Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

A islinn

A scream left my throat as the ground collapsed beneath us with a suddenness that left me breathless. At first, no sound came out of me. That changed a second later. My shouts joined those of my friends as we tumbled through darkness. We weren't going to survive this. Thoughts of Argies and Kalli raced through my head. I'd just gotten my life together, and for the first time, I was happy. I wasn't ready to lose it all just yet. I wanted more time with them.

That kicked something loose in my head. I automatically called on the wind around us. I was a powerful Fae with some extra mojo thanks to Fiona sharing her nicotisa powers. I made the wind form a cushion around us to keep us from splatting on the ground. Fiona and Violet grunted as our momentum slowed.

"Was that you?" Violet asked with wide eyes.

I nodded as we landed in a heap on the cold, hard ground of the cavern below. The impact rattled our bones, leaving us disoriented and shaken. But we weren't dead. "Yes," I croaked as I rolled off of Fiona .

Fiona groaned as she moved her arm gingerly. "Thanks for thinking so quickly. We would have died if you hadn't."

"That's what I was worried about," I muttered as we picked ourselves up.

The oppressive darkness seemed to press in around us. It was thick and suffocating. It overwhelmed the relief I felt at being alive. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and moisture. We were in a very different section of this tunnel system. The only sounds were the echo of our breathing and the sound of water. Was that a stream?

Violet's voice cut through the silence. "I can't see a thing," she murmured. Her words were barely audible in the cavern's depths. Rarely did I hear her filled with uncertainty like that.

Fiona's response was quick and her tone urgent. "We need light. I'm trying to cast a spell." Her voice was tinged with frustration.

While I had magic now, I couldn't perform spells like the two of them. But I wasn't entirely without powers. I attempted to conjure a fireball, but my magic faltered in the oppressive darkness. The flames flickered weakly before fizzling out altogether, leaving us again enveloped in shadow.

"We need to see so we can find a way out of here." Fiona's words wobbled. "We can't stay in this darkness forever."

"This is the kind of darkness that makes you think of crazed serial killers," I replied, then slapped my hand over my mouth. Damn, I wished I could take that back.

Violet's voice wavered as she spoke. "What? Do you think we're in danger?" The fear in her tone was thanks to me.

"There are no mundie serial killers down here. Other than that, we can't be sure," I replied. It was impossible to ignore the fear. The chances were high there was something supernatural hanging around. "Whatever we do, we need to stay together and stay alert."

"This is utter horseshit," Fiona muttered. She summoned a ball of lime-green flames with a determined flick of her wrist. "Yes! Witch fire for the win."

Violet laughed. Less than a second later, she had conjured brilliant blue fire. The cavern was bathed in their ethereal glow, revealing the rough-hewn walls and rocky floor. My heart skipped a beat in my chest. Standing before us in the flickering light was the woman who had brought us to this strange place. Her presence seemed to fill the cavern, her eyes shining with an otherworldly intensity as she regarded us with a mysterious smile.

"Welcome, said the spider to the fly. I'm glad you could drop in, mortals," she said in a melodic voice.

"Who are you?" Fiona asked. "And why did you bring us here?"

The woman pouted as she looked over us. "I'm offended you don't recognize me. I sense familiar power on you." She huffed and crossed her arms over her ample chest. "I am the goddess of night."

Violet's eyes went wide. "Nyx?"

The goddess nodded and a smile curved her lips. She possessed an otherworldly beauty. She stood tall and regal. She exuded an aura of timeless wisdom and enigmatic power. Her skin, as smooth and flawless as the velvet sky. And it radiated a faint ethereal glow that hinted at the celestial origins of her being. Long, flowing locks of midnight-black hair streamed down her back like a cascading waterfall. When she turned her head, they shimmered with the faintest glimmer of starlight.

I shivered when her gaze landed on me. Nyx's eyes were like twin orbs of gleaming obsidian. They were deep and mysterious and held the secrets of the universe within their depths. She was clothed in garments of flowing midnight-blue silk adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and dance like the shadows cast by moonlight. Around her neck, she wore a necklace of shimmering stars. Each one twinkled with its own divine radiance.

With every movement, Nyx exuded an aura of silent power and grace. Her presence commanded reverence and awe. Though her features were serene, there was a subtle hint of mischief and intrigue in her smile. Was that because we'd fallen into her trap? Was she working with Metis? A thousand questions raced through my mind at once.

