Thanks to all who reviewed, and to all who haven't yet, get started! Lol, this chapter is kinda short, next will be longer, I promise.
Chapter 4: Into the Crypt of Time
Coershun and Decepshun skidded to a halt, spraying dust into the dank air. Above, deep clouds of grey loomed depressingly and hindered what faint light appeared from cheering up the place. Great obsolete statues and broken formations gave a finishing touch to the already overwhelming feeling of dread and ancient history. They looked up before them at a familiar place. Coershun shrank back and glanced to his partner for support. Decepshun snorted at his timid behavior and glared at the track. She wouldn't let it cow her again so easily. She was stronger now, and besides, she wouldn't get caught this time. She felt Moordryd shift on the saddle above. She smelt his apprehension, which was understandable for anyone who had been in the Shadow Track before. But what made her proud to have him as her rider was the limited amount of fear she sensed, along with the determination he always had hidden.
Cain, on the other hand, was as petrified as his dragon. He glanced around warily, eyes searching every shadowed corner and hidden cranny. Decepshun sighed. Cain and Coershun fed off each other's fears. Though they were a great team and loyal friends, it wasn't the least bit helpful to anyone when they acted in such ways. Moordryd was aware of this also, and glanced over at his friend.
"Cain, be glad I'm not making you go in there."
Cain paused his search and turned to Moordryd. "But I'll have to stay out here alone with the Hydrags," he looked behind him and continued in a low voice, "and who knows what else?"
"Would you rather have stayed at the compound?"
Cain paused before replying. "No." For all his cowardly acts, Cain was someone Moordryd could count on. Of course, he might run at the slightest provocation of danger, but until that happened he was right at Moordryd's side. The silence that followed was broken by Moordryd's harsh voice.
"Just get to the eastern side and don't let the Dragon Booster know you see him. He's getting closer." Moordryd looked at the scanner he had on his left arm. Much like the one in the compound, it scanned for gold draconium. The Dragon Booster had appeared a few minutes ago, and since the scanner had a long range, Moordryd was knew he was coming even though he was still far away. It was time to open the track before the Dragon Booster took away the gear. He put his hand into his jacket and pulled out the sphere his father had given him.
"Be careful in the track." Cain said just as Moordryd started moving forward.
Moordryd stopped and glanced over at him. "Be careful the Hydrags don't eat you." He smirked as Decepshun trotted over to the middle of the clearing. Cain sighed. He was used to his mocking tone, and in turn, he used the same attitude towards Moordryd. It was a friendly sort of disrespect they had going towards each other. Cain prodded Coershun into a gallop to the eastern side of the clearing, where he would simply sit and 'not notice' the Dragon Booster's coming. Though if the Dragon Booster came out of the track without Moordryd, he would have to do something about that. Not that it was likely to happen.
Decepshun walked over to the monument in front of the track's entrance. It's ominous presence dominated the small clearing. Moordryd hopped off his dragon, and checked his scanner again. The Dragon Booster was getting closer. He must be racing at top speed. Moordryd smiled. If this worked, he must remember to thank the stable brats for their invaluable help.
Focusing his attention on the odd ball he had in his hand, he bent down near the monument. He placed the gear on the ground on the opposite side of the statue from where the Shadow Track lay. He activated it, then stepped back, not sure how far back he should safely be. Cain watched from afar. The gear blinked once with yellow lights which encircled the entire orb, and then went silent. The lights came back, starting from a faint glow to a bright glare. It caused the statue to cast a shadow onto the track's entrance, just like the last time, when the moons cast the very same shadow on the very same place. Then it emitted a pulse that rippled through the air. Moordryd half raised his hands to shield himself from it. There was no need, as the ripple raced off harmlessly into the distance.
That must have been recreating the gravitational pull the moons had caused before, Moordryd guessed. And, like the time before, and all the countless other times before that, the Shadow Track opened.
"It worked!" Moordryd exclaimed, somewhat relieved. He looked over at where Cain and Coershun were watching. They were amazed too. But at a glare from Moordryd, they quickly 'watched' the eastern side.
Decepshun magged Moordryd on, and started walking towards the opening. Moordryd pulled out the other gear his father had given him and turned it on. It hummed softly then went silent, showing a virtual representation of the world in its screen. He pointed it into the Shadow Track and grunted in appreciation. No active draconium was near the entrance. He wondered how deep into the track he would have to go before finding some. After checking the scanner on his arm, Decepshun and he entered the Shadow Track for the second time. The Dragon Booster watched from the shadows at the opposite end of the clearing.