Chapter 13

(Ryan)

In Slavic folklore, the rusalka (plural: rusalki) (Russian: русалка, romanized: rusalka ; Polish: rusałka ) is a female entity, often malicious toward mankind and frequently associated with water. It is also believed, by a few accounts, that rusalki can change their appearance to match the tastes of men they are about to seduce, although a rusalka is generally considered to represent universal beauty, therefore is highly feared yet respected in Slavic culture.

The air inside the cave was cool and stagnant—a welcome sensation against his flushed skin. Ryan placed his hand on the cave wall to steady himself. The rock was smooth and slightly damp beneath his palm, he tried to focus on the feeling.

It seemed the closer he got to Hope, the less he was able to control his emotions.

For years, he had struggled to hide his emotions away, tucked neatly behind a mask of indifference. It was a survival tool—if people saw what he wanted them to see, he stayed in control.

Lies, manipulation... it was all a means to an end.

But he had let Huan get under his skin—he had lost his composure.

The thought bothered him more than he would like to admit and he felt the familiar heat of anger begin to flood his veins once more.

Why? Why was he so bothered by this?

He had no time to consider his answer before he heard the echoing sound of footsteps coming from the cave's narrow entrance.

Despite its small opening, the cave opened up dramatically in its interior, boasting high ceilings and a sizable tunnel offshoot.

He turned to the sound of footsteps to find Huan— alone.

"Where's Hope?" he asked.

"I told her we'd check things out first," Huan answered. "Just to make sure things are safe."

Ryan laughed. "Hope doesn't need us to complete a safety check. Trust me, she can take care of herself."

"Maybe she just didn't think she had someone capable of taking care of her until now," Huan answered smugly.

"Are you for real?" Ryan asked in disbelief. "Hope saved your ass and now you think you're going to be her knight in shining armor?"

"I don't care for knights, myself," Huan answered cryptically.

Ryan took a deep breath. He was not going to lose his cool again.

"Let's clear the tunnel," Huan said, oblivious to Ryan's internal struggle.

"Fine, if Hope wants us to check things out, let's go," he answered tightly.

The darkness of the cave was already putting him on edge. While they needed shelter, the possibility of monsters lurking in the darkness of the cave had not escaped him.

Huan, however, strolled confidently into the tunnel's open maw. Ryan followed with slightly more hesitation.

The tunnel stretched farther and farther into the cave, leaving him virtually blind in the inky blackness.

"Don't you think we should head back?" he asked Huan. "We have no idea how deep this goes. We could just make camp near the entrance and take turns keeping watch—"

Suddenly, he stepped on something underfoot, causing a strange snapping sound.

"What the hell?" he asked, kicking the object with his foot.

"Don't touch my things," Huan said from several paces ahead of him.

What?

"What the hell do you mean?" he asked, squinting in the darkness.

"I mean," said Huan with a dramatic pause, "Don't touch my collection!"

Suddenly, Ryan heard a horrible screeching noise followed by an illumination of flame.

Huan's fingers now ended in dangerously hooked claws, which he had used to scrape against the stone wall to spark a wooden torch alight.

Ryan backed up in horror, for once in his life he wished he had been wrong about something— Huan was definitely not human.

Abruptly, Huan tossed the torch from the wall into the center of the chamber, setting a central fire pit ablaze.

He had been so distracted by the sudden eruption of light, that he had almost missed what was all around him—bones.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bones filled the shadowy chamber. Some were neatly stacked in piles, others were scattered across the floor haphazardly.

Some appeared human, while some were distinctly, other. There were dinosaur sized bones littered around the room like tinker toys while delicate avian-like bones hung above his head by strings.

With a sinking feeling, he realized what had snapped beneath his foot.

"What are you? " he asked, still backing slowly towards the tunnel.

"I'm surprised a son of Malivore does not recognize me," Huan answered with a wicked grin, revealing sharp rows of teeth.

"Dragon," Ryan answered, feeling a pit growing in his stomach.

Dragons were the reason his father was created— the ultimate enemy of Malivore.

"Very good, suit" Ryan answered with a snarl. "Too bad you weren't smart enough to figure it out sooner."

"What have you done with Hope?" he asked, not bothering to hide the panic in his voice.

