The Goliathus Chronicles
Chapter 27- The Great Room
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The metal ring was attached to a huge door of absolutely ancient construction, and its stubborn nature certainly proved it. Navius and Solarus, even with their energy restored from the venison recently consumed found it difficult to budge the entrance to the labyrinth.
I think my arms are going to fall off if I try to pull this thing any harder!
We can't give up, Solarus, keep trying!
Starcrow, perched on Navi's shoulder, seemed to be trying to help, but his magic seemed to get weaker each time he used it. Navius frowned, she wondered if the bird was at risk of falling ill or even dying. It didn't seem like an ordinary raven by any means, but she couldn't help but notice that more feathers kept falling off each time the magic was used. He now had bald spots all over him and frequently opened his beak, panting. The night air was anything but hot, in fact, it was pretty chilly, though neither of the heradus children seemed to be bothered by it.
She stopped pulling for a moment to reach up and pat his black head, but the raven cawed loudly in protest.
No stop! No stop! Pull!
Sighing, Navius complied. She looked over at her brother and he seemed worried too as he met her gaze.
Then their was a loud creaking sound followed by an echo, as the door started to finally come loose, followed by a rush of dank-smelling air from below.
Okay ready, Sollie?
Yeah, if you are!
Let's pull REAL hard this time, and I think we'll get it open.
They grabbed the ring once more, counted to three in unison, and pulled as hard as they might. The door once again creaked loudly and began to move towards them. All at once the huge weight of the door became evident as it now starting to lean on them.
Quickly! Let go and jump to the side as fast as you can!
They once again counted to three, let go, and dived to opposite sides. The door came crashing down where they stood in an instant with a heavy thud that sent clumps of dirt flying.
Whew. We did it...
The two children slowly crawled to the edge and peered in, seeing nothing but darkness.
Follow Starcrow. Caw? With that the raven dove in and disappeared in the blackness, only the sound of its wings could be heard echoing throughout.
I can see something but it's SO dark in there...how are we supposed to know where we're going? Solarus asked.
It's creepy down there...is Starcrow sure about this?
Suddenly a light flashed, and they heard Starcrow cawing for them again to follow. They gasped at the sight before them, it was huge, like a cavern. The walls were dripping with moisture in some spots, and there were was an ancient stairway leading down and they could just see a pathway at its foot.
Well, now or never I guess.
Solarus went first, ever bold and curious. He took a step down, then another, then decided on gliding the rest of the way and Navi watched as he soared all the way to the bottom.
Come on, Navi, it seems safe.
She sighed with a huff. Why is it ALWAYS from so high up? Once again she opened her wings and gathering all her courage, glided down. Now she could see Starcrow, standing on the ground and once again panting heavily. He turned and walked down the path, and they followed him.
Where are we going now?
To Great Room...Great Room!
Great Room? What's that?
Mages use. Secret room. He pointed forward with one wing.
Solarus flashed his pointy little teeth into a grin. This sounds like fun is you ask me. A secret room? Remember you read to me the "Secret Garden" once?
Yeah, well, that's different, Solarus. Much different. This is no garden. I still say its spooky down here.
Yeah kinda...but dad would love it!
Dad. Navius stopped, looked behind her. She missed her parents, and hoped they would find them soon. There was just some sense of lingering dread that she couldn't shake, and it wasn't just about Dinarius.
/
"Sssso...that part was true, wasssn't it? Only a Mage or a heradusss could open that door." Drakkon slowly made his way over to the open laybrinth, and cautiously gazed inside, his red eyes wide. "We were wissse to wait."
"Yeah..except...they left it open. That was kind of foolish." Marcus chuckled, and went to take a step onto the stairway. Drakkon suddenly grabbed him, and pushed him away hard enough that he landed squarely on his back.
"What the fuck was that for?" He quickly leapt to his feet, hissing at the Shadow vampire.
"Easssy Marcusss. You would be the foolisssh one if you truly have forgotten the many, many spells we would encounter here." A thin and slinky tendril crept forward, and touched the first step. There was a jolt like electricity, causing Drakkon to jerk away quickly. He hissed again, and his eyes narrowed into slits.
"No...this will not be posssible unlesss I break the spellssss."
