"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.22

It was an oddly normal look cave that Xena and Gabrielle stood in after passing through the large door just behind them. The two looked around for any clues as to what they were supposed to do next but came up empty-handed.

GABRIELLE
Okay, I don't get it. What are we supposed to do here?

XENA
Not sure. Cora's instructions weren't very specific. Just something about needing to work together to do something here.

Xena sighed as she didn't see any indicators that would point them in the direction of their assigned task.

XENA
Why does this sort of thing always have to be so cryptic?

GABRIELLE
Who knows. But let's keep looking. There has to be at least some kind of clue that'll tell us what we need to do.

?
But don't you see? Your task lays right in front of you.

Both Xena and Gabrielle were momentarily startled by the sudden unknown voice that echoed through the cave. On reflex, Xena drew her sword and scanned their surroundings for the other person that was apparently there in the cave with them.

?
Your weapons will do you no good here warrior. For this will not be a battle of the physical state. Not inherently at least.

Xena kept her blade ready as she continued to try and locate the origin of the voice.

XENA
Who are you? Is this part of the test that we're supposed to be undergoing?

?
At ease Xena. I, along with the others here are merely spirits that inhabit this place. And we mean you and Gabrielle no harm.

Not sensing that they were lying, Xena lowered her sword.

XENA
Since you know our names I assume that you'll be involved in whatever this final test entails.

SPIRIT
Your assumption is correct. Are you ready to begin?

GABRIELLE
But we don't know what we should be doing.

SPIRIT
Do not worry. All will soon become clear. We wish you luck Amazons.

With that, the cave began to shake. Cracks begin to form on the ground beneath Xena and Gabrielle's feet. Chunks of Rock fell from the cave ceiling. One of which Gabrielle just managed to avoid getting hit by as she quickly hopped back and saw it land at her feet. Xena avoided being hit by several falling large pieces of the cave that broke off from overhead. The pair was pushed back towards the entrance to the corridor as the cracks on the ground become increasingly wide and deep. As they moved towards the door they saw them begin to shut on its own until it was completely closed.

XENA
(Sarcasm) Well, it's a good thing that we're already committed to doing this because there's really no turning back now.

The whole area began to grow warmer and warmer. Until it was downright hot. Then Xena and Gabrielle noticed a reddish, orange glow beginning to radiate from the widening gaps in the ground while steam plumed skyward from them as well. Xena was not liking where this was going as multiple-sized pieces of earth rose to various heights and stayed. Gabrielle shook her head in disbelief at the cave's transformation as she and Xena looked on. Finally when all was said and done the earth around them ceased in its shaking and shifting. The entire corridor was split into multiple pieces that now floated on a sea of molting lava beneath that spread all the way around the large area. Xena scowled as she looked at the new sight before them.