December 25, 1991: Greater Caucasus Mountains, Undisclosed Location
Chapter 25: The Cave
As his eyes adjusted to the din, Wolf became aware of the short steps leading down into the next cave. He pointed them out to Lady Jaye to keep her from tripping. Descending the stairs, Wolf realized that to call the area just another cave was to imply that it was just a basic room carved out of rock and stone. Instead, just as the entrance suggested, it was more of a chamber, painstakingly crafted by some unknown people as a place, he sensed, of worship and contemplation. The walls were crystalline smooth, metallic flecks twinkling in an unknown light. The room was rectangular in shape. They had entered through a short end and needed to traverse the long length of the rectangle to reach the opposite side.
As they progressed forward, Wolf revamped his opinion of the room. It wasn't just a chamber, it was a church. In neat rows spread before them were stone kneelers, carved with intricate symbols neither Cyrillic nor Roman. On the walls were hundreds of frescos fully preserved as if time had never graced this room. He recognized the scenes of Christianity, with episodes from the life of Christ occupying the walls closest to the entryway. He walked to his right and traced the paintings, not caring if the oils from his hands set off a chain reaction of decay and destruction. As with Thomas, he needed to feel to believe. In front of him was a representation of the Annunciation, followed by the Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, Baptism, Transfiguration, Raising of Lazarus, Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Washing of the Feet, Crucifixion, Harrowing of Hell, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, and Dormition. He hit another doorway on the side of the chamber. Turning around, the arches where they came in were painted with scenes from the Last Judgment. He couldn't explain why, but it sent a chill down his spine.
Lady Jaye walked to her left and was equally in awe. She tentatively reached out her hand and quickly withdrew her finger from the wall. The years of Hart training in the observation and appreciation of the fine arts couldn't be overcome in the span of one day. On this wall, more Christian imagery had been painted, only it was not as planned as the other side. Rather, it was a mismatch of angels and demons wresting for control over frightened men in the middle. She didn't recognize the dress and thought she'd have to ask Wolf if the clothes were familiar to him. She stopped when she came upon a doorway in the wall, equidistant from where Wolf now stood. She pointed to the doorway and shrugged her shoulders. Wolf returned the gesture, standing firm.
She cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled across the space, "Should we check these out and regroup?"
Wolf shouted back, "Yes. Any trouble, run."
Lady Jaye flashed him a thumbs up, sheepishly withdrawing it when she realized he probably couldn't see it. She turned away from Wolf and peered into the opening. It was pitch black and she found she couldn't make anything out. There was no way to tell what she was about to walk into. The only comfort she had was that there were no demis. They would have already made their presence known by now. Taking a deep breath, it's now or never, she gingerly stepped into the unknown.