Welcome back, gang. We've finally reached the climax. The story isn't done yet though. There is still a few chapters left. Enjoy.
Death by Irony
A mushroom cave lighted by glowworms and fireflies. Gard couldn't believe the misidentification of "the Great Cavern." Balor looked around the cave as Gard let him down. He had never been this far into the cave. He had never gone too deep into it. He felt adventurous.
As Gard walked on in search of Thomeheb and Kit, Balor saw something sticking out of a pile of rubble. Curious he picked it up and saw a dagger, a dirk. Holding it in his right hand he looked at his reflection. He looked like a young Gard. It was remarkable. Looking around he saw that he had fallen behind and quickly ran to catch up with Gard, the dirk still in his hand.
Once he caught up to Gard, the two found themselves facing Thomeheb holding Kit over a crevice. Gard noticed a medallion around Thomeheb's neck. It had a snake motif. How familiar. Balor had been hiding behind Gard. When he saw the situation Kit was in his eyes widened and his jaw dropped in horror. Kit was quite an acrobat but if she was to fall she could die. Bravely, he came out from behind the old savage with the dirk in hand.
"I'm here, Thomeheb." Kit's eyes were drawn to Balor. She was shocked at the appearance of his body: beaten, bruised and bleeding black blood. He looked so vulnerable much like the situation she was in. "Let her go and don't twist my words around." Thomeheb laughed.
"I don't care about killing her, even though she could become my victory dinner." Gard kept a brave face Balor on the other hand was trying not to be intimidated. He kept his eyes on Kit as Thomeheb lowered her down, gently. At least he started to lower her down until he changed his mind and roughly threw her in Gard's and Balor's direction. Instantly, Balor ran over to her.
"Are you alright?" Kit looked at Balor's bleeding shoulder.
"I could ask you the same thing." Balor gave a small smile.
"Both of you get out of here." The kids both looked at Gard. They nodded in response and left the cave, leaving Gard and Thomeheb. Gard breathed. "I've beaten you before." Gard kept his good eye on Thomeheb's right hand as it reached out at a stalagmite. Thomeheb gave a cruel looking smile and shook his head.
"Not in my domain you haven't." Thomeheb broke the stalagmite from the ground and held it in both of his hands. "Here, I am invincible!" Immediately, Thomeheb threw the stalagmite at Gard. Gard just barely got out of the way as the stalagmite broke into pieces as it struck the floor of the cave.
With supernatural speed, Thomeheb tackled Gard into the wall of the cave. Dazed by this attack, Gard tried to make sense of all this. It seemed that Thomeheb truly was more powerful when in a cave. The old savage starred at the giant. There had to be someway to defeat him. Instinctively, Gard ran for the crevice. He jumped down into it. Stuck part way down, Gard looked up at his cousin.
Thomeheb smiled. If Gard were to try and climb back he would die. If he were to go down he would die. Gard looked up and smiled. Dumbfounded, Thomeheb watched as Gard climbed down the crevice. As Gard retreated down into the crevice, Thomeheb stood there frowning in frustration. Punching the cave wall in anger, Thomeheb's strength caused a stalactite to fall from the cave ceiling.
When Gard heard a horrible sound, he climbed back up and saw his cousin crushed by a fallen stalactite. Ironic, Thomeheb had thought himself invincible in the earth when it ended up being responsible for his death.
