Here's the next chapter guys. I hope you like it!
Review please :)
The group traveled for half an hour before being lead down a small trail that lead into a cave. As the women took careful steps down into the hole in the ground, the temperature dropped at least twenty degrees. The humans sighed in relief as their hot skin cooled down. Nala easily managed to maneuver around the larger lava rocks but made sure to go slow for her two followers. When volcanic lava had flowed freely at one point in the past, the top layer of lava cooled down and solidified which left the lava fluid beneath the solid rock. Thus, the tube like cave was formed.
Rachel and Brittany tightened their grip on Santana and carefully maneuvered the rubble at the entry to the cave. Once at the bottom of the pile of debris, the tunnel smoothed out and flattened. Nala lead the women into a maze of winding tunnels. Fortunately, the ceiling was littered with large gaping holes, letting light illuminate the darkened cave. Eventually, the women could make out a faint light at the end of another winding tunnel.
Warm heat swarmed towards the women. The tunnel opened up into a larger cavern in which a large fire burned in the center. The cavern looked to be inhabited by someone. Absentmindedly, Rachel noticed a small stream in the back of the chamber. Nala continued into the room nonchalantly and carefully dropped Quinn onto a pile of straw and cloth. She then stood up and let out a couple low grunts. Instantly, sound could be heard rattling it's way in from another opening across the cavern.
"My friend, you have brought me some guests I see," a scratchy voice crooned. It's owner stepped further into the firelight and revealed an older woman in tattered clothing. Rachel guessed her to be at least in her seventies, but then again she might not be human. But she speaks English.
"Hello, we did not mean to disturb you…but my friends and I we need some assistance" Rachel spoke clearly shifting the tan woman's arm around her.
The old woman cocked her head, uncannily like Nala, and beckoned them to enter further. Rachel and Brittany closed the distance between the two. The woman eyed them speculatively.
"I can see. Very well, place her next to her companion over there," she pointed next to Quinn. Quickly the girls unloaded their burden carefully next to Quinn.
Brittany looked up at the old woman, "You speak English?"
The woman chuckled and hobbled over next to the fire where she had a pot brewing something, "Child, I speak many many languages."
Rachel tapped her foot uneasily, flying monsters, crazy smart large dinosaur cats, and a crazy old lady. Just perfect.
"Excuse me, I don't want to offend your hospitality but who are you?" Rachel asked. She didn't know how much more of this she could take.
The lady ladled some liquid substance into a wooden bowl and shuffled back to the women, "I am a very old woman who knows many things. One of which is that your friends are in dire need of help. Help that I can provide. Which is why I brought you here,"
Rachel and Brittany were dumbfounded.
"Well, don't just stand there. Help an old woman," the woman chided them while motioning them to sit Santana up. Brittany quickly helped in holding Santana in a sitting position. The old crone gripped the tan woman's jaw and tilted her head back while pouring a small portion of the bowl into her mouth. She waited till she swallowed most of it before adding more. A few more repeats of that and the bowl was empty.
The crone set the bowl down and wiped her hands on her old brown skirt, "That should help her heal a bit faster. All she needs is some sleep to recover from the blood loss. Other than that, she should be up and about. Now the other one is a different story,"
Rachel shook her head, "Wait, what did you just give Santana? And what did you mean you brought us here? And just what the hell is going on here…" Rachel finished with a huff.
The older woman raised a white eyebrow and clucked her tongue, "Patience is not something you are well with are you, young one? I gave your friend Santana a sleeping potion with a hint of salgers root. It will enhance her natural ability. She will be fine. It's your protector that will be a problem…"
"Wait, wait….how do you know she's my protector?" Rachel asked beyond befuddle.
The woman looked to Brittany, "Is she always this way?" the blonde merely shrugged in agreement. She was just beyond happy that Santana would be fine.
Rachel fumed.
"Calm yourself. All will be told when the time is right. Now what I will tell you is this….that one…"she pointed to Santana "…was trying to access her realm. However, she underestimated how much energy she had left. I was able to pull you here, to my world. Unfortunately, she had lost too much blood to make the travel. I sent out my friend to find you," she nodded her head towards Nala. The big cat just stared at the trio of women panting.
"Ok. Now what can we do for Quinn?" Rachel asked anxiously.
The woman was mildly surprised at how easy the brunette was taking the news. She looked to Brittany again, "Is she always this demanding?" another shrugged nod was her answer. She shifted over and leaned over Quinn's body. "Quinn is in much more trouble than your friend. She is alive, don't fret…however there is not any medicine that I can give that will heal what is wrong with her."
"What exactly is wrong with her?" Brittany asked before Rachel could.
