Chapter 6
"Get up," John said harshly to Rodney. Rodney lay motionless on the ground, a horrified look frozen on his face as he stared into the great black pits. He hadn't moved or said anything for quite awhile and John knew they had to keep moving. "HEY! I said move!" John voice was angry.
Teyla placed a gentle hand on John's shoulder and he wished she wouldn't. He wanted to be angry, he wanted to be strong, he wanted them to survive. When she touched him, he felt his guard flicker and he knew it would ultimately fall if he looked at her standing there with tears in her stormy brown eyes. He had to be strong for all of them, so he could protect them.
"No," he said without looking at her. "We have to keep moving, we have to make it to the end." Teyla hesitantly removed her hand. She sighed deeply. She knew he was right. She wanted to grieve with Rodney but now was not the time.
She knelt down beside Rodney as John walked away. Her voice was soft and kind. "His sacrifice was with a full heart and he will be accepted into the next world with open arms and everlasting love. We cannot diminish what he has done for us. We must honor him and reach the end so that the price he paid will not be in vain." She smiled faintly at his poor, pale face trying so hard not to show any signs of the anguish in her own heart.
Rodney blinked a few times and then his face contorted as he tried to gather himself and stand, slowly taking Teyla's extended hand. John walked over, an amazed look on his face and his eyes met hers. He didn't really know her, but something inside him made him want to rest his heavy head on her shoulders and find comfort in her. He looked away.
"Good work," he said softly to her. She smiled "You are right, we have to reach the end," she replied and met up with Rodney.
They approached the next doorway and found no room lay beyond, but a strange very narrow hallway with an inscription just above the entrance way. They all stared up at the odd markings.
"Well, this isn't good. I don't know what the hell it says," John remarked. "It could say anything. Like 'do not disturb' or 'beware of dog'." Teyla looked at him curiously. "What is a 'dog'?" Rodney seemed to find his composure. "They look so familiar to me. It's strange, it's like I know I've seen these marking before. Maybe my memory is coming back. It's just on the tip of my tongue"
John looked down the eerie hallway and squinted, barely making out the end. "Well, whats the trick then? There's no buttons to press, no flying cutlery, it looks like just a spooky old hallway." Teyla stood beside him, looking as well. "I do not like it."
"I know what it says!" Rodney exclaimed. They looked at him, John's face skeptical. "You don't have to believe me, but I know this language, I swear!" he said defiantly. "Ok, ok. Well, then just tell us what it says," John implored him.
"It's a warning. It says 'Only the pure blood shall pass.'"