Marcus muttered a profanity under this breath and spat at the ground. "Damn those Dark Mages, I hope their souls are all rotting in hell. Well...will this take you long?"
Drakkon smiled wide, not looking at him. "Doubtful...the spellsss are in tact, but old...and weak." With that he began chanting, and his body started to give off a dull, red glow.
Meanwhile Dinarius, behind them, cried out as the Hunger once again demanded to be fed.
/
They were now deep into the labyrinth, and Solarus sniffed the air, noticing the strange scent of something akin to rusty metal and rot.
That's weird, what is it?
Starcrow cawed weakly, still choosing to walk. Dark. Magic.
Dark Magic has a smell? He shook his head. That's just odd.
I agree... Navi was close to her brother, constantly looking around nervously. She saw many piles of very old bones piled along the edges of the pathway, small ones, like those of animals...but decided not to ask about it. After walking for several more minutes in silence, Starcrow stopped, and the so did the children, gazing down curiously at him.
The bird turned to face them, panting, and looked directly at Solarus.
Starcrow use magic, show you secret room. Go in. Find... dark talisman. Find...book. Then out.
This was the most Navi heard him say in a single mental sending, and she felt that it was extremely important to listen to everything this raven told them. She could feel his anxiousness...she knew as well as him that time was running out fast.
The magic...every time the raven used it he got weaker. She almost wanted to shake her head and tell him not to do this anymore, but of course they had no choice. Dinarius, crazed and possessed by a demon, was certainly of grave concern, but she had sensed others...two of them...and one of a great and evil force that rivaled even the demon. She didn't want to tell Solarus, worried it might distract him too much.
Ok Starcrow, got it. Be careful little bird, ok?
The raven squawked and started to turn around, slowly, in complete circles, all the while glowing brightly, causing both children to shield their eyes briefly. There was a rumble like an earthquake, and to the right another door appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. As the rumbling continued, the ground beneath them started to crack, and the door gave off an eerie silver glow while Starcrow continued to circle and caw loudly. As both children watched in fascination, they could see that there was a hooded figure on the door holding a silver ring. Then, the rumbling stopped suddenly and the door opened as if pushed in by a great unseen force, followed by an even more pungent odor of rot and metal. Solarus took a small step forward, craning his neck to see inside. The room was mysteriously lit by black candles, all around the circumference of the room.
Stacrow, his head low and beak open, ambled towards Solarus and collapsed by his taloned foot.
Oh no... He picked him up, gently cradling him once again under his arm. He's out cold.
Navi looked on sadly, but turned and this time she was the first to lead the way as she headed towards the room.
You remember what he said? We have to find those items, and then get out.
What happens if we stay in there too long?
I don't know...I'm not sure if he means we just don't have time or if something bad would happen, maybe the magic in here is too strong. You look for the book, Solarus, and I'll look for the talisman.
Uhm...but what do they look like? He never told us!
Good point..but I have a hunch we'll know when we see them.
/
Goliathus and Ami were now much closer to the mountains that they had seen in the distance. Ami couldn't help but grin to herself, her plan had worked. Although...it did leave a slightly bitter taste in her mouth. She looked up at Goliathus' face only to see an anxious look still plastered there as he flew on. It was something she never wanted to have to do to him again.
How much further, Gollie?
The heradus seemed to come out of whatever trance of thought he was having, and grunted softly. He actually seemed tired.
Not sure...but hungry now. Very hungry.
Ami nodded, not surprised in the least. You used some powerful magic there, but something tells me that's only a taste of what you really can do. Still...with great power comes great demand...I guess we better go find some local wildlife.
Goliathus nodded in agreement but then looked confused, turning his head slightly as if expecting to see someone behind him. There was a voice...so faint and distant...he had been noticing it here and there, but not really paying attention. Now though, there came with it a distinct feeling of urgency.
Is it you, Darius?
To that there was no response, but he heard it again, sounding female...and familiar.
Jezelle?
...yes...but...with..me..hear...
Ami noticed, and poked him in the side.
What is it? I kind of hear something in the background...like a bad phone connection..
Yes, as do I. It might be Jezelle, although I am not so certain.
Hm...try harder to hear it, Gollie. It could very well be important...
He closed his eyes briefly, trying to bring the background voice to the surface with more force.
/
Julie cried out, clutching her head with both hands. "Damn, it's like someone just stuck a knife into my brain!"
