A/N Escaping the Chamber, moving forward, and The End.
SIXTEEN
The temple rumbled as if thunder shook its walls. Will looked around nervously. "What was that?"
The stone pillar suddenly cracked, falling apart in chunks of white stone. Helen, John and Will ran over, nearly tripping as another rumble shook the ground. Helen saw a pale arm shoot up from the stairway.
"Here!" She grasped the arm and heaved, pulling Ylerin out of the hole. Will and John helped Aurelian out of the stairway right after. They both stank of fear and panic, Aurelian pushing them towards the exit.
"We have to go now!"
"The temple is collapsing!" Ylerin yelled.
"Where's Nikola?" Helen asked, but Ylerin grabbed her and started running. A large chunk of stone crashed to the ground a few feet from them.
"He's dead." Aurelian shook his head sadly, then pushed Will in an effort to get them going. "There's no time right now, we have to go."
The team pelted through the labyrinth, the ground literally ripping itself apart. They had some narrow misses with large chunks of the ceiling exploding to the ground around them.
"Once we get to the outer chamber, you should be able to teleport," Helen shouted above the din.
Her legs pounded beneath her mechanically, adrenaline taking over. Her thoughts were focused solely on getting out, but in the back of her mind she sobbed angrily for Nikola. Bloody, selfish fool! Why … why would he do something so reckless? Why couldn't he think of something other than his own curiosity, his own schemes? She couldn't believe he was dead.
A hefty rock fell on Will's shoulder and he stumbled. Aurelian grasped his arms and hauled him to his feet, yelling something he couldn't hear. Head spinning, Will held onto Aurelian for dear life as they made the final push to the outer chamber.
John laid his hands on them and they disappeared. Helen and Ylerin huddled together behind a rock shelf, shielding their faces from the dust and debris.
"Why … how could he? Is he really…" Helen looked pleadingly at Ylerin.
A dark look passed over the Sybarite's face, and her eyes lowered. "He was not found worthy. He is gone."
"What – what could he possibly have wanted down there?"
Ylerin shook her head helplessly. "I do not know. It is not the way of the Silver Lady."
Helen's eyes watered, she couldn't tell if it was from the dust stinging her eyes or something else. Before she could begin the hopeless cycle of despair and unanswered questions, John reappeared and whisked them away to safety.
They reappeared in the clearing of the forest. Helen could hear a babble of excitement and alarm below them. It seemed the cartel's excavation team had been buried.
Will lay spread-eagled on the grassy floor, trying to catch his breath. His shoulder was bleeding lightly, but the cut looked shallow. Aurelian ran over and grasped Ylerin's hand, relief suffusing his face.
Helen's phone was chirping madly. Glancing down she noticed it was from Henry and answered.
"Doc! You're all right."
Despite feeling her worst, hearing his concern made her smile. "I'm fine, Henry."
"What the hell is going on down there? We have a tap on the Blanco communication lines and all I know is that they went haywire five minutes ago."
"The temple's collapsed. It's all gone."
She heard a low whistle on the other end. "Wow … everyone get out okay?"
Helen felt her chest tighten, but kept her voice even. "We lost Nikola."
"Genius? For real?"
"He's buried under the temple. The Sybarites were there."
"Oh man…"
"I'll see you back at the Sanctuary." Helen turned off her phone.
She looked to see what was left of her team, confused emotions running through her at lightning speed. Anger, betrayal, frustration, denial, grief and an aching emptiness.
John swayed on his feet, then suddenly sank to the ground. Worried, Helen crouched beside him, steadying his shoulders. He seemed dazed, and at first she thought he had been concussed. But when he turned to face her, his pupils were even. There was a curious, stunned look on his face.
"I feel different," he muttered.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel lighter … clean…"
She sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. They looked up at the night sky. It was strewn with stars and a silver half-moon.
"It's just us now."
Will grinned in surprise, marveling at the sight before him.
"Is it not appropriate?" Aurelian asked nervously.
"No, no … you look slick."
If the Sybarites could truly blush, they would have been coloured pink. They were both dressed in new clothing; Aurelian was dressed in grey slacks, a crisp white shirt and a black leather jacket. Ylerin was wearing a long, dark blue dress with a light scarf and dark glasses to shield her eyes.
"Come here, buddy." Will clasped Aurelian in a brief, firm hug, feeling proud.
They had returned to the Sanctuary, deciding to learn more about the normal world and ways to blend in. Helen had put them through a vigorous course in adapting, and together they devised clever tricks in hiding the more visible aspects of their abnormality. It had done wonders to their confidence in regaining full control of their sensory abilities.
"Where do you think you'll go first?" Will asked.
Aurelian and Ylerin glanced at each other and shrugged at the same time.
"First, we will drop in and report to the South American Sanctuary," Ylerin said.
"Then," Aurelian continued, "Argentina. Or Chile. We want to explore the world the Silver Lady has left us. The one beyond the walls of the temple."
Will was happy for them, but sad to seem them go. "I hope you have a great time. And make sure to drop by Brazil."
Aurelian clasped his hand fondly. "I will send you a postcard."
"I'd like that."
The Sybarites bowed their heads to him slightly, still in keeping with their few quirks. They then stepped out into the sunlight to explore a world they had once only seen by night.
Helen joined Will by the doorway, her arms folded across her chest with a similar proud smile on her face. She patted his shoulder. "Come on, Will. The nubbins have gotten loose and are hiding out in the duct systems again. Kate's already breaking out the stunners."
Will groaned. "There's never a dull day at home, is there?"
Helen pretended to think about that then cheerfully said, "Nope!" She looked out at her courtyard and at the sun slowly rising above Old Town. It was still, bathed in warm, orange light.
There was a flutter of pigeons, and she went back inside.
FIN
A/N But wait! There is an Epilogue!