Abel's Tale

II. An Ancient World Below

In the years they found an old man named Isaiah. Or rather, he found them. He took it upon himself to guide these two tortured souls, to mentor them, to teach them. In their time of desperation, of loss and confusion, he was their savior.

Yet the image of those seven warriors would forever be carved into Abel's mind, those dark robes and evil masks staring right through everything they gazed at. And he would never forget why they came, for him and his brother. He would never forget the pain and anguish he saw in his Mother's eyes, nor would he ever forget the cries from his infant brother who he loved so dearly.

The hot breath of the jungle was impossible to ignore as the sun beat down on Abel as he rested among the bright green flora in the center of a circle of stones. His eyes were closed, and he sat there, feeling the ground pressed against his palms, the wind blowing against him, listening to the insects speaking and the birds flying high above, and listening to the rustling of Elise maneuvering her way through the thick bushes, and it grew nearer. Abel opened his eyes.

"Come on, I got something to show you." Elise said, she stood tall in front of Abel, who rose to his feet and their eyes met. "It's a sign, I think we're close."

She led him through the path she made to get to him, towards an abnormally thick tree amidst the others. Carved into it was a sharp diamond with a dot in the center, and Abel knew what it was only because of Isaiah's teachings. "The Order of the Ancients, a long dead cult."

"Right, and he sent us to find their tomb." Elise said. Her voice seemed to imply something but he couldn't quite tell what.

Abel removed the journal from his satchel and flipped to the page bearing the exact same insignia, he showed it to her. "We're close."

The two kept near as they searched the area surrounding the tree. Under every bush, the surface of every tree trunk, and they found nothing. Only that abnormally large tree bore the symbol.

"Why did he send us for this in the first place?" Elise asked, her frustration beginning to show itself.

"He said it contained knowledge. Knowledge he needed, and thus, we needed," Abel said with a hint of doubt. He searched another tree. Nothing. "I don't know, maybe he just grew tired and wanted us to leave for a while."

Elise scoffed. "Maybe. Not that I mind having you to myself."

Abel looked down and smiled. "Come, let's find that damned tomb. It can't be too far away."

Cutting his way through the thick flora and draping vines, he saw a large boulder covered in ivy. Upon closer inspection he saw something underneath the ivy. He ripped it off the boulder and saw it, the same symbol that was carved into the tree.

"It's strange, we've seen their symbol twice now, and yet no entrance." Elise said.

"I know. This one feels different, somehow."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I'm not sure I can." Abel said.

He reached out and touched the symbol, running his fingertips across its rough surface. It emitted the most foreign feeling, and yet it felt right. The ground around them shook, trees swayed and birds shot out of their nests. The Earth around the boulder began to crack and split.

Abel grabbed Elise and leaped out of the way, taking the both of them down to the ground. Elise held Abel tightly, their bodies pressed against each other. Abel's cheeks grew hot and he laughed it off, as did Elise. They gazed into one another's eyes before he pushed himself off of her.

He helped her up and together they looked at the mess they've made. Where the boulder used to be, in its place was an ancient stairwell, lit by torches, heading deep underground.