Rise Above

Chapter Seven

Digging Samuel a grave was impossible, so they built him a cairn instead, using rocks they pulled from the river. Savanna didn't seem to be able to stop crying and she'd been like that since they'd done the only thing they could to help - gave him the mushroom. The best Amira could say was that it stopped him from suffering any more pain, but she was right. By giving them the mushroom, the only chance they had of saving him, they'd killed him instead. Biting hard on her lip she pushed the tears back. She wasn't going to cry any longer. She was going to focus on making those who'd caused Samuel's death hurt as much as she did. "We're going to be okay, Sav." Savanna was wearing Samuel's sword along with her own and looked determined. "We're going to teach Lady Kahina and Eugene a lesson together."
"I will do everything I can to get you to that door, Amira, and I don't care if I have to die to do it. We just need to work out where it is before we head off."
"I don't think that's possible."
"Of course it is. We just need to think the way they do."
"You want to go back to that area?" Amira shook her head, not quite able to believe they'd really put themselves through that again, but to avenge Samuel she was pretty certain both of them would do anything. "Then which direction do you want to go in?"
"West. I remember overhearing Eugene saying something about people never choosing to go west at the right time and it wasn't until Sam's death I remembered it. Now I think we have to go west from that room."
"Do you think we're going to survive that?"
"It's possible. We have to do our best, Mira, for Sam."
Nodding, Amira readied herself for what was coming. "I think this is a mistake, Sav, but I'll follow you if you really think you're right."
"I do. I wouldn't have said this if I didn't think I was, because I wouldn't go back that way if I thought we had another choice."
"Come on then. Let's get this done as quickly as we can."
Once they got to the tunnel that led them back in the direction they'd already been they both stopped. For a long time they looked at each other, before making the decision without saying a word to each other. Amira went through first, as she was the one with the arrows, and then Savanna, with her two swords followed. The centaur herd they'd destroyed had already returned, which made Amira certain the whole area had been created using magic. As it had she was certain she was going to be able to destroy it, especially as she was beginning to remember things she'd forgotten the same way Savanna had. Standing, Amira, shoot the first centaur straight through the heart. Moments later Savanna follow, and, yelling a war cry, launched herself into the middle of the herd, a sword in both her hands. Doing her best to push her fear away Amira focused on shooting. The more she took out the easier everything was going to be for Savanna.
Sooner than Amira thought possible they'd removed the herd. Before going to the next tunnel she gathered the arrows she'd shot and then went to stand next to Savanna. "Remember what's through here?"
"Yeah, the stone people."
"Exactly. We need to think this through before we do anything." Amira looked at Savanna. "My arrows don't do a lot of good, so I think I'd be better off with a sword. Then we can both get into the middle, go back to back, and cut them down before they can get at us."
Without saying anything Savanna offered Amira a sword and they crawled together through to the next area. They both stood at the same time and ran to the very middle of the area, having to attack a couple of the stone people as they went, but once they were back to back they were unstoppable. Using a sword was something Amira hadn't done for far too long, because she was always better with the bow. It was something she hadn't realised she'd missed until they. She knew she couldn't keep using. It was important for her to stand back and keep shooting, to make things simpler for Savanna, especially as she was a whirlwind with two swords. Losing Samuel made her a better fighter than she'd ever been before. As soon as the last of the stone people was dust Amira handed Savanna the sword back.
"You're good, Sav." Amira studied her baby sister. "I want us both to get out of here."
"It's not going to happen, Mira." Savanna shrugged. "Something is going to take me out, but I will get you as far as I can, before that happens, so let's get going." Amira opened her mouth. "Don't argue with me. Save your energy for the important things. Arguing with me definitely isn't one of them."
To Amira it was, but she nodded. "Come of them. Let's take on the next area." The next area was the one she'd been dreading the most. "Then we need to go west, right."
"Yeah, west."
Just before they entered the next tunnel Amira looked at Savanna. "Do you remember that little crystal Lady Kahina used to spend half her time staring into? Do you think she might be watching us now, to see how we're coping with this?"
"Maybe. It seems likely. She's definitely that sort of person and I don't doubt there are other people she's planning on dumping here, to see how they can cope with the Tunnels. I want you to bring an end to this, Mira, as soon as possible, because the thought of other children like Tony and Lloyd going through this..." Savanna shook her head. "It's wrong."