"I knew you'd recognize me." There wasn't an ounce of doubt in her tone or expression. She took a few steps closer to us and then stopped. Her form was shrouded in an ever-shifting cloak of darkness that melded seamlessly with the shadows and danced at her command.

"What brings you to Mount Tambora?" she asked. A knowing smile graced her lips as if she had anticipated our arrival long before we had even set foot on the mountain.

Violet, Fiona, and I exchanged glances. Their expressions mirrored mine. What the hell had we gotten ourselves into now? Fiona stepped forward with a confident air. "We seek enlightenment, Nyx." Her voice rang out with unwavering conviction. "Specifically, we wish to uncover the truth of your connection to Metis."

Nyx's smile deepened, a flicker of amusement dancing in the depths of her obsidian gaze. "Metis," she mused, her voice a melodic reflection of ages past. "A name that resonates with echoes of forgotten tales and lost dreams. I love stories. Don't you? They're the one thing that can cure my ennui in seconds. Wouldn't you agree?"

Fiona gaped at the goddess. Nyx was avoiding the question. I sensed Fiona's frustration bubbling to the surface like a tempestuous storm. "That wasn't an answer," Fiona interjected. "We want clarity, not cryptic riddles."

The goddess chuckled softly, the sound akin to the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. "Impatience does not become you, mortal," she chided, her gaze unwavering. "But if it is answers you desire, then answers you shall receive."

Nyx started pacing a slow circuit in front of us. "Long ago, in the time when mortals still dared to tread upon the sacred lands of the gods, there lived a humble shepherd named Lykos. He dwelled in the shadow of Mount Olympus. His flock grazed upon the lush pastures that bordered the realm of the divine.

"One fateful day, as Lykos tended to his flock beneath the watchful gaze of the heavens, he stumbled upon a hidden grove nestled deep within the forest. Intrigued by the whispers of ancient magic that seemed to emanate from its depths, Lykos ventured forth. He was heedless of the warnings that echoed in the wind.

"Unbeknownst to him, the grove was a sacred sanctuary. It was a place where the gods themselves would gather to convene in secret. Yet blinded by his curiosity, Lykos pressed on. His steps were guided by a sense of wonder and awe.

"As he entered the heart of the grove, Lykos beheld a sight that would forever alter the course of his destiny. For there, amidst the ancient trees and swirling mists, stood the divine assembly of Olympus. Their majestic forms were bathed in the golden light of the sun.

"Lykos knew that he had trespassed upon hallowed ground at that moment. His mortal eyes could not comprehend the magnitude of the beings before him. Yet, despite the overwhelming awe threatening to consume him, he could not tear his gaze away from the celestial spectacle unfolding before him.

"It was then that he caught the eye of a goddess," she paused and smiled. "Me. I was veiled in shadow as I watched him with curiosity and disdain. In my wisdom, I foresaw the consequences of Lykos's intrusion. I knew the ripple effect that would echo across the heavens and the mortal realm alike.

"I made Lykos realize the gravity of his transgression. For he had dared to defy the gods. To intrude upon their sacred domain without heed to the consequences that would surely follow. From that day forth, Lykos would forever be known as the mortal who ran afoul of the gods. His was a cautionary tale whispered among mortals and immortals alike. And though his fate may have been sealed by his own folly, the memory of his defiance would linger on. It is still a reminder of the boundless power and unfathomable wisdom of the divine."

I have to admit I got caught up in her tale even though it wasn't a response to Fiona's question. The goddess was toying with us. Fiona saw through the ruse and pinned Nyx with a stare. "We appreciate your story, Nyx," she interjected. "But we don't need to hear stories unless they will explain your connection to Metis."

Nyx's smile faltered, a shadow of annoyance flickering across her features like a passing cloud. "You are persistent, mortal," she remarked in a tone tinged with irritation. "But some truths are not meant to be unveiled."

Fiona's resolve remained unyielding. Her determination was a beacon of light in the darkness that surrounded us. "Be that as it may. We will unravel the mysteries that shroud your connection to Metis. No matter the obstacles we may face."

