December 25, 1991: Greater Caucasus Mountains, Undisclosed Location
Chapter 26: The Chambers of Hope and Despair
Wolf waited for Lady Jaye to disappear into the opening before turning and stepping into the unknown once more. Blinking a few times, he held his arm in front of his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the sudden appearance of light. He had been in the caves so long that this light, even as faint as it was, seemed like walking into a blazing sun. After a few moments, he withdrew his arm, blinking again to clear his vision. Looking around, the walls were awash in a pure white glow. Scrapping the wall, some of the powder clung to his fingers. He brushed them against his pants and they took on the ghostly illumination.
Stepping into the room a few feet, he saw that it was just a small offshoot of the main cavern outside, probably a quiet room for reflection. He felt peaceful and content in this room and had no doubt others had thought the same. Walking the perimeter, his gaze was drawn to the far wall. Upon it was the most amazing mural he had ever seen. He couldn't help but to break out into a childish grin. There before him was the story of his favorite character, Geria, the poor-man's son. There on the left was Geria wishing his parents farewell as he went out into the world to rescue a maiden from the cruel clutches of 12 demis. Another panel was Geria's parents crying over his body, their tears pooling at their feet, not knowing they had the power to bring him back to life. And on yet another panel was the happy ending to the tale, Geria, his new wife, and his parents, arm-in-arm, walking off into the distance to go home.
Wolf reached up and brushed a tear away. As a boy, he had clung to the hope that his life would turn out as Geria's had, that each trial he endured would only serve to test his mettle and guarantee a happy ending. Wolf sat down on the ground, still entranced by the mural. The colors were transcendent and sparkled with an internal light, the blues crisp and the reds fiery. The longer he observed the pictures, the more convinced he became that he could know this happiness. The brushstrokes were so fine and precise that the scenes were more like a picture taken by a camera yesterday than the creation of a hand hundreds of years ago. Wolf leaned back on his hands, spreading his feet out in front of him. It was relaxing just to be there, looking up. The tired ache in his shoulders dissolved away and he felt one with the world. Why did he spend so much time worrying about what would happen? There would be time enough to move on. For now, this was where he should be, a silent observer to the incredible creation that had been waiting for him.
Out of the corner of his eye, Wolf detected movement. Turning sharply, he shook his head, believing it to be a trick of the light. He could have sworn that Mathicochi, Geria's little dog, was wagging his tail. If Wolf moved his head ever so slightly, it did look like the dog's appendage was fluttering away. Wolf liked it. It was as if the dog had been waiting for him and was overjoyed now that Wolf arrived. Wolf exhaled, allowing the breath to take his troubles with him. Wolf knew he had found his place.
Lady Jaye's foot met with empty air and she felt herself pitched forward into the blackness. With a loud "umphrr," she landed hard on her hands and knees. That's going to leave a mark, she couldn't help but think. The ground was hard and rocky under her palms and she pushed herself to her feet. Brushing herself off, she slowly canvassed the room, trying to make out any details. Unlike the other major rooms they had come across, this one had no internal illumination and was almost as black as night. Glancing over her shoulder, the church beyond cast some light into a half-arc through the entryway, but the rest of the chamber had a dark veil hanging over it. She shuddered; she generally wasn't afraid of the dark, even as a child, but there was something ominous about this room.
She took a few steps forward and as her eyes adjusted, the cave took shape around her. It was a quarter of the size of the church outside and there didn't appear to be any other exits besides the one she had used. There didn't seem to be anything else to it—none of the kneelers and paintings of the outside. The only distinguishing feature was a flat-topped boulder directly across from the entrance. She knew she should investigate further but that little voice in the back of her head started to whisper. Maybe she really didn't want to know for what purpose they employed that rock. Her mind went into overdrive imaging all sorts of animal, and probably human, sacrifices that took place long ago. A shiver went down her spine and she rubbed her hands on her arms. It felt like the temperature dropped several degrees.
Pushing away any fear, she walked toward the rock when a sharp pain jabbed her side, causing her to involuntarily double over. Glancing up, she inhaled and exhaled, trying to get a grip on her senses. The pain hit her again and she dropped down to her knees, a strange terror welling up in her chest. It wasn't the voices of the demis; at this point, she'd take those. No, this was a primordial fear. There were dark forces at work and she had to get out.
Struggling to her feet, she was knocked down by a burning sensation coursing through her left thigh. "Ahhhhh," she screamed out loud, unable to take the searing pain. Looking down, she expected her leg to be on fire. Instead the fabric of her pants started to smoke and blacken. Shaking her head did nothing to clear the image. As the fabric blackened, it began to flake and peel away revealing crisp deadened flesh, blood flowing down her leg. Placing a hand to her chest, it came away coated in what had to be her blood. "Oh lord, oh lord," was all she could mutter. Her head throbbed and her vision clouded over with static and dark spots.
