Chapter 56: Beneath the Surface
"Remind me why we’re doing this again?" Grace whispered as they descended into the cave entrance Elias had marked on their map.
"Because you suggested it," Diana replied flatly. "And for some reason, everyone thought it was a good idea."
[Me and my big mouth.]
The cave mouth was unassuming. Just a gap between two large rocks at the base of a hill. But as they ventured deeper, the natural stone gave way to what was clearly a carved passage, with smooth walls and an even floor.
"This isn’t a natural cave," Diana observed, her sword drawn and glowing faintly to provide light.
"No kidding." Grace kept her rapier ready, trying to ignore the growing sense of dread in her stomach. "Who do you think built it?"
"Definitely not humans." Diana ran her hand along the wall. "The stonework is too precise. Could be ancient angels."
"Or something else entirely," Grace muttered.
They continued in silence for several minutes. The air grew cooler and damp, with a faint earthen smell that wasn’t entirely unpleasant. But there was something else underneath it, a sour, rotting smell beneath the earthiness that made Grace wrinkle her nose.
"Look," Diana said suddenly, pointing to the wall.
Grace squinted at what appeared to be deliberate markings carved into the stone. As Diana brought her sword closer, the markings became clearer. Complex symbols that formed neat rows along the passage wall.