Violet and I exchanged a knowing glance. Simultaneously, we reached out and gave Fiona's hand a gentle squeeze. It was a reminder to tread carefully and that we were with her .

Nyx stopped pacing and glared at us. "Why are you here? You never answered that."

Fiona's glance moved from me to Violet before settling on the goddess. "We are here to find out about Metis and the shield she sent after Artemis. We have been tasked with stopping Metis's malicious plan."

Nyx's laughter rang out like the chiming of distant bells. The sound echoed through the very depths of the cosmos. "Ah, mortals." Her voice was a velvety whisper that seemed to caress the air. "So eager to unravel the mysteries of the universe, yet so blind to the truths that lie before you. You have no idea the powers you are messing with."

Violet took a step forward. "We understand enough. We have a purpose, Nyx," she explained, her words measured and deliberate. "We will save Artemis. Understanding what Metis has done and who helped her is essential to our mission."

Nyx regarded us with a knowing smile. I swear her gaze pierced through the darkness like a beacon of light in the night. "Very well," she conceded, her voice a soft murmur. "But first, allow me to share some history with you."

We nodded and watched the goddess, waiting for her to talk. Without warning, Nyx turned around and raced across the surface of the nearby underground river. I hadn't seen it before that second. Her form blurred, leaving behind a shimmering moonlight trail in her wake.

Fiona marveled at the spectacle before us. "I never thought I would see the day a goddess ran away from us."

Violet snorted. "She's not afraid of us, you know. She wants us to chase her."

"Even goddesses need a little excitement in their lives," I replied as we walked to the edge of the river. "I hadn't seen this before."

Fiona shook her head. "I heard water but had no idea where it was. I think Nyx was hiding it with her shadows."

I looked over the subterranean river to the other shore. Nyx was long gone. My head tilted back and I saw the section we had fallen through. At least a couple hundred feet above us were the alcoves that had once cradled relics. Or the illusion of them. They were still empty. They looked like silent sentinels overlooking the murky depths below.

Lowering my gaze, I turned my head to follow the flow of the river. It was a ribbon of darkness snaking through the cavern's rocky embrace. Now, it glistened with an otherworldly luminescence. Violet sighed and thrust her hands on her hips. "We need to follow her," she said.

"It's not like we can go back the way we came," I replied.

Fiona nodded, and with a mixture of determination and trepidation, we stepped forward. The second our feet touched the water's surface, we quickly discovered that we wouldn't be racing over the surface like Nyx had. We were swallowed by the river's embrace with each step we took.

Violet shot me a wry glance, her sarcasm a thin veil over our growing frustration. "It appears we won't be winning any water-walking contests today," she quipped.

Fiona grunted as she continued making her way through the water. "We cannot lose Nyx. There's a connection between her and Metis. I'd bet money she was either involved with making the shield or she helped her activate it recently. She has information that can help us."

I yelped when I sank beneath the surface and sucked in a lung full of water. Kicking back to the surface, I started coughing and shaking my head. "There's a steep drop off there."

Violet and Fiona were in the same boat as me and too busy hacking to respond. When my lungs stopped ejecting the water, I swam forward. Well, I tried to. There was a swift current stopping me from making it more than a foot. "I can't get anywhere," I grunted as I put more effort into my strokes.

Fiona looked at the shore we'd left and back at us. "We need to regroup and try something else. This current is too strong."

With a reluctant nod, we retreated to the safety of the shore. The water receded like a grudging adversary. Once back on solid ground, we gathered together. My mind was ablaze with the need for a solution. I eyed the water and considered what we could do.

"We could attempt to turn our feet into fins and then swim across," I suggested, only to be met with Fiona's skeptical gaze.

"And risk being swept away by the river's current?" she countered. "No, that's far too dangerous. We need another plan."

Violet lifted a shoulder and spun in a circle while saying, "We could fashion a makeshift raft."

I frowned at her. "With what? There's nothing here."

One by one, we proposed new ideas. Each was met with its own set of flaws and limitations. I was beginning to lose hope when Fiona said, "Wait! You and I possess the ability to manipulate the elements, Ais. If we can bend the water to our will, we should be able to create a bridge."

I couldn't help but smack my forehead in frustration at my own oversight. "Of course," I muttered, chiding myself for not thinking of it sooner. I'd used my elemental power when we plummeted from the sky. "We should make an ice bridge. It will be a sturdy solution without a chance of falling through to the water."

