“Just a precaution. At this point, I don’t even know if we should use them. Do you think we should bring anything else? NeuroShields?”
“You mean those idiotic wigs Landry invented to scramble Helix tech?” Kani snickers. “No thanks.”
“That’s a no then,” I laugh. I have to admit, they weren’t one of Landry’s better ideas.
Kani zips up her pack and takes a seat at the table. She kicks her feet up and crosses them at the ankles, “Well, that’s me packed. Anything else you need?”
“Don’t need much. As long as we have sleep sacks and food, I’m good to go,” I say, remembering the last time I’d been in my sleep sack. I’d offered it to Runa and she ended up sleeping beside me. I glance up to Kani’s arched eyebrow. She misses nothing, that woman.
“Excellent,” she says, “then, let’s make this happen.”
“After you,” I say, picking up my stuff and sweeping my hand out in front of us.
I stretch my neck, trying to ease the tension from the pack and sleep sack I’m carrying. The throbbing that started in my temple earlier has settled in the base of my head and doesn’t seem to want to go away. I finally drop everything.
“Let’s rest here for a bit,” I mutter, digging through my pack for the NeuroWand I grabbed before we left. I flick it on, listening to the soft hum as the tech lights up when I wave it over the sore spot.
“Wow. Didn’t know people still used those,” Kani says, pointing at the NeuroWand.
“Yeah, been getting headaches the past few days. No big deal, just stressed. Landry said to try using this and see if they get better. Well, before he took off to hide at Alina’s.”
“I wish I had some proper medical equipment here,” Kani mutters, “If we were back in the Helix, I could cure you in an instant. You’d never have them again.”
“I know. For now, this will have to do,” I say.
I flip the switch to shut it off and place the wand in my front trouser pocket.
Humans found a way to eradicate most neurological disorders well before we arrived on Pendomus. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources for all the same technology as the Helix. Wish we did, though. Would make life a helluva lot easier.
“We’re not too far, now. Maybe a half hour,” Kani says, pacing in front of me.
“Got a bit of nervous energy?” I ask, following her progress back and forth.
“No, what makes you think that?” she asks without stopping.
I raise my eyebrows and smirk, “No reason.”
“I’m fine,” she says, wringing her hands.
This will be the first time back on the surface since Fenton… I don’t think she realizes it, but I’ve heard her screaming while she sleeps. Regardless of what she says, or her hard exterior, Kani’s still dealing with her actions.
“Okay,” I nod.
“Why do you say it like that?” she says, her words accusational.
“No reason,” I say, shrugging. I close my eyes to rest for a moment, trying to will the thumping still resonating behind my eyes to go away.
With each pulse, the edges of my brain feels like bits are frozen and the ice is cracking.
“Has the NeuroWand helped at all?” Kani asks, her voice sounding so far away.
“No, not really.”
“Well, just rest for a minute. I’m not in any big hurry,” she says, taking a seat beside me.
“Thanks. I just need a minute to close my eyes,” I mutter, pulling my legs in close and resting my head on my knees.
“No worries.”
For a few minutes, all is silent, which suits me just fine. Then, Kani begins to hum softly to herself, then she starts humming louder and louder. The strange thing is, the louder she gets, the further away from her I feel. Like her humming is somehow pulling me away from myself, like I’m floating. At first, I feel like I’m high in the sky, floating above dead trees, until gradually, the snow line begins to pull back into patchy areas of green and brown grass. The motion of it is unsettling with the pounding of my head and my stomach rolls.
“Kani, do you mind? That’s not helping.”
She continues humming.
“Kani?” I repeat, again to no answer, “Please, just stop.”
I open my eyes, surrounded by the pitch black only a cavern without a torch can offer; and all is deadly quiet.
Where the hell is Kani?
3
Runa
SLEEP IS ELUSIVE, but I know I need it almost as much as I needed water. Especially if I’m considering going deeper into the cavern. My curiosity is getting the better of me, wanting to explore. However, without sleep or food, it’s a disaster in the making. Even I know that now.
I stare into the fire, my focus softening. The flames lick the air and the heat ripples the stone wall in the background. I still find it strange the way heat can look so much like water when it wants to.
I cross my arms, tucking my hands in my armpits like a petulant child who doesn’t want to do what they’re asked. There’s a lot to consider before setting off. After I get some rest, I’ll find a way to take some of the fire with me and explore the tunnel.
Adrian said my next mission will be to find my brother—that it was critically important I do so quickly. By using this as my guide, I can give myself some sort of direction, even if I don’t know technically where I’m supposed to go. It makes sense the vassalage would be on this side of the planet, considering the heat I felt when I was transported by the Salamander.
If I could be transported anywhere, why wasn’t I sent directly to the vassalage to find Baxten? Then again, maybe they couldn’t? Maybe it’s heavily guarded. Or has secret traps. Or safeguards against weird, mystical phenomena? Or maybe it’s as simple as I was transported to one specific location and I was only shown the mirage of what it once looked like.
I glance down at the Caudex and sigh.
Only time will tell.
The firelight lulls my eyelids to drop shut. The crackling melody of the flames sings me into a soft sleep, but the flickering remains in my mind’s eye and permeates my dream-like state.
