THE CAVE: CONTINUUM
Part Sixteen
Kanda stares directly across the grounds at the mountainous rock formation. The massive dark gray rock starkly depicts the shape of a human skull. Even from this distance Kanda can make out the shape with ease. Adding to the eeriness of the formation is the coarseness to its surface. It is not smooth, but has pits and gouges where rocks have chipped, or have worn off falling to the earth below making piles at the base.
It is the largest opening for a cave Kanda has ever seen. The darkness inside the cave's huge entrance gives Kanda goose bumps as it brings to mind a person issuing a loud scream. The eyes and nose are large, dark hollow sockets which can prove to be alternative entrances into the cave.
Vines and other vegetation climb the cliffs on each side of the skull's face. On top of the cave, ghostly silhouettes of tall, broad, ebony barren trees with rangy branches reaches out as if asking for forgiveness for their tormented existence. The ghoulish trees against the sky sends a chill down Kanda's spine and the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
There is a mixture of dark gray and bluish-gray clouds; different hues of pink edge and streak throughout the horizon. The clouds spread across the sky like an endless sea of despair. These are the type of clouds, very often, form before a storm is about to take place. Kanda's concern it may come soon which can cripple his plans to rescue Allen.
Kanda scans the base of the cave. On both sides of the entrance were once impressive tall, majestic pillars now lying in ruins, scattering their pieces about the ground. The remains of larger pillars have chips and cracks, some are half-buried in the earth as if some great earthquake may have had some play in their downfall long ago, leaving only a desolate destruction in its wake.
Large gargoyles perch on top of a partial ledge that once surrounded the cave, but has corroded in places by the passing of ages. At some period in time, this place must have been one great and powerful sovereign. Its ruins showcase a fearsome ceremonious display of bravura which would make any lowly tribesmen intimidated by its awe-striking aura.
As Kanda continues to scan the area his eyes move over to the ceremonial grounds. He sees Allen, still unconscious and still tethered to the large wooden wheel which is now sitting on top of a sacrificial platform in front of the cave. The round platform is elevated off the ground with six sets of stone steps arching up to hold it in place. Bon fires blaze in-between each section of the steps, lighting the entire area.
Hundreds of tribesmen and warriors gather at the far back of the field, away from the consecrated grounds, keeping their distance from the cave itself. The drums play a powerful, thundery rhythm that Kanda can feel in his chest. The sound fills the air as if a storm is brewing, which to Kanda's dismay, might be exactly what is happening.
The guards, who have been standing next to Allen and the Chief now turn to face their people. The tribal Chief raises his hand into the air and all become silent except for the whistling of the wind rushing through the cave. Kanda finds himself holding his breath, afraid to move, not wanting to attract attention.
"It is time for us to begin the ceremony! The Stone Warrior is soon to awaken, and will devour our sacrifice of the White-hair god, blessing our village with peace for the next two-hundred years! If the White-hair god awakens to fight and destroys the Stone Warrior, we will never have to worry about chaos, or the death of our people again," the Chief shouts out over the crowd of natives, who still remain silent.
The Chief drops his hands and signals to the warrior guards to follow him in leaving the sacrificial platform, and they start their journey across the consecrated grounds to where the rest of the natives are waiting for their leader.
"You're damn right I'm going to destroy that Stone Warrior, and hopefully with Bean Sprouts help if he is coherent enough to help, that is," Kanda mutters to himself.
Kanda isn't going to waste anymore precious time, and begins his descent to the sacred grounds below. From this side of the flat field he is closer to Allen, and it will not take much for him to race across and cut the ropes that bind Allen.
He is sure he will be able to get to Allen before any of the warriors can as they need to cross a great distance to get to the sacred altar before him.
The tribal Chief and his accompaniment of warriors have reached the other end of the grounds. The Chief gives the sign for the drumming to recommence; probably the real start of awakening the Stone Warrior.
Kanda looks over at Allen as he makes it part way down the side of the ridge. There is what looks like movement of Bean Sprout head. Maybe he is waking up, though Kanda knows he is too far away to discern Allen's condition.
