself and the beast as she crept cautiously around the perimeter, before slipping out the passage at the other end of the chamber…
Removing the tip of her finger from the Inuwuru floating within the box, Ki’ara snapped back to reality as the other two watched and waited.