After Dark

Chapter 3 - Hidden Temple

Dipper observed the tablet he was holding looking at the data and the threats present. The map on which they were highlighted showed the dangers as dots or shaped areas. Seeing as the stairway was clean all the way down Dipper decided they should start walking. He cleared his throat speaking up. " The stairway is clean all the way down. Follow me."

Dipper took the lead his flashlight shining against the dark gray shale that looked almost black as the water running down the walls dripped continuously the sounds echoing oddly up and down the stairwells and the walls that formed the switchback staircase. The water was running down and sometimes pooling slightly on the stairs as it trickled and ran down the stone digging ruts in places of constant flow. Dipper cautioned them to watch their footing. They carefully made their way and only Mabel slipped on the stone falling on her butt. Dipper rushed to her side while she got up with a wince. "You OK Mabes?" Dipper asked. Mabel nodded. Pacifica took Mabel's hand with a smile at the currently glum-looking, cheerful brunette. Dipper smiled at the girls as Wendy took up the rear looking behind them every so many switchback stairwells.

As they were nearing the bottom of the staircase a natural light now greeted them from ahead. As they rounded the corner into the light the stairway opened up into a massive chamber that spanned roughly three hundred feet high and a few hundred feet forwards and backward making the room roughly cube-shaped. Light poured down from a single hole in the room that funneled the light into a cone shape that outlined the pyramid in a stunningly breathtaking view of golden sunlight. The pyramid made of some kind of reddish-tan stone was covered in moss giving it a lost archeological dig site city vibe. The cone of light was brilliantly shown with particles of dust that floated in from the ceiling as it softly fell through the cone of fulgent warmth and sunlight. Small to mid-sized birds flew across the cavern really only becoming visible once they entered the beam of sunlight as they caught bugs or returned to the surface. It was a graceful scene that all too easily could make you forget of the deadly challenges that laid within.

Closser to them there were large open areas that were half covered in water and paths through the standing walls on the far side of that. The paths looked like ten-foot high walled in channels of stonework with filigree and expert crafted masonry. 

Dipper called out, "The first traps and dangers are in that seemingly open area of water and stone."

Ford now spoke into Dipper's earpiece. Double-tapped the mark threats/obstructions button on the left-hand side of the tablet GUI." Dipper did so and the drone returned to them and made three rapid chirps as used its red laser scanner to now highlight the traps hidden beneath the thin sheet of water. They looked like random red squared on a chessboard. Dipper told the girls. "The red mard are sheer drop off into water leading who knows where. Stay far clear of the red marked squares and follow me."

Dipper waited for a confirmation nod from each of the three young women. Pacifica blew him a kiss and winked at him seductively. Dipper smirked back at her with a playful grin. Turning around took a path that avoided the marked red squares of sheer drop-off.  Dipper now stopped and consulted the map. He spoke up. Follow my lead and do not step anywhere except where I step. DO NOT touch anything...that goes especially for you Mabel." Mabel grinned sheepishly as her hands folded behind her back. Dipper smiled at her after letting he know he trusted her to do the right thing.

Dipper avoided the red marks on the side paths to the left and right.  Dipper took a seemingly random path to the next left as the way forward and left were marked with red. Dipper took a left now resuming a path towards the pyramid. He could see its tall structure as it towered hundreds of feet above the maze-like walls. Mabel screamed and Dipper's blood ran cold as he whipped around. She was standing in the middle of the path clenching Pacifica's hand as the blonde's eyes were wide with fright. Wendy behind them now also looked startled. Dipper moved to see what the girls were looking at as they stared down a corridor that he had passed as it had been marked a red site path.