20. Cassius

20

CASSIUS

I thrash against the creature's grip, its slimy tentacles constricting around my chest and arms. The pressure builds as we plummet deeper into the inky depths. My wings, useless underwater, strain against my back. I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to gasp for air I don't need.

The monster's beak snaps inches from my face. I twist, barely avoiding its razor-sharp edge. My eyes adjust to the murky darkness, taking in the beast's massive form. Dozens of tentacles writhe around a bulbous body, easily twice my size.

I channel magic through my limbs, enhancing my strength. With a burst of power, I wrench one arm free. I slam my fist into what I hope is a vulnerable spot near its beak. The creature recoils, loosening its grip just enough.

I slip from its grasp, kicking hard to put distance between us. But the monster's faster than I anticipated. A tentacle whips out, catching my ankle. It yanks me back, spinning me in a dizzying arc.

My back slams against something solid – the gate. The impact sends a jolt of pain through me, but also ignites an idea. I press my palms against the ancient structure, feeling its latent magic pulse beneath my fingers.

The sea monster charges, beak wide and tentacles flailing. I focus, drawing on the gate's power. It flows into me, raw and electric. My skin tingles as the magic builds.

Just as the creature's about to strike, I release the energy in a massive shockwave. The blast catches the monster full-force, sending it tumbling backward in a cloud of ink and debris.

I don't waste the opening. I shoot forward, magic crackling around my fists. I unleash a flurry of blows, each strike enhanced by the gate's power. The creature writhes, its tentacles flailing wildly.

One catches me across the chest, knocking the air from my lungs. Another wraps around my throat, squeezing tight. Spots dance in my vision as I struggle against its grip.

In desperation, I reach out with my magic, probing for a weakness. There – a faint pulse near its center. I focus all my remaining strength into a single, devastating blow.

My fist connects, and I feel something give way beneath the creature's tough hide. It lets out an unearthly shriek that reverberates through the water. Its tentacles go limp, releasing me as it begins to sink into the abyss.

I float there, battered and exhausted, watching the monster disappear into the darkness below. The battle's over, but as I turn back to the gate, I realize my mission's just beginning.

I take a moment to gather myself, the water around me still swirling with debris from the battle. My muscles ache, but there's no time to rest. The gate looms before me, its ancient stonework covered in strange, glowing runes.

I swim closer, running my hands over the intricate patterns. The magic pulses stronger now, almost eager. I press my palm flat against the center of the gate, channeling my power into it.

The runes flare to life, brilliant blue light cutting through the murky water. There's a low rumble, and the massive stone doors begin to swing open.

I hesitate for a split second. Whatever's beyond this gate, it's powerful enough to warrant all these defenses. But I've come too far to turn back now. I take a deep breath I don't need and swim through the opening.

The moment I cross the threshold, I feel it – a shift in the water, a charge in the magic around me. I spin just in time to see the gate slam shut behind me. Trapped.

I turn back, facing a long, dark tunnel stretching out before me. As I swim forward, glowing symbols ignite along the walls, casting an eerie light. The tunnel slopes downward, leading me deeper.

Suddenly, the water around me begins to churn. I feel a strong current pulling me forward. I try to swim against it, but it's too powerful. The tunnel blurs past as I'm swept along, helpless to control my direction.

Just as panic starts to set in, I spot a break in the current ahead. I angle my body, fighting against the flow with every ounce of strength I have left. At the last second, I manage to grab onto a protruding stone, anchoring myself.

The current roars past me, but I hold firm. Once it subsides, I push off, continuing down the tunnel. My nerves are on high alert now, every sense straining for the next trap.

I don't have to wait long. The tunnel opens into a vast chamber, and as I enter, I feel a strange tingling across my skin. Too late, I realize my mistake. A shimmering barrier springs to life around me, a magical cage.

I slam my fists against it, but the barrier holds firm. Worse, I can feel it draining my energy, weakening me with each passing second. I close my eyes, forcing myself to think past the growing fatigue.