"Oh, nothing," Huan answered with a shrug. "I sent my brother to pick her up."

"Your brother?" Ryan asked in alarm. "What's the point in that? You weren't strong enough to kill us alone?"

Huan laughed, "Of course I could kill you both alone!"

"Then what?" Ryan asked, trying to think of a plan to get back to Hope.

"I'm not going to kill Hope— just bring her to Malivore" he answered. "I mean, because you've been taking forever."

"Excuse me?" Ryan asked. "What do you know about that?"

"I know that Malivore told you to bring him Hope Mikaelson and you've yet to show up. You can't blame him for sending out reinforcements."

"Hope is my responsibility," said Ryan.

"Not anymore. Malivore's sent out the call— any monster who brings him the tribred alive will be given unbridled freedom in Malivore's new world," Huan explained with glee.

"Why would he do that?" Ryan asked in disbelief, "Dragons are the mortal enemy of Malivore."

"Yeah, well, spend a few thousand eternities together and alliances form," Huan said with a shrug. His face was truly terrifying illuminated by the flickering firelight.

"Oh, and don't bother trying to leave just yet, your daddy wants to talk with you," Huan said.

"What do you mean?" Ryan asked, glancing over his shoulder to the safety of the tunnel behind him.

"I mean," Huan started in an exasperated tone, "that Malivore has a message for you."

Without warning, Huan launched himself forward, grasping onto Ryan's shoulders and spinning him around. Off to the side was a dark pit of sand— just like he and Hope had fallen into earlier.

"Have a nice chat," Huan said before pushing him headfirst into the dark sand.

Just like last time, Ryan found himself sinking rapidly into the sand. He knew no amount of struggling would help, so, with no other choice, he let his mind blank and accepted the oncoming darkness.

Sure enough, in moments, he was suspended in the dark void he knew all too well. The pounding of his own heartbeat in his ears was the only sound. The panic began to bleed in from the edges of his mind, saturating his consciousness with fear.

"You have failed me," came a rumbling voice from the darkness.

Despite knowing his father would speak with him, the sound of his booming voice still sent waves of terror through his body.

"Hello, father," he replied quietly.

"You have yet to bring the tribred to me and time grows short," his father answered.

"I have not failed you— we've simply had some minor delays," he tried to explain calmly. Despite his best efforts, he could hear his voice wobbling on each word.

"UNACCEPTABLE!" Malivore shouted into the darkness, causing Ryan's chest to vibrate with the sound.

"It's the monsters in this dimension!" Ryan tried to explain, "We've had too many encounters with—-"

"I have sent others to complete the task you are too weak to do," his father said with disdain. "I feel her magic on you, you have let her claim you."

"What?" Ryan asked, genuinely confused. "I haven't let her do anything to me— if anything, this connection has helped me earn her trust. She suspects nothing!"

There was silence in the void. For a terrifying moment, Ryan feared his father had left him alone again, to languish in the darkness.

Then he spoke, "If you think you can use this connection to manipulate her into trusting you, then do so. However, be warned, I do not care who brings the tribred to me. You have the same offer as any other creature here, bring me the tribred and earn your freedom."

Before Ryan could respond, he felt himself being catapulted out of the darkness and onto a hard, stone floor.

A hard stone floor covered with bones.

He stood up in a hurry, sending bone fragments scattering in his wake.

He didn't know what to make of the conversation he had with his father. The most puzzling part was his mention of the connection between Hope and himself.

While he knew there was certainly something unusual about it, he hadn't realized it had marked him like a brand.

Was this some kind of plan Hope had created to manipulate him?

Or was this an accident that he could exploit?

A part of him felt guilty at the thought. They were much better acquainted now than the last time he had spoken with his father. However, he couldn't let that fact get in the way of his freedom.

The pain and isolation of being locked in the void— it was simply too much to bear again.

Plus, his father wanted Hope alive. If he delivered her to him, he would have completed his bargain. And Hope wanted to be taken to Malivore anyway.

Win, win.

With that thought, he turned to the tunnel's entrance, determined to find Hope and reclaim his shot at freedom.

However, the exit to the chamber had been sealed by a large boulder. He ran to it anyway, pushing in vain against its immense weight. It was then that he notices the deep claw marks covering the rock's surface.