Jezelle chuckled, and patted her on the shoulder. "Girl it's always like that at first. But you're almost there, honey. You've got to keep trying." The psychic woman stood and disappeared into her kitchen for a moment, then brought out an ice pack from the freezer. She handed it to Julie, and sat by her again, smiling.
"You see what you can do when you try hard enough?"
Julie gratefully pressed the ice pack to her forehead, and sighed. "Yeah, you mean getting a splitting migraine in one second flat?"
Ignoring the question Jezelle leaned back heavily into the couch. "We've got to get this message to that old heradus, I sense he's almost there, but..."
Jezelle jumped up from her seat, suddenly more energized than she'd been since the moment Julie had set foot into her house. But she was animated with fear, and Julie paled at her expression.
"What...what is it?"
Jezelle paced a few times, pressing a fist into her chin. Then finally, she stopped, and looked at Julie, shaking her head slightly.
"Keep trying harder...and now..."
Julie gulped and did as she was told, closing her eyes and trying to picture Goliathus in her mind.
Then she heard Jezelle mutter one word under her breath, hushed and terrified...
" Mauvais... "
/
Whoa...there's all kinds of cool stuff in here...Solarus was grabbing objects left and right, examining them with great interest. Everything he touched caused him to feel something akin to a slight jolt of static electricity, but it didn't hurt him. In fact, he felt more energized then ever.
Stop goofing around Sollie! Did you find anything that looks like a book?
I'm not goofing around, he huffed. And no, not yet.
Navius spotted a ladder, and in the poor light provided by the enchanted candles, could see something up on a crude shelf. Quickly she headed towards it, and climbed up. At the top, she gasped and pulled a shiny, diamond-studded onyx box off the shelf, gleaming with not one speck of dust.
Wow look at this!
Coming down the ladder quickly with her discovery, she went over to a large stone table in the center of the room and set the box upon it. Solarus gazed at it with the same wide eyes, running a clawed hand over its surface.
Man, that is one cool box. There's got to be something real important in there!
I bet it's the talisman! Navi tried to open it, but the box wouldn't budge an ounce. She looked for a keyhole, but found none.
Geez, how do we open it though?
Solarus tapped his chin in thought, looking over the box carefully. He picked it up and examined it intently.
Hey...there's this little symbol on it.
His sister took the box and examined the symbol, which appeared to be the same silver emblem they had seen the figure on the door holding.
A silver ring of sorts...maybe we have to find an object that looks like a silver ring...I bet that's the key!
Solarus sighed. Great, but where? There's junk all over this room and it'll take us ages to go through it all!
We have to keep looking...just keep trying. You keep looking for that book, I'll search for the ring.
It was then that Starcrow, whom Solarus had placed on the table, began to move and got to his feet.
Hey, he's ok! Solarus smiled. Man Starcrow, you have more tricks up your sleeve than a magician. Look, we found this weird box. Do you know how to open it?
The raven flew over to his shoulder, perching. He still seemed weak, and his black eyes hollow.
Ring! Silver.
Yeah we know, we kinda figured that out. But where's this ring?
Door, door.
Both children looked at the entrance at the same time, and quickly ran back towars the door. Sure enough, the figure was holding an actual ring, not a picture of one. Solarus tried to pry it off , and as he pulled, it glowed, but would not loosen.
Goli! Goli!
Huh? Goli?
Goli! Goli must take.
Oh..do you mean Goliathus? Daddy?
Goli. The raven nodded.
Navi frowned at her brother, who knew exactly what she was thinking. If only their father could remove that ring, then they had to hope he would find them soon. Navius reached over her shoulder, loosening the strap that held her quiver and peered inside with a nod.
The box is pretty small, it should fit in here. We'll just keep it with us for now. Let's both look for the book and then hurry out of this room, I think I heard something...did you?
Solarus only nodded, his own unease growing. They went to opposite sides of the large room, looking for chests or more shelves. The did find books, many of them, but they didn't feel like anything special.
This book, Starcrow, what does it look like?
Black! Black, small.
Okay, that certainly helps! Books went flying everywhere as the children scrambled to find a small black one, when suddenly Solarus found a pile of what looked like scrolls, buried underneath a bunch of old blankets. He opened the scrolls, and words written in a strange language he didn't recognize gleamed at him in silver. Each scroll was the same, and they all looked like they hadn't aged at all.
