Alright ladies and gentlemen, this is it. The last chapter of Act 2. I want to say thank you for all the reviews everybody! One away from 40 :O Sorry about the delayed release. There were *ahem*,
SETBACKS.
We drove out of Calgary early that morning. Soon, we were on a mysterious country road as if we had never been to the city. Well, that wasn't entirely true. The memories were still there. Amazing memories. I wanted to relive them again.
Hours passed on the empty gravel path. The farm fields began to vanish as oceans of grass which also vanished onto a deserted barren wasteland where nothing grew but shrubs and grass. Much, much later, I saw something in the far, far distance. A wall, it grew as we came closer, eventually. white tips appeared atop the grey wall. Closer and closer we got, and the wall separated into pieces.
You guess it. It was no wall. They were the rocky mountains. I had seen them on postcards and in pictures. The real things put those silly images to shame. They were glorious feats of nature. Some were so big you couldn't see the top. Ashlynn and I gazed in awe as we approached the mountains. I came to realize, many months ago, I was sitting in a waiting room, fearing the future. Well, I bet I never would have guessed this. Only when we reached such a wonder of the world, did we realize how far we had come. The pains and risks we endured. The bonds we shared. It seemed like something out of a movie.
As great and glorious as it seemed, I felt that something wasn't right. It wasn't like the feeling I had around Medea. It felt broader. Like it was everywhere. Whatever was beyond those mountains, I suspected it wasn't going to be a celebration.
Ashlynn took out the map. "The only paths around the mountains seem to be the highways and main roads. We should try to get to one the first chance we get."
I agreed, a little nervous about highways since Mr Godzilla, but there didn't seem to be much choice.
"There is a main road a few kicks South. I'll take a left turn the first chance I get." We drove on waiting for a junction. We came across one eventually. I began to turn but stopped immediately. The road was taped off with a sign saying.
"Road closed. Please continue to next junction."
I reversed back onto the road. "Thats inconvenient." I mumbled sarcastically. "Come on. Let's keep going."
We kept moving. Driving to the next junction.
"You've got to be kidding me." This road was also closed. So was the next, and the next, and the next. It was way too suspicious. Eventually, we found our selves on the same road at the foot of a big mountain. There were trees and the gravel path winded around them. The turns were sharp and unpredictable. You couldn't see what was coming. I was confident that we were the only car around.
around ten minutes on the road when Ashlynn scream.
"HERRY STOP!" I screeched the car into a halt. I saw what she was yelling about. The road just ended with not even enough room for a u turn. The air was damp and cool as we got out of the car. This place screamed spooky. A few feet off of the path was a small cave entrance. It seemed like the only way forward.
"It looks like we might need to ditch the truck." said Ashlynn.
"No way. That thing has brought us this far, I am not giving it up. We'll go back. Find another path."
"There is no other path. Let's at least have a look. It could lead to the other side." said Ashlynn. I had no further argument. I took out a flashlight from the truck and decided to have a peek inside. The frame of the entrance had mysterious writing on it. Some kind of ancient language. I stepped into the cave. I cold and wet breeze came from inside. I turned on the flashlight. It was nothing but a dark and cold cave. I walked in further. Ashlynn began walking in to join me.
Suddenly, the wind picked up, the ground began to rumble. Rocks began to fall from the sky. It was time to leave. I ran for the entrance, or in this case my exit. It was too late. Rocks began to pile in front of the entrance between me and the exit. Ashlynn was on the other side. I stopped dead in my tracks as rocks poured on top of one another. My path was completely blocked. I was blocked in.
"ASHLYNN!" I called. If she was hurt, I wouldn't have known what to do. I waited, calling again and again, terrified to hear a response. I finally heard her voice from a tiny mouse hole in the top.
"I'm all right! Are you OK?"
"Not good there's 20 feet of rocks between you and me. Even with my strength, it would take ages to get through it all."
I heard her curse under her breath. "Umm, well what should we do?"
"This tunnel seems to keep going. I'm going to head into it. You take the car and get around wherever you can."
"Alright. And Herry,"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't get hurt." Her voice was considerate and caring. I smiled, happy to know she cared.
"I'll try." I replied. And with that, I walked into the cave with nothing but a flashlight and my thoughts.
I already mentioned that the cave was cold and damp, well, it only got worse as I descended further and further. A shroud of dark mist littered the hallway. There was an unusual breeze and the echoes of my footsteps could be heard in every corner.
It was downright spooky. The darkness, the silence and that bizarre wind. As I wound around a corner, I stepped on something crunchy. I looked down and jumped back in fright. Bones of long since deceased man was at my feet. I had just so happened to speed right through the empty skull. The bones looked dry and old, like they had been there millenia. The hand was gripped around something. I inspected it and saw that it was a sword. I surprisingly impressive condition too. I guess the lack of UV rays down here preserved it. It was still usable. Figuring that whatever killed this person might still be here, I took his sword as a precaution and walked further into the cave.
Eventually, I wandered into a large cavern with a high ceiling and a flat floor, as if it were made to fit a king. As I entered the massive room, the mist at my feet rose up and surrounded me on all sides. My heart was pounding so hard, I could have leapt out of my chest. I felt that someone was watching me, ready to ambush me. The wind picked up again and I heard a muffled voice. I jumped out of socks and tried to step back, sword at the ready. The wind died down again as the voice came back. A deep and dark voice.
