Ancient Artefacts: Uncovering the Truth (Part 2)

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My final heavy swing slices directly through the centre of the vines and the force almost flings me forward. I steady myself against the momentum and just about manage to prevent myself from falling into their grip. Resting back on my heels and assessing the damage, a large gaping laceration now streaks down the middle of the emerald wall. Peering through the tear, small beams of light illuminate specks of hard rock yet for the most part…only darkness peers back. Slotting my knife back into its holster, I pull violently at the remaining foliage and the curtain-like vines fall heavily to the ground. The opening to the cave fully reveals itself and the blockage hindering our progress has finally been vanquished. I turn to face Chris, anticipating his usual over the top reaction and prepare for his childlike excitement. My eyes fall onto Chris and I am met with a surprising wave of disappointment. With his head still glued to the pages of that damn journal, he hasn’t even realised we’ve made our breakthrough and my hard work…yet again…goes unnoticed. Instinctively I stride towards Chris and cover the space between us in a few steps. To my surprise he still hasn’t lifted his head and remains oblivious to my advances…what a great lookout. Taking the final few steps I settle in just in front of Chris and his head snaps upwards as I loom over him. The shocked look on his face and darting eyes settle quickly as the realisation sets in. I cast down a smirk into Chris’s lap and his expression changes, he clearly knows me all too well as I sense him preparing for me to open my mouth.  

Mark: Find anything interesting in there yet? or just playing with words again?   

The jibe clearly hits its target as Chris rolls his eyes and shoots me the fakest smile to ever grace a human face. I wait for his response but nothing comes as he slowly closes the journal and returns it to his pack. Slightly frustrated at his lack of acknowledgement, I let the emotion get the better of me and try a more direct approach. 

Mark: You do realise I broke through around five minutes ago…but your snout has been buried so far into that damn book, I could barely see your head…

As Chris resonates with the words, his eyes widen with excitement and he cranes his neck to look behind me towards the entrance. His whole demeanour changes in an instant and a wide smile cracks through his ever usual stone faced expression. Jumping to his feet, he grabs both of my shoulders and nearly knocks me off balance.    

Chris: I knew you’d come in handy one of these days…

The unexpected joke knocks me into a state of disbelief and I can’t hold back from the infectious smile spreading across my cheeks. It’s been a longtime since this version of Chris made an appearance and it’s almost as if we’ve been transported back to old times.  Indulging in the moment for a little longer, Chris opens his mouth and continues.

Chris: You do realise this could be it? This could be the moment we’ve waited for!

The words drag me back to the present and reality hits me like a truck. Memories of our past clouded my mind just long enough to remove the sickness stirring at the centre of my stomach. I avert my eyes from his gaze and look for a distraction within the jungle floor. My mind races, could this really be it? Is this really how it ends? The thoughts pick and chew at my brain, infesting me with anxiety and worry. Should I tell him? Surely the only solution to my nightmare, confiding in my old friend….but…she made it clear…I am bound to secrecy. Before I have a chance to even consider breaking my oath, a clearly frustrated Chris blurts out a few words in an attempt to rekindle the excitement.   

Chris: Exciting times lay ahead for us Mark and it’s all thanks to you. Now come on, what are we waiting for! 

Chris grabs his pack from the ground below, flings it onto his back and sidesteps me towards the entrance. My vision tracks him as he passes by and he almost enters a jog before reaching the cave. Emotion wells up from deep within and the thought of obtaining the artefact we seek stabs at my core. As an anvil of grief begins to crush my soul, I open my mouth to warn Chris but before I can speak, he shouts back towards me.

Chris: Well come on then…what are you waiting for? This could be it!     

With that, he turns to face the dark and slowly starts to enter the cave…

I stand in silence for a moment…the strength of my thoughts is enough to drown out the screaming jungle and with the seconds ticking by…a sickness laced with guilt resonates at the centre of my being. The cave entrance appears to pulse outwards and spring back instantly, causing a  sudden dizziness to fill my head to the brim. Stress induced panic resonates in all my limbs and I frantically stare towards the sky, praying for air to release my ensnared lungs. Shaking my head furiously, I rub hard at my eyes and cover my face with the palms of my hands. Dragging them downward I take a deep breath and stare into the blackness of the cave…silently enjoying my inner turmoil. Every fibre and inch of my body screams at me to turn back…be a coward…run. Yet somewhere within the darkness, a voice calls to me…whispers promises…beckons me closer. The familiar tone that’s plagued me for weeks…following me wherever we go…guiding us to this twisted end. Even in my dreams I hear the call…the ever present melody…of her voice. From the moment her words crept  into my mind and we stepped foot in that hags den…I haven’t been the same and Chris knows it too…fuck…Chris! The thought of Chris snaps some sense back into me and a worry for his safety springs to the forefront of my mind. I rush towards the opening and prepare to enter, listening closely for any immediate signs that Chris is in danger. I face the blackness once more, tune in to the calming voice and step forward into the darkness.

