All Hallow's Eve 2: Memories

Chapter 6

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I was falling, it seemed like forever. Looking up I could see the blueish Wisp just above in the dark. "But how did it stay there in mid-air?" I thought. Suddenly it began to move around and spiral downwards towards me. I thought this was the end as I awaited my impact with the ground. A sudden coldness hit my body and then the distorted sound of everything as I submerged underwater.

I quickly swam as best I could to the surface. It was so dark I didn't know which way to go. The constant drip of water could be heard all around, probably moisture from the rock falling from the hole I just came through I thought. Then the almost-still water began to light up. The ripples of light-enhanced water began to move closer to me. Centring to a bright spot in front of me.

Realising it was the reflection of the Wisp swooping down from above, I sighed with relief. The illuminated creature flew so close I could feel the breeze on my face and then it changed direction horizontally to the right. It continued in that direction for a short eternity, then disappeared. Then a faint yellow light appeared and remained off in the distance. And of course, I decided that's where I was heading.

I started swimming. The effort was exhausting with the added weight from the weapons and not to mention saturated clothes. As I swam my knee came in contact with a rock, (I hoped!), beneath the water. I yelled out in pain.
"Sweet Mother Earth, why?" I yelled again and it echoed for far too long.
I could feel the ground beneath my feet, so I awkwardly and painfully waded through the water until I reached the pool's edge.

When I finally exited the water I lay down on my back to rest for a while. I closed my eyes and thought of....,
"Niamh!" I yelled, "Niamh!" I repeated. "Can you hear me?"
I got back on my feet and stared towards the distant light.

"What am I going to do now?" I thought to myself and smoothed my long blonde hair across my head. This action squeezed out most of the water and cleared it from my face. But the hair had a mind of its own and fell back down.

I then ripped a strip of cloth from my trousers and tied it around my head to keep my disobedient hair under control. I decided to make my way to the light and before I could take one step I heard a movement behind me.

I quickly took out my sword and turned around. It went quiet again only to be broken by a soft groan and another. I knew that voice!
"Niamh, girl, where are you?"
"Uuh, over here." The voice replied.

I slowly followed the sounds to a sudden; "Stop! Wait!"
"What is it?"
"Well, not unless you want to walk on of me!" The voice came from the ground in front of me.

I stopped in my tracks as a hand grabbed my leg. Kneeling, I followed her arm to her neck, then her face. Instantly recognising Niamh's facial structure I kissed her forehead. Then we hugged.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. My arm's stuck under this branch."
"Branch, huh?"
"Aye, I banged my head off it when I landed in the water."
"Well, let's just see about that branch!"

I reached across Niamh and felt for the branch. Upon discovering the limb I quickly realized it was not a branch but an actual limb. A bone connected to a full skeleton. It was too big to be a human set of bones and Niamh didn't want to find out. She was having none of it and quickly freed herself, (with my help), and got back on her feet.

"Ooow, my head hurts!" she said and rubbed her head vigorously.
I affectionately patted her hair and smiled, even though she couldn't see it.
"Even the old thick red hair couldn't protect ya!"

She grabbed the front of my tunic with one hand and said; "There's no need for that!"
I laughed. She swung her other hand. It wasn't the first time she tried to hit me and I was expecting it. I caught the attacking hand and placed her sword in it.
"Here, you will be needing this!"

Then I grabbed her hair, pulled back her head and passionately kissed her.
"Now let's go see where that light's coming from!"
Niamh then grabbed my tunic with both hands and forcefully kissed me. She then pushed me back and laughed.
"Ladies first." And off she hurried.
"Good to have back lass!" I thought and smiled.

I ran after her, I say "ran" but it was more of a slow jog because of the extra weight from the still-wet clothing.
"Slow down woman. Wait for me." I yelled.
I could hear her laughter over my reoccurring request echoing in the darkness.

When I did catch up I grabbed Niamh's waist and pulled her backwards until she stopped. I slapped her arse and she yelled. In hindsight, it probably did hurt due to the coldness and her wet clothes.

We continued together towards the light, our footsteps exaggerated in the eerie silence. The closer we got the further it seemed to become. A sharp cracking noise came from behind, followed by more, smaller, quieter ones.
"What was that? I asked.
"Sounds like branches."
"Or bones! Run!" I yelled.

We ran as fast as our tired legs would allow. We never looked back for fear of what we might see. Eventually getting a safe distance we slowed down. The sound seemed far enough away. But it was taken over by a new sound. A sound coming from all sides.

"Here we go again," Niamh said, half joking.
We started running once more. The new sound was like thousands of tiny bones or insectoid legs moving in unison. Again we didn't wait to find out and just hoped whatever lay in the light could offer some protection.

We were becoming extremely tired at this point and we barely seemed any closer to our illuminated objective. We could now hear sounds coming from in front of us. Were we closer than we thought? Was the entrance getting smaller? Or just the light getting dimmer?

I could feel the tiny digit appendages scraping, clawing, at my heels. A well-positioned swipe from my sword dissuaded the miniature pursuers.
"Keep going, almost there!" I shouted as I noticed we were getting closer.

The gradient changed and we were now running uphill. The air became hot, and dry and felt like dust in my throat. As we neared the top the roof dipped down and we had to stoop to get under it. We discovered the light was coming from another hole. A hole into a cavern filled with rivers of fire.

"Well, what now?" Niamh asked.
"Mm," I looked all around, "I have an idea. Do you trust me?"
"What?"
"Do ya trust me?"
"Yes, I supp-"
"Good." I grinned.
"Huh?"
I put my arm around her waist and jumped.