She collapsed fully to the ground, curled up in a fetal position as her blood flowed, soaking the dirt upon which she lay. The pain was so intense and acute, she could think of nothing else. She wanted to run but had neither the mind nor the strength. She wanted to die but feared that wouldn't be an option. No, something told her she was here to stay like this forever.
Her ears picked up a sound but she couldn't make it out. The world around her seemed as if she was at the bottom of a swimming pool looking up through the distorting water to hazy shapes above. The sound shifting and distorted, a sort of Doppler Effect in her mind. Then she heard it again, it was a moan. Shifting around, she lifted her head in a feeble attempt and screamed, her head falling back to the ground. Just across from her was her. It looked like her but the figure was dying too, a bullet to the brain. Shifting her head the other way, she steeled herself for what she knew was there, another one. This one was older, a few more lines around the eyes and a piece of steel jammed into her chest.
"Nooo!" Lady Jaye pushed up against the ground, sweat falling from her brow, mixing in with the pooling blood. Her body was shaking from the effort, wet with perspiration. She didn't know why, but every fiber in her being told her the only way out was the rock. If she could get to the rock, she'd be free. She clutched her chest with her right arm to staunch the flow, pulling herself along with her left. Each inch of her progress was met with another apparition of death. On her right was a young Lady Jaye, neck broken from a horse fall. On the left was a baby, born still into this world. Grabbing her head, she tried to squeeze out the images to no avail. She would die a thousand deaths.
Wolf felt a deep sense of peace as he reclined back and watched the painting. It hadn't been a trick of the light, the painting could move. The characters jumped about, reenacting scenes he knew by heart. Wolf took great delight when Geria roughhoused with Mathicochi and nodded knowingly when his mother scolded him for missing dinner. Another exploit was met with a slap to his leg. This was better than a movie; this was surely better than the life waiting for him outside the caves. It didn't matter that his father couldn't be the father Geria had. Just sitting here, he had Geria's father; he was Geria. And in an instant, Wolf ceased to be and he was Geria, adventuring forth into the great mountain, ready to do battle with the demis.
Wolf was astride a magnificent steed, riding out into a great meadow when he came near the abode of the devils. When he looked upon the meadow his heart was glad, and his eyes filled with tears. He thought of his home and its beautiful fields and his parents, so good and kind. He remembered the meals of his mother and long evenings spent in the study discussing life with his father. He uttered a blessing to god the merciful. Then he urged his horse onward, at such speed that clouds of dust rose behind him. Wolf said to himself, "'Lo, I am now in the unknown land!" Up he rode to the demis' gate, leaped from his horse, and tied it there.
Wolf went inside to find the maiden. He broke all the locks he encountered and came to the room where she was. She was astonished, but Wolf's bravery pleased her, and she promised to marry him. Wolf took her into his arms, giving words of love and promising to keep her safe always.
"Stay with me forever," she whispered into his ear, "I will be yours forever." She leaned close, placing her lips upon his. Wolf took from them eagerly, her body warm and giving in his arms. The maiden wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him and placing her cheek against his, whispering again, "Say you'll stay with me forever. You'll never know sadness. Say you'll protect me always."
Wolf moaned as she pressed her body against his. She smelled like honeysuckles in the spring. He was dizzy and his heart raced, threatening to pound right out of his chest. As he buried his head in her hair, he couldn't help but to say, "I'll protect you always Jaye, I promise."
As soon as he uttered those words, Wolf pulled away with a start. The maiden quickly shook her head, reaching up she clasped Wolf's head between her hands, "No love, look at me. Stay with me."
Wolf stepped away, angry and confused. His body was pulling him toward the maiden but it wasn't right. There was something off. How he wanted her; he ached in ways unimaginable, but it was wrong. True happiness didn't come like this. It wasn't this easy. This wasn't his story no matter how many nights he stayed up late imagining what it would be like to run wild and free with Geria's strength and courage. The maiden outstretched her arms, her eyes pleading with Wolf to step inside and lose himself in her. Wolf sadly closed his eyes, and stepped further back. It wouldn't cost him anything to stay but he made a promise. He bound himself to another.
Wolf opened his eyes and found himself standing alone in a glowing white cavern. Although there were no pictures on the wall, he sensed that this was the place from which he had started. Breathing deep, he fought against the desire to stay. He would have hope again, just not here. Turning, he stepped across the threshold, fighting a bit to ensure his physical form followed. With a gentle pop, he stood in the church once more. Searching around, he looked for any sign of Lady Jaye. Seeing none, he debated his next step.