"I like the way you think," Fiona winked at me.

With that plan in mind, Fiona and I pooled our energies. We reached out to the elemental forces that lay dormant within the cavern. Slowly, the air around us began to shimmer with a faint, ethereal light, and the river's waters stirred from our energy. A bridge of shimmering water materialized before us as our influence took hold. It spanned the gap between our side and the river's far bank.

Excited laughter bubbled out of me. I'd been worried we wouldn't be able to do this. My friends joined in until Fiona prompted me to finish the process. With a final surge of power, we solidified the water. It froze in place to create a stable pathway across the river.

It was a moment of pure magic, the elements bending to our will in a display of unity and strength. And as we crossed the bridge together, we knew that no obstacle, no matter how formidable, could stand in the way of our determination and ingenuity. That didn't mean I thought we beat Nyx at whatever game she played.

We cautiously traversed the bridge of shimmering ice. I was holding my breath, hoping we made it across unscathed. Each step we took was tentative. My eyes scanned the shadows for any sign of danger. The air was thick with tension as we edged forward. Our vigilance proved futile a few feet later.

In a sudden burst of motion, a monstrous creature leaped from the water and landed squarely on the bridge before us. Its form was a nightmare made flesh. It was a hulking mass of scales and sinew. It had a shark's gaping maw and an alligator's menacing glare. Its eyes gleamed with primal hunger as it advanced towards us. Its movements were sinuous and predatory.

Violet's voice broke through the stunned silence, her words tinged with urgency. "What the hell is that?" she blurted.

Fiona shook her head. "That's an abomination. We need to get past it!" Her eyes darted nervously between the creature and the safety of the far shore.

Before we could react, disaster struck. With a sickening lurch, I lost my footing on the slick surface of the ice. In slow motion, I plunged into the icy waters below. The shock of the cold hit me like a physical blow. As I struggled to resurface, the current dragged me mercilessly downstream.

Above me, the sounds of battle echoed off the cavern walls as my friends fought desperately to fend off the creature on the bridge. With each passing moment, the darkness threatened to swallow me whole, the water churning with malevolent intent. I called on my elemental powers and used all my strength to try and swim the rest of the distance. I was closer to our goal than from where we began.

Just when I thought I was making progress, two more of the monstrous creatures emerged from the depths. Their eyes gleamed with predatory intent as they closed in on me. I yelped and kicked out right as their jaws snapped hungrily in anticipation. With a surge of panic, I redoubled my efforts. I summoned every ounce of strength I possessed. I had to evade their relentless assault. The water churned around me as I fought against the raging current and the monsters.

I refused to surrender. Desperation fueled me as I called upon my power over the elements. I channeled the very essence of the river itself. That was the only way I was going to survive. With a surge of energy, I summoned fierce gusts of wind. I used it to buffer myself against the current. I directed more wind to hinder the monsters hunting me. With the elements helping me, I carved a path through the chaos.

It took several long, arduous minutes to reach the other shore. I was so close I could taste my triumph. Right before I crawled out on the other end, I realized I wasn't getting out of it so easily. A searing pain shot through my side as one of the creatures landed a glancing blow. Its teeth tore through flesh with merciless precision. Blood mingled with the icy waters.

After what felt like an eternity of struggle, I reached the other side of the river. Gasping for breath, I dragged myself onto the rocky shore. My body was battered and bruised. But I was victorious. Unfortunately, it came at a cost.

Through the haze of pain, I could see Violet and Fiona locked in a fierce battle with the creature on the ice bridge. Fumbling with my crossbody bag, I groped for a healing potion. It didn't cure all injuries or illnesses, but it would stop the bleeding long enough for someone to get to a healer. My vision swam dangerously. I had to staunch the flow and fast. Finding what I wanted, I popped the cork and downed the contents.

The relief was practically immediate. When the cut stopped oozing, Violet and Fiona stumbled onto the rocky shore beside me. They were tired but whole. We heaved a collective sigh of exhaustion that echoed through the damp air. Our clothes were soaked, and our bodies battered, but our determination remained steadfast as we confronted the next leg of our journey.