Huan. He had trapped him here.

He ran a trembling hand through his hair, only to realize it came back covered in the dark, wet sand of the pit.

Just perfect.

He scanned the chamber for another exit, but found nothing but piles of bones, illuminated by firelight.

He tried to temper his panic— he hated being trapped.

Trapped and alone.

He tried to calm himself by watching the flames of the fire— at least he could find comfort in the fact that he wasn't in the dark.

However, as he watched the fire he noticed that it flickered oddly; the flames seemed to dance erratically in the pit, almost as if there was a breeze…

He looked up the cave wall and noticed a small opening a good ten feet above his head.

If he had any chance of getting out of here, he would have to make it up there. He looked around, searching for anything that could he could climb.

Bones. It was the obvious, if not unsettling answer. Holding back his disgust, he began to pile them against the cave wall underneath the opening. It was difficult to get them to stack without collapsing, but his desperation spurred him to keep trying.

At last, the pile was large enough for him to climb. He had no idea where the opening would lead, but it would have to be better than this.

He began his ascent, clamoring over the bones as he struggled to keep his footing. His fingers had begun to bleed from clinging to the rocky wall, but he pushed on.

Suddenly, the mountain of bones beneath him gave way, leaving him dangling from a small handhold in the wall. He was only about a foot from the opening— he had to try. He reached with his right arm, pushing his muscles as hard as they would go.

Then— success! He pulled himself up into the opening on his stomach, sending loose rock and bones crashing down below him.

He could distinctly hear the sound of water coming from somewhere up ahead. Water was good, water meant washing off this muck and finding a way out.

He tried not to think about Hope. He knew that she could take care of herself, but if the dragons got her to his father before he did— he didn't want to think about that outcome.

The tunnel he was climbing sloped downward, depositing him back at ground level, or perhaps even below.

The sound of water hadn't been misleading, there was some type of lake here, deep and clear. He couldn't tell if his eyes were adjusting to the darkness or if it was somehow better lit in this portion of the cave.

He looked around for a light source, but found that it seemed to be the water itself that was softly glowing.

He hesitated to wade into it, it could be some type of trap…

Just then, he caught a glimpse of movement.

"Who's there?" he called, sounding braver than he felt.

A face peered up at him from behind a boulder at the lake's shore; it was a young woman, with auburn hair and bright blue eyes.

Not unlike Hope…

"Who are you?" he asked more gently. He couldn't say why, but he was drawn to her—

The woman dove into the water, causing a cascade of ripples to make their way to the shore.

"Don't go!" he called. "Please, I need to get out of here…"

The young woman reemerged from the water; she was clothed only in a white nightgown. The dress was transparent, showing every curve of her body. But it was her hair and eyes that drew him in the most. She was beautiful, angelic.

The woman smiled, beckoning him into the water.

Without hesitation, he followed, relishing in the feeling of the cool water cleansing his skin and clothes.

The woman moved deeper into the water, smiling seductively over her shoulder.

He would do anything to reach her…

(Hope)

As soon as Wei transitioned into his dragon form, Hope knew she was in trouble.

Wei was a sight to behold— he was a dragon of emerald green, with scales that glowed even in the darkness. Unlike the last dragon she had encountered, his body was slim and streamlined. He had no wings, but he soared through the air with unearthly grace.

It seemed as if he had materialized straight from an ancient Chinese scroll.

"Incendia! " she shouted, sending torrents of flames in his direction.

Unsurprisingly, the fire did nothing to stop his advance, forcing her to duck low as he swooped overhead with his claws outstretched.

Don't use fire against a dragon, she scolded herself.

The only advantage she had was that Wei had admitted that he wasn't trying to kill her— just abduct her.

Much better.

If fire wasn't going to work, she'd have to think of something else— and quickly.

Wei came towards her again, scraping her back with his claws as she dove into a small crevice between two boulders.

Shit, it hurt.

Suddenly, she had an idea. She jumped up from her hiding place, waving her arms above her head.

"Over here, Wei! Come and get me!" she shouted.

Wei let out a terrifying snarl as he barreled down on her, just barely missing her before she ducked back down between the rocks.