"Put simply, when she fell she broke her back. No, that's not a good enough answer. She shattered her spine and broke most, if not all, the bones in her wings. Frankly, I'm surprised she's still breathing." The old woman shook her head sadly.
"There has to be something we can do! Jesus," she began ticking things off on her hand, "over the past couple days I've nearly died, almost got mauled, got my home destroyed, nearly died again, met a large cat who thinks like a person, and I've met you who gave that woman.." she pointed to Santana, "some type of magic potion. And you're telling me….telling me that there is no god damn thing you can do for Quinn?"
"Now listen here, child" the old woman's voice hardened slightly, "I did not say there was nothing to do for her. I just stated that there was nothing that I, specifically, could do for her. Not only is her body broken, but her spirit has buried itself within her own mind."
Rachel's heart felt so damn heavy in her chest. This was all her fault. If only she hadn't been chosen or special or whatever the hell she was then Quinn would be up and about being a pain in someone else's ass. Rachel took a deep breath and took a seat next to Quinn, holding onto her hand.
"Where can we find someone to help her?" Rachel whispered, unconsciously rubbing her thumb in tiny circles over the blonde's skin. The elderly woman noted the action out of the corner of her pale eye.
"It's not the trouble of finding this person. We already have them. It's whether or not they can allow themselves to help her,"
Rachel was tired of all these riddles, "Just…what do you mean?"
"Rach, she means you. It's not me, and it surely isn't an animal so it has to be you." Brittany spoke up speaking matter-of-factly.
Rachel felt like hitting her head against a wall. None of this made any sense, and none of this was helping Quinn at all. "Can someone just tell me? I'm sick of guessing here…"
"Your friend is correct. You are the only person that can help that warrior," she pointed at Quinn, "I know exactly what you are and I know what you are capable of doing. I foretold their people about your birth and your power. The only question here is whether you want to throw away all your preconceived notions of what is possible and what isn't to help her."
The brunette rubbed her hands over her face and groaned, "Why is it always me?"
"Because, when you're special you have to deal with a lot more responsibility then those around you. Now, are you willing to do what needs to be done?" the woman asked.
"Of course," Rachel didn't even have to think about it.
The woman smiled, showing what was left of her old yellow teeth, "Excellent."
"Who are you?" the petite brunette asked.
"My given name does not translate well into your language. You may call the The Seer," the woman stated simply.
"Ok, Seer, what do you want me to do?"
"First, I will need you to drink something. Do not ask what is in it, you will not want to know. And if I wanted you dead then you would be by now." The Seer said briskly as she hurried her small body towards several shelves, carved into the rock, lined with tiny vials. With a triumphant grin, the Seer returned with two vials in hand. She grabbed another wooden bowl and mixed the substances as the two women watched carefully.
After she was finished she rejoined Rachel next to Quinn. "What I mixed is not what will help Quinn. This is what you need in order to be in the correct state of mind to help her. The rest will be up to you. Drink," she handed the bowl over.
Rachel sniffed and almost gagged. The liquid smelled like llama piss added with a hint of raw onion that's been marinating for a day and a half in the sun. The brunette pinched her nose and tilted her head back. She gulped down the liquid like a shot of liquor. She had to fight her own instinct to gag as it burned it's way down her throat.
"Very good. Now, give me your hand.." Rachel reluctantly reached over and handed the Seer her hand. Out from under her robes somewhere, the old woman produced a tiny blade and sliced cleanly across the brunette's palm. Rachel winced at the sharp pain as blood started to trickle out. Quickly, the Seer did the same with Quinn's palm and slammed their two palms together mixing the blood.
Rachel couldn't help but think of how unsanitary this all was.
"The mixing of your bloods will help speed along the process. But you need to willingly share your gift with your warrior. In a minute, you will pass out. You must traverse the corners of your mind and find what makes you so sought after. Only then will you be able to willingly give a part of that up to help Quinn." The Seer preached.
Rachel simply nodded. Nothing made sense anymore. The only thing she could focus on was helping Quinn; no matter what cost. She started to feel dizzy and lightheaded.
"How….how do I know…what I'm looking for?" Rachel's vision was blurry and she her equilibrium was shot to hell. She didn't even know if she was looking in the right direction anymore.
"You will know when you find it," The Seer said just as Rachel's head slumped over resting on Quinn's chest. The old woman neglected to tell either girl the ramifications of what could possibly happen if Rachel succeeded, but she didn't think her warning would be heeded anyways.
Who's ready for Rachel's dream sequence? Also, is anyone interested in seeing what's going on with Quinn's mind? I'll consider writing it if anyone is interested.
Review please :) Thank you 3