Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.
Chapter 5:
Lady Green climbed inside first, Lin Chung waiting outside and making sure no one tried to jump them. When she got in, she needed a few minutes to let her eyes get accustomed to the darkness.
Lin Chung landed lightly beside her, and she stumbled slightly in shock. Lin Chung held an arm out to her to steady her. His eyes strayed to the floor and he backed away quickly, letting go of her arm.
Lady Green followed his line of sight, and her eyes widened as she also stumbled back quickly.
A dead skeleton stared up at them, already rotted away. The eyeholes were empty, the skin a disgusting grey colour, and the teeth black from decay. The expression was fierce, baring his teeth. He was wearing a black hood and robe thing that covered almost every inch of his face.
Lady Green shuddered when she found more staring up at the sky, scattered around the cave in a random arrangement.
Lin Chung was first to move, cautiously avoiding stepping on anything.
A satchel lay in the corner. He walked over and picked it up with his staff, carefully examining it as he twisted it left and right.
As he did so, the contents tumbled out of the bag. A notebook dropped to the ground, some pages torn out already. Charcoal fell alongside the notebook, most likely to use to write inside the book. What caught his attention was a crystal.
Lin Chung examined the crystal.
It was faded away, chipped, and barely glowed in the dark. He held it out into the light to try and get a better sense of what it is. It was topaz, a gorgeous but faded honey colour. Lady Green stepped forward, also looking closely at the crystal.
Tearing off a strip of cloth off his trousers, Lin Chung picked up the topaz. He turned to Lady Green, who backed away slightly in order to avoid getting hit.
Her eyes widened as she tripped over a body, and she fell forward. Lin Chung's strong grip stopping her from falling once again. As he did so, the crystal fell out of his hands, ready to hit the floor and crack.
Lady Green snatched herself out of the grip, lunging for the crystal at the same time as Lin Chung, who had noticed the same thing.
Both reached the crystal in the nick of time, but a bright glow obscured their vision and they were transported somewhere else.
"Lin Chung?" Lady Green asked as she looked around. Daylight shone through the open entrance of the unblocked cave, which was strange. It had been nighttime when they had first entered the cave.
Lin Chung was right next to her, looking at confused as she was.
A voice outside caught their attention, and they turned, seeing two people approaching a horde of people dressed in black.
The bodies in the cave, Lady Green realised belatedly.
There were the sounds of crying children, before something happened. The man pulled out his long spear, still on his horse. He leapt down neatly, glaring at the group of people who gaped at him. The other lady took advantage to beckon the children over, who sprinted to her.
As they approached, Lady Green's eyes widened when she realised who they were.
Hu Sanniang stood there in all her glory, blocking the children behind her. Her eyes were sharp, blades gleaming as she stared down the group of people. Lin Chong was the same, his face angular and tanned, weariness emanating from his figure.
Suddenly, the group turned and fled.
Lin Chong shouted out something to Hu Sanniang and hurried inside after the group of people.
The people turned, one of them launching a spear at Lin Chong, who Lady Green noticed was surprisingly tall.
He ducked, charging forward, even as the spear hit the top of the cave. They all turned as the cave barricaded in on itself.
Lin Chong turned, eyes blazing, and the group of people seemed to back away, knowing that there was no escaping him. Their grips tightened on their weapons, but it was clear they were hesitant to attack the more experienced warrior.
The crystal suddenly gleamed where it was still in Lady Green's hands.
She glanced down at it, suddenly realising she had it, and darkness surrounded them once more.
Rosefinch walked into the clearing, closely followed by the rest of First and Second Squad. "Where are they?"
Jumpy shrugged, and Kowloon approached the hole. "Hello?" He called into it.
Lady Green sounded shaken as she responded. "We're coming out now."
Kowloon backed away. "You guys okay?"
Lady Green clambered out, landing on her feet. Lin Chung was right behind her, landing on all fours before he straightened up.
Both were pale, their eyes wide with fear and shock, but they kept on a calm demeanour for their friends.
They turned to one another, eyes clearly sending a message.
We'll talk about this later.