Swallowed whole in one big gulp, the emptiness encapsulates me and the vibrant colours of the jungle vanish. A strange sensation sets in as I shuffle forward as what feels like a wave of energy passes over my body, plunging the world into complete silence. The echoes of the jungle no longer cling to my back and the songs of birds have been replaced by an eerie calmness. Straining my eyes to see as far as I can, an otherworldly light bends around an unexpected corner and a deep purple light casts long shadows. The neon refractions shape the cave walls and their sharp edges shimmer in dark. Black rock arches upwards and meets to create an awkward ceiling, its jagged uneven surface protruding aggressively in random patterns. Watching my step as I carefully walk along the tunnel, I run my hand along the wall to keep myself steady and establish some form of bearing. The rock is stone cold, a complete contrast to the never ending heat of the jungle and comes as a soothing relief. Approaching the bend, the purple light’s intensity increases and showcases the shimmering rock in all its glory…but worryingly there is still no sign of Chris. Typical…I think to myself as I peer round the corner to check for any danger. He’s always been the same, venture forth first and ask questions later…his thirst for knowledge has always starved my hunger to survive…always banking on me being there to step in and save him from any threat. Confirming that no immediate danger awaits, I steadily move round the arched formation and shift forward towards the source of the light. 

Squinting to make sense of the opening before me, my eyes take a moment to adjust and transition into the light. The haze retreats from my vision and I stare blankly at the scene unfolding before me…how strange. The tunnel opens out into a small cavern, with the same black rock extending upwards on all sides to form an imperfect dome shape. Its ceiling boasts similar patterns to those covering the tunnel and the rough rocks press sharply against one another, squeezing tightly to push each other outwards and towards the cavern floor. My eyes trace the outline of the shimmering rocks and down towards the light source illuminating the room, eventually falling upon a strange stone table sitting at the centre. Taking centre stage, its base is fused into the cavern floor with a few rocks climbing upwards and overlapping to create the illusion of growth. From my position the slab stands around 8 feet tall and is covered from top to bottom in strange unknown markings. The edge of the slab hosts a faded trim, establishing a weak border and seems to be tinged with a golden hue. The side facing me projects a misty appearance and ripples in the darkness, unlike its counterparts this section seems to be transparent and almost mirror like. Upon further inspection, it's clear that the pulsating beams emanate from within and they continue to lash back against the darkness. Scanning the room for Chris or any indication of life, I slowly step down the slight slope and begin to walk towards the tablet. My footsteps echo around the room and the reverberating pulse sends a slight shiver down my spine. As I creep forward, the anxiety gets the better of me and I call out to Chris in a whispered voice…

Mark: Chris…where are you…are you in here…

A lifelong moment of silence passes by and I freeze in place as the sound of rustling paper hits my ears. With no response to my questions, I slowly reach down and calmly grip the handle of my knife. Preparing for the worst, I begin to move forwards and start to side step around the slab. I slowly slide the knife from its holster and bring it upwards, allowing it to face directly towards any would be threats. Approaching the back of the slab, the sound gets louder and the hairs on the back of my neck string upwards. The tension and anxiety build to fever pitch as I prepare to fling myself around the face whatever awaits. Drifting forwards, a sudden face springs round the corner and sends me stumbling backwards in complete shock. I just about manage to catch myself before crashing down onto the hard rocky surface and stable myself ready for a fight. With heart pounding, I quickly swing my knife upwards and prepare to defend myself…but to my utter disbelief…I find Chris’s face staring back at me. I relax slightly at the sight of my old friend, lower my knife and take a moment to stop my heart from jumping out of my chest. Chris, completely oblivious to the fact he nearly found himself stuck on the end of my blade, opens his mouth to speak.     

Chris: You’ll never guess what I found!?