There has to be a way out. I examine the cage closely, looking for any flaw in its construction. That's when I notice it – a tiny imperfection in one corner, where the magic doesn't quite line up.

I focus all my remaining power on that spot, channeling it into a concentrated burst. The barrier flickers, then shatters. I'm free, but dangerously weakened.

I push through the last of the tunnel, my body aching from the ordeal. The water around me suddenly clears, and I find myself facing what can only be described as a shimmering curtain of magic. It's a portal, pulsing with an otherworldly energy that makes my skin tingle.

Cautiously, I approach. The surface ripples as I near, like disturbed mercury. I reach out, my fingers barely grazing the portal's edge. A jolt of electricity shoots up my arm, and suddenly, I can see through it.

A volcanic island materializes before my eyes, shrouded in mist and smoke. Black sand beaches ring its shores, while jagged peaks of obsidian thrust into an ash-gray sky. Rivers of molten lava snake down the mountainsides, casting an eerie red glow across the landscape.

It's beautiful, in a terrifying sort of way. The kind of place that promises danger and secrets in equal measure. Every instinct I have screams that this is what we've been searching for – the key to unraveling the mystery of the tablet.

But as I float there, mesmerized by the vista before me, an unexpected thought cuts through my focus: Faye. I can't just leave her behind, waiting on the shore with no idea what's happened to me.

The realization startles me. When did her well-being become so important? I shake my head, trying to clear these unfamiliar feelings. Yet I can't deny the pull I feel, urging me back to her side.

With a last, lingering look at the portal, I turn away. The journey back feels twice as long, my body protesting every movement. But the thought of Faye waiting pushes me onward.

Finally, I break the surface, gulping in unnecessary air as I scan the shoreline. Something's wrong. The beach is empty, no sign of Faye's lithe form or her bow.

"Hey, sweetheart!" I call out, my voice hoarse but I keep my tone teasing. Only the crash of waves answers me.

Dread settles in my stomach as I drag myself onto the sand. Where is she? What could have happened while I was gone?

My muscles scream in protest, but I keep pushing. The adrenaline from my underwater battle is fading, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion. But as I scan the shoreline, that fatigue vanishes in an instant.

"Faye?" I call out, my voice rough. No answer.

I push to my feet, stumbling across the sand. Something's wrong. The air feels charged, tense. I spot Faye's bow, half-buried near the treeline. My chest tightens.

"Faye!" I shout again, louder this time. Only the crash of waves replies.

I crouch, examining the sand. Footprints everywhere, signs of a struggle. My fingers brush something warm and sticky. Blood. Not much, but enough to send a jolt of panic through me. Especially when I recognize the scent — Faye's.

"No, no, no," I mutter, rising to scan the area again. How long was I gone? What the fuck happened here?

A scrap of fabric catches my eye, snagged on a nearby bush. I recognize it instantly – torn from Faye's tunic. I clutch it in my fist, a growl building in my throat.

Someone took her. Someone dared to lay hands on what's mine.

The thought catches me off guard. When did I start thinking of Faye as mine? But there's no time to dwell on it. Rage boils up inside me, hot and unfamiliar. I haven't felt anything this intensely in centuries.

I pace the beach, my wings twitching with the need to act. To hunt. To tear apart whoever did this. The feeling is overwhelming, almost frightening in its intensity.

"Get it together," I snarl at myself. I need to think, not just react.

I force myself to take a deep breath, to focus. There has to be a clue, something I'm missing. I retrace my steps, examining every inch of disturbed sand.

That's when I catch it – a scent. Familiar. Sickeningly sweet.

"Darana," I hiss. Of fucking course. That psychotic bitch followed me here.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. This is my fault. I led Darana right to Faye. If anything happens to her...

No. I can't think like that. I'll find her. I have to.

I spread my wings, ready to take flight. Darana may have a head start, but she doesn't know these woods like Faye does. And she sure as fuck doesn't know who she's dealing with.