Allen is feeling groggy and dizzy as he comes out of the effects of the potion he had drank earlier. He can't seem to open his eyes and his whole body feels feeble, not wanting to wake up and move. Suddenly, he hears the loud booming of the drums. Their resonance echoes throughout the clearing between the mountains, adding to Allen's already enormous headache.
'God, where is Kanda? I hope he is safe, though I really want him here with me.' Allen is torn between wanting Kanda with him and hoping he is safely far away from this horrid place.
The numbness in his body is dissipating and he can begin to feel his feet and legs. The cloudiness in his mind starts to lift, the headache subsides and his eyes finally open – the potion is wearing off. Now, if Kanda can make it across the grounds to get to Allen in time and the rest of the potion abates his body, they could have a fair chance in getting away.
Even though Allen would like Kanda safe, he hopes he has escaped his adversaries and will come to rescue him. If he knows his husband at all, this is exactly what he would expect of his partner – to save him.
Kanda is close to the bottom and looks over at Allen again. "It does look like Bean Sprout is waking up. Now to get over there without those warriors interfering," Kanda utters under his breath.
He jumps the remaining distances to the ground below, landing quietly. Parting the brush, he looks to see if he has been noticed by any of the tribesmen. The drums are banging so loudly they never would have heard him, but they could have seen the movement of brush. Watching the warriors sharply, he sees no indication they had seen anything. Their eyes seem locked on the cave's entrance.
Now ready, he races towards the sacrificial platform, across the flat sacred field. His adrenaline is shooting through his body, impelling him on with only one goal in mind – to get to his partner.
Out of the corner of his eye he sees the warriors starting to advance towards the platform. Regardless, he will make it there before they make it even half-way. He should have enough time to cut the tethers holding Allen captive and for them to get out of there, hopefully, before the Stone Warrior is awaken.
The platform is further away then Kanda had anticipated originally, but he still is gaining on it. The warriors are now furiously running, their sweat glistening on their bodies in the dawn's light.
"No way are they going to get to Bean Sprout before I do," hisses Kanda out loud, picking up the last bit of speed he needs to reach his husband.
Kanda's thigh muscles burn once again as he sprints up the stone steps to the top of the platform, breathing heavily as he skids to a stop in front of Allen. The look on Allen's face is a mixture of relief and happiness at seeing his husband in front of him.
"How are you feeling, Bean Sprout? Has the potion worn off enough that you can walk, or better yet run?" Kanda asks. He reaches for the dagger in his boot and cuts the tethers binding Allen's feet. Standing up, Kanda looks out over the grounds to see how much time they have to escape.
"Kanda, I've gotten the feelings back in my feet, legs, and waist, but my shoulders and arms are still slightly numb. I'm not sure if I can invoke my Crown Clown yet," he says quickly as Kanda cuts the remaining ties holding Allen's arms.
The drums are still pounding thunderously and the platform is shaking as if the earth is moving. Kanda grabs Allen, pulling him into his arms. That's when he sees the warriors have stop running towards them.
"They're retreating back to their tribe," Kanda says, his voice quietly trailing off. He knows there is only one reason why they would do that, and it has nothing to do with their Chief.
"You're not hurt are you?" Kanda asks more for his own benefit than Allen's, hugging him closer.
"Ah, Kanda …" Allen whispers into his lover's ear, his eyes wide with fear, shivering.
"What's the matter, Bean Sprout …" Kanda asks, pulling back to look at Allen. Kanda sees the fear in his husband's eyes, and the hairs on the back of his neck bristle up. He has a sinking feeling about this and has a good idea of what Allen must be looking at.
The earth has stopped its shaking and the drums cease their pounding. Kanda turns around in a protective manner covering the front of his husband to see what has Allen so full of fear. Looking up Kanda is aghast at what he sees.
"What the fuck …" is all Kanda can muster – his worst fear is realized.
To be continued …
A/N: Well, another cliffhanger for my lovely readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and of course, we all know what the next chapter will be about (as soon as I finish it)!
Once again, I want to thank all my readers who have submitted a reviews and PMs with your encouraging words and praises – I feel very humbled by them.