Me: It wasent me

Nate: If you didn't do it who did?

Me: *Shrugs*

Fire and Water

After placing the book back down beside the diseased explorer Nate stood and turned to regard the gate that stood before him and the temple. It was made of some strange white stone that he had never seen before with carvings of Posidan on both sides, each of the carvings arms were raised holding the trident outwards until both of the stone relief's touched.

Below that was the staff piece and a little way above the end of it was another hollow in the shape of the headpiece. All around the door were smaller carvings of what looked like people although they were impossibly tall. Strange letters were also carved into the material although Drake couldn't read them.

"Ok here goes."

Reaching into the satchel he'd brought with him he pulled out the blue stone, and gazed at it, despite all that had happened its surface was still unmarred carry not a single scratch on it. Looking up at the hollow Nate reached up and pushed the stone into place.

There was a soft click and then on either side of the door grinding noises made themselves heard. Slowly very slowly the stone door started to rise vanishing upwards into a slot in the ceiling that Drake hadn't noticed.

The sight it revealed was as amazing as the sight of the sprawled out city had been. A long hallway lined with fluted pillars lay before him. On either side water gleamed in the light from the torches that were spaced on the outside walls. More carvings covered these walls along with the strange writing. The ceiling rose up into a great dome through which the ocean could be seen along with the countless fish that swam through it. At the far end Nate could see another of the large stone doors, there was something carved there but he couldn't make out what it was.

He stepped into the room glancing at the first pair of pillars; each was carved exquisitely from the same white stone. On each and indeed on every pillar leading down the hallway was a black shape that started at the bottom with a curled tail leading up to the coiled head of a fearsome looking beast. The eyes glinted in the light and on closer inspection Nate found white gems sparkling in the sockets.

"This… this is incredible."

He looked down the hallway as he started walking passing the pillars with their strange animal etched on each. Halfway down the corridor he looked out to the left and found a dais raised just above the water level a great torch blazed there its flickering reflected eerily on the water.

"Huh wonder why that's there? Strange place to put a torch…"

Something caught his gaze and he glanced at the pillar to his right, the same creature was etched upon it, but there was something different about it..."

"The eyes? The eyes are blue stones instead of white."

Frowning he carried on down towards the door, the carvings finally coming into view. Two of the same animal that were on the pillars were intertwined on the door one with red eyes, one with blue, more writing although Nate ignored it in favour of studying the carved animals.

"Wait. I've seen this before…"

Reaching into the satchel he pulled out the diary and flicked rapidly through the pages; there one of the last few entries.

"Aha this is it, that guy never made it past the outer door but he must have researched what lay ahead... hmm lets see now. When the beasts of fire and water each face what they truly desire the pathway forward shall open."

A picture above the writing showed a sketch of two pillars the same that lined this very hallway. One of the animals had blue eyes while the other had red. Below each drawing was written a single word Fire under the one with red eyes and water under the one with blue.

"Hmmm the pillar with the blue eyed thing was facing that torch dais…"

Shutting the diary he moved quickly back up the hallway until he reached the pillar with the blue eyed animal carved on it. Stepping closer he put his hands on it, it moved ever so slightly.

"AHAH! This moves and how much do you wanna bet that that one does too."

He looked across the pathway at the pillar across from his one. The animal on it was facing towards the water.

"Ok let's see if old Jonathan was right."

Gripping the blue pillar he pulled it towards him, it stayed where it was for a few seconds and then with the sound of grinding rock it moved. Nate twisted it until it was facing in the opposite direction facing the water and then crossed towards the other. This one turned more easily and he twisted it until it was facing the torch dais.

There was silence for a moment and then the low groaning of machinery working and the carved door at the other end slowly began to rise.

"HAHA gotcha…"

Beyond the door he could just about make out a bridge spanning a great expanse…

Xxx

Above Sully was still trying to get into radio contact with Nate with little luck, a sudden beep from the radar made him glance at it and then swear.

"Nate I hope your ready for company."

END

Ooooo what's next I hear you ask

*crickets chirping*

….

Nate: tell me tell meeee TELL MEEEE!!!