Surveying the cavern's depths, my gaze was drawn to the six yawning tunnels that loomed before us. Each one was a dark, gaping maw waiting to swallow us whole. The sight gave me the chills and made me shiver. The cold only made it worsen. Which one of these was the way out? Which would lead us to Nyx?

Fiona wasted no time in pointing towards one of the tunnels. "I think Nyx went through that one. We need to go after her."

Nodding in agreement, we ventured forth into the chosen tunnel. Our footsteps echoed softly against the rough-hewn walls. With each step, the terrain shifted beneath us. The ground sloped gently downward. Something was off. Tilting my head to the side, I thought about the way my thighs burned like an out-of-control bonfire. It felt like we were ascending the mountain, not going down. It had to be an illusion.

"It's like we're climbing downwards," Violet echoed my thoughts. "I can't quite wrap my head around it."

"We've got to be going up. Nyx is causing this sense of disorientation. We keep moving," I said. This place was a labyrinth of contradictions. Ones where up was down and down was up. And the laws of nature seemed to bend to the will of a mischievous goddess.

"What else is she doing?" Fiona asked.

"Only one way to find out," Violet replied.

Through my connection to them, I knew their intent before they started gathering their power. They combined their magical talents and cast a spell to reveal any hidden energies lurking within the tunnel. What transpired next caught us completely off guard. As their magic collided with the unseen forces that permeated the cavern, the air crackled with electricity. The walls shimmered with a bright glow, and thunder pealed through the narrow tunnel. It was as if the fabric of reality was being torn asunder. I kept expecting to see glimpses of a world beyond our comprehension. All that happened was a jackhammer starting up behind my left eyeball.

Despite the intense pain, a surge of fear gripped me. Next, the tunnel erupted in a blinding explosion of light and sound. Rocks cascaded from the ceiling. And the ground trembled beneath our feet as the magic surged through the earth. In the chaos that ensued, I could only watch in awe and terror as the tunnel was consumed by the raw power of the arcane.

We ran forward as quickly as possible. When the rocks stopped falling, we paused to take it all in. It was as if every rock and pebble was infused with primal energy. It defied explanation. It was magic that originated beyond the realm of mortal understanding.

As the dust settled and the echoes of the explosion faded into the darkness, I knew that we had stumbled upon something far greater than ourselves. Fiona and Violet exchanged wary glances. Their expressions mirrored my own sense of trepidation. "We can't stop now," Fiona informed us.

"We're too far in now," I agreed and continued walking.

Deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels, the air grew thick with suffocating heat. It seemed to cling to our skin like a heavy cloak. The shift from the chilly confines of the cavern to this oppressive warmth left us momentarily stunned. I was reeling from the abrupt change. Gone was the crisp scent of damp earth. It had been replaced instead by the acrid tang of sulfur and the unmistakable aroma of molten rock. It hung heavy in the air. And was a tangible reminder of the volcanic forces that lay dormant not far from where we were traveling.

Violet wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Smells like we're getting closer to the barbecue," she remarked dryly.

Fiona's brow furrowed in concern as she stated the obvious. "We're heading toward the volcano. Maybe we should consider turning back."

As if her words manifested our fate, we stepped from the tunnel into a lava chamber. I stopped abruptly on the narrow ledge. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed Violet's arm, attempting to pull her back from the edge. Was this the heart of the volcano? It sure seemed like it. We were standing there, overlooking a vast lake of molten magma. The heat was stifling. The air thick with the oppressive weight of it. I swear it suffocated us with every breath.

We were in a real pickle now. Fiona's suggestion hung in the air, tempting us with the promise of safety and respite. But before we could further entertain the idea, fate intervened most unexpectedly. The ground beneath us trembled ominously, and a massive stone slid across the entrance behind us. We were sealed inside with no hope of escape.

Fiona's attempt at humor did little to alleviate the tension that was choking me. "Well, ladies," she quipped with a wry grin, "looks like we're officially in hot water."

The magma churned and roiled beneath us. Its fiery glow cast twisted shadows upon the rocky walls of the cavern. Waves of heat radiated outward, washing over us in a relentless onslaught that left us gasping for air. The gravity of our situation sank in, and a sense of foreboding settled over us like a heavy shroud. Trapped within the heart of a volcano with no means of escape and the ever-present threat of imminent danger, our situation seemed dire indeed.