He let out a strangled cry of frustration as he clawed desperately above her head.

"Vados!" she yelled, causing the rocks around her to explode outwards, sending stone shrapnel in all directions.

She had closed her eyes, but she heard Wei let out a thundering howl; the unmistakable sound of a wounded animal.

A quick look confirmed it— he was lying deathly still on the rocky ground.

The explosion had left deep gashes across his mighty serpentine body. But then she noticed the sharp piece of rock protruding from his neck, nearly severing his head from his body— He was dead.

Just then, she heard footsteps behind her.

"What did you do?" the voice asked.

She turned— it was Huan.

"You lied to me," she said coolly.

"You killed my brother," Huan said, shoulders shaking and his voice seething with rage.

"Where's Clarke?" she asked.

"In Hell," Huan answered sharply.

"If you hurt him, I'll kill you too," she said, clenching her fists at her side.

"Not if I kill you first!" he shouted, rapidly transforming before her eyes into an identical green dragon to his brother.

Hope rolled out of the way just in time to dodge his first strike, but wasn't so lucky the next time— His claws dragged across her back, crisscrossing the marks his brother had given her just minutes earlier.

She screamed out in pain, tucking herself behind a rock avoiding a surely fatal blow.

She focused trying to reach out for Clarke's energy, but found nothing.

What did it mean? Did he kill him?

She let the thought fuel her rage and her magic.

She focused on the shard of rock imbedded in Wei's throat and willed her magic to wrap itself around it, sending it soaring through the air and into Huan's side.

He let out a guttural cry, violently twisting his head around to meet her gaze.

He was wounded, it would only take one more blow to end it— she reached for her magic, all too eager to assist.

But before she could unleash the dam of magical energy, Huan turned and shot off into the dark sky.

"Coward!" she screamed into the darkness, her voice cracking on the word.

But it was too late, he was gone.

She pushed herself up from the ground and ran to the cave, dreading what she would find. She tried not to think— just to act.

Her footsteps echoed through the cave like claps of thunder.

"Clarke!" she shouted. "Are you here?!"

She came to a tunnel at the back of the cavern and followed it blindly. The distance stretched on and on, causing her heart to beat erratically in her chest.

Then she saw a dim light up ahead.

"Clarke!" she called again.

But the entrance was blocked by a large boulder.

"Stand back!" she shouted to whoever may be inside.

"Vados!"

The boulder sealing the entrance exploded inwards, revealing a chamber filled floor to ceiling with bones.

"Oh my God," she whispered, pausing for the first time since she had entered the cave.

It was truly a horrible sight to behold.

Her attention was drawn swiftly to a dark pit of sand at the back of room— Malivore .

She noticed that there was a trail leading out of the pit and over towards a pile of bones. Clarke— it must have been him.

No wonder she hadn't been able to feel him— the sand from Malivore blocked her magic.

Had he climbed up there? She followed the pile of bones with her eyes up to a small opening in the cave wall.

Her magic was sharp and electric in her veins, still charged from her fight. It wanted to be used again and she was happy to oblige.

She let her magic pour out of her, tearing down the wall.

The new hole revealed a steep sloping path, accompanied by the distant sound of running water.

Almost in a trance, she followed the sound, praying that Clarke was alright. He had to be alright.

She didn't know why it mattered so much, but, oh God— it did.

Suddenly, she came upon a lake, glowing softly in the darkness of the cavern. It was beautiful, ethereal even.

"Hello?" she asked, hesitant of disturbing such a peaceful place.

Then she saw him— Clarke was floating in the water, bare chested, with his arms encircling a supernaturally beautiful young woman.

"Clarke—?" she called out hesitantly, taking a careful step back.

Was this real?

He looked in her direction, a serene smile on his face.

"What—?" she asked, confusion and some unknown emotion coursing through her mind, jumbling her thoughts.

The woman was running her pale fingers through his damp curly hair, a knowing smile on her perfect face.

It was too much, she felt like she was going to break. She let out a strangled cry, somewhere between a sob and a scream, covering her mouth in an attempt to muffle the sound.

Suddenly, Clarke's expression changed, his face falling.

"Hope?" he asked.

But it was too late, she was already running out of the cave, tears blurring every step.