So we finally meet Herry. You seem so much like your father.
The voice seemed like it was everywhere. I spin myself around pointing my flashlight in all directions. It was hopeless with all the mist.
"Who are you?" I bellowed. You could hear my voice echo across walls and ceilings.
How rude of you. Did your parents not teach you manners?
The voice sounded nothing polite at all. It screamed of evil and dark thoughts.
"Who are you and what do you know about my parents?"
Silence filled the room. I managed to stumble across the wall in which I followed shakily for an exit from this nightmarish room.
Your parents? I know everything about your parents. I know everything about everyone. You cannot hide from me. You're going the wrong way.
It chuckled evilly. My senses were screaming danger everywhere. It was like they were going into overload. My head was throbbing from it.
I see you inherited your mother's skills. I remember she was so powerful, she had the power to destroy the gods. If it weren't for her bloody boyfriend, she would have. I'm sorry. Am I ruining your book for you?
How did he know so much about me and my pass times? How did he know my name? This man- no this THING was playing tricks with me. I managed to find the exit and booked it out of the hell hole of that room. The mist was gone and the air was clear. I exhaled, glad that it seemed over.
Hell was I wrong. The mist from the other room began to follow me into the tunnel. I heard the mist cackle as it approached me. I desperation, I swung the sword at it.
"Get away from me!" The cackling continued.
Aha, a good swing. Much like your fathers. I swung again and again, trying to keep the mist away. It didn't work very well. I decided to ditch the sword and run. The mist followed me.
Ahaha. What? Are you scared? Did the lady in white not warn you of me? Did she?
I tripped and fell on the solid ground. "What lady in white?" I yelled when I got back up to keep running.
You know all too well. The old woman who seemed to watch over you when you were in school. Even when you were asleep, she would watch over you. Did you not notice?
I got a grip and remembered. He was talking about my old babysitter. Old, white dress and wise eyes.
"What is so important about her?"
I was panicking now. Trying to find an exit from this nightmare. My head was killing me, I was running out of breath due to all the running, and I was getting disoriented by the mist which now surrounded me.
Bwahaha. You mean you didn't know? You couldn't even realize your babysitter was the queen of the gods?
"Queen of the gods? Why would the Queen of the Gods babysit ME?"
To try and protect you. To prepare your fight against...
me.
A surge of horror and surprise stuck me. This thing this creature, this was the unspoken one of the prophecy. And here I was, cornered, frightened. How was I supposed to fight this thing? It was something from a nightmare.
Run all you like. Sooner or later, this cave will become your grave.
I slipped and tripped as I ran away from the unspoken one, trying not to let his words get to my head. As hard as I tried, he still spoke to me.
I have heard much about your travels Herry, got a little girlfriend now?
I stopped dead in my tracks. Fear was replaced by anger and fury. I turned to the mist.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?"
You would think that with those senses that you would have suspected a trap. I was the one that separated you two. In here, you are as good as dead. There is no way out for you. As for her, she could have taken your place. Because of your mistake, she will die a long and painful death and it is all your fault.
"No. NO." I screamed my head buried in my hands, I panicked. I had to stop. He was getting to my head. He was lying. He had to be lying. I tried to reassure myself.
But what if he's telling the truth?
I swelled with anger. I picked up a large boulder and hurled it at the mist. I heard a large thud as the rock hit the far wall.
Impressive. I wonder where that strength came from?
I stood up. My face was covered with sweat and dirt.
"You know. Don't you?"
What can I say, the blood of a god flows through your veins. Why else would the gods choose you as the only obstacle between me and eveything they love?
"Did you just say, the blood of a god?"
Oh please, like those arrogant gods would just let the worlds greatest hero just die like a mortal. Your daddy has been keeping secrets from you I see.
It all made sense. My dad wasn't dead, he had joined the gods at Mt Olympus. That was how we managed to send me visions and memories. That must have been why he disappeared. But what did my dad do to make the gods so proud? Did he defeat Cronus? Or was this mist like unspoken one Cronus and that he had left the job half done?
So are you going to keep running or shall I strike you where you stand?
"I'm not scared of you!" I yelled.
Oh really? Let's see about that...
Right on cue, my flashlight began losing power. The light began to die. I curse and began running. I needed to get out of there, no matter what. Then disaster struck. I hit a dead end. I was cornered. And the cackle of the unspoken one approached. My flashlight was completely gone now. I was surrounded by complete and utter darkness.
I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my shoulder blade. It was like someone stabbed me with a poison dagger. I collapsed to the ground, feeling that this was the end. I felt the pain extend throughout my arm. I began going into shock. My body began to shut down.
All of a sudden, I heard a loud crashing noise and a blinding light. I heard the yell of surprise of the mist man and the last thing I heard before blacking out was a familiar voice.
"Don't you fucking touch him."
Ashlynns voice. And with that, I passed out.
That was an attempt at a bit of a nightmare come real. You cant escape, all you feel is pain, no escape... did I say that already? Oh well. :P REVIEW and i hope you enjoyed the whole story. Next chapter will be the beginning of act 3.