I don’t know how long I’ve slept before I see the Tree. Ashes are all that remains of the doorway I entered and sorrow strikes my soul. There’s no way I would be able to come back the way I left. What if this is the reason I am where I am now? Not because of any greater purpose, but because this was the only other place I could go.
Are there a limited number of ways I can leave and return?
The lucidity of my questions makes me pause. This dream isn’t like some of the others I’ve had. In many ways, it mirrors reality all too closely. I turn around in the snow, remembering the scene in the woods behind me as I’d entered the Tree not all that long ago. Regret washes over me and I wish I could turn back time, considering how things have been.
Splotches of scorched ground are scattered here and there, only slightly covered by drifting snow.
What happened once I’d gone? Are my friends safe? Will I ever find a way back to Trae?
~He’s gone, you know. Forever.
The words come out of nowhere and I step back, my foot sending ashes flying into the air like grey snowflakes. Even in my dream, the snow crunches beneath my feet and I start to wonder if in some way, I’m really here.
“Who’s gone?” I ask, trying to ignore the worry seeping into my mind, “Who are you?”
Hidden in the wind’s gentle hiss, a name is whispered.
Fenton.
I blink, trying to understand.
“What do you mean? You’re Fenton, or Fenton’s gone?” I say, needing clarity.
The wind grows stronger yet, but instead of hearing more, pieces of me break apart, flying into the wind like sand.
When I reconstruct myself, particle by particle, I’m standing inside the Tree, knee deep in water. It’s no longer ashes, but whole again.
“Runa,” Trae’s unmistakable voice reaches into my dream. “I’m here, Runa. Can you fee
l me, too?”
Even a memory of him sends an eruption of pangs through my heart. I miss him so much. Being alone in this next phase, not having him by my side—it’s almost unbearable. In my dream state, the security in remembering Traeton’s embrace helps me relax, dropping some of my restlessness.
I open my mouth to respond, but find it missing. Not stuck, nor forced closed.
Missing.
I claw at my face frantically. But the entire thing is blank—just like a Labot.
I wake up screaming, groping at my face and checking for cheekbones and lips. The fire is still blazing in front of me, as if nothing at all has changed.
Somewhere in the distance of my mind, I hear whispers. I can’t make out what they’re saying. Perhaps they’re remnants of my dream, or a wishfulness to return to the safety of Trae. Either way, I must have fallen into a deeper sleep than I realized.
I stand up, brushing off my trousers. There’s no point trying to return to sleep. With dreams like that, I’m not going to feel truly rested, anyway.
My stomach grumbles loudly and I sigh.
“Food is going to be a problem, too,” I say aloud. If I don’t find something to eat soon, I’ll starve. It’s been a couple days already since my last true meal.
It’s such a strange concept, considering I spent my entire life never eating. But there aren’t RationCaps here, and as far as I can tell, nothing to eat, either.
“Hello?” I call out, wondering if the Salamander is still nearby, “I could use a little help. Human, here—I need food, too. Any hints on where I could find some?”
If it could bring me to water, maybe the Salamander could help me find food. I wait for a few minutes, but nothing breaks the silence.
“Of course not. Would have been too easy,” I say, nodding to myself.
Truthfully, I’m not excited about trusting a Salamander in the first place. This is just as well. I can do this on my own. Somehow, someway, I will find something to eat. I may not like it, but I’ll figure something out.
Walking over to the pool of water, I scoop up another handful and drink it in, hoping inspiration will come to me.
In a sudden eruption further along the tunnel, flames ignite on their own accord in a similar circle to the one the Salamander had lit. Then another one lights up, and another, leading deeper into the cave. The walls around me are cut with deep grooves and not at all the semi-smooth texture of the Haven or Lateral. I look tentatively over my shoulder, and stand up.
“Well, if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is,” I mutter. “The only question is, is it a good one?”
I take a step forward, then stop.
What if this is a trap? Then again, what if this is what’s supposed to happen?
Curiosity finally wins out and I find a little alcove to stuff the Caudex in so it’s out of sight. It’s far too heavy to carry deep into a cavern, especially if I find myself needing to run. In only a few moments, I’m halfway down the tunnel with no torch, no microLight, nothing but the pits of fire lighting my way.
I already know this could be a disaster, but it’s better than waiting around to die. I need to know if there’s more here than meets the eye—which appears to be the case. Maybe there’s even food hidden somewhere in here. An animal I can hunt, or something growing in the depths. I know enough to realize looks can be deceiving. Obviously, someone has gone to great lengths to incorporate some level of sophistication with the lighting. Perhaps there’s more.
“I wish Trae were here with me,” I whisper, taking tentative steps forward.
Though I’m sure he’d be telling me that I’m being reckless. Or I should do a better job to look for a torch of some kind. With every step, I’m acutely aware this tunnel is leading me further into the darkness. Should the lights go out, I won’t be able to tell which way is out. The absolute abyss of a cave is all consuming, I’ve seen it already.
“Hello?” I call out, my voice shaking slightly, “Salamander…are you here?”