Chris steps out from behind the slab to fully reveal himself. In his right hand he holds a scrap of paper and in the other, a broken piece of black chalk. The paper shows flashes of markings and it seems Chris has been tracing something directly from the stone…that explains the rustling.  

Mark: What….the…fuck…are you doing? Did you not hear me? 

Chris: Oh yeah…sorry about that…got a bit carried away.

Mark: Carried away…you nearly got yourself killed. 

Chris: Listen…never mind all that…you do realise what I’ve just found.  

Lifting the paper upwards and laying it flat in his hand, the black chalk seems to outline an array of strange symbols. A puzzled look washes across my face as I study the swirls and patterns etched around the page. They twist and conjoin to form a muddle of black and with my limited understanding of ancient civilizations, it could be anything from complex instructions to simple drawing. I give in trying to guess as an impatient sigh leaves Chris's mouth and I can see that he clearly wants to tell me.

Mark: Is that some form of map or caveman aged drawing?

Chris lets out a small chuckle and responds with a stinging patronising tone. 

Chris: Surely after all our time together…you’d know the difference between uncivilised drawings and ancient language. On this occasion, we find ourselves lucky enough to be in possession of instructions to reach exactly what we’re looking for. 

With the final words falling from his mouth, the same sudden feeling of dread fills my core and I do everything in my power to remain calm…this really is it. Chris doesn’t notice any small inflections of worry that might give away my discomfort as he continues to revel in the excitement of his find. 

Chris:...and fortunately for us, one of us can read it…but now there is the small case of working out its meaning…

Chris walks beyond me and glides by in typical fashion. Now in possession of his latest obsession, I am but an actor in his play. I follow him round towards the misty face of the slab and stop to study it in more detail. Nerves course through my body as silence fills the cavern…is this really it…can I really do it…is there still a chance to go back…Chris turns to face me with a confused look drawn upon his face and addresses me directly. 

Chris: Now this is a tough one…I can’t quite seem to put my finger on the relationship between the artefact and this slab. From what I can work out…this slab acts as some form of interim…vase…no…host! Somewhere within lies what we seek… but…the question now is how do we access it. 

Chris falls back into silence, pondering his own question and provides me with more painful moments alone with my thoughts. A cold sweat breaks out across my forehead and my body shakes as adrenaline courses through me. Staring at the back of Chris’s head I question if I really have the strength to do what’s right and if I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. If I turn back…we are both doomed…if I trust in the hags words…I give us both a chance…but at what cost…my mind spins as the choice scatters my brain and clouds my judgement, as Chris breaks the echoing silence and turns to face me. 

Chris: Ok…ok…I understand that there is some form of mechanism to obtaining the artefact but what I don’t understand is these final words. Mark, give this ago… 

Chris barely raises an eye to look upon my face and keeps his focus pinned to the words scrawled, as he continues to read. 

Chris:  

Held in suspension, power awaits the worthy.

Mere vigour and cunning will not dictate. 

A trade of equal weight must be made,
Of those true blood, bond or brother.  
Those willing to relinquish it all, may stake a claim, but, 

As Chris composes himself for the final sentence, my heart begins to race as I know the exact words he prepares to speak. Opening his mouth, we both repeat the words…

Chris/Mark: Only those willing to sacrifice it all, will reach what they seek.

Chris’s head pulls upwards from the paper at lightning speed and a shocked look infests his face. 

Chris: Mark…how…how did you know…what is this…

Ignoring his question, her voice enters my head and screams at me to do it, as a sharp pain courses through my head. Unwillingly and fighting back the throbbing pain, I slowly reach down and brandish my knife. Chris’s eyes almost light up the room as they spring open and his mouth quivers in disbelief. 

Mark: I’m…so sorry Chris…she said it's the only way…

Chris: What the fuck is happening here Mark?…did she put you up to this?! She’s playing us against each other…don’t be so fucking stupid!

I take a few steps forward as the voices continue to melt my mind…the screams of authority bouncing from my skull to brain and back again. Lifting my knife high into the air, I prepare to force him backwards towards the stone slab. Chris shuffles backwards and the misty surface comes to life, rippling ferociously with energy and power. Chris’s eyes spin furiously between my blade and my eyes, pleading with me to stop and think about what is at stake. Her words drown out his, as the pressure in my head nearly explodes. Chris’s pleas cease and I see the hope drain from his eyes as he reaches down to grab his knife in one final attempt to escape…but all he finds is an empty holster.. 

Chris:...Fuck….