I wonder what these are?
They kind of make me think they might be spells, Solarus.
Whoa cool! Spells? I wonder what they do?
Me too but we don't have time for that...none of them are a little black book. Keep looking!
Solarus then decided to head for the ladder, climbing up as his sister had done. Being much smaller he found he could crawl into the shelf, and felt around for anything she had missed. He was about to determine there was nothing there when he felt something on the back of the wall.
Turning around slowly in the cramped space, he saw that there was some kind of hole there, seeming out of place.
Navi! Can you find a stick or something?
What did you find? She came by the ladder, seeing only his feet peeking out from the shelf.
There's some kind of hole in the wall here, but I'm not about to stick my finger in there...
Got it, I'll see what I can find! Oh wait, duh. Never mind, try this. Navius pulled out one of her arrows, and climbed up a few rungs to hand it to him.
Good idea, that'll work. Grinning he quickly crawled back into the shelf and stuck the tip of the arrow in to the hole. It went nearly halfway until he heard a click.
Navius heard a small creak from below, and noticed a small door had opened in the floor. In it was a tiny silver box.
You found something!
Man, I told you secret rooms were awesome! I could explore this place for hours...
Too bad we don't have that kind of time...let me see if I can open it. Navius reached for the box, which glowed for a split second as she touched it.
There wasn't any resistance from this box, and it opened easily.
Inside, was the small black book.
CAWWW! Starcrow pranced around happily on the table, and flew over to Navi.
Page thirteen!
Navi blinked at him for a moment, then quickly scanned the pages. She didn't notice any numbers, and the words were again written in some kind of strange language. So instead she simply counted from the first page until she got to the thirteenth page, and there she did recognize something, a silver ring symbol.
Read...read book.
I'm supposed to read this? I don't even know what this language is.
Gaelic! Read.
Navi furrowed her brow, what was Gaelic? She tried to make even the slightest sense of the words, but they were very hard to figure out.
Asarlaíocht? Dorcha? Draiocht? What did these words mean?
Solarus looked on impatiently, tapping his foot.
Come on sis just try...do the best you can!
Ok, ok...here goes...
Navius sounded out the words to the best of her ability. As she read, the pages started to glow.
/
Goliathus had been struggling to make the connection with the voice, when suddenly he felt some kind of sensation in his head and everything sounded much clearer, instantly. It was as a door had been closed tight for centuries, and suddenly someone had found a way to open it. He shook his head briefly, then concentrated once more.
Who is there?
Oh my gawd! It's me, Gollie, it's me!
Julie? Goliathus' eyes widened in surprise. This was a first, Julie had never been able to talk to him in this way before. And she sounded so clear, as if she was right next to him.
Yes, oh geezus, I was trying so hard to get through to you and...look I don't have much time to explain. But I'm here with Jezelle and I have something important to tell you. Is Ami there?
Yes, she is here. And apparently, she can hear you as well.
Good good! Now listen, I know where your children are, Gollie. Jezelle said they went to the labyrinth, some secret meeting place of the Dark Mages...
Julie continued to relay all that Jezelle had told her, while the heradus listened on in wonder. He pressed on, ignoring his hunger, and went even faster with Ami clinging to him ever more tightly.
/
Drakkon, having defeated the protection spell at the doorway, silently hovered inches above the pathway, floating towards the door of the Great Room while Marcus followed close behind. Dinarius followed like a blind dog, growling and desperate with the Hunger that tormented him. The Shadow vampire suddenly reached a wickedly gaunt and pale white hand towards them, and they paused, waiting for a moment. Drakkon bent his head, listening. He spoke barely just above a whisper. "Gaelic...do you hear it? Crude...but ssspoken none the lesss..."
"Shit. Well what spell is she casting?"
"I am not sssure...but it doesss not sssound detrimental...however here isss where we mussst be high on our guard...thisss room isss protected by layersss of ssspellsss...it isss only because they are heradusss and with that raven that they sssuffer no illsss...for now."
"For now?" Marcus gave a sinister grin. "You mean if they stay in there long enough, they'll be harmed?"