Sounds of something scurrying over stone makes me jerk my head around. The source isn’t immediately evident, but I swear I see a set of long, hairy brown legs pulling back into the darkness.
My hand rises to squelch my surprise.
Whatever it is, their legs are as long as my whole body, if not longer. I shudder and seriously consider heading back the way I came. I round a corner and hear sniffles in the stillness. I stop moving, close my eyes, and listen intently. Cocking my head to the side, the only sound is my breath as I inhale and exhale.
I shake my head, continuing down the path with slow, steady steps.
“Must be hearing things,” I whisper to myself, trying to draw in some strength.
I examine every crease and crevasse etched in the stone wall as I pass by, just in case.
The sound doesn’t occur again, so I make my way to a large open space inside the cavern. The large circular opening houses a smaller circular stone wall, dead center in the room. I walk to it and look over the ledge. I find myself standing meters above a massive, circular spiral staircase made out of carved stones. From the ceiling, a single beam of light shines in, highlighting the rim of the ring and cascading all the way down to the very bottom, as if emphasizing its importance. Something small and green rests in the center of the floor hundreds of meters below.
Amazed, I walk the circle’s edge to the backside, where the beginning of the large set of stone steps becomes evident. Without a second thought, I start the descent.
There are intricately carved arches, like windows in the stone walls that overlook the center. Smattering of green and blue mosses grow on the stone, evidently hardy enough for the tiny space and beam of light.
Unlike anywhere else in the cavern, the light is powerful enough to illuminate the path without the need for more fires. My footsteps echo softly on the stone and I concentrate on the sound so I don’t lose my courage to descend. Walking in circles for what feels like hours, I finally reach the bottom. Without much fanfare, I step from the stairway onto a layer of white sand covering the bottom of this large well-like feature. In the very center is a stone pillar about thirty inches in diameter. Atop the pillar is a patch of the most brilliant green I have ever seen. As I walk closer, I realize what it is.
Grass.
I stand beside the pillar in awe. I’ve never seen grass before. Not alive, not growing—not even at the Lateral. With a tentative hand, I reach out and let my palm glide over the top. The tips of each blade tickle my palm and make my skin feel alive with a renewed sense of energy.
“Okay, so this is new,” I whisper, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing, what I’m touching. “Why are you here?”
As if understanding my words, the grass flickers by a non-existent wind. A flash of metal buried in the sea of green makes me lean forward and pull the blades back. Reaching in, I pull out a large key, like one of the old skeleton keys I saw at the Archives when we were there.
I turn the worn metal over in my hand. It appears to have seen better days. Chunks are gouged in some sections and the tip is slightly warped. Yet, the symbol carved into the end is unmistakeable. Inside a circle is the five petaled flower—the Everblossom.
What does this open?
The light beam begins to vibrate, sparkling with orbs that break away. I’ve seen this sort of thing happen before. I close my left eye—my scarred eye—and the vibration ceases.
“Okay, so this is meant for me,” I say, nodding. If it wasn’t, the light’s dance wouldn’t be something my enhanced vision could see, surely.
I slide the key into my trouser pocket and step away from the pillar to get a closer look around. Perhaps there’s a doorway down here? The second I step back, the light above me is extinguished and I’m plunged into utter blackness. As quickly as I can, I make my way to the edge of the circle, trying to find the wall. My heart races, threatening to make a new home in my throat.
The silence that falls is deafening at first; enough to shock anyon
e’s senses. Suddenly, there’s the sound of movement nearby—far too close. My eyes struggle to make out shapes, sense something, anything.
Finally, I make contact with the wall and I crouch down into a ball, trying to make myself as small as possible. I cup my hands over my ears, childishly hoping that by shutting out the sounds it means whatever’s in the darkness doesn’t really exist. For a few minutes, this plan works fine, but then something brushes against my foot, making me scream and bolt upright. My head slams into something large and sort of furry, which is enough for me.
With one hand poised on the wall, I run the circle, trying to find the steps leading upward. My foot misses the first step and I trip, my body slamming against the hard stone. My knees burn and my vision sears white as I catch myself just in time.
Scrambling up the steps on all fours, I try to put as much distance as I can between me and whatever is down here. Unfortunately, something tickles the backs of my legs, as if groping for my calves to make me stop. The sensation sends shivers up my spine and I remember the large legs pulling back in the crevasses of the cave when I first started out on this suicide mission.
The complete and utter darkness is disorienting as I spin in circles trying to get to the top as quickly as possible.
How far do I have left? How far have I gone?
Suddenly, I’m pushed flat against the stairs, as something large rests on my back so I can’t stand back up. The warmth of breath beside my right ear gives me goosebumps.
“Please, what do you want?” I cry out, “Don’t hurt me.”
A grunt meets my reply, then a howl from somewhere else in the cavern.
There’s more than one.
I struggle beneath the weight pinning me down, but it’s no use. Whatever this is, it’s far larger and heavier than I am. Fears of being eaten alive are triggered by my experience with Tethys before I knew she wasn’t the Morph. She had slashed open my eye and licked my face, as if she was going to eat me slowly. Luckily, that hadn’t been the way of things. But I had no way of knowing any of that at first.
The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series Page 26