As I shove away the rubble of this cave, I'm painfully reminded this is just one of many tasks I need to do.
I'm scared, no one else has to face these troubles, no one has in 100 years. I really hope this is one of those things that gets easier with time, because I'm ready to give up, my fear is creeping up on me and I can hardly take it.
Walking into the cave the sharp snitch of decay and waste whisk up my nose.
Scattered around the area are bits and pieces of bone , the only remains of those who once traveled this same path, why anyone would do this is still a mystery to me
The air is muggy and hot, the lava bubbling below me as I hang over the cliff observing it like a child who's seen something for the first time.
I push the skull next to me off of the cliff of rock and watch it fall deeper and deeper until it finally splashes into the lava below.
As I stand back up I divert my attention to the bridges that are half built and torn, I guess these people are the ones that were trying to build ally ways into this place.
I walk around the side as I see a gap on the other side it leads deeper into the cave.
The gap is large enough so i cant simply step over it, I need to jump over it.
My heart is racing, I feel light headed. If i slip up here it's over, everything is over. Not just for me, but for everyone else depending on me.
but.. if I cant jump over a gap how am I possibly going to even progress at all? Surely there's much greater dangers than jumping over a simple gap.
I take a deep breath as I leap across the burning lava, planting myself on the other side.
The screams of the hot gas escaping the brittle fragile walls of the cave pierce my ears, the deeper i go the louder they get.
All these paths and alleyways.. I sigh as I look at the many options. where do I go now?
A new hero is being crafted.
The young boy drags himself across the cave, deeper and deeper peeking through each path looking for anysign of what he needs.
Walking down the odd alleyway the walls are slowly becoming overgrown with vegetation. Light sounds of lost spirits scurrying infect the little boys head, the sounds aren't from any real tangible source.
His knees are weak, arms are heavy as he clinches his hand tightly against his small knife, poised to strike as he twists and turns through the musty passage way.
He speeds his steps, tuning along the churning path he's met with a door chained up with the words 'Leave' spray painted sloppily across it
the boys heart is spinning, but he knows he has to press forward.
Kneeling down, he tries picking the lock with his dagger to no avail, just as he stands back up the rooms grows dark.
'this task is not for a little boy' A voice echos throughout the dark room
The boy draws his dagger from it's sheath and plants his feet looking as intimidating as he can, his legs softly quivering.
'What's with the hostile stance? you really think I'd hurt a child?' The voice chuckles to itself at the mere idea.
'Tell you what, I'll give you the key to this door. ' Just then the a key slides and bumps into the little boys boots
'But be warned, I'm only Here to protect you, boy. I Suggest leaving now while you still can. But hey, I can't stop such an ambitious young man, can I?' The voice dissapears into the shadows as the room lights up once more
Letting go of his tense stance the child throws his back against the wall in exhaustion. He hasn't really done anything and he's already tired.
He takes a deep breath, he must push forward. He must be brave. His people depend on it.
His left hand tenses up as he stands up with new found courage as he unlocks the door, and storms inside.
End of part 1