The Witch's Relay

Chapter 52: And So It Begins

When Linda backs off I notice that Heather has been watching our exchange extremely closely, and on her face is an expression that means business.

Linda seems to notice too and scoots to the side to add some extra distance between us.

"What is your deal?" Heather asks Linda in a way that doesn't give away any information. Her expression barely moves.

"We should get back to the tent. I need to speak to you. Without Kade around."

The last bit confuses me, and as they both stare into each other's eyes, trying to figure the other one out Vanessa can be heard in the background being friendly.

"Alright, I'll bite. Let's go."

"Kade can't stay here."

Me? Why is it that I can't stay here!?

Heather's eyes dart behind me suspiciously before suddenly a look of recognition washes over her. "Right. Got it."

Heh? I once again try to turn around but once again Linda jumps in and stops me. This time however she lets out a ringing laugh and slaps me on the back.

"Don't. Turn. Around."

For a moment I try to shake her off me, but when I look at Heather, she nods. Does she want me to play along? What the heck is going on!?

Heather stands up facing both of us. "Then we should get going right away."

"That's right." Linda concurs.

"What is going on!?" I try asking in a half whisper. It is obvious that something is going on, but what!? Why am I the only one kept out of the loop!?

"Let's just get back to the tent first, alright?" Linda smiles at me reassuring and Heather gives Linda a quick glare.

...

"So what was that about!?" I once again ask the both of them once we enter the tent.

Of course the tent doesn't block any sound, but people walking past won't likely pay any attention. But regardless, care must be taken when speaking.

"Is she who I think she is?" Heather asks Linda seriously.

"Yes."

"Okay.." Heather sighs and rubs her face before addressing me. "Kade, do me a favor and check out the gate. We'll meet you there."

"Wait! Can't you guys even explain what's going on!? Who do you mean "she"!? And also Heather, Linda knows everything! I can tell!"

"I know. But no. Go to the gate and don't ask questions. Just do as I say." She says all this without even glancing at me. Her eyes are firmly locked onto Linda's.

I sigh. "Fine. Whatever. Just don't tell me! I mean, it's not like it has anything to do with me does it? Of course not! I'm the only one who can't know!?" I do listen to her though, and leave the tent muttering to myself, and of course nearly bump into Vanessa on the way out.

"Whoa there! Watch it Storm-Cloud! Where did you guys run off to? One second you were there and the next, poof gone!"

I can't help but smile at her description of the events that just took place. "Yup, pretty much. I'm going to go check out the gate since I haven't seen it yet. I'd rather the first time not be when the monsters pour out of it."

"Hmm, I suppose that's a good idea, how about I come with you?" She giggles, back to her normal happy self. So I guess she just isn't as cheerful when she is tired. Good to know I guess. "It really does look quite impressive."

"Impressive?" I ask as we start walking.

"Yea, you'll understand. It's like not of this world or something."

Heh?

...

"Not of this world" is a pretty good description actually.

The giant stone door is covered in various marks and signs that seems to have been created by something both intelligent, but also primal. They are almost like runes, but you can almost imagine them to have been created by a plant that gained consciousness. It looks like a combination between the natural and the planned.

The markings are both organized and seemingly random. Around the borders the runes follow the edges of the door, but towards the center of the door, it is almost as if someone threw a dart to decide where to put them.

"I can't help but wonder what they mean." I look over at Vanessa who has also stopped to admire the gate.

"Yea.. Same.." But I also can't help but wonder if they actually even do mean something. According to Heather, the dungeon is simply an accumulation of mana and of people's wishes, so could something like that even create something this intricate?

"Those marks didn't actually used to be there." Vanessa points at the door. "When the doors were first discovered, the door was mostly plain, with only a handful of markings on it. Over time more and more are being imprinted. Supposedly, when they fill up enough empty space, that is when they swing open."

"Whoa.. How does that even work?" Noone ever told me this before. Although I never really did question how they know when the dungeon is supposed to open.

"I don't know. I myself witnessed a new marking appear yesterday before you got here. It was quite the sight. First a blinding light shines from where the "rune" is meant to appear, and then once the light dies down, it's just there."

Hmm.. Interesting.. I don't really know how to respond, other than just not saying anything, but she doesn't seem to mind and we end up just staring at the door in silence, maybe hoping to be able to see another one appear.

The door never does end up lighting up though, and instead, I start to feel a little uneasy. The hairs on the back of my neck feel like rising, and I look down at my hands to, with surprise, find out that they are shaking.

I think that maybe my hands are just cold, but when I turn to Vanessa I see her also squeezing her hands tightly and I notice that she is clenching her teeth together, and when I realize that her face is filled with a look of total fear I freeze.

"K-Kade! Do you hear it!?"

"No, what do you mea-" I spin around towards the door and reflexively put a hand on my sword when I too hear a sound.

A sound like a drum can be heard from the other side of the door, and once I am aware of it, it sends a pain through my heart with every beat.

I wanna run. But I can't. My feet are frozen in place.

But thankfully, it stops after just a few more drums and we both let out our breaths, which I never realized I held.

"Wh-what was that!?" Vanessa slowly lets her body fall down to the ground in a sitting position to rest.

"I don't know. A monster." A wave of dizziness flushes over me and if someone were to look at me, I am sure that I would be completely pale, just like Vanessa is now. But I force myself to stay standing, but nearly faint in the process.

Several groups of adventurers and guards that had been nearby come running towards the scene as well, to try and find out what had just happened, but none of them had been as close as us.

This was the first time I reflected upon the true horror that lies on the other side of that door. In there, is a world, that when all is said and done, I wish I never crossed paths with.

I want to go home.