My Cerberus Girlfriend

Book Four: Chapter 10

Roger stepped out of the hummer and walked towards the back. He gently tapped Katina's arm, which was hanging over the back passenger door. "We have arrived. It's time to wake up."

Katina and the others yawned as they sat up. They stretched their arms and flexed their muscles.

"We're here?" Cilla asked, sounding tired.

Rolf joined Roger's side. "We're close to the Arcadian Mountains," he explained. He turned to Roger. "Do you have the keys?"

Roger gasped and fished out the keys from his vest. He had almost forgotten them.

The golden key shone in his palm, and the crystal ball sparkled in the morning sunlight.

"Yes," said Roger.

Rolf grinned. "Alright, let's move, everyone."

Katina growled. "If you call us dogs again, I'll bite your head off, wolf!"

Agent Rolf ignored her.

After the Cerberus women hopped off the truck, the team began walking towards the base of the mountain. The air was crisp and cold, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of pine trees. The mountain loomed above them, grand and imposing, with its snow-capped peak piercing through the clouds.

Rolf led the way, his senses alert for any signs of danger, while the rest of the group followed behind him in silence, lost in their thoughts and fears.

As they reached the entrance to the mountain, a strange energy seemed to emanate from the rocks. Roger felt a chill run down his spine, and he shuddered.

He stared at the key and held it up towards the mountain. He heard a ringing sound from the crystal ball.

When he pointed the key at the mountain, a beam of light shot out, touching the mountain wall where a crevice opened up.

Rolf widened his eyes and smiled. Excitement filled him up. "That's it! That should be the secret entrance!"

"Alright," Rolf said, his voice low and steady. "Let's move slowly and keep our eyes peeled."

"I hope we can all fit through the crack," said Cilla, her voice tinged with concern.

The entrance was a narrow crevice in the mountain, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. Rolf went in first, followed by Roger and the Cerberus women. Fortunately, the women were able to squeeze their large single body through. They walked deeper into the crevice, and the air grew colder as the darkness thickened.

Roger could barely see his own hand in front of his face. He heard the sound of water dripping somewhere, and the faint echo of footsteps ahead. Rolf moved with a steady pace, his keen senses guiding him through the darkness.

Suddenly, there was a loud rumbling sound, and the ground shook beneath their feet. Roger stumbled, and the women caught him by the arm.

"What was that?" Roger asked, his heart racing.

"Maybe an earthquake," Rolf said, his voice tense. "Or something worse."

The rumbling stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and they continued walking. The crevice widened, and they emerged into a vast underground chamber. The chamber was lit by a faint glow that seemed to come from the walls themselves.

In the center of the chamber stood a massive tree, its branches stretching high into the darkness above. The tree was unlike any Roger had ever seen before. Its bark was as black as night, and its leaves were a deep shade of red, as if soaked in blood. In the branches, tiny golden orbs hung like Christmas decorations. They must be the golden apples!

Rolf approached the tree and placed his hand on the bark. The tree trembled, and a  rumbling sound filled the chamber.

"I can feel the power in this tree," Rolf said, his eyes closed. "It's ancient and dangerous. We must be careful."

Roger could feel the energy in the air, a palpable force that seemed to pulsate from the tree. He wondered if this was the source of god-like power to keep the apples fresh.

No matter how high the apples were, Roger must grab one of them. This might be the last time he will be human.