Earth's Grand Healer
Part 13: Cave After Cave
Samantha looked around the bat cave. She hadn't realized before just how large the cave really was. There were smaller cave entrances carved out within its walls, but none were large enough where a sea-witch might reside. One smaller pocket contained filing cabinets, the very cabinets that Tim had been looking in to find out information about a certain gun created by Toy-master. That gun had de-aged Tim now it was destroyed and could harm no one else.
Another side cave was used as a gym area. The cave was big, but not as large as the main cave. The smaller cave had all kinds of workout equipment. There were mats on the floor for cushioning falls, barbells, and weight training equipment, and even a trapeze. Of course, this wasn't it either. Samantha could see how Bruce had outfitted certain areas of the large cavern to use as his headquarters as Batman. Another side cave had been built out as a medical bay with two gurneys and cabinets to store supplies. She was getting most familiar with this area. Further in the large cavern was an area of vehicles and a plane, the cave area acting like a hanger. In this portion of the cave there was a ramp that led outside. She didn't speculate how the plane exited.
'I never really explored this place,' Samantha thought. 'How did this even come about? I will have to ask Bruce to share the story.'
Samantha continued to walk around the cave. She found there was another level to it and discovered there were labs and other storage areas. She found the vault that contained Bruce's uniforms, and the changing area for everyone else. Beyond that was a set of showers including a steam room, sauna, and even a hot tub.
'Bruce could not have built all this himself,' Samantha thought. 'He must have had help. Without the structural support beams and everything else this cave must have been immense. Even so, I need to find the place that correlates with the sunken garden.'
Samantha continued to explore the perimeter of the bat cave. She could hear the bats above squeaking and making various noises. Something would briefly disturb them, and they would fly around then resettle themselves once more. Samantha also heard running water. From where she stood, it wasn't unpleasant or loud. It was far below. She could almost sense it, almost like her father.
'That must be the underground river.'
^Come, my child,^ the coaxing voice said in Samantha's head.
"Where are you?"
^The ritual must be performed. It does not matter where I am.^
"You cannot have my blood."
^You cannot stop me.^
"I will," Samantha once again tried to cut the communication within her mind. 'I must be getting closer to the source.'
Walking back to the entrance of the cave to the steps leading up to the Manor, Samantha spied a shadowy area that she had not seen before. She walked towards it and found there was a cleft in the cave wall. When she turned through it there was another tunnel. It led away from the main cave. Even so, she couldn't be sure if the tunnel would be leading her in the right direction. It felt like a narrow hallway. It twisted and turned in a couple of places and then it came to an abrupt stop. The tunnel was filled with rubble.
'This has got to be it,' Samantha thought.
Samantha placed her hands on the rubble of rock and gravel. She could sense the power coming from the other side. How is she going to get through, and how much was there to clear away?
^Just a little farther,^ the voice said in her head.
The voice was strongest here, in front of the rubble. The sea-witch must be hiding, behind all of the rock.
^Free me!^
'Why am I even considering this?' Samantha asked herself. This thing was feeding on her blood and the seed of her husband. 'I cannot let her go free.'
^Free me, child of my blood.^
'What? That cannot be.'
^Think child. You know it to be true. You are one of us.^
"I am no sea-witch."
^That may be so, but I am more than just a sea-witch. I am also a shark. You have the blood of sharks. That is why you crave blood. As your mother.^
"How do you know my mother? That is not true!"
^I have watched all these centuries. After all, I am a seer.^
Samantha's blood ran cold. Could this creature really be related to her? Samantha stood before the rubble within the tunnel she had followed.
^What's the matter, child?^
"There was a cave-in."
^Of course, there was a cave in. You must remove the stones that block my way.^
'Like hell,' Samantha thought. 'But if I'm going to confront this creature, I may have to.'
Samantha assessed the situation. She didn't know how much rubble there was to move. It could take days to remove all the stones. She had no choice. Samantha lifted one of the stones. It was heavy, but not so heavy that she couldn't lift it. The size of the stone was no larger than a 60lb kettle bell. Not all could lift it, but her strength came from her Atlantean heritage. At this point, she really hadn't put that strength to the test. She hadn't had to lift something this challenging.
"AHH!" Samantha was startled when someone tapped her on her right shoulder. She turned to see that it was Bruce. "Don't do that!"
"My apology," Bruce said. "Did you find out where the voice was coming from?"
"Yes, from here. There was a cave-in. This must be the place right near the sunken garden."
"Can you smell it?"
Samantha stopped for a moment and sniffed the air. "Water. There must be a pool behind these stones."
"If you can smell water, then that means the stone layer is not very thick."
"Then we can easily dig our way through."
"We must still go carefully," Bruce said. "I'll get us help, one who can dig quickly and who can shore up the roof without the need for heavy equipment that can take time."
"Who can help us?" Samantha didn't understand.
Bruce didn't say, but within a few minutes a being dressed in blue and red appeared without a sound, and with strength and speed that she didn't expect. Within moments, the rocks were being cleared. Where they had been placed, Samantha didn't ask. Of all things, she had not heard of Superman. Bruce never mentioned knowing who the person was, and neither did her father, the king of Atlantis. How could she not know about him. Samantha was awed by the man. Who was he? How had she not heard of him before? Her questions could not be answered at that time. Within minutes, the tunnel had been opened and had continued on the other side of the rubble.
^Come child, the way is clear,^
Samantha stood and stared at the darkness. Confronting this being was going to take all of her strength.
"I am coming," a familiar voice said behind her.
Samantha turned to see it was . . . "Tim? What are you doing here?"
Tim walked by her as if in a trance.
"Tim!"
Bruce stopped Samantha and held her arm. "He's in some kind of trance."
'We have to stop him," Samantha said, but before she could shake her husband out of his trance, she turned to see he was gone. Samantha rushed after him and entered a second cavern, not so large as the first, but large enough where it held a pool of water with a rock in the center. At that rocky center sat a being, human and yet not, and within her grasp was Tim.
Continues with Part 14