"Maybe...maybe not." Drakkon gave a sharp glance past Marcus, his cold and emotionally dead eyes setting on Dinarius. "He isss heradusss, he can get in."
Marcus chuckled, turning to the one mentioned. "Hungry, right? Get in there and kill those kids, quickly. Then bring us that book, and the talisman if they've found it. It's all on you, slave.
Go. And you better not disappoint me."
Dinarius nodded curtly, and hurried past them into the room.
/
Navius closed the book, and tucked it away into her quiver only moments before she saw Dinarius heading straight for her. She screamed, giving warning to her brother who quickly dove away from him, hissing and rising his head crest.
" Traitor! Stay away from us!"
Dinarius, still wide-eyed and completely under control of the evil within his mind, didn't even seem to notice Solarus' words. He simply came at them with claws and teeth bared, scrambling up the side of one wall and attempting to swoop down on Navius first. Starcrow cawed angrily, leaping into the air with a flurry of feathered wings and came at him with little talons outstretched, clawing at his face. Snarling Dinarius grabbed the raven in one hand and attempted to crush him. Solarus shrieked as he heard bones crunching and Dinarius threw the bird who landed limply near the table. Hardly phased, he came forward again, reaching for Solarus this time. Navi growled, biting back her fear and grabbed one of her arrows, aimed quickly and released. Once again the little black feather she had tied to it acted as a guide and the arrow struck the heradus in the back of the neck.
Crying out he tried to wrench it free, but the arrow stuck fast as black inky blood leaked around it.
"Navi, what do we do?"
What would they do indeed. Navi wondered about the books, or the scrolls, did any of them carry a spell to break demon possession? And if so, how would she know which one to read when she couldn't understand the words?
Panicked and feeling hopeless, she fought back oncoming tears, then screamed out again when Dinarius managed to catch Solarus, grabbing onto one his wings and attempting to tear it off with his teeth.
Navius...
She cried out to her brother, wanting to run towards him but finding herself rooted to her spot.
Navius...
The voice finally registered, powerful and deep.
Who are you? Her voice was full of anguish and fear, but time seemed to slow down. She closed her eyes slowly.
I am Maniel. You have the box, the talisman is inside. Whoever possesses the talisman, can speak to us. I hear your cries. Do not fear for your brother. The leader of the Ring of the Dark Moon is possessed by evil. Use your arrow, and strike his heart.
But...but...won't that kill him?
A heradus such as he cannot die by such means. They are difficult to kill, and only we know how. When you strike his heart with the arrow, given the power of dark magic by Starcrow, you will release the demon's hold on him. It will, however, quickly seek another mind, it needs a host. It will return to your father.
Daddy? No! Why would it do that? Tears streamed down her face, as she thought of her father with such an evil being in his mind.
It is an old battle, Navius, one that has gone on for centuries. But do not worry, for you have awakened a layer of power in his mind with the spell you chanted. The demon will have a tough time reestablishing its hold on Goliathus.
Use the arrow. And beware Drakkon, he is outside of the door with Marcus Valiant, my old enemy. They cannot enter here as the spells prevent them, but Drakkon is ancient and strong, and you must not engage him right now. Keep away from the Shadow vampires until the Ring of Dark Fire is fully reborn.
Navius reached for her arrow, shaking and overwhelmed by the echoing voice in her head. She tried to get it together, but her hands were sweaty and clammy, making it difficult to aim.
What do I do once I hit Dinarius? How do we get out of the room if Drakkon and Marcus are there? Maniel did not answer, it seemed the connection was suddenly lost.
She realized now those he spoke of were the two individuals she had sensed following them, and the thought of having to confront them terrified her.
Her brother's scream broke her thoughts, and time suddenly seemed to return to normal. Dinarius had his teeth buried in young Solarus' left wing, and the flesh was tearing.
Navius pulled back the arrow and still trembling she prayed it would hit. It was her last one.
End of Chapter 27
I know, I know, I am the most evil person in the world leaving you with these cliffhangers. XD The Gaelic here is of real words, they should translate to something akin to 'magic' , 'spell', or 'dark'. I used a translator so it may not be 100 percent accurate.
This chapter was SO hard to write. I hope it was still enjoyable. Next chapter should be up soon I have tons of ideas in my head and it is going in any direction it wants to, so even I'm not sure how it will play out next!